Fairlight Secan 3.0

[Guitars and Bikes]

Has anybody got any experience of riding one of these.?

I currently ride a caad8 105 and tbh Im sick of how harsh an aluminium frame can be. I run my size 25mm tyres at lower pressure to try and smoothen the ride, but would be keen to go up to 40mm slicks on the secan. My cycling priorities are:

1 Comfort, if this isnt present nothing else matters
2 Good fit iro stack, reach and wheelbase. The Secan 51tall offers a higher front end and reduced reach
3 Compliance, smoothing out our crappy uk roads
4 Manageable weight, I know it is 853 steel, but I dont want a boat anchor

I would love to read any feedback from those who own a secan 3.0 or have tried one. I am not a gravel rider, but from what I have seen, riders suggest these are excellent for the road and provide great comfort.

 

[Elybazza61]

Not a Secan but have a Faran that is smooth and comfy, if I had the cash I'd get one.

Would the Strael be a better swap for the caaad as it's more roadie than the Secan?

 

[Guitars and Bikes]

Not a Secan but have a Faran that is smooth and comfy, if I had the cash I'd get one.

Would the Strael be a better swap for the caaad as it's more roadie than the Secan?

The stack height on the strael is too low, the secan stack height would suit me a lot better. How do you find the weight of your bike ?

 

[Elybazza61]

The stack height on the strael is too low, the secan stack height would suit me a lot better. How do you find the weight of your bike ?

It's not light but it's mostly used for camping and slower riding so not that bothered, it's also usually loaded up with racks etc.

 

[oxoman]

I've got the Faran which is road / tour / gravel and apart from being a bit heavy is way more comfortable than my usual Ali commute bike. Don't expect a racing thoroughbred, its a very good longhaul plodder that can handle most stuff. Mine isn't a stock build so that makes it a bit heavier than usual. Would highly recommend or a Spa Elan, depending on what you ultimately end up using it for.

 

[Elybazza61]

Should of added that the Faran is usually run with 650b wheels; 'fast set' are Stayer carbon rims on Hope/SP dynamo hubs shod with Rene Herse tyres 'touring' set are Halo Vapours again with Hope and SP hubs and usually shod with Teravail Cannonball tyres.

Also have SimWorks mudguards that add a bit of weight.

 

[Elybazza61]

Some pics;

All road mode;

Loaded up and in original 1x11mode;

 

[oxoman]

Some pics;

All road mode;

View attachment 823699


Loaded up and in original 1x11mode;

View attachment 823700

Running 700c with dynamo hub and loaded.

 

[feckless]

Another non-Secan owner here, but I do have a Strael which is maybe a little closer to the Secan than the Faran.
To answer you questions in order ...

Comfort – My Strael 3.0 is significantly more comfortable than the carbon 3T Exploro (on the same tyres) that preceded it. Like night and day difference. The Strael's ride is smooth where the 3T was harsh and, ultimately, tiring.
Interestingly, it's also rather more comfortable than my late 70s Falcon with its skinny tubes and flex--forks. Probably down to proper design and decent tubes rather than the accidental geometry and old gaspipe of the Falcon.

Fit – Obviously, this is personal. I'm 1.72m with a compressed spine (giving a slightly short, inflexible torso), my Strael is a 54T and is set up with the handlebars only about 15mm lower than the saddle. The reach is just tolerable and I should probably be on a 51T even though there would be greater saddle to handlebar drop.

Compliance – See comfort above. The Strael is a modern bike designed with fancy tube profiles for lateral stiffness but it seems to smooth out NZ's incredibly crappy roads rather well.

Weight – My 54T Strael with Hunt Carbon 35 wheels, 105 mechanical 12 speed group and the basic FSA build kit weighs in at 9.2kg (with pedals but without gubbins). I think the Secan is about 750g heavier, so pretty far from a boat anchor.

Overall it's a great bike, very nicely thought-out and extremely well made. I would definitely buy another Fairlight but it would probably be the smaller Secan since that probably suits my riding slightly better these days.

Bike tax below. Old pic from before I buggered my back, the handlebars are a little higher and I'm on a zero setback post these days.

 

[sevenfourate]

Maybe slightly OT; but Cycling through London to the start of the Dunwich Dynamo this year I found myself following a Strael for a few miles. I THINK it was the same colour as below. Which in the late Evening Sun was stunning. And beside that being gorgeous - it’s shape, proportions, tubing profiles and purposeful but not overstated looks were literally mesmerising. I think it’s still the most gorgeous looking bike of any sort I’ve ever seen. I was very jealous I’ll happily admit……