middleagecyclist
Call me MAC
- Location
- Prestwich, Manchester
Off to Harrogate tomorrow to test ride a Sabbath September AR1 titanium bike. Quite excited.
I have one. They are not worth it but by golly they look good. :-)Checking frame size as much as anything else. Set on a Ti frame with discs. Geometry, reviews and price all converge nicely on the AR1 IMO.
Now, is a Ti seat post worth the cost?
Checking frame size as much as anything else. Set on a Ti frame with discs. Geometry, reviews and price all converge nicely on the AR1 IMO.
Now, is a Ti seat post worth the cost?
I have one. They are not worth it but by golly they look good. :-)
I went up to Spa looking for a tourer and ended up with an Elan, though the 10 speed with hydraulic disk brakes version.Well, that was interesting.
The AR1 was good. Equipped with 105 11 speed and hydraulic discs with 28mm tyres and utilizing a full carbon fork. A 54cm frame was the right size for me. It felt quite racy, in handling and my position on the bike but it was smooth to ride and soaked up tarmac bumps and root ridges easily. I think it would be quite twitchy if pushed hard though. The handlebars were at the top of the steering post so no option to raise these and I would also change the stem for longer one after the test. I don't think it would suit me for long rides even with these changes. I didn't fall in love with it.
I also tested a Spa Elan. Same chainset, brakes and tyre size. Also a 54cm frame but more relaxed geometry suited to my cycling needs +/- pannier carrying. The fork was carbon with a steel steering post which was uncut and so the bars were a few cm higher the the AR1. I rode the same circuit but kept going a few miles further it was so nice. It still would need a longer stem and a couple of cm off the steering post but even without getting these done I am sure it be comfortable for 100+ mile ride.
That's what test rides are for. Looks like I will be getting an Elan. Probably 105 11 speed compact with a droplink so I can fit a bigger cassette. Not sure about wheelset yet (handbuilt or factory, clincher or tubeless?) but set on 32mm tyres.
Excited +++
Well, that was interesting.
The AR1 was good. Equipped with 105 11 speed and hydraulic discs with 28mm tyres and utilizing a full carbon fork. A 54cm frame was the right size for me. It felt quite racy, in handling and my position on the bike but it was smooth to ride and soaked up tarmac bumps and root ridges easily. I think it would be quite twitchy if pushed hard though. The handlebars were at the top of the steering post so no option to raise these and I would also change the stem for longer one after the test. I don't think it would suit me for long rides even with these changes. I didn't fall in love with it.
I also tested a Spa Elan. Same chainset, brakes and tyre size. Also a 54cm frame but more relaxed geometry suited to my cycling needs +/- pannier carrying. The fork was carbon with a steel steering post which was uncut and so the bars were a few cm higher the the AR1. I rode the same circuit but kept going a few miles further it was so nice. It still would need a longer stem and a couple of cm off the steering post but even without getting these done I am sure it be comfortable for 100+ mile ride.
That's what test rides are for. Looks like I will be getting an Elan. Probably 105 11 speed compact with a droplink so I can fit a bigger cassette. Not sure about wheelset yet (handbuilt or factory, clincher or tubeless?) but set on 32mm tyres.
Excited +++
The Elan with 105 hydraulics is what I have, but I use it for general riding & commuting not touring. It's the model with the full carbon fork they were doing up 'till recently and running on the handbuilt wheels they did as part of a deal, Ti seatpost and 32mm tyres (currently Vittoria Voyager Hypers, but GP 4 seasons are next to go on). Glad you enjoyed it and welcome to the Ti fold!Well, that was interesting.
The AR1 was good. Equipped with 105 11 speed and hydraulic discs with 28mm tyres and utilizing a full carbon fork. A 54cm frame was the right size for me. It felt quite racy, in handling and my position on the bike but it was smooth to ride and soaked up tarmac bumps and root ridges easily. I think it would be quite twitchy if pushed hard though. The handlebars were at the top of the steering post so no option to raise these and I would also change the stem for longer one after the test. I don't think it would suit me for long rides even with these changes. I didn't fall in love with it.
I also tested a Spa Elan. Same chainset, brakes and tyre size. Also a 54cm frame but more relaxed geometry suited to my cycling needs +/- pannier carrying. The fork was carbon with a steel steering post which was uncut and so the bars were a few cm higher the the AR1. I rode the same circuit but kept going a few miles further it was so nice. It still would need a longer stem and a couple of cm off the steering post but even without getting these done I am sure it be comfortable for 100+ mile ride.
That's what test rides are for. Looks like I will be getting an Elan. Probably 105 11 speed compact with a droplink so I can fit a bigger cassette. Not sure about wheelset yet (handbuilt or factory, clincher or tubeless?) but set on 32mm tyres.
Excited +++