Winter bike (it's coming ya know!)

[Spike on a bike]

Nope. Hit local depot at 01:25 and hasn't made it to a van. Monday it is

Oh that's no good m8

 

[BigCoops]

Mine has....at five o'clock, just finished fitting the mudguards, pedals and a bit of a bolt check etc.

I like it, the colour is lovely. Nice big fat tyres (they look massive coming from 25mms).

Finish is perfect, no paint marks I can see, reasonably understated graphics.

Came with the new WTB rims, which as an added bonus are tubeless ready!

I'll pop a photo up in the next few days and report on the ride etc.

First impressions in the flesh are very good.

 

[Tin Pot]

How thick?

This is an interesting piece on bike tyres in the wet:

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014...technical-faq-tire-grip-wet-conditions_328827

At least 25mm is their answer.

 

[outlash]

I'll put my money on tyre compound. I'd rather have 23mm schwalbe duanos over 25mm conti gatorskins any day of the week.

 

[Tin Pot]

I'll put my money on tyre compound. I'd rather have 23mm schwalbe duanos over 25mm conti gatorskins any day of the week.

From the link:

The compound for sure has the biggest influence on tire traction on the road.
- Specialized

Read more at http://velonews.competitor.com/2014...rip-wet-conditions_328827#KtMGmsj3RgP19hBs.99

 

[BigCoops]

Here she is, ready for the first commute

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

That colour is a thing of beauty

 

[Spike on a bike]

Here she is, ready for the first commute

View attachment 100288

You must be commuting today you surely can't wait for tomorrow

That colour is a thing of beauty

Most certainly is

 

[BigCoops]

I did, unfortunately my job is a 7 day a week 365 days a year kinda thing

So first ride verdict?

It's a beast, fast, responsive but compliant and soaks up rough country lanes really, really well. Tyres are at 85psi (I'm a bit of a unit @ 100kgs) but the ride quality is superb. My commute is 8 miles each way along mainly B roads and with a few short but steep (12%) inclines and tight downhill corners thrown in for good measure which it dealt with perfectly.

I'm a happy, winter bike owning fella this evening, (in fact, it's that good, I may leave the road bike alone for a bit).

 

[Goobs]

I did, unfortunately my job is a 7 day a week 365 days a year kinda thing

So first ride verdict?

It's a beast, fast, responsive but compliant and soaks up rough country lanes really, really well. Tyres are at 85psi (I'm a bit of a unit @ 100kgs) but the ride quality is superb. My commute is 8 miles each way along mainly B roads and with a few short but steep (12%) inclines and tight downhill corners thrown in for good measure which it dealt with perfectly.

I'm a happy, winter bike owning fella this evening, (in fact, it's that good, I may leave the road bike alone for a bit).

Good to hear your review and glad you're liking it.
What height are you and what size did you go for ?

 

[Spike on a bike]

I did, unfortunately my job is a 7 day a week 365 days a year kinda thing

So first ride verdict?

It's a beast, fast, responsive but compliant and soaks up rough country lanes really, really well. Tyres are at 85psi (I'm a bit of a unit @ 100kgs) but the ride quality is superb. My commute is 8 miles each way along mainly B roads and with a few short but steep (12%) inclines and tight downhill corners thrown in for good measure which it dealt with perfectly.

I'm a happy, winter bike owning fella this evening, (in fact, it's that good, I may leave the road bike alone for a bit).

Better get to work early tomorrow n see what they do with regards C2W

I really like the look of it an think you may just have clinched the deal

 

[vickster]

Better get to work early tomorrow n see what they do with regards C2W

I really like the look of it an think you may just have clinched the deal

Don't forget Planet X charge a surcharge for c2w, 10% or thereabouts which I think which you need to pay out of pocket

 

[Spike on a bike]

Don't forget Planet X charge a surcharge for c2w, 10% or thereabouts which I think which you need to pay out of pocket

Ah thanks for the heads up I'll remember that when I'm doin me sums

 

[BigCoops]

I'm 6'4'' and I went for an XL, the position (for me anyway) is relaxed on the hoods, I didn't feel any stretch or odd cramps/pains anywhere. That's with the stock (100mm) stem and saddle. Controls are in easy reach and I had no issue with knees hitting bar or toe overlap.

I'd read some concerns regarding the non drive side chain stay and bigger feet, I wear a size 11 and although the clearance is close, there's no persistent rub (it came with two pedal shims which look around 2mm thick) I used them with SPD-SL pedals and put a small round of helicopter tape on the stay and had no issue with heel strike.

Vickster is correct, it's a 10% surcharge with PX, (£80 in my case), I've got to say, this is my second bike purchase from them and they've been flawless. All timescales were hit and the bike was delivered on time and 99% built, I just attached bars, pedals, mudguards, inflated the tyres to my chosen pressure (check they're seated properly!) and checked all the bolts for security (no problems) and away I went.

Mudguards are 45mm SKS Chromoplastics, because of the front fixing position I had to cut the stays on both sides, but no serious issues to fit. PX will fit as part of the build if you're not confident in doing it yourself.

Edit: not sure if I mentioned this up thread, but as a bit of an added bonus the rims (WTB I19's) are tubeless ready, although, while we're talking wheels, the freehub is really, really loud, which may be just because it's new, but it's the loudest one I've had in many years of cycling.

 

[Goobs]

I'm 6'4'' and I went for an XL, the position (for me anyway) is relaxed on the hoods, I didn't feel any stretch or odd cramps/pains anywhere. That's with the stock (100mm) stem and saddle. Controls are in easy reach and I had no issue with knees hitting bar or toe overlap.

I'd read some concerns regarding the non drive side chain stay and bigger feet, I wear a size 11 and although the clearance is close, there's no persistent rub (it came with two pedal shims which look around 2mm thick) I used them with SPD-SL pedals and put a small round of helicopter tape on the stay and had no issue with heel strike.

Vickster is correct, it's a 10% surcharge with PX, (£80 in my case), I've got to say, this is my second bike purchase from them and they've been flawless. All timescales were hit and the bike was delivered on time and 99% built, I just attached bars, pedals, mudguards, inflated the tyres to my chosen pressure (check they're seated properly!) and checked all the bolts for security (no problems) and away I went.

Mudguards are 45mm SKS Chromoplastics, because of the front fixing position I had to cut the stays on both sides, but no serious issues to fit. PX will fit as part of the build if you're not confident in doing it yourself.

Edit: not sure if I mentioned this up thread, but as a bit of an added bonus the rims (WTB I19's) are tubeless ready, although, while we're talking wheels, the freehub is really, really loud, which may be just because it's new, but it's the loudest one I've had in many years of cycling.

Do you mean while freewheeling or in certain combinations of gears ?