650B Elephant National Forest Explorer

Ah fair enough; did yours get caught?

Yep.

Didn't regret it, especially with the Oak awaiting modification.

Not looking forward to going back to inferior braking.

fair enough .. so was it $300 + £200? I am guessing the customs will be 20% of the value?

What's happening with the Oak - canti/rack bosses and a repaint?

Stem stuck, then further cosmetic damage by Brixton Cycles, luckily the whole bike gonna get modified for integrated seat tube light, alu mudguard, pump peg on non driveside seat stay, chainstay dimple, replace braze on for centerpull for new brakes and rack, and a different front light (Edelux is much better than the old Supernova E3).

I may have missed some more, just waiting for part to arrived.

You #buying one?

nope; just window shopping; the first batch was bonkers cheap ($1080) 2nd is relatively cheap.

Same colour?

What about a slap strap?

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Probably not, it barely had any mark on on chain stay, probably because the bottom bracket was so low that chain rarely slap on it.

In what way(s) is the Edelux better than the Supernova Ed?

The beam pattern, it's pretty much a spotlight with the Supernova, however when not in use, it got a rather dim stand by light that cut off fairly quickly.

The Edelux have a much better beam pattern, that you can set it higher to illuminate the road further without dazzling incoming road user, it also provide some illumination on the side.

Stand by light is also quite bright and engaged straight away even if you haven't ridden it yet.

Someone did a rather rough comparison on here.

Latest update of the Elephant, waiting for PDW Full Metal Fender and a -20 stem (it's the only bike in the stable that's road worthy a la @eyebrows).

Shimano R685 hydraulic brake/levers is now pushed back to end of January.

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Are you using Hylex? I thought you had the HY/RD

No reason why I can't use Hylex if I'm using downtube shifter (bar end on downtube bosses rather) for the moment.

2/10 would not bang

Im not saying you can't, I'm asking if you changed

I mean I went for Hylex because I don't have STI.

Shimano R685 hydraulic brake/levers

Any reason you're going for them if you've already got hydro brakes?

whats in the tool roll? I managed to fit an MTB tube, tyre levers, park tools patch kit, KMC quick link, chain breaker tool and multi tool; it looks bulky with all that though ..

Quite liking the hydro / dt shifting setup.

I'm well jelly of the dynamo setup actually. My only 'want' with my winter bike is some sort of fit-and-forget lighting.

Guards are a bodge (as you say) but great bike Ed.

You really should get the Edelux and dynamo set-up, it's brilliant, the beam shine much further ahead of me, while the side is illuminated to make cornering easier, and not dazzle other road user too.

Downtube shifter felt very chunky to shift, but the rubber stubby levers felt quite nice on your hand, not as cold as the real thing which is a nice little bonus.

@hugo7 while the Hylex is a noticably big step forward to cable actuated brakes, it's also the cheapest and nowhere near as the SRAM/Shimano offering despite outperforming the best rims brake out there., plus I like to have integrated shifters.

plus I like to have integrated shifters.

QFP

;)

@edscoble
How is the Elephant as an on road tourer? I'm looking to build something similar for the summer but most of my riding is on the road. I like the idea of being able to use it on the road bridal path or trail too.

Long respond, but the Elephant given the nature of the geometry is excellent as an on-road tourer, I'd says it felt like exactly how it should be, fast light handling at speed with excessive load.

Off road however if attempted unladen, it'll feel quite tricky, panniers and rack helped keep it stable, especially when you're going slowly.

I genuinely believe that this particular geometry is well suited for cyclist who want to go touring.

Touring bike in general are awfully dull to ride despite the extra stability it provided, they're great for non-cyclists who want to explore the world, but for cyclists switching from their lightweight road bike, it felt like a hindrance.