TransAm 2016 - www.transambikerace.com

Not really, droopy stems are gonna hamper things like clipon aerobar setup and computer mounting. Gotta keep it on the straight and narrow.

Focus Cayo Disc

Was on my list but I've just been ignoring it. I think it's wider at the back, no? I've written "142x12mm thru axle" next to it. I don't know what this means other than it's not 130 or 135mm so be afraid, be very afraid.

That's a 4yo write up of a press release.

Dont make me use the C word.

*cough*customcough

^ don't though .. carbon is betterer

Cayo is very Euro .. long and low.

I haven't got time for custom builders. I need to be riding this thing a month ago.

There's Mason (think Josh Ibbett used one)? Or something cheaper/more gravelly like the On One Bish Bash Bosh (although might not be able to get your position right on that one). Giant Defy disc can be found for pretty good money (think only takes 25c)? Sorry for throwing more things in!

Tarmac 56cm S/R = 564/395

Synapse 56cm S/R = 590/386
Synapse 54cm S/R = 570/378
Diverge 56cm S/R = 590/387
Diverge 54cm S/R = 565/380
Pivot Vault M S/R = 570/388
Gen Datum M S/R = 585/385
Gen Datum L S/R = 602/395
Focus Cayo L S/R = 569/400 which is very close to my Spesh
http://www.focus-bikes.com/gb/en/bikes/2015/road/performance-cayo/cayo-30-disc.html#chapter-3

Swift cycles might have something in stock from Focus for you to try .. in Spitalfields.

£5.6k for Di2/Disc Mason.
Defy and On-One are too short and tall.

How important is frame material? Salsa Colossal geo looks like it might work, features seem sensible, there's even a ti version...

this guy did the trans am on a CC and finished very respectably, he has some interesting bivvy thoughts and discussion at the end

Hippy operates on different level ..

Given its a race bike it should be carbon or at the very least alu. Steel/Ti is hipster fodder.

aye, but his thoughts on kit (spesh for sleeping) and diary are more detailed than some

Yikes, that is pricey. Could you not strip your Shiv and just use some of the groupset off that to save costs? Or are you going 'new everything' for this?

Reasoning?

Kristoff Alagaert won TCR 1, 2 and Trans Siberia on steel
Jesse won TransAM on Ti, Ed Pickup (3rd year before) planned to race Ti until his bike was stolen
Josh Kato won Tour Divide this year on Ti

Half a KG isn't going to make that much difference over 4000 miles... good fit, confidence in the bike, being easy to replace components if needed is...

Why just ultra cycling races?

Lemond TDF steel bike etc.

Its 2016, there is no need to use steel/ti for racing unless its a preference.

good fit, confidence in the bike, being easy to replace components if needed is...

^ also possible with carbon

It's possible with carbon, but currently proving tricky to find something suitable (e.g Diverge with stupid hubs/axle standards). Just throwing stuff into the mix that ticks boxes and isn't huge ££££...

Carbon has nothing to do with it, discs are making things complicated as the whole experience is not refined and in early stages. But Hippy needs discs.

I was sticking with carbon, simply because it allows me to cull frames off my list if they're not carbon.

£1800 for the frameset puts it at Vault price.

I'll have a read of 'em later. Cheers.

Wanted disc brakes for all the descents.

How many of those guys were sponsored their bikes though?

Kristof seems to be wearing lots of Jaegher kit (http://www.jaegher.com/stories/choose-your-stem-color)

Jesse co-founded Curve Cycles, that made his bike.

Ed Pickup was sponsored by Qoroz
"I am delighted to announce that I will be joining Qoroz as a Brand Ambassador for 2014. They have agreed to provide me with a bike for training over the winter, before getting a custom frame made in time for me to take on the Trans Am Bike Race in June."

Josh Kato actually bought his bike I think, but mountain biking >>>

Who deals Salsa Colossal in London?

Thanks, I'll have a look at everything. It's why it's proving so hard to pin a bike down though :)

Fuck it, I already have hydro brakes, just need to lose the carbon wheel...

Are you calling me fat?