Flash Titanium Build for a trip and then commute

So...I have some free time in the trip :)

Here's the finished bike! This bike has been soooo good to me on this journey. Can't stress how much I'm in love with it.

Why I get home I wanna put a front rack for commutingand buy a pair of proper cx tires when I get the chance to do some cx courses

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Awesome!

Looks fantastic.

Are you a camel though?

22 days bikepacking through Italy @andyp

I meant the lack of bottle cages.

:-)

One hump probably a dromedary ;-)

Oh, duh! The frame is too small for the framebag and a bottlecage. I'm carrying one in my back pocket wich is not ideal. I would loved to have the time prior to the trip to make a full framebag but it's ok, next trip it will be smoother

I like that you're already talking about a next trip.

A quick summary of this one would be interesting to read should you have the time and be so inclined.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fixitsticks/backbottle-the-jersey-friendly-bottle-for-all-cycl

Might be handy then

Here's the list @andyp

Frameset: On One Pickenflick
Wheelset: Kinesis Crosslight Disc
Tires: Schwalbe Marathon Supreme
Crankset: Shimano Ultegra
Derailleurs: Shimano 105
Brake/Shifters: Shimano RS685
Disc Rotors: Shimano XT-Saint RT86 160mm
Seatpost: Deda Superleggero RS
Stem: Deda Superleggero
Handlebar: 3T Tornova
Tape: Lizardskin DSP 2.5mm
Seat: Specialized Toupe

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Lovely bike! How do you like the braking?

At first I was very concerned about doing such a trip with a new system that I wouldn't know how to fix if there was a problem, but it was a huge success. The hydraulic system gave me such a confidence, even if it was all in my head.

There were some pretty technical descents on the Amalfi coast and I did all that with gear and in the rain without being worried about the braking performance.

Hi pryally, I am trying to make a decision between these two. Was first thinking Pickenflick, but then saw the ATR and all the praise it gets. I really want a go everywhere do anything machine. But also want mudguards etc. for practicality in the winter. My use would not be CX racing, but gravel and back road trips with hightened heartrate, commuting, longer trips, road use and ultimately The Transcontinental Race(will probably remain a dream) Could you elaborate why you would choose the Pickenflick over the ATR? And given the uses I mention would you still say Pickenflick over ATR? And is it motivated by price or by the bike? Meaning if price was not an issue would you picked the PF over ATR?

My choice is between

1. Pickenflick frame with Kinesis CX buildkit - Cheapest
   
2. Pickenflick finished bike with SRAM 22 Hydro - +176 GBP or 228 USD
   
3. Kinesis ATR with Kinesis cx build kit. - + 588 GBP or 761 USD
   
   

Link to kinesis buildkit:
http://www.probikekit.co.uk/cycling-groupsets/kinesis-crosslight-disc-build-kit-105-11sp-2015/10996960.html

I would love your input on why you would choose the PF over the ATR and what use of the bike makes you say that. Any help with these hard decisions will really be useful to me!

And then there is also the new Tempest from Planet X that has the eyelets for mounting mudguards etc.... this is hard.... Just really want to find the bike I can live with for a very long time. Anyway, would love to hear about your experience!

as promised my reply:-

to clarify my ATR was probably the wrong size for me (54) and no doubt the tall headtube made this worse, making it feel very 'sit up and beg' the pickenflick was a 51 and a perfect fit. I much prefer a slightly smaller frame and longer stem on all my bikes.
Its difficult to get away from the fact that the pickenflick can be had for £700 and the ATR £1400 - no way is the frame twice as good. However the picjenflick doesn't have mudguard mounts as you are probably aware so fitting them would always be a compromise. But if you can manage with that I would get one - I think they are currently doing a rival hydro 1x11 for £1300(sorry gone back up now) which would be myu choice. I run a couple of bikes with this set up and its fantastic! 42 front chainring and 11-40 at the bike.
Whichever bike you get hydro is a must - I tried all the cable disc brakes with very limited success - I have sram and shimano and both are great.

My choice if I was you would be the tempest if you want proper mudguards (get PDW) or the pickenflick if you don't. If money was no object I would still get the planet x offering and get better wheels or di2. I've also just put some 650b wheels on my pickenflick with 50mm tyres and its great fun

sorry for the rambling reply and hope its useful

@pryally thank you for your reply, this user experience is so much appreciated! I find the 1x11 offerings very intriguing but for my use now I am thinking I might have to go with a compact crank(50/34) and an 11/32 in the back because of the commuting. I also have varied experience with the wire based disc brakes and would like to test hydraulics this time. It is becoming clear to me that I might end up with the new Planet X Tempest since it takes mudguards and comes with a compact crank+11-32... When it comes to sizes we might be in the same ballpark. I am 171cm/5'7.5 inches. And also like the smaller frames with whatever stem size is needed.

Might I ask how tall you are so I get a feeling of sizing? Because according to the on one pickenflick size chart I should actually pick a medium frame(54.5cm) but I have a feeling that would feel to big for me. And it would really suck to have a good bike build only to figure out that it is juuuust slightly to big...

Rider Height Suggested Frame Size
5′4 to 5′8″ (155-167cm) S (52.5cm)
5′7″ to 5′11″ (165-178cm) M (54.5cm)
5′10″ to 6′2″ (175-185cm) L (56.5cm)
6′10 to 6′4″ (183-193cm) XL (58.5cm)

Oh wait, according to the size chart I could actually fall under small frame as well...my bad.

I am also 5' 7 and 3/4" and rode a small with a 110mm stem and a 10mm spacer under the stem. I listened to a bike shop when I got my ATR, should have gone with the 51cm like I wanted to. I assume the sizing for the tempest is similar?

I have both a CAAD 10 disc and the pickenflick running 1 x 11 (42 * 11-36 & 11-40)and a genesis datum 50/34 with 11-32 and much prefer the 1x, no thinking about which gear you are in and if you are cross chainign or not just click up and down. If you check on sheldon's gear calculator there is very little difference in ranges so I wouldn't dismiss it.

I have a 'spare' pickenflick frame if you are looking to buy used?

It is correct sizing is similar on the Tempest. Just hesitant about that offer because there are no reviews or anything yet. It is interesting that you mentioned this... because now I have started to research it and the 1x11 setups might not be that far off of I could use. for commuting, gravel well most stuff it would work. Just worried it will not be enough when riding on the road. But you have absolutely gotten me digging into this kind of stuff now! And one of the big selling points that you mention is that it is always just up and down and no "Down on front chainring and 2 down on the rear"-combos that I do now. Actually it is a great point that you bring up there. When racing XC my IQ level drops significantly and it is more then challenging enough to keep pedaling.... The simplicity is maybe what sounds best. It has quickly gone from dismissed to intriguing. I will send you a PM about your spare frame.

Mine are possibly too low geared with a 42 on the front and 11-36,11-40 on the rear but this is the largest front ring to fit on a 110 bcd chainset which I had spare. Can still get up the steepest hill and cruise along at 20mph. If you regular ride on road at 25mph you might struggle...