Isen workshop: adventures in batch production (or not...)

Just a question, has anyone had issue with the paint? I’ve seemed to have gotten quite a few chips/flakes rather easily.

I've had similar issues around stays and chainset. It seems predominantly on the black paint and the downtube for example is in quite good shape.

Down the road I'll probably send frame in for a touch up.

I think its more to do with the black bits being in areas which are most likely to get chipped (by design, as theyre much easier to touch up).

Very true

@coldharbour just sent the bike fit document to hello@isen email.

Does anyone here have one of the 3 small Isen sizes (47, 49, 51) that take 650c or 26" wheels?

If so what wheel / tyre combinations are folk running for general road use...

Thanks

Website says the frames will take 40c 26" tyres so by some fag packet maths, shouldn't you be able to fit a 650b wheel with roughly 28c tyres?

That's what I reckon. There's a tiny difference between the two, 28c on 650b is a smidgen bigger.

Have dropped Caren an email to confirm but just wondered if anyone had any of the small frames and what combos they'd run in real life

49 here for mrs A and she has 650c panaracer on velocity rims, both provided by caren and matt.

Cheers, Caren just got back to me to confirm they can accept 650b wheels up to a max tyre size of 28mm. Looks like the ideal set up is two wheels, 650b with the new Conti 5000 in 28mm and then some 26" wheels with 40c tyres on.

First gravel ride on the ISEN since building it a couple of months ago. 140k on the Vic Rail Trail, Mansfield to Tallarook. The bike was comfortable and super stable really enjoyed riding it.

Built up with Ultegra Hydro, Zipp wheels and finishing kit with 35c Mitchelin Power Gravel Tyres.

The only issue i had in building was that i needed to space out the BB as the chainset came too close to the chainstays. Is this an issue others had?

Anyway keep up the good work!

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Mansfield to Tallarook.

That's awesome. Got a Strava file so I can check how bumpy it is?

Yeah, my ds crank wouldn’t clear, but Matt/Caren put a small tactical dent in the chainstay and all’s been fineness since

For sellz, bargainous #sikcandyfadez prototypes: https://www.instagram.com/isenworkshop/

ISEN prototype framesets available for sale now & delivery before Christmas at treat yourself prices!! They're yet to be painted (apart from the 51cm Milk Tray R3) so if you're quick you can choose any #sikcandyfadez:

⚡All Seasons 53cm standard geo⚡£1290
⚡All Seasons 54ST x 51TT & 700c/650B custom t-rex geo⚡£1290
⚡All Seasons 57cm custom geo⚡£1290
⚡All Season 57cm custom geo⚡£1290
⚡R³ caliper 51cm custom geo Milk Tray paint⚡£1600
⚡R³ caliper 51cm standard geo⚡£1600

All available as frameset only or built up with any groupset, drop us an email on hello@isenworkshop.com or give us a call for more deets.

Ok Hive mind. I have just started the process of attaching PDW city guards to a 53cm with 700 x 28c tires.

In order to get equal clearance between the tire and the guard, the guard will have to be butted right up against the seat stay bridge. This is do-able, but will mean cutting away a lot of the guard, probably just leaving the flattish bit in the middle.

The other issue is going to be the derailleur and cable. There isn't a huge amount of room to the FD, so it may require a tactical crimp, or hole in the guard, but then I'm still not sure the cable will clear without rubbing.

I don't really want to start drilling holes in the guards before I'm confident they'll fit. Does anyone on here have any specific experience with this setup?

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That looks tight. Which is strange because I have a 53 and have fitted 45mm PDWs without much hassle. Bit of tape on the seat stays to protect them, a longer alan nut to reach from the bridge to the guard and I had to trim the front guard stays. Have fitted 30mm G-Ones under the guards as well.

Those long arm front mechs from Shimano go really far inboard when in the front ring and a bit further when shifting into said ring.

Try using a newer Shimano front mech like Ultegra 8000 or DA9100 and you'll get back about 10mm of clearance for guards.

Hmm, that's what I was worrying. This is frame #001, which I think was an 'advanced prototype' rather than final construction, and it doesn't quite fit 35mm tyres so something was lost in the clearance. I've just seen PDW have released a 'road plus' 35mm size which might fit better, but bike24 haven't got stock yet.

I had some success on my 55cm model by rather than cutting, mildlybending the 45mm PDW guards to fit between the chainstays. I managed to get 30mm G-ones underneath.

I used some of the (really high quality) anti-rub tape on the inside of the seatstays too.

I agree with @Señor_Bear with the front mech update. Will save a lot of hassle.

I have a set of grey 30mm PDW in the shed. You are welcome to try them.

Thanks guys, I've ordered a 'Road plus' set which is suited to 30-32mm tires so hopefully that will be easier.

How are you all attaching to the bridge? Just drilling / slotting the guard and adding a spacer post? Would like to use the bracket that comes with them but I think bending it 90deg isn't going to last long. I guess I could use a 90deg adapter the same as on the forks.

90 degree option seems to be holding up ok for me so far

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That generation of front mechs are hell on earth for mudguards, you'll need to slot or change mech I'm afraid, but thats the same for any bike with reasonable chainstay lengths.

Re: SS bridge, it is designed to allow you to drill out the guard and mount directly, limiting noise, rattling etc and looking pro, but you can easily bend the supplied guide to 90 degrees.

We have lift off! Fitted PDW 'Road plus' guards last night at the same time as some 32mm Gravelkings.

List of modification:

1. Extended rear stays with the supplied QR adapters. Anyone else have this problem? Guard was rotated as far forwards as possible.
   
2. Filed sides to fit inside seat stays, and drilled for direct mounting to bridge.
   
3. Filed RHS to clear derailleur cable stop.
   
   

There was no way that the seat tube attachment was going to reach, but with the chain stay bridge bolted on, it should be fine. I considered drilling the chain stay bridge through, and tapping both sides to give a bit more thread for the bolt to hold on to.

The rear is a bit tight over 32mm tires, needs a bit of tension between the stays and chain stay mount to hold it off. Hopefully won't cause too much stress on the seat stay hole.

Front was a dream in comparison!

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It sounds to me like you have either got two short stays, or them swapped around. They periodically came with fronat and rear specific versions, and I think thaqt may have happened? There shouldnt be any issues reaching on this size bike.

Having said that, are these the new middle of the road ones? The city ones dont have a seat tube mounting point.

Just as an aside, if anyone has any questions or queries in regards to isen or anyhting really (no emotional stuff though) please drop an email or call the workshop. I promise it isnt a ebay like scam to get you to communicate outside of usual channels, just that I've got a lot of familial and work stuff on, and often can't cvheck here for a while so can miss stuff. If that has happened, sorry.

As another aside, we are running another Bike fit event with Scherrit Knoessen of bike whisperer fame. Its basically a chance to have someone very well versed in looking at people on bikes tell you which bike to sit on. It's free (deposit needed to reserve a slot, but refunded) and is next weekend. It takes the anxiety out of size choice, and you can come and look at paint finishes, the workshop, etc etc. Follow link below for me details.

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