3T Strada - 1 X Aero Goodness.

Can't find a 3T thread, this could be the start of something new...

Merlin Cycles are pumping out what seem to be incredible deals right now.

3T Strada Team Replica
£2,650.00
RRP £6,299.00
Carbon everything

Or

3T Strada Pro Aero Road Bike
£1935 at checkout (£2,150.00 - additional 10%)
RRP £4,850.00
Same group/finishing kit, slightly lesser carbon grade frame (+150 grams) & alu wheels instead.

Gearing seemingly a 'pro' issue racing wise (if Blythe is to be listened to ;)) but for me i'll gear it down to 40something on the front with a 11-36 on the back. I'm of mtb background and not cadence inclined.

Why shouldn't I?

Which one should i? / is the Team replica worth the extra? / should i just buy different wheels with the spare cash saved by buying the pro?

It's good they come with a quarq power meter but they're a lot of money for Sram Force

Race proven!

They don't...! It's apparently a crankset you can strap a power meter to instead of having to buy the whole shebang.

Can I buy one because it's pretty?

Can I buy one because it's pretty?

I can recommend an optician.

Actually that's a lie because my eyes work fine

I'm not sure it worth what merlin are asking.

Looks like tyre foot overlap waiting to happen. It also looks like a tt frame. Twitchy.

If you like it, then really, buy it. No point asking here, you'll always get contradictory answers.

A very good point. Size 13s aren't going to mix well with that front tyre at any speed are they...

Point taken on the ££, Planet X has just grounded me. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I want something different, that'll go on a road. Should I just buy @Big_Ted Cannondale Slate then?

I might be biased but yeah, get the Slate

@yeahdext did you ever get one of these?

Negative. And I'm glad! I'd have been mad to attempt a single chain ring down my neck of the woods.
Would have looked cool though....

Bought a CAAD12 instead ---------> Cannondale thread.

@pompy

Don’t listen the the idiot above. He knows not what he is talking about.

Build thread: https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/358063/#comment15718292

😬😬

A mate of mine was trying to sell his one of these earlier in the year, and let me borrow it for a long weekend . Very quick, despite not being the lightest bike. 1x11 was a bit annoying, and 50-36 forced a bit of a grinnd up double digit inclines. But it would have been fine with a SRAM AXS 1x12 wide (44 or 46, 10-36). What actually put me off though was the seatpost; it just would not stay up. It lost 3-5mm every ride, and unless I was prepared to torque it up beyond the recommended max, I couldn't solve it (even with carbon paste). I'm 72kg FWIW, so it's not like I'm too heavy. I did think about a shim, but you just should not need one on a high end bike.

If I could get the AXS version at sensible money and with a seatpost that would stay put, I'd be very tempted.

Off topic but did the slate sell @Big_Ted?

I'm 72kg FWIW

Best buy the worlds finest Carbon paste - 95kg on a good day.

Glad it’s fast. My hour rides might now be 45 minutes - how far can it slip it 45 minutes eh? 😃

To be honest I’m expecting problems like this. I’m also happy to rough it up before insertion. And also exploring the 3T Charlie Sqaero head clamp which apparently fits with some light sanding for when I undoubtably have issues with slipping at that end of the post too!

I’ve got a non ridable Exploro because the seatpost won’t stay put. Pretty much a universal problem that 3T seem to have just gone “lalalala can’t hear you” about.

Wanna throw it my way to tinker with?

Plan c is an XXL Seatpost cut to size to rest on the seat tube bend.....

Sounds to me like I’ll be keeping my CAAD frame in case this is shit as an insurance policy. Paid via PayPal so have that additional level of recourse.

Or you’re ALL doing it wrong? 🤷🏻‍♂️

Plan z.

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What would put me off is over-torquing could lead to a frame crack down the line which they will reject as a warranty. Ditto a coke can shim or something. It just pisses me off that you'd have to do something like that on a new, supposedly top-end bike. If it was a 1986 Taiwan special that I'd picked up for £20 down Bovvy market I wouldn't complain.

Bit of a theme in the bike industry at the mo; lots of great ideas that get let down (imo) by not being beta-tested properly to iron out the bugs. Oh, that and warranties being refused...

It did, yes

I’m going to glue it in place and ride it like I stole it I’m afraid