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@crow the SKS guards I've ordered to do a test fitting are black.
@Psmith black hammered guards don't seem to be available above 45mm, I'll probably need at least 48mm with these tyres, they're 42mm, but that would be my ideal choice, will keep searching once I'm sure that these tyres and guards fit without too much head scratching and mudguard butchery.
As for the initial ride, it was very brief, but most joyful. It was brief due to a lot of the lanes round here being closed due to flooding (I wish I had a phone with a camera sometimes, one flooded lane had a car stuck/abandoned due to the water being level with the bonnet).
To the bike, it feels superb, got that new bike grin, and was looking down at it more than I was looking where I was going. Don't have a lot to compare it to, as I've mostly ridden Surlys and Genesi, and of course my Mr Pink, which I loved riding, fit wise it feels similar, ride wise it feels fantastic. I did a quick test fit last night (put my cycling shoes on, threw a leg over, I felt a bit stretched, so measured my Mr Pink again, and the Varonha is marginally longer) and changed the stem from a 100mm/6° to a 90mm/10° one, it's spot on, could probably go 5mm lower on the steerer, but I'll stick as is for a while, do a longer ride next Saturday and see what's what.
@amey the Koolstop salmon thinline pads are great combined with the Jagwire pro cables, plenty of stopping power (but will investigate the Swissstop pads when I need replacement ones).
Tyres, Ultradynamico Cavas are great, plenty grippy on slippy greasy Cheshire lanes, they roll pretty quick for a biggish tyre, got em at 30/35 psi front/rear, if I go tubeless with them I could probably go a touch lower without sacrificing feel.
Not much else to report, feels fantastic, made me grin, can't wait to get mudguards on and go on a long ride (one that needs a tea, cake and a smoke stop).
Anyway, here's another shit picture taken in my back yard upon my return.
free online keyboard -
Looking grand! If it were mine I'd go all silver, other than maybe the stem and calipers... but it's yours (woop!), and these things can evolve over time. The main thing is that makes you grin!
I like that you're using the parts from a previous bike to begin with - I imagine that doing so highlights the difference between the two frames in terms of ride quality and handling etc. Pretty much every component on mine is new to me so it's harder to tell.
Will you be getting bags as well? Or is it more for one-day-at-a-time usage? (Sorry if I've missed that part of the chats earlier on).
Also... stop smoking, it's bad for you!
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Yes dad!
For work I use a small rucksack, sub 3hr rides my jersey pockets, 3-5hr rides I have a handlebar bag, all day with a possible overnight handlebar bag and Carradice audax, I don't really tour as I like being at home (or a friend's home, not an option at the moment).
Apart from tyres, brakes and the 90mm stem, it's everything off my All City, haven't ridden it enough to compare honestly, but so far, it feels fookin fantastic! -
If the SKS 50mm guards fit, I think I may have found their eventual (inevitable) upgrade.....
https://berthoudcycles.fr/en/1409-stainless-smooth-fenders-700c-x-50mm-front-short-w-hardware-matte-black.html -
Yes, I've changed tyre size from what was originally specced with Winston, so clearances are a little tighter. I need to build a bike store too, at the moment my bike is stored stood on it's back wheel, and I don't want to ding a metal guard.
@Cupcakes, just gotta find a UK dealer now, will email SJS later, see if they can get hold of a set. -
hub jub have 48mm honjos in silver / hammered:
https://www.hubjub.co.uk/honjo-koken-h47-48mm-hammered-fluted-mudguards-4443-p.aspthey also have their own brand 45mm:
https://www.hubjub.co.uk/hubjub-aluminium-mudguards-45mm-4466-p.asp
(probably a shade too narrow for these tyres but they look decent for the money): -
Cheers for the links. 45mm would be too narrow, 48mm is a possibility.
Just fitted the SKS chromoplastics that turned up today, I usually struggle with the rear and get the front done pretty easily, not this time, rear went on a doddle, no rubbing, fairly nice line, the front on the other hand looks like a blind man fitted it in a dark room, with the only tool at his disposal being a 2lb lump hammer! It's not rubbing so it'll do to get me to work n back, then will try to refit it on Friday night.
I think black is the way to go, will post a pic when I've sorted the front guard out. -
No photos will be taken whilst it's wearing these mudguards!
Spoken with SJS, the black smooth GB 50mm mudguards will be difficult to get hold of, as is pretty much everything they get from them at the moment, enquired about the length of GB smooth short and long, they couldn't tell me, maybe somebody who works there should invest in a tape measure ;)
So that leaves me with 2 options VO Zeppelins in black or VO Snakeskins in polished flavour, both should fit (52mm and 50mm), gonna have a think, may order some over the weekend.
Purchasing the SKS mudguards was worth the £25 they cost, just to ease my worries about clearances.
More pics to follow when I've fitted nicer mudguards, and my photographer is available.
Psmith
veLLo
Hulsroy
.gaz.
Cupcakes
atk
seagerAbout
The Two Bicycles of Varonha.
Posted by
@jontea
Come on, tell us about the ride...
It looks super nice btw. Black hammered mudguards would look great.