Parlee Z5 sli, beater Z4 and an Aethos

I've been riding this loads and loving it👌 - I've also been hunting parts for a while and as usual acquired more than needed… I took the di2 off this evening to give the frame a good clean and found what could be a crack on the drive side seatstay 🤦‍♂️
I was planning on a diy fix for the lower head tube bearing race and potentially a home respray so looks like this will need an experts eye to confirm what the situation is

A few months ago I picked up a Focus Izalco Team - the plan is to hang the Campagnolo or di2 off that for commuting for the next few months… might rattle can it to scratch the itch - spraybike ‘Chalk Farm’ with some hand painted graphics… don’t know yet… I think the di2 cables could be made to route internally (but I can’t be arsed to buy a new battery so saddle bag or zip ties etc for the time being)

3 Attachments

I dry sanded the ‘crack’ with P1200 to see if it went further than the lacquer (which is pealing everywhere) and it looks deeper annoyingly…

2 Attachments

Also big shout out to this guy George who runs a mobile mechanic service around Tottenham/Finsbury Park/Islington way - snapped a spoke on my way to a site and he popped up as closest on google, called him and he was there in 10mins, ghost rode the bike away and I collected an hour and a half later with spoke replaced, wheel trued and front mech trimmed, for £30 👌

1 Attachment

So, new bike while a cracked seat stay and the head tube issues are resolved… some weird grey lilac pink thing with Bluetooth group and discs… 🤷‍♂️

Already rounded out a few bolts and bent the mech hanger…

1 Attachment

So what you saying, that's an ali express aethos?

Good to hear the Parlee is getting sorted, really like that bike. As for the aethos, you’re probably aware of this but in case you’re planning to ride it like that, I hope the expander plug is long enough to support the steerer where the stem sits.

Nah it’s the entry level comp one, it’s a nice bike - my first new bike ever I think… and first disc brake bike…

@Sig_Arlecchino yeah love the Parlee so it’s getting fixed, and maybe a decent paint job… it’ll be a slow burner though… and noted about the bung, it was only a moch up having pulled it out of the box and swapped tyres… have now cut it down a bit…

Plans for the Aethos are already afoot, swapping out the cranks, wheels, bars and stem and fitting some full mudguards

1 Attachment

I’ve had one of these since the start of the year. It’s been great. Big fan of the frameset and how un-integrated it all is. Look forward to seeing how you’ll make it yours and following closely for the mudguards.

it’s a nice bike

It sure looks like one 🙌
But how come you bent the hanger?

It fell over in the hallway, landed on the rear mech and bent the hanger, I’ve just pulled it back straight and it seems to shift fine, little bit concerning though…

ahh good to hear, I've got a mate with a pinker looking Ultegra spec'd one who rides with S&D Wheelers (I think I recall you're TW based?)

Mudguard plans are something similar to @GrantMontie has setup on his S-Works - https://www.lfgss.com/comments/17088582/

Some of these would be neat but the pair is £75 posted... hmm...

For the mudguard mounting you saw that Curve started selling thru-axles with internal m5 threading so you don’t need to tap your own: https://www.curvecycling.com/products/relaxle-thru-axles

Yeah was just looking at ordering a pair but they come in at £75 the pair posted... might try DIYing some first...

I've just ordered a set of axles via oriental channels, looking to bond some aluminium (hex) standoffs in them to achieve something more or less the same.

Will update my projects thread once I have something tangible.

Nice - for the stayer? Any thoughts on what you’re going to bond them in with?

Woof pretty pricey, did you check with G!ro cycles who are a Curve UK stockist maybe can avoid postage that way. Of course DIY is also more fun.

Are the axles hollow? Have you thought about doing something like Open does for their guards? Carbon Ti make them a long skewer like bolt and nut that goes through the thru axle. I wonder if you could do the same with a long 9mm qr skewer.

This idea has potential!

2 Attachments

The mounts from these? https://www.crudproducts.com/product/roadracer-stays/

It's not as flashy but at least you can remove the wheels without removing the guards when you get all the punctures in the winter on turbo cottons

On to the mudguards themselves… always liked the PDW design (attachedment to seat tube and single struts) but they have a chamfered design that will limit clearance under the forks… might go for SKS as a proof of concept and keep an eye out for those carbon mudguards some folk have tried…

Another good idea… and yeah punctures fixes would be easier… (got some open Pave ordered for winter riding)

Heres my mates Aethos with gaurds nice and easy with the sks race blades.

1 Attachment

I’ve not met him on a club ride yet (I’ve not been a member long though), but pretty sure I spotted him on the Hell of the Ashdown this year. I am indeed TW based.

A full mudguard installation was kind of what I was hoping for, so looking forward even more now. I need to sort a bike I can ride through winter :)

Nice, did consider clip on guards but would really like something with full coverage and avoiding as much contact with paint as possible… other option is considered was these but nah… https://www.bicyclequickguard.co.uk/

Well say hi if you do spot him, he’s a gent 👌

Other gents in the area are Mike from the VeloWorks and Glen with the beard who builds frames as ‘Aeight’

Yeah full guards or nothing. This will be my winter bike…