Commuto-x bike

A fair stop gap though isnt it?

Would imagine it would hold some value - sell it on when the real deal arrives.

really don't want to go down this route, as it would mean i have to uninstall a load of parts such as the headset, and will then need to recable the new frame too,

if it's on it's way, and it been a week.

Chance are it'll be quite soon this week, distributor really have no power over the manufacturer when it come to delivery date.

apart from the manufacturer told me the frames were ready for collection on the 6th of july

and hotlines then did fuck all

Put all the details in the bad service thread.

it would be like war and fucking peace

Ask them for compo.

the problem is that i am buying the bike through my lbs, so they would probably end up taking the hit.

Ask them for compo.

Have a little rage at Hotlines DJ, they distribute loads of other manufacturers, see if you can get them to give you some free stuff, doubt they'll discount anything though.

Get a Road Rat frame to tie you over until the Ti. shows up.

This does sound tempting. Or even a pompino.

Then tell Hotlines to stick it, and order something else. EverTi could do something really nice.

Triton, that are making my Ti frame, did some frames that the customer called CX Audax recently. Basically exactly what you are after. They'd build exactly what you want too. Tapered headtube, BB30, post mount caliper mounts, internal cable routing.... You can even go on the paragon website and pick your own drop-outs if you have any specific wishes. Problem is that the waiting list looks to be at least 8 months (definitly going to be longer for me), and the tubing is almost certainly plain guage. Which you may not want for a road going bike.

Cost and waiting time aside. I'd be real tempted to go with Kent Ericsen

http://kenteriksen.com/wp-content/plugins/slideshow-gallery/vendors/timthumb.php?src=http://kenteriksen.com/wp-content/uploads/mondo-cross-fruita.jpg&w=590&h=300&q=100&a=t

i dont want to mess my lbs around, they have been really good to me, but just tired of the runaround

Hang Hotlines out to dry.

Do it.

i dont want to mess my lbs around, they have been really good to me, but just tired of the runaround

Bikelab?

Yep

Bikelab, who have always been great to me. It's just we are in an information vacuum thanks to hotlines

Meh, they don't learn from past experience it seems.

They sound like utter cunts.

allegedly i will have my frame tomorrow, i then have a couple of days to build the bike and test it out before my holiday next week

doubt i will bother with the mudguards right now as they look fiddly but am sure i will regret that

Ace :)

fuckety fuck

today i bought a mini socket set, specifically to install the v-twin brakes

get it home, open it up and try to take apart the master unit on the brakes, the torx set goes down to t12, the small bolt on the brakes needs a fucking t10

it is going to be a repeat of the mtb fork palaver

so thought i should start putting a few parts in place ready to slap them onto the frame

STI's onto the bars - except for one STI I am missing the band that clamps it to the bars

call my LBS, they don't have one spare but are willing to take one off a lever they have in stock and to order a new band

it's for reasons like this that I am very happy to use Bikelab as my local bike store, and will carry on using them, service beyond what i could naturally expect

When you drop £1300 on a frame that ends up being late I'd expect a bloody free 10p leaver clamp :p

You say that, but BLB charged me for the crank bolts when they installed a Phil BB in my frame. Was not impressed.

£1300 frame - I'd expect service

£80 BB and install. Hmmm, I'd be pissed but I guess I could live with it. I'd probably avoid the shop though in the future.

But yeah - service is not a word I associate with most bike shops :(

Notable exceptions:

cyclelab - as they turn things around v quick and know their stuff
OYB - only because they matched an Evans price even when Evans no longer had the size of bike in stock. Saved me £300.
bicycleworkshop - because they are ace.

I'm sure there are others.

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

Ages ago I contacted Hope to check that a small part for the brakes was inside the housing, they assured me it would be.

Finally got the appropriate torx wrench, opened it up. Guess what? No fucking tiny part, so can't set up the brakes without it.

Really really fucked off.

Have spoken with Hope. They will be putting the missing part in the post today, so hopefully will arrive tomorrow morning. Then just have to be lucky that my LBS will be have time to cut down the disc hoses tomorrow.