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A few updates to both bikes.
Small tweeks to the Kona, longer stem (made of Scandium . . . WTF that is?) This one in the road version (100g apparently!!), also got a 90mm one for the Concorde.
and going from 50/17t to 53t/17t with a pair of slightly shabby Chorus road cranks, found I need to build muscle mass and current gear is a bit low for my 12 mile commute on the aero bars. "Must work harder".
Quite a few changes to my Concorde - decided to bastardise and go a little "moderner-er", which equals a little carbon here and there, 10spd, deepish rims, CNC sealed hubs, clamp-on stem, compact bars, lower gearing for a summer trip to the Alpes (possibly).:
Firstly started with a 'Bay bargain - FIR350 rims on PMP hubs and low count bladed spokes :
35mm deep and a chunk lighter than the Campag/86 Mexico combo on previously.
A mock up fit on the bike:
Collected the bits needed for a 10spd conversion, Chorus CF shifters, rear mech, cables and misc.
Decided to go a tad crazy, got some Look CF 1" threadless forks, and got some compact gear CF cranks to replace the Record (for £40!!), new bar/stem combo to tweek my body position and swapped the seatpost for aesthetics.
CF Cranks to follow.
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After the above shenanigans (sp?) the box of bike bits swelled enough to do this freaky little number:
Its an old Cannondale MTB frame with road forks (gives 72HA - 74SA geometry) with some reversed Charge Bowl bars, which make some interesting bullhorns! Going to swap the Spinacci aero bars from the Kona on to it, 8spd, and end up with an uber long, fauxforcedLoPro aero oddity for fun. Or use as a winter hack with CX tyres?
Suggestions on a postcard. -
Just about there on the Concorde now - only need a pair of brakes, as I don't get on with the Campag (Delta??) brakes. I've lost my crank removal tool, so the Carbon cranks are going to wait.
"In other news...." My first commute of the year was a painful but fast one. Been doing a Marc-a-thon challenge thing throughout December I ran 5 miles everyday and my bike muscles seem to have forgotten what to do! Although my overal fitness is better (and tweeked lower/stretched position) has knocked 2mins of my best 3am commute time. So I've bought some Deda Zero aerobars (to replace the Spinacci's), see if I can get below the 30min mark for 11.5miles (going 53/17t should do it?)
Need to think of a new project, as the Kona and Concorde are just about there. Hmmmm????????????
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As alluded to in the previous post - I've got a new project !
First of all little update on the Kona, been putting the miles in and moved down a tooth at the back up to 85" (50x16), which is a little tough on the climbs, but brought my average speed up and got a few Stava top fives on my commute.
Now the new project: A group of friends have asked me along on their annual "trans-England" ride, from Sunderland (in the North East) to Windermere (in the Lake District) 120 miles +/-. So what better excuse to build another bike. Bit of a budget - so bits box and a few bargains are required. Oh yer and this is a mountian bike build as the route is 95% off road.
Started with an On-One Scandal frame, on offer for £150. Its a 29" version with swapouts and a tapered head tube - so its got all the "fashion" bits at a bargain price.
I've had some 6" travel Manitou suspension forks in the shed since I moved to London, so thought I'd put them to good use. (Yep 6" on a hardtail isn't the best setup, but once sagged and dialled in gives a great headangle) also with it being a 29er model, running with 26" wheels will keep the BB down.I tied these two together with a nice FRM tapered headset (with 1.125" adaptor).
Stuck on my old CNC stem from the original Kona build (putting it to proper use!) and got some mahoosive non-commuter-friendly Nukeproof bars (800mm!!!!), these will be getting trimmed a chunk.
And coz I'm a tart, went for an "accidental" patriotic colour scheme . . . .
I'll be running a 1x10 setup and picked up a clever rear mech - Shimano Zee - with a clutch system, which I think is very cool !
This is an initial mock up with a few bits I had lying around. CF cranks will go on the Kona or Concorde and replaced with some SRAM Apex compact road cranks (running just the 34t), although with the 73mm BB shell, will have to get 2-3mm taken off the non-drive side shell.
Hopefully with the 34t x 11-34t cassette, will give me enough gear range for the Pennine climbs and not get too left behind on the downs.
Got some wheels and brakes on order - so hopefully should be fun, but will need to get used to a 68* head angle and flat bars.
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Nice.
How does the cluch system actually work? I had a quick google but didn't seem to find a proper explanation.
Good explaination in this article. http://www.bicycling.com/mountainbikecom/bikes-gear/tested-shimano-xtr-shadow-plus-rear-derailleur
Wondered if anyone used one at Roubais last week?
It essentially reduces/"damps" the forward rotation of the derailleur arm, keep chain tensioned. And its switchable for removing the wheel. Clever!Unfortunately it doesn't automatically double de-clutch and blip the power on downshifts ! Maybe 2015 version?
Jonny
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The Kona in it's Tri-bar guise looks great!
Thanks ! Got my position just right now, although saddle has been up and down and inch or so over the past few rides. Can now cruise at 26-27mph at 105-115rpm on the flat on the bars. Lungs and legs still need work, although several Strava 2nd places and a KOM (3.3miles) is showing some improvement in that department.
Considering a frame change for the Kona to maybe a PX CF track frame . . . for some extra BB stiffness/aero - any other frame suggestions?
Jonny
hugo7
szeliaxe-
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About
Kona Rat Track project
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Sorry for the late reply - I'm a little taller than you (+5cm) and with the bullhorn bars, it fits me well, comfortable on a 50 mile run (although for various reasons I prefer a shorter reach than normal). Really nice frame, I'm very pleased with it.