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I called HED at lunchtime: they've worked with Hope on the hubs (they've been working with them for about 17 years apparently) and not only are they drilled 18/24, which isn't normally available, but Hope beefed up the flanges and moved the spoke holes in so they could be drilled radially. So as you'd expect no problem with warranties, they are definitely warrantied but the changes Hope have made should mean no issues.
I explained I'd like the Hope/Ardennes combination but didn't really fancy the very basic spokes, so they offered me the special hubs plus the rims unlaced for a bit of money off, so I went for it.
So, hubs and rims on the way, cx-rays to be ordered. Using cx-rays will knock 60g off the back wheel and 40g off the front, so about 100g in total, which will take the wheel weights down to about 650g front and just over 800g rear.
I could have saved c. 20-28g off the front by going for a scandium rim, but they gave me a very firm steer that they're not worth it - the weight of the rims fluctuates slightly and it can save as little as 20g for an extra £50, and I've also read they wear faster, so I've gone for alu front and back.
I did deliberate a lot about Hope v. Chris King, but a product that's cheaper, made with British riding conditions in mind and doesn't sound like an air raid siren (the CK noise is impressive, but I prefer the slightly more delicate sound of the Hopes) swung me round to the Pro 3s.
Plus my concern for the balance of payments and all that, obviously.
;)
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Now, what skewers you going to use? ;)
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It's all about CdA now Miro, keep up
Dammit's next DIY project is a wind tunnel. Will have to put AQA on ignore as he goes into question overdrive(l). Expect many pictures of bike parts looking windswept.
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Expecting pictures of Fenella and Higgs' faces looking like they are pulling Olympic dives.
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It sounds like HED customer service is right up there with that of Hope's.
Good stuff.
Yep, it's been brilliant so far. It's always the same chap in Rotherham who answers the phone every time and he's the font of all knowledge. I've had brilliant customer service from Hope in the past too so it seems like a winning combination!
I approve of this purchase
Even though it's not crabon? ;)
Sounds like some pretty impressive customer service.
If you don't mind me asking how much did the hope + rims come to?
£570. You don't get much off as the spokes I didn't buy are Sapim Leader plain gauge spokes bought in bulk by HED and the build is essentially free. I was just glad they agreed to sell me the rims plus hubs to be honest, it's not like I could actually buy those hubs drilled that way anywhere else.
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Now, what skewers you going to use? ;)
Dunno, I need to decide on that! Probably not Hope ones to be honest, their QRs have never been that great I understand. The ones that came with my ti hubs are in the cupboard and I'm using DA instead as they couldn't actually keep the wheels in, I don't know how the modern ones are?
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Dunno, I need to decide on that! Probably not Hope ones to be honest, their QRs have never been that great I understand. The ones that came with my ti hubs are in the cupboard and I'm using DA instead as they couldn't actually keep the wheels in, I don't know how the modern ones are?
They work really well.
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Well it would be nice to have matching quick releases.
Might as well get a Hope ceramic BB as well then :)
I have the Hope ceramic BB in my SS 29er. As this bike is belt drive I neglect the hell out it. The Pro II hubs, and BB, have never showed signs of complaining at this ill treatment. Neither has the front QR. None of these parts have ever done any exciting to write about. They just survive my abuse and keep working.
Fuck me. I can't believe anyone would not like hope skewers. They're lovely. I think.
This^
I just had to buy a Salsa QR for my latest Hope hub, cuz its 170mm OLD. Also lovely. But achieve this loveliness at a slight weight penalty over the Hope.
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I do like the Hope skewers, it's just that the '90s ti ones that come with the 90s ti road hubs are utterly useless. You just can't get them tight enough, I did a ride out in Essex once where I had to keep tightening them then the wheel would move across and rub against the stay again and again. When I got back I realised that this had rubbed off a patch of paint on the inside of the stay on my Colnago :(
The design digs into your hands and even with gloves on (or a mallet, for that matter) you just physically couldn't get them tight enough to keep the back wheel straight.
I'm glad they've sorted them out anyway.
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I'm sold. So the hubs and the rims arrived yesterday. Clicky clicky.
The Ardennes do appear to be beautifully made, I just can't find the joins anywhere, it's like magic. Also they have the serial number hand etched into the inside of the rim in someone's handwriting which is a nice touch.
They've supplied them with the decals separately so I might leave them off as this rapidly seems to be turning into a stealth bike...
Bit's I've decided on so far:
+
+
+
(Ceramic though)
(With a Force front mech, obvs)
Still to decide on bars, stem, seatpost and possibly forks, although I'm probably going to keep the original Pearson Audax forks as one isn't exactly spoilt for choice when it comes to carbon forks with mudguard mounts and sensible clearances:
Tenderloin
miro_o
Dammit
dancing james
hugo7
edscoble
Smallfurry
tallsam-
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Pearson Carbon Audax Pro: A comfy, modern & fast (ish) long-distance bike
Posted by
@Fox
They haven't sent any out yet, the first pairs weren't going to be finished until today.
I will ask them why they are building the front up radially when Hope don't recommend it though!