Pearson Carbon Audax Pro: A comfy, modern & fast (ish) long-distance bike

I've ordered the iLinks from eBay now, trying to get the final few bits together so I can get it built soon!

I think I've decided on tyres now - Vredestein Fortezza Tricomp in 25mm.

HED reckon the rims are 'optimised' for 23mm tyres but apparently in the real world 24 or 25m tyres are all good.

At least 25 on the back. Depends on clearance with guards I guess.

When you were looking at rims did you consider H plus son archetypes?

I was thinking of ordering mack super light road hubs and was considering either the Hed Ardennes or the archetypes?

I looked into the archetypes but apparently they tend to come in over claimed weight, quality isn't quite up there with the Ardennes and they don't build up as well. They're less proven too - I couldn't find any reviews, anywhere selling them except Tokyo fixed or much info on them at all.

This said they are about a third of the cost, so that's all forgiveable if true...

What's the progress?

Awesome project - first purpose built carbon audax I've seen. Look forward to seeing it progress!

I only just learnt you have rack mount and would be doing some light touring on it, in which case the wider rims and the choice of tyres is perfect.

After 1,000 miles of touring - don't get a rack, go bikepacking! it's even fun riding up and down the Pyreenes mountain!

Ignore him. His brain is addled.

so would your if you rode the same gearing for 1,000 miles in less than two weeks.

Does my saying it's fun riding up and down mountains with panniers front and rear successfully counter your comment as my mile tally was higher?

lol.

What's the progress?

I have lots of bits but I am still waiting for spokes and the correct diameter seat clamp. Oh and the seatpost.

New bits that I don't think I've mentioned:

I like your style!

You must like black and red then ;)

I also forgot to mention that I have one of these:

And two of these:

More that I have the stem.
And will have the seatpost next month.
Sticking with my current 3T bars - non red and white

That bar tape looks a bit ...much, pete :/ do you not think you're going a bit overboard on the red highlights? less is more and all that.

Two bottlecages is to much weight.

It's officially not a weight weenie bike any more: latest estimate is 7.2kg ;)

Only the drops will be red, so I think it will be ok. Hopefully.

The vast majority of it will still be black!

Two bottlecages is to much weight.

Lies!

]

I have these and theyre amazing. I need to move them over to my road bike I think.

They are great bars, I have them on all three of my bikes.

Once you find something you get on with you tend to stick with it I guess.

...i'm thinking of getting some...

what happened to sptr brz?

i have the ergonova's on my 3 bikes with drop bars (fixie skid, road and commuto x)

spotter bars are fine on two of my bikes, just feeling like a change on the fixie skidder.

^^ Spotter bars are 26mm clamp size, no good for modern 31.8mm clamps.

I have Spotter bars on my Orrell, although I had them before they were called Spotter bars as Scheritt recommended them. I like the idea of the flat tops for comfort and they do seem to come highly recommended (by half the forum if nothing else).

Tom has got me worried about the dual tape now. It would be like this but with the red black and the white red.

The other red bits are going to be QRs, derailleur clamp, seat post clamp, BB cups, little noggins on the brakes, stripes on the 3t stuff, half the chain, part of the bottle cages.

Too much?

White and red contrast quite differently to black and red.

The other red bits are going to be QRs, derailleur clamp, seat post clamp, BB cups, little noggins on the brakes, stripes on the 3t stuff, half the chain, part of the bottle cages.

Too much?

Yes. Chains should either be silver or gold. Nothing else. Why not put some of these on it too?