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A bit of a hitch has delayed the build up, I ran a fair bit of linseed oil around the inside of the tubes at the end of last week to be doubly sure of rust proofing. In my efforts to clean it from the frame I managed to spread a very thin layer all over the outside. This resulted in a tacky feel that felt like it was going to get dust and all sorts of crap stuck to it. Meths and isopropyl didn't cut through it at all, but some furious rubbing with a polishing cloth seems to be doing it. Pain in the arse, kinda wish I hadn't bothered with the linseed now.
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Current bike (sorry NDS shot):
Kinesis by busseynova, on FlickrGreat fun to ride, but a few things that I don't like:
[*]The ride is a bit jarring, while very lively and responsive, I hope to gain a bit of long distance comfort from a steel frame.
New bits still to buy:
With that amount of seatpost would you not be much better off with a decent carbon seatpost? Thomsons are pretty unforgiving. Not to say you shouldn't go ahead with your build, just think that you'd probably get as much benefit from a good carbon post and different tyres/pressure.
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Build is coming together, going down to BW in Bristol tomorrow to get everything put in the right place, as they're the ones who did my fitting. Couldn't recommend them enough for that service for Bristol people by the way, really thorough and didn't feel pressured into buying anything else from them.
Have hit a major snag in the mudguard mounting though. Had thought I might be able to mount off the front, between the crown and the brake, using an L-bracket, but there is not enough space and it'd bring the guard way too far forward, lessening the coverage. I'd seen these problem solver bolts before but decided they were unsuitable as the fork requires a long recessed bolt. Well it turns out they are available in a 32mm version, just no-one in the UK currently stock them, so I have to beg SJS to get some in. There goes any chance of having it complete by Christmas, although it should be ridable.
Makes me wonder why columbus didn't just design in a direct mount to the underside of the fork crown, there must be enough metal under there to do that surely?
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Fuck it, just gonna order some from the US. Ison distribution don't import the longer one for some dumb reason, works out the same cost ordering from the US.
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First test ride yesterday on scarily icey roads. Pretty pleased, some tweaks still to make to dial in my position. Felt really stretched out when I first hopped on, but I think that's just because I've been off the road bike for so long and only on my 'sit up and beg' commuter. Definitely had a bit more flex in the elbows than on the Kinesis. My fitter said I should go with the layback seatpost I took along rather than the inline, which I'm pretty pleased about as the inline looked all wrong with the Brooks, I've got it all the way back on the rails at the moment, so will probably bring that forward a bit. Still covered about 55 miles comfortably with no pains today despite my lack of flexibility/fitness.
Climbs really well, compact gears definitly more suited to my riding style (slow). Brooks works well on this too, didn't get on with it on the tourer I originally bought it for.
I know some will balk at the +17 degree stem. I could have gone with a flatter stem and more spacers I suppose, but I don't mind the positive rise. I could actually get away with a +15 degree probably, as I'm slightly less drop than I got fitted at, I'll leave it like this for now though. h8rs gonna h8 etc.
Still to do:
- decide on bar tape and do a proper job of that. Toying with the idea of Brooks
- swap out spacer and top cap for silver
- fit mudguards (when problem solver bolt arrives)
- fit 28mm tyres (black wall Paselas ordered)
- get dynamo system sorted (which will be SP hub / TB14 rim / B&M Luxos B)
- upgrade post to some thing blingy and with 2 bolt clamp when I can afford it
- decide on bar tape and do a proper job of that. Toying with the idea of Brooks
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Guards on, front is a bit flappy due to the single mounting point (I'd read about this before) so I had to set it a bit further off the wheel to avoid too many scary scraping noises. I have spare hardware, so will probably drill it either side of the current hole and add another mount in as with the wider versions.
The flap also needs a trim, as it's only about 1cm off the floor at the moment.
Needs a PMP ti 14mm layback post when I can afford it.
Pretty chuffed overall. I have my dynohub wheel built now too, so hopefully get a lot more saddle time in the week once I figure out connections.
P1010778 by busseynova, on Flickr -
very nice - what flap are you using?
i need a couple for my honjos!
cheers
J -
How are you finding the fork? Have you got a picture of where it meets the headset. I was struggling to find a fork which looks good with a external headset and that looks pretty good from here.
Rest of the bike looks really nicely put together, I agree that the upturned stem doesn't look odd like it can do. Please update on the mudguard mod if you do it.
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It's decent, but I was a bit disappointed with the design and manufacture in certain respects, for instance it tapers in about 6" below the crown, then back out again, which makes sliding the guard in and out a bugger when fitting. It could also do with a touch more room up in the crown for the mudguard, I had to squeeze it in a bit to get it right up in there. As it's designed for guards I don't see why they don't just put a direct mount hole on the underside of the crown as this would save all the faffing about with problem solver bolts I had. Also, the eyelets needed reaming before the bolts would go in, and they're wrongly listed as M4 on their own site! They're definitely M5, just not finished very well.
The headset is a Cane Creek one that tapers out a bit, so I think this helps to smooth the transition a bit visually. This is the one: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/cane-creek-cane-creek-1-1-8-inch-aheadset-silver-prod17825/
I'll get a photo of how it fits tonight.
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Untitled by busseynova, on Flickr -
Please update on the mudguard mod if you do it.
It's better, although it still flaps a bit when riding one handed. Some beefier stays could possibly help.
Also added these bits:
Haven't actually done any night riding yet, but it seems plenty bright. I need to hook up my pedalpower+ and see if it works any better than it did on my shimano dynamo. Off on tour in a few weeks, so I guess any further niggles will become pretty apparent then!
JB
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About
Soma ES / Salsa Casseroll
Posted by
@Polygon
This project was bought in to like when I was originally looking at a Salsa Casseroll as they were ridiculously discounted (about 50%) by Triton bikes. I decided to be sensible and get a proper fitting before buying, and was advised to go for the 56cm which had, in the meantime, sold out. So I started thinking I would just swap out the frame on my current bike and make it more winter friendly. It has basically resulted in a completely new bike, with a few reused bits!
Current bike (sorry NDS shot):
Kinesis by busseynova, on Flickr
Great fun to ride, but a few things that I don't like:
I drew up a few frames on CAD, using the manufacturers dimensions. This and the Genesis equilibrium were both ideal, but the crappy paint job and Ford Mondeo qualitities of the Genesis was a deal breaker to me.
New bits purchased so far:
2nd hand bits:
New bits still to buy:
(Velo Orange)
Reused bits:
Wheels
shifters
derailleurs
saddle