Another Weenie - Argos Cycles Hill Climb build

Nice! Same rims I've got, is the braking alright on the front?

I have yet to ride them but am not expecting it to particularly good, there isn't really much of a braking surface.

Mmm, my thoughts

Riding down cold damp 20% climbs with ruined lungs, a 55" gear and shit brakes is all part of the fun though, right?

Hi Rob, nice to meet you today - found this thread and have a few thoughts on your build.

I have the same Kalloy stem and it's pretty noodly even at 100mm. I put Ti bolts on it though which lost 10g (total cost was like £30 for a 100g 100mm stem). So depends whether stiffness or weight is your priority. I know that I can actually visibly see the flex if I push down on either side of the bars.

Have you thought about one of the eBay carbon saddles? They are essentaily a Toupe Pro clone (140mm wide I believe) and mine came in at 97g. If you're going to the trouble of stripping and drilling an SLR then at £20 the eBay saddle is worth a punt, especially as its 20g lighter.

Enjoy the forks dude - they're very light and insanely stiff. Pretty sure they're not UCI legal though, but hey...

Hey Ed, Thanks again for the forks they look good on the bike and have saved a ton of weight. they might even stay on for time trialling instead of the Argos ones. I will have to try the stem and see how it goes, i may just run the Thomson if the kalloy feels like a noodle. Saddle wise I already have the stripped drilled SLR as I used it last year, but my flatmate has just agreed to swap some old brakes for a stripped carbon railed one which ought to be mega light!

I will be updating this shortly, I need to sort cranks out and order a seatpost and then it will be pretty much done with the exception of some Ti bolts and other little bits of fettling.

nearly there! I've got a stripped carbon railed SLR to go on, and need to order a lighter seatpost, and that pretty much it. should be just a smidge under 6kg. first race is tomorrow night, its been a while since I've ridden fast up a hill and I'm a little apprehensive.

apologies for low end photo.

and here she is in action.

first event went reasonably well. I had hoped for a course PB but it was quite windy and I was only a few seconds off of that. as far as the bike goes the Profil18's dont brake very well, descending was tense to say the least.

Y U NO LIGHTWEIGHT SHOES SKINNY man!?!?

Little tip: Shimano R065L - 2&3 bolt cleat - super light and cheap. I saved 200g compared to my every-day shoes and they only cost £35 on wiggle.

If you happen to be a size 11 I have some super-lightweight shoes that I'm trying to move on

Also, seriously good bike. Bravo

Just found this thread, nice build.

I need to show the thread to Kt, as she keeps threatening to start hill climbing.

JIC, I'm Jon's dad (the KTM owner).

@dbr

Little tip: Shimano R065L - 2&3 bolt cleat - super light and cheap. I saved 200g compared to my every-day shoes and they only cost £35 on wiggle.

Are the velcro straps decent? I've avoided velcro on cycling shoes after a crap pair of SIDIs a few years ago...

Not actually tried them in anger yet but I'll let you know when I do. Soles seem fairly stiff.

Because £££! I will no doubt get a pair of Rapha Climbers shoes sooner or later.

Thanks again Mr Mack for lending me that KTM, brilliant fun!

Glad you enjoyed yourself, it was a really good test for the bike. I've done a few miles on it, including getting up to the cranks in Mendip mud, but there's nothing like a bit of racing to find any problems.... or not.

Straps seemed fine but they were so uncomfortable I won't be bothering again.