Fairlight cycles - any opinions?

Yup, that's exacly what I have in mind for the Secan. I have a racey road bike for the short and sharp type stuff.

I have a Strael 2, really like it. Went out on the muddy main tracks in Epping this morning, in the summer I did some pretty off road stuff. It fits a GravelKing SK tyres, 32mm back and 35mm front which are fine apart from in clay like mud. Doing badlands this year and wish I had the Secan, but not sure I would do a swap.

Thanks for everyone's input. @cjr , your take is interesting. It seems a strael is fine unless planning to do significant mud/rocky trails for extended periods of time. Considering 80%+ of my riding will be road the secan probably seems a stretch too niche.

Yeah, mud is the main issue due to tight clearance. With a bit of skill rocky stuff is fine.

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I've done all my research and the next bike I want is a Secan, of course I now have to wait until 2021.

If anyone has a 51R for sale let me know ;)

I'm looking to get a new bike next year to celebrate a big birthday. I'm looking for something that can tackle the Spanish mountain roads, but also handle the gravel/paths that Komoot seems to think are acceptable, (and maybe do more of that kind of riding. I am planning more multi-day trips so want something that takes and rides well with a saddle, bar and frame bag.

I also want it to be special and long-lasting, so I'm looking for something steel. The Fairlight Faran looks like it ticks all the boxes ... I could have 700 and 650 wheels depending on the ride, but also use bigger tyres on the 700 wheels. Any thoughts?

Only thing I'm not sure on is if, despite the different geo, the Secan would be a better bet based on the steel they used and carbon fork?

i'm going to buy a strael for a winter bike but unsure on 58T or 58R sizing.... is the T vs the R that much more "sportive" looking? i want it to be as close to my TCR as possible but the 58R has an even shorter (!) head tube than my giant TCR (which i run with 1x 0.5cm spacer)

any LFGSSers got any photos of their straels built up?

edit: just seen they have a bike gallery section on their website which is super helpful :-) interested to see any LFGSS builds too though

I wouldn't worry about the head tube measurement so much as the fork a-c would be longer on the strael than the TCR so not comparable - what does the stack and reach say

very very good point - thanks!

is the T vs the R that much more "sportive" looking?

ask @skinny

i want it to be as close to my TCR as possible

Good call if the mileage is going to be the same

Good call if the mileage is going to be the same

although I am now wondering if i want slightly more comfy geo for winter rides.... probably not though YOLO

it is wrong to assume comfort = high stack

should prob just get a bikefit right

if you are comfy on TCR, just mimic that?

for the majority yes but long descents in the drops my neck can definitely get a bit sore; thinking about going back to 110mm stem (from 120mm) but used to sometimes brush my knees on the bars when climbing out of the saddle with the 110 :'( .... might bring the saddle forward a touch but have never had any pain in knees/legs so don't really want to fuck around with that area

ok get a fit

Finally pulled the trigger on a Fairlight Secan frameset. Now the long wait to July...Aug! I hope don't regret not buying the bike complete from them!

FWIW, the R frames look much better than the T frames! Here's a pic of mine (it doesn't always look like this, sadly!) - 58R

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and here it is with my mate's Secan which I'm pretty sure is 56T

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I think it's unlikely you'll regret it.

Edit: I misunderstood. Either way whatever you've got will be good.

I did the same and it's a great bike that does exactly what I wanted it to.

I’m also wondering about a 58R vs a 56T for the Strael. The 58 I think I’d have to spacer up and have a shorter stem, whereas the 56 I think I may be able to slam

nice! i have settled on a 58R too - the stack and reach mirrors my 2019 tcr perfectly so should be good to go (3mm higher reach)... now just colour scheme and headset i need to decide on

I don't think they intend or design them so you would be between different sizes like that with different headtube options, although I guess whatever works... They're over in Manor House these days so probably worth testing / sitting on them to weigh it up if that's an option?

Oh interesting. I used the online calculator - which is based on height and inseam so quite simple - and the 58r was the “first choice” with the 56t the second. There were some words to the effect that the 58 was for a more racy position which makes sense. I ended up emailing them my current fit details, will see if they respond.

My current frames stack and reach is 575 / 390, and I have a couple of spacers on top of that, with a 110mm stem.

The 56t is 600 / 380. 58r is 583 / 402.

So maybe the 58 with a 100mm stem would do it...