Fairlight cycles - any opinions?

Yes - went for 56R, it matched my current bike the closest. You're bike looks awesome! I love the thin top tube

Thanks! Everyone I speak to only has good things to say about them.

My Strael 2.0 Ultegra will be ready early July, it's a 40th birthday present from my wife. It's being delivered to my folks in the UK and the plan is to ride it back to Valencia, Spain, (from Bilbao via the ferry).

Only a 650km bike packing trip to break it in. Super excited.

awesome. i ordered an ultegra di2 build last night (will be using a green commute initiative voucher). hopefully here in time for winter season (fingers crossed on parts availability)

Any fairlight owners know exactly which Hope headset is on offer with the Strael? I’m wondering if I may need to buy some third party gear to slam it to get the right fit on the 56T.

Or, I’m assuming they don’t include the 8mm headset stack in the quoted measurements for the frameset?

same as secan or any 44mm headtube with tapered forks 1 1/8' to 1.5'
SHIS Headset specificaiton – top: ZS44/28.6 | bottom: EC44/40.

Looks like this, just measured as 7mm of stack from top of Headtube to bottom of stem

1 Attachment

Thanks. I wonder if they include that in their stack measurements...

It will be to top of headtube

The guys at Fairlight seem super helpful. I sent them an old bike fit from about 6 years ago and what I ride currently and they gave me two frame options with set ups down to the mm spacer requirements.

Was between a 54R and 56R... (I’m 177cm tall) ended up going for the 56R with a slammed stem and avoiding spacers and a load of seat post. Getting older and there is no way I’m going to want more drop in the future!

They will happily answer any questions. They even told me how I should have my Ritchey set up to match the old fit data.

Anyone else debating between a Strael of Secan for British winter road riding? They seem relatively similar, with the secan providing a bit more flexibility at the expense of slightly less racey geometry?

I kind of was. I think the Secan is a whole load more flexible, being able to throw on some fairly chunky 650s on opens up tracks and byways that you probably wouldn't want to/couldn't tackle on a Strael. Having given it some thought what I'm really after is something that will allow me to eat up miles on shitty UK lanes in relative comfort and the Secan seems a bit overkill for that, so likely going to go for the Strael... haven't pulled the trigger yet though!

Exactly my thoughts - was more reassured by this video also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlsIp0KyzXs

i was also considering it. but then came to the reality that i'd never use it for off road so went with the strael (would rather just jump on my mtb than go ride along some bridleways).... no idea when my Strael will arrive. ordered in Feb and they said July - but i did request Di2 so maybe that will be July 2022 :'(

I guess the clearances for the strael are 30c with guards? Not awful for doing shit roads/gravel on if it came to it?

great vid - thanks for sharing! confirmed my suspicions on the hunt wheels - was planning on selling them the minute the bike arrived. complete shite

iirc its 28c with guards but maybe you can do 30c with guards? unsure

I still cant make sense of the Hunt wheels bashing, arent they just bitex+ kinlin with pillar spokes? If you get a 'custom' wheel built with those specs, the pricing would come close if not more.

I know nothing about wheels, would the Hope 20Five-Rs4 be a sensible upgrade on the Hunt 4 Seasons or is it much of a muchness?

true - doesn't stop them being rubbish for winter

I know nothing about wheels, would the Hope 20Five-Rs4 be a sensible upgrade on the Hunt 4 Seasons or is it much of a muchness?

I've got both & I can't tell the difference when rolling beyond hub noise. If I was going on a big adventure I'd take the Hope, for no-other reason than brand trust and knowing a few people who have cracked hunts.

I wouldn't buy the Hope as an upgrade if you already own the Hunts, unless you want anodised hubs, then it's an easy choice.

That video is four years old. Hunt have changed the wheels since then. I'd at least give them a go.

Ta, the Hunts' are standard on the builds I'm looking at with the Hopes being a £100 upgrade, which as you say is a bit of a no brainer to match headset and seat clamp!

ah good catch. fair enough. i don't think i will though, gonna use my current summer disc wheels as had them rebuilt with brass nipples this winter (rs4 hubs). then get some spicier summer wheels for summer bike

Oh, well that makes sense then.