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Yes, there's loads of quiet lanes, paths and tracks round here that I could go exploring... well, that's the plan!
My Croix weighs 23lb 3oz with pedals (Shimano M520 SPD).
Mavic Aksium disc wheels
SRAM Force shifters
Avid BB7 road cable disc brakes
SRAM Rival 50/34 crankset
Tiagra 12/30 cassette
Challenge 33c Cyclocross tyres
Madison Flux saddle
Condor carbon seatpost
3T stem and 44cm wide flat top drop handlebars
Yes, there's loads of quiet lanes, paths and tracks round here that I could go exploring... well, that's the plan!
Should see if I can get over your way for some enduravelpootle some time!
It's a great way to ride, takes me back to my early days on MTBs. Was living in the middle of the Plain at the time, and would just ride wherever the mood took me. "Oooh, I wonder what's along that lane/path/trail" sort of thing.
Peter on a tangental note, guess where the 2015 Tour Etape route goes. 😀
Flashy, I was toying with the idea of posting up a grrrrravel pootle at some point, but I'm not 100% sure what people would expect, plus I need to sort the route first. I'll see.....
Geetee, go on then, let us in on the secret. 🙂
We're sort of getting some momentum towards a grrrrravel pootle via the Hampshire thread.
Tough thing is trying to work out the exact definition of grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrravel. For some, it's just a smooth towpath, for others it's CX bike terrain. I think I'm somewhere in between for the most part!
Well it's not remotely a secret, but it does have your name on it Peter:
[url= http://www.letapedutour.com/ET1/us/the-route.html ]It goes up the Col de Croix de Fer[/url]
(BTW did I see you in the Sony RX gallery on Flickr?)
As we are having a cdF love-in. I thought that I would add a gratuitous picture of mine 🙂
[img] 
[/img].
this was mine before I stripped it down - 22.5lbs with pedals :
[img] 
?oh=7736f02d609c17fef3e65b7e0e147256&oe=54D18B9C&__gda__=1423178788_2c0b9328817efe39833d7355b2534773[/img]
My mate has a croix as well (I bought mine after trying his - even though it was a stock/heavy one), and I bought him this shirt and hat for his last birthday (hat came free) :
[img] 
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If I do get one of these here Pootlers I'll need low ratios.
Might be my weight, might be high cadence, certainly not being very fit
So assuming the bike I buy is like a CDA sora 9 speed
If I do a triple conversion I'll need a new chain set and left hand shifter and a new front mech? (oh and a longer rear mech)
Could i use a MTB or treking chainset as long as its 9 speed
Or put a 36 tooth block on and MTB mech
I can't find a 9 speed 28 42 chainset. Is that something that no one makes, in 9 speed
I've had a triple put on my CdF, all new parts and done properly. Run a triple on everything cos it's hilly Darn Sarf. 🙂
Edit: CdF's are 10 speed, or they were.
28-42 chain set. You have a few options. 74 BCD inner triple with outer ring in the bin. careful as some newer (shimano) triples have a bigger bcd
Middle burn do one
Surging have OX601D
Rene herse
Velo orange
A pootle route should link up as many tea shops and nice benches to sit on as possible.
There should be no sweating or over exertion of any kind.
Some sort of pannier should be used to carry emergency ?cake.
Anyone who brings a stove and a kettle to make a fresh cup of tea should be held aloft on people's shoulders and given the title of Lord of the Pootle. The prize should be extra ?cake. Or chips.
My C2C pootle was perfect.
There was a lot of this:
[URL= http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp187/rcatkin/Rides/C2C%20September%202014/44D4F0A8-74C4-4D75-BDAE-953B2D845B11_zpscbkqllbu.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp187/rcatkin/Rides/C2C%20September%202014/44D4F0A8-74C4-4D75-BDAE-953B2D845B11_zpscbkqllbu.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
And this.
[URL= http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp187/rcatkin/Rides/C2C%20September%202014/A93CDBA6-E6B9-4A3B-A95F-D5E741B8CF0D_zpslx2wfvhz.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp187/rcatkin/Rides/C2C%20September%202014/A93CDBA6-E6B9-4A3B-A95F-D5E741B8CF0D_zpslx2wfvhz.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
And this.
[URL= http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp187/rcatkin/Rides/C2C%20September%202014/3D21C0EB-8150-46F5-A456-F3530EA50BC5_zpskntwceuh.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp187/rcatkin/Rides/C2C%20September%202014/3D21C0EB-8150-46F5-A456-F3530EA50BC5_zpskntwceuh.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
All done slowly along lanes like this
[URL= http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp187/rcatkin/Rides/C2C%20September%202014/9509655F-FB38-44C4-8B78-AB3CBBB73FBF_zpsyjj0glm3.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp187/rcatkin/Rides/C2C%20September%202014/9509655F-FB38-44C4-8B78-AB3CBBB73FBF_zpsyjj0glm3.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
[URL= http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp187/rcatkin/Rides/C2C%20September%202014/85D6050D-E574-4603-B2E3-7BA516C5078C_zps3szjpgsm.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp187/rcatkin/Rides/C2C%20September%202014/85D6050D-E574-4603-B2E3-7BA516C5078C_zps3szjpgsm.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
[s]***king awesome![/s]
edit: sorry about the swearing.
that looks brilliant.
ThomThumb thanks
Cinnamon Girl
are you sure? CDF isn't an abbreviation in 2015 its a model
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/genesis/croix-de-fer-10-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec073913
I think Sora is 9 speed
Tiagra is 10 speed
I got the same bike a few weeks back, went down a different route with the setup though as I hate drop bars! Loving it so far and I've never been one for skinny wheels, the only things I'm still to do are mudguards as it's a commuter for work, bottle cage and a new saddle as compared to the Superstar Peak on my SC this one is stupidly flat and hard!
[IMG] 
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CG
My 2013 CdF is definitely a 9 speed Sora :).
The 2013 full fat Croix is a 10 speed (Tiagra)
Same for 2014 models.
2015 range is expanded more = 4 models IIRC
Flashy, yes it needs to be done. I'm thinking the route would involve some tarmac, as traffic free as possible, lanes and cycle paths, and some fairly gentle off road, tow paths, tracks, more cycle routes. I'd look at Sustrans and see what's in the area personally, I've done a lot of their routes and they're generally lovely.
CG, "CDF" is now an abbreviation. They're all "Croix de Fer" now. Mine is the lowest in the range, the 10. Then it goes 20, 30 etc. mines 9sp Sora. Which is perfectly adequate for anyone.. 🙂
(and certainly the best looking one in the range)
Geetee, I didn't even KNOW there was a Col de Croix de Fer! I NEED one of those jerseys though!
Is disappoint....
That's a Rapha jersey isn't it? I can neither afford or fit into one of those. 🙁
I didn't even KNOW there was a Col de [b]la[/b] Croix de Fer!
Go and sit in the corner and think about what you've done.
[img] 
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I'm not French or a roadie. I'm an English mountainbiker. So shoot me why not.
😉
Can be arranged. 😉
Maybe those of us from the Sarf should all go en masse to france and cycle up the Col?
Sorry chaps, am obviously not keeping up! 😳
I need to study your route Peter - living Guildford and working Farnham, I commute on the road sometimes but I wouldn't mind a gravel commute for winter months, that is short and direct enough but avoids traffic along the normandy-ash road in the dark and wet.
I tried the xmas pie trail a few weeks back and got lost - started off on old railway but that ran out into an overgrown swamp. I retraced to a bridge that put me back on the trail eventually crossing the wanborough road, then somewhere after that I lost signs again and ended up hacking round some fields eventually coming out onto the wood street road but quite a way east of the white hart / village green, and was way too muddy given this was before the wetness started!!
😳
All the steels are that are croix der Fer
The alloy ones are CDA
But CDA isn't the initials of Croix de Fer.
Featuring another dyslexic moment
Went to the launch night of the 2015 Genesis range tonight at SprocketsCycles in Kilmarnock. Superb looking kit and scrummy sausage rolls and tasty beer 🙂
The Croix De Fer 30 is a peach, IMO looks better than the Stainless Steel one and with Shimano chain set rather than FSA. Only criticism was that the 105 front mech at the cable clamp bolt is awfy close to the rear tyre when on outer ring but apparently the frame was pre production and factory ones have slightly longer chainstays.
JonV, there's a sign that's very very easy to miss! As you go towards Guildford through Chrismas Pie village you cross the main road, then bear right as the road goes left. It turns to gravel road and buried in the hedge on the right is a sign pointing left. Otherwise you go up a gravel road hill and into farmland which eventually does turn into a bog, yes.
Yep, with a newish / renovated barn on the right iirc. That's where i went wrong, looking at your map.
After that, is it well signed?
The other bit where i deviated from your route, is along the disused railway. I went further along, as far as Whitegate copse, before retracing to Drovers way. Should have turned instead at Bin Wood, by the looks of it. Is that an obvious turn, because the railway line is still flat and inviting at that point?
[URL= http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp171/garryellam/IMG_0431.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp171/garryellam/IMG_0431.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
an excuse for a piccie of mine
Jon, To be honest I can't remember any other signs as I'm not really looking for them!
Hi Pete,
I've got a CDA 2015 model and I am in between sizes. My road bike is a 52 and the CDA is a 52. Though I could probably ride a 50. If i may ask what is the reach from nose of saddle to handlebars compare between your road bike and your Genesis?
The Genesis fits well though got the saddle forward to max.
Cheers,
James
What size tyres can the croix take now ?
I just fitted some 40c WTB Nanos and I am very impressed. Had 33c Maxxis Raze but these are much less sketchy in the mud and sand, and as fast or maybe faster at 35psi tubeless.
I find the genesis sizing quite weird and generally run small. So I would consider getting a size up, depending on how high you wanted the bars
Jimmers, sorry, but I sold the road bike to buy this so I can't compare. This is shorter though, no doubt about it.
Sam, I thought exactly the opposite to be fair. The frame isn't as compact and has less stand over size for size than most compact road frames. It's got a more horizontal to tube. On top of that it's designed for a different type of riding. The 54 CDA which has identical geometry felt quite long to me, pretty similar to my Madone in fact. I wanted shorter and more upright.
I've got the luxury of working in a bike shop, so I can easily compare lots of different bikes as they come in and decide what's the best fit. I'm very happy I chose a size smaller than is technically correc for me. 🙂
@TurnerGuy Which Croix de Fer have you fitted Nanos to? I want them on mine, but doubt they'd fit.
No problem Pete. I've got a Tricross SS that has 53cm top tube (same as 50cm CDA) but is a 52cm frame size hence the question.
Anyway it's a cracking bike. Already been bike packing and kept up with MTBers on it. Got a cross race on Sunday. Definitely "big grin" riding kind of bike!
@TurnerGuy Which Croix de Fer have you fitted Nanos to?
I have just swapped from a croix de fer frameset to a Kinesis Tripster, which takes the big tyres. Just wondered whether they would fit.
As I still have the cdf frameset I will have a look this weekend, as the WTBs are very good indeed.
Peter - glad you got sorted. I just cant seem to get fitted properly on genesis bikes without going up a size or 2. Ironically on a test ride I liked a 60cm CDF.
Your bike does look nice, almost makes me want to get a rack for mine 🙂
Sam, the new 2015 models do have revised geometry. Might make a difference?
I've put a more minimalist Tortec rack on it now, that was an old one I'd got knocking about.
Liking the look of this
[img] 
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That's the Tour De Fer frameset only colour scheme someone has built up into a full bike. Looks nice. I really want to buy one of those but the full bike is a bit of a bargain and I like the red colour so will probably go for that.
robdob - I agree with you. The red appears to be a nicer colour (not seen either colour in the flesh though).