I'm currently running 38mm Schwalbe G-ones on mine. Fits fine but its a bit 'tight' on the rear. No rubbing issues or mud clearance problems, but you won't be getting any sort of mudguard on!
Thinking of upgrading my fork to a carbon version to lighten the build a bit. If anyone's interested in an original 3 month of steel version then drop me a message.
Specialized Crossroads 38c on mine and there's only circa 5mm clearance to the bridges. They are tall tyres though! Schwalbe Smart Sam offered more clearance.
Side clearance is better but I wouldn't really try anything bigger than 38c!
Clement ush 35mm on mine with quite generous clearance
My old was hit by a car (driver on another planet) and totalled the Plug.
The old man is ok but injured his neck and having physio.
Hoping the 3rd pays up soon so I can build him a new one or something similar. Shame really as it was a really nice ride and do it all without worrying about carbon cracking from a fall and rode really well.
Looking at ebay and I'm tempted to order a frame and fit a carbon fork.
Frankenstein hope your Dad recovers quick.
bjhedley have you any carbon forks in mind? Probably my next upgrade along with wheels as both were cheap and weigh a lot.
There are a few sellers online of exotic straight legged carbon forks. Designed for 26" wheels but axle crown of 390 or 400mm so assume that's what I'm after.
So seriously thinking about going for the plug 5 too, but same question about a carbon fork for it. What are people saying?
Also size wise, 5'9 with 30 inseam, thinking about a small, but currently ride a genesis equilibrium 2010 which a 54 and fits well.
It's been a similar decision as others trying to pick between croix de fer and the Cotic Escapade, but the plug just looks good and better on the wallet.
Inspired by some of the beautiful builds on this thread I have decided to take the plunge; my plug frame arrived today.
Box was a bit battered but the frame looks great.
Should be able to manage most of the build with things I already have, but I do need a fork.
Can't decide between the carbon Kinesis DC37 and the steel Soma straight blade disc cx fork.
Anyone tried both?
Not sure why but I don't like the Dawes Galaxy ones.
Any other suggestions?
Had hoped RC31s would fit but they look too long...
Thx
Thanks for the comments re tyre size.
Not used a soma fork but used the kinesis and a steel croix de fer fork. Both rode well but the kinesis is noticably lighter. On the road comfort between the 2 was not massively different, i was using 26mm road tyres when I had the cda fork in the bike.
Have used an old pace rc31 on a cross bike a few years ago. It worked ok off road and i did a few cross races on the bike. but it rode better with shorter fork.
My Plug may be up for sale soon as foolishly entered the dirty reiver and want more clearance at the back for a wider tyre.
Lynsky do a straight 1 1/8" carbon/alu steerer fork for gravel/disc that has decent clearance.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/lynskey-endurance-disc-carbon-road-fork-2016/rp-prod89254
[Lynsky do a straight 1 1/8" carbon/alu steerer fork for gravel/disc that has decent clearance.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/lynskey-endurance-disc-carbon-road-fork-2016/rp-prod89254 ]
Cheers, will have a look at this.
Can't find the Kinesis DC37 any where, been a few on ebay but missed them.
Also any advice on the sizing?
Sorry that was meant to be quoted from RustyNissanPrairie but cant work out how to do it... 😳
Thanks for the links and comments gents. Hopefully a fellow forum user has a kenesis fork for me else I'll probably go for the above.
RustyNissanPrairie - MemberLynsky do a straight 1 1/8" carbon/alu steerer fork for gravel/disc that has decent clearance.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/lynskey-endurance-disc-carbon-road-fork-2016/rp-prod89254
Thanks for the various suggestions chaps. Have some carbon kenesis forks incoming.
Then onto new wheels in the summer for a bit more weight saving.
Leop, I think I've mentioned fit on one of my posts and a carbon fork. I'm 5'10 btw. I picked up a large as I wanted to have a more road bike fit rather than cx. Going large gave me a longer headtube, more frame and the top tube wasn't any bigger than on a road bike I'd ride.
Leop
Im 6" 2" and find the xl a great fit. Much better fit then my 58cm cannondale synapse road bike.
Steerer on the RC31 too short, so managed to snag a pair of DC37s from Velo29 (online) today. Spoke with them first, seemed good. May have been the last pair they had in stock, but were happy to try to get more in. Mine were £115, which seemed reasonable.
Thanks for the advice folks.
Looking forward to getting building!
What is the biggest tyre people have managed to use on the back ~ anyone got a needle type treaded 40c to fit? Mines going to be used as a dry and dusty type of bike rather than thick mud, so was hoping that 40c would be OK as mud clearance wont be an issue, but am starting to think that 38c might be my max. Any thoughts?
managed to snag a pair of DC37s from Velo29 (online) today. Spoke with them first, seemed good. May have been the last pair they had in stock, but were happy to try to get more in. Mine were £115, which seemed reasonable.
Ah good to know, still showing in stock, will bell them tomorrow.
Reckon I'd go for a medium.
Hesitating for some reason, can't think of a reason not to pick one of these up over the croix de fer or escapade or something similar. Seems like a no brainer?
Same seller had a charge grater ss cx frame up for sale in my size so i jumped on that and swaped parts from my langster
The plug and grater are same geo i used a kona 700c p2 fork and it handles lovley chuck on some 38c gravel tyres and its a fun commuter that can play around the trails aswell
My Plug may be up for sale soon
@Picto - what size is it please? I'm after an xs for the OH, love my plug (a t shirt slogan if ever I saw one...) and she needs a commuter/ tourer for the spring
It's a medium. I am about 5'10" in cycling shoes. I ride a 54cm road bike and it feels right for me.
Heads up for anyone still looking for suitable forks;
[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-genesis-croix-de-fer-carbon-fork ]Carbon forks[/url]
...and here's an XL Plug with these fitted:
https://goo.gl/photos/m8RKR2xCMo74xXoT8
https://goo.gl/photos/S2bdS5DoeeqRPBUH7
Has anyone noticed that it's a bit flexy around the BB or am I paranoid and over-sensitive(215 lbs though)? No iffy creaks or cracks that I can see...
Just bought one (last night), it'll be a mix of carbon Cx and mtb parts should be built in a week or so. Will post pictures when I can.
I am only choosing a bb, skewers and narrow wide chainring away from having all my bits. Oh, and tyres. And bar tape. Cables. Getting the cranks re-anodized in a different colour. Perhaps a different stem.
It's turning into one of them sort of builds, lol. I hope it's worth it!
Mines pretty much there... Just need to put the chain on andd fettle the gears / brakes.
I've shaved and resprayed the torture gearmounts as I've a pet hate for top of the top tube routed cables - I'm not running a front mech so the rear gear cable is tape to the brake cable.
Spec is:
Chris king headset
Carbon fork
Helix stem
Love mud bars
Cannondale save carbon seatpost
Sram bartape
Cane-creek levers
Trp spyres
Wtb volt saddle
38mm carbon clinches
Deore chainset running a 40t hope ring
Deore shadow plus rear mech
SLX shifter with customised mount to run it on the drop bars.
I'll try to get pictures up tomorrow.
Just finished building it up so here are a couple 'in the untidy she'd photos :
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Saddle will be swapped for a Fabric Alm.
Weight is a smidgen under 23lbs.
Looks really tidy.
Thanks - shaving off the toptube cable stops really helps clean up the look. But I really did it to stop the toptube getting scratched up by the open cables.
I just use the donut things. Does same job. But yours looks better than mine.
@eviljoe, sent you an email, I have a XS frame sitting around if your interested.
I have an XL frame, forks and a load of parts sat in the loft that i dont think i will build up now if anyone interested. PM me please.
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First ride today - great little bike.
I can't feel my toes now.
Love the build...out on mine tomorrow, will probably have similar conditions 🙂
Anyone got a medium they're looking to shift?
I've just bought a frame from ebay and now looking for a suitable fork - preferably carbon. It seems like all the stores recommended thus far in the thread are out of stock. Any other recommendations? Ideally I would like to spend less than £200.
Cheers
CRC website says they are expecting that lynksy one back in stock 1st march if you can wait that long; but I can't find the Kenesis one anywhere.
Are you willing to do the China thing?
[url= http://s.aliexpress.com/riiU3euU ]aliexpress[/url]
I managed to find a Surly Disc Trucker fork (also out of stock everywhere) to see me through the next month or two.
Paul Milnes' has Genesis CdF forks in at the end of March, I'm quite tempted to get one of those. Also by this https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/radon-carbonfork-1-1-8-for-disc-83031 Any opinions?
Monkey boy - I've never done the China thing but would consider it. Seems like a bit of minefield finding the right supplier, decent quality, import taxes etc. Is that the same fork as you have on your bike? If so, it looks the part!
Are you willing to do the China thing?
aliexpress
FWIW I've got the 470mm tapered steerer version of that fork on my 29er and it's brilliant.
Looks great in matt UD
Ignore "womens", thats just the colour. Which is matt and I think would look great on the front of a matt black frame.
420mm with a 53 offset would slacken the plug slightly and reduce toe overlap nicely. Would give a trail figure to suit front loading too (bar bag/rack)
that looks like a good option actually. 410mm according to the qa section - that would work just fine on the plug.
I stripped mine to build up a CAAD. This thread is making me look at "cheap" groupsets to rebuild it. Naughty people.
Yep, I asked that q, but ended up sticking my pompetamine fork on mine instead.
I love mine, but I think it's a bit over geared - 39/53 and 11-28 and a short cage mech. Any cunning plans for widening it cheaply? I'd almost consider 1x.
coomber - Member
Frankenstein hope your Dad recovers quick.[quote/]Thanks Coomber. Sorry for the late reply.
He's ok now but British Cycling legal cover is trying to claim off Stevie Wonder for the fork and frame.
I can get the frame but not the fork.
