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more than iron crosses might handle probably - I would look at Alpha 400s I think - give that ebay bloke a mail from his web site - as he is cheaper that way. He uses Novatech hubs which some of the other good web based builders also use.
Cheers both, that guy's alpha sets are a good bit pricier than I'm looking a for bits and the "fun" of building myself.
Bit clueless about Road tyre pressures, to be honest. For some reason, I put 80 in my 35c slicks at the moment, but they're a lot nicer with about 65ish.
Jameso, any thoughts about rims for my particular compromises? 🙂 I'm thinking Alpha 400s at the mo, like TG says.
Peregrine - small sized Wildcat Tiger bag, filled with a 5ltr Alpkit drybag (containing tools, spare tube, something to eat, loose change, windproof top).
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No good tips sorry Ned, I've got some wide/light Alex rims for my next build-up but I had to order them from the factory. 719s with thin tubes and good flat-resist tyres would be my other choice. I've not used Stans CX rims but was always put off by how difficult Flows etc are to seat many tyres that rely on tubes, but could be wrong on the higher-pressure rim/tyres.
My Major Jake:
[url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7339/11154947383_0519fe6e76_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/82598458@N05/11154947383/ ]December 012[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/82598458@N05/ ]jamesanderson2010[/url], on Flickr
My Gryphon:
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/82598458@N05/7567842568/ ]phone 035[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/82598458@N05/ ]jamesanderson2010[/url], on Flickr
OCB, silver rims look good!
Funny, jameso, never had an issue with Kendas or Contis on 355s, Crests or Arch EX. Always with tubes. Pump to 40,45 "pop" wait... "pop", let out to 25-30.
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Cross check 54cm I think - 105 groupset, Fulcrum cx5 wheels and cheap Tektro mini-vs - lovely but I'm thinking of upgrading to a lighter frameset to replace this as it's my most-used bike and if it was a bit lighter I'd get rid of my carbon road bike for good.
What size frame is that CdF. Just wondering if I might run out of room with one of those Jandd bags on a 52cm Croix De Fer.
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/31347922@N03/11514982004/ ]P1010123[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/31347922@N03/ ]iain.clow[/url], on Flickr[/img]
I dont have a pension, or medical insurance, or even enough money for a tank of petrol this weekend. But there are some places where I really dont want to cut corners...
salsa Ti warbird, stans tubeless, cowbell bars, ti post, vegetable pasty, coffee and iced tea.
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oh... and its getting these wheels for road use. The stans crest only go to 45 psi which is plenty on a 35-40 tyre... but i like bike so much, it will become my long distance road bike.
[url= http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/stans-notubes-ztr-alpha-340-disc-wheelset-4755-p.asp ]stans 340 disc wheels.[/url]
Urban mode
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Stealth cross mode
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Tourer mode
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Pose mode
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Love my Genesis. Ace bike.
Vegetable pasty? Times must be hard.
Enjoying this thread! 🙂
I'm intending to use mine on the currently pot-holed gravelly country roads. Prefer tubes so I can change tyres as and when required.
What's so good about cowbell bars?
While you're all here: I've worn the tyres that came on my X flat. They're 35c Conti Cyclocross (wire bead). Suggestions for (cheap: ~£15) similar replacements?
Oh, some photos of my X on my latest [url= http://mikeactually.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/route-recce-darlington-to-thorpe-thewles.html ]ride/blog post[/url].
Mike - I have a new pair of exactly what you have worn out if you want to buy them? (email in profile)
@CoastkidWhat size frame is that CdF. Just wondering if I might run out of room with one of those Jandd bags on a 52cm Croix De Fer.
My CDF is a 56cm, did some bag mwasurements for you;
Lenght along top of bag top under the TT is 38cm.
Gap from rear of bag to seatpost under TT is 13cm.
we need a UK JanDD dealer!, they make some cool stuff, check out the dogs saddlebags 
Miketually;
Give me a buzz if you want when your passing through East Lothian on the North Sea Cycle route, happy to show you some of the John Muir Trail and hidden Gems like Seacliff beach and mini harbour under Tantallon Castle on your journey through our wee county 🙂
(email in profile)
Sweet, YGM.
While you're all here: I've worn the tyres that came on my X flat. They're 35c Conti Cyclocross (wire bead). Suggestions for (cheap: ~£15) similar replacements?
[url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/schwalbe-smart-sam-sport-cross-bike-tyre-wire/rp-prod106775 ]Smart Sams?[/url]
Just bought some second hand Conti Cyclocross 🙂
My CDF is a 56cm, did some bag mwasurements for you;
Lenght along top of bag top under the TT is 38cm.
Gap from rear of bag to seatpost under TT is 13cm.
Cheers, CK.
Will get my tape measure out and see how I am fixed for room. Might need to invest in some side entry bottles cages, as I think it's going to be tight.
...also, is that a custom bracket your rear, Lunar?, is on?
Is wearing a hydration pack deemed to be a massive faux pas?
Might need to invest in some side entry bottles cages
I run side entry Elite cages on my X, as it lets me get two 750ml bottles onto the downtube mounts. Coupled with the Elite bottles, I've not lost a bottle yet. They're also loads easier to get bottles in and out than normal cages.
Is wearing a hydration pack deemed to be a massive faux pas?
I have flat pedals on mine, and wear baggy shorts over my hairy legs 🙂
I run side entry Elite cages on my X, as it lets me get two 750ml bottles onto the downtube mounts. Coupled with the Elite bottles, I've not lost a bottle yet. They're also loads easier to get bottles in and out than normal cages.
Ordered a Lezyne side entry one, making sure to get a right handed model, to see how I get on with it. Which Elite cages you go with, as seem to be several different models.
Is wearing a hydration pack deemed to be a massive faux pas?
Who cares? Go with what you want. After going from MTB > Road for a few years, I prefer not having nowt on my back, but don't see no reason why one couldn't.
I have flat pedals on mine, and wear baggy shorts over my hairy legs
I have made the switch from flats to spd, just to see how I get on. Currently, despite using SPD-SL for several years, I am falling sideways quite regularly 😀
....I still wear shorts, though 8)
Which Elite cages you go with, as seem to be several different models.
Elite Nane. Halfords have them for about £8.
Jamie
..also, is that a custom bracket your rear, Lunar?, is on?
Its just a bracket from an old rear reflector. Used to squeeze the light in between the tool bag and mudguard. The Light is a Raleigh-prob made in same factory! 🙂
Nice bikes on this thread. currantly monstercrossing my Karate Monkey now too as enjoy the drop bar thing on easy green lanes and fire roads along with the commutte into the wind and the odd hill around here!
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My 2013 CdF. Sporting 28mm Panaracer TourGuard Plus.
Unfortunately I only managed about 4 miles on it today as my right knee is playing up. I might end up ditching the spd's and going to flats.
I dont have a pension, or medical insurance, or even enough money for a tank of petrol this weekend. But there are some places where I really dont want to cut corners...salsa Ti warbird, stans tubeless, cowbell bars, ti post, vegetable pasty, coffee and iced tea.
I like that attitude. Whether or not it is a Salsa Ti or vegetable pasta, it's just that there are things, that make you happy [u]now[/u] ...
First ride today on the Croix de Fer so feeling happy. Strange using spd's again although I may swap with flats to see how that feels. Used 32c Gatorskins but will try with the cx tyres.
@ Jamie - have you found any small frame bags that would fit?
Just ordered a [url= http://www.wiggle.co.uk/deuter-front-triangle-bag/ ]Deuter Front Triangle Bag[/url] from Wiggle. If it doesn't fit, then it won't cost me anything to send back. Will try and remember to post pics when it gets here.
Thanks for replying Jamie. There seems to be some discrepancy on Wiggle's q & a regarding the size! Pics would be good though. 🙂
In the meantime, here is a pic of MikeT's 56cm Cotic-X:
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[url= http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/1682719/products/pro-front-triangle-bag.aspx ]SKS also make one[/url], but I was put off by the reflective trim, and the plastic adjustment buckle thingies, which, while making it easier to cinch the straps down....might knacker paint over time.
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Mike's is a Deuter one? Agree with you re adjustment thingies although you could replace them with velcro if you know how to use a sewing machine.
Yonks ago I did e-mail Wildcat but the triangle of my hardtail was too small.
In case any readers are interested, I am selling a 54cm Croix de Fer frame with Genesis carbon forks, seatpost, stem and bars. It is in a 'well used' condition.
Drop me a mail on andrew . c . pettifer at gmail if interested. I will take sensible offers.
Mike's is a Deuter one?
Yup.
nedrapier
OCB, silver rims look good!
Thanks, they are Mavic A719's - not 100% sure you can still get them in silver now tho'. Kinda on the heavy side, but very tough. Perfectly happy running everything from 700x32 slicks to 29x2.1 Bonty XR3's (which come up big for a 2.1).
That's a far better pic of my bike than any of them that I posted 🙂
It's in focus for a start 😛
Thanks for replying Jamie. There seems to be some discrepancy on Wiggle's q & a regarding the size! Pics would be good though.
Bit later than planned, as Wiggle sent me the regular Triangle Bag instead of the Front Triangle one, so just sent it back and re-ordered from CRC.
Fits fine on my 52cm frame. However, will have to use a side load cage on the downtube, [url= http://www.probikekit.co.uk/cycling-accessories/lezyne-flow-cage-side-load/10841947.html ]Lezyne Flow SL[/url] pictured, and cannot use anything larger than a Camelbak Podium 610ml. Anything smaller will be fine.
So far have fitted a Lezyne pump, 28-32c innertube, iPhone and a banana in there comfortably 8)
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2013 Day One Disc. Use this for commuting most days and love blasting it around woodland at weekends. Have also spent some pretty long days in the saddle on this and will be doing a century on it when the weather dries things out a bit.
thanks for the measurements on the Jandd bag and the tip on side entry bottles - looking for something similar
Kinesis pro6, 9speed 12-34t XT on rear, SLX "touring" ie 48 36 26 chainset, ultrega STI (because I had them) BB7's but will swop to spyres when they are available and work - wheels off a cotic x, have a 2nd set of lighter wheels with 11-28 which I use for sportives and out with recreational roadies - will take a rack and panniers -only negative is sometimes get caught by toe overlap when thinking about where a route goes and do a hard u turn plus not such a relaxed riding position Edit and bar mounted levers - great for long descents and sat up in traffic but mean no handlebar bag which I miss
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Fingers crossed bike hear back from Madison on Monday...
Cheers Jamie, it looks good and you sound pleased. I've always used side entry bottle cages as they just seem easier. What size is the bottle on the downtube then? Looks larger than a 750ml one.
I will post pics of mine at some point, it's off to the lbs for something to be changed.
"cinnamon_girl - What's so good about cowbell bars?"
The drops flare out a little, this gives you a more elbow out riding position, with is much better off road, as you have more leverage. It's also comfy.
They are short drop, this puts the drops I a usable position, a little higher than normal. This is also comfortable.
Two versions one at £35, one at £55 ish, one is a bit lighter. Loads of widths inc a nice big 46cm