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Jameso - Whilst you're here and showing off your Arkose 2....I'm looking to change the crank on mine from the standard Truvativ. As far as I can tell from interwebz the E-400 is an xc mountainbike product rather than road specific as a lot of cx bikes seem to be. Does that mean I need to replace the crank with a standard mtb single ring crank rather than a road? Thought process here is that it is my understanding that the Q factors are different and therefore you can't mix and match without gear changing issues.....but this could be a massive misunderstanding on my behalf.
Great bike to ride by the way, having loads of fun exploring on it, just getting upgrade-itis!
Gotama, for a single-ring either an MTB in middle-ring position or a road in outer position works fine, aiming for 45-50mm chainline. The rear end is 135mm so if it works on an MTB it works on an Arkose. Q-factor is personal so if you prefer a narrower pedal position just use a road crank. A 39T inner ring on the outer position of a 5-arm trad road chainset works well.
Great, thank you.
Is there any word on when the 2015 frame and forks would be available to buy and how much they would cost? Oh, and most importantly, can you get the frameset in green or blue?!
Mid Dec based on current schedules. Cyan blue Arkose 4 frame and forks, or Arkose SS in camo-splatter. RRP not set but 'good value' I expect.
The Bonty guards that I saw seem to have vanished, maybe an old model.
That's a shame..so, if I understood, to get (SKS) bolt-on guards to fit involves drilling / modifying the guards 🙁 ?
It does - but it means we have a nicer fork with a better geometry (handles noticeably better imo) than the others that were available with the brake-hole type crown eyelets and conventional geometry. It's a simple job, I've done it to fit a set to another bike. Just take care that the drill doesn't put too much heat into the plastic that's all.
I just looked up a tip one of the mechanics sent over. The Bonty NCS guards were the ones I saw, they have a crown L-bracket that unscrews rather than using rivets. This can then be zip-tied quite neatly in place for a temporary fit, or perhaps bolted through using the same holes. http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bontrager/ncs-road-mudguards-ec026714
That's a shame..so, if I understood, to get (SKS) bolt-on guards to fit involves drilling / modifying the guards ?
I dunno about the arkose, but my salsa has anoying bridge mounts that are drilled the wrong way, just bend the tabs on the SKS fitings and use a counter sunk machine screw, then slide the guard into the mounts (rather than putting the mount on the guard then offering the whole thing up to the bike). Assuming it's similar it's obvious how to fit/bodge it when you've got the bits in front of you.
Assuming it's similar it's obvious how to fit/bodge it when you've got the bits in front of you.
Ha, I'll (probably) see...or see if the branch is happy to fit
Just been asked for a recommendation for a sub £1K on/off cross type bike, and thought of this thread.
What's the biggest tyre that you can sensibly get in there without guards?
And have I understood correctly that the fork on the 2015 model has more clearance?
Good stuff, thank you.
Depends how happy they are bodgeing (and whether they have a drill), Jameso's method of drilling through the guard would get you even more tyre clerance under the guard as it removes the need for the metal guides the SKS guards use.Ha, I'll (probably) see...or see if the branch is happy to fit
That's a simple way to do it that may also fill the gap between crown and 28C sized tyres quite well, rather than use a bolt and spacer. 'Why didn't I think of that' etc.. 😀just bend the tabs on the SKS fitings
40C Nanos on 19mm internal rims on the bike above. Not a lot of side-room in the fork with those tyres in but a decent amount above, a bit more than the previous version overall. Loads out back.What's the biggest tyre that you can sensibly get in there without guards?
other than the saddle is there mich difference between the mens & womens arkose?
I prefer the blue of the womens and would be changing the saddle anyway
Spanner in the works. Arkose 4 looks like it's delayed until November. Stock issue James?
Either that, or first wave of imports have been allocated for pre-orders.
Damn, reckon I could pre-order one in store under C2W with potential they'll get them in before? Thanks
I believe there is a slight buffer built into the delivery dates, but it can go both ways.
Mr Olsen will know for sure, but I think he is busy at the mo.
They are very good value for money, I'm in the market for a CX bike as a treat to myself when I'm ready to ride again after ACL surgery.
Was looking to build one up myself though as a wee project to keep me busy and motivated. I shall be keeping an eye out for the Akrose frame and fork price.
Current favourite is the Planet X London road frameset at £300, so hopefully it will be of simaliar price.
Arkose 4 looks like it's delayed until November. Stock issue James?
Sorry, asked about this then forgot to update here. Some Arkose 4s arrive this week. November may have been a cautious date after some delays from Shimano, we have got some but not all of the planned delivery so the rest will be towards the end of the year.
@ Jameso ... any chance of your email please so i can pm you ....
james.olsen.remote at hotmail.co.uk
Thank you 🙂
Sorry, asked about this then forgot to update here. Some Arkose 4s arrive this week. November may have been a cautious date after some delays from Shimano, we have got some but not all of the planned delivery so the rest will be towards the end of the year.
Thanks James. Just seen it's been pushed to December now! Sad face. You say you have some in but I guess there's no chance of getting hold of one of those at all? Direct to warehouse and all that 😉
We have a small number arrived this week, I've not got info on what numbers are in each container but safe to say that the first drop will sell out fast as we've got pre-orders on already. Don't read too much into the dates, they're simply a generalised guide,
a call to a shop should get more info and a deposit to secure one can always be transferred or refunded.no chance of getting hold of one of those at all?
We have a small number arrived this week, I've not got info on what numbers are in each container but safe to say that the first drop will sell out fast as we've got pre-orders on already. Don't read too much into the dates, they're simply a generalised guide,
Funnily enough it seems like the site is quick at responding to that stock as you can purchase one. Ordered one so let's hope it's no glitch!
40C Nanos on 19mm internal rims on the bike above.
How are the Nanos? I've just taken delivery of one for my Salsa, wondering if it will be any cop on anything damp or slimy... Be useful to know before I order a second for the weekend!
Cheers
Nanos are good, not really a wet conditions tyre though and the tread design isn't one for wet rocks/roots. It's been pretty dry since I've had them though. On anything loamy, gravelly, average loose dirt etc they're great.
Just ordered an XL arkose 4. Woohooooo!
D'oh! You had already answered my question on another thread, quoted for usefulness...
Got Nano Race 40s on my CX bike at the moment. A true 40mm, feel good on 19mm rims at 35-40 PSI. Great on loose dry ground, a little squirmy at speed on tarmac due to the flexy or thin raised tread design. Averagely good in the mud (what little I've had to ride them on this summer) but I doubt as effective as a real mud tread. A very good wide-ranger though.
Cheers!
It's here!
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Size, weight and more pics dammit! 😀
Will post more later. Sitting in the office currently.
Don't have a decent set of scales to weigh it unfortunately 🙁 It feels pretty light using the old bicep curl technique.
It's the XL one and it fits pretty well. I'm 6' 2"
Colour is pretty, well done Mr Olsen, she's beautiful!
Here we are. Some photos in Gladstone park this evening.
The reflectors are off now 😉
Weight around 10.5kg. Feels pretty nimble. As for shimano's new hydro brakes and shifters, they're top class. Smooth shifting like ultegra/DA and you can basically stop dead using your index fingers alone with on the hoods!
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So how are the hydros?
Thanks for the pictures. It looks great.
So how are the hydros?
Exceptional from the use I've had of them so far. No squeaking either which has been reported on shimano's new system.
Never tried cable discs much before so comparison is hard to judge but like I said; you can stop pretty easily while on the hoods with just your index fingers!
Nice and smooth on the commute this morning. 28mm conti 4 seasons in the post which will be going on.
What're the clearances like? I'm tempted, not too fussed about it being and out cyclocross race bike geometry as it's main job will be winter commuting, and summer bimbling, but I'd like to give racing a go sometime.
By clearances do you mean BB and tyres? BB is a decent clearance and tyres plenty of room. Dropped down to 28mm last night so loadsa space.What're the clearances like?
Which begs the question, James O. Fitting front mudguards, can you clear up what to do with the tab on an SKS set? Can you use the bolt that is fitted under the fork crown to secure it?
well i gave in, and put a deposit down on an arkose 4 this afternoon. picking it up on payday this thursday,
Did you have a look at one in the flesh, then?
What swung it for you? Weight? Equipment....snazzy blue colour? 8)
Also got a 4 - done about 100 miles on road commuting and also 50 mile ish mix road and off road in lakes last weekend.
Hydros are absolutely awesome and 11 speed is good too - for long off road rides the 32 tooth sprocket is useful for spinning up steep stuff. Uphill was no slower than most mtbs last weekend even in the rocky stuff. Downhill but slower but part of that was running small block 8s at 70psi. Clearly not as fast as an MTB though.
Not got full guards and 28mm contis on for he commute.
Cannot fault the bike at all so far - it is a great all rounder and good for a bit of anything really. Could easily do a 100 miler on road and equally reckon it could manage a trail centre red with wheels on ground. Did I mention the hydros are awesome?!
What's it like on the road, jet26? Feel light/sluggish/racey/commutery*?
Also, this thread has a distinct lack of pictures....
*is that even a word?
Jamie will put some up!
Road wIse even with 35mm cross tyres on it's ok - bout 1mph or less slower than the good bike on the commute.
Doing a club run on it in the am which will average 20mph ish so will report back...
The flare drop bars are surprisingly good too on the road, not sure why though!
Did you have a look at one in the flesh, then?What swung it for you? Weight? Equipment....snazzy blue colour?
yeah, my local evans (manchester chill factor) had a small one in stock so i went over and had a quick test, and it just felt right for me.
i'd say the colour is even nicer in the flesh than in photos too, and yes the spec is pretty decent. i'd more or less already decided anyway, as i'd narrowed my options down to this or a crosslight pro6 which would have been 200 quid more.
now, anyone wanna buy a singlespeed flat bar RoadRat?!