Hi folks, thought I'd post some feedback on my new Pace RC627.
The frame arrived in the post nearly 3 weeks after ordering (not overly impressed). The frame itself is a really nice looking bit of kit though. The paint appears tough and the welds are very neat. I have built it up with a mix of components kicking around the garage as well as a new set of X-Fusion Sweep forks. Unfortunately the first ride was overshadowed by the forks. I had added a Roughcut damper and SKF low friction seals. Clearly the new damper requires a lot less air than the fork leg weight guide suggests as the rebound felt like it was going through my skull. Also, unlike the Pikes on my One-One Codeine, a small amound dial adjustment makes a huge difference. I had not realised this! I have since adjusted it and had a 8/10 ride with them tonight. I will now add my Shockwiz to get the final 20% of adjustment sorted.
As for the frame itself: during the build, adding the headset cups was a drama. I think that the anti-corrosion layer sprayed inside makes it a very tight fit. I got the cups on eventually. The external cable routing seems a bit random too but as it is tucked away under the down tube I am not too bothered.
The ride: Fork issues aside, the bike climbs really well and my concerns over the long top tube were entirely unfounded. It makes for a really central riding position and the front wheel sticks to the ground on climbs. Rattling along on the flat the frame transmits a lot of trail feedback in a really good way and the rear triangle is direct and stiff. It is still a bit difficult to comment on its descending abilities due to the unfinished fork fettling but I suspect once that the forks are sorted its ability should shine through.
I originally gathered together the components in anticipation of building a cheap winter play bike but then remembered that I do like steel frames. I could have got a reasonably cheap one like a DMR trailstar but hung on for a something a bit nicer. I am glad that I did. The frame is almost too nice for some of my budget components so I suspect that I will upgrade a few key parts over the next few months.
This purchase is now necessitating a biek storage re-think as it is getting a bit crowded in there!
We needs pics mate!👍
So not really a reflection on the frame at all
I’ve Had my RC627 for a quite a few months now and it’s brilliant. I built it up with a fox 36 150mm fork, 2.6 tires. Hope stuff, XT and Spank Vibrocore bars.
It rides better than -
Sonder Transmitter
Cotic Solaris Max MK1
Santa Cruz Chameleon
Stanton Sherpa
All of which came before it.
If you hammer it really hard its amazing through the trees and downhill. It also climbs brilliantly.
The steel feel is spot on. I’ve had loads of steel hardtails over the years, all the way back to the early nineties. Some had the magic and some didn’t. The RC627 has the Magic.
I didn’t have any problems fitting a hope headset to my frame.
Perhaps I should have gone for the Hope headset. The Superstar one was extremely tight. Looking forward to spending more time on it. Interestingly I also have a Sherpa as well. The Pace feels a lot more direct, the Sherpa would probably make a better bike packet. One way to find out! The Sherpa certainly feels slower though that may be the tyres.
PICS!
👍😉
TheGhost
Why rides better?
Why not rides differently and then give examples of how you feel it differs?
Interesting to hear that you feel it has the steel feel, makes me wonder how some frames have it and others do not.
Have you back to backed the Vibrocore bars with others? Do you feel a difference? I have found discernable differences between different carbon bars.
I am running 2.6 tyres and like then on a HT, with an insert and careful attention to pressure they feel good and the undamped nature of the suspension they offer is not to harsh in terms of rebound.
Stigheed
Have you since tried a DMR Trailstar and found it less suited to you than the Pace?
I find the DMR an ugly thing, the Pace is a little easier on the eye imho.
Loving my HT and very pleased I went ahead and put it together.
I did not try a Trailstar as I too thought it was fugly.
Hoping to tweak the forks over the weekend and get more of a feel for the frame. It certainly is a lovely looking frame.
I am convincing myself to keep the Sherpa as it is significantly different to the Pace, not just the wheel size but mostly the geometry. I do keep looking at the Sonder Signal though (Ti). Should rein in the spending as Mrs Stigheed is getting suspicious of all the parcels arriving in the post.
Photos will be taken over the weekend.
I don’t understand why you would start to change the internals and behaviour of an unknown fork on a frame before riding it? How will you be able to assess any of it?
I would have thought the more appropriate way to start would be to use the standard fork and ride it for a while, making a few small adjustments before ripping it apart and changing its characteristics.
I honestly don’t mean to piss on your fireworks, but I have to go with
So not really a reflection on the frame at all
You know your RC627 will take a 29er wheel with the dropouts slid out. I fitted a Hope Pro4 29er Enduro wheel with a 2.35 Magic Mary on it and there was plenty of clearance. The bottom bracket is lowish on the RC627 so this will only raise the bike up to most normal 29ers height.
🙂
Yes, I may well try 29er wheels at some point. How did yours ride with the bigger wheels?
I haven’t tried yet, I just fitted the wheel out of curiosity. I don’t like the way 29ers ride, I like being able to go around stuff and jump off it. 🙂
Tried the Cotic and the Chameleon with both sized wheels for a decent amount of time and decided 27.5 feels better for my style of riding.
Op, still no pics, what's going on?!😁
Sounds like a cracking bike from all I’ve read. I currently ride a Shan with 160mm Pikes, which is just utterly fantastic. But I’m attracted by the idea of 2.6 tyres.
Any advice on sizing? Thinking about the medium frame but at 5ft 10in just on the M/L borderline according to Pace’s recommendation.
Probs a Large me reckons but as droppers become longer and the reach on the M means a medium should do it if you like going down more in your local riding spots.