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2015 Croix de Fer 1st ride (at last…)
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Posted 9 years ago
So, I swapped my Madone for a CDF on a whim, because it looked lovely, then buggered my back up.
It’s been sitting in the garage taunting me for nearly 2 weeks but today I got out for a ride at last. It was never going to be a long or fast or in any way impressive ride as I’m still a bit tender and it’s a new bike so there’s bound to be faffing. And so it proved….
The plan was to ride to Guildford using a mixture of cycle paths, minor roads and tracks then cross the Hogs Back somehow and return via Seale and Runfold. Well, that was the plan….
I followed the Blackwater Valley path down to Tongham then picked up the Christmas Pie trail, a route I’ve done quite a few times and know well. It was a bit sloppy in places but the bike handled it surprisingly well. It’s a lot more forgiving then the only other drop barred bike I’ve ever owned (Trek Madone) and typical steel-feeling, forgiving and comfy.
There was of course faffing. Things needed adjusting and the seaport slipped a bit.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/pWNrEP]Untitled[/url] by PeterPoddy, on FlickrBut i was getting into it. Rather than the slightly flighty feeling of my Trek it’s got a solid and reassuring character, and it feels a lot more stable out of the saddle, where I could feel the Trek flex. But I guess that’s what I should expect, yeah?
The first 8 miles or so is basically my old commute, a route I’ve ridden in one form or another a million times, but it’s largely traffic free and still rather pleasant despite my familiarity with the route.After that you head out into the sticks a bit and the ground got sloppy in places. Bike handled that fine. But a CX bike should love mud, right?
Lots of autumn colours around which I seemingly failed to miss most of in the only 3 pics I took….
I was getting towards Guildford when I saw a photo opportunity:[url=https://flic.kr/p/pEzT7E] [/url] by PeterPoddy, on FlickrIf you’re extremely observant you might just notice the lack of rear light between the first and second pics there. Arse. That was a Lezyne light that’s fallen out of the bracket. Mrs PPs Lezyne light to be precise. Double arse. Like I said, plans…..
So I decided to cut the ride short as I knew I’d be needing lights on my way back and if I turned round there was a vain hope I might find it. I had a rough idea where it might be. SO I carried on a mile or so to the White Heat pub in Wood Street Village, and turned round to retrace my steps. Que lots of very slow riding and looking at the floor, and miracles do happen, I found it after a couple of miles in the mud and leaves!
I wound my way home along much the same route, then took to the road through town to home.Conclusion:
Take your expensive lights off when riding off road
The CDF was lovely. I really, really like it. Yeah, it’s a base model bike but that’s part of the charm. 9sp stuff is cheap as chips to replace and the frame has some lovely details.
I’m happy I went down a size to 52cm from my 54cm Trek. It’s spot on for what I’ll do with it.
Yep, it’s a weighty bike but it’s planted and solid. Much like my good self…. It’s got that lovely steel-feel to it as well.
The bars, as I expected, are too narrow (50cm) but I’ve got some 54s on order. I felt a bit cramped and more width will give better control off road and more space for my bar bag!
The bar tape is a bit thin for an MTBer like me, so some Specialised Bar Phat will go on the new bars.
I changed the nasty FSA chainset to a lover geared Shimano CX50 on Ultegra BB and that’s perfect. I can spend most of my time in the big ring, and it’s more in keeping with the bike.
I don’t think I’ll change much else, maybe the saddle, but I need to get that in the correct position and get some miles on it before I decide. It’s not too bad though as it is.
Oh, I’ve got a more slender Tortec rack on it’s way too, something that won’t look too bulky when the panniers are off.[url=https://flic.kr/p/p1eLG8] [/url] by PeterPoddy, on FlickrPosted 9 years agoJust an excuse to post a pic of my Salsa again, I found myself agreeing with everything you’ve written there, I’d had the Salsa for a few months before I got my hands on a new road bike as well (a Cannondale Synapse). So far I find myself gravitating back to the Salsa every time, to the point where I’m questioning what I’ve got the road bike for.
I guess the marketing is rubbing off on me, I do enjoy sportives etc. but really I’m more into ‘adventuring’ now, I don’t really care how fast I cover the ground (although the Salsa with 25mm slicks can really truck along).
Nice dilemma to have.
Sometimes shake it to bits hooning down inappropriate trails..
Broke my first Salsa frameset doing this 😳
Edit: re: gearing, very much regretting not spending the extra and getting a triple set up, for the extra weight (negligible…) I would really appreciate a bigger range, I spend most of my time in the big ring and top four cogs at the back which the purist in me hates.
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