Pinnacle Arkose Three (jameso to the forum please)

The only doubt I have is whether I’d want this bike a bit shorter to go with the more upright position. A 70mm stem would be pretty short for this type of bike!

Personally I think there’s no reason to go for a race bike position on a bike like this. It’s designed for riding where you need a bit more ability to control the bike and being stretched out or having a low bar doesn’t really help there imo. It may feel different at first but a bit shorter and higher is good. A 70-80mm stem is fine, you won’t have quite as much weight on the front as a race bike so cornering at times needs a slight forward weight shift rather than a road bike’s simple lean in and go, but that weight shift is second nature for MTB riding and a bit of that works well on the Arkose, on or off-road.
For ref the 55cm measurement m1kea lists is the TT measured along the tube, approx. It’s 57cm effective / level, so with a 74 seat angle that’s a fairly roomy front end hence the 90mm stock stem.

I opted to go bigger with shorter rather than smaller with longer. I’m on an XL with 80mm stem as opposed to a L with probably a 110mm stem, still don’t know whether I’ve done the right thing! What i do know however is that it rides fine, not in the slightest bit twitchy, i guess the head angle and wheelbase see to that.

If anyone is considering an Arkose 2 its also worth noting that the TRP hoods are 20mm or so longer than normal (Shimano/SRAM) which makes sizing even trickier, there’s a compromise to find for the reach to ‘tops & drops’ position vs reach to hood position.

Hi all,

I’m stuck deciding which size frame to get on an Arkose 4. I’m basically bang on 6’1″, so between the L and XL. I test rode an XL the other day, which felt ok, but possibly a bit too stretched out (I have long legs, short body and long arms – I think freakish is the term!). It may be because this is my first drop-bar bike and I’m more used to my smallish mountain bike though…

So… because I’ll mainly be using this for road commuting duties (about 14 miles each way), I’m leaning towards getting the XL and then just getting a shorter 90mm stem instead of the stock 100mm. Do others think XL this is the right way to go, rather than going down to the L frame? (However, I’ve seen a few of you on this thread at 6’1″/2″ being happier on the L.)

I think I need to try and find a L in store to test, but any advice greatly received!

Thanks,
Paul.

TRP hoods are 20mm or so longer than normal (Shimano/SRAM) which makes sizing even trickier

I just see the TRP hoods as 20mm of added stretch when I need it. Similar reason as what I like about Jones H bars, a good fore-aft grip range.

Paul, sizing is always difficult to guide people on but fwiw I’m a bit over 6ft, 34.5″ inside leg and ride a L with an 80 or 90mm stem. 80 or 90mm flipped upward for mainly off-road on an Arkose 2, 90mm in the usual position on a 4 I use for road riding. If a bike feels a bit too stretched on an iniial ride then for me at least I’d only feel that more as I ride it further. I don’t buy into the idea that we need to become contortionists or regular stretchers to flex onto a long, low road bike. Leave that to those that are paid to get results by any means.

It’s 57cm effective / level, so with a 74 seat angle that’s a fairly roomy front end hence the 90mm stock stem.

James – that’s what has me torn between the two, and wanting a more relaxed position than my road bike, as you also mention. The TT on the medium would be spot on, but having a 34″ inside leg would mean a lot of seatpost!

770-775mm BB centre to saddle top for my 34.5″ inside leg, bar drop’s not too extreme on the L. I think a lot of saddle-bar drop from having a too-small frame is a harder issue to resolve than 15mm of TT length either way.

Thanks @jameso for the response. I actually just wandered into the Evans near my work and they luckily had a L and XL in the other Arkoses, so I was able to at least sit on both sizes.

I’m not quite sure why I thought I was too stretched out on the XL the other day. It actually felt fine today, whereas they thought the L frame was a bit small for me. It was an Arkose Three, but I guess it has the same geometry as a Four, just perhaps slightly longer hoods for the hydro reservoir I guess.

I’ll go back into the store where I’ve got the XL one reserved tomorrow and give it another go though before stumping up the cash.

Thanks again.
Paul.

Well, I also run 770mm saddle-top to BB centre, so that’s a start!

I think there’s about 3cm of spacers under my (90mm) stem. Certainly brings the front up though it didn’t stop me from 5heting myself down some chalky SDW descents: – Found I had to brake on the drops rather than on the hoods.

A shorter stem would probably improve off road control but I think I’d find it too cramped for the longer (road) sections of a ride.

Oh and I found the Shimano hydro hoods longer than their usual STis.

Calling all Arkose Fours owners: how is the matt paint job for keeping clean? I have always thought best to avoid them because I thought it would be more difficult to get oily finger marks and London’s yucky grime off. (And scratching more easily?). But does it have any sort of lacquer on it?

Hmmmm….interesting question Paulst…….I was riding mine this morning and thinking I really should make more of an effort to keep it clean.

The matt paint job does seem to accumulate grime – even dirt streaks on the forks – and it doesn’t seem that a quick wipe is enough to clean it off.

I’m not overly precious about keeping the frame clean but I might be if I decide to sell in the future.

Probably needs a douse of degreaser or Muc Off and a bit more of a scrub or maybe I’ll never get it clean again….

Thanks @mtbtomo

I’ll guess I’ll just have to do a good job cleaning it more regularly. I don’t care so much about appearances as such. Just so long as I can get anything that might damage the paintwork off easily enough. London grime will always win in the long run though!

Cheers,
Paul.

Didn’t get time for a demo, so ordered a Large 4. Here’s hoping it fits!

I was thinking of getting one of the invisframe road bike kits, but they are a bit pricey for a £750 bike (Arkose 2). Plus I’m sure I’d cock up putting it on! Anyone tried it or something similar?

@bacondoublechee: Fingers crossed for you! I’m trying to pop along tomorrow to the store I ordered mine into, for a final sizing check with them. I did see that Evan’s is currently (or always?) running a 30 day guarantee that if you don’t get on with the bike/the size they will exchange it: http://www.evanscycles.com/help/right-bike-guarantee So if it comes to it you always have that to fall back on.

I hardly ever washed my Arkose 2 over the winter, when I did it came up as new with some hot soapy water. Greasy chain marks might need a bit of degreaser to shift like any matt frame (it’s the same matt-effect laquer process most / all bikes use) but I think my protective layer of dirt helped soak that up.

@jameso Good to know!

How well has the finish stood up to gravel being flicked up and potentially chipping the downtube? Its a lovely colour and I don’t want it to get scratched during gnarmac/enduroad/’whatever we’re calling this week’ adventures. 😛

How well has the finish stood up to gravel being flicked up and potentially chipping the downtube?

We don’t have a lot of gravel my way, no probs with flinty loose trails or my generally lax attitude to paint on my bikes though. It’ll chip if it’s hit but I’d say the paint quality in the factory is good – hard to quantify but ‘fwiw’. They assemble other brands there that Evans sell and via Evans sales and shop staff I’m not aware of any perception of poor paint on anything they produce.

Picked up my Arkose 4 this morning, shop brake squeeze test passed. looks good, can’t wait for some gnarmac adventures this weekend.

I’d like to know just where you found bar tape that awful to spec on it Jameso? There was another chap buying one at the same time and he blagged a free upgrade to some other tape after touching it and recalling in horror. I should have jumped on the bandwagon but I had to get back to work and was late because they insisted on building it properly (jobsworths 😉 )

As a gnarmac bike it’s only fitting that the bars are double wrapped, just over wrap with tape of your choice. Simples.

A mate wanted a disc braked bike for roads and trails for under a grand, so I ordered her one of the Arkose frames and stuck some bits on it. Must admit, it looks like a beaut; full carbon fork for a £300 frame is great value. Went together nicely aswell. I really like the matching pedals; it’s got some SPDs to go on instead though. Might buy one myself!

We don’t have a lot of gravel my way, no probs with flinty loose trails or my generally lax attitude to paint on my bikes though. It’ll chip if it’s hit but I’d say the paint quality in the factory is good – hard to quantify but ‘fwiw’. They assemble other brands there that Evans sell and via Evans sales and shop staff I’m not aware of any perception of poor paint on anything they produce.

Ta James, that’s good to know. It’s a super value bit of kit, I’m thrilled with it. 😀

Bar tape double wrapped, adventure storage attached and new cranks installed. Now to find time to ride it…

Sweet! What size fuel pod is that? Quite fancy one but was trying to decide between small and medium.

Took mine for a test ride last night before it’s first commute today. Singletrack, roots, steep climbs and some small drops, handled it all very well. The mudguards get a bit rattly though!

Arkose 4 by philsherwin[/url], on Flickr

Arkose 4 (2) by philsherwin[/url], on Flickr

The first commute went very well, managed to half the amount of on-road miles which is always good news. The length seems fine despite my concerns but I think the bars are still a bit too high even with no spacers, and i’m not 100% convinced by the bar shape on the drops, but I have some spares that I might put on. Otherwise, very good and great value!

Medium, but I think I’d rather have the small, it’s quite tall, obviously no experience yet but I think you’d have to pack carefully to avoid floppy bag syndrome.

@pictonroad Aces, mine’s a small frame so happy to save £5 on my next inevitable AlpKit order. 🙂

Hi,

More sizing advice required. I’m a bit paranoid about sizing… I think it goes back to the first MTB that I bought in 1989 which was too big…

So, I’m about to push the button on an Arkose 4. I’ll be mainly using it for my daily (road) commute. It will have mudguards and pannier rack fitted. I may also use it for a bit for touring next year.

I currently ride a Scott CR1 (54cm) and a Cotic Soul (M). Both fit me well.

I’m 5’9″ with short legs. I test rode the Arkose in (M) and also in (S) – different stores, different dates. Both felt fine. The (S) was probably a bit more nimble. Looking back at the photo’s I took after each ride, the bars on the (M) were pointing up a lot, thus shortening the ‘reach’.

I’ve now taken to comparing the geometry on the CR1 to the Arkose… and it’s slap bang in the middle of the (S) and (M).

So I bit of general advice please… when both sizes seem ok on a 15 min test ride, is it better to go bigger or smaller, particularly as I’ll be using it for road commute duties…

And why do I feel that the more seat post showing makes the bike look better and also looks like a better fit???

Any help greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Noswar.

This is anecdotally helpful – bigger frame means there’s more chance you can get a lock and a bottle inside the frame?

I can on mine but it’s an XL and the lock is quite big

I’m 5’8″ with (comparatively) long legs and I ride a 54cm Scott CR1 with a 90mm stem,(could go 100mm) the medium Arkose 4 seems pretty similar reach wise. I wouldn’t want a smaller frame.

First ride last night, I can honestly say that’s the best fun I’ve had on a bike in ages. Not challenging my strava best times but the fun factor is high. Sweet spot for terrain seems to be slightly moist woodland, avoid anywhere horses frequent. Amberely Mount (down) was eyeball rattlingly hilarious.

I’m a convert.

I am about to hit the buy button on the Arkose three, but I still have doubts about tire clearance with the 105 fd.
It seems 40c WTB Nano just fits fine, but with very limited mud clearance? I consider to use Challenge Gravelgrinder tires; 38mm (real life mm) semislicks with side-nobs ……would they really fit?

At 6’1″ standard proportions, I think the XL is fine for road-offroad cruising, perhaps with 80-90 stem. Any advice against this?

I really like the matching pedals

Agreed.

Monkeyrider, the 40C Nano gets close to the 105 FD when it’s on the big ring but it’s not really a clearance issue in the mud, it’s around 7mm to a tip / point clearance rather than a surface that really collects mud. If it’s a mix of grass and mud it’ll catch and you’ll stall pretty fast but it won’t just be that point that clogs.
RE sizing, I’m just over 6′ and ride a L but I do tend to go for smaller fitting bikes and could ride an XL happily, the higher front’s often a good thing as is staying a bit shorter on the stem, imo. Try one if you can?

@jameso
I live in the Netherlands, so trying one a little issue 😉
I guess I just need to order, based on the excellent revieuws and specs.

Just few more questions: I have read about hitting the bb7 adjuster knob with the heel. Is that a normal issue or just related to bigger size shoes?
Would the one version with Sora an Tektro brakes have slightly more tire clearance? And perhaps less problems with hitting adjuster knob?

MR, it may be worth checking the terms of the 30 day try out scheme, not sure how that works with overseas sales but the principle’s there.
The Spyres and Tektro brakes do have a little more heel clearance, the dropout design does mean the frame itself is well tucked in there compared to most so try any BB7 disc-equipped bike with a 425mm or less rear end, if there’s heel rub against the disc caliper you’ll know.
The Sora FD does have a little more tyre space yes, the BB7s do work better than the Tektros but it’s all worth considering.

monkeyrider, just to balance out the advice (!) I’m 6’2″ and ride a Large Arkose 3. I have an exclusively MTB background so more standover and slightly shorter reach suited me well… but XL should work fine too.

@nre

Thanks for your advice.
I would like to replace my old 58cm (ett) roadbike with a more comfortable “all-road” bike, that can take bad pavement, gravel and some woodpath. I still have an mtb for off-road stuff.
Indeed, both L and XL Arkose could do the job, but looking at your picture, that drop from saddle to bar is too much for me (getting older 🙁 ) . XL has a 2cm higher stack and could do the job with 90 or even 70 stem.

By the way; what is your experience in hitting (and turning) the bb7 adjuster knob with your left heel?
What are your thoughts about the standard wheelset? ( touring, not racing)

Never bought panniers before, would I be looking at with or without stays for an Arkose 4, please?

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FSZANALSPL/zanchetta-alu-700c-pannier-rack-spring-loaded

I’m 6’3 and on an XL Arkose 2