I have a long, thin face and find the Giro Synthe an excellent fit. It’s very comfortable and super light. I tried the Foray which looks the same and is a quarter of the price, but bizarrely the fit was nowhere near as good.

I’m about to go tubeless with these tyres, too. Not that there’s much choice out there. Having seen the advantages of tubeless on the MTB, it seems daft not to go the same way on the road bike. Found the Schwalbes cheap at bike-discount.de

Much higher pressure and a ride. Nice looking bike, but the rear tyre looks flat.

That guy’s right about the wheel size…

I went from 32T on a 26er set up 1X10 and assumed 32T would be the same on a 650b. Duh. Anyway, it wasn’t, and I swapped to a 30T running 1X11 on the 650b and it’s spot on for anything from Swinley to the Alps.

My Lev Integra has been excellent and the remote system mates with ODI grips.

I used to have a carbon TCR and now ride a carbon Defy. I’m as fast, if not faster, on the Defy and it fits me out of the box, whereas the TCR took some fettling. The Defy is certainly very comfortable and is a lovely ride. I’m very pleased so far. Both are a medium.

Maybe this will do the job?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-deore-bh59-disc-brake-hose/rp-prod130949

Thanks for your help. I spotted the eBay listing, but it doesn’t include the bolt that slides over the hose and screws into the caliper.

+1 for Glacier Gloves.

I bet it’s not as good as my Trance! :wink:

I’ve got a medium 650b Trance built up with 150 Pikes. I’m 5′ 10″ with a 31″ inside leg and the fit is fine. I run a 55mm stem and 740 bars. As my dropper is not layback the saddle fiore/ aft position took a bit of tweeking, but I’m there now. The bike climbs and descends really well and I’m loving it!

I went from 32 to 30 on XO1 and haven’t regretted it. The bike is fine in the Alps and Swinley!

I’ve seen the Giant ones on eBay, so it’s worth a look there.

I had a nightmare tracking down a Pro 0 in medium, but got there in the end. Plenty of websites look like they’ve got them, but in reality they don’t. I was also told I’d have to wait for the 2016 release, but there was no confirmation of spec or pricing. I got lucky in the end and mine should get to the dealer at the start of June.

I’m waiting on delivery of the Advanced Pro 0, due in 1st June. I can’t wait! I’ll let you know my impressions soon after it arrives.

I run 150 Pikes on mine and it’s great. I felt it was a good compromise between the 140 of the standard Trance and the 160 of the SX. I’ve not been disappointed as the bike still climbs well, even with a 55mm stem.

I’m having the same trouble with a 650b Ardent Race in EXO flavour. At least I know why, now…

Found one! Hooray!

My Trance:

I went from 32 to 30 and have not changed the chain length. Shifting is still sweet. In fact, if anything, it’s better. (XO1 Groupset.)

I’ve done it a few times on my road bike. It’s a lovely ride.

Col de Joux Plane on an MTB might be a slog…

I know where you mean. I’ll have a go next time I’m over. Ta for the info. With 740 bars and a 55 stem I might , just about, cut it.

Looks fun. I ride Swinley a fair bit, but haven’t come across that. Where is it? I think I need to explore more and head out from the blue and red…

I don’t know where you are, but this guy has been excellent for my two:

http://www.radbmxshop.co.uk

The guy’s a real enthusiast. He champions the brand United and will shift on price and buy back.

Glad you got it sorted. I’m still impressed with mine and am beginning to take its excellence for granted.

I’ve recently built a bike with XO1 and was apprehensive as I’ve always fitted Shimano parts until now. However, it all went together easily. I got the shifting into the ball park on the stand and then tweaked it during a test ride. Once in the zone the shifting became precise and consistent. I was pleasantly surprised and now am impressed by the groupset. Stick at it!

As above. Try Freeborn Bikes: £307.50 delivered.

Are your jockey wheels clean? I had what you described on a muddy ride recently. It went after I cleared the very sticky mud off the jockey wheels. I think the SRAM jockey wheels are known for not clearing mud brilliantly.

I must admit, I fitted my dropper to my Trance before installing the BB and it was easy! Not that that helps you…

Try using some carbon paste.

Les Carroz is very nice. Off there tomorrow for ski AND mtb.

I built up an Advanced SX frame with an XO1 groupset, Pike 150s, Flow EXs on Pro2 Evos, Lev Integra dropper, XT brakes, SDG Belair 2 saddle and Easton Haven 740mm carbon bars. It’s a great bike that goes up and down well and will be getting its first trip to the a Alps on Thursday to play in the snow with some Ice Spiker tyres. Can’t wait!

That,or 2mm spacers between the ring and the crank arms.

Chainline issues stressing the chain in the lower gears, I.e when most torque is going through the system”

I’ve been very pleased with my KS Lev Integra.

I had a MKI on my previous Trance and it was reliable and more than good enough. There was a bit of lateral play , but not so you’d notice while riding. I think that for the money they are a decent option. I’ve now gone with KS Lev from Germany which came in at £215 delivered. I have to say the quality is a step up from the Giant, but so is the price. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the Giant dropper.

Renton, it looks like you’re getting there. Good advice to cut a bit long for future adjustment. You’ll know when you hit the sweet spot as the bike will just suddenly feel right. The Trance is a great bike and I don’t think you’ll go wrong with it. Mine is only four rides in and I’ve played with stem height, length, seat post height, saddle fore/aft, fork and shock settings, often trail side. It’s all part of the fun of building your own bike and very satisfying when you get things just how you want them. Keep at it!

I regularly go to the Alps in October. There are no uplifts, so you have to climb! The weather is unpredictable: last year it snowed and I enjoyed some impromptu snowboarding! Two days before it was tee shirt weather. I take clothes for all weathers and just get out and enjoy the quiet as the resort is dead. I usually take a road and a mountain bike. If you don’t mind climbing and changeable weather it’s great fun and a week away from the rat race with your mates.

Have you experimented with rotating the bars? I felt mine were a little low until I did this, thereby effectively raising my hand position without having to alter stack height.