Nope… Those POC helmets aren’t flattering for those with a big dome.

Cheers, Steve

Thanks Steezysix

Do like my Swift, should look a lot cleaner if I sort out the cable run for the Alfine….. oh and remove all my junk!

IMG_20160505_175653 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

Thanks for this thread, it’s been an interesting read.
I’m running a standard Kaffenback with Sram Apex 50-34 with a 11-28 rear block and as I am an unfit fat bloke I am finding the hills on my commute to work (West Cornwall) a bit of a climb and my legs are just not strong enough to push those gears at the moment.
Looks like if I want to go to a go for the 11-32 I need to change to the Apex WiFLi rear mech…. might need to wait for a pay day or two after paying for my Alfine….
I don’t think I can drop to a smaller inside ring with the Apex front derailleur.

Cheers, Steve

Just had a look at my little shake down segment on Stava, I’ve done it on my Kaffenback (Heavy road sort of thing) and my Singular Swift 29er with 2.4″ wide tires on. Kaffenback is 2X10 and the Swift at the time was 3X8….

The Kaffenback was 46 Seconds faster over the about 4 miles quick run around, on one of the climbs I was 15 sec faster on the Kaffenback a whole 0.8mph faster….

Kaffenback 14.7 mph average, 38.7 mph top.
Swift 13.1 mph average, 31.3 mph top.

Of course I’m very unfit and just like nice bikes…. as you can see the difference for me is bugger all but I would rather take the Kaffenback on my commute.

Cheers, Steve

Yea every time I jump on I think why did I hesitate so much! Should have just bought one… the price put me off really….

I would like to try a C15 the C17 is OK for my commuter but think the C15 might be a bit better for my Swift.

Cheers, Steve

Slapped the Brooks onto my swift and took it on a quick run around the Great Flat Lode.
I still find it really comfy, the only problem I had was I cant get my back side over the rear end for descending, the width is too wide to do it comfortably.
As a gravel/touring/light MTB saddle it great but not sure I would use it for anything serious.

IMG_20160505_175704 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

Cheers, Steve

I shall have a look on the cable run, Alfine tis a new beastie to me so all new, just glad to get it back and jump on for a ride, while the Kaffenback has done we well on the gravel it’s not as fun as the ride over everything fun of the Swift with 2.4’s, though I am quite desperate to try 3.0…. sadly wont fit on my Swift.

Wally – I’m not wanting to name them as while the wheel building was not their fault I don’t want them tarred with the same brush, if your in Cornwall I’m near Hayle and didn’t use Hayle Cycles so you can guess from that list who my LBS is.

Cheers, Steve

Can put this to bed now….. finally got it back today!
The LBS did look after me on the price especially with the other bits I bought, I think I had most of the stuff cost and paid a bit of labour. I didn’t pay for the wheel build as they refused to pay the wheel builder for labour as 1 month to build a wheel is beyond ridiculous.

So happy to have it back, been out on a ride where I did have a slight problem in 5th but a quick adjustment seems to sorted that but will keep an eye on it.

I can’t say I noticed a massive change in the weight, I noticed it less than the difference when changing to suspension forks… Gearings seems ok at 36×18 but might get a 34 or even a 32 for if I go anywhere really hilly, only a few shortish ones today which seemed fine.

IMG_20160505_172636 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

IMG_20160505_175704 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

IMG_20160505_175619 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

Pleased all in all but may have 2nd thoughts on my choice of which LBS to use. Question is now do I want a Stooge frame for my birthday…. I do love the Singular Swift… I just fancy a change.

Cheers, Steve

Looks great! DIdn’t fancy the matching Bamboo rims :O

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/123023756/bamboobee-bamboo-veneer-rims?ref=related-0

Cheers, Steve

nemesis – Member Read that thread I linked. Mine is a Mk1. It does fit fine with certain caveats about maximum rim and tyre sizes but IMO it’s sufficiently plus to get the benefits.

Oh Ok will have another look.

Cheers, Steve

So the LBS is more than apologetic… they are as annoyed with the wheel builder (another bike shop…) as I am and have organised another shop for future builds.
Not much help for me, but I let them know that even though they aren’t building the wheel the other LBS is giving them a bad name, my work ordered 4 bikes from elsewhere based on my experience with them.

When I get my bike back I wont be using them again, it’s left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Cheers, Steve

Looks like I’m out of luck, just taking to Sam on FB, looks like as mine has a straight chain stay a 650B+ wont fit :cry:

O’well 2.4 until I damage the frame then…

Cheers, Steve

Thanks, All just a pipedream atm.

Cheers, Steve

nemesis – Member
See the very long thread on b+ I stated..

Thanks Nemesis, some good reading… though I’m still not 100% sure I understand… :oops:

Cheers, Steve

I was thinking 650+ 2.8

Cheers, Steve

Thanks Nemesis good to know, seems the most cost effective way to go as the Swift is a stonking frame!

Bought my 1st bit the other day.

IMG_20160415_093627 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

Kaffenback is Maxwall custom double-butted chromoly steel and a lot of it from the weight….. Pickenflick is Ti

http://www.on-one.co.uk/c/q/bikes/cyclocross-bikes/on-one-pickenflick

Cheers, Steve

woops double post

I would also check very carefully what work they have done as to be honest they sound like a bunch of muppets.

To be fair their techs have been fine, they are just waiting on the wheel. He even offered me his own bike when mine wasn’t ready, I was hoping they would offer me the 27.5+ Cannondale Beast of the east 1.

Cheers, Steve

andyl – Member
For the OP: http://www.wheelpro.co.uk/

TVM!

And +1 for learning to do stuff yourself so that you don’t get let down in future.

Yes I can do 90% of the stuff myself, might attempt a wheel build in the future and cut the middle man right out.

Cheers, Steve

mintimperial – Member – OP I would be very wary of that wheel. Your comment about them not being happy about the lacing is ringing alarm bells for me. Alfines should be built up 2-cross because the flange radius is so big, any wheelbuilder who knows their stuff should be on top of stuff like that before they even start picking out spokes.

Noted thanks, will pop over and see them again.

Cheers, Steve

craigxxl – Member
If you haven’t paid for anything then collect your bike, buy the kit from Taylors and do it yourself. Nothing complicated in the setup so you won’t have any problems.

I did wonder where I would stand with that. They have done some other stuff while in the shop.

Cheers, Steve

PS thanks for validating my disappointment, my 1st experience having wheels built I’ve only ever bought off the shelf before now.

Cheers, Steve

Didn’t ask for anything special… just build this please, part of me is saying has the wheel builder started and the LBS is buttering me up, surely they can’t be that inexperienced or is an Alfine a massive difference…

Cheers, Steve

Oh don’t get me wrong it wont stop me supporting another LBS. Will check if they build their own wheels as well….. I bought my wife’s bike (Merida Speeder) from the other LBS I use (more local) which is a two man band set up, which I don’t mind when they are a bit slow with things as there is only two of them. They also stock stuff a bit off the norm which is nice.

The one I used has at least double the staff on most of the time, but they are just waiting on parts from someone else, I was fairly shocked they don’t build wheels in store considering they are the “premier” bike shop in the area.
But is it also my fault as they seem to be more of the road bike side of things these day.

I just have the feeling if I was buying £2k+ of Colnago or Trek they might be a bit more abiding…. the fact I’m chasing them for updates every 3-4 days is annoying.

Cheers, Steve

Pearl Izumi X-Projects for me, I’ve got the 3.0, they are narrow and small sizes, I had to go to an 11 when I’m a 9.5….. Though I have quite wide feet, they are still a touch narrow to be really comfy for me but they are stiff where I need them enough flex for when I have to get off.

http://www.pearlizumi.co.uk/product/men-s-x-project-3-0/PZ15113010027400

Cheers, Steve

God know what they are doing, I think they are extruding their own spoke steel…. The wheel builder have had it at least 5 weeks.
The other excuse I am getting from the LBS is “it’s nice weather and everyone want’s to get out on their bike” That well and good then why say you could do it in two…. :x

I was half tempted to get it built 27.5+ but will leave that now…. don’t want it in their until next year!

TBH I’m more likely to try another LBS from now on, sad as that is, they do a little less mainstream kit as well.

Cheers, Steve

Tis nice!

Cheers, Steve

XC one arrived today, nice looking helmet, seems very light to me, reminds me a bit of my old (2010ish) 661 Recon but lighter.

IMG_20160421_144904 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

I’m not keen on the padding, I don’t like the feel.

IMG_20160421_144919 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

A chin cushion? which I doesn’t seem to fit under the chin….

IMG_20160421_144934 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

adjuster works well but not sure how well it will hold up.

IMG_20160421_145041 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

God knows about the wing or how long it will last, I have the feeling it will break off in storage…

IMG_20160421_144947 by Stephen Williams[/url], on Flickr

I don’t know about the AM one but I am quite glad I didn’t get one for myself as it just didn’t feel right on my head or in my hands, this is the smaller one so on the limit for my swede size. It’s ok for a £20 helmet but I wouldn’t have paid the full price for one.

Cheers, Steve

I just bought one for SWMBO, seemed great for the price!
If I didn’t buy a better than half price POC Trabec Race last month I would be buying the Endruo, great looking helmets.

Cheers, Steve

Last years Commencal El Camino 650b = £357

Bugger wish I knew that sooner, just ordered 4 Diamondback Heist 1.0 for work.

Cheers, Steve.

A fatty bike full suss. Yes because middle aged men seek and seek anything different to subliminally make themselves stand out. They don’t realise it but it’s a cry for attention in their increasingly dull world.

Oh…. I wont be getting my Alfined Singular Swift built to 27.5+ then or buy a Pink Stooge…… :lol:

Cheers, Steve

Ah didn’t think of that, could always gold/silver leaf the coffee bean first……

Cheers, Steve

epoxy a coffee bean into the final wrap for a head badge?

Cheers, Steve

I was wondering how the hub works, I wondered if it was similar to my Toyota CVT until it runs out of spin and you are on your own.

Cheer, Steve

I looked at the Halfords CX bikes, the only thing that put me off was the press fit bottom bracket.
Ended up with a Planet X offering.

Cheers, Steve

Enjoying this thread, I’m waiting until I got the spare funds! I was reading somewhere that the bamboo should be at least 3 year old? Something to do with its strength.

Cheers, Steve