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alansmithy · May 2007

Thanks JW

I'd originally budgeted for a Xenon Agio, under careful financial scrutiny from Mrs Smithy. Since then it's sneaked up to the Mirage Fratello with Ventos - and I think there it will have to rest - at least other upgrades can wait until a later date...(for similar reasons, I'm keeping the m520s from the old heap for the time being)

I agree, the jig fitting is great - Ronan found that I'd been riding frames slightly too large for the last few years - better to find out later than never.

Bern - how 'exclusive' is JW's Fratello club? I don't mean to sound snobby or anything, but I'm intrigued to know roughly how many bikes Condor sell - how many Fratellos will you get through this year?

Bern. · May 2007

JW, There should be quite a few of the guys going to the Capital to Coast ride. We are proud to be associated with them as they work so hard for a great cause. There should be at least 10 riding and 4 doing mechanics for anyone who needs help on the day. The ride is very good as it is really well organised and not too crowded like the London to Brighton. Jeff Banks, who is a customer of ours always takes part with the guys and likes to help promote the charity on the day and helps everyone have a fun day out.

Alan, we seem to be getting through quite a lot this year. The Fratello has only been a model now for 4 years and is a modern version of the Pendio which we used to produce here. JW's Fratello club is growing. When it was introduced we used to receive frames in batches of 10, now it is batches of 100. This has been a good year so far as we have gone through more than all of 2006 already. This does cause problems as it makes it difficult to satisfy everyone quickly enough, as you are experiencing. We have the keys to our new warehouse now so work will start soon to make it inhabitable within the next couple of months.

I like to hear everyone likes the jig fitting. This will be enhanced soon with a fantastic new one as the one we have is getting rather tired.

JWSurrey · May 2007

Thanks Bern - I might join in - though I'll have to put in some serious training or go in disguise on my MTB!
So where's the new warehouse? Or should it be renamed the Bern-Cave, complete with searchlight that has a shillouetted Condor, wings-spread, mounted atop City Hall [:D]

Will the jig have a resistance-wheel/fan to pedal against? I was saying to Ronan that it would certainly have helped it feel even more like riding, and get the muscles relaxed.

Alan - The Xenon Agio - That's where I started my search too - Really enjoying being back on a bike - I too spent years of riding boneshakers, not realising what difference a decently sized bike with quality components makes - The Frat. feels really plugged-in.
Ronan's great for advice too.
I've ended up being allowed by "she who drives the broom wagon" to buy a second ride now! Strangely, my father-in-law's been maintaining radio silence, since my second purchase![:I]

currieinahurry · May 2007

hey bern was wondering what ranges of road shoes you have in that are white?? (sorry do love a bit of bling) and if you do the sidis in different widths in your store?
tikka

hi my name is adam... and i have a problem with posting on cycling forums.

Bern. · May 2007

Hi Currie, I don't think we stock as much Sidi as we used to. I believe we stock Specialized, DMT, Shimano, Nike, Adidas, Carnac and Northwave with some more in depth than others. I know Specialized and DMT are available in white plus there Shimano have white and siver offerings. Karl is the best one to talk to for stock advice in the shop.

Greenbank · May 2007

Bern, what brake pads are recommended for the Tempo (for the deep drop Sh*m*n* brakes)?

--
If I had a baby elephant signature, I'd use that.

Bern. · May 2007

I would normally recommend original parts which in this case would be shimano pads. Good alternatives would be Aztec or similar where you can replace just the rubber pad once they are worn.

peds · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bern

Sonicred007, Plenty there.

JWS, Radial spoking is very popular and has become increasingly so since a lot of major wheel companies like Mavic, Campag, etc build front wheels this way. The main difference is that a radial front wheel will feel a bit more direct to give a slightly more responsive ride. The direct spoking pattern does create more stress on the hub flange so it is better to use a hub that is designed specifically for radial as the spoke holes are drilled further from the flange edge to give more strength.

Having said all that, it is quite rare to see hub flanges break, but just be aware that it can happen and when it does your wheel will be far more out of true than if a standard crossed spoke broke.

Peds, Acciaio frame only weight 55cm painted frame, 1.7kg. Be aware that some manufacturers state unbelievably light weights for their frames and it is usually because they weigh the smallest frame without any paint on. One company even just states the tubeset weight as the frames actual weight which is a bit naughty.

Hevipedal, they are also very naughty as the roubaix will only take a Mindset headset as it is particular to their frame. It may be that another would fit, but you would have to make sure it was perfect. It may be that the top and bottom races are different bearing sizes or angles. I don't have one here to check unfortunately otherwise I could give more info.

They do say, however that they are expecting stock to return early next week.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

peds · May 2007

Thanks Bern for the Acciai weight. I will ordering one (with Campag Chorus) shortly.

By the way, I was in the shop with my 3 year old son a while back. The little chap doesn't have great control over his bodily functions as yet, and while in the shop, he announced that he needed a 'poo-poo'. Without any hesitation, we were given access to the staff toilet. Much appreciated! It is customer service such as this that makes Condor a great bike shop. Thanks.

Bern. · May 2007

peds, no problem. Nice to hear the guys looked after you.

currieinahurry · May 2007

hey bern!! ended up getting a pair of addidas road pros after one of the guys (big guy slight facial hair) really helpfull got me out about 5 different pairs and talked me through em. was great tho as he didnt push me towards the dearest pair just the best for me. also ended up with some ventos for the trainer lol!! hate you guys! only problem was a small bolt to attach teh cleat was missing from the box!! doh! but they are semding it to me in post! so big thanks to all you guys again!
tikka

hi my name is adam... and i have a problem with posting on cycling forums.

Bern. · May 2007

Thanks for the feedback Adam.

currieinahurry · May 2007

no worrys mate only tell the truth!! also anyone getting shoes should go condor as they have a great selection of loads of brands and no what ther are on about and its really not worth saving a few quid to order online as the sizings are so weird and some will just not fit good ie my FAT FEET as they were called would not fit sidis good and these were what i originally wanted. cant wait to ride em!!!!
tikka

hi my name is adam... and i have a problem with posting on cycling forums.

alansmithy · May 2007

Hey Bern

I notice the Condor website is down at the moment - does this mean the shiny new one is imminent? Will we be able to order online etc?

Alan

Slukecp · May 2007

Hi Bern
I was looking for bike that i can race as competitively as possibly but also lightly tour. It seems the best bike you have for this would be the fratello. But am i right in thinking that the acciaio frame is a bit lighter and stronger because it is eom? If i was to settle on an acciaio is there any chance braze ons ( or whatever you call them) would be able to be added to the frame so a rack could feasibly be put on there. As i think i would predominantly be racing and everynow and then take it on a few day tour....? What are the main differences between the fratello and acciaio? Thanks

Bern. · May 2007

Alan, our web and emails are down at the moment and we are desperately trying to get it sorted.

The new site is still a fair way off. We are busy so far beyond expectations at the moment that work on it has had to be shelved. The last thing we want is to offer a mail order website, but not be able to offer the service we would like. The priority right now is to get into our new warehouse and get our waiting times down. We should have extra mechanics starting very soon which will help.

Sluke,
The fratello and acciaio have a similar geometry. The acciaio now uses zero replica tubes and the main difference is that it is much stiffer and a little lighter than the fratello.

The fratello comes set up to take 28mm tyres with guards/rack and the acciaio is a race set-up. A custom frame could be made, but you could be looking at anything from 8 to 16 weeks. There is an upcharge for custom styles that we pass on from our builder.

It deepends if you are prepared to wait. Feedback from our hits suggests the fratello is more comfortable, but we have changed the acciaio this year to address this with slimmer tube profiles.

Bern. · May 2007

Latest news. Emails and web will be back up Tuesday. Sorry for anyone getting emails bouncing back.

mortuk2k · May 2007

Hi Bern

I've an order in for a black Italia (52, centaur), I was quoted 4 and a half weeks so it's just over a week from being due, however I wondered if I can get any news on whether it's likely to be done within that timescale? Only reason being I have a 100mile charity ride in 3 weeks so if I'm not likely to have it in time for that I'd rather know asap so I can make other arrangements.

Thanks.

photoleary · May 2007

Hi Bern

I bought a Squadra off you guys a few weeks back - it's so lovely. It is so comfortable to ride over long distances [short as well [:)] It puts my old alu frame and forks to shame. I was wondering about checking that my cleats are set up on my shoes correctly. Do I need to ring the shop and arrange a time and, if so, who best to speak to?

Many thanks.

Mark

Bern. · May 2007

mortuk2k, just checked the new shcedule and you should get a call mid way through next week from one of our mechanics. We have a new mechanic in the team to help claw back some time.

Thanks for the comments photoleary. We should be able to advise on cleat position for you. It is definately worth calling to make sure someone knows you are coming in. The best guys for this would be Pete, James, Keith, Greg, Rich.

photoleary · May 2007

Thanks Bern.

Just rang the shop and spoke to Keith. Going in in the morning.

Bern. · May 2007

Great

leguape · May 2007

Bern, picked up my Tempo yesterday. Lovely piece of work, rides beautifully. Well worth the wait. Fab service. Also thanks to the chap over in the clothing and shoes who helped me and wasn't afraid to suggest where I might be able to get stuff you didn't have/isn't available in thr UK.

http://www.atomicecho.com/cycling/index.shtml - My cycling blog. From commuting to crits and sportives.

Bern. · May 2007

Cheers Leguape. I hope it gives you good service. Sorry they have taken so long to arrive. We have already sold out of most sizes. Bern will be intermitantly unavailable for the next 7 days.

leguape · May 2007

Nah not to worry. I hear you've been dealing with Italians with their own ideas about following the spec. I'm glad I ordered it before the rush kicked in for summer.

http://www.atomicecho.com/cycling/index.shtml - My cycling blog. From commuting to crits and sportives.

mortuk2k · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bern

mortuk2k, just checked the new shcedule and you should get a call mid way through next week from one of our mechanics. We have a new mechanic in the team to help claw back some time.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks Bern. Was contacted yesterday (Tues 22nd), picking up tomorrow. Allowing myself to get just a tiny bit excited now. [;)]

Slukecp · May 2007

Hi Bern
apologies if you ve been asked this before but where are your titanium frames made and with what tubing? Are they made in italy like the others?
Thanks Sluke

JWSurrey · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Sluke

Hi Bern
apologies if you ve been asked this before but where are your titanium frames made and with what tubing? Are they made in italy like the others?
Thanks Sluke
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Bern's off for a few days - It's Deda's 3AL/2.5V i.e. Made in Italy.
Must dash - early doors for the Tour of Wessex.

Bern. · May 2007

Cheers JW, Yes this is correct. So far reports have been good. Is it essential to have a replaceable dropout on a Ti frame?

BERNIN RUBBER

alexB · May 2007

Bern,

I've been trying to track down someone who stocks Montane featherlite Velo jackets in red/graphite. Everyone seems to stock either fluorescent yellow or black.
Montane have passed me onto Extra UK and and Extra UK suggested you might have them.

Do you?

Thanks,

Alex

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