ASK BERN

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  • alansmithy
    alansmithy Posts: 80
    Bern

    These things happen for a reason. I got promoted today [:D] = a quick phone call to your boys and I'm upgraded to the Veloce spec. Wouldn't have happened if the Italians had been on time. Mrs Smithy will get some flowers tonight too...

    Deep joy.
  • iza2000
    iza2000 Posts: 4
    Bern...does Condor price match other stores on complete bikes?

    What would Lance do?
    What would Lance do?
  • Bern.
    Bern. Posts: 58
    Well done Alan, dont't tell everyone.

    iza2000, it could be possible, btu it would totally depend on what the bike/price is, etc. Best person to contact would be Greg in the shop.
    BERNIN RUBBER
  • iza2000
    iza2000 Posts: 4
    Thanks Bern...have you got an email for Greg? (it would be for a R3 complete bike).

    What would Lance do?
    What would Lance do?
  • mollymc
    mollymc Posts: 13
    Hi Bern,

    I'm planning to come in on Friday and order the Fratello. Is it best to just turn up and assume somebody will be able to do the measurements etc?

    Thanks!
  • Bern.
    Bern. Posts: 58
    Hi mollymc, I would advise to call in advance to make sure someone is ready for you. Friday can be a little busy
    BERNIN RUBBER
  • mollymc
    mollymc Posts: 13
    Hmm. I've taken a day off work on Friday as I assumed a Saturday would be a nightmare. Is there any particular day/time you recommend?
  • Bern.
    Bern. Posts: 58
    iza2000, try greg@condorcycles.com
    Be aware that the shop is being slammed at the moment so it may take a while to get back to you.

    mollymc, 10 to 11am is one of the best times, but Friday can also be busy all day.
    BERNIN RUBBER
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    hi Bern,

    no question, just to say my new baracchi is absolutely amazing.. havent stopped grinning yet. [:D][:D][:D]

    top bike and top service

    cheers
    mike
  • Dellcp
    Dellcp Posts: 42
    hi bern i have just brought new Shimano pedals SPD-SL and Nike shoe and after many years of cycling I have decieded to try and get the correct riding position.

    I have fitted the cleat on to the sole of my shoe and what ever posioion I put the cleat in if it be back or forwards it is not right and and what ever possition I put the sadle in back or forward the ball of my foot is about one centemetre in front of the peddle axle.


    What would you recoment the plum line drops from my knee to the centre of the axle or the plum line drop from my knee to the ball of my foot which is one centremeter in front of the pedel axle.

    If this sounds confusing then your right and any help would be greatful.

    Has anyone had the same problem and how did you solve it.
  • Bern.
    Bern. Posts: 58
    Thanks Mike, I enjoyed testing it last year.

    Dell, this is just a general guideline. There is no set formula, but this may help. Start with saddle height, this should be set so you have roughly 25 to 30% flex at the knee. This can be personal, if you like to spin a low gear it may be more useful to have a slightly lower saddle height, alternatively on the higher side if you tend to push a big gear at low revs.

    For the plumb line, get a friend to hold it on the front of your knee and line it up with the end of the crank arm, adjusting your saddle fore and aft to help. It is not necessary to have the ball of your foot over the centre of the pedal axle and having it slightly forward of the axle is considered more efficient.

    There is a good book by Andy Pruitt who looks after a lot of pro riders and works closely with Specialized and their shoe system.
    BERNIN RUBBER
  • Dellcp
    Dellcp Posts: 42
    Hi Bern
    Many thanks for the info it has really helped me alot.
    I have lowered the sadel this has helped the problem I have also had a look on the web at Andy Praitt book hight tech cycling, to much for me to take in what he is saying.
    Does Condor cycles do personal fittings on excisting bikes? I think that I will need shorter stem as well as the sadel being lowered.

    Thank you again for your info.
  • Bern.
    Bern. Posts: 58
    No problem Dell, he does go into it a lot, but he does have a lot of top riders as clients.

    At the moment we only offer a fitting service with new builds, but the guys in the shop are always willing to help with advice. Unfortunately the shop is rather busy at the moment and they don't always have enough time to go in depth as they would like.
    BERNIN RUBBER
  • mollymc
    mollymc Posts: 13
    Thanks Bern. I'm aiming to get to the shop around 10. I'll call before I leave.
  • JWSurrey
    JWSurrey Posts: 1,173
    Bern - Thanks for the Squadra - Totally awesome!
    Shaved *27* minutes off my 40 mile time from shop to Surrey!
    (OK, factor in a month or two of training since the last attempt).

    Handles like it's glued to the road.
    Really comfortable. Soaks up the bumps.
    GP4000 S tyres - awesome.
    "Gun metal" finish on the stem/bars looks superb.
    How about producing some gun-metal stack rings (if that's the correct word)?
    Solid, planted, confidence inspiring.
    Monty's handbuilts have to be ridden to be experienced. Even better than a set of Campag factory wheels. You should put a demo. set in the shop.
    Will post some photos later.

    Do you have any Rapha Condor team shirts? Rapha site suggests they're "available soon"?!
    This cycling bug's reeled me in for the summer, and my one short sleeved top is starting to smell a bit [:I]
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    I get the feeling John is happy with his Squadra Bern.

    SIZE IS EVERYTHING! or at least that's what my LBS tells me.
  • currieinahurry
    currieinahurry Posts: 2,695
    lol i think so!! and montys wheels do kick ass!
    tikka

    hi my name is adam... and i have a problem with posting on cycling forums.
    hi my name is adam... and i have a problem with posting on cycling forums.
  • JWSurrey
    JWSurrey Posts: 1,173
    Awesome [:D]
    Currie - See you at Highclere - I'm aiming to do the 74 without being brushed too often by the broom wagon!
    You wearing your Kingston Wheelers top?
    Look for the white Squadra and novice looking bloke with "all the gear" [;)]
    Naz going?
  • Bern.
    Bern. Posts: 58
    Giantman, I think you may be right.

    JWS, cheers, nice to hear you like it. I think the jersies are going to be avail. soon. Karl would be the best bet with details.

    I will pass on comments to Monty, he will be pleased.
    BERNIN RUBBER
  • JWSurrey
    JWSurrey Posts: 1,173
    Totally stormed my PB on the Squadra for the Highclere 74 this weekend (which turned in to a 79 when I got paranoid and thought I was lost again - backtracking until I hit the next group coming the other way, and dropping/searching for the computer! [:I]) Still too embarassingly slow to give absolute figures, due to my dodgy fitness levels and championship pie eating!

    Managed to stay with a swift group for much longer this time.

    New top descent speed (+2 mph) - Bike exudes confidence.
    Average speed increased by 2.3mph despite the extra 19 miles and c.2,000ft since the Tour of Wessex.

    Thank Ronan for the advice on bike setup - Saved my backside!
    Riding the Shimano PDA-520 (float on these is great) instead of toestraps/clips - The Spez. BG shoes are superb.

    I heard that a Condor guy was in the event... Is that right?
    There was a superb black Rapha Condor resting up against the ice-cream van - probably there for quite a while by the time I got in!
  • Bern.
    Bern. Posts: 58
    Nice
    BERNIN RUBBER
  • alansmithy
    alansmithy Posts: 80
    Hi Bern

    Any news on those pesky Italians yet? I get a free bacon bap and coffee if I cycle to work this Friday...that's MY kind of incentive.

    Cheers,

    A
  • Bern.
    Bern. Posts: 58
    Alan, I have a feeling you may get a call later on today from one of the mechanics.
    BERNIN RUBBER
  • alansmithy
    alansmithy Posts: 80
    Bern

    Just picked it up and got it back home - lovely bike, really lovely. Thanks for your help and advice - it has definitely been worth the wait.

    Alan
  • Bern.
    Bern. Posts: 58
    No problem alan, sorry it has been so long. Just back from Italy where there was a whole load more being painted.
    BERNIN RUBBER
  • alansmithy
    alansmithy Posts: 80
    Bern,

    I did my first official commute on it this morning, the Fratello is much nippier than I thought, good handling and I like how 'compact' it feels to ride. And the Veloce infinite black groupset looks good on the black/red colour scheme of the bike.

    Just one query - on the Veloce edition, JW had mentioned that carbon seatpost comes as part of the spec, mine appears to have a standard Condor metal one (I'm presuming the carbon ones have the standard carbon 'weave' appearance of the forks etc.) Would it be possible to get this swapped over at it's first service?

    I remain a happy camper though - top class bike.
  • JWSurrey
    JWSurrey Posts: 1,173
    Hey Bern, saw Ronan in the store today - How did he do in the GFC?
    He looked busy, so I didn't want to distract him from tending to the hordes.

    Triathlon wifey came with me on my Box Hill 5,000ft training ride this weekend - Took the Frat. and a bag full of ballast [;)]
    Ended up on a Condor crusade; first stop met a nice chap who was keen to take it for a spin (fortunately got it back too!), then had a quick chat with someone else on the top of Box Hill. What a bike!

    Wife's bike is equipped with '07 Xenon (solid axle) - If I want to upgrade from Compact to Triple, what bits do I need to buy? What tool do I need to extract the cranks? (25t cassette and short deureilleur fitted at the moment).

    Good luck with the Nocturne. Unfortunately can't make it.
    Got a stand in the People's Village / prologue?
  • Bern.
    Bern. Posts: 58
    Hi Alan, nice to hear you like it. Sorry about the seat post, the word through from Grant was to upgrade the groupset so it was only this that was done. If you mention it to Grant when you bring it in for the first service I am sure he may be able to do something.

    JWS, I have hardly had a chance to chat to anyone in the store this week as have been running around as normal trying to get frames/components, special builds on track for everyone including a quick trip to Italy with broken(crashed) team frames.

    Keep up the good work on Box Hill, I used to love riding out that way on training rides. To change from CT to Triple you would need the crankset and front mech. You may need to change the chain as the one you have is possibly not long enough and it does work better with a long rear mech compared to medium, though medium will work.

    To take off the cranks you would need an extractor tool, a cassette lockring tool and chain whip for the cassette and allan keys for everything else, with the possibility of a chain tool also.

    I too will be missing the Nocturne ufortunately as it sounds like it will be the event to be at this year with loads of top riders and entertainment.

    I don't think we are in the people's village, not 100% sure why, Grant looks after the marketing, but I do know he is organising loads of different things for the Tour.
    BERNIN RUBBER
  • alansmithy
    alansmithy Posts: 80
    Thanks Bern

    I actually had a slightly inelegant demounting today thanks to a tram line*, so the first service will be important. Thankfully no damage to the Frat other than a scratch to the brake lever and tape but it will be good to get an expert eye and calibrate the indexing etc.

    * comical - I was doing about 2 miles an hour, coasting around a corner with a bike2work week bacon bap voucher in my hand...how I laughed [:I]
  • Bern.
    Bern. Posts: 58
    Oh dear, I know what it is like trying to concentrate with the thought of a bacon roll in the morning.
    BERNIN RUBBER

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