Planet X Uncle John

jeepie

Hi There,

I'm after a do it all/go anywhere/do anything road bike. I'm very close to pulling the trigger on the Planet X Uncle John having read some very good things and researched endlessly.

1. Does anyone use a rack with it and if so which one?
2. I believe fitting mudguards is tricky, but has anyone managed this successfully and do they work without rattling. Which mudguards do you use?
3. Thinking of also upgrading the wheels using the PX Fulcrum 3 offer, but wondering if this is overkill.....
4. Finally if I wait I can get the Sport on the cycle2work scheme in March but definitely fancy a few of the upgrades such as wheels and saddle, so I'm guessing I'll just have to pay the extra as it's £999 with all the basics.

Any thoughts really appreciated

J

StanwaySteve62

Wouldn't suggest going for such a good 'road' wheel if you fancy going off road

cakewalk

Jeepie wrote:

Hi There,

I'm after a do it all/go anywhere/do anything road bike. I'm very close to pulling the trigger on the Planet X Uncle John having read some very good things and researched endlessly.

1. Does anyone use a rack with it and if so which one?
2. I believe fitting mudguards is tricky, but has anyone managed this successfully and do they work without rattling. Which mudguards do you use?
3. Thinking of also upgrading the wheels using the PX Fulcrum 3 offer, but wondering if this is overkill.....
4. Finally if I wait I can get the Sport on the cycle2work scheme in March but definitely fancy a few of the upgrades such as wheels and saddle, so I'm guessing I'll just have to pay the extra as it's £999 with all the basics.

Any thoughts really appreciated

J

I got planet-x to build the Uncle John spec into a Kaffenback frame (with steel forks).

Cheaper
Cooler
More conformable
Fitted a rack and guard myself

Drop them a line - very helpful

petemadoc

Jeepie wrote:

Hi There,

I'm after a do it all/go anywhere/do anything road bike. I'm very close to pulling the trigger on the Planet X Uncle John having read some very good things and researched endlessly.

1. Does anyone use a rack with it and if so which one?
2. I believe fitting mudguards is tricky, but has anyone managed this successfully and do they work without rattling. Which mudguards do you use?
3. Thinking of also upgrading the wheels using the PX Fulcrum 3 offer, but wondering if this is overkill.....
4. Finally if I wait I can get the Sport on the cycle2work scheme in March but definitely fancy a few of the upgrades such as wheels and saddle, so I'm guessing I'll just have to pay the extra as it's £999 with all the basics.

Any thoughts really appreciated

J

The Uncle John will make an excellent all rounder. I wouldn't upgrade the wheels just now, wait to see what kind of riding your doing, if you find you're mainly riding on the road then treat yourself to the Fulcrums and a nice set of slick tyres. Don't go riding them offroad.

cougie

I love my Uncle John.

Havent fitted rack or guards but probably will do the guards at some point. I dont think they'll be too fiddly to fit, and I'd stick with the PX wheels.

jeepie

Great. Thanks for the replies. Yeah - was thinking the wheels were a bit OTT, but 1/2 price was amazing and new wheels made such a difference to my road bike.

Think I'll just buy the OTP Uncle John Sport in March then when my company finally joins the bike2work scheme - just got very excited by some of the tempting build options

I really fancy trying SRAM Rival too as been none too impressed with my 105 and fancy a change.....

Thanks again - must be patient!

Monty Dog

I would opt for the best wheels you can afford - lightweight doesn't mean weak - high volume cross tyres also insulate your wheels from a lot of offroad abuse - I've taken my cross bike down some pretty technical trails including 2ft drop-offs - how you ride is more important - the best cross wheels are Fulcrum 1s, Shamals or Ksyrium SLs - light, stiff and bombproof IME. The Kaffenback is a great bike too - certainly more suited to laden touring if that's your main purpose.

OfficerDigby

For mudguards it can be a bit of a bodge on the back wheel with for e.g. full SKS's but once on it's all forgotten.

you can fit them on the seat tube with something like this

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... odelID=745

But of course cable tie will do the job, If you're cheap! (edit: no rattle with above item).

And the seat stay bridge is drilled vertically. So drill a hole in the mudguard at the appropriate point and bolt to that!

For the rack it depends if you want option of disk brakes now or later date or not.
Topeak Super Tourist Rack or probably any other rack goes on no problem, disc rack version if appropriate. However, I reckon the way it's set up trying to get all rack/mudguard and disk brakes in one maybe a problem. Has anyone done it? I'd like to know how big bendy mudguard ties?


As for wheels, I have been unlucky with the PX A57's. That have never managed to stay true for more than 2 secs. Been replaced and same fault. Badly, built batch most probably.

Brake judder anyone? Ways round that? Upgrade etc?

Good bike though Fast Fast fast IMO.

cougie

Thats a neat little gadget. I was probably goiing to go down the cable tie route myself though - I had one holding my rear guard to the brake bridge after the crappy little alloy holder broke off my thermoplastic guards.

My A57s have been great - I've done some proper off roading with them - maybe not quite 2 feet dropoffs though :shock: -= but fast and furious enough for me.

My brakes dont seem to be as juddery as some cantis - I think its the setting up

airbusboy

A friend of mine has the unc john as a winter hack bike, rides well and goes everywhere. I've gone for the kaffenbach.... similar to the unc john but made of steel, and slighty lower position (both have full size mudguard on, although care needs to be take with steering on the kaffenback as your foot can hit the guard hangers) .

Both are excellent frames for the money.

macondo01

Very happy with my Uncle John. I have SKS's on mine as OfficerDigby described, with a cable tie. Works just fine no rattle. No brake judder on mine either.

d70ar9

I considered the uncle John but went for the Dolan Multicross instead - quite a bit cheaper - Full Sram Rival with the option of V brakes or Canti full mudguard mounts and loads of customisation options.