ScandAl Evolution from Trek 4500

mcnultycop

Nearly done, just need to do the crown race and cut the steerer. I've not got the testicular fortitude to do it though, so LBS job.




203mm rear rotor is too big (I just had it knocking around), I've got a 160mm Avid so I'll get a bracket and stick that on instead.



Zee mech shifts really well, first time I've fitted gears from new. Oddly satisfying.



It's a small, I'm 177cm and that was the smaller on the On-One sizing guide (I could have gone medium). Small feels great though; still nicely stretched out but chuck-able.

bushu

Hope you've sorted that mighty headset stack, but looking lovely there sir
here is the last incarnation of the Trek Alpha 4500 too, thanks again for the frame!

mcnultycop

bushu wrote:

Hope you've sorted that mighty headset stack, but looking lovely there sir

Cheers mate

LBS is cutting the steerer this week, I'm not brave enough. Maiden journey this weekend, hopefully.

mcnultycop

Just got it back from the LBS this morning (superb service from Bikeanics in Greenfield, Saddleworth by the way) with the massive stack now gone. We weighed it whilst it was in 25.15lbs (11.41kg). I wasn't particularly trying to make a light bike (I've got Flows on a hardtail and haven't bought light components and finishing kit, it was never going to be that light, I wanted a robust XC bike), but I'm happy with that.

Going to get out on it tomorrow.

mcnultycop

Did an inaugural 41km this morning. First thoughts:

It's nice at 116kg to get out of the saddle and stamp on the pedals, even with pro pedal on the Canyon it wallows a bit if I get out if the saddle.

The Zee mech is brilliant. I know everything is new but it is silent. I tried some steps and roots and without a chainguide I've not lost the chain.

The sound of the Fat Albert throwing gravel on the raw downtube makes me wince.

I reckon I'll get the dual air Reba set up correctly by about October.


It feels great though. I'm going to try tubeless with some Small Block 8s as the tyres on there are a bit much for what I'll be using this bike for.

holiver

That colour is great. Nice one!

Is the front rotor 203mm too? Looks huge!

mcnultycop

holiver wrote:

That colour is great. Nice one!

Is the front rotor 203mm too? Looks huge!

No colour is the best colour!

It is a 203mm on the front. It works for me.

mcnultycop

Been using this a lot lately as the FS is in for a tune on the shock and the weather seems to suit this bike!

Did an 80km round trip commute last Friday on knobbly tyres!



Local trails tonight, I'm lucky to have this 2km from my front door.




The bike hasn't been without issues; the Superstar wheel build lost all tension in the spokes about 15km from home a couple of months ago. That was a long walk as I had no spoke key (although the front was probably beyond a spoke key!) The LBS has sorted them for next to nothing and they have been superb since.

The decent weather has made me want to put some tyres on with a bit less rolling resistance on, maybe going tubeless in the process. I was thinking about Small Block 8s, but I've heard they are difficult to seal - I may try something easier for my first foray into tubeless. (I did say the same thing a few months ago, I'm just lazy).

The Rookie

How are you getting on without a chain guide? I find as the chain ages and gets more flexible it is prone to coming off during mid cassette gear changes, though your Zee may be better than what I used if it's clutched, my daughter runs an n-gear jump stop as an inner guide with the bash.

mcnultycop

The Rookie wrote:

How are you getting on without a chain guide? I find as the chain ages and gets more flexible it is prone to coming off during mid cassette gear changes, though your Zee may be better than what I used if it's clutched, my daughter runs an n-gear jump stop as an inner guide with the bash.

I deliberately tried to lose the chain at first and it wouldn't, and in a good few hundred km it hasn't been off once. I've got the bash but I'm going to lose that too - I don't think the chain has tried escaping that way. The Zee mech is brilliant, the clutch seems to make a massive difference and it just keeps everything really tight. I'm going to go 1x10 on the Canyon too with a Zee mech eventually, but I reckon I'll get a big/small chainring on that as the chain growth will be an issue, I'd imagine.

In fact, I need to flog the Superstar Chainguide I bought for this bike.

mcnultycop

For no reason at all, some dirty pictures:


Untitled by mcnultycop, on Flickr


Untitled by mcnultycop, on Flickr

Need some new grips for this as the On-one ones have worn smooth, but otherwise I don't think I've changed anything on this since my last update.

mcnultycop

Also going to stick a new tyre on the back, the Geax Lobo Loco on there is bit unpredictable at times and probably too aggressive a tyre for the bike.

woodnut

Nice bike, really like the Scandal, I thought that and the Whippet were the best bikes On One have made

mcnultycop

I love it. I'm half way through going tubeless with a pair of Beavers.

I've not been out on the Scandal for a good few weeks. I might try and get a ride in on it next weekend.

mcnultycop

Now with added 2" Beavers.


New beavers by mcnultycop, on Flickr

I've been ill and in hospital over the last few weeks, so had a steady hour this morning just to get back in the swing of things. First run on the Beavers and I've not ridden an MTB tyre that narrow for decades. The tyres felt great, tonnes of grip and cleared the mud really quickly. As my Canyon gets used for the really rough stuff for the lighter XC use this bikes get the Beavers seem like they'll be superb.

mcnultycop

The Fleet by mcnultycop, on Flickr

I've had a bit of a maintenance day on the less bouncy bikes. I'm thinking about losing the stickers from the rims to clean it all up a bit. Thoughts?

RideOnTime

mcnultycop wrote:

For no reason at all, some dirty pictures:


Untitled by mcnultycop, on Flickr


Untitled by mcnultycop, on Flickr

Need some new grips for this as the On-one ones have worn smooth, but otherwise I don't think I've changed anything on this since my last update.

Filth.

mcnultycop

Untitled by mcnultycop, on Flickr

Lovely outing tonight on the PBW. Some of the descents would have been easier and quicker on the FS, but with the saddle down the Scandal was eating up the loose rocky singletrack downs. It needs a dropper though; KS Lev like on the bigger bike?

step83

Dont forget its a 27.2 tube on there not sure is the KS goes skinny enough for that

mcnultycop

They do a 27.2. In stock at Bike Discount. Trust me; I've been looking...

mcnultycop

Newcastle weekend + by mcnultycop, on Flickr

Now with added comically wide bars. 777mm On-one Knuckleballs in hard (they do chewy too, more flexible).

They replaced 710mms and feel a hell of a lot wider, and are even wider than the ones on my FS but they feel nice on the quick shakedown ride I had on the tonight.

Unfortunately I've just had to spend £400 on a new washer dryer, so the KS Lev will gave to wait.

mcnultycop

Night ride mode engaged by mcnultycop, on Flickr

mcnultycop

Night ride mode engaged by mcnultycop, on Flickr

Some solo off-road action in the woods tonight.

Torches were all fine, but the Solarstorm X2 kept knocking off on cobbles and a few bigger hits. I think I just need to wrap the batteries a little to pad them out in the case. The triathlon feedbag worked well as a battery holder though, and stayed put.

CitizenLee

Bike is looking great! I do agree you should de-sticker the rims though

Where did you get your battery bag btw?

mcnultycop

It's a deuter triathlon style feed bag. Tenner from Wiggle.

Rim decals will go soon, I reckon.