New winter build: Kinesis Racelight T2
Bordersroadie
Posts: 1,052
Not a winter bike really, it's an all year round bike that will no doubt get more use than my dry weather bike, hence I've decided to upgrade to a "decent" proper mudguard bike rather than get another old hack.
It's a 51cm Kinesis Racelight T2 (fork is Kinesis DC07) with full 105 5703, handbuilt wheels (105 hubs with Ambrosio Excellight SSC rims, 32/32, 25c Gatorskins), Pro LT finishing kit and a Toupe Expert saddle.
I've been very impressed so far, especially the ride quality which is as good as, if not better than, my old 531 bike. Those s-shaped seat stays seem to actually do their job and the fork damping is very very good. First ride out I bagged a Strava KOM so its extra 1 kilo of weight over my dry bike don't seem to be much of a hindrance! The stability downhill is superb but the handling is still quite lively, a perfect blend in my opinion.
The geometry of these T2s is quite long so I got a smaller frame than I'd normally get and the top tube is not sloped much so I've needed a few headset spacers which combined with a 90mm stem gives me the same cockpit as my (Sportive style) dry bike.
I did loads of internet research for this and I'm completely happy I've made the right decision. Hopefully this post will be of use to someone trying to decide on a winter build.
It's a 51cm Kinesis Racelight T2 (fork is Kinesis DC07) with full 105 5703, handbuilt wheels (105 hubs with Ambrosio Excellight SSC rims, 32/32, 25c Gatorskins), Pro LT finishing kit and a Toupe Expert saddle.
I've been very impressed so far, especially the ride quality which is as good as, if not better than, my old 531 bike. Those s-shaped seat stays seem to actually do their job and the fork damping is very very good. First ride out I bagged a Strava KOM so its extra 1 kilo of weight over my dry bike don't seem to be much of a hindrance! The stability downhill is superb but the handling is still quite lively, a perfect blend in my opinion.
The geometry of these T2s is quite long so I got a smaller frame than I'd normally get and the top tube is not sloped much so I've needed a few headset spacers which combined with a 90mm stem gives me the same cockpit as my (Sportive style) dry bike.
I did loads of internet research for this and I'm completely happy I've made the right decision. Hopefully this post will be of use to someone trying to decide on a winter build.
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Comments
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Very nice !0
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nice one bordersroadie, looking good for winter!0
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yes, looks good!0
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Thanks chaps!
Giant man, I sent you a PM with more wheel pics - let me know if you don't get it, it seems to be stuck in my outbox presently.0 -
all received fine thanks BR0
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Nice Winter build BR. Do you know the overall weight? What about the weight of the wheelset in particular? Am thinking of getting a 51cm T2 myself and would like to know if I can easily achieve a 9.0kg build using similar components to yours.0
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PM sent, morxy. Final build weight 9.9kg including pedals, mudguards, all bottle cages/pump clip, clamps for saddlebag/lights/computer etc.
Running a triple and with fairly heavy tyres, and cheapish finishing kit, there's plenty of scope for getting closer to 9.0 I'd say. I'm very happy with 9.9kg.
By the way the frame was about 150g more than advertised, real weight 1650g. A bit disappointing really. TK2 is meant to be 200g less than T2.0 -
Lovely! That's dangerously similar to my one and only year round bike. I've got a 51cm Tk with a 105 triple, RS10's, 25mm Conti 4 seasons and full guards. I'll not bother weighing it cos I've stuck a Brooks B17 Special on it!0
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About to pull the trigger on one of these....Peter0
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The geometry of these T2s is quite long so I got a smaller frame than I'd normally get and the top tube is not sloped much so I've needed a few headset spacers which combined with a 90mm stem gives me the same cockpit as my (Sportive style) dry bike.
Been looking at one of these as my do it all bike. Winter trainer/Commuter/Tourer after I stupidly let go of my Kaffenbach. ( fancy something lighter as a replacement)
Re your comments about geometry. as these come in a 57 , I though it would be ideal for me as Im always riding a 56 set up with a stem like a barge or a 58 with no seatpost comfort or flex.
Your comments about the top tube though make me wonder, are they really that stretched out because they dont have a sloping/compact design.
My nearest dealer is quite a way a way so I geuss I ll just have to go and try each frame size.0 -
I'd say have a quick look at the geometry tables on the Kinesis website. I'd hazard a guess that the larger frame sizes are less "stretched-out", proportionally, than my small frame.
My summer bike (Cube) has a seat tube that's longer by 1cm than the Kinesis but a top tube that is shorter by 2cm, and it's a sloping one, so the "virtual top tube" length of the Kinesis is a fair bit longer than that of the Cube.
The whole process is made easy if you have a bike that is the right set up for you as you can use that as a reference point to help you decide whether or not the new bike can be "made to fit" using stem length, seatpost setback, handlebar geometry etc.
Only true way is to sit on a bike but I live miles from anywhere so had to go the internet route. No regrets, it fits like a glove.0 -
The 57cm T2 is pretty similar to the 56cm Caad 9 I have. I downloaded the Geometry table for the T2 and compared it. The odd cm can be lost / made up as above with components.
I'm 1.83 (6 feet) and have 85.5cm inside leg as measured for a bike. I am always in between sizes re 56cm or 58cm etc. roughly a 56cm is right for reach but have to have a lot of seat post, a 58 often is normal seat post but too stretched out for me meaning a 40 or 50cm stem to compensate. That would make the steering skittish.
So I usually have a 56cm or equivalent with a 110cm stem and a couple of spacers and it then is spot on and handles well. I went for a bike fit to confirm all this with Adrian at Cadence to confirm I didn't need a bigger frame and he confirmed it.
So I suggest as above, measure your current bike as above and compare with the T2 table to find the nearest frame and adapt the stem and seat post / lay back to suit.
Anyway, I pulled the trigger on a T2 and carbon fork last night on line. Went for the black and white. Another step closer to N-1.......Peter0 -
I like...
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That looks lovely
almost identical to my 2011 genesis equilibrium i just bought0 -
Could you give me the details of what the mudguards are on your rather nice T2 . Thanks0
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They're 35mm SKS Chromoplastic with diy mudflap made from a Flash Liquid bottle!0
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Bordersroadie wrote:They're 35mm SKS Chromoplastic with diy mudflap made from a Flash Liquid bottle!
good effort...0 -
This is lovely, ive been eyeing up this frameset for ages now, I'm going to go for the blue colour and transfer my 105 and r501 wheels. How much clearance is there with the 25c tyres? What brakes are you using?0
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Plenty of clearance for 25c and proper SKS 35mm guards. I used Tektros then upgraded to Shimano R650, the latter better stoppers and less rust-prone on bolts/springs etc. Any 57mm drop brake will fit. Miche are good on a low budget or R650s if not.0
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I tried the Miche brakes on my T2. The rear didn't fit properly and Kinesis do not support them...
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40004&t=12935545
I purchased some Tektro R737 instead.0 -
That's great, thank you I will get planning.0
