Show us your cross bikes!
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Ooooh Yeah!! 8)
The spec listed on planet x has his with rival shifters, it looks like you have force, correct? Did you have to pay more?
I can't wait to see this flanders colour scheme
Edit : any chance of weighing it too. Planet x have this down at 8.1Kg for a large which seems very optimistic to me *suspicious frown*0 -
PeteMadoc wrote:Ooooh Yeah!! 8)
The spec listed on planet x has his with rival shifters, it looks like you have force, correct? Did you have to pay more?
I can't wait to see this flanders colour scheme
Edit : any chance of weighing it too. Planet x have this down at 8.1Kg for a large which seems very optimistic to me *suspicious frown*
The build has Force for all of the gearing... which is good. Think this was the spec when I ordered (they've changed it a bit since)
Chainset is S350 PF30 rather than the originally spec'ed Rival, although the Rival spec appeared to state it used an adapter (so actually pleased). Chainset is 900g, so not exactly light either.
The bike isn't 8.1kg! That is very optimistic. .
With pedals on and (cheap) cages, my 57cm it's roughly 9.5kg (using my bathroom scales - so not that accurate). Popping the front wheel to check the rough weight makes me think the wheels probably weigh 2.5kg, so there's probably almost 1kg to be saved there. I think the wheels can be considered 'durable' rather than light
So I think there is probably scope to make it a 8.5kg build if you got some new wheels etc... but 8.1kg ???
It's going to be used mainly as my winter bike... so that I can crash into water filled potholes without fear of destroying the bike/wheels, and without having to worry about the brakes trashing my nice wheels.
If I do manage to get a bit of running in over the winter (not a fav of mine!) - I do fancy having a go at cross.Simon0 -
As I thought really 8.1Kg is probably the minimum achievable weight with some expensive components. If I ever do buy this it will definitely be frame only and build it up.
You should definitely try cross, it's very accessible, no feeling like you've been dropped, just smash round a muddy field for an hour as fast as you can. I don't do any running... ever! Except when I have a cross bike on my shoulder
I think the people at cross races tend to be extra nice too, maybe it's something to do with a mutual understanding of the ridiculousness of the sport, less matcho egos about as well. 0 -
Don't laugh but does it have mudguard eyes?
Also what's the cross chainset like, seem like you lose the upper and lower gears of a conventional compact in favour of a much closer set of mid ratios?0 -
Arthur Scrimshaw wrote:Don't laugh but does it have mudguard eyes?
Also what's the cross chainset like, seem like you lose the upper and lower gears of a conventional compact in favour of a much closer set of mid ratios?
No mudguard eyelets -- so mudgards will be the clip-on sort only... hopefully I'll be able to get the Crud Roadracer's to fit.
As for gearing... it comes with:
36/46 Chainset
11/28 Cassette.
Now I haven't ridden the bike yet, so can't answer exactly. I currently have a 36/52 Mid Compact on my road bike, so the 36 inner will not be anything new.
I think the 46 is going to be under geared on the road with the fast rolling 28mm road tyres. It's a standard compact 110 BCD - so maybe if it's not ideal for it's main use, I'll swap for a 48 or 50T for the outer.
But I guess even 46/11 isn't so bad for a winter bike. It just means you have to increase your cadence a little (and in all honesty, 46/11 at 100rpm is still 33mph (rather than 36mph with 50/11)Simon0 -
As the Kinks would say: nice bike shame about the weight. I'd believe that's at least 9+ kgs if you could convince me that 9.5 wasn't fair. The cranks and wheels look sturdy, the spokes look like telegraph poles from 20 paces. The good part is you have a rock-solid all-road bike which would be great for 95% of surfaces.
If you want to tart her up a bit, some 38mm carbon hoops on light (Hope?) center-lock hubs would improve acceleration. Your tyres are as heavy as racing CX clinchers (Challenge are ~370 grams) so putting knobbies on it would not impact weight much. You can swap the cables and brake rotors for lighter options as well over time. Force derailleurs and shifters are already best in class light so no advantrages to be gained there.
But don't forget some bikes wear weight well, and if the frame is stiff and you're feeling good I'm certain it will accelerate like any stiff carbon road bike.
Please come back with your riding impressions and defo tell us what you're comparing it to.When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.0 -
FransJacques wrote:As the Kinks would say: nice bike shame about the weight. I'd believe that's at least 9+ kgs if you could convince me that 9.5 wasn't fair. The cranks and wheels look sturdy, the spokes look like telegraph poles from 20 paces. The good part is you have a rock-solid all-road bike which would be great for 95% of surfaces.
If you want to tart her up a bit, some 38mm carbon hoops on light (Hope?) center-lock hubs would improve acceleration. Your tyres are as heavy as racing CX clinchers (Challenge are ~370 grams) so putting knobbies on it would not impact weight much. You can swap the cables and brake rotors for lighter options as well over time. Force derailleurs and shifters are already best in class light so no advantrages to be gained there.
But don't forget some bikes wear weight well, and if the frame is stiff and you're feeling good I'm certain it will accelerate like any stiff carbon road bike.
Please come back with your riding impressions and defo tell us what you're comparing it to.
I think 9.5kg is pretty fair. Addition of pedals and bottle cages added about 400g.. so it was probably close to 9kg when it left PX. Not bad really, as I'm sure £300 on a set of wheels would loose not far off 1kg. Those spokes are exactly as you describe - they look like they've come off a Motorcross bike!
Any upgrades will come later... as it's primary function will be a winter trainer so it's over specification as it is :-)
As limited to 3 bikes, with a one in, one out policy... I will have to get rid of my (steel) cross hack... which is a bit of a shame. I also did look at the Ribble Audax / Winter training bikes, but it wouldn't have been as flexible as the XLS, no disc brakes (something I wanted as I've trashed the rims over winter on my good bike), and it's also not as light as the XLS (Ribble 7005 is quoted as 9.8kg)
It would be nice if it' was lighter - but maybe it's not a bad thing over winter, so that you'll get a little spring when the good bike comes out on those better days.
Very busy day today, but hopefully I'll get a chance for a spin tomorrow in my lunchtime (or in the evening)Simon0 -
Any ride reports, looks like it will be a good performing bike. Not quite sure if that internal cable routing is a benefit or not.I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0
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SloppySchleckonds wrote:Any ride reports, looks like it will be a good performing bike. Not quite sure if that internal cable routing is a benefit or not.
Busy week! (but managed to get out last night for 1.5 hrs). It's going on holiday with me next week so need to make sure there are no problems..
First ride report...
I am obviously slower on the XLS compared to my N2A, but not hugely different. But very difficult to judge really as I've hardly ridden in the last two weeks due to work (and have fallen off the wagon as a result!). But, I have been well rested which seems to compensate a little.
The internal cable routing (apparently) is for when you are running with the bike on your shoulder rather than aerodynamics (or at least, that's what Cross Junkie implied!)
It's a great bike although I'd recommend spending a little extra (or upgrade when funds are available) the wheels as they are pretty heavy. I had an idea that they'd weigh a lot, as they are cheap £100 wheels, but I was over budget already on the XLS, so thought any upgrade could happen later. The wheels are built to last but the weight is noticeable spinning them up to speed. The freehub on the Shimano Deore hub is also not great.. as you get that echoing sound like as if you've taken a run up before the freehub decides to engage!
I'm running Conti 28mm GP 4 Season tyres, so they roll fast but also soak up the road well also helped (I'm sure) by the frame/forks.
The frame is lovely and stiff (similar to my N2A), but obviously jumping on the pedals doesn't give the same response as the N2A which I'm sure which is mostly down to the wheel weight (wheels approx 2.5kg) - but the frame doesn't flex (I'm sure it does, but it's not noticeable) Once up to speed it holds it's speed well (and you get that flywheel effect of thw wheels over the bumps!)
I hate to say it, but I think a lighter set of wheels would really transform the bike.. must not upgrade, must not upgrade (or the wife will devoice me!). You might have guessed, I'm not a fan of the wheels!
Brakes are excellent and highly recommended over rim brakes (unless you would prefer less weight for racing). Descending last night on a steep, rough and gravelly road, when it was raining was actually enjoyable and a lot faster and safer than on my road bike.
Brakes are a fantastic upgrade over rim brakes for 'feel', no reduction on power in the wet, but obviously are still not as good as hydraulic brakes as you can feel the 'disconnect' with the calliper due to the cable (a bit like when you have air in a hydraulic system)
In terms of speed, there wasn't a huge difference in my time over the same terrain in similar conditions. The Cross gearing of 46/11 actually wasn't as restricting as I was expecting. I haven't checked yet on SB, but it didn't seem much different to running a compact with say 50/12.
I would say that the frame design isn't one built for comfort/touring. Not that it's uncomfortable, but the riding position still had a fairly large saddle to bar drop (similar to my N2A), but it does have a shorter top tube (which makes it more comfortable). To compare, there there seems maybe ~2-3cm more drop on the XLS compared to my (now sold) PX Pro SL, although the geometry differences with the cross seem to make this drop seem less extreme.
It is noticeable that the cross geometry although has similarities to a road bike, but there are subtle differences; it feels like you are are riding closer to the ground (and on a smaller bike), and the slacker fork angle (and length?) makes the front end almost a little lighter (as in, jumping off kerbs would feel more balanced than on a road bike.
Not that I've been jumping off kerbs, more that the geometry is similar but definitely different.
My seat was also slightly lower than I'm used too, so maybe once I've managed to get the right height it will feel a little different again.
I also have an old (steel) Jamis Nova and the ride position on that is much different... that has much more of an upright touring riding position, but it is pretty old (2008) so the geometry nowadays I guess is a lot different.
Obviously the XLS doesn't have any provisions for mudguards or racks, so your only options here are race bike guards (Raceblade).
I'm taking it on holiday next week, which although is primary a family holiday, I will hopefully get a few rides in and have a better idea of "ownership".Simon0 -
Here's mine, before snipping the steerer.....
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The XLS weighed 8.1 kg with the force groupset and 50mm tubular wheels and that was what the original spec list was for, they then did it with the reetard wheels which upped the weight, when they went out of stock they put the current deore wheels on which are even heavier.
Still a very nice bike although I do prefer the dirty disco, better geometry for cross and a lighter frame and fork.0 -
God forbid that a tourer should be comfortable My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
Facebook? No. Just say no.0 -
i know, its missing tyres and i have a few bits to change...
so saddle is being swapped, and i have a CX specific crankset to go on, then i have mud tyres and snow tyres. Possibly needs a new headset as well...BMC TM01 - FCN 0
Look 695 (Geared) - FCN 1
Bowman Palace:R - FCN 1
Cannondale CAAD 9 - FCN 2
Premier (CX) - FCN 6
Premier (fixed/SS) - FCN30 -
Called into LBS, came out with this.......
S-Works Tarmac Disc Di2 2017 :shock:
Felt AR3 Di2 (6870 11spd upgrade) 2012 - Now gone.
Cannondale Synapse Carbon Disc Ultegra 20160 -
columbus x wing0 -
Heres My Dozzina Camo CX rig (pics in separate thread)
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What are the qualification criteria to be a crossover bike?0
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Ride what you want and most of all enjoy it 0
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Ok I'll take another photo with cx comp tyres on and I'll take the cages off .... Chill 0
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BMC TM01 - FCN 0
Look 695 (Geared) - FCN 1
Bowman Palace:R - FCN 1
Cannondale CAAD 9 - FCN 2
Premier (CX) - FCN 6
Premier (fixed/SS) - FCN30 -
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Sensa Fermo SL.
Still in the fitting phase, so steerer still long etc. Once all sorted, newer, nicer, bars, stem & seatpost to go on
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Nice wheels, I thought they would go on a cross bike to be fair0
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Ashamed to say I haven't ridden them yet, saving for best. A set of Askiums do day to day duties.
Top brake levers might go in time. The bars swapped for a shallower drop, Ritchey WCS Logic II anatomic me thinks. Stem may go down once the back loosens up - it's been a while. Not sure what to do about the old school Fizik pave saddle, comfy but the rear shaping is like two triangles which really hit you if you botch a re-mount and hit it end on.0
