Kona Rove Ti 59 -> Kona Vulcano adventure

bendertherobot

chrisvanderkaap wrote:

chrisvanderkaap

First ride experience:

Today I took out the Rove Ti for a first ride. It is a beautifully sunny day in the region of Antwerp although the temperature throughout the morning didn't hit over 8 degrees. The Rove (I haven't given it a proper name yet) took me for a 120 Km journey through the woods, paved and unpaved roads and also gladly back home. It is a wonderful ride to say the least. It is not as fast at high speed as my carbon racer, nor should it be for it's intended use. It is also not as light as my steel single speed steed, which does make itself clear uphills or fast surges. The fat(ish) tires are really supple and fast rolling and are among the best i've ever ridden. They add some weight, which can be felt but also add a lot of potential to take it off the beaten path so to speak. My first experience with Ti (next to my ti Brompton) is that it's a generous and lively ride. It's not lightning quick but it isn't sluggish either. One of the biggest differences I notice on the bike is actually the bars (salsa cowbell 2) with flare outward in the drops. It's an odd but not uncomfortable sensation. My wrists are in a more neutral position but i have a much wider stance, which takes some getting used to. It's like riding a Caddilac with a large and comfy (leather clad) steering wheel. My first experience on road disc brakes are slightly underwhelming. (I must say that is test ride is not featuring the trp brakes that I will be using, instead featuring interim hayes pro cx). They work well, without issue. But is far from the direct and slightly overpowered feel I expected. To sum it up I would say I experienced some more modulation (some more space between on/off) with is quite satisfactory in short steep descends in the woods. Though there are other reason why I could become a advocate in using them. When back home I told my wife I was a little bit unimpressed with how the bike left me feel. Especially after a first ride when most would return with a huge smile on their faces! In turn trying to relativate the rather exuberant price tag. Yet when I came back from work in the shop I had changed my mind. The bike had left me less tired/fatigued than I would have otherwise been on my other bikes. It was very pleasurable, almost like a good (but quiet) friend to talk to. It is waiting for more and more adventurous rides in the future. It feels like it can take on more obstacles and push me for longer which is exactly what I plan to do with it. It holds momentum very well (In part thanks to the flawless wheels I build for it) and the sprighty character of the metal. I believe/hope that is bike is very versatile, strong and inspire me to go places I wouldn't have gone without it. I hope that it will grow on me and that it will age nicely (with me). Now I realize a bike only reveal as much as you can show it to do. That'll make this story one to be continued!

bendertherobot

You really need some TRP HY RD's for a bike like that.

chrisvanderkaap

bendertherobot wrote:

You really need some TRP HY RD's for a bike like that.

I ordered the TRP spyre slc and see how they'll serve me. Then, maybe, I'll see into some full hydraulic options.

ugo.santalucia

DId you do any kasseien? How do the Strada Bianca handle the stones? What pressure?

bendertherobot

chrisvanderkaap wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

You really need some TRP HY RD's for a bike like that.

I ordered the TRP spyre slc and see how they'll serve me. Then, maybe, I'll see into some full hydraulic options.

They're not full, they're part. Cables run to hydraulic reservoirs.

I got mine for £87, so only a few quid more than the Spyre SLC. I can't stress enough how good they are but, crucially, now easy they are to set up.

chrisvanderkaap

ugo.santalucia wrote:

DId you do any kasseien? How do the Strada Bianca handle the stones? What pressure?

kasseien? just about only 4.5 (or 70F/75R psi) as expected was right. even a tad less could be great in the woods. They're really really nice tires and carry speed very well (more so than Vittoria or Conti slick cross tires) yet still have loads of traction in "fatty" (a dutch cyclocross term for wet, muddy surface with harder soil beneath) conditions.

chrisvanderkaap

bendertherobot wrote:

chrisvanderkaap wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

You really need some TRP HY RD's for a bike like that.

I ordered the TRP spyre slc and see how they'll serve me. Then, maybe, I'll see into some full hydraulic options.

They're not full, they're part. Cables run to hydraulic reservoirs.

I got mine for £87, so only a few quid more than the Spyre SLC. I can't stress enough how good they are but, crucially, now easy they are to set up.

tbh, ive looked into the hy/rd and believe they're (really) good but i'm not looking for the most powerful brake. I just would like something low tech which works (as well as in the wet) and doesn't wear out my rims. Yet if the spyres take too long I might convince my supplier to exchange them :?

chrisvanderkaap

chrisvanderkaap

ok guys, time has come to drop the final decision on the brakes.
hope you can help with my dilemma.

The TRP spyre slc I've ordered still didn't arrive, which according to trp is because they cannot fully cope with demand of the new (revised after recall) mk2 model. I'm leaving on a cycle tour to Istanbul 2 of april and wish to have the bike fully finished.

Here is the dilemma:

Either wait out (they are due within 1-2 weeks) or get the TRP Hy/rd instead.

I want advise on the following:

+potentially more breaking power (could be a big thing since I am quite underwhelmed by the current Hayes expert ones)
+even easier (or no) manual adjustment
-add around 100 grams to total bike weight compared to the spyre slc (not a weight weenie build but really don't care for any additional heft)
-I still don't have a lot of faith in hybrid mechanical/hydraulic solutions
-hy/rd is not my favorite looking brake
-hydraulic system potentially harder to fly with?

Let me know what you think!

ugo.santalucia

chrisvanderkaap wrote:

+potentially more breaking power (could be a big thing since I am quite underwhelmed by the current Hayes expert ones)

I have them and they are very good... in fact I do lock the rear often. I have upgraded the pads to Swiss stop ones, but the original weren't bad either

chrisvanderkaap

DONE!!

just finished a great epic trip to Istanbul on this bike and I can finally say it's growing on me.
It's all out reliability and strength really does is for me on these long lonesome rides on/off road.
The best experience on it so far was visiting the so called 'princess islands' of the coast of istanbul.
Imo a virtually undiscovered mtb/cross heaven. Definately coming back there before my journey to Hawaii.

bring it on

http://climbbybike.com/climb.asp?qryMou ... -via--Hilo

ugo.santalucia

What chainset are you going to use?
Have you ever been over 3000 Mt?
I don't think I'd be able to climb at that altitude... certainly not with conventional gears... maybe something like a 30 x 34 might get me somewhere...

chrisvanderkaap

yeah, the reason I went with sram is the ability to cross over with an mtb chainset.
something like an x9 might do well in a 36-22 configuration and perhaps a larger range cassette (11-36) too.

It'll be up for the task but i'm not sure yet if i will. that 80km of serious climbing with no relief towards the end.
im gonna climb the mauna loa (http://climbbybike.com/climb.asp?Col=Ma ... inID=13767
) first and then see if the nr1 most difficult climb is achievable.

Motivating me towards this goal, the bike incidentally found itself a proper name:

Mauna loa

framestickers are on their way

chrisvanderkaap

Paul 8v

What sort of clearance does this have with those tyres on? Trying to work out the biggest tyre you can get on one of these

chrisvanderkaap

I tried 50mm (28 x 2.0), schwalbe big ben and marathon supreme. it works but then theres not much room (3mm) to spare. i'd go for 40mm with knobs with generous clearance for mud and grime.

Paul 8v

Cool, thanks Chris

ugo.santalucia

So... the Volcano?

Paul 8v

Maybe he fell in :-(

cycleclinic

This is a bike I like.