Couple of questions.......Planet X XLS

Barrington12

Have been road biking for years but about to venture into cyclocross and I have a couple of questions, hope you can help me:
I have a Planet X XLS frame which already has a brand new SRAM Apex cx chainset fitted and I am planning on keeping this chainset (I'm not keen on SRAM, have tried it before and didn't get on well with gear adjustment, much prefer Shimano), so I am wondering if this is going to work......
105 shifters with Shimano FD CX70 front mech using the existing SRAM chainset, and 105 medium cage rear mech.
What is the biggest size cassette I could use with this set-up?
Thank you in advance.

antsmithmk

It should work fine, and the medium cage can take 32 I think?

ravey1981

The SRAM chainset will work work with no problems at all. 32 on the rear will be fine also, i'm running a medium cage sora mech on an 11-32 cassette. You may just get away with a 34 but you would need to check that the upper jockey wheel clears the biggest cog, it will be tight.... I wouldn't think you would need to go much lower geared than a 32 though, as reference I use an 11-25 cassette on my road bike and I haven't found myself needing a lower gear on the cx bike. Both bikes are on a 34-50 compact chainset , although I have just got a 44 tooth big ring for the cx bike as I find that the jump between 34 and 50 is too large when riding off road and I will never spin out a 50-11 off road either.... As far as I know the cx specific chainsets come with a 36-46 setup usually?

snipsnap

Apologies for the slight thread hijack.

I'm currently looking at one of these under Cyclescheme, which considering the current 20% discount code, makes it a pretty good deal indeed.

It was between this and a Giant Tcx slr2 which appealed as it was 105 (I'm used to shimano) and decent brakes (trp spyres).

The planet x xls comes with sram apex which I've never tried, but am open to other systems as find the tiagra setup on my Croix de fer functional but very clunky and needing constant fettling.

Also the planet x is a full carbon frame so gives me lots of options for a decent multi purpose bike in the future with other wheel sets etc

Got a good commuter bike already in the croix de fer so mudguard mounts aren't an issue. I just want a good fun dirty bike to use when I'm not commuting or on club rides.

Does the planet x xls tick the boxes I think it does?

Barrington12

Thanks for the replies, always a good response on this forum it seems. You confirmed what I thought, that this set-up should be okay. Once the bike is properly built and tested I'll let you know what I think.

Barrington12

One more question, I'm sure someone will know this....
The frame requires a 34.9mm clamp-on front derailleur, I'm going to order a Shimano CX70 (Wiggle have them in stock at a decent price it seems), just need to check, do I need a top swing or down swing derailleur? This is for use without a pulley on the XLS frame and using a SRAM Apex cx chainset. Thanks

bendertherobot

just accidentally ordered one using the cycle to work scheme. Used the 20% discount code. £799.

I pressed one button to many figuring out whether the code was going to work.

But, looks like it's gone through and now they'll invoice me. I can cancel of course. But, question is, given I'm due a new bike on the scheme, do I want to?

snipsnap

bendertherobot wrote:

just accidentally ordered one using the cycle to work scheme. Used the 20% discount code. £799.

I pressed one button to many figuring out whether the code was going to work.

But, looks like it's gone through and now they'll invoice me. I can cancel of course. But, question is, given I'm due a new bike on the scheme, do I want to?

Nah, unbelievable value all considered.
I've done exactly the same and it's being built on Monday.

bendertherobot

Apex is £300. The wheels look ok. So it's pretty good value for a carbon frame etc.

I feel slightly guilty at using the code, but it is out there on the web. Let's see how we go. All my bikes to date have been up to the £1k mark. So this one works out even cheaper per month again. Would be mad not to do it.

I was thinking of selling my MTB (£500 or so) and getting a £1.5 bike. No need to go to that trouble now either (though I may still hock the MTB and get some more kit).

snipsnap

The guilt will pass.

Probably as soon as the email comes through requesting payment of 10% admin fee!!!

The code must have been great business for them, the amount of folk who have placed orders recently looks to be substantial.

bendertherobot

Of course, 10% of £799 is better than £999 as well

It will be a wonderful addition.

Not sure yet what duties I will press upon it.

I think:

Ritchey Road Logic : best weather

Planet X : off road, long distance where it might get wet, cx

Bivio : purely for commuting.

snipsnap

Being delivered tomorrow!

gelmonster

Just a question regarding this Planet x code. A mate of mine has just told me about these posts today, as he knew I was considering buying the planet x xls. Is this code still valid or expired now and where is it on web? I currently get Planet x offers but dont recall this one.

Thanks

jaseisace

Barrington12 wrote:

One more question, I'm sure someone will know this....
The frame requires a 34.9mm clamp-on front derailleur, I'm going to order a Shimano CX70 (Wiggle have them in stock at a decent price it seems), just need to check, do I need a top swing or down swing derailleur? This is for use without a pulley on the XLS frame and using a SRAM Apex cx chainset. Thanks

Hi mate you will need a top swing front mech or a downswing if you've got a pulley
I've used a standard ulterior mech with a pulley and it shifts a treat and is a little bit lighter

bendertherobot

Not sure I'm getting one now. Planet X seemingly can't be bothered to process my C2W order. To do so they have to submit a short online form to my scheme provider. That's how it works. But it doesn't fit in with how they do things. So I've told them to sort it today or cancel.

snipsnap

bendertherobot wrote:

Not sure I'm getting one now. Planet X seemingly can't be bothered to process my C2W order. To do so they have to submit a short online form to my scheme provider. That's how it works. But it doesn't fit in with how they do things. So I've told them to sort it today or cancel.

it's a shame if that's the case. had mine since Wednesday and I'm loving it. An entirely different beast to my Genesis Croix De Fer, which although it's great as an all-round work-horse and is very pretty, it isn't as fun and agile in the rought stuff as the XLS.......and it's always good to have different toys/options

for what it's worth also - I'm quite suprised by how much I like SRAM also (so far)

is there nothing you can do to intervene on this - it's a total steal at the price!

bendertherobot

Dunno. I've sent emails, I've rung. I might post on their Facebook page.

It is a shame. All because they won't take 30 seconds to fill in a form.

bendertherobot

We have contact......

bendertherobot

And sorted. Nice one Facebook