Planet X XLS Flanders

bendertherobot

Stock spec, so Sram Apex Wifli, BB7 brakes, PX finishing kit and wheels. They could probably do with an upgrade but don't seem massively heavy. Probably swap the Archetypes onto this one and put these wheels onto the Bivio.

BB7's currently ok but they'll go in favour of Spyres or Hy Rd.

Impressed for £799. Seems to ride very well (I've only taken it up and down the street!) Much nicer looking in real life than on the web.

snipsnap

yeah!!!! They're great aren't they? Got mine early december and am made up with it.

I'll also look to upgrade the BB7s.
Picked up some Racing Ralphs for a tenner each from Ribble too as Uncle John tyres dont do mud very well.

Oh.....and the stock saddle is an acquired taste - mine will be going eventually.........


Enjoy!!!!!

bendertherobot

This one has Gravel tyres rather than the Uncle John, I have those on my other bike for commuting. These look slightly better in mud but I'd swap them out. I have some Clement PDX for the rough stuff. Yeah, the saddle may well go as well.

Ideal world? I'd get Ugo to build some HED Belgium C2 rims up with perhaps some red or yellow hubs. That would look lovely.

ugo.santalucia

Nice... much nicer than it looks on the website!

bendertherobot

Isn't it? TBH, I got it because it's well reviewed, I got 20% off and it's a cycle scheme bike. replaces the MTB and should prove better than the Bivio for cross. But, actually, I'm delighted with it. As you say, it looks so much nicer in real life. It's very beefy but seems very damped as well. As far as I've ridden it anyway.

Needs better wheels though, right?

ugo.santalucia

It does, but I am not sure HED plus are the right rims... other than they would look awesome.

If it's for racing, maybe chinese carbon rims? :oops:

bendertherobot

Stop it

It's ok for now. Let's get the MTB sold and go from there.

Will try the Archetypes on there. White hubs should match the white of the PX etc. so that's ok. Tried the front on there. Slight brake adjustment needed. To be expected.

ugo.santalucia

Good ole Archetype.. you have since then renewed all the fleet of bikes... but they are still cool

bendertherobot

You're quite right! Hadn't thought of that. 2 years and 1 month old now. Fair play to them. Unstoppable.

Yellow Peril

great looking bike

styxd

What happened to the Ritchey?

bendertherobot

styxd wrote:

What happened to the Ritchey?

It's under a sheet in the garage!

bendertherobot

Out in the (very) wild. Rides very well. Even the wheels seem good. Pads need scrubbing.

MountainMonster

I've got a Planet X London Road, and the BB7 brakes were notoriously hard to get seated properly. I spent many days trying to get them right. I wouldn't scrub them, but do make sure they are well positioned.

Lovely bike though. The colour scheme is brilliant!

ugo.santalucia

Dismal weather... it was beautiful here... one of the best days we've had this winter... 4 hours in the mud to Box hill and back

bendertherobot

Been commuting on it, as it's dry. So no need for bloody mudguards etc.

It's very lovely. Obviously quite stiff. It does need better wheels. As soon as I shift the MTB I'm on that particular job. Should save about a kilo I reckon. Then put some nice wide rubber on there. Something floaty with no siping on it. Dunno what yet.

I have to say, it's nice to have a +1 that isn't your best dry bike. One that you can just use, not worry about and leave the best bike under a dust sheet.

I like the XLS very much. In fact, I like it quite a bit more than my Bivio.

I think, with really good wheels and a swap out to Force or Red, this would make a very good do it all bike indeed.

ugo.santalucia

bendertherobot wrote:

Been commuting on it, as it's dry. So no need for bloody mudguards etc.

It's very lovely. Obviously quite stiff. It does need better wheels. As soon as I shift the MTB I'm on that particular job. Should save about a kilo I reckon. Then put some nice wide rubber on there. Something floaty with no siping on it. Dunno what yet.

I have to say, it's nice to have a +1 that isn't your best dry bike. One that you can just use, not worry about and leave the best bike under a dust sheet.

I like the XLS very much. In fact, I like it quite a bit more than my Bivio.

I think, with really good wheels and a swap out to Force or Red, this would make a very good do it all bike indeed.

Good timing... I was thinking I have spent too much money on components and I am not using the Pacenti SL 25 wheels enough or for the right reasons. Could do with swapping for a cheap and cheerful pair of wheels and some much needed cash. Are those 6 bolts?

bendertherobot

Yes. Pretty heavy but feel well built enough to do a job.

ugo.santalucia

bendertherobot wrote:

Yes. Pretty heavy but feel well built enough to do a job.

I would rebuild them anyway... spokes are cheap. Let me sleep over and I'll send you an email tomorrow

oldbazza

Just ridden mine(plain black 'un) in the snow this morning with the re-built old Mavic 317/Xt wheels and Griffo tyres and it was ace;not enough free time to have a proper play though unfortunately.

Oh and Archetypes look cool on an xls too;

bendertherobot

Mine's going to look a little different later. I may put the BB7's on the commuter and move the Hy Rd to this (or just get some new ones.........)

But, new wheels incoming thanks to Ugo......................

ugo.santalucia

bendertherobot wrote:

But, new wheels incoming thanks to Ugo......................

According to the UPS thing, they have been delivered 30 minutes ago. Will I miss them? Probably not as I just treated myself to a front HYRD caliper with the funds... 8)
quite a long lever throw, but it seems to lock before the lever bottoms out... one has to trust his brakes, innit?

bendertherobot

I've fitted them. All tidy. I should be able to get the return package our over the weekend. Pics later....

bendertherobot

See, that's nicer

ugo.santalucia

bendertherobot wrote:

See, that's nicer

Tidy, as you say!
I've topped up the sealant at the front as it did sound a bit dry, while the rear appeared to have still plenty of it. It should last until summer... by then you'll either have run out of tyre or you might have to refill with 20-30 ml.
Don't store the bike for long periods of time with the valves down... and that's all there is to know... I find 30 PSI is the perfect medium, although 40 is faster on tarmac and 27-28 grips better off road.
Rear hub is slightly different from the 712 you have (and in my opinion worse). You need
1x 5 mm Allen key
1 x 17 mm spanner (or adjustable)

The axle slides off, as it's not flanged like the other... as a result the all assembly is not as flush as the older type as the bearings have no preload other than that of the axle end. Freehubs are different but interchangeable (although this is 11 speed, so you might need a different cap if fitted on the other hub

jimmybloom

That's a very nice looking machine.

bendertherobot

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Tidy, as you say!
I've topped up the sealant at the front as it did sound a bit dry, while the rear appeared to have still plenty of it. It should last until summer... by then you'll either have run out of tyre or you might have to refill with 20-30 ml.
Don't store the bike for long periods of time with the valves down... and that's all there is to know... I find 30 PSI is the perfect medium, although 40 is faster on tarmac and 27-28 grips better off road.
Rear hub is slightly different from the 712 you have (and in my opinion worse). You need
1x 5 mm Allen key
1 x 17 mm spanner (or adjustable)

The axle slides off, as it's not flanged like the other... as a result the all assembly is not as flush as the older type as the bearings have no preload other than that of the axle end. Freehubs are different but interchangeable (although this is 11 speed, so you might need a different cap if fitted on the other hub

Ta dude. Tyres staying on for now. What do I top them up with? (sheepish smiley).

I assume I let them down, remove the core, insert, reattach the core, spin a bit and pump?

ugo.santalucia

bendertherobot wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Tidy, as you say!
I've topped up the sealant at the front as it did sound a bit dry, while the rear appeared to have still plenty of it. It should last until summer... by then you'll either have run out of tyre or you might have to refill with 20-30 ml.
Don't store the bike for long periods of time with the valves down... and that's all there is to know... I find 30 PSI is the perfect medium, although 40 is faster on tarmac and 27-28 grips better off road.
Rear hub is slightly different from the 712 you have (and in my opinion worse). You need
1x 5 mm Allen key
1 x 17 mm spanner (or adjustable)

The axle slides off, as it's not flanged like the other... as a result the all assembly is not as flush as the older type as the bearings have no preload other than that of the axle end. Freehubs are different but interchangeable (although this is 11 speed, so you might need a different cap if fitted on the other hub

Ta dude. Tyres staying on for now. What do I top them up with? (sheepish smiley).

I assume I let them down, remove the core, insert, reattach the core, spin a bit and pump?

Yes, they hold pressure very well.

Stans liquid. You remove the valve top with the tiny valve key, inject the sealant with some sort of syringe, refit the valve top and pump them up. You won't need to do it until summer or if you have a massive puncture that sprays liquid everywhere (those are always entertaining)

bendertherobot

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stans-Notubes-C ... B001S98NLU

This thing?

ugo.santalucia

bendertherobot wrote:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stans-Notubes-Core-Remover/dp/B001S98NLU

This thing?

Nah, it's like a mini spanner, in fact you can probably use a tiny spanner... no need for fancy tools. I think mine came with the valves, but I can't remember TBH

bendertherobot

I've just been to the Dentist. She's my Mrs, which is nice. Anyway, it's only 6 miles away. So I took the PX and hammered it across every rough surface on the way I could find. Only about 1 mile of road. Then, on the way back, took the industrial estate which has the worst road surface in Wales.

I have a huge grin right now......