Planet X N2A - Guru with Superstar carbon clinchers
Comments
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Sello88 wrote:Ok thanks for your help, I had a read of the threads you mentioned. Sounds like there's very little to worry about if £20 sorted two wheel sets. C46's on their way :-)
Make sure you know somebody willing and skilled enough to carry out the checking and tensioning of the spokes. Or they could end up making things worse or even cause damage.0 -
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oh nice...0
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TwellySmat wrote:Or just buy the wheels and ride them...
Yes, I think that's the way to go.
Though I do appreciate Dkay's help with the links etc. Thanks guys. 0 -
Nice build. I shall look out for you in the New Forest.Always be yourself, unless you can be Aaron Rodgers....Then always be Aaron Rodgers.0
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Mr Goo wrote:Nice build. I shall look out for you in the New Forest.
I am quite a rare sighting at the moment, the lesser spotted cyclist. Do you ride with either of the clubs around here?0 -
Lovely looking bike. If you're ever over fair oak/ bishops Waltham way and fancy a spin let me know.
Ben0 -
Hi all
TwellySmat any updates about wheels thinking to get them with dtswiss 350 and c-xray ,
braking power , overheating , loose spoke - big rider 102 kg just update please.
regards
Darius0 -
3 day tour on it from Camden to the Yorkshire Dales so I can probably answer fairly confidently.
Braking power in the dry is very good, a bit more grabby than Al rims but the power is definitely on a par with every road brake set up I have used (not discs).
However, the wind was a bit nasty on Friday and the bike was feeling very unstable at anything above 25mph on the descents so I was using the brakes a lot. I was trying not to drag them, alternating between front and rear, braking hard and then easing off to let them cool but there was a distinct burning smell at the bottom of a few descents. I will say that the power never dropped, never had the brakes fade or fail and the feel was the same even when running very hot, nevertheless, it was a bit disconcerting smelling burning carbon!
In the wet the power is non existent until a couple of seconds after you squeeze the lever. The technique is to drag the brakes when you may need to brake to clear the water and get some temperature into the rim and then the power is there when you need it. Not very confidence inspiring though and I was even slower on the downs on the rainy day than on the windy day.
Bit of squealing in all condition under hard braking but nothing that shatters the eardrums.
Overall, the warnings about carbon rims are neccessary but the negatives are not as negative as I expected.
(I would use Al rims for this particular ride if I could go back and choose again though!)
Strength: Took a couple of really big hits at speed over the last few days, pot holes and cattle grids at speed are not pleasant. The wheels and frame felt like they should have shattered but remain straight and as they should. I also rode down a flight of steps on them when I took a wrong turn and they didn't seem to mind... I weigh 95kg-100kg with kit depending on how many breakfasts I have had.0 -
That bike looks absolutely amazing. I wonder if carbon rims will ever have confidence inspiring braking in the wet?
I want to get some carbon wheels for my disc brake Planet X London Road, so I wouldn't need to worry about the braking.0 -
3 day tour on it from Camden to the Yorkshire Dales so I can probably answer fairly confidently.
Braking power in the dry is very good, a bit more grabby than Al rims but the power is definitely on a par with every road brake set up I have used (not discs).
However, the wind was a bit nasty on Friday and the bike was feeling very unstable at anything above 25mph on the descents so I was using the brakes a lot. I was trying not to drag them, alternating between front and rear, braking hard and then easing off to let them cool but there was a distinct burning smell at the bottom of a few descents. I will say that the power never dropped, never had the brakes fade or fail and the feel was the same even when running very hot, nevertheless, it was a bit disconcerting smelling burning carbon!
In the wet the power is non existent until a couple of seconds after you squeeze the lever. The technique is to drag the brakes when you may need to brake to clear the water and get some temperature into the rim and then the power is there when you need it. Not very confidence inspiring though and I was even slower on the downs on the rainy day than on the windy day.
Bit of squealing in all condition under hard braking but nothing that shatters the eardrums.
Overall, the warnings about carbon rims are neccessary but the negatives are not as negative as I expected.
(I would use Al rims for this particular ride if I could go back and choose again though!)
Strength: Took a couple of really big hits at speed over the last few days, pot holes and cattle grids at speed are not pleasant. The wheels and frame felt like they should have shattered but remain straight and as they should. I also rode down a flight of steps on them when I took a wrong turn and they didn't seem to mind... I weigh 95kg-100kg with kit depending on how many breakfasts I have had.
so.........in short/imo 'death traps'? best stick to crits (on dry days) on em and get some 'all weather wheels' for the real world.0 -
Death trap, no. You just have to be aware of the fact that you need to think about your braking a bit more.
Maybe budget for a windy/wet/both aluminium wheelset too.
The overheating wouldn't have been an issue if it wasn't so windy, I was braking a lot because I was too scared to let the bike go down the hills. Normally I would be carrying the speed and braking only when I need to.
Saying all of this, I am considering rebuilding the carbon rims onto disc hubs and getting a new carbon disc frame. The N2a is heavy compared to some of the other offerings around at the moment and I can't help but feel with something a bit less aero and lighter and all of the kit that is on this bike, I would have a seriously light, better all rounder. Will do a few more long ones on it this year and make my mind up when I have some spare money.0 -
Saying all of this, I am considering rebuilding the carbon rims onto disc hubs and getting a new carbon disc frame. The N2a is heavy compared to some of the other offerings around at the moment and I can't help but feel with something a bit less aero and lighter and all of the kit that is on this bike, I would have a seriously light, better all rounder. Will do a few more long ones on it this year and make my mind up when I have some spare money.
Interesting idea, but you will struggle to find a 20 H front disc hub... I am not aware of any ATMleft the forum March 20230 -
Saying all of this, I am considering rebuilding the carbon rims onto disc hubs and getting a new carbon disc frame. The N2a is heavy compared to some of the other offerings around at the moment and I can't help but feel with something a bit less aero and lighter and all of the kit that is on this bike, I would have a seriously light, better all rounder. Will do a few more long ones on it this year and make my mind up when I have some spare money.
Interesting idea, but you will struggle to find a 20 H front disc hub... I am not aware of any ATM
Good point, what would you suggest? convert the rear wheel and shell out for a 24h rim for the front?
Also Ugo, is there a road disc hub with an 11 speed Shimano freehub yet? Wanted to put 11s ultegra on the Cotic last year but couldn't find a hub to make it possible.0 -
Saying all of this, I am considering rebuilding the carbon rims onto disc hubs and getting a new carbon disc frame. The N2a is heavy compared to some of the other offerings around at the moment and I can't help but feel with something a bit less aero and lighter and all of the kit that is on this bike, I would have a seriously light, better all rounder. Will do a few more long ones on it this year and make my mind up when I have some spare money.
Interesting idea, but you will struggle to find a 20 H front disc hub... I am not aware of any ATM
Good point, what would you suggest? convert the rear wheel and shell out for a 24h rim for the front?
Also Ugo, is there a road disc hub with an 11 speed Shimano freehub yet? Wanted to put 11s ultegra on the Cotic last year but couldn't find a hub to make it possible.
It's your call on that... seems a lot of money to have rims which are less functional than a pair of say Stans grail or Velocity Aileron or SL 25.
Yes, Shimano CX 75 are 11 speed, but only 28 holes. Otherwise Novatec 772 is 11 speed and can be 24-36. The latest Hope PRO 2 (the one with 40 teeth ratchet) can be fitted with an 11 speed freehub, but doesn't come 11 speed as default. Then there are the expensive ones of course... CK and the likesleft the forum March 20230 -
Mmm yeah maybe i'll just leave them be. Cheers for the hub info, handy to know if I decide to reconfigure my collection of frames/wheels/groupsets.0
