Planet X Spitfire Ti

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  • davidof
    davidof Posts: 3,127
    edited July 2022
    My bike cross chained. I would say it is similar to yours. I measure the chain big to big then add 2 links. that's a x32 at the back and I was thinking of fitting a x34 for my trip to Italy.






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  • Rich_T_
    Rich_T_ Posts: 24
    edited July 2022



    Thanks for your help in here. It's done.

    I just went for a quick test and genuinely smelt burning rubber as I sped up and down the street.
    Found that the brake pad was rubbing the edge of the tyre 😎

  • paulbnix
    paulbnix Posts: 632

    After deciding not to bother the 15% discount persuaded me.

    I moved over my Sram Red Etap 11s and found a problem.
    I had reused the chain as it was fairly new but the Spitfire chainstays are 5mm longer than my Px Maratona frame.
    This caused the derailleur to be very reluctant to change into the biggest 4 sprockets when on the large chainwheel.
    Adding 2 links sorted the problem completely. I assume its part of the protection mechanism built into the rd.

    First ride today and it is nice and smooth and quiet. The seat nose needs to come down a bit.

    The Maratona frame it has replaced was very harsh and my tolerance of it has decreased over the years.

    The Spitfire is about 400g heavier but I've invested in a carbon seatpost and, once the Novatec Super Light hubs arrive from China I'll build some lighter wheels.
    Not sure whether to use Sapim Laser or D-Light spokes - I've not built with Lasers.
  • hubert222
    hubert222 Posts: 12
    hi paulbnix , is it a size S frame ?
  • paulbnix
    paulbnix Posts: 632
    It is a Small.

    I ordered in on 2nd June and was told to expect it in September.

    It arrived last week confusingly in a box marked as Tempest frameset size Large!!!
  • davidof
    davidof Posts: 3,127
    The Spit in Italy yesterday by the fallen Madonna with the big boobies. The last bit of the climb is typical Italian madness - 15% over 4km ! I didn't manage to find a x34 cassette (and don't know if it would work) so was on a 34x32, just doable but it was close on some of the 20% ramps.

    https://www.strava.com/activities/7533373121


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  • me-109
    me-109 Posts: 1,915
    That doesn't look like a Van Klomp.
  • davidof
    davidof Posts: 3,127
    Up at Alpe Camasca today with the Spit, this was an important seat of the Italian resistance. Bella Ciao !


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  • feelgoodlost
    feelgoodlost Posts: 342
    edited September 2022




    Finally built up after a few months. Get the chimney chopped off once the position is set. Shame the deep sections can't stay for winter...
  • MattFalle
    MattFalle Posts: 11,644
    oh thats nice - top bananarama work.

    and yes, of course the 'rims can stay. who says they can't?
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • MattFalle said:

    oh thats nice - top bananarama work.

    and yes, of course the 'rims can stay. who says they can't?

    Me and my wallet when I'm shelling out for new bearings or the rims are f**ked because of all the crap on our lovely British roads in the winter.
  • MattFalle
    MattFalle Posts: 11,644
    Why are the bearings and rims going to get fukkked?

    ride bike

    get home

    spend 39 seconds with a garden hose on each wheel

    sorted

    so the plan is to put nice wheels in a shed and trash the groupset, chain, cassette, etc anyhow?

    #confused
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • You can be as confused as you like. Choosing not to ride expensive components through the winter is a choice as old as time.
  • MattFalle
    MattFalle Posts: 11,644
    So you're changing the groupset for winter use as well?

    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • davidof
    davidof Posts: 3,127
    MattFalle said:

    So you're changing the groupset for winter use as well?

    don't be silly, it's Ultegra, it is a consumable
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  • MattFalle
    MattFalle Posts: 11,644
    davidof said:

    MattFalle said:

    So you're changing the groupset for winter use as well?

    don't be silly, it's Ultegra, it is a consumable
    very good point very well presented. a good winter's use will probably make it better. if not,doesn,'t really matter tbh.

    OP - crack on fella, as you were.
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • It's an ultegra rear mech that probably cost me about £30 from ebay 5 years ago. The wheels cost around £800. If you can't see the difference with that then I don't know what to tell you.

  • MattFalle
    MattFalle Posts: 11,644
    edited September 2022
    No, seriously, its great. crack on.

    Tbh, with an £800 pair of wheels I'd be worried about using them in the summer in case they wear out.
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • I built an Enigma Ti bike with Chorus disc. Theres a complete Planet X ti bike with Chorus for less than I paid for the frame. I wonder how the rides compare.
  • feelgoodlost
    feelgoodlost Posts: 342
    edited September 2022
    Wheels, no matter how expensive, wear out over time - especially if you ride them in winter. Who knew?!

    I built an Enigma Ti bike with Chorus disc. Theres a complete Planet X ti bike with Chorus for less than I paid for the frame. I wonder how the rides compare.

    I guess the difference in geometry between the two frames will make a difference. Finishing kit, wheel/tyre/pressure choice, etc. as well. I did a hilly 80-mile ride on mine on Sunday and wouldn't say that Ti is the magic carpet ride people make it out to be. Just my own thoughts on it...
  • I built an Enigma Ti bike with Chorus disc. Theres a complete Planet X ti bike with Chorus for less than I paid for the frame. I wonder how the rides compare.

    Out of interest which Enigma frame did you use and what are your thoughts on the Chorus disc's?
  • davidof
    davidof Posts: 3,127
    MattFalle said:

    No, seriously, its great. crack on.

    Please, don't say "crack" in a thread with Titanium frames !
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  • over-the-hill
    over-the-hill Posts: 144
    edited September 2022

    It’s based on an Echelon with Enve forks. Chorus brakes work well except for screeching rear brake
  • Rich_T_
    Rich_T_ Posts: 24
    edited October 2022
    So I'm happy with what I've bought and built which was part of the fun.




    I went out on my carbon yesterday and was reminded of what I like and don't like about it. Today back on the ti, I find it's stiffer, probably more responsive but it doesn't absorb much off the road. Bit rattley (I mean I am)

    Now, lol. I want to go faster and be smoother. It's got entry level alu seat post (wiggle). Quite old Mavic Aksium wheels. Jack brown¿ Race 25.5 mm tyres.

    Any suggestions on where to chuck a little bit of money for value for money improvements ?

    Thanks all
  • A good carbon seatpost does make a noticeable difference, especially if its the narrow one (27.2mm?). Depending on weight, tyre pressures around 80F/85R
  • MattFalle
    MattFalle Posts: 11,644
    chuck some Prime/Selcof/PX/China deep rims on, decent light good rolling tyres, seat post as above - you'll enjoy all the benefits.

    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • paulbnix
    paulbnix Posts: 632
    I have a Px Spitfire and the seat tube is 31.6.
    I fitted a very lightweight Evo 3K Carbon seatpost and struggled to detect any difference to the Px alloy seatpost.
    I've had to go back to the alloy one because the Evo 3K is about 1cm short in setback for me.
    It fits nicely on the Px Hurricane winter bike because of the slacker seat tube angle.
  • bobones
    bobones Posts: 1,215
    Rich_T_ said:


    Any suggestions on where to chuck a little bit of money for value for money improvements ?

    I find mine is very smooth and comfortable, not rattly at all, but I have carbon bars, seatpost and tubeless 30 mm tyres on 20 mm internal rims at 50-60 PSI

    I expect the big tyres at low pressure make the biggest difference, but I'm sure the carbon bars and nice thick tape is also helping dull vibrations.

    Perhaps in the first instance you should try 28 mm tyres at as low a pressure as you can manage without getting snake bites?

    Then maybe some nice carbon bars like these with comfy tape
    https://www.wiggle.co.uk/prime-primavera-x-light-carbon-handlebar-1

  • Rich_T_
    Rich_T_ Posts: 24
    edited October 2022
    I believe we know the answer
  • Should do - which caliper exactly?