The "what bike bits have you just bought" thread Vol 2
Discussion
Specialized Allez.
Wanted a road bike that wasn't too expensive. Have had about four rides on it so far. It's ok. I had a bike fitting for it so am getting used to the slightly different riding position.
Downside is you do tend to feel every little bump and imperfection in the road. I guess for £630, it has to be expected though.
Wanted a road bike that wasn't too expensive. Have had about four rides on it so far. It's ok. I had a bike fitting for it so am getting used to the slightly different riding position.
Downside is you do tend to feel every little bump and imperfection in the road. I guess for £630, it has to be expected though.
Almost winter here and the trails are getting muddy, which means I've discovered that the Specialized FastTrak tyres which came on the Epic are quite bad in the mud...
Found something a bit chunkier on special, so why not give them a whirl... these things seem to have a good reputation:
Found something a bit chunkier on special, so why not give them a whirl... these things seem to have a good reputation:
GravelBen said:
Almost winter here and the trails are getting muddy, which means I've discovered that the Specialized FastTrak tyres which came on the Epic are quite bad in the mud...
Found something a bit chunkier on special, so why not give them a whirl... these things seem to have a good reputation:
Let us know how you get on. I had them on a bike a few years ago, but found they had too much drag for the grip provided which sucked as I often ride to the ride. Ardents seem to be a reasonable compromise, but I'm often on rocky sandy stuff this side of the Ditch. Found something a bit chunkier on special, so why not give them a whirl... these things seem to have a good reputation:
As winter has suddenly turned up today, I've ordered some long-fingered gloves - Endura Humvee for me and GripGrab Midseason for Mrs PB, as well as a long sleeved top each. I bought a Northwave Blade about 6 years ago and its been great each winter, so I've ordered another. Will have a midwinter trip to Stromlo sometime so might as well get prepared.
Do you even get winter there? 
I was tossing up between DHF and DHR2 (which were both on sale) and found a whole bunch of contradictory reviews with no conclusion about which is faster rolling etc - DHR2 is about 100g lighter which helped make up my mind that way. I've heard good things about the Aggressor as well, seems to be a popular faster rear to match with a DHR front. But they didn't have any in stock and the DHR's were about 40% discount so I figured its a pretty low-cost experiment if I don't like them - I might try DHR front / FastTrak rear once winter is over too.
I was tossing up between DHF and DHR2 (which were both on sale) and found a whole bunch of contradictory reviews with no conclusion about which is faster rolling etc - DHR2 is about 100g lighter which helped make up my mind that way. I've heard good things about the Aggressor as well, seems to be a popular faster rear to match with a DHR front. But they didn't have any in stock and the DHR's were about 40% discount so I figured its a pretty low-cost experiment if I don't like them - I might try DHR front / FastTrak rear once winter is over too.
Craikeybaby said:
This meant I had to buy new rotors (and adaptors) for my full suss bike. I also noticed that the front lever and rear calliper I moved across were leaking slightly, so I've ordered an SLX front brake and will make one good read brake from the parts I have left over. I also had to buy some olives/barbs, as I expect I will be shortening hoses.
The large online bike bits retailer that I used for this order cocked up and sent me a some quick links instead of the SLX brake. In the past they have been bloody good when it comes to returns, but getting them to send out something else after they have cocked up. It turns out I don't need to brake anyway, but struggling to get my money back.After riding at Llandegla at the weekend I have realised that I need to remove a token or two from my fork, so bought a tool to do that.
Craikeybaby said:
The large online bike bits retailer that I used for this order cocked up and sent me a some quick links instead of the SLX brake. In the past they have been bloody good when it comes to returns, but getting them to send out something else after they have cocked up. It turns out I don't need to brake anyway, but struggling to get my money back.
After riding at Llandegla at the weekend I have realised that I need to remove a token or two from my fork, so bought a tool to do that.
And as I post that, I get an email through saying that the brake has been despatched, despite requesting a refund at every point I have communicated with them about it After riding at Llandegla at the weekend I have realised that I need to remove a token or two from my fork, so bought a tool to do that.
Gone a bit nuts on the bike bits recently:
Specialized Aerofly bars for the road bike - new Le Col bartape and Jagwire cables to go on too.
One Up carbon bars, EDC system for the steerer tube, rubber strap and a Fabric cageless bottle for the MTB - looking to ditch my bag for short rides!
Shiny shiny! Trying to resist buying a new 'Sunday Best' road bike by scratching the itch for parts!
Specialized Aerofly bars for the road bike - new Le Col bartape and Jagwire cables to go on too.
One Up carbon bars, EDC system for the steerer tube, rubber strap and a Fabric cageless bottle for the MTB - looking to ditch my bag for short rides!
Shiny shiny! Trying to resist buying a new 'Sunday Best' road bike by scratching the itch for parts!
I got a flat top cap spanner so I could remove some tokens from my fork.
GravelBen said:
Almost winter here and the trails are getting muddy, which means I've discovered that the Specialized FastTrak tyres which came on the Epic are quite bad in the mud...
Found something a bit chunkier on special, so why not give them a whirl... these things seem to have a good reputation:
First time fitting tubeless went fine, popped onto the bead easy with floor pump (Joeblow Mountain so plenty of volume). The original tyres were fitted tubeless from new by the shop though so everything was set up and I didn't need to mess around with rim taping etc, just pop the tyres on and throw some sealant in.Found something a bit chunkier on special, so why not give them a whirl... these things seem to have a good reputation:
Also tweaked my setup a bit - swapped the factory 720mm bar out for a 760 as the last couple of rides I've been feeling like wider would handle better (now that I've got used to the bike, 720 felt really wide at first compared to the 640 on my old bike!). I see the 2019 spec Epic and Epic Evo have a 750 now, so I'm obviously not the only one to feel that way about it.
I had already changed the factory 90mm stem to an 80 for length fit, trying a 60 now to see how that feels with the wider bars. Cheap second hand bits make it easy to mess around and try things out.
Initial ride around the house feels good so I'll see how goes next time I get out for a skid. Hopefully 60mm won't be short enough to make the nose feel too light climbing, its still an XC bike after all!
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