"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
11/27/2015 at 13:54 • Filed to: #bikelopnik
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"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
11/27/2015 at 13:54 • Filed to: #bikelopnik | 3
| 5 |
I bought this from craigslist, as any normal person with a budget would not be able to afford a new one. But, why this? Why of something without any decent recognition? Well, the benefits of magnesium alloy will point the way.
There are only two companies making a Mg frame bike in the world. (A third, actually does work with the first so it’s pretty much only two.) One in Israel, Segal, and another in Colorado, Paketa-which is actually the russian word for Rocket I’m told.
The types of bike frame material are usually in three camps. Steel, aluminum, Carbon. Steel gives an amazing smooth ride. Aluminum can be built lighter and rides more snappy for performance but definitely is more harsh for longer rides. Carbon can have ultimate lightness and performance combined and has a ride somewhere in between steel and aluminum making for the perfet racing material. And then there’s the unknown: Magnesium. It’s properties? Stiff and brittle, hence the alloy creation to remove the brittle. It’s two thirds the weight of Aluminum and half the weight of Titanium. So, the benefit? Supposedly, a smoother vibration absorbing ride than aluminum, similar to steel, and nearing the stiff of carbon. Best of all worlds?
Every Paketa frame is built as custom geometry for it’s owner so it is a perfect fit. that means anyone second hand has to be that person or close. I saw the frame in nearly my size, got a frame of reference and measured the thing out using GIMP software. It was peculiar. It was still fitting me but built short and compact in reach to the head tube. I scheduled a time and went over with a pair of wheels and a fork so I could stand over it. I’ll be damned if it didnt’ fit close enough. I paid $180 and asked where he found it. Flea market. $100. he just wanted the Octolink Ultegra crank arms.
I paid almost 20x less than what these frames go for new. How? Well, the custom stuff in an estate sale will be stripped of parts as those can be easily sold, and then the leftover frame that’s to big for normal people goes to the flea market clearance booth.
I’m tall. I’m not normal people so I get a chance.
I ordered up a set of parts (Shimano 105-11spd group) and a few other parts I have around the garage and built it up.
I spent time fitting it up after this with proper bars and stem sizes and with the endurance geometry found myself juuuust about right on the saddle position-even thought it had to be pushed all the way forward on the zero setback post. Other than that, it fits. 18 pounds. I could go with a lighter fork and seat post but hey, off of the clearance table for $50, nobody can do as well as I did with a brand new carbon fork even if it weighs a quarter pound more. that’s nothing. a quarter pound of me is easier to lose.
Soon when the weather breaks I’ll put it’s first 20-30 mile ride on it and see what this mystical ride is all about. any review on this brand usually starts with the words, “ridiculous” or other some sort of enthusiastic remarks. We shall see. Hopefully next week I’ll have something good for you all.
TheHondaBro
> Grindintosecond
11/27/2015 at 14:04 |
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This looks very uncomfortable.
LongbowMkII
> Grindintosecond
11/27/2015 at 14:06 |
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avoid open fires ;)
CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)
> Grindintosecond
11/27/2015 at 14:08 |
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I’ve never seen any magnesium alloy road bikes before...but yours is pretty awesome! They didn’t make bikes like they used to though...
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Grindintosecond
> LongbowMkII
11/27/2015 at 14:09 |
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Heh. 883 deg ignites mg ribbon so unless a sustained flame of 900 deg or more exists, im safe. :)
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Grindintosecond
> CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)
11/27/2015 at 14:17 |
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These are built durable. They dont dent like Alu but new are about $3400 custom. A Segal frame n fork go around $1600 i think as standard geometry (oyvelo.com). Check those out. Once in a while a Paketa pops up on craigs or ebay for cheap due to name recognition and the custom factor. Ask about the geometry and it might work for you and you might get a bargain.