Best day of the week?

"benjrblant" (benjblant) 06/06/2018 at 12:49 • Filed to: Bikelopnik

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New bike day.

This is a build I’ve been planning for a long time. Niner RLT9 Steel, with Niner carbon fork. Ultegra 46/34 crankset, ultegra rear derailleur with 11-34t 11spd cassette, and Stan’s Grail rims laced to some disc hubs. I’ll be alternating between 28c gatorskins for road and likely some WTB Nano 40c tires for gravel.

Currently having some clearance issues with the rear disc, trying to sort that out. Really digging the matte silver and powder blue. Thinking it will look rad with some orange housings.

This is going to be a long-haul bike for all-day rides and multi-day bikepack trips. Since regularly biking to work, I’ve been riding around 260mi/month, aiming to break 500 miles this month and this whip will leave me with no excuse.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 13:07

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Your bike is much more better than mine. But I’m also getting it on the road today! I pickup the aluminum Cannondale for free when my wife’s step dad upgraded to a carbon Trek. Needs work, but I’ve got all the parts together, tires, tubes, grip tape nothing major. Probably get a new saddle eventually. I’m just getting into the hobby so I’m trying not to go crazy with the $$. Also got a fixie together on a steel Maruishi frame. Some how I ended up Owning two red bikes with white decals. And a red roof rack mount that I paid a whopping 1 dollar for.

My goal is to do at least 70 miles a week all summer. I’m at 20 for this week so I’d say I’m off to a good start.

Chariotoflove > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 13:11

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Oh man. You’re making me pine for my Colnago Mexico with full Campy Chorus I assembled myself. It’s sitting in my parents’ basement. I’ve left orders to be buried with it.

In the meantime, I can take solace in my aluminum aluminum hand cycle with Deore group Cane Creek brakes, and Phil Wood hubs.

HammerheadFistpunch > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 13:17

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Was the BB already installed?

benjrblant > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 06/06/2018 at 13:17

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I’ve got a soft spot for those old Canondale frames with the giant aluminum tubes! Definitely a sweet ride. After moving this month, my commute will be 14mi each way, so 140mi/wk if I can bike Mon-Fri.

benjrblant > Chariotoflove 06/06/2018 at 13:20

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I’d love a set of phil wood hubs, but they don’t have a rear hub that’s compatible with a 12mm axle and a 140mm rotor.

benjrblant > HammerheadFistpunch 06/06/2018 at 13:21

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Ordered the frame from Backcountry/ Competitive Cyclist. They offered to fully assemble the bike at no additional cost, I asked them to only press the BB and headset.

razorbeamteam > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 13:22

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I’m jealous of all that new part assembly you get to do.

HammerheadFistpunch > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 13:25

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ah. From my old bike building days I remember taking my time on those thing, facing the tubes and chasing the threads to make sure it was perfect.

benjrblant > HammerheadFistpunch 06/06/2018 at 13:29

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Yes, I’d do that as well but I don’t have the reaming tools. It’s a press-fit BB too.

HammerheadFistpunch > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 13:31

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really? man its been a while since I’ve built a bike.

Chariotoflove > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 13:31

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Hmmm. Kinda surprised at that. Oh well.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 13:32

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The that’s a lot of riding. I don’t think I have the endurance for that yet. My commute is also about 15 miles. I want to be able to bike it by the end of the summer. Defiantly going to try it on a weekend before I actually ride to work

Chariotoflove > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 06/06/2018 at 13:33

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Those old cannondales are nice. Reviewers used to say they rode rough because of aluminum vs steel and their tight geometry. But I rode a couple, and they never seemed overly harsh in my memory.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Chariotoflove 06/06/2018 at 13:48

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I will probably get a carbon seat post of harshness is a problem.

I had contemplated getting a full carbon bike, but the offer of much better bike than what I had, for basically 100 buck when I’m done with it, was too good to pass ups. I figured if I do ride a lot this summer than in the winter I can look for a newer bike, and then sell this on next April for what I have in it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 13:49

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That is a sweet build. I’m jelly. What’s the issue with the rear rotor? I think my BMC has 140 rotors, the caliper should just bolt to the frame and you should be good to go. Maybe some spacers or washers? It seems like that frame should take 160mm rotors too.

Gerry197 > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 13:54

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I really like the feeling of a steel frame, mainly the vibration suppression, very luxurious.

benjrblant > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 06/06/2018 at 14:05

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I’ve installed some Swissstop Catalyst rotors, 160mm front and 140mm rear, but the rear is dragging on the caliper mount:

I’m not sure if it’s due to the extra thickness of the Catalyst rotor, or if the hubs just don’t like them or what. I’m considering ordering a SRAM centerline 140mm just to try something thinner. It’s a very tight fit as-is anyhow.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 14:11

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So it’s dragging on the welded on caliper mount? The rotor is certainly in the wrong position then. There should be several mm’s of clearance. I’ll look at my bike tonight and post a photo here in about 5 hours. I don’t think you can put the rotor out backwards they have direction arrows and all that. The rotor thickness shouldn’t make any difference.

benjrblant > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 06/06/2018 at 14:16

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Yes, the rotor is dragging on the welded mount. It’s a directional rotor with arrows engraved on how to install it. I’ve done my fair share of disc brakes but I’m also not immune to making idiotic mistakes. I’ll also post some photos of it this evening.

Captain of the Enterprise > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 15:06

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Very cool! Is it cheaper to build than buy? I think it could be a fun project but don’t know how much that would cost.

benjrblant > Captain of the Enterprise 06/06/2018 at 15:16

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Generally speaking, it’s usually easier and cheaper to buy a pre-assembled bike. Once you pass a certain pricepoint (of which I’m not really certain) that starts to vary. If you’re looking for some really specific components from niche manufacturers, it’s usually cheaper to build.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Chariotoflove 06/06/2018 at 16:13

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I’ve had a lot of discussions about the “harshness” of aluminum frames . Jobst Brandt and the great Sheldon Brown agree with me - it’s all about false perception and the sounds that aluminum makes that steel doesn’t. As Jobst pointed out, there’s far more compliance in a tire than there ever will be in a steel or aluminum frame. If your bike is too “harsh”, let a few PSI out of the tires.

Chariotoflove > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/06/2018 at 16:35

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Completely agree. Same if you think you want to add lightness. Drilling holes in components a al the 70s craze is worthless. Just get lighter wheels.

benjrblant > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 06/06/2018 at 17:34

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15 miles is a feasible commute via bicycle. Bike it first on a weekend, establish a route that you feel safe and comfortable with, allow plenty of time. Getting from A to B is priority, doing it at a reasonable speed can come later.

benjrblant > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/06/2018 at 17:36

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Yes, this. The standard for road bikes is shifting to a wider tire too. Gone are the days of 23c tires pumped to 160psi. The lack of compliance of the tire which functions as the bike’s only suspension causes more resistance.

benjrblant > Chariotoflove 06/06/2018 at 17:36

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As more road bikes shift to disc brakes, rims can be more focused on weight savings and aero design.

benjrblant > Chariotoflove 06/06/2018 at 17:37

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Yeah, I’m quite bummed about it. Maybe soon?

benjrblant > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 06/06/2018 at 17:38

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I’m wondering if the spacers could be reversed, if there’s too much space on the cassette side and not enough on the brake side. I’ll be sure to measure it this evening.

The shop that provided the wheelset was... substantially lacking in knowledgeable personnel.

benjrblant > HammerheadFistpunch 06/06/2018 at 17:40

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Same. Unfortunately the PF30 or pressfit 30 BB is more a result of gimmicky tech coming to the market instead of a needs-based shift in standards.

pressfit BB’s often result in creaking and a number of companies have developed an internally threaded shell to compensate for this. Praxis and Wheels MFG both offer a conversion BB that fits the PF30 but threads into itself.

benjrblant > Gerry197 06/06/2018 at 17:41

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For that all-day comfort!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 17:48

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Would a dishing tool show you this? Otherwise I’d assume this is a 15x142 axle so you need 142 mm width no mater what.

And yes you could very well move the wheel spacing side to side if the end caps are different widths, most of them just pop right out of the hub flange.

benjrblant > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 06/06/2018 at 17:50

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12x142 for the rear, 15x100 front. Maybe not a dishing tool, but a measurement of the end of the axle housing to the disc rotor face and housing to cassette?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 17:56

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The dishing tool will tell you if the hub faces are the same distance from the rim, which they should be. If it is offset in one direction or the other then you know the hub end caps are possible wrong. Since these are prebuilt wheels the dish is usually spot on from the factory.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 18:02

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The worst part is there is only one route to take, and it’s 80% 55mph two lane highway. And I’d have to leave be for sunrise So I made sure my helmet and jersey are brightly colored, and I have a led head lamp, and taillight. Which is funny because as I kid the first thing I did with a bike was pop off the reflectors

benjrblant > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 06/06/2018 at 18:19

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Oh, that’s not an optimum bike route. Get some flashing lights too!

Fortunately of my 14mi commute, 13 miles are bike paths isolated from traffic, mostly along a river/creek.

TheRealBicycleBuck > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 18:47

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I sometimes bump into local roadies who scoff at my wide tires. Then we hit the rough section of River Road and I get to laugh at their whining .

benjrblant > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/06/2018 at 18:50

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BUT THE GRAMS, BRO. THE GRAMS! GOTTA SHAVE GRAMS!

-the dude with the $90 carbon bottle cages

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 18:55

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My bike has about 1-2 mm of clearance from the rotor to the brake boss. its tight

TheRealBicycleBuck > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 19:10

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Yep. Q uick solution - take a leak.

benjrblant > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 06/06/2018 at 20:23

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benjrblant > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 06/06/2018 at 20:26

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Yup, axle spacers are on the wrong side.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 20:29

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Yeah!!!

benjrblant > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 06/06/2018 at 20:50

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Happy it was an easy fix!

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 21:31

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As the owner/operator of an alloy RLT9...you have chosen wisely.

However, I would have (and have) gone with Gevenalle shifters telling an XT Shadow plus mtb derailleur what to do.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 21:39

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I run and rate highly the Wheels Manufacturing BB in my RLT9

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 22:34

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That sounds amazing

benjrblant > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 06/06/2018 at 22:42

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Oh rad! Didn’t know you were a fellow RLT owner.

I considered an XT groupset but that’s on my SIR9 and I didn’t want too much overlap in bikes. This one will probably see 60/40 road/gravel use.

benjrblant > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 06/06/2018 at 22:43

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Thats what I’ve got! Glad you’re happy with it.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > benjrblant 06/06/2018 at 22:46

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She’s got a bit of sawdust over her at the moment...

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 06/07/2018 at 15:56

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What is the hard tail on the left side of the photo, looks very interesting!

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 06/07/2018 at 18:28

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It’s a Siren Twinzer from Colorado. A very fine if somewhat frustrating steel framed mountain bike.

It rides beautifully but its back end is very svelte so it does flex side to side a little and it cannot manage wide tyres.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 06/07/2018 at 19:15

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Hmmm... I’d like a custom steel hard tail with a 67 deg. head angle and space for 2.6" 29er tires. I’d be tempted to go with Strong out of Bozeman or maybe even Rocklobster from Santa cruz. I’m 6'3" so I need a substantial frame set.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 06/07/2018 at 21:02

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One of the new Cotic frames might be up your alley. I have a minor lust for a Starling or Production Privee steel dually...

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 06/07/2018 at 22:21

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My daily driver is pretty good but I like ridding a hard tail for maybe 1/2 of my rides.

Grindintosecond > benjrblant 06/11/2018 at 11:32

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I went from conti gatorskins to conti GP 4 seasons. A bit lighter , less wattage loss (not really attributes necessary for a grinder bike like that) but very durable as well and the ride especially much less concrety (always necessary attributes) I built a Soma Smoothie with 28c Michelins endurance’s (31c actual measure) and couldn’t be happier. Came out right at 21 pounds with mid range wheels and all 105 parts. Steel might feel a tad heavy on the pavement but when there’s any bumps it’ll come alive and you’ll really like it on that. Especially gravel or hard pack road with the larger tires. Try to get the 4seasons/gatorskins in a 32 if you still want to take it down a not so nice road on road tires.

Grindintosecond > Captain of the Enterprise 06/11/2018 at 11:38

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Like benjrblant said, but it depends on what frame you really want. Get a pre-built and swap out the cassette and derailleur for what you really need and you’re golden. Sell the leftovers on craigslist. If you live anywhere bikey, they’ll be bought up in no time with little miles on them. I built my Soma becuase they just sell frames, not complete bikes. Local shops will sell complete but they just did what you are about to do, build it.All I did was have a shop “chase and face” the frame, put in the bottom bracket and crank and headset (because i didn’t have the tools for that maneuver) and then I just built the rest of it with my comon tools in the garage. Worked great that way because a shop in a bikey town will charge $80 for what I had done. If you tell them to build it all, they’ll charge you $200-300 depending on the build.

But A local shop with a good price on a nice Specialized or Cannondale or whatever could also have a fitting shop and give a steep discount on fitting that new bike to you.