Wayne pudding Mol Posted October 12, 2018 Posted October 12, 2018 After a short romance with a really comfortable and fun gravel bike I decided to test the speed against my fairly light Giant XTC hardtail. For my skill, or lack thereof, the Giant was quicker by some distance and I rode my first gravel race being the 100km version of the Swellendam around the pot. I loved it and decide to sell my Slate and channel the funds into putting the XTC on diet. Better the bike than me. So the first thing I decided to upgrade were the wheels and I took to the hub classifieds where KZN speedster Stuart Marais had a used set he assured me was light and strong - he kindly had them serviced after we struck a deal and they arrived as described. He turned into a mine of weight weenie info as this project progressed Grams were lost but all of a sudden I was overcome with the uncontrollable urge to lighten everything.
Wayne pudding Mol Posted October 12, 2018 Author Posted October 12, 2018 Whilst looking for budget parts I saw a frame for sale in my size (large) with a claimed weight of 880 grams - OPEN, a brand I had never heard of. A quick google search revealed the weight to be correct and the selling price to be an absolute bargain. A BMC bigwig and a designer from Cervelo own this company and they don't play when it comes to design. So out went the Giant and in came this which I sent off to CBR in Durbanville in the hope they could sand off a few more grams of paint and refresh the frame - this pic is at 880 before treatment and after taking off the FD mount and sanding down plus adding a simple design I had a frame at 840 or so
Wayne pudding Mol Posted October 12, 2018 Author Posted October 12, 2018 The project quickly spiralled out of control and the internet in conjuction with my ever obsessive weight issues began to seriously hurt my credit card. Before I could reign it all in I'd bought a bunch of parts from Germans, got direct advice and help from one of the owners of Open, Andy Kessler - Thanks to the South African post office, the wait for some of these parts was insane but finally its just about done.
Wayne pudding Mol Posted October 12, 2018 Author Posted October 12, 2018 As it stands with a few modifications to come it weighs in at 7.765 - It's a large bike and this includes pedals, my garmin mount, cadence and speed sensors, 2 bottle cages and sealant. This is a bike anyone could use and abuse daily. I could have gone mental but my bum needed a comfy spot, I need a 36 upfront and I need hydration. At 90kilos and 1.83 I had to buy a lightweight stem and handlebars from German lightweight manufacturers Schmolke who want your weight. If I was lighter, the product they send will be lighter - I opted for safety first and bought the 760 100kg bars. Brakes are again German Trickstuff and are superlight and work properly - they have a six month waiting list if you fancy a set which is why I took the only available pair despite the colours not matching my bike.
Wayne pudding Mol Posted October 12, 2018 Author Posted October 12, 2018 last few pics I have for now as my super helpful LBS put the finishing touches today - XX1 cassette, shifters and chain, Clavicula M3 crank and some KCNC items like seatpost, steerer adapter (be careful when you order in German, I accidentally bought incorrect expensive forks) Forks are German A and weigh 1.115 with a rider weight limit of 95
UK-Saffa Posted October 12, 2018 Posted October 12, 2018 Great build. World of weight weenies is a dangerous place!
Me rida my bicycle Posted October 13, 2018 Posted October 13, 2018 Nice that's the lightest HT with a suspension fork I have seen with proof not just some stupidly claimed weight. Wishing you many happy miles and that your wife doesn't find out the true total cost????????
Me rida my bicycle Posted October 13, 2018 Posted October 13, 2018 Lightest I could ever get to was just under 9kg but that was all "local" parts sram XX1 11SPD, cannondale frame, carbon lefty, carbon bar, carbon save seatpost, XO brakes wheels could have been lighter Wide Lightning but at just under 100kg at the moment I'd rather be safe than light. But she had moved on and I am on a new build.
Me rida my bicycle Posted October 13, 2018 Posted October 13, 2018 I just have to add on I love to see people like you making the effort to build something really special and showing the progress and final product and weight. Will keep an eye out for that sweet build on the trails. Going through the ads there's nothing that p's me off more than some have ass'd build that thinks because he has changed to a 1x conversation the bike suddenly lost 3kg and then putts in the ad what he wished it weighed.
Wayne pudding Mol Posted October 13, 2018 Author Posted October 13, 2018 amazingly I could have gone lighter but it has to be practical - it's been fun and some bits were super expensive (crank for example) But some of the 2nd hand stuff was an absolute bargain - I think the frame was 7 grand. Even with shipping and expenses this cost way less than half the new Sworks and it's a one off - Also made some new contacts and a few sellers on the hub really kept up with the progress.
Shebeen Posted October 13, 2018 Posted October 13, 2018 Great build. World of weight weenies is a dangerous place!Ha ha, yes indeed. I like the bit where being safe than sorry is fitting stuff just on the weight limit! Great motivator to watch your weight.
Hilton. Posted October 13, 2018 Posted October 13, 2018 Wow, this is really cool. What exactly were the wheels? Are they full Tune Skyline, or did you just use the Tune hubs with other rims? And those tires, are they Spez Renegade S-works?
Wayne pudding Mol Posted October 13, 2018 Author Posted October 13, 2018 Wow, this is really cool. What exactly were the wheels? Are they full Tune Skyline, or did you just use the Tune hubs with other rims? And those tires, are they Spez Renegade S-works?yes the Tyres are the Sworks renegade (old stock, no longer in production apparently - wheels are Chinese carbon with Tune princess and kong hubs - they are second hand and must be strong because the previous owner has some serious skills - wheels weigh in at 1,42 with tape valves and driver!
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.