New bike for the old man.

[tacklebox]

I was kinda expecting to see this:

[Oldfart]

Originally Posted by Hard Tack

I was kinda expecting to see this:

Not yet brother, not yet.lol

[morgman]

Originally Posted by Oldfart

Indeed. Caring about what it looks like versus not having a lump is Pro. Besides that tape will go once I have the fit sorted out. Np point caring about bar tape until I have the lever position set where I want it and that is a process that takes quite a few rides for me. And I love the fact that the bars are round. I despise the flat top bars. I find them uncomfortable.

And on that note, why are all shift levers so huge now? Obviously the internal cable routing is somewhat to blame, but the 105 5700 hoods on my upcoming bike are way fatter than I would like them to be.

[hooli]

Originally Posted by old_school_n00b

Exactly. PRO. The little piece has zero functional usage other than to slow up a fresh tape install for an apres-course James Huang bike check photoshoot.

Just my opinion...thats all. Could be wrapped with the figure 8 method. No extra tape full coverage and UBER PRO.

[shorelocal]

Nice bike ... but dayum, that's a lot of slope on that TT.

[Oldfart]

Originally Posted by hooli

Just my opinion...thats all. Could be wrapped with the figure 8 method. No extra tape full coverage and UBER PRO.

Damn you Hooli. Damn you anyway. I was re-taping with my favourite tape because I like how that Fizik tape looks but it feels crappy. And I had to use that extra bit behind the lever because deep down, I do prefer that the band is covered. I am such a slave to fashion.

I am liking the bike though. Very neutral handling. Steady at speed, solid sprinting yet not too rough which is partly due to the 90 psi in my tubeless tires. I did find the lever bodies rather massive to start but it is more of it being different in feel than being uncomfortable. I am used to it now. Adjustable lever reach is brilliant. Thank SRAM for finally doing that proper. The shifting is flawless BUT, I am still adapting to the different sweep. It is a little longer throw to execute a shift.

[switch]

Originally Posted by Oldfart

Indeed. Caring about what it looks like versus not having a lump is Pro. Besides that tape will go once I have the fit sorted out. Np point caring about bar tape until I have the lever position set where I want it and that is a process that takes quite a few rides for me. And I love the fact that the bars are round. I despise the flat top bars. I find them uncomfortable.

I have just dropped the stem 1cm. I like the look of a slammed stem but I can't do that much drop for long. Rode from Whistler to the motocross track and back yesterday. It's very good at speed in high winds. I always get suckered going North. 40 kph ave speed going out, not so fast upon the return.

The bike is stock. It's the Defy Advanced SL Rabo version. I wanted the regular one but Giant did not bring any in to Canada. I think this is the only Small that they brought in too. The Defy has the tall head tube which I wanted for fit reasons.

15.5 pounds on the Steed scale. With my Zipp wheels it will be illegal.

Giant blue bar tape was $2 at the Giant sale. It's actually pretty good tape.

I've noticed that bladed spokes act like sails when it's windy. How are those wheels on crosswinds?

What's the usual setting of bar height? Same as saddle height?

[morgman]

Originally Posted by switch

What's the usual setting of bar height? Same as saddle height?

Sport fit, tops of bars level or slightly lower than saddle. Cross race, 3-4 cm saddle to bar drop. Road race, 7-10 cm drop.

[shorelocal]

Originally Posted by switch

I've noticed that bladed spokes act like sails when it's windy. How are those wheels on crosswinds?

Those wheels should have very little issue with crosswinds ... I'd bet the rider's body would be more of an issue than those shallow section wheels.

[sanrensho]

Originally Posted by morgman

Noob/back issues/too large frame/East End drug addict, tops of bars level or slightly lower than saddle

Fixed. Seriously though, most people without the above issues should be able run at least a few cm of drop.

[Oldfart]

Wheels are fine. I have had the predecessor to those, the all aluminum ones for several years already. No wind issues that I have noticed. Even Ksyriums with the wider aluminum spokes are no issue.

As for drop morgman is correct. Short folks cannot handle as much drop as tall folks hence the ranges. I have not measured mine with a level but I guess it is about 4 cm maybe?

[morgman]

Originally Posted by sanrensho

Fixed. Seriously though, most people without the above issues should be able run at least a few cm of drop.

I used to be more flexible, but not as fast. I tend to run my bars higher since coming into form. We found that I could produce better power when I wasn't as crunched over, and as a result I am better off powering through increased wind resistance than trying to have a PRO setup.

[FullMonty]

you gotta SLAM that shit!

[shorelocal]

Originally Posted by morgman

I used to be more flexible, but not as fast. I tend to run my bars higher since coming into form. We found that I could produce better power when I wasn't as crunched over, and as a result I am better off powering through increased wind resistance than trying to have a PRO setup.

My flexibility in my hips sux balls, but if it were good (and I guess it could be with a little yoga action) then I could run both a PRO saddle/bar drop AND produce the same power. I'm a tall rider, so my drop is around 11 cm ... and I run some spacers.

[Ninja]

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