Re:
Decided it deserved a decent rear mech after all. The Alivio one initially fitted is actually pretty light (because it’s mostly made of plastic) and I know it shifts OK because I had it on my Dawes, but it just wasn’t giving me a good feeling. So I robbed an XT one off my grey Clockwork - I’d already nicked the wheels off it and it’s due a rebuild anyway having been used in all weathers for a couple of years...
Seeing as I’d decided to put a little more care into the build I also cleaned and trued up the lovely FIR/DX wheelset and cassette (sunrace, and nothing wrong with it either IMO). I will service the hubs at some point soon. Fitted some nice fresh Michelins. Hoping they’ll be a good go anywhere compromise although the tread pattern isn’t particularly chunky. They’re nice and light and look like they’ll be fast on the road.
Brand new KMC Z8 chain, tweaked the setup and it’s all done. Have ridden it round the block, it’s super sweet, fast, light and as smooth as butter. Very very well balanced feeling, it almost begs you to take your hands off the bars... frame feels comfy but by comparison with steel stuff I have very...neutral. Interesting! I’ve never ridden a carbon bike before, will be interesting to see how I feel about it once I’ve put some miles on.
Well chuffed.