Wagon Wheels , Just an Inbred now!
- Thread starter gbmoto
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Re: Wagon Wheels with Clockwork content New Build
They are Carbonzone, Chinese, although I bought them in the UK.
Look identical to Niner forks, but probably are not :roll:
I used a long ITM steerer bung which works well, all feels good, but I will worry for the first few rides I suspect.
The plan has always been 2 forks, a rigid set and a bouncy set, waiting for the funds for the bouncy ones.
Going on hols to Fort William next year, will definitely want bouncy before then.
In fact if I go 120mm it will be getting very close to the spec of the Ragley, but now with the option of rigid XC, which the Ragley would never have done.
Tyres have stayed up all night so should be good from now on
Hopefully will get some more bits on today.
They are Carbonzone, Chinese, although I bought them in the UK.
Look identical to Niner forks, but probably are not :roll:
I used a long ITM steerer bung which works well, all feels good, but I will worry for the first few rides I suspect.
The plan has always been 2 forks, a rigid set and a bouncy set, waiting for the funds for the bouncy ones.
Going on hols to Fort William next year, will definitely want bouncy before then.
In fact if I go 120mm it will be getting very close to the spec of the Ragley, but now with the option of rigid XC, which the Ragley would never have done.
Tyres have stayed up all night so should be good from now on
Hopefully will get some more bits on today.
Re: Wagon Wheels with Clockwork content New Build
Pretty much there
Just a quick pic in the gloom.
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Just a couple of gear inners will get it rolling.
Weirdly may need to bleed the rear brake
Riding position feels OK but I have a longer stem on the way, I'm sure it would feel cramped on the ups.
Pretty much there
Just a quick pic in the gloom.
Just a couple of gear inners will get it rolling.
Weirdly may need to bleed the rear brake
Riding position feels OK but I have a longer stem on the way, I'm sure it would feel cramped on the ups.
Re: Wagon Wheels with Clockwork content Finished.......for
First chance to go for a ride after finishing it yesterday.
Temporary bars and stem until I get used to it and sort the position properly.
Had to invert the stem sadly but with a small spacer so maybe a 0 degree stem with no spacer may be OK, will live with it for a while first.
Final spec is
Charge Saucer wheels
On-One Smorgasbord tyres, tubeless with Stan's
Chinese Carbon Fork
XT shifters with XT rear mech and SLX 2 ring front.
XT chainset with SLX 32t and Actiontech titanium 20t
Hope Headset
Hope Mono Mini brakes
Deore BB, Cassette and Chain
Tioga 90mm Stem, Ritchey bars and bar ends.
How does it ride.......great
First bit of road and yes, it does seem a bit sluggish getting up to speed, suprised I noticed this, but once cruising very smooth, of course I have not ridden with these tyres before either.
Once off road things are pretty muddy around here but this is how it went.
Going slowly the front feels a bit heavy, but that probably is the longer stem, speed up and it all lightens up nicely, very smooth, especially on rooty bits, didn't really notice the lack of front suspension but I normally ride a fully rigid SS in the winter anyway.
Going up is amazing, one rooty climb which is quite rough in the summer and worse in the winter was a breeze, another long rutty climb also completed with no spin and a very stable front end.
These are all trails I am very familiar with and I did notice a difference in gearing, I thought I had taken this into account, the Ragley had a 34t big ring, which I rode in mostly, I reduced this down to a 32t but still needed the granny on occasions, which is a 20t, the ground was pretty gloopy so that may have had an affect.
I still have the option of the 29er specific cassette if necessary, but I think this will be OK.
Because of the tight packaging of a small frame and 29er wheels the front mech is very close to the rear tyre and did gather a lot of clag, also I had to have it higher than ideal to clear the chainstay, this is a shame as it has muted the superb shifting of SLX 2 ring mech, still OK, but not excellent.
Does it suit my needs better than the Ragley? Yes, it climbs better and is more comfy, especially I suspect on a long ride. Definitely much more pleasant on the road. Not really the sort of ride to compare on the downs, since that had wide bars, short stem and big squashy forks probably not a fair comparison either, but I have a bouncy fork coming and still have the bars and stem, then I think it would be just as good, but smoother.
The Carbon fork just wasn't noticed, although it was a relatively slow muddy ride, but seems to mute small bumps, but that may be the 29er wheels.
The tyres seem OK, I bought on price but seem to be a nice versatile tread, roll OK on the road and only spun in really bad mud.
Changes? Well a Recon is on it's way, which can convert from 80mm to 120mm, the later will bring it very close to the Ragley, but probably will stick to 100.
The stem and bars are a bit of a mess, I may well go for a 10mm shorter 0 degree stem and wider bars ( these are 600's and I noticed I was holding them near the ends ). Once I have decided on that I will cut the steerer down
.
Aesthetically I don't think a small frame and 29er wheels work, but I am glad I went for it, at one stage I was considering 27.5 but I don't think the difference would have been as noticeable.
So...yes I am pleased I took the plunge, but....no.....I am not keen on the look of it!
But more riding and trips to north and south downs before any major decisions are made.
First chance to go for a ride after finishing it yesterday.
Temporary bars and stem until I get used to it and sort the position properly.
Had to invert the stem sadly but with a small spacer so maybe a 0 degree stem with no spacer may be OK, will live with it for a while first.
Final spec is
Charge Saucer wheels
On-One Smorgasbord tyres, tubeless with Stan's
Chinese Carbon Fork
XT shifters with XT rear mech and SLX 2 ring front.
XT chainset with SLX 32t and Actiontech titanium 20t
Hope Headset
Hope Mono Mini brakes
Deore BB, Cassette and Chain
Tioga 90mm Stem, Ritchey bars and bar ends.
How does it ride.......great
First bit of road and yes, it does seem a bit sluggish getting up to speed, suprised I noticed this, but once cruising very smooth, of course I have not ridden with these tyres before either.
Once off road things are pretty muddy around here but this is how it went.
Going slowly the front feels a bit heavy, but that probably is the longer stem, speed up and it all lightens up nicely, very smooth, especially on rooty bits, didn't really notice the lack of front suspension but I normally ride a fully rigid SS in the winter anyway.
Going up is amazing, one rooty climb which is quite rough in the summer and worse in the winter was a breeze, another long rutty climb also completed with no spin and a very stable front end.
These are all trails I am very familiar with and I did notice a difference in gearing, I thought I had taken this into account, the Ragley had a 34t big ring, which I rode in mostly, I reduced this down to a 32t but still needed the granny on occasions, which is a 20t, the ground was pretty gloopy so that may have had an affect.
I still have the option of the 29er specific cassette if necessary, but I think this will be OK.
Because of the tight packaging of a small frame and 29er wheels the front mech is very close to the rear tyre and did gather a lot of clag, also I had to have it higher than ideal to clear the chainstay, this is a shame as it has muted the superb shifting of SLX 2 ring mech, still OK, but not excellent.
Does it suit my needs better than the Ragley? Yes, it climbs better and is more comfy, especially I suspect on a long ride. Definitely much more pleasant on the road. Not really the sort of ride to compare on the downs, since that had wide bars, short stem and big squashy forks probably not a fair comparison either, but I have a bouncy fork coming and still have the bars and stem, then I think it would be just as good, but smoother.
The Carbon fork just wasn't noticed, although it was a relatively slow muddy ride, but seems to mute small bumps, but that may be the 29er wheels.
The tyres seem OK, I bought on price but seem to be a nice versatile tread, roll OK on the road and only spun in really bad mud.
Changes? Well a Recon is on it's way, which can convert from 80mm to 120mm, the later will bring it very close to the Ragley, but probably will stick to 100.
The stem and bars are a bit of a mess, I may well go for a 10mm shorter 0 degree stem and wider bars ( these are 600's and I noticed I was holding them near the ends ). Once I have decided on that I will cut the steerer down
.
Aesthetically I don't think a small frame and 29er wheels work, but I am glad I went for it, at one stage I was considering 27.5 but I don't think the difference would have been as noticeable.
So...yes I am pleased I took the plunge, but....no.....I am not keen on the look of it!
But more riding and trips to north and south downs before any major decisions are made.
Re: Wagon Wheels with Clockwork content Finished.......for
Another bit longer ride today and starting to really like the Clockwork.
A long steep climb up a soft grassy field polished off well and the downhills got a bit longer, fork is good, not yet missing suspension!
Will move the saddle forward a tad but keep the rest as is for a while. The forks have arrived but I'm in no hurry to fit them!
A picture from today when it was slightly less gloomy.
Another bit longer ride today and starting to really like the Clockwork.
A long steep climb up a soft grassy field polished off well and the downhills got a bit longer, fork is good, not yet missing suspension!
Will move the saddle forward a tad but keep the rest as is for a while. The forks have arrived but I'm in no hurry to fit them!
A picture from today when it was slightly less gloomy.
Re: Wagon Wheels with Clockwork content More messing!
Well weather yesterday and last night was awful and I had some forks just sitting there..........well it had to be done!
Although there was some logic too, picked them up cheap on the STW forum and wanted to make sure all was OK.
Also wanted to have a bit of a tweak with the bars n stem, so here it is now
Recon Silver TK's, I wanted air forks with adjustable rebound and lock out, these do all that although have a bit more steel that I am used to.
Nice thing with modern bikes and components is the ease of swapping stuff.
The Hope split crown race is so easy to swop between forks a fork change can be done with one Allen key in about 10 mins which is handy as I want to use the Rigid Carbons mostly.
After the horrendous weather I was going to do a road and surfaced tracks ride but it was pretty obvious I was going to get filthy anyway so went further off road, I find once I accept the bike and I are going to get filthy, mud riding gets to be fun, although it's not a great way to treat a new build!
Forks seem fine although the lockout gives a bit of a noisy inch of travel, although they actually are pretty controlled when not locked out so not a big problem.
The stem was an 65mm Easton Havoc with 700mm Monkey bars (stuff I had around), this is pretty much as Orange intended and I have to admit the steering speeded up considerably, a shorter reach and higher than I normally ride but as it was a slow gloopy ride it was fine.
I am reconing a zero rise 70mm with flat bars will be the way to go still, but more riding before I splash the cash.
Moved the saddle a tad forward which also seems to be better.
Feels very much a cruiser like this but noticed I was in higher gears than I expected, It is strange, the smoothness of the big wheels and tubeless tyres makes it feel much slower that it really is, until you need to brake! then you realise how quick you are travelling.
Still not really a fast and technical ride but I am certainly really enjoying the Clockwork so far.
Well weather yesterday and last night was awful and I had some forks just sitting there..........well it had to be done!
Although there was some logic too, picked them up cheap on the STW forum and wanted to make sure all was OK.
Also wanted to have a bit of a tweak with the bars n stem, so here it is now
Recon Silver TK's, I wanted air forks with adjustable rebound and lock out, these do all that although have a bit more steel that I am used to.
Nice thing with modern bikes and components is the ease of swapping stuff.
The Hope split crown race is so easy to swop between forks a fork change can be done with one Allen key in about 10 mins which is handy as I want to use the Rigid Carbons mostly.
After the horrendous weather I was going to do a road and surfaced tracks ride but it was pretty obvious I was going to get filthy anyway so went further off road, I find once I accept the bike and I are going to get filthy, mud riding gets to be fun, although it's not a great way to treat a new build!
Forks seem fine although the lockout gives a bit of a noisy inch of travel, although they actually are pretty controlled when not locked out so not a big problem.
The stem was an 65mm Easton Havoc with 700mm Monkey bars (stuff I had around), this is pretty much as Orange intended and I have to admit the steering speeded up considerably, a shorter reach and higher than I normally ride but as it was a slow gloopy ride it was fine.
I am reconing a zero rise 70mm with flat bars will be the way to go still, but more riding before I splash the cash.
Moved the saddle a tad forward which also seems to be better.
Feels very much a cruiser like this but noticed I was in higher gears than I expected, It is strange, the smoothness of the big wheels and tubeless tyres makes it feel much slower that it really is, until you need to brake! then you realise how quick you are travelling.
Still not really a fast and technical ride but I am certainly really enjoying the Clockwork so far.
Re: Wagon Wheels with Clockwork content.
Well, bit of a funny christmas, usually it's me at work and everyone else at home, this year the rest of the family have to go in and I'm home alone...so.......bikeride!
From home even a road ride would be risky with all the storm/flood issues so north or south downs.......too many trees on the north, so south, but one route already blocked....other Ok so bike in car and away.
Really good ride, silly cross winds sometimes so glad I wasn't on the road, first try of Mapmyride and apparently I did 750ft of climbing in 20 km, good test of the Orange riding position, absolutely fine, but missed the bar ends. I certainly don't need wider than 700mm bars (despite what the mags say)
No rain until the last mile back to the car then horizontal hail storm, thankfully from behind so pushed me along rather well.
Next test will be Surrey Hills singletrack........I'm optimistic!
And I'm starting to like the look of it now too
Well, bit of a funny christmas, usually it's me at work and everyone else at home, this year the rest of the family have to go in and I'm home alone...so.......bikeride!
From home even a road ride would be risky with all the storm/flood issues so north or south downs.......too many trees on the north, so south, but one route already blocked....other Ok so bike in car and away.
Really good ride, silly cross winds sometimes so glad I wasn't on the road, first try of Mapmyride and apparently I did 750ft of climbing in 20 km, good test of the Orange riding position, absolutely fine, but missed the bar ends. I certainly don't need wider than 700mm bars (despite what the mags say)
No rain until the last mile back to the car then horizontal hail storm, thankfully from behind so pushed me along rather well.
Next test will be Surrey Hills singletrack........I'm optimistic!
And I'm starting to like the look of it now too
Re: Wagon Wheels with Clockwork content More Messing!
Well it's been a little while and still not got to surrey hills :-(
A fine sunday a little while ago and a group ride on offer but non cycling life got in the way...oh well.
I have committed on stem and bars, 70mm exotic stem and 700mm Specialized bars, so money wise not a huge commitment but very happy with both and have chopped the steerer to suit on the suspension forks.
Still fitted the bar ends ( and used regularly ) but I will eventually get some that are not quite so basic.
I have been for some rides.
Position seems about right although the off road around here is awful, spinning to a halt going downhill :roll: so hard to judge, but works well on the road.
Surprisingly the tight clearance at the back has not been an issue.
The weather was nice last weekend, although has now deteriorated badly.........again!!
I am totally committed to the 29er now, it is much better on the road bits, comfy and stable, gains speed surprisingly quickly.
Well it's been a little while and still not got to surrey hills :-(
A fine sunday a little while ago and a group ride on offer but non cycling life got in the way...oh well.
I have committed on stem and bars, 70mm exotic stem and 700mm Specialized bars, so money wise not a huge commitment but very happy with both and have chopped the steerer to suit on the suspension forks.
Still fitted the bar ends ( and used regularly ) but I will eventually get some that are not quite so basic.
I have been for some rides.
Position seems about right although the off road around here is awful, spinning to a halt going downhill :roll: so hard to judge, but works well on the road.
Surprisingly the tight clearance at the back has not been an issue.
The weather was nice last weekend, although has now deteriorated badly.........again!!
I am totally committed to the 29er now, it is much better on the road bits, comfy and stable, gains speed surprisingly quickly.
