2010 Neo Ultimate - 5.2Kg -- further updates

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gandini
Posts: 349
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Location: New Mexico USA
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by gandini

This is one of the first 2010 Neo Exile Ultimate frames delivered and built up.
I previously rode a 2002 Giant TCR that weighed about 12.7lbs with some of the components that I have transferred to this frame. I took advantage of the new frame to get some new cranks (BB30), and a few other odds and ends. As the Giant had quite a sloping top tube, I like the more "traditional" geometry of the Ultimate with its almost horizontal toptube. The seat tube is 73.5deg, the headtube 73deg. This is a 58cm frame with 56.7cm top tube. The finish is matte UD carbon fiber.

With AX Lightness SRT42 wheels (built by Nico-thanks!)
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Weight with Veloflex Extremes: 5.28Kg (11.7lbs)

With Edge 1.25 (built by Jason/FWB-thanks!)
Image
Weight with Veloflex Carbons: 5.24Kg (11.55lbs)

Here's the build list, with weight (gms)

Frame: Neo Exile Ultimate (975)
Fork: Edge tapered 1.5” (340)
Headset FSA Orbit tapered (80)
Topcap/Expander Soul-Kozak/Extralight (12)
Bar/Stem: FSA Plasma Compact-sanded (397)
Crank Arms: THM Clavicula (420)
Chain Rings FibreLyte CF 41/51 (76)
Pedals: Speedplay X1 (150)
Saddle: AX Lightness Phoenix premium (55)
Post: AX Lightness Daedalus premium (87)
Alt. Saddle: Custom CF integrated (117)
Seatpost sleeve: (20)
Seat Post Clamp: New Ultimate (8)
Brake Levers: SRAM Red - sanded + BTP hoods (290)
Brakes: EE + Swisstop pads (190)
Shift/Brake Cables: Nokon (90)
Rear Derailleur: SRAM Red (150)
Chain: DuraAce 7900 (230)
Front Derailleur: DuraAce 7900 (66)
Front Wheel: M5, Sapim, Edge 25 (330)
Rear Wheel: Extralite, Sapim, Edge 25 (450)
Alt. Front: Tune Mig45, Sapim, AX Lightness SRT42 (390)
Alt. Rear: Extralite SX, Sapim, AX Lightness SRT42 (495)
Cassette: KCNC Alloy 11-23 (110)
Alt. cassette: Recon 11-23 (88)
Skewers: Tune AC14 (33)
Tires: Veloflex Carbon (580)
Alt. tires: Veloflex Extreme (450)
Rim glue (20)
Handlebar Tape: Forte CF vinyl (40)
Bottle Cage: Emporelli carbon (15)

Total (measured): 5240(5280)g 11.6lbs

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New saddle:
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Initial ride report (60mi): I hate to gush, but this is an *amazing* bike! I can't think of a better descriptor than taut. Stiff, but with all the "dampening" character of CF. The 1.5" headset and Edge fork make for a solid, tight front end. The rear is very stiff also--making for crisp shift and solid braking. The whole bike is direct, connected--no shimmy, flex, wobble, nothing.

Subsequent ride report: I rode it for the second time (only) at the Tour de Tucson (108mi) and it really is a fantastic bike. I have had many bikes, but the last bike I had was a Giant TCR from 2002 (one of the first frames in the US), and so my comparison group consists of older frames made from steel, titanium and old CF (including a Specialized Epic!)
So, the Neo is a state-of-the-art design and correspondingly rigid, solid, light, vibrant, tight. I'd say it's almost a perfect bike for riding--it's everything without being any one thing exclusively. The Edge fork is fantastic--just there and solid as a rock. The frame has the CF "deadening" feel, but not dead at all. It damps road vibrations, but a little "buzz" is still felt on rough roads. The BB is stiff, and the rear end is tight. No flex, but I'm not a jammer. It climbs wonderfully, and a did a few climbs out of the saddle--perfect. I also did a short steep sitting bottom gear climb--it tracked very well.
The build quality is very high. I showed it to Jason (Madcow) from FairWheel and he admired it, recognizing that it was certainly of the latest design and build quality.
The matte finish is certainly the bomb--there were a couple of matte bikes at the ride (among the 6000 bikes there!!) and it stood out with the ultra-stealth look.
Last edited by gandini on Wed Aug 04, 2010 8:52 pm, edited 38 times in total.

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JesseD
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by JesseD

There is something really cool about that frame 8) I love the red headset :thumbup:

What does it weigh and where did you get it from if you don't mind me asking?

JD

by Weenie


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CippoForLife
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by CippoForLife

You chopped the drops!!!???

And where did you get that red Alien clamp?
Looks amazing - did you anodize it yourself?

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gandini
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Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2002 7:41 pm
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by gandini

Yes, I have been running my Cinelli RAM bars with chopped drops--so I know how I use them (or not) and so...saved 20g or abouts (old skool WW - cut off everything you never use!)
The seat and post are just for the photo--I have my own integrated seat/post that I will be using (125g), but to your question--yes, I did the Alien in red myself to add a little red highlight theme to my bike when I used this combo. I won't be running so much red on this build, but there's enough on the FSA Plasma bars to need a little on the frame. The headset is a shaved FSA Orbit (1.5" of course) and I added the red ring just for bling.

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Tinea Pedis
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by Tinea Pedis

That is VERY clean looking, I like!

What are you waiting on to finish the build?

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TheBugMan
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by TheBugMan

That bike already looks really cool, and nice personal mods also.
CLICK HERE to see my weenie

Click THIS to hear what happens when I see your and my weenie.

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gandini
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by gandini

Tinea Pedis wrote:..
What are you waiting on to finish the build?

Time :lol: I have everything I need, including the Parlee CF front derailleur clamp (!), and will hopefully make some progress this evening. I hoping for a shakedown ride on Saturday if possible, as I am heading over to the Tour de Tucson next weekend and it would be great to have the new bike there.

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Tinea Pedis
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by Tinea Pedis

Ah yes, the most precious of elements.


Pull and all-nighter ala Uni days. Grab and expresso and go for a roll wired on zero sleep and caffeine!

You know you want to! :thumbup:

Raxel
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Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:41 pm

by Raxel

Are they edge 1.25's you've been using or other wheelset?
And put the clavicula on it!

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gandini
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Location: New Mexico USA
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by gandini

The Edge 1.25s and the THMs will be going on tonight--for sure! The big deal is the shifter/brakes, of course--all that BS cabling, etc.

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Daddy yo yo
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Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:17 am

by Daddy yo yo

this is a beautiful piece of plastic - i absolutely love it! :thumbup:
gandini wrote:The big deal is the shifter/brakes, of course--all that BS cabling, etc.
that's always the annoying part of a bike build. i am definitely a hatchet man, no problem with screwing everything together - but i do hate thoe blo*dy details such as shortening cables etc. :noidea:
where'd'you get the frame from and how much did it cost? is it in the same price range as the exile frame?
My contribution to more beautiful roads: - old - / - new -

christian lk
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Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:29 am
Location: Denmark

by christian lk

getDaddy yo yo wrote:where'd'you the frame from and how much did it cost? is it in the same price range as the exile frame?

E-mail patrick from Neo-cyces on info@neo-cycles.com. He is awesome guy, and he will respond you very fast.

by the way nice bike

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Jackalmiauleon
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by Jackalmiauleon

.
Last edited by Jackalmiauleon on Mon Jan 11, 2016 10:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
NO NUKES and visit my blog
http://ww-jackal.blogspot.com/

Krull

by Krull

i am eagerly looking forward to see the fully fitted bike. looks already very promising. the frame is awesome!

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gandini
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by gandini

Just posted the result of my overnight efforts.
Patrick is taking orders for a December production run (the frame is made by Carbotec in Shenzhen) Contact him as per the poster above--he's a great guy to work with. I suggest patience, but that's true for every situation, not just ordering a frame from overseas.
btw, the 1/5" headset is amazingly smooth and solid--perhaps its the larger diameter of the lower bearing, plus the shear size of the headtube and fork crown--can't wait to feel it out riding.

I just realized that back in Dec 2002, when I bought my Giant TCR frame it cost me $1400 with fork. I ended up putting a Easton fork on it ($500). So the Neo+Edge fork actually cost me less, and much less when inflation over that time is considered. Cool...

by Weenie


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