Hi all,

I've been a long-time lurker on this forum but this is my first 'proper' post. I thought I'd share my latest ride with you all - a Project Black S-Works Venge. I've had it build up for a few months now but have only just got round to being brave enough to get it scrutinised on WW.

It rides beautifully and, thanks to a Retul that I had when it was put together by the excellent team at Swift Cycles in London, it's comfortable enough to ride all day long.



Current specification:

Frame: S-Works Venge (Project Black) 56cm
Drivetrain & Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900
Wheels: Zipp 404 Firecrest Carbon Clinchers (2012 Falcon Grey)
Tires: Michelin Pro4 Service Course
Cockpit: Zipp Service Course SL stem (110mm); Zipp Service Course SL (SS) 42cm
Saddle: fi'zi:k Antares CX Braided saddle
Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900
Bidon Cages: Arundel Dave-O
Weight: Not yet weighed but I'd expect it to be ~15 - 15.5lbs as she currently stands.

I've no real plans as yet to get the weight down, although I'm getting some ee Cycleworks brakes and some Speedplay Zero Ti pedals as a start. I look forward to your comments and feedback.

Can anyone give me some tips on uploading pics - the .jpg files are being flagged as too big....

Photobucket. Even I can do it, so I'm sure you can.

Welcome!! we need pics!!! upload them to tinypic and copy the code for Forms and message boards. Then paste it into your post

This was taken the day I picked her up:



The yellow warning sticker on the fork has been removed and the stem dropped by another 5mm. Swift Cycles took some pics themselves so as soon as I have them, I'll get them posted.

And some more crappy iPhone pics....

Retul fitting.



In build:




Miscellaneous:

Really, really nice.

Awesome ! really love these bikes !

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Aim : to get a 12.2kg Rockhopper down in the 10's !!

My sloooow weight loss project!

Thanks for the comments guys!

Congratulations.

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Exp001

Thanks man! Appreciated.

Great bike, but somehow I've always wanted Specialized to have shorter headtubes, would look much more aggressive

Arundel makes flat black cages that would match your paint.

I did try some of those but they didn't quite match so I went for the Oil Slick finish which (in my mind at least) ties in with the 'gloss' of the Zipp stem and bars. Still, if the matt had've matched, they'd still be on there now.

Very nice bike - did Swift build it up for you ? (I work just around the corner - great people in the Swift shop).

They certainly did - Al (their mechanic) did an amazing job getting the build just right and Jon, the owner, got the fit dialled in during the Retul (as well as sorting me out with some 2012 Falcon Grey 404's which are generally special order only to get the new black versions selling).

This bike will be put on their website soon as they are keen to get more custom builds in. Hope to see you on a Swift shop ride soon!