My Grand Canyon AL 29 8.9 Update

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Moderators: MrCurrieinahurry, maxim809, Moderator Team

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TashkentTerror
Posts: 104
Joined: Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:55 am
Location: Oslo Norway

by TashkentTerror

Here is my Canyon al 29.
Great bike for the price. Some upgrades, see build list.

After commuting, training and trail riding I have a new favorite bike.
The Canyon is super stiff has great geometry and for an Alu frame its comfortable.
My weight is broken so no accurate weight just jet, but it feels in the 9,5 -10 kilo range.
Future updates will be XO RD and XO gripshifters.

Frame: Alu, tapered steerer, 142x12 rear
Fork: DT Swiss XRM 100 single shot
Headset: Cane Creek Serie 40
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT
Front Derailleur: SRAM X0
Shifters: Shimano SLX triggers
Chain: KMC X10 Light
Brake levers: Formula RX
Brakes:Formula RX
Brake rotors: Formula RX/windcutters
Hubs: Stans 3.30 15mm front/ x12 rear
Cassett: SRAM PG-1070 12-36 (want xx-11/36)
Rims: Stans notubes ZTR Arch
Tyres: Conti Race king (race sport) 2.2 Tubeless. (Hard to get these to seal use micro glass balloons)/Maxis crossmark 2.1
Cranks: SRAM XO GXP 175mm
Chainrings: XO 39/26 (want rotor Q-rings 26/38)
Bottom Bracket: Press fit GXP
Stem: Pro Vibe 100 mm -10 deg. (want 3T -17 deg)
Handlebar: 640mm Syntace duraflite.
Grips: ESI racers edge
Saddle: Fizik Gobi XM Kium rails.
Seat post: Thompson elite setback 30.9
Seat post clamp: Thompson 35mm
Pedals: XT
Bottlecage: Ti, X-on (King cage type I guess)

Image

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Last edited by TashkentTerror on Sat Sep 08, 2012 12:19 pm, edited 11 times in total.

by Weenie


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kgt
Posts: 8749
Joined: Sun Jun 18, 2006 10:29 am
Location: Athens, Greece

by kgt

Remove the reynolds decals. They are bigger than frame's battaglin decals!

Peter_E
Posts: 451
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2007 1:39 pm

by Peter_E

Good looking race bike!

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TashkentTerror
Posts: 104
Joined: Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:55 am
Location: Oslo Norway

by TashkentTerror

kgt wrote:Remove the reynolds decals. They are bigger than frame's battaglin decals!

I'm inclined to agree with you.
Feel the same way about Zipp wheels and have you seen the new Easton EC90 TT's ?
just too much!

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micky
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Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:57 pm
Location: Vicenza
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by micky

You dont see many of them around here!
Nice choice!

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Roobay
Posts: 1886
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2007 12:19 pm
Location: On Pave

by Roobay

quite a rare bird.. do see many on here
enjoy :thumbup:
i like people... i just can't stand assholes

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Powerful Pete
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Posts: 4132
Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:22 am
Location: Lima, Peru and the Washington DC area - it's complicated.

by Powerful Pete

Great bike that is a very good bang for the buck.

Nice!
Road bike: Cervelo R3, Campagnolo Chorus/Record mix...
Supercommuter: Jamis Renegade...
Oldie but goodie: De Rosa Professional Slx, Campagnolo C-Record...
And you can call me Macktastik Honey Pete Kicks, thank you.

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metavolante
Posts: 35
Joined: Thu Jan 20, 2011 6:51 pm
Location: Codsall, South Staffordshire UK
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by metavolante

awesome ride, she looks beautiful :wink:

How do you find the 3T fork compared to the stock one :?:
Guerciotti Alero, Cinelli Vigorelli Road & Colnago C60

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TashkentTerror
Posts: 104
Joined: Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:55 am
Location: Oslo Norway

by TashkentTerror

metavolante wrote:awesome ride, she looks beautiful :wink:

How do you find the 3T fork compared to the stock one :?:


The 3T fork feels just like the stock one. I can't feel a big difference, its a bit lighter maybe.
I actually took it from a crashed Cervelo R3 (toptube snapped) and the guy who crashed his R3 bought a Battaglin C14 and has never been happier :lol:

ultyguy
Posts: 2332
Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2010 1:35 pm
Location: Geneva

by ultyguy

Am I in some bizarro world here? You guys talking about this bike?

At any rate, been sniffing this one lately, yeah looks great bang for the buck. I'm a roadie, 180cm 75 kgs w/ long legs. Kinda stuck between medium and large, what size are you, what you on?

kamil1891
Posts: 31
Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:28 pm

by kamil1891

great bike!! I really like the look of it I've ordered one myself :D It should be with me tomorrow, however, in the light white-blue color scheme. I cannot wait! :D

Could you also comment on the DT Swiss fork? I've heard mixed opinions about them but I've decided to give it a go anyway :)

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TashkentTerror
Posts: 104
Joined: Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:55 am
Location: Oslo Norway

by TashkentTerror

@ultyguy: The old bikes i had posted are removed. I have new bikes coming.
Back to your question, I am 185cm with long legs/short torso. Like you I was wondering what size to get. I went with the large frame and i am happy I did. The frame is very compact. If I were you I would maby go medium but I think you would fit both.

@kamil1891: Changing wheels and going tubeless has transformed it to a ripper! It has become my go to bike.
The DT fork was awful at first, then it broke. I sent it to Canyon and got a new one no questions asked, even got postage refunded!
To my surprise the new fork is very good. Maby DT is having quality control issues? One thing i dont like is the remote lockout, its flimsy at best.
The fork is also tricky to get dialed in, take the shock pump and experiment with different pressure on the first rides.

Hope you like your new bike!

kamil1891
Posts: 31
Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:28 pm

by kamil1891

Thanks for your response :)

I have just received this bike. It looks brilliant and feels good when (provisionally) set up. I have not ridden it yet and being used to road bikes with very agressive position I'm still not sure how I'm going to find the ride but I hope it will be good fun :)

Yes, I have noticed that the lockout isn't best. Feels a little bit to easy to unlock but I don't know yet whether it will be an issue. Overall the bike looks very well made and set up, apart from the gears which will need a little bit of reindexing :P I don't really like the look of the saddle too but that's not an issue. I can't wait to get on it! :D

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TashkentTerror
Posts: 104
Joined: Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:55 am
Location: Oslo Norway

by TashkentTerror

If you like an agressive position then the Canyons geometry is for you. it has a very forward position (74 degrees ST) I needed a setback post to get comfy.
A -10/-17degree stem is a must have on a 29er if you ask me. 8)
I wanted a narrower handlebar to so i went for the 630mm syntace duraflite. (still pretty wide)

Post some pics when your done. I havent seen the white/blue frame other than the Canyon site. :thumbup:

kamil1891
Posts: 31
Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:28 pm

by kamil1891

Yeah, I think I would have to go for -17 pretty soon as the lowest position now is too comfy :D Maybe something narrower would also work better for me but I cannot say whether I like the lenght of the bars at the moment. But I will definitely fit some bar extensions, even though they don't look best :P

Btw. I've heard that there were some creaks from the DT Swiss fork that occured to some people. When hitting hard stationary I could hear similar creak once or twice. Do you think that's an issue or it will get better? I'm new to mtb and I'm not sure yet. The same with discs, the front one is slightly rubbing on the pads. I've tried adjusting them but it doesn't work anyway. I've read that some breaks need bedding in (don't know if that's the word) and after some miles they are fine. How you found Formula brakes? :)

I've ridden on the roads (very poor) mainly but it still was quite a bit of fun. It wasn't as slow as I expected too :D I cannot wait to take it offroad! There is a photo (cut) after my today's ride :) I will try to make a topic in future when I find more time to get around it with a camera.


Image

by Weenie


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Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

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