FESTKA-TASTIC

[RippedUp]

Amazing build, Lig - well done!
Only thing I'd do differently is rim brakes

[Fluoro7]

10/10

[Kjetil]

Something to marvel at. Incredible level of detail.
And I like your carpet, Lig. Please tell.

[CLEAR]

Amazing build, Lig - well done!
Only thing I'd do differently is rim brakes

same here. Me too

[Lig]

Something to marvel at. Incredible level of detail.
And I like your carpet, Lig. Please tell.

HA HA.. thanks the carpet is 'Wiltons' finest....

Ok so how does it ride ?? .....

So having put a few hundred miles on the bike, I thought I would share my initial thoughts about the bike ...

To start, the closest for comparison was my previous best bike, my S-Works Tarmac SL6, similar components but Rim and mechanical AND the S-works was just over 1Kg lighter…

This is how the S-Works was built :

https://gallery.3kbikes.co.uk/#collection/1935

Ok, so the first thing I noticed was just how stiff and responsive the FESTKA is, the power transfer is instantaneous. It really does feel super super responsive.
On the flat or particularly on climbs, you stand up and it just fly’s forward. It kind of inspires you to push harder up the climbs as the more you put in the greater it rewards you ….

I would say it definitely feels more responsive than the S-works, and you don’t feel the weight difference at all …. BUT… this does come at a price of comfort… the bike is a much more harsh ride than the S-Works. You feel every bump in the road and on bad roads, its bad (I am sure this doesn’t help with the AX saddle - but I had this on the S-works so it’s a fair comparison)!

Now I wouldn’t say generally it’s a bone shaker (although on rough roads it is close) as there is deffo some vibration damping going on, maybe that’s in the wheels\seatpost\stem\bars, and on ‘general’ roads to me it is acceptable, in fact it kind of buzzes over the tarmac, but it is deffo a hard ride and I can see that this would not be to everyone’s liking…

The longest ride I have done so far is a 60 miler and at the end of it, I didn’t feel beat up at all. The strange thing is that because it’s so stiff, it just feels so efficient. So although harsh, it seems to eat up the miles, buzzing over the road surface …. It’s kind of strange really as I would have expected to feel more tired at the end but if anything, the opposite ….

It really does feel like a thoroughbred race machine, ultra stiff and ultra responsive.
It is pretty much just as was described to me by the FESTKA pre-sales.

At the moment I really do look forward to each ride … Could I get tired with the harshness? I don’t know, only time will tell…..

I would be really interested to see if the FESTKA Scalatore had this same ‘exciting’ feel but with increased levels of comfort OR if it didn’t have the same buzz factor? I guess I will never know (unless one day I manage to buy one ) …

Anyhow, that’s my first initial impressions, as more miles are covered if anything changes, I will post an update!!

Cheers
Lig.

[eurperg]

Thanks for the review Lig. Lightweight wheels must additionally underline the stiff and responsive character of the bike. With steel-spoked wheels like Boras it could feel a bit different. Your review makes me wonder how does the combination of plush tires and ultra-stiff frame feel in my upcoming Rover. Maybe in a month I can tell... According to Festka, the latest iteration of Rover will have 98% of stiffness of Spectre.

[shotgun1]

I would be really interested to see if the FESTKA Scalatore had this same ‘exciting’ feel but with increased levels of comfort OR if it didn’t have the same buzz factor? I guess I will never know (unless one day I manage to buy one ) …

Great review! The scalatore rides in a very similar way. I've got an ISP version and I can only ride 23mm (fork can't comfortably accomodate 25mm, though I have yet to try wider rims) so it definitely has a more direct and harsher ride compared to TCR ISPs of the past 3 generations. It reminds me of my old TCR ISP T-Mobile generation where it was more direct. No complaints here since I knew that coming in. Since expectations were set, I love the ride. Stiff and efficient is rigth.

[Lig]

Cheers chaps...

Thanks for the review Lig. Lightweight wheels must additionally underline the stiff and responsive character of the bike. With steel-spoked wheels like Boras it could feel a bit different.

Yeah, I have had quite a few sets of these wheels (Rim brake models) and I have always found them to be very compliant. I think they add to the comfort.. But yes it would be interesteing to see how different it would ride with Boras or the like.... Do let me know how you like the Rover....

I had an issue with the Challenge Tubs, in that I couldn't get rid of a high spot on them, I tried a few different tyres and they were all the same... I have now switched to Veloflex Ravens and they are noticably better, no high spot and much more supple, maybe they wont be as puncture resistant, but the ride is so much nicer. They are supposedly 1mm wider (28s v 27s) but I think it is the sidewall material that is making for the sweet ride feel!

Great review! The scalatore rides in a very similar way.

That is good to hear and I am sure the ISP adds to the responsive ride feel! A shame you cannot go to at least 25s, have you tried different brands as some are slightly narrower than others... I used to use Veloflex Corsa clinchers 25mm and they were a really nice clincher....

Cheers,
Lig.

[shotgun1]

That is good to hear and I am sure the ISP adds to the responsive ride feel! A shame you cannot go to at least 25s, have you tried different brands as some are slightly narrower than others... I used to use Veloflex Corsa clinchers 25mm and they were a really nice clincher....

Cheers,
Lig.

I failed to mention that the rears can accomodate 25mm, and they now have the option for forks that can take wider tires as well. I believe my fork is a 3T Funda. I'm running Veloflex on another bike, and I totally agree.

[Lig]

Thats good news, just some expense to get the new forks? Can I see a pic of your Scalatore and do you recall what the frame weight was (and what size is it)?

Cheers,
Lig.

[shotgun1]

Yup, just need to request another fork with custom paintjob again.

Here's a most recent photo, under 5.5kg as pictured. It's a custom geometry, but generally I'm around a size 54 (M). I'll try to look for details on weight of the frame

[JLiukkonen]

I have ONE with Enve fork. I have had 27mm Veloflex with no problem. And that Spectre is just gorgeous


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Lig]

Yeah, really nice looking build there Shotgun1... I particularly like how you have colour matched the brake pads with the FESTKA on the frame

I guess because your forks aren't colour coded to the frame as such, you could get away with just a set of black forks quite easily...

Cheers,
Lig.