The final build will include a KCNC Ti post, KCNC skewers, Deda Newton Deep Drop Bars, Edge 1.0 fork, Edge 1.68 w/dt240 hubs, and King bottle cages, but none of those items made it in time (and the bars were ordered wrong). Also wanted to try for black crank arms, but couldn't find any in time (wanted it built before a certain race.) I'm considering wet sanding the fork and seatpost if I can trade for some black crank arms.
Anyhow, the frame is really pretty rad. I hadn't ridden aluminum since a mid 2000s Giant (can't remember the model) and that thing isn't even in the same league, like not even close. My other current bike is a 2010 SuperSix with SR11. The Tsunami is very stiff in all the right places, pretty light (haven't weighed it yet), and feels very lively and fun to ride under my feet. I'd prefer more compliance if I was going to ride century on it, but that's to be expected and what I asked for: stiff!
I'm really very impressed with the characteristics of it. You can't really tell from the pictures, but the top tube and down tube are both sort of tear shaped, so the area that is contacting the head tube is pretty huge, and consequently the front end stiffness is the best I've felt on a non "high-tech carbon" bike. I realize it was a dumb thing to do, but I felt very confident and comfortable riding it in a few races without having been on it at all. In fact, I never once second guessed going with it instead of my everyday bike. I don't have exact weights, but I would say it's right near 16lbs as pictured.
Dealing with Joesph was a great experience. He was open to whatever I had to say, had good suggestions, and built me the bike I asked for in the quoted time for the quoted price. It was the first time I've ever had ANY custom thing completed when it was promised (that goes for everything from guitars to other non-bike related sporting goods). He sent pictures, geometry drawings, and updates without me ever having to ask for them. Really is a top-notch builder.
And all custom for $700 ($650 plus $50 for BB30).
Component review: Chorus 11- Wow. I gotta say that I'm a little shocked at how good it really is. I would say it's 98% of SR11 in performance (it feels ever so slightly less crisp, but that could be because it's brand new, I don't know). And of course it weighs more.
Scott Addict fork- I was planning on only using it until the Edge 1.0 showed up, but now I'm considering keeping it and selling the Edge. Stiff, comfortable, and everything a fork should be. I think it weighed 297 before cut.
