Re: 2012 Litespeed C1R frameset has arrived
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 7:44 pm
The bike is fully assembled. Two rides have been made on it already. Shorter 35 mile roller and slightly longer 65 miler with few punch climbs. The bike is on rails!!! It is stiff and the feedback from the road is massive - I actually like it. A little bit shorter wheelbase makes it turn fast on switchbacks but still is planted on longer turns. Could be the placebo but it feels fast. The BB is mega stiff and the bike is unbelivebly responsive. The feel from the few climbs I've done is good but more needs to be seen - I definitely need to keep more load on the rear wheel or it spins due to shorter chainstays. Integrated seat post is definitely stiffer than my older bike's Ritchey carbon seatpost but the position adjustment is limited - my saddle is moved max (allowed) to the rear to achieve correct riding position. New red is smooth but it is not quieter than my old one with PG-1070 and KMC X10SL chain - there is a nice clunk from the 1091R/XG-1090 X-Glide cassette when shifting. Front shifts are super smooth. Aero-link brakes have definitely more power and are easy to modulate - adjustment of single pivot is not the easiest tho. Ergo of the shifters is for sure better (and I did not install the gels). 3T LTD stem on carbon fork will need some friction paste as it slips loosening the headset. Hubs in FC 404s are super smooth. Antares carbon rails is definitely stiffer than Antares Kium (but my Kium might have softened with thousands of miles of use) but same comfort. I also enjoy a bit more aggressive geometry compared to my 2009 Jamis Xenith SL - stack is ~ 1 cm less and reach is ~ 1 cm more. Total weight with pedals and cages is 6,353 grams - I was shooting for approximately 400 grams less but most components were slightly heavier than advertised (SRAM and Vittoria being the only exceptions here) plus not taken into account electrical tape, tubular glue, grease, .... added to the total. Overall - super happy and am sure I will discover more greatness of this setup soon and in 2013 races.