Anyone have any experience of these? £129.99 seems decent value for a frame.
I'm looking to swap all the stuff over from my road bike to make something for commuting and gravel track possibilities.
Obviously I would have to pick up some disk calipers and disk wheels but should be an easy swap.
Any reason to avoid?
I've got one that I bought as the full build with hydro discs etc. I love it, but haven't had anything else in the road or cross segment to compare it too.
I use it for commuting, the occasional road ride and I've had 2 week-long tours loaded up with camping gear in rear panniers and a front bar bag.
I do get some pretty bad toe overlap so it's worth comparing lengths if that bothers you.
Is a kaffenback frame and fork for 150 not a better deal?
Like the charge but once you add a fork is it such a good deal?
[img][url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1594/24615921509_e40de6f617_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1594/24615921509_e40de6f617_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Dve2RP ]2016-02-12_07-57-30[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/138312351@N02/ ]james shepherd[/url], on Flickr[/img]
I had the Charge Filter which is the same frame.
It was an excellent commuter bike. I used it on road and fire roads.
Just a tad small for me.
^^ as above can't find decent priced forks to make it a go-er
170mm head tube on the xl
There was a load of dawes galaxy forks on the bay for around £30.
Disc and rack mounts.
Planet x are selling their kaffenback disc only fork for 30 quid.
EDIT - 20 quid
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FOPXKV2/planet-x-kaffenback-2011-fork
Same seller selling the tange fork which might be the one chrage use?
Kaffenback is not disc. Want disc front if having disc rear.
Tange forks are 195mm steerer. Need 230ish with a 170mm steerer
Kaffenback is disc! According to the website
Edit coomber, you were taking about the fork?
Sorry yes sas talking about the forks linked if going for the charge plug frame.
Kaffenback frameset for 149 pounds looks a better deal on that basis
The 20 quid kaff forks I linked to are disc. The picture isn't but the one they are selling off at 20 is listed as the disc version. Px made that fork in different versions and had several different pics in the original listing.
I do get some pretty bad toe overlap so it's worth comparing lengths if that bothers you.
I wanted to avoid this if possible, size 10 feet on a medium (5'9ish) would probably be a toe overlap issue.
Typical on one listing! Thanks chap. Forks bought... considering the frame... must resist
Only the orange forks in stock, not sure how they would look with the frame
Anything goes with a black frame!
I've got the plug 3, which is the same geometry but using the lower spec tange infinity rather than the tange prestige used on the plug 5.
I got it as a replacement for a Triban 3, which was a bit too big for me. This is the only experience I have with drop bar bikes.
The plug is heavy, about 1.5 kgs more than the triban with stock predals, reflector and bell, but it does seem more comfortable, probably due to the steel and larger tyres. It's noticeably slower, but rides well enough, is more versatile and is a nicer ride over the broken road surfaces around here. It's great for my 34 mile mixed surface commute when I can be bothered to ride in.
If you build it up with better components and lighter wheels it could make for a nice bike, just expect something potentially slower than an all out road bike.
Cheers drewd
Do you experience and toe overlap?
I've bit the bullet. It's black and I have a black road bike so hoping Mrs c doesn't notice!
I think the overlap is a bit of a Charge feature. Its dreadful ony Mixer, made worse by mudguards.
Cheers drewdDo you experience and toe overlap?
No worries. I do experience toe overlap, but I have a size small, and have experienced toe overlap with every bike I fit full length guards to. It's not terrible though.
I have took the plunge as well. Just upgraded my commuter and realised I have a complete set of components to build one up. The charge is lighter than my current frame (genesis cdf) so probably end up swapping the good components to the charge frame and build my old components back on my current frame.
Any reason why those silver tange forks wouldn't fit the medium frame?
I'm not certain but I think they would fit. 1 1/8th inch steer tube, 195mm steer tube length, and I think the medium frame has a 150mm head tube. 45mm should be be long enough for a stem and a few spacers shouldn't it?
The axle to crown is 395mm on the forks, and that's what the frame was designed for.
1 1/8th inch steer tube, 195mm steer tube length, and I think the medium frame has a 150mm head tube. 45mm should be be long enough for a stem and a few spacers shouldn't it?
Don't forget to account for the headset as well.
Don't forget to account for the headset as well.
Good point. Just had a quick look on mine, although I didn't disassemble it, I roughly measured from the top of the fork crown/ bottom of headset to the top of the stem. Mine is about 195 - 200mm, with 3 spacers which I think are 5mm each.
I've just double checked the geometry for the 2014 version which [url= http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-plug-5-2014/ ]here[/url] I think this frame is. The head tube on the medium is listed at 140mm, and the small is my small is 125mm. The forks might fit, but it will be quite a close call, and the stem will probably be slammed.
Anyone have an idea of the ETT, reach and headtube length of these please?
The link in my post above has the geometry information in the sizing tab. It doesn't mention reach but does have the ETT and headtube length for each size.
I'm quite excited about mine arriving
Missed that drewd, many thanks
Anyone received the frame yet?
[i]scandal42 - Member [/i]Anyone received the frame yet?
Yeah, mine arrived yesterday, ordered it on Saturday morning. Really well packaged inside the box - always good to see when you open it up.
Not had a change to look it over properly but seems really nice and is surprisingly light. It has good quality welds that I can see.
Forks from PlanetX also arrived - they look really good. THink the orange/black will go well.
Nice one, quite tempted to copy now 🙂
After looking at inspiring photos on instagram I may have purchased a frame, I may also be about to copy coomber with the px fork.
Now, how to tie in the fork with the rest of the build, maybe a tan saddle?
First steel frame and first road bike build, looking forward to the hours of swearing in prospect.
Coomber, is yours an XL? Any chance you could weigh the frame before building it up?
Thanks, Tom
Yeah it is. I'll try and weigh it tomorrow.
tomtomr - MemberCoomber, is yours an XL? Any chance you could weigh the frame before building it up?
Thanks, Tom
Weighed it on the scales at work. I'd say they were 95% accurate.
Comes in at 2250g - that's 5lb. Tange prestige, i would imagine that is about accurate/what i'd expect. It's certainly pretty light.
Thanks Coomber
Got mine on Monday, just had a chance to have a proper look. It is very skinny and the walls are thin. Definitely a lot lighter than the Genesis CDF frame that it is going to replace. Also got the PX forks but I just cannot stand the frame and forks being a different colour.
Got myself a can of rust-oleum matt black peel coat from the local Halfords and will probably attack the PX forks and see how it goes. Good thing is I can just peel it off if it goes wrong. Lucky the frame is matt black so should in theory match quite well.
The quality of the frame is very good. Packaging from transition was brilliant too. Hats off.
I think the orange goes great with the black but horses for courses.
Orange bar tape for some carryover from frame?
Orange underside scoop saddle would be the best bet.
Just took the plunge to build up a cheap road bike. I bought the XS frame due to being a short arse, would the forks from the same seller fit? XS frame has a 110mm HT and the forks have a 170mm steerer, so would the 60mm be enough for a head set and stem?
Another option would be a set of cheap Chinese carbon forks from eBay, seen quite a few for sale but not to sure of quality/longevity, ie will I die if I used them!!!!!
Inbred you would need to measure up your stem and headset is the only way to tell - too many variables. It's probably cutting it fine though.
Just received mine, looks really nice and not as heavy as i thought.
Not sure when it will be built but I'll get a pic up when it's finished.
Just received my frame today, very well packaged as previously mentioned. Still looking for a set of forks though, plenty of choice on eBay at the mo, steel or carbon? Hmmm.
I quite fancy building it with a 1x11 set up and the new SRAM Apex looks like a contender.
Comber - not decided on head set or stem yet, so I'll probably give those 170mm steerer forks a miss as there will be no room for spacers if required.
The Kaffenback forks are well finshed and actually look quite nice.
Not to fussed on the Kaffenback forks, I would rather straight blades ala original Plug ones. Quite a few on eBay, just got to settle on which ones.
Do those kaffenback forks come with the cantilever mounts?
Disc only
Thanks. Tempted to get those forks. My frame arrived last week too. Next day delivery. Frame looks very nice. Can't believe how skinny the tubes are. Unfortunately I won't be able to build it up until funds allow.
Tempted by one of these for no real reason...6'2 here, not sure whether I should be looking at large or XL. Any thoughts?
Nearly got mine built up now. Slowly taking it 20 mins a time before work in the morning.
One thing you need is a front mech bottom pull converter because the front mech cable routing is from the top. That is unless you manage to find a top pull road mech or run a mtb front mech or 1x.
Also trying to find a clean solution to tie the front brake cable to the forks as there is no cable mount on the on-one forks.
This thread needs pictures 😀
Yes pics please. I'm looking at the Genesis Cdf fork, the carbon one. Everyone else using the planet x one?
One thing you need is a front mech bottom pull converter because the front mech cable routing is from the top. That is unless you manage to find a top pull road mech or run a mtb front mech or 1x
The Plug 3 used the current Sora, and the Plug 4 the 10 speed 105 groupsets, so a front mech from either might be worth checking out.
The Plug 5 used Sram I believe, as well as having Tange Prestige tubes rather than the Tange Infinity on the 3 and 4 frames, but I expect the cable routing would be similar.
If copying and pasting the IMG forum link worked on photobucket I'd post a pic.
Unfortunately my planet x forks have a ding so awaiting a replacement to be sent.
Haven't thought of front mech. I have a tiagra 4600 group set going on it. With bb7s and whatever wheels a friend is selling me
Shimano Cyclocross FD-CX70 is top pull
The cx70 top pull is from the same generation as tiagra 4600 so will work with their shifters. I picked up some st 4600 for £76. I think Merlin has them for £80.
Blimey! That was quick, ordered yesterday afternoon and here today. Very well packed and the frame is really nicely finished. A large btw is weighing in at 2215gm. I choose the large frame and at 5'10 I reckon I'm right on the cusp, will have around 160mm of seatpost showing and probably around an 80mm stem. I went for the large because of the longer headtube and a bit more compliance from the frame. This won't be a weenie build by a long chalk but if I can keep it in the 20lb ballpark I'll be happy, carbon forks should see me on the right track.
What is the rear clearance like on these? Any idea on the biggest tyre you could fit?
28 leaves LOADS of clearance I reckon the rear will do high-30s low-40s. Not tried though to be fair.
Chainstay at its very narrowest is 45mm.
thanks. Those Kaffenback forks say 32mm clearance - is that with a mudguard? Think of using my equilibrium as a donor build for something with discs that would be able to go more offroad. I'd want 35s at least...
Unfortunately, I run a triple so the CX70 wouldn't work for me. The frame even have the boss for the bottom pull converter so I just fitted one and use the front mech from the donor bike. Only £3 from Planet X as well.
Do you have a link for the adapter?
Struggling to locate it
This is mine built up finally. No time to ride today though as been in Swinley in the morning already.
Please don't comment on my overgrown garden
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
And this is what I meant with the converter.
[img] 
[/img]
Had a ride yet? What size are those tyres, 32's?
And what forks did you choose?
Only had a ride out the front of the house to check the shifting and brakes. They are the planet-x forks sprayed with the rustolium version of plastidip. Still waiting for some pictures with the orange forks before I get them powder coated properly.
Can't remember what size the tires as they came with the wheels used. All I know is they are tubeless racing Ralphs. Will check when I get home later.
£4 postage for that adapter 😯
Are these frames still available I cant see them on ebay?
£4 postage for that adapter
Just checked my Plug 3 and it also uses that adapter. Is there anything else you need for the build from On One/PX to justify the postage cost?
If not I've read that some Ultegra front mechs are top pull. Something like [url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-ultegra-cx70-double-10sp-front-mech/rp-prod70123?gs=1&gclid=CITC9_XJq8sCFVYo0wodIV8OPw&gclsrc=aw.ds ]this[/url] might work, depending on your chain ring sizes. I've no first hand experience of it though, I am still using the Sora kit that came on mine.
Has anyone that has built these up weighed them? I am curious to see how much heavier mine is.
Drewd - I've got one of the older Tange Infinity frames too, i think Charge made the Filter from Prestige at first but then swapped to save on costs - remember seeing a quote from them saying the weight penalty wasn't much but can't remember what it was exactly...
I've mine built up with Sram Apex, Thomson stem & post and wheels I built up on novatec hubs and Halo Aerotrack rims and mine is 25lbs, could probably knock a fair amount bit off with a lighter groupset / carbon fork etc but it rides really nicely so don't notice the beef too much!
Drewd - I've got one of the older Tange Infinity frames too, i think Charge made the Filter from Prestige at first but then swapped to save on costs - remember seeing a quote from them saying the weight penalty wasn't much but can't remember what it was exactly...I've mine built up with Sram Apex, Thomson stem & post and wheels I built up on novatec hubs and Halo Aerotrack rims and mine is 25lbs, could probably knock a fair amount bit off with a lighter groupset / carbon fork etc but it rides really nicely so don't notice the beef too much!
Thanks mcj78. I weighed mine when I got it and it was 11.7kg, which is about 25.7 lbs so fairly similar. I feel the same about the weight of mine, although the reviews mentioned the stock wheels were heavy. I've not weighed them though.
These frames look great,
Very itchy trigger finger..
Any real world experience in terms of sizing?
I'm 6'3" normally take a 19" -20" mtb, hesitant to get an xl plug in case it is too long..
Cheers!
Joe
A clement xplor MSO 700 x 40c fits and spins, but theres only a few mm of clearance either side at the chain stay. A buckled rim might be a ride-ender.
Also the chain stay and seat stay bridges are also too close for comfort (no chance of guards and very little mud clearance).
Realistically a 35c in the mud is all you would want to run. You would probably get a mudguard in for road use with a 35.
A shame really as there is bags of width at the seat stays and it would be dead easy to DIY crimp the chain stays for more room there.
Just the bridges are too close for comfort for a 700 x 40c. Still its a bargain frame for commute/cx/adventure, just maybe not monster cross!
Having said that, if you run a 650B wheelset, wearing 650b x 40 gives a similar rolling radius to 700x28 and the frame would have enough clearance with the tyre in that position (5mm either side?). A 650b x 50 (650 2" mtb) would leave plenty clearance at the bridges, but you would want to DIY crimp the chain stays to get 5mm clearance:
