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I trimmed down my bikes to 2 last year - a hardtail (Seven Sola) and an all round gravel/road bike (Seven Evergreen).
I love both bikes. The hardtail is everything I need in a mountain bike. The aim was that with a set of road wheels and tyres the Evergreen would be everything I need in a road bike. In reality that hasn't quite worked out.
I have the Evergreen set up with a 1 x SRAM AXS mullet build, 38mm tyres and mudguards. As a winter bike and gravel bike it is perfect. As an out and out road bike, it just doesn't work. Despite putting me in a great position on the bike, the clearances are too big, the wheelbase too long, it feels heavy and the gearing jumps are too wide.
So I have been building the parts for a road bike for a few months. No surprise that it's titanium. Interesting following the 'Seriously Overpriced Bikes' thread that with careful sourcing and a dip into the spares bin I built this up brand new for less than the price of an Ultegra equipped Specialized with alloy wheels.
First ride today, and it flies compared to the Evergreen. The coronavirus meant that I had the roads to myself out here in the Surrey Hills. Glad I had already assembled the parts as I wouldn't have dreamt of starting this project right now with everything that's going on.
Since I have a little more time at home right now, my next project is to try the Oz Cycle chain waxing method over the coming days to see if it is worth the hassle. For the moment, I am looking forward to a few local rides on quiet roads.
Frame - Litespeed T5 Disc
Fork - ENVE Road 2.0 Disc
Headset - Chris King Inset 8
Chainset - SRAM Red AXS
Bottom Bracket - Wheels Manufacturing PF30 DUB
Pedals - Shimano Dura Ace
Front Derailleur - SRAM Red AXS
Rear Derailleur - SRAM Red AXS
Shifters - SRAM Red AXS HRD
Brakes - SRAM Red AXS HRD
Chain - SRAM Red AXS
Cassette - SRAM Red AXS (10 / 33)
Wheels - DT Swiss ARC 1400
Tyres - Continental GP5000 TL (28mm)
Stem - Fizik R1
Bars - Fizik Cyrano R1 Bull (420mm)
Seatpost - Fizik R3
Saddle - Specialized S Works Power
Bottle Cages - King Titanium
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Nice looking steed, very clean. I think a lot of people overlook the need for a road bike. Next thing you’ll want “need” a carbon aero one. 😉
Seems a little tasteless talking new kit right now with all the suffering but I guess this is a bike site after all.
Despite having an increasingly aero shape myself, I never got along with plastic bikes. Something simple and timeless about a metal bike.
Going back to that ‘Seriously Overpriced Bikes’ thread, a titanium bike doesn’t really have a model year, can be repaired and reworked to accept new standards and despite the initial outlay tends to look less dated as time and trends go by.
Love my Sevens, but this Litespeed rides very nicely. Kind of a middle ground in terms of price between a Planet X type and something boutique like a Seven or Moots. Not many about either but highly recommended.
Yeah that’s one thing I like about ti bikes, they do look timeless... there’s lots on crc or at least there was. I’d eventually like a nice ti or steel frame to build up as my “winter bike”, but not got enough parts lying around yet.