Another Silvio to be born!

[Danielpeper]

Hey guys,
My Silvio frame came by UPS yesterday. After checking for components, I decided to have the LBS order the parts and build the frame and put the components on. (I get to watch!) Ordered all Ultegra 6600, with a 50-34t 10-speed 175mm crankset, Ultegra 6600 hubs with Velocity Fusion Black rims, WTB Mountain Road Bar. ( He recommended the compact double for me: I'm 6'5" and 220 lbs.The parts should be in by Friday; hopefully I can ride then. Kinda in a hurry; this is the best weather of the year in SE Michigan and I can't wait to enjoy it on this bike. Plus, when you are retired, you never know how much time you got left!
Ciao,
Daniel

 

[Mark B]

Danielpeper wrote: Hey guys,
My Silvio frame came by UPS yesterday. After checking for components, I decided to have the LBS order the parts and build the frame and put the components on. (I get to watch!) Ordered all Ultegra 6600, with a 50-34t 10-speed 175mm crankset, Ultegra 6600 hubs with Velocity Fusion Black rims, WTB Mountain Road Bar. ( He recommended the compact double for me: I'm 6'5" and 220 lbs.The parts should be in by Friday; hopefully I can ride then. Kinda in a hurry; this is the best weather of the year in SE Michigan and I can't wait to enjoy it on this bike. Plus, when you are retired, you never know how much time you got left!
Ciao,
Daniel

Do like Cycleguy, put it on a trainer this winter and keep fit for spring. Just don't forget that it's backwards to how you would think it should go in the trainer. Right John?

Mark

 

[Danielpeper]

I am having second thoughts about choosing the compact double over the triple. Should I pick the triple? My area is fairly flat, but I plan on doing some traveling and riding hilly terrain. My goal is to increase my fitness, and so I will aim for cardiovascular gains and not sheer performance.
Daniel

 

[Mark B]

Danielpeper wrote: I am having second thoughts about choosing the compact double over the triple. Should I pick the triple? My area is fairly flat, but I plan on doing some traveling and riding hilly terrain. My goal is to increase my fitness, and so I will aim for cardiovascular gains and not sheer performance.
Daniel

I'd go triple for both reasons. Compact doubles are for climbing, more than sheer speed. Triples give you both the low end wall crawler gear and the top end, take no prisoners gear. But, I'm weird like that and compact doubles are all the rage. All the cool kids have them and I'm just a Fred.

Mark

 

[Robert Stewart]

That setup sounds good, although you might want to get shorter cranks if they are available.

I use a compact double (50/34) setup on my Silvio, and that works just fine. I stay on the 50 (and above 1 at the back) for my entire commute to work, which is rolling and has a few stops at lights. I only very rarely drop onto the 34 on very steep hills and am seriously considering going down to a single chainring at the front. That's just me though, and I am definitely in the minority here on my gearing thoughts...

Incidentally, I ran a tripple on my upright road bike and spent nearly the whole time on the middle ring.

For reference, Iam 5'11 and about 9 stone (126 lbs).

Hope that helps,
Rob

 

[Mark B]

Incidentally, I ran a tripple on my upright road bike and spent nearly the whole time on the middle ring.[/QUOTE]

+1 I'm so used to running on the 42 that I have a hard time getting used to anything else. I shift up to the 52 on flats and downhills where I'm going full-tilt boogie. For just cruising, though, I ride the 42. I use my small ring only on steep hills and there are times when I really and truly need it.

Robert Stewart wrote: For reference, Iam 5'11 and about 9 stone (126 lbs).

Hope that helps,
Rob

I'm 6' and closer to a couple boulders.

Seriously, compact doubles are all the rage, like I said. They have better low end and lower top end than a standard 39-52 double. If you ran shorter cranks, you would probably get back into the realm of a 39-52 gear-inch-wise and have the top end, but not enough bottem end to tackle tougher hills. I don't understand why so many people have issues with triples. It's one extra chainring and five chainring bolts, I can live with that. The only way I would use a double on my bike (and I am considering it) would be with a mega range cassette on the back and a mountain bike rear derailleur. I'm not a huge fan of the jump to the pie plate cog in the back, but it works as a bail out. Like I sai, I am considering it, but having a hard time getting used to the different gear combinations. I like my 42 most of the time.

Mark

 

[Cruzn Trav 1]

I have ultegra triple 10 speed 53 42 30 & 11-23 with 165mm cranks
This works very well for me
Wouldn't hurt to go 12-27 cassette if you intend to do some climbing
Go the triple

 

[Danielpeper]

Hey guys!
I ordered the Shimano Ultegra the compact 50-34t with 175mm crank, and the bike is built. It looks great, but it needs to be adjusted for my legs tomorrow. When the guy put the bike together, he moved the crank out a bit too far for me. The front derailleur rubs on the chain on certain settings. I hope that this problem can be cleared up by moving the crank inwards.
If anyone who is using a compact double crank Shimano Ultegra set-up and could give me some tips on adjusting, then I would be appreciative.
Since we occassionally get days of nothing but rain or snow here in Michigan, is there an indoor trainer that best fits the Silvio? And how close should the handlebars be to the rider? A comfortable reach? By the way, I noticed that some of the Silvios are shod with 28 width tires, but they rubbed on the frame when we tried them. Dropped to a 25 width; hope that works for general road use.
Thanks,
Daniel

PS I know it will take me some time to learn to ride the Silvio, with all that weight on the front. i am sure that cleats will be of good use, but want to make sure I am comfortable with them before I ride in traffic.

 

[Mark B]

Danielpeper wrote: How close should the handlebars be to the rider? A comfortable reach?

I like my handlebars low. When I built Silvio II, I but the TFT clamp on first, then the small spacer, the large and finally the cap. I have 2.75" between the top clamp on the TFT and the welded part the handlebar mounts too. With this setup, the bar just clears my knees and I may get a tick now and then.

When the LBS adjusts the front end for you, make sure they loosen all the points so that the carboyoke remains flat. You don't want any flex in those.

Mark