Ivan's V20C

Ivan_Liew

Member
I have hung up my Silvio 2.0 after 12 years and am now loving my V20c. I was fortunate to get the frameset (and wheels) second hand but basically brand new as someone else bought it as his first bent but never built it up, abandoning the idea of learning to ride the bike. Though my Silvio 2.0 (30 deg not 40 deg like S40) is similar, it still took me a few hundred kilometers to get as comfortable on it again. I will still cut about 4cm off the bar ends and shorten the brake cables but am already very happy with it. I won't go through the build just highlight a few choices that others may find useful.

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GROUPSET: I purchased SRAM AXS Force 2 x 12 speed (e2) with 50-34 chainring and 10-34 cassette, 160mm cranks - all SRAM stock. It's been great with zero chain drops. I am happy with this gearing choice as I can leave it in the big chainring most of the time and ride the bike as a 1x. With the SRAM lever changing style, this is really nice. I wanted the lower range so I can load some luggage and take this touring (that will be a future post as I am planning this and figuring out my luggage setup now).

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WHEELS: The wheels are Fulcrum 80mm but the previous owner had taken the decals off one so I had to do a full rebadging and decided I liked the silver grey of the ZIPP logos. I am using RideNow TPU tubes and purchased an inexpensive battery tire inflator. After doing some research I think I don't have to worry too much about the heat melting the plastic valve stems, especially if I give it a little cooling time and that only when I am inflating from a full flat.

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HEADREST: I tried the suspension adjustable headrest but found what worked the best for me was to use the cushion from that attached directly to the stock headrest. I attached this with zip ties, which gives the right about of stability and movement. I also really like the minimal look as compared to the stock cushion. I would suggest that Cruzbike considers selling just the cushion for this purpose! Note that I am 173cm 5'7" and have my headrest adjusted such that it supports only the base of my skull. I never liked the stock headrest touching my neck.

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LIGHT MOUNT: I was very pleased with how the light mount turned out. I have the Cruzbike light mount and stub but this is a much cleaner and more compact solution for me. I use lights with the Garmin mount so purchased an inexpensive mount signed to bolt onto a handlebar clamp from AliExpress (LINK HERE). Since Garmin mount devices must be rotated 90 deg this compact MagicShine Allty 400 is a perfect fit.

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HYDRATION & REAR LIGHT: I don't see other riders use this setup but I have been very happy with it for the past 12 years on my Silvio and still adopt the same. These are Topeak CageMounts and Lezyne cages. The Topeak CageMounts position the cages just far back enough to clear the headrest. I use these specific cages as they have a horizontal piece over which my Cygolites can clip. I use a small ship on the Topeak Cagements to make my cages horizontal as the V20c headrest tubes are not vertical.

SADDLE BAG: The clearance is much tighter under the V20c so my previous saddle bag wouldn't fit. Another AliExpress purchase - Sahoo Saddle Bag - managed to fit. The key is holding it further up the headrest rails which I did some grippy straps. This took some fiddling before I found away so it would not slide down and touch the wheel.

INTERNAL CABLING WISH LIST: I do wonder why the V20c frame does not have internal cable routing hole for the rear brake to go into the head tube and come up where the front brake is routed. Just a slight change in the headset would make this possible and the cables cleaner without possibility of touching one's left leg.
 
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