I am thinking about getting a Vendetta. I don´t know if i need a standard or large chainstay to achieve similar bb/seat height difference as on my current M5 TiCa. It has the height difference of about 8,5" (22cm). My x-seam is 42" (107cm) and i use 140mm cranks. Any advice ?
Yeah that was quick, you went from thinking about it to riding it, very quickly. I'm the same way btw, my pondering is usually a few hours before I've talked myself into it. Nice to get a pic too, you will fit in just fine. Yep, not so difficult after all. For me I did the same thing, spent half an hour in the parking lot and was ready to roll. It should be noted however, how much time in the parking lot is defined by each persons ability, present and future. Fast adapter may only need minutes in the parking lot, others many need more time.Well, i do not tend to use too much time pondering about changing a bike, but this was fast even for me. I got the V20 frameset from Cycles Bentoline, France (i'm in Finland, btw), ordered some parts (from Germany, prices are about 50% cheaper there than in Finland) and used many parts from the TiCa. Today i got the build ready.
I was of course excited to see if it is as difficult as "they" say. For me it wasn´t, for some reason, i did ride 50km already. First i tried to follow the instructions for learning the bike, but it didn´t feel like my thing. The more i tried to think about how it should be done, the more difficult it seemed. So, i thought i´ll just try and ride somewhere, and so i head for the road. The riding isn´t so relaxed yet of course, but it will come with time.
After the first day i like the bike very much already.
Oh, can´t analyze the BB height so critically yet, but it seems just fine, some 8cm lower than on TiCa.View attachment 2682
Congrats! Some people just hop on and ride, it seems a majority need a nontrivial amount of practice, and a few never manage to ride. You look pretty comfortable.
Did a 95km ride today. Hands got a bit tired, i still pull too much with them. I even feel the use of the hands in my upper back a few hours after the ride.
The course was a bit hilly at some parts and i got some proof of it´s climbing abilities I also got to experience tyre slippage at two of the steepest hills. I had always thought that would only appear in the stories of the "big boys"... But i got up the hill anyway.
Two 28 wheels sure smooth the road imperfections well!
Next i should start looking into ways to carry spare parts, water etc. I have now carried things in some old radicaldesign bags, but they don´t fit too well. First thing is to order the headrest cage mount kit i guess. I also asked cruzbike (via their website´s form, is it working ? they didn´t answer my questions earlier...) about getting a spare slider clamp. The bolt on my clamp had somehow got stuck, when i removed it with force the detent on the "tubular nut" (is that english...) eat away some material from the clamp before the bolt snapped and i got to replace it. Hopefully they can send me a spare at the same time with the mount kit It is holding well, the damage isn´t so bad, but it would be nice to have that in perfect condition. I thougth about fixing a proper hand pump under the seat with Sugru and powerful magnets, has anyone tried that ?
Now i´ll have a break in riding it until Monday.
Way to go Niko - You are looking great - keep up the good riding and be safe!
p.s. Niko's old M5 TiCa is one of my "test bike subjects" now too! Man that was a BIG box from Finland!