The Super V15

[M.J]

Master builder @Rob Lloyd and I have been talking about the possibility of me caretaking his homebuilt MBB, the "Super V15" for a while and we finally managed to get together for the exchange this weekend.
First impressions: what a fantastic build! Great attention to detail. The bike is considerably lower than a V20, which I think is great, and the seat is more reclined. Very racy!
I took yesterday and this morning to tune and tweak things to my preference, including swapping on some 28mm tires which just barely fit, along with a couple of bags, a mirror, and a bottle holder. I intend to ride this bike!
I've taken it around the neighborhood for about 5 miles and find it really nice to ride. I had been without a MBB bike since I sold my V20 over a year ago, but had no trouble getting reaclimated. I clipped in first thing and pedaled away like I had never stopped riding MBB.
Updates to this post will follow as I get some miles on.

 

[cruzKurt]

Thanks for sharing, beautiful bike, interested to see how the performance is.

 

[M.J]

My position on the bike, because things go better with context. This looks very similar to the position I had on my V20, but my arms are more bent. Looks fast! First real ride should go down today.

 

[Frito Bandito]

Looking forward to seeing the results MJ. The crank looks something like a 55t or 56t? Are you going to go with those wheels as well? How about a power meter?

 

[M.J]

It is a 55t ring, 12-34 cassette.
The bike is definitely crying out for some deep section carbon wheels, but they're not in the budget. The wheels that are on it are sturdy and serviceable, but heavy and slow.
No real interest in adding a power meter. They're fun to play with, but ultimately, what you can do is what you can do. I feel like often people get limited by a power meter because they see a number and say "I shouldn't go over this" or "this is my limit" and then never get any stronger because they don't push through.

 

[Frito Bandito]

That's a big pie in front. I like it. I hear ya on wheels being out of the budget these days. The prices have gotten ridiculous. When used properly a PM is a great training tool, but it's not that difficult for the newness to wear off and it just becomes something else that lightened your wallet and you have to worry about it having a battery or being recharged.

 

[Flying Dutchman]

Beautiful bike. Looking forward to hearing how it compares to the Vendetta.

Interesting how the chain stays are mounted on the front fork. That will make changing wheel at the front a lot easier

 

[M.J]

Beautiful bike. Looking forward to hearing how it compares to the Vendetta.

Interesting how the chain stays are mounted on the front fork. That will make changing wheel at the front a lot easier

So much easier!
I'm sure there's a reason why a CB front triangle has to completely fall apart for you to remove the wheel, but this way is much better for the user.

 

[M.J]

75 miles on the new bike so far this week.
First impressions:
It's remarkably comfortable! The steel has just enough spring in it to help absorb road chatter without feeling soft under power. And the Thor seat is great, as always.
I find the bike very easy to ride. I took it through town today on city streets, bike paths, and sidewalks. It was perfectly fine. I really like a MBB for this kind of riding, even a very racy one. I wouldn't even consider doing this on a RWD bike that had this bike's specs. It steers and handles great and doesn't get knocked off line by small mid-corner bumps like my V20 did.
Pretty fast so far. It needs a deep section, bladed-spoke front wheel and a disc cover in the rear. I'll probably do the rear soon because it's cheap and easy, the front will have to wait.

 

[LarryOz]

No real interest in adding a power meter. They're fun to play with, but ultimately, what you can do is what you can do. I feel like often people get limited by a power meter because they see a number and say "I shouldn't go over this" or "this is my limit" and then never get any stronger because they don't push through.

I can hear you, but imho - there is no way you can truly compare this model to any another bike (or model) to get a true idea if it is faster or not. Persieved effort and HR are limted and inacurate for the kind of testing needed. I can see where you can give an opinion of comfort and rideability - but everyone really wants to know if it is faster or not. The only real way to do that is side by side tests with the same components run a loop course, at the same, with power.

 

[M.J]

I totally agree with you, Larry. One cannot definitively say if a bike is faster than another bike without power data.
I'm not the testing enthusiast that you are, though, and wouldn't be doing the type of testing you describe even if I did have a power meter. The important things to me are how much fun a bike is and how fast I go on it. Any other data will have to come from someone else.

 

[Bo6]

View attachment 17570
My position on the bike, because things go better with context. This looks very similar to the position I had on my V20, but my arms are more bent. Looks fast! First real ride should go down today.

I love the look and particularly the design approach of the front end. The chain stay attachments looks simpler and easier to use and potentially lighter than Cruzbike approach. Looking forward to hearing more after you get a few molies on it.

 

[JerseyJim]

I'm sure there's a reason why a CB front triangle has to completely fall apart for you to remove the wheel, but this way is much better for the user.

The CB front triangle configuration is probably for stiffness, as every joint adds flex to a system. How much flex and in what direction are the questions needing answers to make a comparison. All that being said, I agree with the design being more convenient. This is similar to how my 2017 T50 front triangle is set up. Changing wheels on that is simple.

All this is academic, though. That bike looks cool. If is half as fun to ride as it looks, it doesn't matter if the front triangle is as stiff as a V20.

 

[JerseyJim]

View attachment 17570
My position on the bike, because things go better with context. This looks very similar to the position I had on my V20, but my arms are more bent. Looks fast! First real ride should go down today.

It appears from your eye line that you can just see above your toes or that your toes enter your main field of vision. Is that what you experience? If so, is it distracting?

 

[M.J]

It appears from your eye line that you can just see above your toes or that your toes enter your main field of vision. Is that what you experience? If so, is it distracting?

Toes and knees are definitely in my field of vision all the time. I'm used to it. My old V20 was that way, too. It's just part of it when a bike is set up for speed.

 

[M.J]

Rear disc cover and tailbox (which holds a Camelbak) installed, along with a new chain guide so that it doesn't throw the chain every time I shift into the three hardest gears.
The bike seems to have the potential to be pretty fast, I just need to get some miles on it. If I'm feeling all the way confident that it doesn't have any surprises for me, I'll be riding it in a 50 mile road race in three weeks.

 

[JerseyJim]

Rear disc cover and tailbox (which holds a Camelbak) installed, along with a new chain guide so that it doesn't throw the chain every time I shift into the three hardest gears.
The bike seems to have the potential to be pretty fast, I just need to get some miles on it. If I'm feeling all the way confident that it doesn't have any surprises for me, I'll be riding it in a 50 mile road race in three weeks.
View attachment 17616

Appropriate that you took the picture in front of a graveyard, because that thing is killer!

 

[M.J]

Now we're talking!
I got a really good deal on a set of Superteam 60mm deep carbon wheels. Now that they're on, along with a set of Conti GP5000s, we'll really see what this bike can do.

 

[Rob Lloyd]

I can hear you, but imho - there is no way you can truly compare this model to any another bike (or model) to get a true idea if it is faster or not. Persieved effort and HR are limted and inacurate for the kind of testing needed. I can see where you can give an opinion of comfort and rideability - but everyone really wants to know if it is faster or not. The only real way to do that is side by side tests with the same components run a loop course, at the same, with power.

I had brought this bike to RCC last year, Larry, hoping to get you to ride it and give me your impression. But, the CB shoppers had you busy!

 

[LarryOz]

I had brought this bike to RCC last year, Larry, hoping to get you to ride it and give me your impression. But, the CB shoppers had you busy!

Hey Rob - Sorry I did not have time - maybe some day. It truly is an amazing accomplishment!