Rolling Along
Well-Known Member
Sorry to hear. New blips in the future?
What did you do to your Cruzbike today?
- Thread starter RojoRacing
- Start date
Boreen bimbler
Well-Known Member
What are the Berd spokes like to build? I always found them interesting but thought they might be a bit of a nightmare and keep falling off while lacing.
Edit. I just watched their build video on youtube. Very interesting. Looks like it can take about 3 days to get it finished with waiting for the spokes to stretch. I like the look and idea but not sure I'd want the build hassle when it's so easy with metal spokes. Although, your hubs look like they are made for the job. I'm sure they perform perfectly well and would be interested to hear how they go for you.
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Frito Bandito
Zen MBB Master
Yeah, I am sure I will get a new set of those if I can find 'em on sale, or maybe get a newer AXS version if SRAM comes out them. Hopefully ones I can change the battery in without breaking out the Dremel tool lol.
The Blip clips have always been kinda suspect on those Deda bars because the grip section is a slightly bigger diameter than the TT bars that the Blips were designed for. Sadly, my velcro and electrical tape attempt to keep them mounted securely was always kinda wobbly. Since I have bar end brake levers I can't use any of the 3D printed ones that fasten them in the bar ends so while it is overall a very light system it does have some cons. The other of which is that there really isn't an ergonomic feel when wrapping my hands around the front for more power. The new bars will be good for a long while I think.
Frito Bandito
Zen MBB Master
Yeppers! Those are the ones. The ¥ rate now means that they cost 50% more than the first pair I bought in shops here, but I can occasionally find a NOS or display models on one of the Japan only websites. I might just glue the next set on lol
Greg S
Well-Known Member
On the topic of “what did you do to your Cruzbike today”.
I rode my V20c today after riding my S40 exclusively for a week or so. It was extremely twitchy, I was all over the road. It eventually settled down a bit after I “acclimated” to it somewhat but even at the end of my 30k ride it still felt very unstable.
I added (no exaggeration) .5” of tiller (moved the boom .5” toward me with the corresponding adjustment of the lower part of the boom to keep the x-seam the right length). Took a short ride and was amazed at the transformation that such a tiny adjustment made.
I’ll close by saying don’t, under any circumstances, give up on tweaking until it feels perfect to you. Small adjustments can make a huge difference.
I rode my V20c today after riding my S40 exclusively for a week or so. It was extremely twitchy, I was all over the road. It eventually settled down a bit after I “acclimated” to it somewhat but even at the end of my 30k ride it still felt very unstable.
I added (no exaggeration) .5” of tiller (moved the boom .5” toward me with the corresponding adjustment of the lower part of the boom to keep the x-seam the right length). Took a short ride and was amazed at the transformation that such a tiny adjustment made.
I’ll close by saying don’t, under any circumstances, give up on tweaking until it feels perfect to you. Small adjustments can make a huge difference.
Frito Bandito
Zen MBB Master
I hear that Greg. I usually go over my V20 at the very least once a year, and I'll surely do it in a month or so, and TBH even though I mark everything so that I can assemble it back to exactly how it was before I am a little worried that it'll be off a bit and throw all my configurations off lol.
With that said, my hand position is a tad higher with the new bars and brifters than with my old TT bars so going through the narrow gates I normally go through easily was a notch up on the pucker factor today.
With that said, my hand position is a tad higher with the new bars and brifters than with my old TT bars so going through the narrow gates I normally go through easily was a notch up on the pucker factor today.
RojoRacing
Donut Powered Wise-guy
Rode it for the first time down to the local park for its beauty pics before I start adding on all the everyday accessories, install the THOR seat, and build my underseat storage case. This thing rolls so quietly with that Onyx Vesper sprag clutch freehub, it's just such a pleasant experience. I also submitted a picture to GCN Tech, so those of you who watch it regularly keep an eye out for and chime in if you see it appear.
RojoRacing
Donut Powered Wise-guy
25.0 lbs as you see it, which ain't bad for 32mm tires. It'll be closer to 27lbs once I've finished the RojoRacing bits of the build and added all the everyday use accessories.
Frito Bandito
Zen MBB Master
Hope it makes the show Rojo. What are you going to do for the area under the seat, and are you going to put a tail bag or box on it?
RojoRacing
Donut Powered Wise-guy
Changed out most bolts to titanium and started fabrication of the underseat burrito box.
Boreen bimbler
Well-Known Member
Some of us are so weird. That bottle of bolts is a thing of beauty. 
Frito Bandito
Zen MBB Master
You know, if you spin it just right....Some of us are so weird. That bottle of bolts is a thing of beauty.
RojoRacing
Donut Powered Wise-guy
Almost finished the burrito box...sorry I mean aero box. All I have left is the little velcro piece to keep it closed when stuffed. I included a standard 16' tape measure to give impression of size. I moved the hatch to the right this time to give more real-estate on the left side for a big cruzbike sticker visible to other road users. I figure if I ever enter another event, the camera car generally takes pictures from your left.
I slightly regret using glossy carbon since its easier to see small imperfections. If I do it again ill go back to a matte finish.
I guess i could fill it with a bunch of small round balls to calculate actual storage capacity. That would give an idea how it compares to other storage solutions.
I slightly regret using glossy carbon since its easier to see small imperfections. If I do it again ill go back to a matte finish.
I guess i could fill it with a bunch of small round balls to calculate actual storage capacity. That would give an idea how it compares to other storage solutions.
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Greg S
Well-Known Member
I'm curious about the Berd spokes/wheels. I see you used the Onyx vesper hubs. Did you build the wheels yourself or buy them from Berd? Also (and perhaps more important), if you've had a chance to do some rides on them how do they compare with "regular" carbon wheels in terms of ride quality?
A rough comparison with other CF wheels I have shows the Berd Sparrow with Onyx hubs to be 300-400 grams lighter (claimed weight) which puts it in the "interesting but not life changing" category although I know from experience that weight savings typically don't come in multi-pound chunks but rather a few grams here and there - aside from the rider of course ;-)
At any rate, I'd appreciate any thoughts you have about the wheels.
A rough comparison with other CF wheels I have shows the Berd Sparrow with Onyx hubs to be 300-400 grams lighter (claimed weight) which puts it in the "interesting but not life changing" category although I know from experience that weight savings typically don't come in multi-pound chunks but rather a few grams here and there - aside from the rider of course ;-)
At any rate, I'd appreciate any thoughts you have about the wheels.
RojoRacing
Donut Powered Wise-guy
I've only ridden the bike for a couple of miles for tuning purposes, so I can't give an opinion on ride feel yet, I'm still waiting for my Thor seat. I can however, tell you the silent Onyx hub is so pleasant to coast on, I can't wait to get my first proper silent mountain descent in. I should point out for those who didn't notice, I'm only running berd spokes on the none drive wheel, because that's the one I plan to run as a disc with my carbon wheel covers. I'm still using Sapim CX-Ray bladed spokes on the front because the benefit of bladed spokes at 25 mph should outweigh the weight savings of a non aero berd spoke. I also figured if there is a comfort factor gain with the berd spokes, my head directly above the rear wheel will feel it more than my legs and bum. I feel like Berd spokes will continue to struggle in the roadie scene because they are not aero, but they have a real place in the mtb scene where speeds are lower.
As far as weight, the Onxy drive hub is like 100g or heavier than almost any other equally priced hub, so the berd spokes basically offset that weight penalty. Moving 100g from the spokes to the hub should have an acceleration benefit because the weight is closer to the rotational center, not that anyone is sensitive enough to feel that. Wheels using Onxy hubs will never be lighter than their equal competitor, if you want reel weight saving you'd go berd or carbon spokes and something like DT swiss 240 hubs. I did exactly this for my purpose-built XC mtb race wheels and although extremely light, I regret not taking the 100g hit and going with a silent Onyx hub instead.
The really interesting thing will be comparing weight and ride feel on the disc wheel because normal disc wheels are not known for being lightweight and typically have a harsh feel due to their solid construction and narrow tire compatibility. My disc wheel has all the compliance of berd spokes and is the same weight(even with the covers on) as any other high-end 45mm carbon spokes wheel.
I've not built with Berd spokes myself, although I can and do build some of my wheels from scratch, it's not a task I enjoy. I trust the build quality I get from Light Bicycles, from whom I bought the wheels from, so I let them take care of it for me.
I'll report back with a ride review and maybe a video once the bike is complete with Thor seat and I've got some miles on it.
As far as weight, the Onxy drive hub is like 100g or heavier than almost any other equally priced hub, so the berd spokes basically offset that weight penalty. Moving 100g from the spokes to the hub should have an acceleration benefit because the weight is closer to the rotational center, not that anyone is sensitive enough to feel that. Wheels using Onxy hubs will never be lighter than their equal competitor, if you want reel weight saving you'd go berd or carbon spokes and something like DT swiss 240 hubs. I did exactly this for my purpose-built XC mtb race wheels and although extremely light, I regret not taking the 100g hit and going with a silent Onyx hub instead.
The really interesting thing will be comparing weight and ride feel on the disc wheel because normal disc wheels are not known for being lightweight and typically have a harsh feel due to their solid construction and narrow tire compatibility. My disc wheel has all the compliance of berd spokes and is the same weight(even with the covers on) as any other high-end 45mm carbon spokes wheel.
I've not built with Berd spokes myself, although I can and do build some of my wheels from scratch, it's not a task I enjoy. I trust the build quality I get from Light Bicycles, from whom I bought the wheels from, so I let them take care of it for me.
I'll report back with a ride review and maybe a video once the bike is complete with Thor seat and I've got some miles on it.
Boreen bimbler
Well-Known Member
I couldn't imagine not loving wheel building. I think it's the most satisfying job in cycling. Although looking into the Berd spokes they make it much more of a job.
Greg S
Well-Known Member
Fully agree. I’ve built 30-50 wheel sets and get a good deal of pleasure out of turning a pile of parts into a wheel. I’ve got a number of wheels that I’ve built that have more than 20k miles on them and I’ve not laid a spoke wrench to them since I built them. Very satisfying.
Boreen bimbler
Well-Known Member
I did work experience in a bike shop in 1986 and it's the best thing I learned there. I do tend to be a little OCD so wheels suit me.....as long as the join in the rim is good.
