This frame was designed to be compatible with all
the different types of shift levers currently available on the
market. You can even screw on old style down tube shift levers.
The only problem would be if you wanted to put the really
old style down tube levers that come riveted to a collar that
will be too small. But the ones Shimano has been selling these
last 15 years or so will be installed with ease.
It comes either in full chromoly, including the rear
triangle, with a chromoly fork that is the same colour as the
frame, or as a light (approx. 1630 grams) oversized aluminum frame
with an aluminum fork also the same colour as the frame.
CHROME-MOLYBDENUM
VERSION
The steel chromoly version is straight gauge, tig-welded,
non-oversized, non-sloping and rather compact. I prefer having
a compact as the solution to steel frame rigidity instead going
to a thick and heavy tubeset like Columbus SP because it is lighter
and less expensive, and is usually more efficient anyway. As a
bonus, you get better clearance when standing over the top tube.
Use this frame with whatever transmission components you feel
like having, from small mountain bike chainrings all the way to
big 53 tooth road parts. The seat collar on this frame was inverted
towards the front in order to avoid dirt projection from the rear
wheel. As you may have already understood, it is compatible with
all the usual types of handlebar. 28 or 32 mm wide tires will
help you be faster, but it is able to take up to 40 mm.
As its aluminum counterpart, it is a multi-purpose
frame that can do just about everything except what is usually
done only with a mountain bike or a road racing bike. Although
I don’t suggest any violent behavior, it is more able to survive
direct blows or carelessness (such as airport baggage handling)
than any aluminum frame. Just keep in mind that warranty doesn’t
cover those kinds of regrettable incidents…
The aluminum version is quite impressive. First, because
of its lightness. I make it a point of not warning people in advance
when I put one of these frames in their hands. Just watch their
surprise : they just don’t expect that lightness. If they’re
not surprised, it is usually because they are familiar with modern
lightweight frames. On the road, it translates in a willingness
to accelerate and climb that will only be matched and surpassed
by a good racing frame. It also has a lack or inertia that is
typical of all lightweight frames, regardless of the material
they are made out of. 28 or 32 mm wide tires will let you get
the most out of this frame, although it is compatible with wider
tires like the steel version. It is more rigid than the latter,
being very oversized, especially on the downtube. In spite of
this rigidity, it is comfortable, contrary to that simplistic
and obsolete opinion that says that aluminum frames are always
uncomfortable. That is due to the fact that the tubeset is subtle
and tweaked. I could have had a simpler tubeset that would have
been cheaper and still be aluminum. But I think that is not wise
because then the frame is almost as heavy as a double butted chromoly
frame without enjoying its advantages. Just avoid uncomfortable
tires with a rigid casing or extremely high pressure tires (130
psi and above). People tend to underestimate the fact that tires
(and the level of pressure you put in them) can have as much impact
on comfort as the frame itself. Sometimes even more.
The look this frame will give to your bicycle is not
discreet. Don’t buy this if you are a retro-grouch. It is modern,
fast and has the looks that go with that. The matte black colour
will be more understated and the electric blue will appeal to
those who want an aesthetically pleasing bicycle. Being a light
frame, I do not recommend it to people above 90 kilograms (200
pounds). Women who have a hard time keeping up with the ones they
ride with because they use a slow bike will enjoy this frame.
Just keep it light by avoiding heavy parts and non-vital accessories.
A light frame is not enough to make a light bike. The efforts
have to be made in all steps of the building process, and even
beyond.
