Project Sauron

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Davywalnuts

Davywalnuts

Chief Kebab Taster
Location
Staines!
Well, one bike to rule them all... And so, I have a new bike project.

I am in a quandary and need help and suggestions please. I have set ideas about certain stuff, but the main element, the frame, I am stuck on.

I have too many bikes and want to scale down two of them to one. This being my Spesh E5 road bike and my Dawes Super Galaxy. So, I want/need a bike, that is light, nimble, fast, but can also be comfy, weather proof and can tour on. This will cover the majority of my miles.

I want to be able to take 700x28c tyres, which I am sure fits the above requirements jointly. Drop bars. Full length mudguards. Rack mounts. And... Di2 Alfine 11 speed hub gears. So, rear spacing would be, what, 143mm? Push come to shove, I may be willing to do normal derailleur set up, but, this is the last option I would change.

I will be going dyno-hub front and I already impulsively brought 1 1/8th carbon canti touring forks. But, these I can always sell. I like carbon forks. Am not keen on steel forks. I don't mind too much frame material, but, lightness would be a priority.

I don't and wont race so I don't need to fit that thoroughbred requirement, but I like to go fast. I will be progressing more to long comfy distance and touring more over the years, but when the bike is stripped, I don't want it to feel sluggish..

This will be a big but slow project. However, I would like one bike, that can do everything, is quick, comfy with very little maintenance.

I have thought about a Van Nicholas Pioneer frame, as, this, I think, does everything above, but is more of pure touring mold. But, I need other options/ideas. Please, thank you.
 
Rickshaw Phil

Rickshaw Phil

Overconfidentii Vulgaris
Moderator
Location
Shrewsbury, Shropshire
:hello: I don't know about which frame to suggest but I'd have thought the Van Nicholas would be a good choice.

Regarding the gears, I believe that Di2 and Alfine are different things. Shimano don't show an electric shift version of Alfine on their website.

The Alfine 11 speed hub gear has a 135mm over lock nut measurement so will fit any frame with spacing for cassette gears (Specs here). A chain tensioner will be required for frames with vertical dropouts.

I hope this helps a bit. Good luck with the project.:thumbsup:
 
OP
OP
Davywalnuts

Davywalnuts

Chief Kebab Taster
Location
Staines!
Hi and thanks for the help.

Here is the link I've seen for the Alfine Di2 http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/advancedsearch.aspx?Term=Alfine di2 and I have to admit, I really like it. I've read the reviews and I think for a low maintenance, neat looking bike, it will suit me just fine..Baring, which I am reading more, is the efficiency reduction and stress load levels compared with a derailleur set up.. I, am quite harsh in a riding style and I think, maybe, when I am much older and dont rag a bike as much, this would be perfect as am worried I would destroy a hub gear.. The idea behind the Van Nic Pioneer frame with a hub gear is the Eccentric Bottom Bracket design which negates the need for a tensioner and so keeps the looks clean.

I think, actually talking about this in the open helps my own thinking, in a therapeutic way, and I think I've made my mind up to go for a Van Nic Amazon frame with a derailleur set up. The frame being one that is sporty but I can also tour with. Well, thats the thinking anyhow.

Thank you
 
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