Alliance ti allroad 9/1/19 wearing gravel shoes p4

[teleguy57]

Man, this photo stuff is frustrating! Sorry about the dissappearing pic. Google photos doesn't want to play nice. Photo was up all day yesterday, now it's not.
Sheesh! Will have it up as soon as it's working.

edited: Ok, seems to be working now from flickr; here it is again (original post w/comments here) as we've gone to a 3rd page.

[PaMtbRider]

That looks fantastic. Can't wait to see it all dirty and get a ride report.

[Andy sti]

Jeff, the bike is amazing! Seems great with a road tire too. Max tire 35ish?

[teleguy57]

Thanks Andy and all for the comments!

Erik and I talked about 38s; the Columbus Futura Gravel is supposed to take 38-40s depending on which copy you read. I don't see myself going bigger than the GravelKings SK 35s I'll have on Ailerons for my mixed surface wheels. Pics with those too when the build is done.

[12snap]

I am usually not a fan of tan wall tires but this bike has me coming around on them. I think it's because of the small gold accents you have on it. They help the tires not stand out so much. Beautiful!

[XXtwindad]

Looks great! I thought Pete's 333Fab might've inspired your color scheme

[teleguy57]

Yes! Conversations via email/PM with both @hellgate (Pete) and @elitevelo (Eric) about bikes they posted (333fab and Legend) and took inspiration from both. So many drool-worthy bikes!

The connection with Pete was cool as Max welded my ti Hampsten Gran Paradiso.

[teleguy57]

Finally! Shakedown ride today. Told my wife I'd be 30-45 minutes, 3 hours later she looked at the grin on my face and said, "so you like it..."

You how when people say "the bike disappears beneath me" it sounds trite? Well, perhaps trite but I can't think of a better way to say it. Assembled everything and set position by Erik's drawing. Got on the bike and every part of my body felt like it was exactly where it belonged. Didn't think about handling after the first minute. About 30 minutes in I rotated the bars down half a degree or so, slid the saddle back 2mm and tilted it down oh-so-very-little.

The ride? Smooooooth, yet felt solid and got up and went when I wanted it to. I just don't get how a bike can feel so solid with no perception of flex anywhere and yet be so comfortable. I'll credit Erik's geometry, tube selection, construction, and give a bit to the Vlaanderens on Bora One 35s too.

Have to change out the headset spacers and trim the steerer, and probably change out the ilinks as they're a bit too orangy-gold vs yellow gold. Have a carbon Trentacinque bar coming in from @StephenCL and will swap out the aluminum and do a little acetone work on the new bar to remove the excess gaudy from the bar graphics. Eager to get the GravelKing 35SKs set up (on Ailerons built by our very own OldPotatoe) and get on some mixed surfaces.

Color me Belgian Blue and one happy camper!

[Andy sti]

Awesome Jeff! Erik knows geo and how to make a bike feel great. Glad to hear today’s ride was a success.

[saab2000]

Outstanding! As they say.... "Just my size!"

Looking forward to seeing it in person and checking out the H11.

J

[Powerful Pete]

Very very nice. Any comments on the H11 braking?

[teleguy57]

Originally Posted by Powerful Pete

Very very nice. Any comments on the H11 braking?

Haven't given it much of a workout yet. Went through bedding in; rear is dead silent, a little noise with the front but i think the rotor needs s slight tweak. Good modulation, not just on or off. Looking forward to hitting some downhill speed and seeing how they slow down this fat butt.

[charliedid]

Super nice.

[d_douglas]

Everything about that bike is good - including Campy and disc brakes.

I had Potenza for a short period of time and thought it was excellent.

[AllianceBicycle]

The bike turned out great Jeff. Nice job on the build! Thanks for the ride report, looking forward to more pictures.