Keep an OPEN Min.D -- XL

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by PortlyPuncheur

Sorry for the OT, but this caught my eye. Any particular model of Selle SMP? Or are they all like this? I'm looking to get my saddle a bit more rearward, so might be worth a try. And, of course, the search for the perfect saddle never ends.

Great looking ride, Clean. Hope you enjoy getting it fully dialed.

The classic SMP saddles, the Composit and Forma line, generally sit you 10-15mm further back than most "normal" road saddles, all else equal.. so, some say if you are using a normal saddle on a 25mm setback post, you can go to a zero setback post with an SMP, with a bit of rearward bias - or if you keep the 25mm setback post, can get more setback than a normal saddle at the same relative point on the rails. SMP saddles also have a lot more usable range on their rails, so you can reliably move them around more, assuming you have a good solid seatpost/rails interface (some side-clamping posts are too weak).

I'm trying a Full Carbon Lite and Forma once they arrive from Sie Germans (Bike24). The OPEN Min.D MOCT clamp has like 7mm of setback on a 72.5-STA - and if running an SMP gives me an extra 10-15mm rearward bias on that, plus room to go another 10mm back on the rails, that could/should bring it in range. I like riding unpadded SMPs and can probably do well with them on fatter tires to take out the impedence.. the only downside is not being able to ooch up on steep climbs as easily given the shape of the saddle. Good, bad, not sure. Experimentation is in order - and work with a fitter to get me in a truly sustainable position on this bike (assuming it can be done).

[PortlyPuncheur]

Awesome response, thank you! Look forward to following your progress. I'm kind of surprised they don't offer that MOCT in more than one setback.

[geordanh]

Been enjoying following this one. Where you at with the fit and the ride?

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by geordanh

Been enjoying following this one. Where you at with the fit and the ride?

Life has been a bit messy.. Developed some significant nerve pain issues that have kept me off the bike (outdoors) for three plus weeks, not that the smokey skies that turned to non-stop rain would have let me get out there anyway - plus moving across town, lots of work, etc.

So, updates have been slow going but here's what's in the works:

1. Extralite 120x6 Stem w Extralite Out-Front Mount.
2. SMP Full Carbon Lite Saddle.
3. Time X-Pro 15 Pedals.
4. Elite Leggero Cages.
6. DT Swiss 24th Anniv Wheels (180 hubs, Swiss-made lo-pro rims).
7. Veloflex 25s w Tubolitos.

I think that's it

Stay tuned for pics and such when we get a dry spate.

[Bici-Sonora]

I hope the nerve pain clears up for you. I like the updates--seems like it has gotta be in borderline ultra-weenie territory now? Do you have an update on the weight? I'm consistently happy with my Time X-Pros, but mine are just the 10s.

Originally Posted by Clean39T

Life has been a bit messy.. Developed some significant nerve pain issues that have kept me off the bike (outdoors) for three plus weeks, not that the smokey skies that turned to non-stop rain would have let me get out there anyway - plus moving across town, lots of work, etc.

So, updates have been slow going but here's what's in the works:

1. Extralite 120x6 Stem w Extralite Out-Front Mount.
2. SMP Full Carbon Lite Saddle.
3. Time X-Pro 15 Pedals.
4. Elite Leggero Cages.
6. DT Swiss 24th Anniv Wheels (180 hubs, Swiss-made lo-pro rims).
7. Veloflex 25s w Tubolitos.

I think that's it

Stay tuned for pics and such when we get a dry spate.

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by Bici-Sonora

I hope the nerve pain clears up for you. I like the updates--seems like it has gotta be in borderline ultra-weenie territory now? Do you have an update on the weight? I'm consistently happy with my Time X-Pros, but mine are just the 10s.

Going for light and nimble climber without any compromises on durability or performance.. the 15s were snagged just because they were on super sale and not hugely more expensive than the 10s, which I also got and will be going on any other road build I have.

I'm working with a cycling-focused PT in Portland and it is just going to take some time to improve things. I have some structural problems and degeneration that are pre-disposing me to get irritated nerves on my right side. Is what it is and I have to be more careful with my bike setup, work ergonomics, and sleeping position - among other things - to get it to heal.. and then strengthen everything around it so hopefully it doesn't become an even more chronic issue. I've been dealing with it off and on for years, it's just gotten to the point where I can't ignore it anymore. Sigh.

[Clean39T]

Dry day was a fly day. Neck pain is still dogging me but I had to get out and ride some roads in my new neighborhood and see how I liked the changes I made to the OPEN.

Short Report: I love the riding around where I'm living now and I love this bike.

Here it is.......



Longer Report: This bike is 100% perfect for the riding I most love to do - it adds excellent braking to the light, lively, and balanced feel I loved in my Argonaut, with only a minor weight penalty (currently at 6.7-kg).. Handling is perfect, even with the extra stack and shorter reach I'm using while rehabbing the neck. I'll keep tinkering with a few things fit and function related but this one is close to done. As for the riding around here, I couldn't have picked a better place to land for the type of cycling I most enjoy - steep climbs, views, ridgelines, curvy descents, good pavement, low traffic. I did 22 mi and 4K ft of climbing without getting more than maybe four to five miles from my house as the crow could fly. Seriously swooning. And I've only scratched the surface.

[jpritchet74]

Originally Posted by Clean39T

Longer Report: This bike is 100% perfect for the riding I most love to do - it adds excellent braking to the light, lively, and balanced feel I loved in my Argonaut, with only a minor weight penalty (currently at 6.7-kg).. Handling is perfect, even with the extra stack and shorter reach I'm using while rehabbing the neck. I'll keep tinkering with a few things fit and function related but this one is close to done. As for the riding around here, I couldn't have picked a better place to land for the type of cycling I most enjoy - steep climbs, views, ridgelines, curvy descents, good pavement, low traffic. I did 22 mi and 4K ft of climbing without getting more than maybe four to five miles from my house as the crow could fly. Seriously swooning. And I've only scratched the surface.

That's all fantastic news! I have the same feelings about where I am in the Boise area too. It's a good feeling.

[Bici-Sonora]

I'm really happy to hear that your Open and new roads are working out so well. I lucked out here in Tucson too--not as many steep climbs as you have, but a Nat'l Park, the Loop, and MTB trails less than a mile from my doorstep.

I miss those punchy OR climbs--my inlaws are now in McMinnville and there are some routes around there that I love.

And, I'll be damned if I'm not thinking about an Open M.ind again. lol.

Originally Posted by Clean39T

Dry day was a fly day. Neck pain is still dogging me but I had to get out and ride some roads in my new neighborhood and see how I liked the changes I made to the OPEN.

Short Report: I love the riding around where I'm living now and I love this bike.

Here it is.......



Longer Report: This bike is 100% perfect for the riding I most love to do - it adds excellent braking to the light, lively, and balanced feel I loved in my Argonaut, with only a minor weight penalty (currently at 6.7-kg).. Handling is perfect, even with the extra stack and shorter reach I'm using while rehabbing the neck. I'll keep tinkering with a few things fit and function related but this one is close to done. As for the riding around here, I couldn't have picked a better place to land for the type of cycling I most enjoy - steep climbs, views, ridgelines, curvy descents, good pavement, low traffic. I did 22 mi and 4K ft of climbing without getting more than maybe four to five miles from my house as the crow could fly. Seriously swooning. And I've only scratched the surface.

[mhespenheide]

Good to see you posting again, there was a little bit of a lull there. I hope you can get the medical issues straightened out.

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by mhespenheide

Good to see you posting again, there was a little bit of a lull there. I hope you can get the medical issues straightened out.

Thanks - they aren't really straightened out but I'm trying to work through them.. I more or less got the clearance to have active recovery vs. total rest, and am not showing signs that it's more than a really messed up soft-tissue situation. The struggle is finding a good hardcore massage therapist to get to work on that. I'm fortunate I have a good PT though and am working with him on strengthening exercises and changing up some fit and movement patterns to hopefully not end up here again. There's a good chance a lot of this traces back to the crash I had in early summer. Sigh. A moment's inattention leads to a year of difficulty..

[mhespenheide]

Originally Posted by Clean39T

A moment's inattention leads to a year of difficulty..

Right there with you. I'm fighting tendon damage from a running workout last July. It just doesn't want to heal completely and keeps flaring back up when I try to start actually training again.

[HowardCosellsPR]

Wondering if you have kept this bike and/or how it treated you? Thanks!