If you were building a “go fast” metal road bike...

[cgates66]

Slightly less exotic, but (after some dialing-in) very satisfactory.

[Robot870]

Originally Posted by cgates66

Slightly less exotic, but (after some dialing-in) very satisfactory.

Damn! That looks gooood!!!!!

[Waldo62]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

Haha. Challenge accepted. The road in question is Skyline. Just after peaking the notorious Pinehurst, you hit a gradual downhill, followed by false flat, downhill, slight uphill. My Firefly is geared at 50/34 with an 11-32 in back. I'm constantly clicking for more top speed. So, we'll see. I'll try to get some documentation

50/11 ratio is 4.54
50/9 ratio is 5.55.

By removing two teeth from your highest gear, you're increasing that gear by 22%. That's a big ask of your legs on a false flat. Perhaps descending Joaquin Miller or the straight bottom of Shepherd Canyon, especially the dip there.....

[robt57]

Originally Posted by cgates66

Slightly less exotic, but (after some dialing-in) very satisfactory.

Nice looking, nice balanced build. And now I know what my Helix Disc will look like with deeps.

[morrisericd]

Here's mine if 650b mode...

I prefer 700c. Gravel wheels are Boyd Trailblazers with 35mm G Speed tires. Road wheels are Next wide disc with 28mm Pro One's. I just ordered a Red ASX 48/35 crank and front derailleur as I do not have enough low or high gears for my fast group or hilly solo rides. I have a 10/28 on the road wheels and a 10/33 on the gravel set. I much prefer the gaps between the 10/28 over the 10/33.

Something about this bike just ticks all the boxes for me. Even with the 1x up front, it always seems to want to be pushed faster. It's by far the best bike I've ever owned. Will report back when it's set up 2x.

[teleguy57]

So many really fine bikes here! Every time a new one is posted I get another big smile.

[Robot870]

Here's my Hot Rod - 15lbs rolling on Tubulars - Ti Crown Jewel SEC

[8aaron8]

Here's mine,

Steel
25mm tubulars
52/36 and 11-30 (not in photo)
Rim brakes

[tuxbailey]

So many nice bikes here.

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by Waldo62

50/11 ratio is 4.54
50/9 ratio is 5.55.

By removing two teeth from your highest gear, you're increasing that gear by 22%. That's a big ask of your legs on a false flat. Perhaps descending Joaquin Miller or the straight bottom of Shepherd Canyon, especially the dip there.....

Wait...you're in my back yard! Have we met each other on the road?
Edit: I coast down Joaquin Miller Road. However, descending Redwood and Park Boulevard, (as well as the stretches of Skyline) I think that gearing would come in handy. We'll see

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by 8aaron8

Here's mine,

Steel
25mm tubulars
52/36 and 11-30 (not in photo)
Rim brakes

So much eye candy here. Wow.

[cgates66]

Originally Posted by Robot870

Here's my Hot Rod - 15lbs rolling on Tubulars - Ti Crown Jewel SEC

This is to my taste. Are you rolling without bar tape? I've been kind of / sort of looking for that old-school tape-tape (as opposed to cushion).

[Robot870]

Originally Posted by cgates66

This is to my taste. Are you rolling without bar tape? I've been kind of / sort of looking for that old-school tape-tape (as opposed to cushion).

Hi, yes no bar tape on Control Tech Ti mania bars. I also commute on the bike and was tired of wet hands from the tape not drying before sunrise - Also starts stinking in the apt..... I found that with a good pair of gloves there's no need for it......

[robt57]

[Wipes drool from chin] DAMN!

Originally Posted by 8aaron8

[Ralph]

I would just go buy a Ritchey frameset to begin with.