• fat for the win!

    From Roger Merriman@roger@sarlet.com to rec.bicycles.tech on Thu Aug 14 20:13:45 2025
    From Newsgroup: rec.bicycles.tech

    As a significant Birthday just been, I have a new bike or rather new frame
    as I moved the wheelset/Groupset over.

    Giant revolt Advanced ie Carbon, I might of gone Aluminium given the choice
    but for a frame set only get to choose the size.

    Played safe and went for the same Giant bars as in the built Revolt though stuck to Aluminium as the cost jump for Carbon bars didnrCOt seem worth it.

    Frame has internal storage which is handy as means I can use a smaller
    saddle bag, plus since my bikes tend to get gritty saddle bags tend to
    grind seat posts! So one of the Silca ones that only attaches to the saddle seems to work well.

    Slightly annoying the pump is just too long to fit thatrCOs in the frame and the multi tool is in the saddle bag which really is the wrong way around in terms of what IrCOm likely to use more often?

    Has clearance for 53mm tyres the old bike topped out at 35/38mm tyres, IrCOve fitted some 50mm tyres as in general my focus is off rather than on road.

    ItrCOs quite a bit lighter, at 10KG with everything on bar the water bottles, it perhaps is faster on road climbs climbing one of GCNrCOs often used road
    up from Tintern Abbey a minute faster, though IrCOve only climbed it twice
    and have no heart rate or power to gauge effort though if anything went
    harder with the old bike as I had a cyclist in front to reel in that time,
    this time was a more steady effort, likewise riding around Chew Valley
    times are more or less the same over rolling terrain, ever so slightly
    faster but within margins of error.

    Cheddar Gorge my times are all over the place as itrCOs very touristy so get folks doing dumb stuff, and I tend to be admiring the views rather than
    going for it.

    ItrCOs also possible that having a diet of cake and cheese as this week has been has given me an edge over previous years! ItrCOs unlikely but I guess possible!

    Both today when I did a loop crossing the Severn and the Wye RiverrCOs and Monday ride to Cheddar, where I was able to compare gravel track times, and ride feel.

    Even on the 1st ride with tyres that have just over 50% more volume unsurprisingly itrCOs much more planted and less disturbed over rocks! And times show a sizeable improvement.

    Bike on the side of valley above Cheddar. <https://flic.kr/p/2rmPfwj>

    On the Wye and pub after plus Tintern Abby and start of GCN hill.

    <https://flic.kr/p/2rnvTWf>
    <https://flic.kr/p/2rnuNpy>
    <https://flic.kr/p/2rnvWrw>

    Does require some fettling as IrCOve cooked the front Rotor seeing how steep and technical those fat tyres allow! Works but not brilliantly and will
    judder if used with force, and has discoloured, itrCOs an old rotor.

    I also will need to work out how to mount the big light as bars/stem are slightly non standard so mounting the Garmin on the stem and light on the
    bar next to it wasnrCOt enough space.

    Both of which IrCOll sort when home! And have access to bike shops I know and all of that, though the light I have a few weeks probably before IrCOd use
    it, the commute bike will have a night ride next week as the hours are
    closing in.

    Roger Merriman



    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From AMuzi@am@yellowjersey.org to rec.bicycles.tech on Thu Aug 14 16:06:46 2025
    From Newsgroup: rec.bicycles.tech

    On 8/14/2025 3:13 PM, Roger Merriman wrote:
    As a significant Birthday just been, I have a new bike or rather new frame
    as I moved the wheelset/Groupset over.

    Giant revolt Advanced ie Carbon, I might of gone Aluminium given the choice but for a frame set only get to choose the size.

    Played safe and went for the same Giant bars as in the built Revolt though stuck to Aluminium as the cost jump for Carbon bars didnrCOt seem worth it.

    Frame has internal storage which is handy as means I can use a smaller
    saddle bag, plus since my bikes tend to get gritty saddle bags tend to
    grind seat posts! So one of the Silca ones that only attaches to the saddle seems to work well.

    Slightly annoying the pump is just too long to fit thatrCOs in the frame and the multi tool is in the saddle bag which really is the wrong way around in terms of what IrCOm likely to use more often?

    Has clearance for 53mm tyres the old bike topped out at 35/38mm tyres, IrCOve fitted some 50mm tyres as in general my focus is off rather than on road.

    ItrCOs quite a bit lighter, at 10KG with everything on bar the water bottles, it perhaps is faster on road climbs climbing one of GCNrCOs often used road up from Tintern Abbey a minute faster, though IrCOve only climbed it twice and have no heart rate or power to gauge effort though if anything went harder with the old bike as I had a cyclist in front to reel in that time, this time was a more steady effort, likewise riding around Chew Valley
    times are more or less the same over rolling terrain, ever so slightly
    faster but within margins of error.

    Cheddar Gorge my times are all over the place as itrCOs very touristy so get folks doing dumb stuff, and I tend to be admiring the views rather than
    going for it.

    ItrCOs also possible that having a diet of cake and cheese as this week has been has given me an edge over previous years! ItrCOs unlikely but I guess possible!

    Both today when I did a loop crossing the Severn and the Wye RiverrCOs and Monday ride to Cheddar, where I was able to compare gravel track times, and ride feel.

    Even on the 1st ride with tyres that have just over 50% more volume unsurprisingly itrCOs much more planted and less disturbed over rocks! And times show a sizeable improvement.

    Bike on the side of valley above Cheddar. <https://flic.kr/p/2rmPfwj>

    On the Wye and pub after plus Tintern Abby and start of GCN hill.

    <https://flic.kr/p/2rnvTWf>
    <https://flic.kr/p/2rnuNpy>
    <https://flic.kr/p/2rnvWrw>

    Does require some fettling as IrCOve cooked the front Rotor seeing how steep and technical those fat tyres allow! Works but not brilliantly and will judder if used with force, and has discoloured, itrCOs an old rotor.

    I also will need to work out how to mount the big light as bars/stem are slightly non standard so mounting the Garmin on the stem and light on the
    bar next to it wasnrCOt enough space.

    Both of which IrCOll sort when home! And have access to bike shops I know and all of that, though the light I have a few weeks probably before IrCOd use it, the commute bike will have a night ride next week as the hours are closing in.

    Roger Merriman



    Congratulations and happy birthday!
    --
    Andrew Muzi
    am@yellowjersey.org
    Open every day since 1 April, 1971
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  • From Roger Merriman@roger@sarlet.com to rec.bicycles.tech on Fri Aug 15 20:39:46 2025
    From Newsgroup: rec.bicycles.tech

    AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
    On 8/14/2025 3:13 PM, Roger Merriman wrote:
    As a significant Birthday just been, I have a new bike or rather new frame >> as I moved the wheelset/Groupset over.

    Giant revolt Advanced ie Carbon, I might of gone Aluminium given the choice >> but for a frame set only get to choose the size.

    Played safe and went for the same Giant bars as in the built Revolt though >> stuck to Aluminium as the cost jump for Carbon bars didnrCOt seem worth it. >>
    Frame has internal storage which is handy as means I can use a smaller
    saddle bag, plus since my bikes tend to get gritty saddle bags tend to
    grind seat posts! So one of the Silca ones that only attaches to the saddle >> seems to work well.

    Slightly annoying the pump is just too long to fit thatrCOs in the frame and >> the multi tool is in the saddle bag which really is the wrong way around in >> terms of what IrCOm likely to use more often?

    Has clearance for 53mm tyres the old bike topped out at 35/38mm tyres, IrCOve
    fitted some 50mm tyres as in general my focus is off rather than on road.

    ItrCOs quite a bit lighter, at 10KG with everything on bar the water bottles,
    it perhaps is faster on road climbs climbing one of GCNrCOs often used road >> up from Tintern Abbey a minute faster, though IrCOve only climbed it twice >> and have no heart rate or power to gauge effort though if anything went
    harder with the old bike as I had a cyclist in front to reel in that time, >> this time was a more steady effort, likewise riding around Chew Valley
    times are more or less the same over rolling terrain, ever so slightly
    faster but within margins of error.

    Cheddar Gorge my times are all over the place as itrCOs very touristy so get >> folks doing dumb stuff, and I tend to be admiring the views rather than
    going for it.

    ItrCOs also possible that having a diet of cake and cheese as this week has >> been has given me an edge over previous years! ItrCOs unlikely but I guess >> possible!

    Both today when I did a loop crossing the Severn and the Wye RiverrCOs and >> Monday ride to Cheddar, where I was able to compare gravel track times, and >> ride feel.

    Even on the 1st ride with tyres that have just over 50% more volume
    unsurprisingly itrCOs much more planted and less disturbed over rocks! And >> times show a sizeable improvement.

    Bike on the side of valley above Cheddar. <https://flic.kr/p/2rmPfwj>

    On the Wye and pub after plus Tintern Abby and start of GCN hill.

    <https://flic.kr/p/2rnvTWf>
    <https://flic.kr/p/2rnuNpy>
    <https://flic.kr/p/2rnvWrw>

    Does require some fettling as IrCOve cooked the front Rotor seeing how steep >> and technical those fat tyres allow! Works but not brilliantly and will
    judder if used with force, and has discoloured, itrCOs an old rotor.

    I also will need to work out how to mount the big light as bars/stem are
    slightly non standard so mounting the Garmin on the stem and light on the
    bar next to it wasnrCOt enough space.

    Both of which IrCOll sort when home! And have access to bike shops I know and
    all of that, though the light I have a few weeks probably before IrCOd use >> it, the commute bike will have a night ride next week as the hours are
    closing in.

    Roger Merriman



    Congratulations and happy birthday!


    Cheers in the big Welsh hills now! Though only briefly and IrCOd probably not take the bike with iffy brake down anything too steep! Though pop down to
    have a coffee is perhaps on!

    Roger Merriman

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  • From zen cycle@funkmasterxx@hotmail.com to rec.bicycles.tech on Sat Aug 16 10:52:55 2025
    From Newsgroup: rec.bicycles.tech

    On 8/14/2025 4:13 PM, Roger Merriman wrote:
    As a significant Birthday just been, I have a new bike or rather new frame
    as I moved the wheelset/Groupset over.

    Giant revolt Advanced ie Carbon, I might of gone Aluminium given the choice but for a frame set only get to choose the size.

    Played safe and went for the same Giant bars as in the built Revolt though stuck to Aluminium as the cost jump for Carbon bars didnrCOt seem worth it.

    Frame has internal storage which is handy as means I can use a smaller
    saddle bag, plus since my bikes tend to get gritty saddle bags tend to
    grind seat posts! So one of the Silca ones that only attaches to the saddle seems to work well.

    Slightly annoying the pump is just too long to fit thatrCOs in the frame and the multi tool is in the saddle bag which really is the wrong way around in terms of what IrCOm likely to use more often?

    Has clearance for 53mm tyres the old bike topped out at 35/38mm tyres, IrCOve fitted some 50mm tyres as in general my focus is off rather than on road.

    ItrCOs quite a bit lighter, at 10KG with everything on bar the water bottles, it perhaps is faster on road climbs climbing one of GCNrCOs often used road up from Tintern Abbey a minute faster, though IrCOve only climbed it twice and have no heart rate or power to gauge effort though if anything went harder with the old bike as I had a cyclist in front to reel in that time, this time was a more steady effort, likewise riding around Chew Valley
    times are more or less the same over rolling terrain, ever so slightly
    faster but within margins of error.

    Cheddar Gorge my times are all over the place as itrCOs very touristy so get folks doing dumb stuff, and I tend to be admiring the views rather than
    going for it.

    ItrCOs also possible that having a diet of cake and cheese as this week has been has given me an edge over previous years! ItrCOs unlikely but I guess possible!

    Both today when I did a loop crossing the Severn and the Wye RiverrCOs and Monday ride to Cheddar, where I was able to compare gravel track times, and ride feel.

    Even on the 1st ride with tyres that have just over 50% more volume unsurprisingly itrCOs much more planted and less disturbed over rocks! And times show a sizeable improvement.

    Bike on the side of valley above Cheddar. <https://flic.kr/p/2rmPfwj>

    On the Wye and pub after plus Tintern Abby and start of GCN hill.

    <https://flic.kr/p/2rnvTWf>
    <https://flic.kr/p/2rnuNpy>
    <https://flic.kr/p/2rnvWrw>

    Does require some fettling as IrCOve cooked the front Rotor seeing how steep and technical those fat tyres allow! Works but not brilliantly and will judder if used with force, and has discoloured, itrCOs an old rotor.

    I also will need to work out how to mount the big light as bars/stem are slightly non standard so mounting the Garmin on the stem and light on the
    bar next to it wasnrCOt enough space.

    Both of which IrCOll sort when home! And have access to bike shops I know and all of that, though the light I have a few weeks probably before IrCOd use it, the commute bike will have a night ride next week as the hours are closing in.

    Roger Merriman




    Happy Birthday and congratulations on the new ride, It looks great! I've
    read some good reviews of it.
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  • From Roger Merriman@roger@sarlet.com to rec.bicycles.tech on Sun Aug 17 13:42:58 2025
    From Newsgroup: rec.bicycles.tech

    zen cycle <funkmasterxx@hotmail.com> wrote:
    On 8/14/2025 4:13 PM, Roger Merriman wrote:
    As a significant Birthday just been, I have a new bike or rather new frame >> as I moved the wheelset/Groupset over.

    Giant revolt Advanced ie Carbon, I might of gone Aluminium given the choice >> but for a frame set only get to choose the size.

    Played safe and went for the same Giant bars as in the built Revolt though >> stuck to Aluminium as the cost jump for Carbon bars didnrCOt seem worth it. >>
    Frame has internal storage which is handy as means I can use a smaller
    saddle bag, plus since my bikes tend to get gritty saddle bags tend to
    grind seat posts! So one of the Silca ones that only attaches to the saddle >> seems to work well.

    Slightly annoying the pump is just too long to fit thatrCOs in the frame and >> the multi tool is in the saddle bag which really is the wrong way around in >> terms of what IrCOm likely to use more often?

    Has clearance for 53mm tyres the old bike topped out at 35/38mm tyres, IrCOve
    fitted some 50mm tyres as in general my focus is off rather than on road.

    ItrCOs quite a bit lighter, at 10KG with everything on bar the water bottles,
    it perhaps is faster on road climbs climbing one of GCNrCOs often used road >> up from Tintern Abbey a minute faster, though IrCOve only climbed it twice >> and have no heart rate or power to gauge effort though if anything went
    harder with the old bike as I had a cyclist in front to reel in that time, >> this time was a more steady effort, likewise riding around Chew Valley
    times are more or less the same over rolling terrain, ever so slightly
    faster but within margins of error.

    Cheddar Gorge my times are all over the place as itrCOs very touristy so get >> folks doing dumb stuff, and I tend to be admiring the views rather than
    going for it.

    ItrCOs also possible that having a diet of cake and cheese as this week has >> been has given me an edge over previous years! ItrCOs unlikely but I guess >> possible!

    Both today when I did a loop crossing the Severn and the Wye RiverrCOs and >> Monday ride to Cheddar, where I was able to compare gravel track times, and >> ride feel.

    Even on the 1st ride with tyres that have just over 50% more volume
    unsurprisingly itrCOs much more planted and less disturbed over rocks! And >> times show a sizeable improvement.

    Bike on the side of valley above Cheddar. <https://flic.kr/p/2rmPfwj>

    On the Wye and pub after plus Tintern Abby and start of GCN hill.

    <https://flic.kr/p/2rnvTWf>
    <https://flic.kr/p/2rnuNpy>
    <https://flic.kr/p/2rnvWrw>

    Does require some fettling as IrCOve cooked the front Rotor seeing how steep >> and technical those fat tyres allow! Works but not brilliantly and will
    judder if used with force, and has discoloured, itrCOs an old rotor.

    I also will need to work out how to mount the big light as bars/stem are
    slightly non standard so mounting the Garmin on the stem and light on the
    bar next to it wasnrCOt enough space.

    Both of which IrCOll sort when home! And have access to bike shops I know and
    all of that, though the light I have a few weeks probably before IrCOd use >> it, the commute bike will have a night ride next week as the hours are
    closing in.

    Roger Merriman




    Happy Birthday and congratulations on the new ride, It looks great! I've read some good reviews of it.


    Cheers itrCOs largely my old bike but better in terms of geometry and thus my position. Bigger tyres you can feel at low speeds on tarmac ie slightly
    more resistance to turn.

    But those fat tyres 50mm soak up stuff clearly itrCOs not like the MTB which
    is point a shoot on such stuff, with suspension and 2.4/62 tyres.

    ItrCOs a fair bit lighter even with the larger tyres as carbon frame, though IrCOm unconvinced that makes that much difference itrCOs 22.5 lb or 10KG ready to ride bar the water bottles, it does seem to be faster though not over a
    ride which as ever is 11 something Mph which is normal for my Gravel rides.

    But yes IrCOm pleased with it and so on.

    Roger Merriman
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