INTRODUCTION
This is a series:
- Part 2 - http://mycyclingjournal.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/chinarello-build-part-2-build.html
- Part 3 - First Ride - http://mycyclingjournal.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/chinarello-fake-pinarello-build-and.html
Since Bradley Wiggins won Tour de France 2012 I've been a big fan of Team Sky. And not just Brad but the Team Sky line ups such as Mark Cavendish and Chris Froome have inspired me so much. I'm also that sort of a person who falls in love with a bike brand that is ridden by the winning team. Hence, I also fall in love with their bike: Pinarello Dogma.
The only thing that prohibits me from loving it more is THE PRICE! Man.....when I asked my LBS how much it cost, the frameset itself was AUD$6500! That's when I started to look out for other alternatives. Searching for Pinarello Dogma in Google somehow returned me a lot of results of Dogma replica frameset that is built in China. Initially I wasn't interested until I find out that the price is less than 1/10th of the real thing! The frameset was only USD$615 with free shipping to Australia.
To build a complete bike out of the real thing would have cost me at least $8000 and that's with "crappy" components while with the Chinese replica would cost me around $2-3K. In fact, with $3K would get me Sram Red!
CHINARELLO INITIAL UNBOXING REVIEW
So there I was taking the plunge. I ordered one from this vendor. The frame arrived few hours before I wrote this article. First impression of the transaction was: I was so happy! It took less than a week for the frame to arrive from China to Australia and the vendor replied to my email and requests promptly. His name was Jerry Wang.
When the box arrived I was also thrilled by how good and secure the packaging was. Please check the pictures below for more details.
Frame is full carbon and just simply looked like the real thing! YEAH! I am smiling a lot as I write this article as I am so happy about it and can't wait to start building it.
Unless you really-really look at it closely (what I mean by close is literally close ie. 1-2cm from the frame), you wouldn't be able to tell that this is a replica frame. Paint was a job well done! In fact, there is even a writing saying "Made in Italy" :)
Frame is also very light. I haven't been able to put it to a proper scale but by lifting it, it is only slightly heavier than my Roubaix S-Works frameset. I wouldn't be surprised if the actual weight is not far away from the one mentioned in their website. But let me put it on a proper scale and I'll update you all.
What I get with this is frame, headset, fork and aero seatpost. I'm so looking forward to build and ride it. I think it will just be awesome but until then please stay tuned. I should be able to write some reviews by the end of next week (it is 27th of November 2012 as I write this article). See you soon!
My journey in cycling with various bikes, gears and components specifically Chinese frames and wheels.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
Mavic R-SYS SL 2012
Before I go to the actual review please see my rider profile below:
Rider Profile
- Start riding: 2010
- Type of riding: Commuting from/to home/work around ~60km a day, endurance and century riding on the weekend.
- Speed: Slow-moderate 24-28kmh flats, 32-35kmh sprint and peloton riding, 14-16kmh climbing.
- Road condition: Bike path, rough surface and rarely smooth with a lot of tree drops and branches especially during winter and wet season.
- Climb condition: Short climb less than a kilometer with 2-14% gradient.
- Age: 29
- Height: 170cm
- Weight: 74kg
- Bikes ridden: Giant CRX-3, Giant TCR Advanced 1 & 2 2010, Merida Reacto 909 2011, Specialized Roubaix S-Works SL3 2011.
- Riding goal: Fitness, endurance riding.
- Profession: Website and SharePoint developer and consultant. I carry my laptop everywhere.
- Location: Perth, Western Australia.
- Sex: Male
Mavic R-SYS SL 2012 Review
I bought this wheelset as a replacement for my Shimano Dura-Ace C35 wheelset and yes, to be honest with you, the main reasons why I bought this wheelset were:
1. I thought I can go faster especially on climbs.
2. Want VS need.
A lot of people (including fellow riders in forums) have said to me that for the speed that I ride on, I won't see much advantage in changing the wheels. You know what? They're right!
Speed-wise I actually go slower on this wheelset! This wheelset is definitely a lot less aero on flats compared to my Dura-Ace C35. How do I know? I can feel it. I don't know, maybe I'm wrong, but my very first impression on riding on this, the wind drag is so huge. Even at slow speed I can tell the difference. The difference is that much which an amateur, slow rider like me can even tell.
1. I thought I can go faster especially on climbs.
2. Want VS need.
A lot of people (including fellow riders in forums) have said to me that for the speed that I ride on, I won't see much advantage in changing the wheels. You know what? They're right!
Speed-wise I actually go slower on this wheelset! This wheelset is definitely a lot less aero on flats compared to my Dura-Ace C35. How do I know? I can feel it. I don't know, maybe I'm wrong, but my very first impression on riding on this, the wind drag is so huge. Even at slow speed I can tell the difference. The difference is that much which an amateur, slow rider like me can even tell.
Climbing is also the same. I don't feel any easier than my DA C35. Maybe it's the aero disadvantage that causes it? This wheelset is around 300gr less than the DA C35 in weight but somehow I don't feel any advantage out of it.
The only advantage that I get from this wheelset is: IT'S SUPER COMFORTABLE. Let me re-iterate, IT'S SUPER COMFORTABLE. Man.....at slow speed especially, this wheelset truly soaks up bumps and road vibrations. At the exact same route that I take everyday to work, on my DA C35, I have to stand whenever I see bumps on the road but with this, I can just sit all day long and I still feel fine.
Braking surface is also very good. It's alloy and even in rain, it still brakes perfectly.
Under head, side and yaw wind this wheelset is also very stable. It's as stable as my DA C35.
Conclusion
Do I love this wheelset? Absolutely! Since I now go slower on this, it motivates me to even train harder to reach the same speed I used to reach with my C35.Is this an all-rounder wheelset? I would say yes. The comfort is what I wouldn't trade it for anything with. As I love doing centuries, I think this wheelset suits me better.
If you're looking for comfort for long riding, this is for you.
If you're looking for speed and you mostly ride on flats with smooth surface, this may not be for you.
Mavic Ksyrium Elite 2010
Before I go to the actual review please see my rider profile below:
Rider Profile
- Start riding: 2010
- Type of riding: Commuting from/to home/work around ~60km a day, endurance and century riding on the weekend.
- Speed: Slow-moderate 24-28kmh flats, 32-35kmh sprint and peloton riding, 14-16kmh climbing.
- Road condition: Bike path, rough surface and rarely smooth with a lot of tree drops and branches especially during winter and wet season.
- Climb condition: Short climb less than a kilometer with 2-14% gradient.
- Age: 29
- Height: 170cm
- Weight: 74kg
- Bikes ridden: Giant CRX-3, Giant TCR Advanced 1 & 2 2010, Merida Reacto 909 2011, Specialized Roubaix S-Works SL3 2011.
- Riding goal: Fitness, endurance riding.
- Profession: Website and SharePoint developer and consultant. I carry my laptop everywhere.
- Location: Perth, Western Australia.
- Sex: Male
Mavic Ksyrium Elite 2010 Review
This wheelset came with my Giant TCR Advanced 1 2010 Ultegra bike. When I first bought this bike I was so green in cycling. Some people argued with me saying that with my cycling experience and knowledge and skills at the time, the bike was too good for me. I agreed with them however I had this principal that I may as well buy a bike that is good and capable enough so that I don't have to buy another one when my skill increases. I have proven myself wrong by the way. I have now changed my bike twice since.
Anyway, the Ksyrium Elite wheelset was an awesome wheelset. It is so light and after I read more about it, the price isn't that expensive either.
Braking surface is good even in the rain. It is also stiff.
What I don't like from it is how uncomfortable it can become. It transfers road vibrations and bumps quiet much. Maybe it's caused by the alloy rims and spokes?
Under a huge head, side and yaw wind, this wheelset isn't as stable as my other two wheelsets, Mavic R-SYS SL and Shimano Dura-Ace C35, especially when ridden on slow-moderate speed, it wobbles a little bit.
Climbing however feels a lot easier. Comparing to my Dura-Ace C35, this wheelset feels easier to climb with. It doesn't mean that I go faster with the Ksyrium though, it's just I can climb easier hence less stress on my legs.
Conclusion
As I mention in the rider profile, I don't race nor ride fast. I only commute to work and this wheelset is appropriate for that. It's strong, durable and light.UPDATES: Specialized Roubaix S-Works SL3 2011
Hi guys,
Just an update on this bike, I personally feel that this bike can be boring at times :( I'm not sure why but the relaxed geometry and the "muted" ride can make me bored at times. I did a century last week and I just realized how "fun" the Merida was compared to this.
I totally agree that this bike is for century rides and at the end of the ride I did NOT feel beaten at all. Let me re-iterate, no sore neck, no sore back, nothing....it's just so comfortable, in fact it's TOO comfortable LOL. Because of this - I think - the ride can be a bit boring.
Tommy
REVIEW: Specialized Roubaix S-Works SL3 2011
Hi everyone,
I would like to give my review on the Specialized Roubaix S-Works SL3 2011 road bike. I have to say that this is one of the best bikes I've ever ridden to date (I have to say though that I have not ridden that many bikes anyway).
But before we go further into the review let me first of all introduce myself and my riding profile.
Rider Profile
- Start riding: 2010
- Type of riding: Commuting from/to home/work around ~60km a day, endurance and century riding on the weekend.
- Speed: Slow-moderate 24-28kmh flats, 32-35kmh sprint and peloton riding, 14-16kmh climbing.
- Road condition: Bike path, rough surface and rarely smooth with a lot of tree drops and branches especially during winter and wet season.
- Climb condition: Short climb less than a kilometer with 2-14% gradient.
- Age: 29
- Height: 170cm
- Weight: 74kg
- Bikes ridden: Giant CRX-3, Giant TCR Advanced 1 & 2 2010, Merida Reacto 909 2011, Specialized Roubaix S-Works SL3 2011.
- Riding goal: Fitness, endurance riding.
- Profession: Website and SharePoint developer and consultant. I carry my laptop everywhere.
- Location: Perth, Western Australia.
- Sex: Male
I will not call myself a fast-paced rider. I'm however quiet competitive when it comes to group riding. I like to push myself although I'm very limited with time - which has now become one of my excuses of not putting a lot more effort into increasing my leg strength.
Bike Details
Prior to riding my Specialized Roubaix S-Works SL3, I rode the Merida Reacto 909. I loved that bike so dearly. Compared this to my Giant TCR Advanced 1, man I would choose the Reacto any day. This bike is just a beast. Fast, very stiff, stable and comfortable.
The only thing that forced me to sell was its aggressive geometry. As I'm commuting to work daily, I have to carry 5-7kg weight on my shoulder every time I commute. The race geometry simply didn't work well with my back. After few months riding I started to feel sore on my back.
Initially I didn't notice that it was the result of my riding with the Reacto. I only noticed it when I stopped riding. There was a moment when the weather was rainy and I had to stop riding for a week. My back pain was just gone. As soon as I started riding again, the pain came back.
I have attempted to turn the stem upside-down so I get ~8-degree increase there and it helped a little bit but still my back pain has not gone away. That's when I then made the decision to sell the bike.
Initially I was thinking of selling the complete bike however I noticed that the Merida bike came with Shimano Dura-Ace C35 wheelset and Dura-Ace 7900 out-of-the-box. I realized that for me to get a new bike (any brand) with the same spec would have cost me $5-8K at least. In the end I sold the Merida frame on its own and I kept the components and the wheels.
So this is where the story begins. Dura-Ace C35 wheelset and Dura-Ace 7900 components on my hands with no frameset to put them on. I have realized by now that I need an endurance frame. I'm also that type of guys that simply wants to buy the best and expensive stuff although my skill is not there yet (yeah I know it sounds silly). Anyway, after looking around, the only brands/models that I like were Trek Madone 6.9SSL H2 and Specialized Roubaix S-Works SL3. I'm not sure why I didn't consider other brands/models. Maybe I'm too blinded with their popularity and marketing gimmicks?
In the end I chose the Roubaix S-Works SL3 although I have always wanted to ride the Trek. It's just they are too expensive (I still want to save for it and hopefully in the near future I can ride one of them though). During that time Specialized also did a great deal on the Roubaix S-Works SL3 2011 frameset. I think back then the 2011 models have not been sold due to a delayed delivery and the 2012 models have already come out. So Specialized are left with so many unsold 2011 stocks.
Anyway, the frame was $4K RRP but they sold to me for $2600 which I think was an excellent value. I ended up getting the Team HTC color which I love so dearly. I like yellow by the way. So that's how everything came together. I then get the guys to put on the components and wheels for me.
So, my new completely built bike profile is as follows:
- Specialized Roubaix S-Works 2011 Team HTC frameset
- Shimano Dura-Ace C35 wheels
- Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 components
- Selle SMP Extra Yellow saddle
- Garmin Edge 500 bike computer and cadence
- Shimano XTR MTB pedal
- Mavic Fury Yellow shoes
- Size: Extra Small 50cm
The Ride
This is it....the moment that I've been waiting for.It was one particular sunny day and I was ready to go to work with my bag containing my laptop, clothes for change, etc on my back. I clipped in my legs and here I went commuting.
My first impression on this bike was..........this bike was just so comfortable geometrically. My position was a lot right up. I knew for sure that I wouldn't get any sore back although I wouldn't be able to tell until I arrived back at home later on the night. But so far the geometry was a lot better for me.
Specialized - on their marketing campaign - specifies that this bike is supposed to be comfortable and soaking up a lot of road bumps and buzz. Well, that's what other people say so, too anyway. For me this wasn't the case. I still felt the bump as much as my Merida Reacto 909 and as much as my Giant TCR Advanced 1. It absorbed as much (and as little) road buzz as my Merida and Giant. Maybe this is due to my speed which is slow-moderate? But who cares...what matters is not what other people feel or say about it, it's what I say and feel about it.
The handling of the bike unfortunately wasn't as precise and stable as my Merida. When I went down hill I felt the bike was a bit twitchy. On flats my Merida also felt more solid. Cornering also my Merida still felt better and easier to control.
Attacking and accelerating are also better on my Merida but I think this is due to the geometry. I think the lower your position is on the bike, the better and easier it is to generate power for acceleration.
Look, it's not to say that the Roubaix wasn't solid nor stable, I'm just saying that comparing this to my Merida, my Merida is still a winner on these criteria.
Climbing however felt faster and easier than my Merida. I think it's safe to say that my Merida is more suitable for sprinting and on-flats riding but for climbing and endurance ride I will still choose my Specialized.
Arriving back at home later on the night I felt absolutely NO BACK PAIN whatsoever. Let me repeat it again, MY BACK PAIN IS FULL GONE which what I've always dreamed of.
Can you still ride fast with the Roubaix? Definitely! Otherwise Tom Boonen and Cancellara wouldn't have won Paris-Roubaix, would they? However, the geometry is very-very right up. Therefore, to get aerodynamics advantage you have to ride on the drop-bar (which what Tom Boonen did when he soloed for the last 50km of the last Paris Roubaix).
Conclusion
Is this the right bike for me? I would say YES! Any day I would choose this bike for commuting and century-riding. It's so comfortable and most importantly, the geometry is very-very friendly to my body, hip and back.
Is this the right bike to ride fast and flat-racing? I'm not sure. To be quiet fair I never race so I wouldn't know what it's like but judging from my day-to-day ride only, this bike needs a bit more effort to be ridden fast compared to the other race-geometry bikes.
What it's better at compared to others:
- Climbing
- Long and century rides
- Commuting
What others better at compared to this:
- Cornering
- Flats
- Sprinting and accelerating
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