Jack_brunk
friend
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 41
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I have now finished my third ride (185 miles) on my new Alta. This bike is truly a joy to ride beyond my expectations. I had this bike built to do a couple of important things. First it needed to be comfortable for doing double centuries. Second it needed to be a climbing machine during the double centuries. I really wanted the bike to ride just like my Serotta Ottrott ST. The Alta was set up using Campy 10 record components,13/29 cassette, FSA pro compact cranks (50/34), cat usa titanium brakes, Topolino wheels and easton carbon seat posts and handlebars. The bike weighed 14lb 15oz with pedals. The frame was painted in a liquid copper to match my FX45.
Ride quality is so smooth its scary. On steep grades (8-10%) there has been no BB flex, yet its vertical compliance is perfect. It may be not as smooth over really rough roads as the Ottrott, but I think that may be do to the compact frame(10% slope TT compared to 6% on the Ottrott)and full titanium compared to the Ottrott carbon/titanium. The bike climbs so easy it almost felt effortless. As mentioned, there was no feeling of flex in the BB. It felt as if it was pushing me up the hill. The compact cranks may also have helped as they make you spin more which takes some force off the BB.
Overall this bike gets an A plus and is real keeper. These two bikes will be my double century rides but the hard part will be in choosing which one to ride.
Jack
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 720
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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How about some pics of your new beauty!
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Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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Jack_brunk
friend
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 41
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Dave,
I don't have a digital camera. I am trying to get one to take some pictures. As soon as I get pictures I'll put them up.
Jack
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terry
new member
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 47
Loc: Southeastern MA
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Jack:
while you're at it i'd love to see pics of your teres and duo also.
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Jack_brunk
friend
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 41
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Terry,
Both are a little dirty due to an awesome four day mountain bike trip to Sedona AZ. Spent over 14 hours riding in four days. Weather was picture perfect with temps in the high 60's and low 70's during the day with no wind. Both bikes rode awesome and it was a great training run as my road season starts in early Feb. Take care.
Jack
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terry
new member
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 47
Loc: Southeastern MA
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Jack:
of course, i'm jealous-i mean 70's!, in AZ! do you have any idea what it was like here in MA? actually, the teens wasn't bad at all in the woods-wouldn't want to have been on the road tho. good luck on you upcoming road season. did you get the alta for this season? do you race the ottrott too?
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Jack_brunk
friend
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 41
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Terry,
I built the Alta for two specific reasons. First, to be comfortable for double centuries and second to be able to climb elevation gains of between 5,000 and 15,000 feet with no bb flex. I set this bike up with FSA carbon pro compact cranks (50/34) and a 13/29 cassette. All other components were chosen based on matching my Ottrott ST for ride quality.
Seven was able to make the frame do exactly what I wanted it to do. I envisioned a compact frame with big oversized tubes but what I got was small very sexy looking tubes that makes the frame a sight to behold. Ride quality is unreal. My Ottrott ST is the benchmark for ride quality but the Alta is 98% of the ride that the Ottrott is.
Jack
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Jeff_Nichols
journeyman
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 73
Loc: San Jose
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very sad about the lack of a digital camera. sounds like a beautiful bike.
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Jack_brunk
friend
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 41
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jeff,
I am working on a camera. I missed the bike while I was in Arizona mountain biking last week. I will be riding today when I get off work. Its 75 degrees in sunny socal.
Jack
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Jeff_Nichols
journeyman
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 73
Loc: San Jose
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I lived in the Venice area for most of the past 12 years and recently moved back to the SF bay area. I really, really miss the weather down there. There is some beautiful riding up here but it's not as rideable in the winter time. There are some really nice rides down there...
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Jack_brunk
friend
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 41
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jeff,
I am looking forward to the California Triple Crown series that is held throughout California. My first one is the Solvang Double in late March. Have you ever done the Davis double ?. I did it last year and is one of the best rides in the state.
Hope all goes well with your riding this year.
Jack
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Jeff_Nichols
journeyman
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 73
Loc: San Jose
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I haven't done the Davis Double or any other double actually. My longest ride is probably a few miles over a single century. I do like the idea of a double century - but since having my first baby eight months ago, I'm doing my best to get back into reasonable racing shape without putting too much load on the misses.
Good luck with the triple crown. Maybe I'll try to ride some of the Davis Double route to see what you're talking about.
Cheers,
Jeff
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Phil
new member
Reged: 01/17/04
Posts: 1
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Jack, I'm thinking of the same setup of 13-29 with FSA 50/34. Are you using the short,medium or long cage rear derailleur?
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Jack_brunk
friend
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 41
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Phil,
We used the short one with no problems encountered as of yet. This combination works great especially if you climb alot. Saturday on a training ride we rode 65 miles but climbed over 6000 ft and my legs felt great after the ride. My recovery yesterday was very good as we did a fifty mile ride and we averaged over 18 MPH with 2,000 ft of climbimg. I used my Pinarello Prince SL with a 53/39 and a 12/27 cassette.
The compacts are very different when compared with the standard 53/39 but I really like how they work. I am sure that my ride today was made easier due to using the compact cranks yeasterday.
Jack
Edited by Jack_brunk (01/19/04 10:58 PM)
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Max
journeyman
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 69
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Jack,
Congratulations on your new bike! Sounds like your going to have a lot of fun with it. I like your comments about the Solvang DC, it will be my first DC this year, too.
I have a new Calfee-Tetra Pro waiting for me to decide on components for it. I like your configuration you chose for your drive train. I think I will do the same.
Are doing the CTC Stage Race this year?
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MAX
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Jack_brunk
friend
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 41
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Max,
Great choice for the first DC of the year. I just downloaded my Polar 720 from my weekend training rides. The bottom line is my speed up grades between 7-10% has gone up along with a higher cadence and a small increase in my heart rate. I am convinced that the compact cranks have made me a better spinner. My overall speed is faster due to being able to spend more time in the big ring. I have not decided if I will be doing the stage race or not,
Jack
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Max
journeyman
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 69
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Do you have a compact crank setup on your Ottrott ST?
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MAX
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Jack_brunk
friend
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 41
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Max,
I have campy record carbon cranks in the standard 53/39 size. I am seriously considering the compact cranks for my Ottrott ST. Also I am considering replacing my record triple on my De Rosa King. Presently I am using the 50/40/30 set up with a 13/26 on the rear. I will make my decision after the Solvang DC in late March.
Jack
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Max
journeyman
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 69
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Jack,
Does that Campy setup on your King shift smooth?
I was advised by 2 LBS's not to go with the FSA crank, and one of the owner's had placed 6th overall in the Stage Race 3 years ago, and other owner does only Tri and high end road bikes. They both said, if I was a custom to using Campy, I would not be happy with the FSA. When the FSA's are new they shift smooth, but they wear a lot faster than Campy, and as they do the smooth shifting disappears. I have ran a Campy crank for 20 years, now on a Eddy Merckx, it has well over a 100,000 miles on it.
The owner that had done the Stage Race highly recommended a triple going as low as you can go, and he said I would be in the middle chain ring most of the time on these courses, also to go with a traditional wheel because of the condition of the roads. Also to carry spoke wrench in case I did have a broken spoke, I'd be able to finish. So, tomorrow I pick up my new Calfee - Tetra Pro, Red Cabernet Fade, only a head tube decal, Campy Triple, Calfee Handle bar/stem combo, CD Open Pro's from the Tri and high end road bike LBS. I have never used a Campy triple before, I hope I am not disappointed. I have only rode my wife's Ultegra 9 spd triple, and it shifted OK.
Keep me updated on your progress with the compact, and let me know which bike your riding in Solvang, and I'll keep an eye out for you.
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MAX
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Jack_brunk
friend
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 41
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Max,
I can only tell you what know. I have a little over 600 miles on my Alta and the shifting is perfect. Maintance is very important and just maybe some people have problems because they neglect their drive train. I have closely inspected the FSA's and have found no wear as of yet. I truly love this set up and I would have no issues riding any of the stage races with it.
My De Rosa King works great with the campy triple. Shifting is smooth and clean. I really like the 50 ring because it allows me to spin faster and remain in the big ring a little longer. I'am not as thrilled with the 40 ring but I know that I must sacrfice something. The 30 ring is the bail out ring and I rarely use it. Overall it is a good functioning system. I will be riding my Seven Alta in the Solvang DC.
Jack
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Max
journeyman
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 69
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Jack,
Thanks for sharing your progress with your new Alta. Your right maintaince plays a big part, and I am sure the LBS's see everything when it comes to how riders maintain their bikes. It's good to hear your continue positive feedback on your new setup. I look toward to seeing it.
I got my Tetra, today. I went with the Chorus Triple 53/42/30 and 26/13 cluster. I went for a short ride, my first impression is I am probably going to like it. It was a great change for me compared to what I have been riding. I will know more in a couple weeks after I get a few long rides on it. Who knows I may end back up with a double, again. We'll see.....
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MAX
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Jack_brunk
friend
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 41
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Max,
Good luck with the new ride.
Jack
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Max
journeyman
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 69
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Jack,
Thanks. Looks like I am going to need it. I got in 42 miles today on it, and in the last quarter mile my seat post broke on me. It was a FSA-SLK, so it goes back to the LBS, tomorrow.
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MAX
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dave_donielson
friend
Reged: 02/03/04
Posts: 32
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Max-
Yicks ! Your seatpost broke ? I have a FSA carbon post ordered for my Tetra. Is this a common problem with the FSA posts or components or are you a big guy ?
Dave
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Max
journeyman
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 69
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Dave,
The metal head separated from the carbon post, so could just spin my seat around. The metal head is wrapped with fiberglass, and the bond between it and carbon post broke. My LBS replaced it with an Easton EC-70, he reported no problems with this model. He did say the EC-90's heads have been breaking off, too (in different fashion). I am 190 lbs.
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MAX
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dave_donielson
friend
Reged: 02/03/04
Posts: 32
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Max-
Maybe this a problem with carbon seatposts in general as you aren't that big.
Thanks for the info.
Dave
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