Just in: On-One Pompetamine Versa 11

STATO wrote:

Glad you finally got it sorted. On my original Pompino i switched to a carbon cyclocross fork, massive improvement. Carbon disc forks are pretty rare but a nicer steel fork might be an option, i heard Singular-cycles sell forks from their disc tourer seperatley, might be worth some investigation.

Ta,

Yep i am already looking at the KINESIS fork...

Cheers

STATO wrote:

Think what you probably want is one of these...

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/schmidt-headlight-bracket-for-suspension-fork...

Personally id just drill a hole through the crown.

I dont have the skills or the tools and my lbs expressed concern if anything went wrong

Great find on the bracket. I have spent a fair bit of time googling for a bracket but had not seen this. Thanks again.

Walter Sitter wrote:

What is going on with the bottom bearing of the headset ?

Its an on-one headset. Uses a bigger bearing for better life.

ir_bandito wrote:

Alfine removal isn't too bad, but track-ends and full-length mudguards? No thanks.

I solved that problem on my Pompino with SKS guards and drilled/tapped chaintugs...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dickyelsdon/3696836767/

STATO wrote:

bobinski - I expect the lack of speed you feel is due mainly to the weight, afterall it will be significantly heavier than your good bike.

For dynamo lights get yourself a B&M Cyo-plus from SJS or SPA cycles, i went for the fancier (but similar) Edeluxe and ive been really impressed with it.

As for the ride, well i found my old Pomp ok but then i had a carbon post. I also agree with what other said about the tyres, as good tyres make a huge difference to speed and feel.

Finally, please find someone to teach you how to use and maintain your Alfine! They are great things for commuting as they are reliable... unless you fail to do basic maintenance such as checking gear set-up regularly. Removing and refitting the wheel is very simple when you have someone explain it to you, find a local shop who can give you a lesson, you will appreciate it when you get a puncture.

Hi Stato,
I knew it would be heavier but somewhat surprised by the bikes harsh ride.But there again its not really a racing bike and i have to accept that. I suspect it is ideal for what it is designed for and if i can just improve the ride to remove the harshness then all will be fine.Tyres first and i will have to learn to remove and refit the rear wheel to change them

Thanks for the tip on the lights. They look great.

cheers

Rob Simmonds wrote:

that odd under-yoke thing on the rear and only through the rear of the fork crown.

Rob, there is nothing 'odd' about mounting a mudguard direct to the seatstay/chainstay bridge and fork crown - it would be one of the defining features of a custom-made frame if you planned to fit mudguards. MUCH tidier and nice to see on a production frame.

bobinski wrote:

I feel battered after riding the bike in a way i dont with the sl pro. The set up has been adjusted to mirror the pro too. Yet I feel every bump in the road. If i was to descibe the ride i would say it was "harsh" and frankly exhausting as a result. It is not helped by the versa hoods which are hard and uncomfortable to my sram hoods and i am slower too which is annoying though not unexpected given the differences between the 2 bikes. I feel also as if too much of the harshness i experience comes up through the down tube and up the seat post. Not sure whether to change the tyres, perhaps the durano plus's at 23mm or to go wider and softer but surely the ride will become stodgier and slower?

My commuter is a Kaffenback. Essentially the same frame and fork, but with a different dropout/brake setup. I originally ran 25mm tyres, but also found the ride harsh. Even though 'steel is real', fat and heavy steel is still unforgiving (not as bone shudderingly harsh as my old CAAD5 was, but harsh nonetheless). Also, those Durano tyres, with their plastic belt, are not exactly supple.

I now run Schwalbe Marathon Racer 30mm rubber, and the ride is a lot better. I had no trouble keeping up on the club runs through the last couple of winters. And with full guards and fat rubber, I was much happier than most through the worst of British weather. I even won the Sunday morning World Champs sprint a couple of times, so 30mm can't be that slow (And I think it annoys the others no end that someone out-sprints them on a city bike with a rack :D). The 'Racer' version is only ~350g, so not heavy. But no plastic beading, so not quite as durable as the Duranos. I've had, IIRC, 3 p*******s in the last year, though one of those was a spoke head popping though an old rim tape.

Matt_S wrote:

bobinski wrote:

I feel battered after riding the bike in a way i dont with the sl pro. The set up has been adjusted to mirror the pro too. Yet I feel every bump in the road. If i was to descibe the ride i would say it was "harsh" and frankly exhausting as a result. It is not helped by the versa hoods which are hard and uncomfortable to my sram hoods and i am slower too which is annoying though not unexpected given the differences between the 2 bikes. I feel also as if too much of the harshness i experience comes up through the down tube and up the seat post. Not sure whether to change the tyres, perhaps the durano plus's at 23mm or to go wider and softer but surely the ride will become stodgier and slower?

My commuter is a Kaffenback. Essentially the same frame and fork, but with a different dropout/brake setup. I originally ran 25mm tyres, but also found the ride harsh. Even though 'steel is real', fat and heavy steel is still unforgiving (not as bone shudderingly harsh as my old CAAD5 was, but harsh nonetheless). Also, those Durano tyres, with their plastic belt, are not exactly supple.

I now run Schwalbe Marathon Racer 30mm rubber, and the ride is a lot better. I had no trouble keeping up on the club runs through the last couple of winters. And with full guards and fat rubber, I was much happier than most through the worst of British weather. I even won the Sunday morning World Champs sprint a couple of times, so 30mm can't be that slow (And I think it annoys the others no end that someone out-sprints them on a city bike with a rack :D). The 'Racer' version is only ~350g, so not heavy. But no plastic beading, so not quite as durable as the Duranos. I've had, IIRC, 3 p*******s in the last year, though one of those was a spoke head popping though an old rim tape.

Matt,
thats interesting. The only problem with changing the tyre for on more supple is of course the dreaded p******* fairy and the hassle involved in removing the rear wheel etc to change or repair the inner tube. Perhaps something puncture resistant on the back and another lighter more supple tyre on the front? and a change of seatpost perhaps? Its not the saddle by the way which is fine though i actually prefer the firmer planet x saddle on my sl pro Go figure.

What do i do now was waiting for the cyclescheme to start again and buy this bike, not so sure now ! Keep us updated on the new tyres

Jonty71