The Equilibrium

What do you think:

Spec is as follows:

105 group with the exception of brakes which are shimano 451's long reach
planet x wheels
SKS guards
Conto 4 seasons Gps's 25mm
SLK Crabon seat post
Spesh BG seat
Spesh alloy bars

So now I have a steel reynolds framed do it all bike :)

The main differences between the roubaix are as follows which I'll try to split into frame vs the rest:

Frame feel:

Good bits are its springy and really compliant
Very comfortable and definitely feels an all rounder as apposed to a racer or a tourer for that matter

Less good bits in comparison to carbon
You can feel BB flex slightly, this surprised me s I'm hardly Griepel however flex it does. Not enough to create any feeling of real sluggishness just in comparison to CF it feels like its not quite as direct when you stamp on the pedals.

Its also heavier, the frame must be a 3rd or more heavier (remember the fork is still carbon), you do notice this I reckon its probably about 2kgs more then the Roubaix is now (the Roubaix does have DA and ultegra and much better wheels remember along with CF bars, seat post etc).

Steering is also slower, if I'm honest the roubaix handles quite a bite better striking a really good balance of directness and comfort.

So all in a really good do it all comfy steel bike...I am happy. To put this in context,

Every time it rains......I'll take Equilibrium
Every time the sun is out......I'll take the Roubaix
Marmotte/sportif......Roubaix every time
Adventure taking in pubs and more pubs with the wife on a summers day.....Equilibrium.

So thats 5 bikes and I can't currently ride any of them at the moment...I'm sure I'll be able to laugh at that in a few years time.

Ouch

Quick update...

Playing squash last night I managed to sprain my ankle quite badly

Not sure how long I'll be out of action hopefully just a couple of weeks before I get back on the bike?

Pretty annoyed to say the least as the weather is starting to feel more like summer and I've got to sit here feeling sorry for myself.

Ho Humm

On a brighter note I have built up the genesis so I'll post up pictures over the weekend and let you know how it rides.

Laters

Steve

Quick Update

My single handed attempt to drive economic growth through cycling related purchases has to stop. But until then (whenever that is) I have just bought that +1 bike :)

Didn't go for the Condor in the end as I think they are a bit pricey for what they are soooooooo

Genesis equilibrium frameset is in the way along with

SKS guards
25ml 4 seasons conti tyres
FSA carbon stem
105 11-25 cassette
new chain

I've got 105 group in the garage and planet x wheels all going on

It will be my steel/winter/do it all bike and it looks like this:

Very excited, I'll get it built up and let you know

Steve

2 Wheels Collection

Its been a while since I last posted and the training is going OK however there will be plenty of time for training blogs.....no what we need is to talk some more about gear!

I thought I would share my small collection of bikes with you while at the same time discussing the definite gap I have thats needs filling based on the N+1 theory.

N+1

N= Number of bikes you have
+1 = The bike you really need, I mean you just need it!

Bike 1
Specialized Roubaix

This is the main bike, its had all the upgrades I talked about applied and comes in just over 8kg's. Its pretty comfy and will be travelling to the alps as well as doing 90% of training rides for it.

Bike 2
Specialized Stumpy M4 HT

I love this bike!

I love the fact its at least half of the time ridden fuelled by beer

I love the fact it just keeps going

Its cost me very little

Its an 2002 M4 and been converted to full road spec so thats guards, slick tyres, lights, bar ends etc and it carries me to squash, the pub and home. Its got rigid jump forks and its now running full XT which I admit is rather over-equipped for its purpose and the fact its my "pub bike".

Bike 3
Specialized Stumpy FSR Expert

OK I don't have shares in Spesh its just worked out that I have ended up with a lot of their product.

If I lived in a half decent single track environment I would live on this bike, MTB single track has always been what I have done with the road stuff just a few years in the making. This bike is totally under used.......mental note as I write this.....must get out more.

Bike 4
Brompton

Ohhh this is a new one

Just really liked the way these things fold, not that keen on white but it was in the sale and cheap :) (If cheap was a colour I would always buy it).

I've used this for trips into London and its a fantastic bit of kit. The fact that I don't need this as I have BMW r1200gs motorbike to get into london on is not the point....the BMW does not fold.

So its pretty obvious, you are all sitting there thinking well how about the obvious "gap".

Well I'm looking into this as we speak and should have something sorted in the next few weeks which I'll keep you posted on.

Come on haven't you got it yet....

ok..

Think general, all purpose winter road bike ...something with a steel frame...something possibly from London, something beginning with F.............answers in a post card please

Off to the peaks next week for a 100 miler so I'll report back on how the upgraded spesh performed along with my performance......which I should be able to quantify due to the recent addition of a edge 800....thats for another time

Steve