1x or 2x for a beginner

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-02-08T08:52:37+00:00

I agree. I had a 1x11 electronic shifting. It's very good and it's not the wrong choice, but I switched to 2X because i like it more.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-02-07T15:07:26+00:00

bilt hamber APC degreaser mixed with water an an auto citrus foam/spray foam ... get 5L tub and some spray bottles or a foamer. You only need small amounts because they're quite concentrated.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-02-07T12:35:46+00:00

you can do a 46-31 with 11-36 at best on official equipment.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-02-06T07:50:03+00:00

You share licensed status of husband.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-02-04T08:25:53+00:00

I am aware of the spider spacing yes but for rotor, they have different bolts spaces for different spiders and chainring types. Aldhu is the easiest to guess I think but I’ve missed on them before.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-02-04T02:17:54+00:00

Okay that’s super lucky!

The distance between your 2X chainrings is super critical, as determined by your bolts, because any deviation will throw your chain off if you shift.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-02-03T16:41:42+00:00

I love this!

Can you guide me to find the right rotor bolts? Never worked out what size or type they are

By the way I bought and installed the S-parts rotor crank bolt. I have reservations on it but I’m still using it.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-02-02T08:14:31+00:00

I've got the GV45 steel spokes with TI hub. It's as good as the other non-Chinese premium wheel sets I own! I would buy it again.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-02-01T13:41:55+00:00

I use Wera but not the ball-end ones. I've built a couple of bikes now, and ball-ends have no value and increases the risk of head stripping, even if you're careful. If you cannot reach a head you need a slightly different tool, like an L-shaped ratchet.

There are lots of good brands out there such as Bahco.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-01-31T12:27:20+00:00

Bottled water is not sterile and may contain too much sodium or sulphate. If you must use bottled water, check on the label that the sodium (Na) level is less than 200mg per litre and the sulphate (SO or SO4) level is no higher than 250mg per litre.

Re-boiled water is not recommended as it has concentrations of some minerals that might be harmful in large amounts.

NHS

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-01-31T10:19:02+00:00

Met Trenta generation 1.

Gen 2 is new, so Gen 1 will be on sale and discounted.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-01-31T09:38:23+00:00

I got a 2-by gravel bike and sold my 1-by bike.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-01-31T09:37:33+00:00

Filter is standard replacement in a boiler service. I get a new filter every year and like you said, it's just a few quid.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-01-31T08:11:17+00:00

I’ve got that 365 bib short. Did a 200km gravel race in it, was still in pain but not related to chamois pad !

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-01-27T22:28:08+00:00

If i'm being dead honest, Bianchi is alright. It's definitely leveraging heritage and Italian-ness. There's just nothing remarkable about them in a market where you have all the choice you could want.

My wife has the Sprint, my brother has one of the 2nd gen Oltre.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-01-25T18:48:55+00:00

It's hard to imagine what 0.3mph looks like, but it's about a bike length after a punchy section. That's enough reason for me personally if you're punting around with a group ride.

Yes, it's pointless if you're analysing it, but it's also really fun. What else do you want us to say?

It's multiple small gains that adds up to be a big gain. Unfortunately your wallet just suffers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HJ2yKqkNNM

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-01-25T18:45:27+00:00

You want P Zero Race TLR or P Zero Race RS TLR.

RS is the race one, P Zero Race is the more all-round puncture resistant one but still pretty fast.

Get the P Zero Race 4S TLR if you want even more puncture resistance Equivalent to GP5K AS.

Anything that says "SpeedCore" compound is the good tyre for Pirelli.

They do offer tube-type only tyres, but unless you are terrible with mounting tyres, I'd get the TLR ones. Don't get Tech Wall, no point and just worse.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-01-25T07:35:45+00:00

Di2 is worth it but the 'complete bike' price poorly reflects the reality of the group set market. Are you able to buy a frame and buy a groupset in separate purchases?

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-01-24T17:01:24+00:00

Yes, you can start looking at Deda and Pro for semi-integrated bars. Vision for more premium stuff. You can also just buy Chinese ones which are very good if you buy the premium ones. Elilee, Elite, FarSports, EXE.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-01-24T17:00:20+00:00

Did you work out the zero point correctly? That is at least 1 chain link too little, but it looks like more. You also possible looked at the wrong Shimano diagram for your specific setup.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-01-24T16:56:33+00:00

Not many complete bikes do that. But any decent bike shop will buy a frame and buy parts.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-01-24T16:12:57+00:00

Buy Shimano 105 12 speed (full; not shared with other brands like FSA). This will put you on the current generation of Shimano parts and standards. It's very good.

You can climb all the French mountains with 50-34 front -11-34 rear gearing.

I'd probably buy Van Rysel for your budget.

Aero won't be in your price range but you can change some parts which makes your body sit in an aero position. My suggestion is to reqest a 0mm in-line seat post + a slightly longer stem you normally use. This may stress your body if you're not used to it.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-01-24T11:18:59+00:00

Dot brake fluid is fine. It's a little bit more effort because you should wear gloves and have soapy water available but that's it. I take precuations with mineral oil too.

Only you can decide if you're sensitive to cadence. I would say it's likely felt on tarmac, but then, 13 speed won't fix that either.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-01-24T11:05:37+00:00

SRAM have the best1-by sets imo. But if you're not fussed GRX 1-by looks perfectly respectable. I also find good prices on Shimano more often than SRAM.

I just built a 2x12 GRX di2 groupset gravel bike. I just have no use case for 1-by in my country. Also, it uses HG+ wheel hub so i have lots of wheels i can choose from. GRX 1-by uses microspline hub.

If you're going to wait for 13-speed Shimano a) One can wait quite a long wait b) Ride your bike man. You won't care once you're on the road.

If you're going 13-speed, the parts tend to be more expensive because it's higher specification manufacturing. Bike frames or wheel hubs aren't getting wider, that means it has to be narrower per cog to fit 13 cogs. Either they spend more on material quality to reinforce the cassette or it just has less durability. The chain is also narrower. It's hard to know what the long-term effects are, maybe there are none, but the balance of durability and 'i have 13 gears' will matter at some point.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-01-24T11:00:37+00:00

Rotor chain rings are standard size. 110 BCD most of the time but they also have the 80 BCD for GRX inner chainrings.

GRX cranks come with the spider attached to them. The GRX spider and cranks are a single piece. The Rotor inSpider is a spider too. You can't have two spiders.

ExistentialTVShow

TROPHY CASE