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Post by Paulinblack on Sept 11, 2017 13:37:54 GMT
I want to upgrade my T5A to a disc brake bike with wider tyres. The Btwin 520 AFGF is nice, but too expensive. The cheaper version isn't out in time for me really. I want to set it up like my Mach with 105 and a semi-compact, as I want to not only commute, but do a lot of winter miles. I've been looking around and saw this: Prefer it in this colour though: www.dolan-bikes.com//road/road-bikes/road-bike-aluminium/dolan-rdx.htmlAnyone have any experience or suggest anything better?
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Post by Red Devil on Sept 11, 2017 19:14:02 GMT
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Dolan RDX
Sept 11, 2017 21:07:03 GMT
via mobile
Post by chas on Sept 11, 2017 21:07:03 GMT
I want to upgrade my T5A to a disc brake bike with wider tyres. The Btwin 520 AFGF is nice, but too expensive. The cheaper version isn't out in time for me really. I want to set it up like my Mach with 105 and a semi-compact, as I want to not only commute, but do a lot of winter miles. I've been looking around and saw this: Prefer it in this colour though: www.dolan-bikes.com//road/road-bikes/road-bike-aluminium/dolan-rdx.htmlAnyone have any experience or suggest anything better? Looks like a really good spec for the money and great to be able to choose chainring sizes etc. 2 question marks for me though, I'm not sure whether lack of through axles would put me off and the top tube is very long like it was designed for the flat bar version. Well worth a closer look and a sit/ride if possible.
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Post by Paulinblack on Sept 11, 2017 21:34:41 GMT
That's the trouble with all of this internet shopping. Don't think I'm going to be out Ormskirk way any time soon to have a try of one.
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Post by Paulinblack on Sept 15, 2017 12:04:40 GMT
Did a bit more research on 105 disc brake aluminium road/gravel bikes and kept coming back to the Dolan. Sorry Red Devil but I didn't fancy the Norco. For £250 more I'd get 105 and hydraulics with the Dolan. Took chas thoughts into account and did a lot of eventual soul searching! Did a load of body measurements (height, inside leg, arm, torso etc) and measurements of the Mach (Saddle height & reach), which, in a way, I'm trying to mimic. Also provided them with details of the Mach's geometry. After initially suggesting a 58 frame they have now recommended a 56 with a 100mm stem. (I have a 57 Mach and a 60 T5A - I should have gone smaller with the T5 and didn't want to make the same mistake again). So I'm not so worried about the top tube. I've done lots of research on 'thru axles'. Everyone saying that you shouldn't be afraid of them and that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. But I can't see anything that says that you shouldn't buy a bike with discs that has QR skewers. To get thru axles and all the other things I want on my next bike I'd have to pay hundreds of pounds more than for the RDX. I'm not prepared to pay that. So, I thought of holding off - Then I realised that my son's RR 540 has drop outs and QRS rather than thru axles. He has no problems with that and he rides it harder than I would. So, the clicking finger is poised!
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Post by chas on Sept 15, 2017 12:48:01 GMT
I wish I could suggest a B'twin alternative (if there was I'd buy one myself) but there's nothing until the 'gravel' version of the Ultra afgf due next year with no news of the spec yet. I think thru axles are undoubtedly better for transferring the higher loads through frame and forks and probably easier for wheel changes (I sometimes struggle lining up rotors/pads and skewers at the same time particularly with rear wheels) but whether paying a large premium now before standards have really settled down is debatable. There is the Eastway Balun with thru axles, but the colour puts me off... www.wiggle.co.uk/eastway-balun-c2-105-2017-cyclocross-bike-greenyellow/I'm going to wait a while, but if you're keen to buy something now then I think you could do a lot worse than the Dolan (provided it fits)
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Post by Paulinblack on Sept 15, 2017 14:41:27 GMT
I wish I could suggest a B'twin alternative (if there was I'd buy one myself) but there's nothing until the 'gravel' version of the Ultra afgf due next year with no news of the spec yet. I think thru axles are undoubtedly better for transferring the higher loads through frame and forks and probably easier for wheel changes (I sometimes struggle lining up rotors/pads and skewers at the same time particularly with rear wheels) but whether paying a large premium now before standards have really settled down is debatable. There is the Eastway Balun with thru axles, but the colour puts me off... www.wiggle.co.uk/eastway-balun-c2-105-2017-cyclocross-bike-greenyellow/I'm going to wait a while, but if you're keen to buy something now then I think you could do a lot worse than the Dolan (provided it fits) I would have gone for BTwin again if there was something out there that fitted my needs. I'm quite sad that there isn't and I can't. I had waited and pinned my hopes on the Ultra 520 AFGF, but there are a couple of things I'm not happy about. P.S. That Balun has probably the ugliest pain job I've seen in my searches!
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Post by ChrisD on Sept 19, 2017 18:07:53 GMT
I wish I could suggest a B'twin alternative (if there was I'd buy one myself) but there's nothing until the 'gravel' version of the Ultra afgf due next year with no news of the spec yet. I think thru axles are undoubtedly better for transferring the higher loads through frame and forks and probably easier for wheel changes (I sometimes struggle lining up rotors/pads and skewers at the same time particularly with rear wheels) but whether paying a large premium now before standards have really settled down is debatable. There is the Eastway Balun with thru axles, but the colour puts me off... www.wiggle.co.uk/eastway-balun-c2-105-2017-cyclocross-bike-greenyellow/I'm going to wait a while, but if you're keen to buy something now then I think you could do a lot worse than the Dolan (provided it fits) I would have gone for BTwin again if there was something out there that fitted my needs. I'm quite sad that there isn't and I can't. I had waited and pinned my hopes on the Ultra 520 AFGF, but there are a couple of things I'm not happy about. P.S. That Balun has probably the ugliest pain job I've seen in my searches! So have you clicked yet, or are you still poised?
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Post by Paulinblack on Sept 20, 2017 16:41:23 GMT
I would have gone for BTwin again if there was something out there that fitted my needs. I'm quite sad that there isn't and I can't. I had waited and pinned my hopes on the Ultra 520 AFGF, but there are a couple of things I'm not happy about. P.S. That Balun has probably the ugliest pain job I've seen in my searches! So have you clicked yet, or are you still poised? Still poised! Just found out that my company does participate in cyclescheme. Going to see how long it takes to sort out and what the catch is.
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Post by utriban on Sept 20, 2017 18:38:39 GMT
So have you clicked yet, or are you still poised? Still poised! Just found out that my company does participate in cyclescheme. Going to see how long it takes to sort out and what the catch is. It'll take 3-4 weeks. the catches are: - you can not top up the $1000 limit - you will most likely miss any short term discounts offered in the mean time - verify that Dolan does not charge additionally for scheme (PlanetX does) - you'll co-own the bike for a 3 years with bunch of obscure people who don't really care
I think this is a very nice bike if that is what you want; good value too. I would not worry about axles - either type does the job. More important to get the size right and that the geometry works for you. Pay attention to stack and reach.
Just noticed that it comes with short cage RD, unless you upgrade the cassette to 32. I'd do that now, otherwise you'd have to purchase both cassette and mid cage RD in order to fit 32.
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Post by chas on Sept 20, 2017 20:00:01 GMT
You can top up above £1000 but the bike doesn't belong to you so potentially you could lose that extra (unlikely) The biggest potential problem is the loss of your warranty rights as the bike doesn't belong to you. In practice the ownership issue isn't going to be an problem as neither your employer nor cyclescheme want the bike at the end of the scheme. We had a customer a couple of weeks ago who got his certificate within a couple of hours of applying and came back the next day for the bike, although a few weeks is more realistic.
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Post by joby on Sept 21, 2017 7:22:32 GMT
You can top up above £1000 Not all schemes permit this - the one offered by my employer explicitly states that topping up beyond £1000 is not permitted.
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Post by Paulinblack on Nov 1, 2017 11:22:21 GMT
Some of you may already have seen on Strava that I did indeed push the button on the Dolan. The purchase was tinged with sadness, as I really wanted to buy another BTwin. But, unfortunately they are not selling anything that ticked all of my boxes. I suspect there will be new models coming, but I felt I couldn't hold out any further. I wanted something with clearance for 28mm tyres and mudguards with disc brakes. I wanted it to double as my commuter and winter 'hack'. I so wanted the AFGF, but was put off by the paintwork of the AF models I'd seen in store, the fact I had no experience of SRAM, there being no mudguard fixing points, it being more than I wanted to pay, not being able to find any reviews and not being able to see or try it in store to remove all of the nagging doubts I've just listed. None of those are big things, but when combined together, it was enough to make me look at other options. I scoured the internet and sought advise from here and other places. I checked my LBS and considered Ebay specials to tide me over until BTwin finally come up trumps. But, in the end I went for the Dolan. I made the decision because I was able to configure it to be very similar to my Triban but with a 105 group set and the same gearing as on my Mach. (ie 52-36 semi-compact with 11-32t cassette). Furthermore, I got what I think is a great deal, which included mudguards, 2 x spare Gatorskin tyres, Topeak saddle back, 2 x spare Continental tubes, a multi tool, Exustar pedals, bidons, bottle holders, tyre levers, pump and lights. All for £300+ less than the GF (without the accessories) and on my work cycle scheme, saving me a bit more in the process! Some of the accessories were thrown in because there was a delay on delivery and in the end I had to get a pair of black carbon forks without the blue and white detailing. My OCD didn't like this at first, but I don't think it looks so bad now I am used to it and I have convinced myself that it is a 'Paulinblack Special Edition'! I've only had one ride so far that was done with very dead legs after a killer spin session on a 'sleep day' where I had no sleep! The bike feels very comfortable and the weight (which I was worried about) feels very similar to my Triban. I think I might 'slam' the stem as it feels a little high compared to the Mach, but is the same as I have on the Triban. The 28mm tyres and disc brakes are both awesome though! Anyway, I don't want to say much more as this is a BTwin forum. I am sad that I have 'moved away' on this purchase, but I'm not ruling out another BTwin. The Mach is awesome and I love riding it. The T5A got me into cycling and keeps me honest every day through commuting. I just needed something else to keep me going over winter, as I need that little bit more motivation. I'm not sure whether to move the T5A to my TT now, or keep commuting on it and use the Dolan for winter training. First world problems eh?
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Post by joby on Nov 1, 2017 12:45:09 GMT
Interesting location for the mudguard mounts on the front fork. I'm also currently looking for a new bike, of the adventure/gravel variety, but also suitable for year round commuting. It's amazing how many disc-brake enabled forks don't have any mudguard eyelets at all. In fact, the bike that I *really* like doesn't have them, although the manufacturer does state that "options are available" if required.
Are the mudguards specific to the fork or did you just fettle the stays of some existing guards?
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Post by Paulinblack on Nov 2, 2017 1:15:52 GMT
No fettling. I chose the option of having mudguards fitted by Dolan and that's what turned up. They are Flinger 42 Deluxe mudguards.
In that picture, all I had done was lift the bike out of the box and attach the handlebars and pedals.
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