[HTC]

If any one interested, there a used Van Rysel bike for sale kept in decathlon Bannergatta road, Bengaluru. It seemed to be in good shape and listed price is 78k. I guess it retails at 1.2 lacs for new bike.

[itisravi]

Speaking of Van Rysel, Decathlon India has just launched the 'Made in India' Van Rysel EDR AF 105 at a price of Rs.99,999. It has an alloy frame, carbon fork, rim brakes and Shimano 105 11 speed groupset (except the crankset which is the Shimano RS 510) with the Fulcrum Racing R6 aluminium wheels. It weighs 9.2 KG in size M.

Currently available only in 2 sizes (M and L) without any reference to the frame geometries whatsoever. I think it replaces the 'Made in China' RCR 900 AF mentioned in the previous post

[kvk]

Originally Posted by amol4184

I'm generally not a fan of suspension on low end bikes as they often end up being a dead weight.

Originally Posted by Passatman

Hi,
As other folks have advised, do stay away from lower end price spectrum bikes with suspension.

Many thanks Amol and Passatman for pointing out that suspension on lower end bikes is not advisable. I had presumed that suspension would be the fix for my wrist issue. Thanks for the stem with elastometer and Koobi saddle ideas too.

Although my recent wrist pain aggravation is due to bike riding, my wrist was already bad from before (I tore my scapho-lunate ligament about ten years ago and had surgery for it). I am golfing much more regularly lately and that along with riding is too much, is probably what my body is telling me.

I have ordered some gloves and handle covers and will try riding with them and see how I feel.

Also visited a high-end bike shop in north Bangalore last week and the choices and terminology on components are intimidating! I may come back and bug you again if I get serious about buying a new bike!

[amol4184]

Originally Posted by itisravi

Speaking of Van Rysel, Decathlon India has just launched the 'Made in India' Van Rysel EDR AF 105 at a price of Rs.99,999.

Currently available only in 2 sizes (M and L) without any reference to the frame geometries whatsoever. I think it replaces the 'Made in China' RCR 900 AF mentioned in the previous post

I believe it's not direct replacement. The RCR/RR frames are aggressive race geometry while the EDR frames are endurance. Also has dropped seat stays so it's a fairly modern design. Hopefully they also worked on tire clearance and now provide space for 32-35c tires. On Endurance frame that would be a fantastic option.

Interesting to see them cut corners by offering inferior crankset. The RCR 900 seems to have R7000 105 crankset.

At least they are speccing it with Fulcrum wheels, which while super budget, are still better than anything Decathlon builds in house. The RCR came with Shimano RS010 which are great wheels with typical Shimano reliability and easy maintenance. The Fulcrums might be tiny bit lighter than RS010.

[itisravi]

Originally Posted by amol4184

The RCR/RR frames are aggressive race geometry while the EDR frames are endurance.Hopefully they also worked on tire clearance and now provide space for 32-35c tires.

Indeed, you are right. According to this video from a Decathlon staff, it is the successor to the Ultra AF 900. It can accommodate only up to 30 mm wide tyres apparently. But swapping out the stock Ralsons with decent folding tyres should be an easy way to save some weight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IKlOtuLxXs

[TheLizardKing]

Originally Posted by amol4184

The DIY commences.

Love the DIY spirit. The sense of accomplishment that accompanies a well-planned and executed DIY cannot be put in words.

If I may point out one slight problem I foresee, the connection at the shifter end is no longer waterproof. The red dummy plugs have an O-ring to accomplish that. Also, have you checked if the button is waterproof?

You don't want your DIY to get washed away (pun intended) with the first rain...

[amol4184]

Originally Posted by TheLizardKing

If I may point out one slight problem I foresee, the connection at the shifter end is no longer waterproof. The red dummy plugs have an O-ring to accomplish that. Also, have you checked if the button is waterproof?

You don't want your DIY to get washed away (pun intended) with the first rain...

Thanks! No, the button is definitely not waterproof but at least the soldering points have been covered well. The shifters themselves are proven tested in rains and the angle of the connection is such that the water ingress would be difficult. The pin is snug fit + bar tape + hood on top, so I am trusting it to block water during the wash. Lets see. In the worst case the button dies. Then I can salvage the pin and solder a new, larger button to it.

[amol4184]

They say Titanium bike is a forever bike. I guess I am about to find out.

Keeping in line with the theme of the frame, the build kit is simple and bulletproof Shimano 105 12 speed mechanical shift groupset, stem and seatpost are both titanium to match the frame. Bars are from Redshift with a curious extension on the front for added arm position as well as extra utility. Fork is from Speeder with clearance for 50c tires though I am going to stick to 35c.

[AutoIndian]

Originally Posted by amol4184

They say Titanium bike is a forever bike. I guess I am about to find out.

Keeping in line with the theme of the frame, the build kit is simple and bulletproof Shimano 105 12 speed mechanical shift groupset, stem and seatpost are both titanium to match the frame. Bars are from Redshift with a curious extension on the front for added arm position as well as extra utility. Fork is from Speeder with clearance for 50c tires though I am going to stick to 35c.

Attachment 2752172

Gr8 frame Amol. Would like to see all the pieces put together. Also, would you mind sharing the parts and assembly costs?

[amol4184]

Originally Posted by AutoIndian

Gr8 frame Amol. Would like to see all the pieces put together. Also, would you mind sharing the parts and assembly costs?

Yessir! It is indeed a nice frame for the price. I completed the build and the ride quality is superb. Currently running on wheels and 32c tires from another bike but I am planning to slightly wider with gravel tires since this is a gravel frame.

Parts and costs including tax :
1. Lynskey GR300 frame only - $750
2. Speeder gravel fork - $110
3. Shimano 105 12 speed mechanical groupset - $550~
4. Redshift kitchen sink handlebar - $150~
5. Titanium seatpost - $35
6. Titanium stem - $44
7. Titanium spacers - $15
8. Wolf tooth headset - $70
9. 48/32 chainrings - $36
10. Crankbrothers Candy pedals - $40
11. Misc (bartape, GPS mount, Varia mount, hidden bell, copper grease, saddle, titanium bottle cages, titanium screws etc) - $100~
12 Wheelset, tires, rotors - on loan from my road bike for now *
13. Assembly, tools, labor- free, did it myself

All the parts are new and acquired from different places. The frame was purchased straight from the manufacturer, Lynskey Performance. The fork too was directly from Speeder cycles, China. Speeder provides forks to many boutique bike companies and is an excellent option on the cheap.
Groupset was from Merlin cycles, UK.

Other titanium parts from Tiris bicycles parts on AliExpress.
Misc small items from various stores on AliExpress too.
Headset and handlebar from Amazon.

* Wheelset incoming but is approximately $450 (XMCarbonSpeed) and tires Panaracer Gravelking SS 40c, $100 for the pair.

As you can notice, lot of parts that could have been avoided to reduce the cost. For example all the titanium parts can be replaced with carbon/alloy equivalent for much less and would have saved weight (but they don't look as cool ).
The headset is rather expensive for what it is. Same for the handlebar, expensive and heavy as bonus. It sure looks unique and **may be** useful but I haven't found the right use for it yet.
The wheelset is carbon an alloy set would be ideal for the kind of terrain this frame is built for.

Total weight, 9.2kg. Not the lightest but once you get going it all disappears.

[AutoIndian]

Originally Posted by amol4184

Total weight, 9.2kg. Not the lightest but once you get going it all disappears.

Amazing piece of machine there Looks quite gorgeous. It must be equally fun to ride this beauty. Please share your more ride experiences on this bike.

[LJP]

Picked up a DTFLY (Chinese brand) bicycle here in Russia for around ₹17,000. Not sure if it’s available in India, but it’s great quality for the price, perfect for regular use. Anyone else seen or used this brand?

[bdutta]

Folks, I've got a Schwinn Sporterra Sport 2011/2012 model hybrid gathering dust for last 8-9yrs which I was hoping to restore and resume cycling on weekends. However, I am unable to find it's tyre specs. From some sketchy archive, I gather that it might be having 700x38c tyres, but my recollection is that mine had slightly thinner tyres. Do you think I could put the Ralson 700x25c on these ? I plan to use it one metalled roads, zero offroading and given my aged knees the minimum friction of a thin profile might be helpful. What do you think ?

[amol4184]

Originally Posted by bdutta

Folks, I've got a Schwinn Sporterra Sport 2011/2012 model hybrid gathering dust for last 8-9yrs which I was hoping to restore and resume cycling on weekends. However, I am unable to find it's tyre specs. From some sketchy archive, I gather that it might be having 700x38c tyres, but my recollection is that mine had slightly thinner tyres. Do you think I could put the Ralson 700x25c on these ? I plan to use it one metalled roads, zero offroading and given my aged knees the minimum friction of a thin profile might be helpful. What do you think ?

Tyre size will be written on the side walls of the existing ones unless you don't have them. If it indeed had 38c earlier, downsizing tyres to 25c will have almost no benefits in real road riding.

The current trends and research shows that wider tyres are faster on paved roads (compared to narrow 23/25c) and thus modern hardcore race/performance bikes all have clearance for 32c to 38c tyres. Highly recommended to stick to 32-35c if your frame allows, it will be far more comfortable too.

Some good reading on this topic, https://www.renehersecycles.com/why-...are-not-slower

[bdutta]

Originally Posted by amol4184

Tyre size will be written on the side walls of the existing ones unless you don't have them. If it indeed had 38c earlier, downsizing tyres to 25c will have almost no benefits in real road riding.

The current trends and research shows that wider tyres are faster on paved roads (compared to narrow 23/25c) and thus modern hardcore race/performance bikes all have clearance for 32c to 38c tyres. Highly recommended to stick to 32-35c if your frame allows, it will be far more comfortable too.

Some good reading on this topic, https://www.renehersecycles.com/why-...are-not-slower

Thanks. Clearly a lot has changed then in the last 10years, as I clearly remember preference (& common wisdom in Bangalore Cycling Club) towards thinner/slick tyres. My son had a Montra hybrid with thick knobby tyres, which I didn't like very much, as those required lot more effort to push on. My bicycle is a hybrid and I am definitely not in the performance/hardcore race cycling category, but sedate riding category (distance & time over speed)... so lesser effort & greater comfort are most important.