WalksOn2Wheels

No real pictures, just cell phone pictures. Sorry.



Instagram craziness:



I snagged up the last of the 2012 frames. They aren't doing this color for 2014 on any of the CAADX's. This is the 105 build and it's pretty fantastic. Bone stock it's a wonderful bike. I also wanted this one because I'm just not into the disc brake thing. For lots of folks, you'll like the 2014 build much better. They all go to disc for 2014 except for the base model 9-speed Sora.

I've had it for a couple of weeks and the only changes are the seatpost and adding full fenders. This is my first bike with full fenders and they are amazing. I had those quick mount half fenders on my other bike, and those only worked up to a certain point. I wanted to go with an old school touring/rando look, so I got hammered aluminum style. SOme of my bike buddies say they clash too much (different silvers) and some really dig it.

The tires are file tread with knobs on the side, 700x35's for actual CX/offroad type stuff. I will most likely get some fat road tires on there, and am open to suggestions. I plan on occasionally doing some light single track with it, so I want to save the stock tires for that.

The only real weak point is the wheels. Super heavy, very cheap. People also complain about the stock canti's. The key is 1) setting them up properly and 2) filing down the cheap stock pads to remove the outer plastic-like shell that won't stop anything. I've got it to where the from only squeals under super hard braking. Normal braking is silent.

In the future, I want to lace up a dyno hub and add some lights. I'm hoping to do some randonneuring in the future, and of course it will be a perfect touring platform.

blakcloud

Nicely done and I like the hammered fenders on there. I also like that this bike will be double/triple duty.

gregjones

Would ride!!!

Very nice.

alan s 

Nice bike. Like the picture of the white squirrel on your photobucket.

Darth Lefty 

Nice. I want one and I'm disappointed the silver is going away.

alex jb

Sweet!
what does the lay back post do for you?

no motor?

Nice! I also like the hammered fenders and the multiple uses of it.

WalksOn2Wheels

Thanks, all. Alex, I had the seatpost on my previous mountain bike, but kept it when I sold it. I also have one on my Bianchi. It's not really anymore setback than some straight posts that have setback, but the bend does give a little compliance over the rough stuff. However, I do currently have the saddle as far back as the marks allow. I probably need a longer stem. I haven't really investigated fit on this so far. It feels good, so I'm leaving it alone, mostly. On the Bianchi, I run the same seatpost, but a longer stem and the saddle isn't as far back (the frames measure very close to each other). Fore and aft of the saddle is important when riding clipless, so I'll take the time to look at it soon. As for now, it feels fine. Did a 25 mile ride the other day with no lingering knee issues.

hodag

Nicely done pal! I commute on a '13 CAADX and I love it. The stock cross tires were awful for puncture protection. Ended up with the 37mm Continental country tour plus. No flats but they are insanely heavy, look elsewhere for commuter tires.

Jiggle

Super nice ride. I have a red CAADX frameset waiting to be built into something similar. I'm thinking 5700 with all polished aluminum components.

WalksOn2Wheels

The 105 stuff is great. Like, really great. But I don't like it. I've never had a strong preference for campy vs. shimano vs. sram until I put campy centaur on my Bianchi a couple of years ago. The feel of the ergo brifters just have this natural, flowing fit. The 105 is angular, and slightly bulky at some points, but it just works so darn well. Shifting and braking feels like using an appliance. It does exactly what I want it to, but I'm relatively unexcited by it. Getting back on the campy equipped bike is always a joy. Maybe down the line, I'll swap things out on the CAADX, but that certainly isn't in the budget at the moment. But as I said, it works perfectly well as it is.

Ghost Ryder

Fixed your attachments.

I love the hammered look, it works with your bike.

noglider 

I like it very much, and I like your ideas, too. I put a dynohub and headlight and tail light on my primary bike, and I love the setup. I run the lights day or night, because what the heck. I will keep an eye out for this model. It looks perfect.

gregjones

You usually see the Thomson as being 10 degree setback. Most everything else has the setback measured in mm. I dug around on the Thomson site and found that they spec it at 16mm.

bikebreak

Could I ask what it weighs (and what size) without the mudguards?

Thanks!

AlTheKiller

I'm no fit expert, but you generally shouldn't be moving the saddle fore/aft to adjust your reach, it is more about positioning your body correctly over the cranks/bb for balance, pedaling performance, etc... reach adjustments should be in the stem/bars and hopefully not too huge a leap from factory fit.

but it sounds like the fit its working for you, and that's great.

cool bike. I love that the industry is becoming more acceptant of big clearance road bikes again. not just "cyclocross" bikes either.

WalksOn2Wheels

You're definitely right, which is why I said I probably just need to get a longer stem. Fore and aft should be set in regards to where you're clipping in. I'm just being lazy. And I probably want a new saddle, anyway. But you know, moneys.