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Old 10-25-10 | 11:07 PM
  #59  
jayp410
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 385
Likes: 30
From: Germantown, MD
Have an R230, XL size (DA 7800 drive train). I like it a lot... it absorbs vibrations compared to my AL bike, with some springiness when my 195-200 lb butt goes over larger bumps. I feel like it is efficient in the power transfer department, not flexy at all, and climbs well.

However, I do have a major nitpick with my R230. Although the frame itself is beautiful and precisely machined, the derailleur hanger they put on it is molded AL (not CNC machined, as some other hangers are), and the surface that mates with the frame is noticeably curved (not flat). See picture. As a result, clamping down on the skewer closes the gap and causes my whole derailleur cage to flex inward by 2-5 mm, and the amount is dependent on clamping pressure. So reinstalling the wheel screws up the shift indexing and stop limits, as it is almost impossible to reinstall the skewer with exactly the same clamping pressure. Fortunately I have not had to fix a flat on the road yet, but have had problems in the shop every time I've reinstalled the wheel. It would be a most annoying problem to fix on the road. Hopefully they will come out with some CNC machined hangers to fix this problem...I have complained to them about it.

Don't get me wrong...I love the bike and the way it rides, once the rear wheel is installed and shifting is set up right. But if I were doing it again I would choose the R340, which doesn't have the removable derailleur hanger, even though the geometry is different.





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