it's probably a size 49 frame. the shiv TT (in XS, which was basically made for contador) had a similar thing. until we see other, larger sizes i wouldn't assume that the stem won't be inline with the TT (a la the madone).

the new madone is looking kind of nice, and i've never been one to love the looks of trek before.

just saw some new shots--looks like the brakes ARE cable-actuated (good, IMO) and the rear brake is mounted under the seat-stay, not the BB. this is a bit more accessible.

In the photos above the brakes look like they are mounted on the seat tube. In the diagram they are on the seat stays.

Ooof - that steerer is cut way low (or as a result of the stem swap). The one bolt stem probably isn't helping with preventing the stem from slipping up.

For those interested in the Venge (not me)

^ Venge stuff appeals to me. Too bad I don't fit one. Or rather, good thing I don't fit one.

Mikey, I agree with Shovel that your expander plug is slipping. I had the same issue. The stem was torqued to spec, but when the plug slipped, it allowed the stem to start sliding up some. I"m not exactly sure how, but it did.

Also, while it is often good to have a spacer, whether its 1, 2, 3 or 5 mm, above the stem, it is not always the case. The instructions to my wife's Tarmac, for example, said to NOT install a spacer above the stem and that doing sou would void the warranty on the fork.

Heh, I don't fit them either, but probably for the opposite reason. Specialized in general run too long for me.

^yeah i used to have to run like an 80mm stem on my specialized. i'm still only at a 90mm with my correct frame, but at least it's in the realm of a normal stem length. other than that though I loved my tarmac until the bottom bracket decided to quit life.

i think it's kind of funny how with all the high tech stuff on that venge they're still running bb adapter cups.

yeah but specialized uses a non-standard stem/topcap setup iirc (you can adjust the angle of the stem, correct). this bike is pretty standard all around, although i'm not sure what the instructions said...if there even were instructions with the frame.

whatever, i'm pretty confident that the current set with the spacer on top (instead of on bottom) should be good. could probably use a 5mm spacer instead of the 10, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter. I agree that the compressor plug was probably slipping, but only because the stem wasn't clamped enough on the steerer, so it should theoretically be good now. if your setup is right (on a standard stem setup) you can ride without a topcap and be fine.
@Enthalpic 5mm above and below with a -17 stem may be closer to my old fit, but it would be lower and I'm not comfortable going any low. the current setup is actually closer to how I was fit sometime last year.

Brake pad question...the black SwissStop pads that came stock on my Allez Comp Race do a less-than-stellar job of slowing me down. This was true with both the original CL40 wheels that came on the bike and the Boyds that are currently on it. I recently got a set of older Zipp 303s and installed some last-generation Reynolds blue pads on my Look, and the braking is almost as good as with aluminum wheels. I think that's called a hint.


Anything out there better than the Reynolds pads, or are they still the best?

I also needed to size down on my Venge. Then again I have found I need to size down on most bikes (I ride a 54). They do have a very long top tube.

Also that new Venge looks fugly. They may have taken #aeroiseverything just a little too far here.....

The cable routing seems like a hellish task on the new Venge.

that doesn't work when even the smallest size is too long

You're making it too easy.

The both of you are.

I used to use Reynolds. Now I use SwissStop Black Prince. These are not the same as Black. They were a definite improvement. They do wear pretty fast though. I expect to change them out yearly.

is that 2016? I don't think it was announced... looks expensive.

The new Venge, Madone and Foil are all over Weight Weenies right now. Teams/manufacturers are doing their pre-TdF final tuning before the big show.

Completely unrelated, but does anyone have any suggestions for a good 20h front hub? I'm a DT Swiss man myself, but if I could find a fast, light (DA?) hub in 20h drilling I'd be willing to look elsewhere. I'd prefer DT 240 or less prices (~$150). Don't care about stupid crap like color, and it won't play into my decision much, but I'd prefer the "standard" black or silver. If I can't find anything, I'll add my 10th DT 240 to the family.

do the ebay carbon dealers use the same factories as the name brands like dengfu? anyone?

FWIW, as someone who has purchased many items from both, I'd go with the "name brands" like Dengfu, HongFu, XM Iplay, etc. A company that has a reputation of sorts, and can be tarnished by your poor reviews if something goes south, is definitely better to work with than the eBay guys. That is, unless you're buying from those places via eBay, in which case it's a wash.

the girl at dengfu refused to put my frame in the same box as the wheels, saying they will damage... imagine paying for two shipping labels on one order..

light, fast, no fuss Ever - T11 ? White Industries
under 150, live for forever (I've got ... 5 sets of WI hubs going back 8-9 years, not even a single issue)

^white industries hubs are the truth.

somewhere someone is complaining because dengfu because they shipped wheels in the same box as a frame and the frame got damaged.

Had the bike shop set up my aero bars. Got it and the brifters are really high, ugh. I think that I'm one of the few left that likes them low.

I don't know if it's because everyone here hates it, or if I like it, but that venge gives me a little tingle.

It looks like it was designed by the Tupelov factory.