SST AL Owners
08-21-10 | 02:25 AM
#76
Junior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Okay after a whole month of deciding which bike to get, I finally pull the trigger on the Dawes SST AL. I was so close in buying the IRO Mark V that is on sale right now, but figure I can use the extra Benny for upgrades where I see fit. So finally got my 54 cm in white. Wearing shoes, I'm 5'10" with a 32" inseam. I'm like in between sizes as I wasn't sure to order a 54 or 56. After a week of careful consideration, I went with a 54 because it'll give me some extra clearance and the crank length will be 170mm as I believe the 56 will come with 172.5mm cranks. The stand over of the 54 is as advertised, 30.5". The bike weighs about 20 lbs, but with a lighter wheel set and brakes removed, it can be less. Nobody has posted pictures so here it is.
I peeled off the Kinesis stickers off the seat tube and carbon fork. 
Check out the shape of the top and down tube. Ovalized?
It came with some lousy Formula stamped 18t cog and a lockring made out of aluminum (hub stripper) so I immediately replaced with an All City 17t cog and Dura-Ace lockring.
170mm cranks
I peeled off the Kinesis stickers off the seat tube and carbon fork. Check out the shape of the top and down tube. Ovalized?It came with some lousy Formula stamped 18t cog and a lockring made out of aluminum (hub stripper) so I immediately replaced with an All City 17t cog and Dura-Ace lockring.170mm cranks
Last edited by kinvid; 08-21-10 at 02:50 AM. Reason: More pics
08-21-10 | 07:56 AM
#77
/\/\ \/\/
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Nope
Bikes: 2007 Trek 6000, others
I got one last week in the brushed/raw color. I really like this bike, as others have said, the ovalized/aero frame is sex, way nicer than I was expecting. Plus a straight blade carbon fork. Its a good deal, and I expect we'll see some super light builds of these once people starting upgrading theirs.
08-24-10 | 11:04 PM
#80
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
sort of just ran into my first issue. I put some tensioners on the rear as you should on singlespeeds, and the rear axle is too short for the additional parts (tensioners). Essentially i need either a wider axle, or narrower nuts/washers. The washers are real thick but dont separate from the axle nuts... just a forewarning, minor setback.
08-24-10 | 11:49 PM
#82
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
SST al
I bought my SST al over a year ago and have been changing it ever since. I think its a great bike for what you pay for it but much like life, everything changes what’s left from the original sst al is the crank, seat, seat post, fork, bottom bracket
I did change the fame t the team track but I still have the SST al frame and I am building that up as a separate bike
I did change the fame t the team track but I still have the SST al frame and I am building that up as a separate bike
08-24-10 | 11:57 PM
#83
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
I prefer having them for various reasons. They make taking the rear wheel on and off much easier, in terms of setting tension to my liking as well as centering the wheel. Also it prevents the axle nuts from digging into the drop outs. Most of all, i just feel more comfortable with tensioners on, especially given the crappy roads in my area, dont want any slippage. Im OCD about things staying put sometimes.
09-05-10 | 02:13 AM
#85
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
hey everyone, first time SS rider, long time lurker. Here are a few pics of mine.
the packaging:
one damaged area:
first look:
unboxing:
assembly:
After i was done assembling it, i got too excited and went for a ride and forgot to take a snap of the finished product.
weight: 20lbs from the factory.
update:
So after having put about 300 miles or so on the bike including some hill climbs, i have to say that the bike has broken in very nicely. It isnt as stiff feeling, and noisy as it was the first day out. Only thing ive changed are the pedals to a set of ultegra spd-sl and the rear inner tube (puncture death by burr). on aggressive climbs, the front end makes a bit of noise but it might be due to the carbon forks. Ive tested and tightened everything as much as i can find so im chalking it of to "thats just normal noises". all in all, im very happy with the purchase.
the packaging:
one damaged area:
first look:
unboxing:
assembly:
After i was done assembling it, i got too excited and went for a ride and forgot to take a snap of the finished product.
weight: 20lbs from the factory.
update:
So after having put about 300 miles or so on the bike including some hill climbs, i have to say that the bike has broken in very nicely. It isnt as stiff feeling, and noisy as it was the first day out. Only thing ive changed are the pedals to a set of ultegra spd-sl and the rear inner tube (puncture death by burr). on aggressive climbs, the front end makes a bit of noise but it might be due to the carbon forks. Ive tested and tightened everything as much as i can find so im chalking it of to "thats just normal noises". all in all, im very happy with the purchase.
Last edited by spot9; 09-22-10 at 03:58 PM.
10-11-10 | 09:05 AM
#87
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD
Bikes: 1983 Nishiki Sebring SS/FG Convert
"My black 54 with a few accessories.
"
" 08-25-10 01:04 AM
@shenny88 -> NICE
I'm still stuck on what wheels to get for mine, the stock wheels are heavy the rear Hub and the BB is in need of Bearings already.I just completed this years Seagull Century on mine. Very comfortable ride, even though it felt like I was sprinting the whole way @ 20mph.
60cm 2010 DAWES SST AL (All Black)
Syntace Stratos Zero 39cm
Easton EA30 100mm Stem
Specialized Toupe Pro Saddle
Specialized Armadillo 28 rear 25 front
KMC Kool SL Chain
48/18 - Stock FSA Cranks/Chainring, EAI Cog DA Lockring
(More Upgrades/Pictures to come)
Last edited by MRBanks; 10-11-10 at 09:15 AM. Reason: Reply Quote
10-11-10 | 01:33 PM
#88
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
thanks, im currently running it without all the utility stuff on there. looks a little cleaner.
But yeah, my BB is just about on its way out as well. However, i havent had any problems with the wheels... i do only weigh 155 lbs though.
But yeah, my BB is just about on its way out as well. However, i havent had any problems with the wheels... i do only weigh 155 lbs though.
12-15-10 | 12:43 AM
#90
Veteran Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,862
Likes: 918
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
120mm
12-15-10 | 10:57 PM
#94
Veteran Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,862
Likes: 918
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
12-17-10 | 07:56 AM
#95
did you lurk today?
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: scv/oc
its an alright bike. im 6' but not sure on standover and it feels alright. i threw on bullhorns and felt stretched out but lowered my seat a little and i was fine. the bike rides quick and is pretty light but i found problems with it. the tubes dont seem to match the psi on the tire so when i got up to 120 or so they burst (suggested 130psi) i switched out the tubes and im fine. i personally dont like the bike as much as i thought i would and its not very agressive but ive hit mid 40's with it and it still rode fine. the rims are pretty great and durrable and it did come with a track cog and lockring installed with a freespin in the box but as said before, the luckring was crap so i quickly switched that out. im more than likely switch to a 58 or 59 steal frame set to compare and to throw around a little. great bike for the price, just not quite my preference. also, the kenesis decals are removable along with decals on the rims but the dawes logos on the ht and seat tube are under the clear coat.
11-14-12 | 02:34 AM
#97
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
How did you need to modify the fenders?
I'm about to get the same ones, since it's tried and trued.
I'm about to get the same ones, since it's tried and trued.
I'm very happy with mine. I'm a big guy and the steel frames in my price range all felt a bit noodly under me or were hi-ten boat anchors. The SST AL is very stiff but that also makes it a very prone to some savage road buzz, you will feel every little bump in the road. A carbon seatpost dulled mine out nicely though. I'd go so far as to say I think it's practically necessary. Seatpost, saddle, pedals (very cheap and junky), and tires (very poor cornering traction) should be budgeted as near instant replacements. The frame looks like it might fit a 30, maybe a few 32s but not most. The brake calipers will only clear a 28 though and just barely at that.
I've modified mine a bit.
Sette Aeon stem 130 mm
Sette Nyx saddle - best damn inexpensive saddle I've ever seen
Crud Road Racer fenders (just barely clear with 23s)
Hutchinson Ultra Fusion II tires - ride is wonderful, about 1000 miles on them so far with very little noticeable wear
Sette APX carbon seat post
Crank Bros Quattro SL pedals
Sette ST-316 rear blinky - best little cheap light I've ever seen
Nashbar fake carbon bottle cage
removed the decals and blacked out most markings
put some strategic reflective tape on to make the police happy (as if my 1/2W rear and 700 lumen front weren't bright enough)
I've modified mine a bit.
Sette Aeon stem 130 mm
Sette Nyx saddle - best damn inexpensive saddle I've ever seen
Crud Road Racer fenders (just barely clear with 23s)
Hutchinson Ultra Fusion II tires - ride is wonderful, about 1000 miles on them so far with very little noticeable wear
Sette APX carbon seat post
Crank Bros Quattro SL pedals
Sette ST-316 rear blinky - best little cheap light I've ever seen
Nashbar fake carbon bottle cage
removed the decals and blacked out most markings
put some strategic reflective tape on to make the police happy (as if my 1/2W rear and 700 lumen front weren't bright enough)
11-14-12 | 04:08 AM
#98
Pizza
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Dentron, TX
Bikes: Paramount Series 3 PDG-'91; Specialized Stumpjumper-'06; Trek 400-'92; Peugeot hybrid fixed gear conversion-late 80's?
That post is from May 2010, and it looks like that poster doesn't frequent these forums much anymore. Those look kind of like the sks raceblades, and they're pretty popular today. Best of luck.
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