The "Should I..." Thread
#4126
Veteran Racer


Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
It's just that it's pretty badly scuffed and scratched up, and no amount of cleaning and polishing is going to fix that. Functionally, there's nothing wrong with it.
#4127
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 638
Likes: 22
From: Hawaii
Bikes: 2012 Switch Performance BlackSkin LE Urban, 2013 Leader 725, 1975 Fuji America, 1990 Giant Cadex 980c, 1986 Peugeot PH10LE, 1995 Trek 2120 Carbon ZX
Should I put Tririg's Sigma stem and Omega brakes on my Switch Urban frame? Is it a weird to put Tri designed parts on my SS carbon roadie project?


#4128
Veteran Racer


Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
#4129
The only reasons I can see for a cx bike are that you are going to race cx or you can only have one bike. Are you going to race cx? As cx bikes go it seems pretty good but isn't this just one of those "very narrow niche in my stable" things?
Last edited by prooftheory; 03-20-14 at 05:17 AM.
#4130
Veteran Racer


Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
I do race some cx and have a home-made beater cx bike, but that's not the main reason to have it. That particular bike is fender / rack compatible and like all cx bikes accepts wide tires. It also has disk brakes instead of cantis, which I hate with a passion. That makes it suitable as a bad weather and very bad road / dirt road / gravel road type of bike, which I occasionally encounter.
__________________
What, Me Worry? - Alfred E. Neuman
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
What, Me Worry? - Alfred E. Neuman
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
Last edited by TejanoTrackie; 03-28-14 at 07:23 AM.
#4131
#4134
Bike Nerd

Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 238
Likes: 2
From: Brooklyn
Bikes: '04 Cannondale Track, Custom Steel Disc Road Di2, Rock Lobster CX
As for the brakes/stem combo, I say no. That frame deserves ****** parts, but you don't need things like internal DI2 and cable routing for your SS. Plus thats what, $520 on a stem and brakes? I think your money could be better spent pimping your ride elsewhere.
At ~250g/pr the brakes are 45g lighter than DA or Campy but ~50g heavier than a similarly-priced brake from KCNC or Far & Near. The stem is ~115g heavier than an $80 3T Team.
#4135
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 638
Likes: 22
From: Hawaii
Bikes: 2012 Switch Performance BlackSkin LE Urban, 2013 Leader 725, 1975 Fuji America, 1990 Giant Cadex 980c, 1986 Peugeot PH10LE, 1995 Trek 2120 Carbon ZX
Without derailing this thread, how do you like the Switch frame? Any actual weights? I've seen 'em for sale on ebay occasionally and am really intrigued.
As for the brakes/stem combo, I say no. That frame deserves ****** parts, but you don't need things like internal DI2 and cable routing for your SS. Plus thats what, $520 on a stem and brakes? I think your money could be better spent pimping your ride elsewhere.
At ~250g/pr the brakes are 45g lighter than DA or Campy but ~50g heavier than a similarly-priced brake from KCNC or Far & Near. The stem is ~115g heavier than an $80 3T Team.
As for the brakes/stem combo, I say no. That frame deserves ****** parts, but you don't need things like internal DI2 and cable routing for your SS. Plus thats what, $520 on a stem and brakes? I think your money could be better spent pimping your ride elsewhere.
At ~250g/pr the brakes are 45g lighter than DA or Campy but ~50g heavier than a similarly-priced brake from KCNC or Far & Near. The stem is ~115g heavier than an $80 3T Team.
The annoying part is that the Switch website doesn't provide much info besides it's geometry and not many people own this frame so there isn't a pool of experience I can pull from on the net.
I'll probably still go for the Omega brakes if not the stem. Going with the Cinelli Ram XL (not integrated stem) drop bars, so recommend a good stem.
#4136
Bike Nerd

Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 238
Likes: 2
From: Brooklyn
Bikes: '04 Cannondale Track, Custom Steel Disc Road Di2, Rock Lobster CX
I have yet to actually ride it since it's still in it's project build phase. It's about 3.4 pounds with fork and headset pretty darn light I'd say. Has a slight upward sloping top tube and a lower BB so it's not really trackish, more road like geometry. The track ends are depressingly short however so not a lot of room for play and not really built to accept multiple cogs without needing multiple chains if they aren't within 1 or 2 teeth of each other. But they are completely replaceable and can accept a rear drop out for some derailluer action if I want to.
The annoying part is that the Switch website doesn't provide much info besides it's geometry and not many people own this frame so there isn't a pool of experience I can pull from on the net.
I'll probably still go for the Omega brakes if not the stem. Going with the Cinelli Ram XL (not integrated stem) drop bars, so recommend a good stem.
The annoying part is that the Switch website doesn't provide much info besides it's geometry and not many people own this frame so there isn't a pool of experience I can pull from on the net.
I'll probably still go for the Omega brakes if not the stem. Going with the Cinelli Ram XL (not integrated stem) drop bars, so recommend a good stem.
I've been using 3T ARX Team stems since 2010, no complaints. I really like the move to torx bolts so if I were buying a stem now I'd get the new 3T ARX-II Team Stealth or a Zipp Service Course SL. Both are available in 6º and 17º variants so you can get your perfect fit.
As for geometry, it's frustrating that Switch's charts don't include things like BB drop. Are these road frames with thick drop-outs to reduce the rear spacing to 120mm? How is crank arm clearance?
#4139
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 638
Likes: 22
From: Hawaii
Bikes: 2012 Switch Performance BlackSkin LE Urban, 2013 Leader 725, 1975 Fuji America, 1990 Giant Cadex 980c, 1986 Peugeot PH10LE, 1995 Trek 2120 Carbon ZX
I measured the bottom bracket drop before but don't remember the measurement, but I do recall it having typical road type drop.
Last edited by GhostSS; 03-21-14 at 02:25 PM.
#4140
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 96
Likes: 13
Bikes: Giant TCR 1 Composite
#4142
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 328
1) I always have problems deciding when I've got drop handlebar/levers set-up just right. How does this look? It is pretty comfortable, but "Should I..." readjust it? If so, suggestions?
2) When(if) I do get it right, I have some brown bartape I wouldn't mind putting on but that would make me want to change to a brown saddle, or "Should I..." just get some black bar tape?
2) When(if) I do get it right, I have some brown bartape I wouldn't mind putting on but that would make me want to change to a brown saddle, or "Should I..." just get some black bar tape?
#4143
Veteran Racer


Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
1) I always have problems deciding when I've got drop handlebar/levers set-up just right. How does this look? It is pretty comfortable, but "Should I..." readjust it? If so, suggestions?
2) When(if) I do get it right, I have some brown bartape I wouldn't mind putting on but that would make me want to change to a brown saddle, or "Should I..." just get some black bar tape?
2) When(if) I do get it right, I have some brown bartape I wouldn't mind putting on but that would make me want to change to a brown saddle, or "Should I..." just get some black bar tape?
__________________
What, Me Worry? - Alfred E. Neuman
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
What, Me Worry? - Alfred E. Neuman
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
Last edited by TejanoTrackie; 03-26-14 at 01:35 PM.
#4145
The space coyote lied.



Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 48,692
Likes: 10,961
From: dusk 'til dawn.
Bikes: everywhere
#4146
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 328
Thanks but I honestly don't know. My buddy that works in Asia a lot got it at the back door of some bike factory and brought it back to me as a goof to shut me up from complaining about my good bike getting beat up on the train, in bike racks, etc. Has no brand marking, bound to be some cheap gas pipe POS but the joke is on him - I love it. Damned thing is a ton of fun & serves its purpose well, plus it gets a lot of smiles from others...
#4147
Your cog is slipping.



Joined: May 2009
Posts: 26,053
Likes: 100
From: Beverly MA
Bikes: EAI Bareknuckle
#4148
#4150
:)
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,420
Likes: 3
From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: Cannondale CAAD12, Specialized Rockhopper, Norco Fluid FS1



