This year, we're participating in the Trans Rockies so we're going to be building up an all mountain full suspension bike for the race. First, it'll give us a test bed to try new parts and we have something that we think will work extremely well for the Trans Rockies and all around for that matter. We're in the process of picking out our frame and our drivetrain so stay tuned and we'll reveal more information as the time comes. The goal of this project bike is something that'll be at home for both all day back woods type riding to a 24 Hour Enduro race. Lightweight will not be the number one priority because a XC race frame will easily fit that bill nor will it be a DH 10" ski lift bike either. It'll be something that can still be pedaled up the hill and handle the downhill afterwards. Reliability and all weather performance will be key.
Update: April 12, 2006
We've received our custom Moots Cinco and we couldn't be happier. This will be the frame we build specifically for the Trans Rockies race and we are very excited. The different pieces are coming together nicely. We'll be building it up slowly for the next week to two weeks as we await more parts to come in. We'll be weighing the bike/parts as we get them and you will see a build up of the bike as we progress. We estimate the bike to be ~27-28lb when complete.
Initial Reaction - We've seen our fair share of beautiful frame from Seven, Merlin, Moots and Titus. Well we're glad to say this one doesn't disappoint. The frame is as nice as they come. 
The welds are clean and has that distinct Moots weld quality found on all their frames and components. Moots being a small company, you can literally call them and talk directly to the guy who will design and weld the frame for you. The frame comes with a work tag that has the initials of all the people at Moots that worked on your frame during its making. The frame is a nice brushed satin finished so someone can tell it's a Ti frame but not "look at me" loud kind of way. The rear swingarm from Ventana looks great on the Cinco and proven to work well 
in the field. This looks to be a very promising bike.
Drivetrain - Our goal for this project was to build something that will suitable for the Trans Rockies. It'll have to be reliable, durable, minimal maintenance and all weather performance. Weight wasn't as high on the priority list as the other points. Build the bike for its intended purpose is the way we regard projects. Mike our resident tester has done the Trans Rockies and Marc has done the Trans Alps so we have some experience in terms of what to expect. Mike said to expect to replace the drivetrain (derailleur, cassette, chain, chainrings) at the end of the event. The year he did it in 2004, it got muddy with waist high stream crossings in the mix. So keeping this in mind, we wanted to go with something different. The derailleur system is for all intends and purposes ideal for cycling. It's efficient, reliable, lightweight, versatile, excellent performance, cost effective and relatively low maintenance. Its performance however drops when conditions worsen and efficiency drops with wear and tear. Enter the Rohloff Disc Speedhub. We've always been facinated with this hub and have built up a few for our customers. We've always wanted to review one but never found an event long or challenging enough to give it a good honest test. What better to test it then a 6 day bike race across the Rocky Mountains with varying weather and trail conditions. We'll look at the benefits and drawbacks of the Rohloff hub.
Benefits
- It's sealed from the elements (ie mud proof) No more chain suck and mis-shifts. Performance is not affected in varying weather and trail conditions. Derailleur systems never performce the same as when it's new and everything is clean.
- Low maintenance - benefit of having a closed system vs an open derailleur system. Lube and go. 5000kms or once a season.
- Durable and reliable from all accounts from other owners and customers. We know of tandem teams doing the Trans Alps using a Rohloff.
- Versatility of a derailleur system offering 14 gears with no overlap providing the same gear ratios of a 27 speed system. All 14 gears are evenly spaced out in 13.6% increases.
- Ease of setup. Once initially setup, there are no more fine adjust screws, limit screws to mess around with, cables, etc.
- Dishless rear wheel - Symmetric or"dishless" wheels center the rim between the hub flanges. With equal spoke lengths, tensions and angles on both sides of the wheel, dishless wheels distribute the load equally instead of forcing half the spokes to carry a majority of the weight. The result is a stronger, more reliable wheel.
Drawbacks
- Cost - this is probably the #1 perceived drawback to the Rohloff. However if you break it down and compare it to a comparable derailleur system; SRAM 9.0/X.0, Shimano XT/XTR with any aftermarket rear hub, it's be pretty close. Don't forget derailleur system require comparable high performance chainrings, front derailleurs for it to perform as intended. Often times, people look at just the cost of the rear derailleur hub and cassette. For this particular race, we're looking at the cost of 2 derailleurs, cassettes, chain rings, chain so in the end it's not going to be that much different. It's initial sticker shock but if you really think it through, it's not much different.
- Weight - We figure the Rohloff system will be 1.5-2lbs heavier than an XT/XTR system and that's something we've accepted for the added benefits of the system. The weight is distributed more towards the end rather than a derailleur system. We're not out to win the Trans Rockies so having the lightest bike at the race isn't critical. If we wanted light, we would have gone with a Ti or aluminum hardtail and probably build it up to 22lbs. It may even last the event although I don't know how much fun it'd be on the downhills. If we were looking to claim the "King of the Moutains" title along with the Polka Dot Jersey, we may think differently. At the end of all this, it will ultimately be our play bike and test platform so weight is not that important.
- That's it.
So given all the added benefits compared to the drawbacks, it became clear that the Rohloff was the way to go.
Frame Moots Cinco Small (custom) 6.08lbs
Fork 2006 Fox RLC 4lbs (uncut steerer)
Headset Chris King 1 1/8" Threadless 125g
Stem Moots Ti Beam 185g (120x6)
Handlebars Moots Low Rise Ti bar 230g
Grips ODI Grips 100g
Brakes Magura Marta SL Front 350g (110g 160mm rotor, 30g mounting hardware)
Magura Marta SL Rear 370g (110g 160mm rotor, 30g mounting hardware)
Pedals Shimano PD-M959 345g
Skewers Salsa Flip-Offs 95g
Chain Rohloff S-L-T99 300g
Tires Kenda Blue Groove 26x2.0 L3R Pro 900g (front and back)
Seatpost Moots 27.2x340mm Layback 220g
Saddle Selle Italia SLR Ti 150g
Drivetrain Rohloff Speedhub Disc with external shifter, chain tensioner, cables 2470g
Tubes Generic 26"x1.75 175g x2 350g
Rim DT XR 4.1d 32h (rear rim) 425g
Spokes DT Competition BLACK 2.0/1.8/2.0 mm 238mm 32pcs 176g
Nipples Brass 32pcs 33g
Cranks FSA carbon with XTR Large 46T chainring 535g
Bottom Bracket XTR M952 112.5mm 215g
Total = 26.80lbs
Team Spokewrench
Comments