Whyte 19 Carbon, it lives!

OK, hands up! The bike has been built for approx two months now, delayed in part by some fun and games sourcing a headset to fit. In the end I gave up and got an FSA from ATB sales so at least I knew it would fit. They were very “non-specific” but I think it’s a campag compatible one? Anyone want to confirm (I was no clearer checking the park tools site) but in general what a total pain in the backside all these “standards” are (from someone who likes standards – well “standard standards”).

So what’s it like to ride? Well I’m not sure what I was expecting but it’s amazingly comfortable, far less harsh than my alloy Whyte 19. This is probably in part due to the deadening qualities of carbon that absorb a lot of the vibration and harshness. The saddle has also been a total suprise. Think of it as a very comfortable old skool Flite Ti, but without the associated pain.

Handling wise, it can be a little twitchy, certainly on some of the local loose rocky tracks, and seems to like (like a good old rigid bike) to reward a more accurate line rather than ploughing through everything. That in part may be due to the way  have the SIDs set up at the moment and I’d say I’m still trying to find the sweetspot with them. The lack of weight means it accelerates incredibly well, even with me turning the pedals. The geometry makes it an incredible climber as well, though I might drop the stem a little more to keep the front down on the steep stuff (that top photo is very deceptive – it’s not a sit up and beg releigh shopper honestly)

...a bit twitchy

One of the biggest suprises for me is how accustomed I’ve become to the 2×9 setup. 29×32 seems to cope with most things I’ve thrown at it, apart from some loose and very steep climbs. However, I like it, and I’m pretty happy with the spread across the range of gears.

Having fitted the BB30 adapter sleeve to run a standard M.EXO bottom bracket, I can report zero creaking or noise. Stanley Fearns clearly did a good job in fitting it (their first sleeve)

In the end, some things changed on my proposed build list.

The headset – FSA “something” – After my tales of woe I just wanted to get something I could guarantee would fit. It’s a shame as i had lined up an Acros Ai-22 (beleiving the whyte was a Semi integrated setup). I’ve been very impressed with the engineering, seals and longevity of the one fitted on my Foes.

The Forks: SID World Cups – primarily because I got them for a very good price!

The chain – KMC SL – No particular reason apart from it was a bit bling (yes I will hand my head in shame, but I can’t shake off my early ’90s anodising heritage)

Grips – Ergon GE-1 – What a revelation these things are. These are the ones that look far more like regular grips than the normal Ergon grips. They aren’t exactly light, but I really don’t care. I normally experience some numbness in the outside of my hands on a longer ride. Nothing close so far with these and I’m seriously impressed. I’d consider getting some more for my other bikes.

Wheels – Hope Pro3 Hoops on Stans ZTR355s. I got them from Roger Musson / Wheelpro with the Stans’ Yellow tape installed. A bit heavier than the Acros setup I was going to go for but this bike has cost a lot already so this was an OK compromise. the freehub is so loud though – it seems a lot louder than the Pro 2 on my Whyte 19 alu, and I much prefer something quieter. I’m kicking myself now though having paid about £350 for these, they were going for £100 less on the STW group buy. What a bargain.

Brakes – I now have the Formula R1 lightweight rotors which have removed the “ABS” effect I was getting with the Martal SL wavy rotors

Now the “surprise” – with XTR pedals, and on the trusty bathroom scales, the bike is 20.5 Lbs, including pedals. Knock off 0.5 lbs for the XTR pedals and this is heavier than Whyte’s claim for their off the peg 19 Carbon. Where did I go wrong? Can’t say I’m bothered but I did expect this to come in under 20Lbs.

So where should I take the weight out of it in its current build?

So the final build:

Frame – Whyte 19 Carbon team, with FSA BB30 adaptor installed

Fork - Rockshox SID World Cup with remote Poploc

Headset - Some FSA thing from ATB sales.

Stem - Rotor Components S2

Bars - Easton EC90 CNT Monkeylite SL risers 31.8s

Brakes - Magura Marta Magnesium, Post Mount with Formula R1 rotors 180 f / 160 r

Grips -Ergon GE-1

Seatpost - Easton EC90 CNT Zero 30.9

Saddle - Selle Italia SLR Flow  Kit Carbonio 125

Seat Clamp – Miche 34.9 Carbon

Chainset – FSA K-Force Light dual (42/29) carbon

Bottom Bracket – FSA MExo ceramic

Front mech – XTR M970 34.9 down pull

Rear mech – XTR M970 GS Shadow

Cassette – XTR M970 12 – 34

Chain - KMC SL

Wheelset – Hope hoops – Pro 3 Sp with ZTR355s

Skewers - Critical Ti

Tyres - Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.1 F & R

Cables – Gore sealed

Pedals – XTR