Cyclone MBC

XT Joined : 30 Oct 2006 Posts : 189

I think Lee turned it around quite quickly as it was just before Christmas and no doubt a bit of extra cash is always welcomed. I think the turnaround was 1 week, Saturday to Saturday but it could have been 2. It was stoved but I asked for some over lacquering as well. Looks rock solid. It has a couple of tiny blemishes but nothing anywhere obvious. The overall finish is very good. I have got an order list about to go to CRC for the bit n peices I need so I'll update this thread when I know more about the toughness of the paint. Stove enamel is well known for being good stuff so I expect it to be fine.

Subject: Mag Frame Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:27 pm

Hi Craig

Interested to read about your new frame. I've got the 19" version and have just completed a light weight build with mostly s/h bits off Ebay and STW.

I had the same issues about the b/b and the granny ring is about 1.5mm off the chainstay.... Seems to work OK though - have taken it out for a couple of spins and will try it for real on Sunday at the next Soggy Bottom race in Plymouth. I did try to space the b/b out but although the chainline seemed OK I couldn't get the front mech to stop scraping the chain in the middle and big ring highest gears. Generally the transmission doesn't seem to be as well sorted as it might be so I would be interested to hear how yours pans out.

The colour I went for is 'anthracite' powdercoat which looks smart but understated....

Spec' is RC38 Airforce 2 fork, Crossride wheels, Mini Monos, RF Turbine chainset with Middleburn rings, Kooka Race stem, Pazzaz carbon straight bar, no name carbon seat post, San Marco Aspide saddle, XTR shifters and rear mech and Deore front mech. Was supposed to be economy build but still ended up about £800 inc frame.

Took me a while to sort out the hose fixing - but I ended up with nylon p clips. The thread size is M3.5 - and I'm using the same screws used to fasten wall sockets on.... To keep things tidy I also fitted rivnuts for a Crud Catcher - so no rubber bands or cable ties to scratch the paint. Was a bit nerve wracking drilling holes in the down tube though.

Look forward to seeing your pics.

Cheers

Marcus

XT Joined : 30 Oct 2006 Posts : 189

How tall are you? I am 5'10 or 11 ish and went for the 17" version. The seatpost to head length is the same as my current bike but the BB to the seatpost clamp is shorter so I need a 400mm seat tube.

Saracen sent me some free P clips and screws. Are you using the screws that hold a socket/light switch to the plastic/galvanised patress/backfitting?

Interesting to note you used rivnuts. I had noticed the lack of bosses, just the water bottle one on my frame. I'll have to look into them - got any good links?

I am hoping it's going to be a good ride after all this effort ! The build so far is

http://bwffw.servehttp.com/bike/SaracenMagnesiumKiliFlyerImages.pdf

Subject: Re: Bottom Bracket Sizing Thu Jan 18, 2007 8:32 pm

6' and with longish legs. I was going to have the 17" frame but talking to Peter Darke went for the 19" which was the right move I think.

Yeah, those are the screws - I wanted to get s/s socket pan head ones - but you can't get such things very easily so I'll see how the DIY stylee ones go.

I got the rivnuts from here: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/WVS-FASTENERS
and s/s screws to fit from here: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Aruncas

If you wanted to use M4 rivnuts I've got a load more than I need, so can post you some, no worries. On balance if I was doing it again I'd go for M5 though - slightly more robust although with M4 I could get away with a 6mm hole in the tube. I used aluminium because they weigh vitually nothing and you can avoid the need for a special tool for the squishing bit, although it does mean a small amount of bodging. Steel rivnuts are a pig to fit unless you have the right tool.

Re the ride - I haven't had an aluminium hard tail so can only compare it with a full suss and steel rigid. Basically it's very light so acceleration and going uphill are great, within the significant limits of my fitness. Feels compliant on the bumps which is combination of the carbon post and magnesium I think. I'm very pleased with it. I'd post some pics but I haven't quite sussed these hosting sites yet.

I found an old magazine review of the basic Kili build here: http://www.mgbiker.20m.com/
- bit of an old dodgy site though - make sure your virus checker is up to date...

XT Joined : 30 Oct 2006 Posts : 189

Marcus I rode my new build into work this morning Laughing

as a test as I am taking out to the Quantocks tomorrow. Very Happy

You said 'the granny ring is about 1.5mm off the chainstay'. Not sure if you mean the granny ring at the crank is close to the seat post tube or that top gear on the rear cassette is close to the chain stay. scratch

All my tolerances are fine but my rear Hope rotor is quite close to the chain stay. I was surprised at how well the final bits came together without the usual faffing. I sized the new chain OK, the front mech went in and set up perfectly with only a few tweaks, the rear mech was even easier and I had no problems when I bled the rear brakes after trimming down the hose. That's really unlike me.

The ride to work isn't much of a test ride but it does at least prove the whole thing hangs together. It seems quite quick to accelerate and feels nimble. It seems to fit me really well and on the one short nasty climb felt really capable. I suspect the frame geometry suits me more than the old bike. It also felt quite smooth, maybe it was the off road tyres on the road, maybe it was the magnesium.

True test tomorrow at the Quantocks and Cannock next Sunday. tongue