Spa Cycles Elan Ti

MikeF · Post by **MikeF** » 19 Mar 2017, 2:34pm

You're right. That might be a possibility.

urbanhiker · Post by **urbanhiker** » 21 Mar 2017, 9:39am

The Elan Ti seems to be one of the best value bikes I've come across in my 6month search for a road/sportive/audax/trouer bike that can handle the odd bit of rough stuff/NCN path etc. It is a shame there hasn't been a more in depth review. I'm guessing that is just that Spa Cycles marketing department aren't quite as driven as some other brands, Mason Bikes for example.

531colin, do you work for them? Am I right in thinking that they can be built up with any configuration of kit. Would that just be kit from the website, or any kit? Really like the idea of a through hole fork, and 1x11 force gearing.

531colin · Post by **531colin** » 21 Mar 2017, 12:12pm

I shall be 70 in a couple of months, the only thing i still do is frame design.
If you mean a through axle fork, then you will need to find a fork with comparable axle to crown length and offset. Offset is likely to be a non-problem, as most forks are 45mm offset. Axle to crown race seat length must take account of steerer size.....if its inch and a half/inch and eighth tapered steerer, then (I think) it needs to be the length in the geo. chart on the website; if its inch and eighth straight steerer it needs to be another 10mm longer to account for the different headset cups. ....have a look at the second diagram from the left here http://www.hopetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/HOPE-HEADSET-FITTING-CHART.pdf....from those nice people at Hope. If you decide to proceed let me know and I'll go back to the original drawings and check.

Another thought....there's also the Sabbath AR1 bike ....if you wanted through-axle rear as well as front, then I'm fairly sure you can get a "custom" Sabbath frame with rear dropouts for through axle, and possibly a "custom" Spa Elan also. Phone Spa (or Sabbath) and talk to Theo. (Its the same Theo.)
Theo. is also probably the guy to speak to about a through-axle fork, and about building up customer-supplied cycle parts

I can't tell you whether or not the shop will build with parts that you supply; its something thats all fine and dandy if it all works, but if it doesn't work you can waste huge amounts of time and still end up with a really pissed-off customer with a bike that doesn't work.

Heltor Chasca · Post by **Heltor Chasca** » 21 Mar 2017, 4:07pm

urbanhiker wrote:The Elan Ti seems to be one of the best value bikes I've come across in my 6month search for a road/sportive/audax/trouer bike that can handle the odd bit of rough stuff/NCN path etc. It is a shame there hasn't been a more in depth review. I'm guessing that is just that Spa Cycles marketing department aren't quite as driven as some other brands, Mason Bikes for example.

531colin, do you work for them? Am I right in thinking that they can be built up with any configuration of kit. Would that just be kit from the website, or any kit? Really like the idea of a through hole fork, and 1x11 force gearing.

Absolutely. The value is extraordinary from the little knowledge I have gleaned. Much of that is thanks to this forum. I would tweak a couple of things. I like a good review and I'm sad in a way there isn't much out there, but I'm willing to take the risk and try it out myself. I have a few pans in the fire which will help me get there. I'm not one for taking out credit, so I'll be selling off a few of my treasures to fund any 'project'. I've just sold a rifle and I have blocked eBay's server with goodies for sale. At the weekend I'll put up my canoe and hand carved paddles etc for sale. There's also an unused mower and trailer bike when the weather cheers up to go. I'll get there.

531colin wrote:I shall be 70 in a couple of months, the only thing i still do is frame design.
If you mean a through axle fork, then you will need to find a fork with comparable axle to crown length and offset. Offset is likely to be a non-problem, as most forks are 45mm offset. Axle to crown race seat length must take account of steerer size.....if its inch and a half/inch and eighth tapered steerer, then (I think) it needs to be the length in the geo. chart on the website; if its inch and eighth straight steerer it needs to be another 10mm longer to account for the different headset cups. ....have a look at the second diagram from the left here http://www.hopetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/HOPE-HEADSET-FITTING-CHART.pdf....from those nice people at Hope. If you decide to proceed let me know and I'll go back to the original drawings and check.

Another thought....there's also the Sabbath AR1 bike ....if you wanted through-axle rear as well as front, then I'm fairly sure you can get a "custom" Sabbath frame with rear dropouts for through axle, and possibly a "custom" Spa Elan also. Phone Spa (or Sabbath) and talk to Theo. (Its the same Theo.)
Theo. is also probably the guy to speak to about a through-axle fork, and about building up customer-supplied cycle parts

I can't tell you whether or not the shop will build with parts that you supply; its something thats all fine and dandy if it all works, but if it doesn't work you can waste huge amounts of time and still end up with a really pissed-off customer with a bike that doesn't work.

Thanks Colin. I spoke to Theo by mistake who was fantastic. Sam was great too and had another point of view which was handy. They really have gone all out to see what will work for all. Nice bunch they are. 2nd Audax in as many weekends found me drooling over another Van Nicholas, but they are out of my league. It's looking like Spa is top of the pile.

P.S. I tried out some more of your bike fit suggestions on another Audax this weekend. Despite humping my DT over the hills of Devonshire, I was supremely comfortable. So thank you. I'll see you at your 70th by the way [emoji6]

martinn · Post by **martinn** » 21 Mar 2017, 5:41pm

Heltor, I believe you are near Bristol, you might want to try Bools cycles in Fishponds, as they stock Spa bikes.
Were you on the burgendy Surley on the Wells and Mells? Alfred's tower was a good testing climb

Martin

Heltor Chasca · Post by **Heltor Chasca** » 21 Mar 2017, 6:58pm

martinn wrote:Heltor, I believe you are near Bristol, you might want to try Bools cycles in Fishponds, as they stock Spa bikes.
Were you on the burgendy Surley on the Wells and Mells? Alfred's tower was a good testing climb

Martin

Thanks for that info Martin. I never knew. On the Wells and Mells I was on my Surly DT. I had to stop at the tower and wolf down a wheelbarrow full of jelly babies. Cripes that was a bit vertical, you are right. And the others. Thankfully a triple got my lump over the top.

Were you stopped in the lay bye having a natter?

martinn · Post by **martinn** » 22 Mar 2017, 12:13pm

Yes we were stopped nattering in the layby at the top, just for social reasons you understand, nothing to do with the hill

Mind you we got our recovery time at the next control, I think it was the longest wait for a cheese and ham toastie in world history

the world of audax is addictive,

Martin

honesty · Post by **honesty** » 22 Mar 2017, 2:20pm

I did the Mad March from Exeter for the second time this year. Already booked up for the Doddle from Taunton, and Exmoor Spring. Loved it. Even with the headwind across Smeatharpe Airfield!

Heltor Chasca · Post by **Heltor Chasca** » 22 Mar 2017, 8:46pm

martinn wrote:Yes we were stopped nattering in the layby at the top, just for social reasons you understand, nothing to do with the hill
Mind you we got our recovery time at the next control, I think it was the longest wait for a cheese and ham toastie in world history

the world of audax is addictive,

Martin

[emoji23] And it appears the participants are good sticks too.

Heltor Chasca · Post by **Heltor Chasca** » 22 Mar 2017, 8:51pm

honesty wrote:I did the Mad March from Exeter for the second time this year. Already booked up for the Doddle from Taunton, and Exmoor Spring. Loved it. Even with the headwind across Smeatharpe Airfield!

That wind was beastly. Sorry we didn't meet. I have decided to do the Coastlet instead of the Doddle. I'm a fool for lumps!

I've also booked The Merry Monk and I've pencilled in the Exmoor Spring, Over the Hills & Far Away and The Avon Cycleway.

The addiction is strong.

honesty · Post by **honesty** » 22 Mar 2017, 9:06pm

Heltor Chasca wrote:
honesty wrote:I did the Mad March from Exeter for the second time this year. Already booked up for the Doddle from Taunton, and Exmoor Spring. Loved it. Even with the headwind across Smeatharpe Airfield!

That wind was beastly. Sorry we didn't meet. I have decided to do the Coastlet instead of the Doddle. I'm a fool for lumps!

I've also booked The Merry Monk and I've pencilled in the Exmoor Spring, Over the Hills & Far Away and The Avon Cycleway.

The addiction is strong.

Did you do if then? If so we're you the chap wearing a green top (Italy flag) I chatted to about dynamo hubs near the start?

I've missed the booking deadline for the merry monk, no more places. Looking to book the Avon cycleway and the Devon delight.

Heltor Chasca · Post by **Heltor Chasca** » 22 Mar 2017, 9:11pm

honesty wrote:
Heltor Chasca wrote:
honesty wrote:I did the Mad March from Exeter for the second time this year. Already booked up for the Doddle from Taunton, and Exmoor Spring. Loved it. Even with the headwind across Smeatharpe Airfield!

That wind was beastly. Sorry we didn't meet. I have decided to do the Coastlet instead of the Doddle. I'm a fool for lumps!

I've also booked The Merry Monk and I've pencilled in the Exmoor Spring, Over the Hills & Far Away and The Avon Cycleway.

The addiction is strong.

Did you do if then? If so we're you the chap wearing a green top (Italy flag) I chatted to about dynamo hubs near the start?

I've missed the booking deadline for the merry monk, no more places. Looking to book the Avon cycleway and the Devon delight.

Ah! We did meet then. It'll be good to see you on any of the others.

honesty · Post by **honesty** » 22 Mar 2017, 9:15pm

Very nice to meet you as well. I'll come over an introduce myself properly if I see you again at another ride. The wind really was a killer. I ended up in a full aero tuck trying to catch another guy on a very nice singular (who happens to be on this forum as well, small world) so I could get some shelter. Almost caught up by the first treeline, then he got any. OK I gave up and ate flapjack....

Heltor Chasca · Post by **Heltor Chasca** » 22 Mar 2017, 9:21pm

honesty wrote:Very nice to meet you as well. I'll come over an introduce myself properly if I see you again at another ride. The wind really was a killer. I ended up in a full aero tuck trying to catch another guy on a very nice singular (who happens to be on this forum as well, small world) so I could get some shelter. Almost caught up by the first treeline, then he got any. OK I gave up and ate flapjack....

[emoji23] And great to meet you. I was packing Welsh cakes. The white Osprey by any chance?

I descended from the fort at great speed and left a little group I was with way behind. That's disc brakes for you. Too much confidence. I joined up with some others who were too fast for me so I got dumped and was left with 5km to do alone into the head wind. I paid the price in pain. You live and learn. Too much fun.

honesty · Post by **honesty** » 22 Mar 2017, 9:35pm

Heltor Chasca wrote:
honesty wrote:Very nice to meet you as well. I'll come over an introduce myself properly if I see you again at another ride. The wind really was a killer. I ended up in a full aero tuck trying to catch another guy on a very nice singular (who happens to be on this forum as well, small world) so I could get some shelter. Almost caught up by the first treeline, then he got any. OK I gave up and ate flapjack....

[emoji23] And great to meet you. I was packing Welsh cakes. The white Osprey by any chance?

I descended from the fort at great speed and left a little group I was with way behind. That's disc brakes for you. Too much confidence. I joined up with some others who were too fast for me so I got dumped and was left with 5km to do alone into the head wind. I paid the price in pain. You live and learn. Too much fun.

I stopped for 15 minutes at a friends in Wimple for a coffee and ended up doing the last few miles by myself as well. It was bad. The hill into Pinhoe was a nasty little surprise at the end.

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