My "new" bike (1)

Triathlon Forum
1

So, with the new house approaching completion, and some other siginficant expenses coming up, I realized I couldn’t spend a ton on a new bike, but I really wanted a tri-specific frame. So, I bought the Leader 735TT, the LD806 carbon fork and the Cane Creek IS6 headset from the Leader eBay store, and moved my DA/Ultegra 9sp components over from the Trek 2000 road bike I’d been using as my “multi-purpose” bike.

This is the result:

http://tinypic.com/b4uxqv.jpg

http://tinypic.com/b4vkf9.jpg

Components:

Dura Ace BB
Ultegra Cranks (53/39)
Dura Ace RD
Ultegra FD
Ultgra Brakes
DA SPD-SL pedals
Profile Designs base bar
Dia Compe 188 brake levers
DA 9sp bar end shifters
Syntace C2 aero bars
Aerus Composites carbon seatpost
Fizik Arione
LD806 aero carbon fork
Cane Creek IS6 headset
Zipp 404’s
Ultegra chain

My Thoughts on the Leader 735TT after one ride

Although it’s no P3, I think this is a frame with a lot of potential. For the money, it was a steal, especially since I wasn’t buying new components. If you’re in the market for a Triathlon-specific frame, you don’t have $1500 (or more) to spend on a complete bike, and you don’t mind running your old components, this may be the frame for you.

It rides more harshly than carbon (of course), but the ride can be tempered with a carbon seatpost and a carbon fork. It’s definitely stiffer than my Trek 2000, but I don’t think it rides as harshly. Being on a true tri-specific frame is infinitely more comfortable than a road bike converted to steep geometry. In addition, the handling is vastly improved over the converted Trek.

I was disappointed with the fact that although Leader advertises the frame as coming with set screws to fine tune your ability to adjust the rear wheel in horizontal dropouts closer to the seatpost cutout, the set screws were not in fact included. On my only ride so far, the rear wheel managed to work itself too close to the cutout, and started rubbing. I suppose you can set the wheel further from the cuout so that any slippage still doesn’t get you rubbing the seatpost, but that defeats the purpose of the cutout. It sure would be nice to have those set screws.

I’m not thrilled with the integrated headset, but it did make installation very easy, as I didn’t need a headset press.

All in all, I like the frame. I need the set screws, because I’d hate to have the wheel start rubbing in the middle of a race. Other than that, I’m very satisfied.

2

not bad, great color.

so how much $ was the frame/fork?

and, what kind of stem do you use?

3

Frame was $359, Fork was $149.

I’m using a Ritchey 110mm 17 degree stem (flipped)

4

wow, that is quite reasonalble.

do you know what model ritchey stem?

5

Can’t remember, and it’s not on the stem.

6

thanks.

isn’t it amazing?, no comments yet about your home decor…

7

I know. I’m dreading it.

In my defense, it’s a rental, so we haven’t done anything with it. If it was the new house (which I’m starting to think will NEVER be finished), I’d definitely deserve it.

8

Your lamp’s seatpost is too high.

9

sweet set up Steve and the cost is super reasonable to boot.

10

Nice bike! I have always found Leader to be very helpful every time I dealt with them. A quick e-mail or phone call should have the set screws in your mailbox quickly.

11

I suppose you can set the wheel further from the cutout so that any slippage still doesn’t get you rubbing the seatpost, but that defeats the purpose of the cutout.

Which might not be a bad idea in the long run. Especially since you have a big water bottle sitting about three or four inches in front of the area in question. Cutouts are of dubious overall value, but look really cool since Cervelo is doing them.

Maybe I just find them ridiculous after hearing and seeing all the grief a friend of mine had with a cutout. His wheel loosened on him at Blackwater Eagleman a couple of years ago and he had to stop, realign the wheel and crank the quick release on as tight as he possibly could. Not a big deal in a half-IM you say, except that a friend of ours beat him by less than a minute. Never underestimate the value of bragging rights.

Chad

13

I guess I need to call. I haven’t had any email responses.

EDIT

Had an email from Leader this morning. Apparently, I DO have the screws, but mistook them for water bottle boss screws… a common mistake, according to Leader, as they are precisely the same size. Well… now I have to go get water bottle boss screws. :slight_smile:

Anyway, cheers to Leader. I think it’s a terrific bike, and they will only get better the longer Leader is in the business.

14

Bravo!! That is a great set-up… I’m sure you’ll be passing plenty of P3s at your next race with that set up.

15

looks like a really nice set up. Out of curiosity, what size is your frame and wheels and what does the whole thing tip the scales at?

16

Leader frame sizes are listed with two numbers. This is the 59/63. I think that’s a 59cm seat tube and a 63 cm top tube. I’ll have to look it up. It’s the largest they make, as I’m 6’4"

Wheels are 700c.

Haven’t wighed it, but I’d bet it’s rather heavy. It seems lighter than the Trek 2000 was when it had those components, but it’s no 14 lb wonder. Leader lists the frame weight for the medium size (can’t remember the numbers) at 3.2 lbs.

17

You’ve done just what I wanted to do this winter! I have a Trek 2100 and wanted to get just the fram and fork and move everthing over, alas i do not have the pursuit bars or bar end shifters so my budget kept going up.

Looks great! Great to hear that you are happy with it.

18

I’d like to see some more red on there, but all in all, not to bad.

19

I was thinking maybe some red on the handlebar tape would nicely match the Zipp stickers.

20

I was thinking maybe some red on the handlebar tape would nicely match the Zipp stickers.

Or some red tassles.

isn’t it amazing?, no comments yet about your home decor…

What’s to comment on? White-on-white w/ my grandma’s lamp. =)

That’s a pretty cool looking bike Perx … I envy your bike knowledge (frame value, components, etc). It would be nice to be able to recognize a bargain/steal when one comes along.

21

Yep, that’d do nice.