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Tempted to the dark side - GT Ultrabox 2!

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Mikku:
Thanks guys! The Renthal bars were one of the things that helped seal the deal - I've always wanted a set so if I decide that the frame's not for me, I'll keep 'em! :daumenhoch:

The alloy mtb post that's on there is 400mm, which is fine for the rice fields but not the track. I was thinking of cutting it down but need the longer post for riding, so last night I snagged a cut down carbon post online for under a tenner! Let the build begin!! Actually, if that's the case, should this thread be moved over to Tech & Resto??

Mikku:
A few updates. The cut-down carbon post arrived and it's perfect! Pics below of the post compared to the original and then installed. The bike looks much more purposeful with the sleeker lines. You can see from the bike pic that I also successfully removed those decals. The Mitas one peeled off easily and will live to fight another day on the back of a sticker-bombed race plate. The Smith one needed more encouragement and left quite a bit of sticky residue but I think I got most of it off with a bit of elbow grease. :daumenhoch:

Next job was the Izumi chain. That came off and had a degrease and clean, which has improved things a little but there's quite a bit of slap/noise on the (Profile Elite) chainring, so I guess it's a 1/8" rather than a 3/32" sizing. The plan is therefore to see how it rides on track. If I like it and decide to race it then I'll replace the chain with something better. If not, then I may as well save a few pennies and leave the Izumi on there for the time being, though I don't want to damage that expensive chainring so will probably swap it out at some point.

When the chain was off I had a closer look at the crankset. Made by Spanish company Rotor, the crank "is produced via a combination of forging and CNC machining and uses ROTOR's Trinity Drilling System, giving the crank an extremely high torsional resistance" according the review I found online. It has a 30mm UBB (universal bottom bracket) axle, as per the pic below. I can't show you mine because I don't have the tool to remove the bugger! That doesn't worry me too much though because with the chain removed, the cranks span smoothly and quietly through the BSA30 bearings, also by Rotor. I'm therefore inclined to leave it alone and instead focus my attentions on the Chromag bashguard. As funky as it looks, it's coming off as soon as I can undo the bloody chainring bolts! They are 6mm hex on one side and torx on the other, a combination I've not seen before. Not sure what size torx but I'm guessing T30 as it's bigger than the T25 that I have on my (not so) handy multi-tool! I reckon I'll have to replace the chainring bolts to something shorter, but will see when I get the buggers off. So that's where I am at the moment. More to follow as and when I buy some torx wrenches. ::)

Taipan:
Looks a mad bit of kit that!  ??? Interested to know the ins and out's of that one  :daumenhoch:

Mikku:
As mad as a "high modulus monocoque", according to the GT sales blurb. Definitely an eye-opener on several levels. Am doing some research on these as we speak, so will post up what I find down the line. :daumenhoch:

In the meantime, I got the bugger off! The bashguard that is. Bought a torx multi-tool and the T30 did indeed do the trick, finally revealing the nickel-plated Profile Elite chainring underneath. As anticipated, the hex/torx bolts were too long with the bashguard removed, but I had just enough bolts in my spares box to keep me up and running, at least until I get a matching set of new ones. Pics of the now naked-looking chainring below, together with the bashguard, which weighs about 100g so that's a bit more weight shaved off the bike. Tbh, I quite liked the red on there but I'm sure I'll get used to the new look. The black chain doesn't help, so maybe a silver replacement will be on the cards sooner than I was thinking! If that doesn't do the trick then I have a red Rennen chainring going spare, though that's also 43T and needs threaded bolts, so may be I'll just leave things as they are for the time being. That said, I also have the 44T Renthal chainring that's currently residing on the Quamen (pictured below), so I could swap the set-ups over. Actually, that's not a bad idea as the Profile chainring and black chain would look ok on the Quamen, and the Renthal ring and silver chain would like fine on the GT, plus I'll have better gearing to boot, as well as save the cost of a new chain. Hmmm. >:D

Anyway, the next step is to take this baby to the track, possibly this coming Sunday, if the weather improves!! :D

Mikku:
I made it to the track on Tuesday albeit only for an hour in damp conditions, so couldn't give the UB2 (or its rider) much of  a workout. However, it was good to finally get to ride the bike on a track and first impressions were positive. Unlike the Quamen, it didn't feel too small and I liked the way it handled, though it may well be a different matter on a dry and/or harder surface than the damp dirt I was on. One negative was the sloppy/slappy noise from the drivetrain, caused by that wide and admittedly slightly loose chain. The sound is accentuated on this frame, with its hollow, monocoque design, so much so that it sounds like something is rattling around inside. I therefore plan to swap over the chainring and chain from the Quamen sooner rather than later in the hope that that will tighten things up (and quieten things down), then head back to the track on a dry day to get a better idea of what it's like. That could happen as soon as Sunday, but we'll see.

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