taz777

Thanks for this advice! I will certainly drop the pressures gradually. I've already started doing this on my fat bike with outstanding results in terms of ride comfort.

I'll do the same on the Prosecco.

TimothyH

Pics with dirt please.


-Tim-

brrrrt

Hi there, I ordered a Blue Prosecco last sunday through the "interweb" from a shop in England.
Its the one with the Ultegra mechanical group.
As soon as I have it I'm gonna make some changes, like wider tires, a toptube bag, and other thru-axles, without the big handles...
About the last I have a question and I hope someone here knows the answer, ore wants to take a look at his own thru-axles: the size.
I'm expecting the rear is a 12 X 142 with a length of 161 mm, but the one in front ? is it 15 x 100 ?
Thanks for helping me out with this question.
ps, the bike from the topic starter looks beautiful. I shall post some picture of mine when its delivered, Can't wait....
And please more pictures from all your Proseccos...
O and I'm also curious about the max. tirewidth for the rear tire in a 650b wheel
Thanks all!

Bart.

Elvo

Rear is 12x142 TA, front is 15x100 TA. I would also upgrade the brakes to spyres, hy-rds, or juin-techs. The narrowest part in the rear is at the chainstays with about 44mm clearance. You can definitely run 38's, possibly 40's/42's depending on the tire/rim combination. I purchased a Rambler 650x1.5" for the rear - will report when I have it setup.

brrrrt

Thanks Elvo!

brrrrt

The bike I ordered comes with Hayes CX comp mechanicals. Are they not ok?

taz777

Blue Prosecco Model Information

It looks like the Blue Prosecco has been superseded for the new model year by the Blue Norcross, in which the top of the line model can be equipped with Ultegra or Shimano Dura Ace Di2. More info on the Blue Norcross range here: https://rideblue.com/gravel-store/

As for the Blue Prosecco bikes, there are several models in the Prosecco range that are still available from Merlin Cycles in the UK.

Blue Prosecco Models

Blue Prosecco AL-Touring Disc Road Bike - 599 GBP

Link: https://www.merlincycles.com/blue-pr...ke-112895.html

Spec:

Frameset
Frame: Triple Guage 6000 series Aluminum Disc
Fork: High Modulus Carbon Disc

Wheels
Wheels: Alex Draw 1.9 Disc - 700c
Tyres: Hutchinson Urban Tour - 700x32c

Drivetrain
Gear/Brake Levers: Shimano Tiagra 4700 - 10 Speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra 4700
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra 4700
Chainset: FSA Omega - 36/46T
Cassette: Shimano - 12/28T
Chain: KMC X10
Pedals: Not included

Components
Saddle: Aerus
Seatpost: Aerus Alloy
Handlebars: Aerus Alloy
Grips: Black Handlebar Tape
Stem: Aerus
Brake calipers: Hays CX Comp Mechanical Disc
Includes:

Full mudguards
Pannier Rack
Pannier Bags x 2

Blue Prosecco SP 105 Carbon Gravel Bike - 825 GBP

Link: https://www.merlincycles.com/blue-pr...ke-112976.html

Spec:

Frameset
Frame: BLUE-TEC High Modulus UD T-700 Carbon Disc
Fork: BLUE-TEC High Modulus Carbon Disc

Wheels
Wheels: Aerus Quantum AL24 Disc - 700c
Tyres: Hutchinson Nitro2 - 700x28c

Drivetrain
Gear/Brake Levers: Shimano 105 5800
Front Derailleur: Shimano 105 5800
Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105 5800
Chainset: Shimano RS-500 - 36/46T
Cassette: Shimano 105 5800 - 11/28T
Chain: KMC X11L
Pedals: Not included

Components
Saddle: Aerus
Seatpost: Aerus SP-700
Handlebars: Aerus CR11M
Grips: Black Handlebar Tape
Stem: Aerus AS007N
Brake calipers: Tektro Lycra Mechanical Disc

Blue Prosecco EX Ultegra Carbon Gravel Bike - 1049 GBP

Link: https://www.merlincycles.com/blue-pr...ke-112970.html

Spec:

Frameset
Frame: BLUE-TEC High Modulus UD T-700 Carbon Disc
Fork: BLUE-TEC High Modulus Carbon Disc

Wheels
Wheels: Aerus Quantum 30-AL Disc - 700c
Tyres: Hutchinson Nitro2 - 700x28c

Drivetrain
Gear/Brake Levers: Shimano Ultegra 6800
Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 6800
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 6800
Chainset: Shimano Ultegra - 36/46T
Cassette: Shimano 105 5800 - 11/28T
Chain: KMC X11
Pedals: Not included

Components
Saddle: Aerus
Seatpost: Aerus SP-700
Handlebars: Aerus CR11M
Grips: Black Handlebar Tape
Stem: Aerus AS007N
Brake calipers: Hayes CX COMP Mechanical Disc

Blue Prosecco EX-Gravel Di2 Carbon Gravel Bike - 2099 GBP

Link: https://www.merlincycles.com/blue-pr...ke-112888.html

Spec:

Frameset
Frame: BLUE-TEC High Modulus UD T-700 Carbon Disc
Fork: BLUE-TEC High Modulus Carbon Disc
Wheels

Wheels: Vision Metron 40 Clincher Carbon - 700c
Tyres: Hutchinson Overide 38 Gravel Series - 700x38c
Drivetrain
Gear/Brake Levers: Shimano RS785 Hyrdraulic
Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra Di2 6870
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra Di2 6870
Chainset: Shimano Ultegra 6800 - 36/46T
Cassette: Shimano Ultegra 6800 -11/28T
Chain: KMC X11L
Pedals: Not included
Components
Saddle: Aerus
Seatpost: Aerus SP-945 Carbon
Handlebars: FSA SLK Carbon
Grips: Fluro Orange Handlebar Tape
Stem: Aerus TDS-RD701
Brake Calipers: Shimano RS805 Hydraulic

Elvo

They are of an older/cheaper design where only one side of the brake pad moves and are not the easiest to adjust compared to the newer calipers.

Wilmingtech

I ordered the same bike. My wife has shimano 685s on her bike and they have great response and feel, I don't think it will be the same with mechanical. The bigger downfall seems to be the constant adjustment of mechanical brakes due to inconsistent wear on the pads and having to constantly adjust the brake line for the wear. The brakes are one of the first things I will replace on my EX.

I am guessing about 400$ for the upgrade to Ultegra Hydraulics.

The other upgrades would be -
Wheelset
Seat
Carbon Seatpost
Carbon Stem
Carbon Bars

Except for the seatpost, most of these things I think I would replace on a new bike to get in a good fit. At the end I will end up spending about 2k USD for a touring/gravel bike with full carbon, Ultegra 8200 components and decent wheelset. Not a super great steal of a deal but certainly less than most new bikes with the same outfit.

All frames being the same, here is the comparison between the different models of the 2017 Prosecco EX
(2017 is the only year they were made)
EXG - Black/Gray Frame Orange Highlights - MSRP (2699.00)
Wheels FSA Vision Metron 40 Clincher Carbon, height 40mm
Tires Hutchinson Overide 38 Gravel Series
Shifters Shimano R-785, 11 Speed
Front Derailleur Shimano Ultegra Di2 6870, 11 Speed
Rear Derailleur Shimano Ultegra Di2 6870, 11 Speed
Brakes Shimano R785 Hydraulics
Chain KMC X11L, 11 Speed
Seat-post Aerus SP-945 Carbon
Handlebar FSA SLK Carbon
Stem Aerus TDS-RD701

EX - Di2 Black/Gray Frame Blue Pinstripes - MSRP (2699.00)
Difference from EXG -
Wheels: Aerus Quantum AL30 (30mm)
Tires: Hutchinson Nitro 2 (700x28c slicks)
Chain KMC X11 EPT, 11 Speed
Stem: Aerus AS007N
Handlebar: Aerus CRI IM

EX - Black/Gray Frame Red Pinstripes - MSRP (1888.00)
Difference from EX Di2
Shifters: Shimano 6800 Ultegra Mechanical (As opposed to the 785 Shimano)
Front Derailleur Shimano Ultegra 6800, 11 Speed
Rear Derailleur Shimano Ultegra 6800, 11 Speed
Cassette: Shimano 105
Brakes: Hayes CX Comp Mech
Seatpost - Aerus SP 700 (Aluminum)

SP - Black/Gray Frame Green Pinstripes - MSRP (1566.00)
Difference from EX
Wheels: Aerus Quantum AL24 (24mm)
Shifters: Shimano 105
Front Derailleur Shimano 105
Rear Derailleur Shimano 105
Crankset: Shimano 105
Cassette: Shimano 105
Brakes: Tektro Lycra Mech

Wilmingtech

Blue 2017 website

Wilmingtech

So looking more into buying hydraulics for this bike. Its a bit of a conundrum. Wondering how well the HYRDs are doing and if you like them?

Just buying a pair of them might save me from sinking more time and money into this bike than I want to.

-Sean

thevulture

Taz, do you mind me asking how tall you are and/or inside leg messurement?
Not sure if I should be going for the 49 or 51cm

They also have a cracking deal on Ridley X-Trail C Force 1 Carbon Gravel.. Thats looks good

taz777

I bought the 51cm. I’m 5’6” and 29” inside leg. It was in between the 49cm and 51cm so I opted for the larger size. My hybrid CrossTrail is a Medium and I have negative stand over height on that! YMMV.

thevulture

Perfect thanks, I'm 5'7" and 30"
51cm it is

Wilmingtech

Received an email from Orli Chinea- Brand Manager @ Blue Competition -

"Hi Sean,
The Prosecco is an older model that we are going to replace for next season. Hang on to your receipt for any warranty issues against manufacturer defect. We will have derailleur hangers for that frame on hand and the rest of the parts that are Shimano you would need to go through a shop for those. Any wheel issues you would contact us. I hope that helps."

-Sean

Wilmingtech

Just got back from Vancouver, CA today and this was waiting....


Blue waiting to be built...

Wilmingtech

The bike was bought on ebay from random bike parts for 1100usd. Was packaged in the typical foam and cardboard packaging. Arrived in good shape with no damage.

Wilmingtech

Threw it together real quick just to make sure all the parts and pieces were there and nothing was broken. Will need a bit of adjusting. Its getting late here tonight. Ill post more pics and thoughts tomorrow. Let me know if you have any questions.

brrrrt

Nice!
Mine should be de delivered next monday...
Like your pics, hope more people post pictures from their prosecco.

taz777

Congratulations!

Lazyass

They sell the EX on ebay for $1338.72, they've been listed at that price for weeks. If you had bought it on their website and used the code save10 it would have cost $1181.45. If they had size M/L I'd get one. The SP model with 105 costs $916.85 with the code.

Wilmingtech

They accepted my offer of 1200 on ebay and I used a 10% off up to 100$ coupon. So saved 81$ off the cheapest price from the website.

TenGrainBread 

Goddarn if these aren't the ugliest bikes I've ever seen

From the tire clearance to the component spec to the gearing, it's clear these were designed by a company still totally in the "road bike" mindset.

brrrrt

I like its looks!

Wilmingtech

Oh man. You just called my ugly baby "ugly"

Agreed on the specs. This is more of an endurance bike geometry that you can throw gravel wheels on. The bottom bracket is low, 36x28 isnt really helping you up any 15% grade espcially on gravel or dirt.

Easy enough to switch out the 36 for a 34 and throw an 11x30 on the back. That will help in the climbs but again not really a bike setup for serious off roads.

It fit the bill perfectly for what I need. There are a lot of hard packed dirt and gravel forestry roads off my 20-30 mile rides that need exploring and I wanted a bike I could beat up a little but still make good time when I get back on the pavement headed home.