Jay Andriot

First ZX3

FrankBattle 

Nothing against your ride or build. But I prefer the downtube on the RS. It is a nice looking rig, save for the downtube. I love the look of that saddle. Eyeing one for the steel frame, if I ever get it from Badger Cycles.

billonmidwatch

Congrats Jay! Did you ride it yet?
I got mine today, with Sram Force. Mine may look a lot like yours, carbon levers, carbon cranks, carbon cages. I'm thinking of adding some color, just a little paint, and definitely some bright color bar tape.
Bill

Dubbayoo

Ditto on the RS suiting my eye better but congrats on joining the PF club.

mihlbach

Deeper rims make the huge downtube look a little more balanced. I've got mine sorta built up, but am still waiting on the fork.

Jay Andriot

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FlashBazbo

I should finish assembly today. One note -- whoever said the PF frames run large was correct. Mine is going to be VERY close to being too long in the leg with an Easton carbon seatpost. I MIGHT have to go with a seatpost that can be adjusted shorter.

Strong Bad

What size did you get, and what is your inseam?

FlashBazbo

I gave PF a center-BB to top-of-saddle measurement of 27.25". I'm now riding that bike at 28". PF recommended a 55cm frame, but the shortest center-BB to top-of-saddle with this combination of equipment is 28.75". Unfortunately, the Easton carbon SC90 seatpost leaves 2" of straight post above the red line.

After assembly, I'll check to see if 28.75" will work for me. If not, I may look for another seatpost. The 53cm frame would be shorter than I want from seatpost to headset.

Strong Bad

I'm not familiar with that seat post, but I guess the red line is a maximum insertion mark?
Seems a little strange, if the center of BB to top of seat tube is truly 55 cm, then at 28.75" (73 cm), you should have about 18 cm (7 inches) to work with. I'm sure that would be plenty for most seatpost/seat combinations.

WheresWaldo

More pictures please!

Dubbayoo

I don't follow what you mean in saying the frames run large. 53cc c-t should be the same on any bike. With compact frames I think it makes more sense to size based on reach, not saddle height.

I have short legs/long torso so I went with a 53cm sloping when I normally ride a 52-53cm in a level top tube. I don't have a lot of seat post showing but on the plus side since the head tube was higher than planned I was able to eliminate spacers. I've now got a -17 stem to lower the bars a bit more but I couldn't TT on this even if I wanted to.

My seatpost is a 300mm and its probably within 1 1/2" of reaching the bottle cage.

Jay Andriot

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Let me restate what I said about my impressions of the ZX3. I found the built up bike to be stable, very good at transferring power, and a very comfortable ride. What I found lacking was the steering. The response time to steering inputs was too slow for my taste. I am a very quiet rider and am used to a bike that responds very quickly to any input. The ZX3 does not. It would be better suited to a more aggressive riding style. A bike’s handling is the #1 factor for me. The ZX3 is not a twitchy ride and that was a deciding factor that led me to sell the frame.

texascyclist

TT is most important my friend. Wowzers

Jay Andriot

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Strong Bad

That didn't take long. I guess you are not satisfied with the handling?

BlackTaloN

I see you got the PF Fork. I ordered an EC90 SLX with mine, mainly because it has no weight limit and I couldn't pass it up at the discounted price. I believe the difference in the rake is 2mm, a 43 vs 45 on the PF Fork. Do you think this would make a drastic difference in the handling?

Haven't been able to finish my build up yet, but am hoping to get out there today if I can.

Jay Andriot

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Strong Bad

This has been discussed before, but a decrease in rake will increase the stability.
https://www.velonews.com/tech/report/...es/7322.0.html
I doubt there will be a drastic difference.

zimbo

Hey, Fred, considering you have a Brooks saddle and a Garmin Edge mounted on that ZX3, you'll have to forgive me for busting a gut laughing when I read your statement.

--Steve

prendrefeu

I'd like to get the opinion of how this frame rides from someone else. No offense, Jay, but I would like the opinion of someone perhaps younger, maybe who races, etc:. Thanks for your review, again, and good luck with your sale.

FlashBazbo

I've got mine assembled, but not fully adjusted yet. No photos -- I don't do photos. Get over it.

My components: Full Dura Ace; Ritchey WCS stem and bar, Easton EC90 seatpost and SLX fork, Fizik Arione saddle, Mavik Ksyrium SL3 wheels, Michelin Pro2 Race tires, Cateye Double Wireless Cadence & Speed computer, Tacx carbon bottle cages.

Total weight with pedals and cages? 15.8 lbs.
If I would strip off the pedals and the cages and change saddles to an SLR, I could easily have that sales brochure sub-15 lb. bike!

I can't wait to get it out on the road! Hopefully tomorrow!

curveship

The ZX3 and the RS have the same geometry, so the handling should be the same. If you check the archives, you'll see the issue of handling, fork choice and geometry discussed to death with the RS group buy.

Here were my comments on the RS's handling: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...40#post4122540

Strong Bad

I think stripping off the pedals disqualifies it as a rideable bike!
JK: Sounds pretty close to my build though with DA and WCS stem/bar.
I'll do the complete list when I post my build. If my bike EVER gets here!!

FlashBazbo

True. But that's how most "manufacturer's claims" of total weight are determined -- without the pedals.