I'm a New Wabi Owner--Review
#76
Member
I'll be honest that I was really skeptical of their size chart when I bought my Wabi. I sent my measurements to the new owners, and they did a mockup of both a 55cm Special and a 58cm. The 55cm had the seatpost absolutely towering, along with a fat stack of spacers beneath the stem (which, they said, wasn't quite getting the bars high enough). I would have had to get a riser stem to make the 55cm work--not a good option.
Thankfully, I know my size on a classic geo steel frame. I've sold off all of my 55cm, 56cm, and even now 57cm frames. I'm 5'11.5, and my inseam is 33inch. On my 58cm Wabi Special, I've got a little bit more than a fistful of seatpost showing, and am running a Velo Orange tall stack stem (90mm).
It's the best, most comfortable bike I've ever had. I previously had a 57cm Soma Rush (which was actually more like a 56cm because it's measured Center to Top), and it gave me a fair bit of neck and back pain on 50+ km rides (note: this also has a lot to do with track geometry vs. road geometry). I moved all of the parts over the larger Wabi frame, and bam--perfect.
One thing I realized was that even though the toptube was 1cm longer on the Wabi, I was actually more comfortable overall because my saddle-to-bar height wasn't as extreme. That, and I find that when riding the Wabi, I feel like I'm sitting in the pocket of the frame almost, instead of towering over top.
Anyway, find a reason to keep riding fixed and riding a Wabi--they're great.
Thankfully, I know my size on a classic geo steel frame. I've sold off all of my 55cm, 56cm, and even now 57cm frames. I'm 5'11.5, and my inseam is 33inch. On my 58cm Wabi Special, I've got a little bit more than a fistful of seatpost showing, and am running a Velo Orange tall stack stem (90mm).
It's the best, most comfortable bike I've ever had. I previously had a 57cm Soma Rush (which was actually more like a 56cm because it's measured Center to Top), and it gave me a fair bit of neck and back pain on 50+ km rides (note: this also has a lot to do with track geometry vs. road geometry). I moved all of the parts over the larger Wabi frame, and bam--perfect.
One thing I realized was that even though the toptube was 1cm longer on the Wabi, I was actually more comfortable overall because my saddle-to-bar height wasn't as extreme. That, and I find that when riding the Wabi, I feel like I'm sitting in the pocket of the frame almost, instead of towering over top.
Anyway, find a reason to keep riding fixed and riding a Wabi--they're great.
I just can't decide if I should sell my bike and get a complete Wabi Special, or just sell the frame and get a Wabi Special frame and swap the components now that they have black components. When I bought the bike, the only black components Richard had were crank-sets. Also, the Sub15 Wheel-set looks nice. Of course I'll have to find someone to buy my 55cm Classic, too. I barely rode it.
#77
Jedi Master
@MrAwesome, I'm about your same size and when I talked to Richard he said I could fit on either the 55 or the 58. I also went with the 55 and think it's fine, but if you don't like the saddle to bar drop a bigger frame will help. Before switching frames I recommend trying a different handlebar as you mentioned in your first post. I put some north road bars on one of my other bikes and have been surprised at how much I like them. It's definitely cheaper and easier than swapping frames. If you don't like it you can always go back to the new frame as plan B.
#78
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@MrAwesome, I'm about your same size and when I talked to Richard he said I could fit on either the 55 or the 58. I also went with the 55 and think it's fine, but if you don't like the saddle to bar drop a bigger frame will help. Before switching frames I recommend trying a different handlebar as you mentioned in your first post. I put some north road bars on one of my other bikes and have been surprised at how much I like them. It's definitely cheaper and easier than swapping frames. If you don't like it you can always go back to the new frame as plan B.
#79
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This is the best description I've seen of that phenomenon. I could never really figure out how to put it into words. Thanks for that.
(Ironically, it's also precisely what I hate about my road frame. I like the feeling of sitting over the bike. Oh well.)
(Ironically, it's also precisely what I hate about my road frame. I like the feeling of sitting over the bike. Oh well.)
#80
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I'm considering buying a Wabi frame. It find it slightly irksome how the frame dimensions aren't readily available on their website. All I need to size a frame is HT and (effective) TT length.
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"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
#81
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https://wabicycles.com/bike-tech-specs/
#82
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Sweet - thanks.
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"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
#83
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
I agree. Since MrA is still uncomfortable on the 55 even after a bike shop fitting, and several changes, I'd be really surprised if a 58 turned out to be magically comfortable. There's something else going on here. A person between sizes would normally be able to make either work.
Even if I wanted to, I couldn't ride drops. My back, lower back, and core would allow me to ride in the drops all day. No problem. But my neck would complaining after 15 minutes. I've never had a problem with my neck in general life or at the gym. But that tilt angle just does me in.
#84
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Knowing this as old news, since WABI was purchased, apparently by two guys who know nothing about bicycles, exactly what is being built?
Yeah, I see the website. I was about to purchase one until I learned the owners have no cycling background?
Tulsa is about 3 hours door to door. I am very interested in a track style bike but not sure this is it anymore.
Thoughts on the current product line?
J
Yeah, I see the website. I was about to purchase one until I learned the owners have no cycling background?
Tulsa is about 3 hours door to door. I am very interested in a track style bike but not sure this is it anymore.
Thoughts on the current product line?
J
#85
Jedi Master
What's the source of your information that the new guys "know nothing about bicycles"?
#86
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I read.
SoCal's Wabi Cycles gets new owners, relocates | Bicycle Retailer and Industry News
From the article above;
"With backgrounds in manufacturing, Gragg and Kline were looking specifically for a product that had a good following but hadn't been marketed very well. When they saw fixie brand Wabi Cycles, which Richard Snook founded in Los Angeles in 2009, listed for sale, they called immediately, even though neither had a strong cycling background."
and;
"When friends Matt Gragg and Curtis Kline decided to buy a business earlier this year, they looked at options in several industries, including a brand that makes packs for wildland firefighters and a company that manufactures fire trucks."
Had it have been toaster ovens would that have been as good?
Just what it says.
J
#87
Jedi Master
Interesting. I hadn't heard that. Looks like the frames are still the same and now there are a lot more options for customizing your build. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one from the new owners. I have bought a few things from them since the new guys took over and the customer service is still good.
#89
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That might not be a bad thing but describing something as "road" geometry is not very descriptive. I have numerous road racing bicycles and quite a few over the years and they can range from relatively slack open road stage bikes to criterion tight sluggers.
Where does the WABI fit in the spectrum of road geometry bikes?
Where does the WABI fit in the spectrum of road geometry bikes?
#90
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You said you were interested in track style bikes. Most of those have a shorter wheelbase, higher bb, steeper seat and head tube angles. I think I saw someone link the Wabi geo in this thread. It shows that its different from an average track frame. I have no experience on other different types of road geometry. Maybe you can compare the geometry of your other road bikes to a Wabi.
#91
Member
He needs Townie bars.
Even if I wanted to, I couldn't ride drops. My back, lower back, and core would allow me to ride in the drops all day. No problem. But my neck would complaining after 15 minutes. I've never had a problem with my neck in general life or at the gym. But that tilt angle just does me in.
Even if I wanted to, I couldn't ride drops. My back, lower back, and core would allow me to ride in the drops all day. No problem. But my neck would complaining after 15 minutes. I've never had a problem with my neck in general life or at the gym. But that tilt angle just does me in.
I know aerodynamics will be a consideration, but aside from that, how much of a performance hit will there be with using a more relaxed bar like a townie? I don't race or even commute anymore, but sometimes I just like to go fast.
Thanks to all for the suggestions. I guess the hybrid I had 20+ years ago was probably the best geo for me to be comfortable. I just can't remember what it was.
#92
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
I know aerodynamics will be a consideration, but aside from that, how much of a performance hit will there be with using a more relaxed bar like a townie? I don't race or even commute anymore, but sometimes I just like to go fast.
I recommend going to Amazon and check out some of the bars made by Wald. They would make a great experiment bar because they are decent quality and DIRT cheap. They are steel, not light, but the chromes is quite good. Pick one and give it a try. You might have to try a couple bends to figure out what works for you. Once you have done that you can replace it with a better brand aluminum bar with the same bend if you want to.
Over the years I've experimented with tons of bars, always looking for that perfect width and wrist angle. I finally found some at an industrial bike supply company of all places. 4-1/2 inch rise, and lots of sweep. I cut 4 inches off of each end to achieve my desired reach and width.
$10.87
I'm not racing so I don't make any sacrifices to my comfort. That said, I do enjoy hauling ass and behaving like a hooligan on occasions. Upright bars feel more stable to me during shenanigan runs.
#94
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
#96
Keener splendor
#97
Full Member
Clement Strada LGG 700x28c (the 60TPI version). For the price, they strike a good balance between comfort and durability. I prefer Compass tires, but am not always willing to pay the additional cost.
The Special frame could clear 32c I think, but I'd likely have to add a half-link to the chain to bring the rear wheel further back in the dropouts. Front fork clearance is ample, though.
The Special frame could clear 32c I think, but I'd likely have to add a half-link to the chain to bring the rear wheel further back in the dropouts. Front fork clearance is ample, though.
#98
Keener splendor
@Scottybigs: Cool. Thanks. Those Compass tires are great, but, yeah, spendy.
Any idea on what tires the Lightning could clear?
Any idea on what tires the Lightning could clear?
#99
Full Member
@Scottybigs: Cool. Thanks. Those Compass tires are great, but, yeah, spendy.
Any idea on what tires the Lightning could clear?
Any idea on what tires the Lightning could clear?
That was definitely a deciding factor for me between the Special and the Lightning. I'd rather add a fraction of a pound to the frame weight than be restricted to 25/26c tires. Besides, Reynolds 725 rides like a dream, and so does the chromoly front fork (which has very thin walled blades).
The Classic also clears 32c tires, but the lug factor drew me to the Special.
#100
Keener splendor
They list on the Lightning's page "up to 26mm tires", which basically means you can clear the Grand Bois 26c tires they sell but that might be tight. Best to search around the forums and confirm that with other owners.
That was definitely a deciding factor for me between the Special and the Lightning. I'd rather add a fraction of a pound to the frame weight than be restricted to 25/26c tires. Besides, Reynolds 725 rides like a dream, and so does the chromoly front fork (which has very thin walled blades).
The Classic also clears 32c tires, but the lug factor drew me to the Special.
That was definitely a deciding factor for me between the Special and the Lightning. I'd rather add a fraction of a pound to the frame weight than be restricted to 25/26c tires. Besides, Reynolds 725 rides like a dream, and so does the chromoly front fork (which has very thin walled blades).
The Classic also clears 32c tires, but the lug factor drew me to the Special.
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