scattante Altec 2

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by labomba
I recently bought the Scattante Altec 2, and to date, am very happy wih it. Just curious if any others have this bike, and thir thouhts.

thanks.

I've heard others say good things about the Scattante label; seems to garner decent customer satisfaction for a store-house brand. What are the specs for your Altec2?

Glad you're enjoying it!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by lokstah
I've heard others say good things about the Scattante label; seems to garner decent customer satisfaction for a store-house brand. What are the specs for your Altec2?

Glad you're enjoying it!

I'm new to biking, so I'm not sure what specs you'd need. It's a 62 cm. wih kenda tires and ultegra all round. Carbon forks and stays. I'm looking into handlebar size, seat position and type, and stem size in the next couple weeks. But it seems to be a pretty nice bike.

Well, Ultegra all-around is certainly a nice thing. If you're new to biking and you landed an Ultegra-equipped ride, you've certainly made a good component choice. Those parts can carry you for years through recreational riding, training, and hardcore racing alike.

Do you know what wheelset you've got?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by lokstah
Well, Ultegra all-around is certainly a nice thing. If you're new to biking and you landed an Ultegra-equipped ride, you've certainly made a good component choice. Those parts can carry you for years through recreational riding, training, and hardcore racing alike.

Do you know what wheelset you've got?

The wheels say Shimano, if that's what you mean by wheelset. I can't see anything else. Fewer spokes than I'm used to seeing on a bike. Again, this is my first real bike.

The frame is Columbus aluminum, with Weyless stuff all around. Scattante says it was made right before the CFR. Seems to be a pretty good ride. I'd be very disappointed if SuperGo pulled one over on me, but I doubt it. So far they seem to be a great store, for me and a ton of people in the la tri club.

No no, don't worry about being ripped off. Supergo's house models are well-priced and, like I've said, generally regarded to be good rides. I've never spent time on one but I know some who have.

Sounds like your Altec2 was spec'd with Shimano's WH-R540 wheelset (a wheelset is just a pair of wheels -- often, but not always, the term is reserved for brand-name pre-built wheels, as opposed to dealer or home-assembled wheels from stock rim X and stock hub Y). The WH-RH540 is a good wheel, and it's a step above what you'll find on many bikes under $2000. I've been using a similar wheel (the now-extinct Shimano Ultegra WH-6500) for a few years now, and I dig it.

Low-spoke count wheel designs aren't too uncommon. They sure look distinctive, at least. Rolf pioneered them years ago, and once Rolf became Trek's house wheel, low-spoke count wheels became pretty popular. The concept has since been borrowed and heavily employed by Bontrager (who replaced Rolf at Trek) and Shimano.

Ultimately, they function the same as traditionally spoked wheels.

Columbus tubing is good tubing, and Scattante/Weyless supposedly assemble it all in a sturdy, reliable fashion. The carbon fiber elements shave grams and improve ride feel a touch.

Happy riding... I wish you many years of long, terrible climbs and terrifying descents.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by lokstah
No no, don't worry about being ripped off. Supergo's house models are well-priced and, like I've said, generally regarded to be good rides. I've never spent time on one but I know some who have.

Sounds like your Altec2 was spec'd with Shimano's WH-R540 wheelset (a wheelset is just a pair of wheels -- often, but not always, the term is reserved for brand-name pre-built wheels, as opposed to dealer or home-assembled wheels from stock rim X and stock hub Y). The WH-RH540 is a good wheel, and it's a step above what you'll find on many bikes under $2000. I've been using a similar wheel (the now-extinct Shimano Ultegra WH-6500) for a few years now, and I dig it.

Low-spoke count wheel designs aren't too uncommon. They sure look distinctive, at least. Rolf pioneered them years ago, and once Rolf became Trek's house wheel, low-spoke count wheels became pretty popular. The concept has since been borrowed and heavily employed by Bontrager (who replaced Rolf at Trek) and Shimano.

Ultimately, they function the same as traditionally spoked wheels.

Columbus tubing is good tubing, and Scattante/Weyless supposedly assemble it all in a sturdy, reliable fashion. The carbon fiber elements shave grams and improve ride feel a touch.

Happy riding... I wish you many years of long, terrible climbs and terrifying descents.

I have nothing but good things to say about Supergo, they have some great Bikes at great prices, you can also buy everything you need such as shoes, helmet, jerseys etc in one go...

However, I wasn't that happy with the way my Felt was assembled, but I guess that's a minor point, after 300 miles I took it to my LBS who did a superb job of tuning it up, re-setting the Brakes, truing the wheels, moving the Brake Levers/Pods to a more comfortable position, re-wrapping the Bars etc etc, all for $127.00 It feels like a much better Bike now...assembly IS very important...but I've recommended Supergo to friends who have bought Bikes there, in fact, one Guy went there during a quiet period, during the week, and they spent almost 2 hours with him...he did buy a Bike and is delighted with it...

Our local store is in Laguna Hills, CA....

Buddy,

Yeah, I need to get the bike set-up a bit, as there's pain between my shoulders (stem too long??), and a few other things to look at.

There's a local guy who has set up a lot of la tri clubbers, and I'll be seeing him next week.

Supergo spent over two hours with me over several visits while I was getting info and shopping for my bike. They never forced a sale, instead they suggested that I ride a few weeks with what I have , and then return for adjustments, and perhaps a small purchase (pump, maybe a computer)

I did buy the shoes and pedals there, and again, the shoe people spent some time with me while I was trying on the different shoes.

Now on to getting comfortable with clips (dang!), and hitting the hills.

Tim

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by labomba
Buddy,

Yeah, I need to get the bike set-up a bit, as there's pain between my shoulders (stem too long??), and a few other things to look at.

There's a local guy who has set up a lot of la tri clubbers, and I'll be seeing him next week.

Supergo spent over two hours with me over several visits while I was getting info and shopping for my bike. They never forced a sale, instead they suggested that I ride a few weeks with what I have , and then return for adjustments, and perhaps a small purchase (pump, maybe a computer)

I did buy the shoes and pedals there, and again, the shoe people spent some time with me while I was trying on the different shoes.

Now on to getting comfortable with clips (dang!), and hitting the hills.

Tim

You're in LA?? I'm in Orange County, close to Laguna Beach...

But anyway, I'm no pro, but I was in the same position as you a few months and around 600 miles ago, but I've learned a lot and have improved 500%....I now have a pro-coach so I can get out of bad habits I Taught myself and really start to improve...

I found when I first started riding my Road Bike that I had some neck and mid shoulder aches, the People at Supergo are probably right, you need to ride, ride, ride, in that new position to see whether it's you or the Bike...but be carefull you don't cause yourself any kind of injury, the pain should gradually go away as mine did, and I only start to feel uncomfortable after riding 20-30 miles, depending on the day.....

Cleats....other more experienced Riders might say I'm wrong, but the way I did it was to ride a LOT on the Bike without using Cleats, get used to controling the ike first in different situations..

You need to get to a position where you can control your Bike, remember to change down to a gear that you can take off again when the light turns green, and rember you're clipped in...and watch the Traffic of course...

When I started using cleats a couple of weeks/100 miles ago, I was so concerned about remembering to clip-out I'd forget to change down...it's also hard to clip-in sometimes at first...

But take care and enjoy, we do the Balboa-Sunset Run a LOT and you're more than welcome to join us...

By the way, I had my cleats fitted and a lot of instruction by a VP from Shimano, I'd be happy to pass what I learned along to you...

Like I said, I have a looooong way to go but I love it!!!

😉

Buddy,

I agree on the 'learn without the cleats' approach. It worked for me, as I learned the shifting, balance, etc., then the clipping in.

Please, pass along any info. I'm very new to this part of the tri. The Shimano VP's information would be appreciated.

I've also learned how to inflate the tires every day I ride. SuperGo had put gel inside my tubes, as a preventive measure against basic flats. They never told me to bleed the valve every time manually, BEFORE hooking up my pump. I went through one pump valve that way, because I just hooked the pump to the stem without bleeding it beforehand. The gel went BACK UP into the pump valve and gradually hardened the pump valve. SuperGo did replace it though, no problem.

Thanks again.

PS What's your group's average speed on base rides?

Also, if you'd like, send me your email address. I'll send along my documentation of my Day #1, titled 'clipping in'.

Tim

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Jaguar27
You're in LA?? I'm in Orange County, close to Laguna Beach...

But anyway, I'm no pro, but I was in the same position as you a few months and around 600 miles ago, but I've learned a lot and have improved 500%....I now have a pro-coach so I can get out of bad habits I Taught myself and really start to improve...

I found when I first started riding my Road Bike that I had some neck and mid shoulder aches, the People at Supergo are probably right, you need to ride, ride, ride, in that new position to see whether it's you or the Bike...but be carefull you don't cause yourself any kind of injury, the pain should gradually go away as mine did, and I only start to feel uncomfortable after riding 20-30 miles, depending on the day.....

Cleats....other more experienced Riders might say I'm wrong, but the way I did it was to ride a LOT on the Bike without using Cleats, get used to controling the ike first in different situations..

You need to get to a position where you can control your Bike, remember to change down to a gear that you can take off again when the light turns green, and rember you're clipped in...and watch the Traffic of course...

When I started using cleats a couple of weeks/100 miles ago, I was so concerned about remembering to clip-out I'd forget to change down...it's also hard to clip-in sometimes at first...

But take care and enjoy, we do the Balboa-Sunset Run a LOT and you're more than welcome to join us...

By the way, I had my cleats fitted and a lot of instruction by a VP from Shimano, I'd be happy to pass what I learned along to you...

Like I said, I have a looooong way to go but I love it!!!

😉

Hiya Tim,
Yes, I always inflate the Tires before every run, 110psi, I've heard of that Gunk but have never used it...but yes, just press the Valve in to allow some air to escape before inflating...you should do this with or without Gunk, it clears dust etc out before Pumping...

Basically, as far as Cleats are concerned, when installing them on the bottom of your shoes, the Shimano Guy said do the following..

1. Stand on a polished floor in your socks, walk a few steps forward and look down at your feet..see which way your toes are pointing, outwards, straight or inwards.

2. The above is your natural Gait, so for starters you need to rotate your cleats either clockwise or counterclockwise so that your shoes are clipped into the Pedals in your natural standing position, this saves you hunting for the Pedals, it's bad enough trying to find the fore and aft position without having to rotate your feet aswell...

3. Find an area that is free of traffic etc practice...you need to get to a position where you can clip-in without looking down....

4. When you clip OUT, alternate your feet, one time left, the other time right, we all have a "natural" side that we lean on when we stop, and clipping out the OTHER foot and resting on it when you stop feels REALLY wierd, believe me...but you need to beable to clip out on either side without really thinking about it to be completely safe...

I found that I was so intent on clipping out that I'd forget to change to a lower Gear to take off after I'd stopped, I've got that licked now...changing down and clipping-out is "one process"...it's just practice...

So anyway, I got the Bike down, the cleats on...so I hired a Coach because I wanted to ride in a Group...

This, I've found, is a whole different ball-game, rightly so, there's "Ettiquete", something which is essential to learn before "Pace lining" in a group, 2" behind someone's rear wheel...there are some things you HAVE to do and some things you NEVER do, otherwise, someone will go DOWN...
Every Member of a Pace-Line has to trust each other and everyone needs to know what is expected from them such as hand signals, which side to peel off from the front, they also need to beable to ride in a straight line, no sudden moves etc...

But pace-lining is great fun, you can cover a lot of distance and save up to 30% of your energy, but when you're doing 25-30mph, 2" away from someone's rear Tire, staring at the back of their Jersey you need to beable to trust them completely...I should imagine hitting the Road at 25mph clipped into a Bike would really hurt a LOT!!
I was also told by someone experienced at going down, if your front wheel overlaps the wheel in front, they make a sudden move, your Handlebars will swing away and you'll go down face first...he said if you're lucky you'll land on the side of your Helmet...

By the way, a Friend of mine just bought a Scattante from Supergo, we went riding on Friday, 26 miles, he also bought some LOOK Pedals and Sidi shoes etc, I advised him to wear Tennis shoes on his first day out, so he did...it's a great Bike BTW...

My e-mail addy is :
peter AT couture performance dot com

That's the Spider proof version...

So I'll look forward to your first experience...

By the way, I'm deffinately no Lance, so any Pro-advice is deffinately welcome...just passing on my first experiences, that's all....

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by labomba
Buddy,

I agree on the 'learn without the cleats' approach. It worked for me, as I learned the shifting, balance, etc., then the clipping in.

Please, pass along any info. I'm very new to this part of the tri. The Shimano VP's information would be appreciated.

I've also learned how to inflate the tires every day I ride. SuperGo had put gel inside my tubes, as a preventive measure against basic flats. They never told me to bleed the valve every time manually, BEFORE hooking up my pump. I went through one pump valve that way, because I just hooked the pump to the stem without bleeding it beforehand. The gel went BACK UP into the pump valve and gradually hardened the pump valve. SuperGo did replace it though, no problem.

Thanks again.

PS What's your group's average speed on base rides?

Also, if you'd like, send me your email address. I'll send along my documentation of my Day #1, titled 'clipping in'.

Tim

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by labomba
Buddy,

I agree on the 'learn without the cleats' approach. It worked for me, as I learned the shifting, balance, etc., then the clipping in.

Please, pass along any info. I'm very new to this part of the tri. The Shimano VP's information would be appreciated.

I've also learned how to inflate the tires every day I ride. SuperGo had put gel inside my tubes, as a preventive measure against basic flats. They never told me to bleed the valve every time manually, BEFORE hooking up my pump. I went through one pump valve that way, because I just hooked the pump to the stem without bleeding it beforehand. The gel went BACK UP into the pump valve and gradually hardened the pump valve. SuperGo did replace it though, no problem.

Thanks again.

PS What's your group's average speed on base rides?

Also, if you'd like, send me your email address. I'll send along my documentation of my Day #1, titled 'clipping in'.

Tim