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Flahute   ATTACH

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Bought from Josh Saxe as a Flahute, With the Flahute stickers and my road bike components in <2012-10-05 Fri>.

2012

TT004.jpg

2013

I stripped it down and used UVM's discount at Skirack to build it up. In <2013-02-22 Fri>, stripped the writing:

TT001.jpg

2016

Cleaned up and ready to ride in <2016-04-19 Tue>, I rode it 3 times! I actually took these pictures when listing it for sale:

TT002.jpg

Another angle (same time):

TT003.jpg

2022

After 6 years, got it running again for a single-ride attempt at Pelham Hill Northbound. Made a decent effort but was not trained to do power in the TT position.

2023

Dusted it off for one of the NCC's Deerfield TT. Again, not really honed in on my TT position. The braking is terrifying, and checking in 2026, the headset is not sufficiently tight.

2025

Update <2025-04-11 Fri>: It has Shimano R500 wheels on it right now, which must have been what I used for the 2022/2023 rides (or I used the Chris King R45's).

Chain measured 0.75 wear today, bought a new chain:

  • KMC X10 10-Speed Chain, $25.00 each

That should keep the cassette for at least this chain too. I only have 400mi on the bike on Strava, so I am a bit suprised on the chain wear. Maybe it wasn't new to begin with??

TODO is rethink the fit/position. Angle the bars up more.

Update <2025-08-01 Fri>: aero bars moved to the gravel bike. This mean removing the shifters as well, shift cables too (since they routed through the extensions).

2026

<2026-04-25 Sat>

Thinking about putting it back together again, using as a segment hunting machine.

  • Removed the front brake (not aero! will run back only).
  • Extensions back on with risers (originally bought for Gravel setup).
  • Extensions are angled up significantly (mantis instead of slammed).
  • Front derailler removed (shift cable already gone).
  • Disc cover put on the rear wheel (using R45), I had to put a spacer on the cog to limit the rubbing.
  • <2026-05-20 Wed> A couple days ago I got the front shifter actually hooked up which makes this thing rideable, that was the last step to riding.

Ordered the following parts:

  • Headset cap with steerer expander to get that actually tight.
    • [X] Install this. I installed it with a good bit of friction left in the steering, for stability with the front disc. Honestly I'm not sure if it will help or hurt.
  • Set of skewers (I somehow don't have enough for the build!).
  • More aero base bar (profile wing).
    • [X] Install Had an issue that the brake did not fit… almost bought new brakes… removed the expander sleeve and it fits doy!
  • Massive 58T front chainring (will mount inside or outside, depending).
    • [X] Install

Areas to consider:

Cockpit

I'm basically set here with the new base bar, risers, and angle I've got going. Full options would be like the TriRig Alpha, spending well over $1k.

  • Cockpit fairing

    Backlinks: Additional fairings

    Somewhat separately, with my diy cockpit I'm going to put a front fairing on it.

Clothing + helmet

A number of items to consider here:

  • Helmet
  • Skinsuit
  • Socks/shoe covers

Helmet: I'm going to use the old Giro Helmet, and fashion a better visor for it out of some clear plastic. Note that opinions are mixed on whether a visor is actually an improvement!

  • [ ] Finish Advantage 2 visor.

Skinsuit: I think a skinsuit would be a big win. But the cost is high - the entry level nopinz is $300 shipped. I'll wait until I get the bike put together to make this investment.

  • [ ] Finalize skinsuit

Socks/shoe covers: I'll use the Silca aero socks that I have, no shoe covers. Could get the silicon shoe covers for $10…

Wheels

I put the disc cover back on the rear, and going with a used or new chinese disc is 100% a waste. The tire on the rear rubs no matter how it's fit in, it's a 28. Swapped with the 25 on the front, and now I can get it to not rub, but it's VERY close. A set of used, tubular Zipp wheels (disc + 808) would be approx $800, and $1000-$1100 new from china.

For the front wheel, I'm going to make another DIY disc cover. May be very sketchy and I'll need to get a

Some steps:

  • [X] Get ABS plastic sheet
  • [X] Build front wheel cover
  • [ ] See how sketchy in crosswinds

Tires and tubes make a big difference, got a pair of GP5000 and latex tubes to go with them. Most expensive part of the project so far, watts per dollar probably not as good as the skinsuit though.

  • [ ] Install fancy tires + tubes

Additional fairings

A lot of ways we could add additional fairings here, beyond the Cockpit fairing:

  • Extended seatpost.
  • Front triangle.
  • Rear triangle.
  • Calves/chest (a la UK TT).
  • Rear mech (I don't have a front mech - make an aero chain keeper?).
  • Rider tail fairing.

The tail fairing behind the rider is the big win here. Extending the seatpost would be nice as far as it covers the rear brake. I'm not going to mess with calf fairings, and I think that the body is not necessary given the cockpit I'll have. Front and rear triangle are pretty eacy, but I'm not sure it would be worth closing the rear triangle? Would be near the bottom of the list, since it's at the back of the bike.

Last modified: June 15, 2026