Bike Profile: Planet X Pro Carbon - Wet Roads Training Bike
The Planet X Pro Carbon is my 'wet roads bike'; a.k.a my 'winter bike', or 'training bike'. It has done more miles than most road bikes will do in their lifetime (around 25,000km to date), and it is still going strong. Admittedly, there isn't an original part left on it; except for the rear derailleur, shifters and handlebars; but that is testament to the number of miles that it has been ridden, often in inclement weather.
The build is centred around reliability and comfort, as well as an effort to minimise expensive maintenance. As you'll see from the photos below, it's a heavily modified bike; with tweaks, bodges and customisations galore. It also has numerous scars and knocks; alluding to its lifetime of use and abuse.
The set-up in terms of geometry, is almost identical to my Eastway Emitter R0. Because I am doing endurance miles in the winter and summer, it doesn't make sense to have a more relaxed geometry on my winter bike; which would often be the case with an athlete doing 'base miles' in the winter, and shorter rides on their 'best bike' in the summer.
She is rather well worn, but this bike has a special place in my heart. She's been through a lot!
The build is centred around reliability and comfort, as well as an effort to minimise expensive maintenance. As you'll see from the photos below, it's a heavily modified bike; with tweaks, bodges and customisations galore. It also has numerous scars and knocks; alluding to its lifetime of use and abuse.
The set-up in terms of geometry, is almost identical to my Eastway Emitter R0. Because I am doing endurance miles in the winter and summer, it doesn't make sense to have a more relaxed geometry on my winter bike; which would often be the case with an athlete doing 'base miles' in the winter, and shorter rides on their 'best bike' in the summer.
She is rather well worn, but this bike has a special place in my heart. She's been through a lot!
Bike Specification:
- Frameset: Planet X Pro Carbon Superlight (56cm - Large) (2010)
- Bike weight: 8.3kg
- Wheelset: Mavic Askium Clincher Wheelset
- Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 6700 10 speed
- Chainring size: Rotor 3D24 Crankset with Rotor Q-Rings 52-36T (Reviewed here)
- Cassette size: Shimano 5700 105 12-25
- Handlebars: Cinelli Neo 44cm
- Bar Tape: Lizard Skins DSP Bar Tape (Reviewed here)
- Stem: Forza/unbranded 120mm
- Seatpost: Selle Italia Monolink Carbon Seatpost
- Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Friction Free Flow Monolink
- Tyres: Vittoria Rubino Pro Tech 25mm
- Pedals: Shimano 105 PD-5700 (discontinued)
- Bottle Cages: Lezyne Road Drive Alloy
- Saddlebag: Wee Cog Muddy (Reviewed here)
- Mudguards: SKS Raceblade Long
- Other Accessories: Lezyne Lights and See.Sense Rear Light (Reviewed here)
The drivetrain on the Planet X is a 6700 Ultegra 10 Speed |
The crankset is a newer addition - the 3D Rotor cranks and Rotor Q-Rings |
The bike came with FSA's Gossamer Brakes - they're still going strong |
Mavic Askium wheels are renowned for their durability and smooth cartridge bearings |
Some well-worn Shimano 105 pedals (original) and also a glimpse of my extended front mud flap |
The rear mudguard flap fell off some time back, so this is a cut-down bottle riveted in place |
The Selle Italia Monolink saddle allows a more forward saddle position. The Wee Cog bag is a great accessory. |
Fluorescent pink bar tape from Lizard Skins is mainly for added visibility in low light conditions |
A LifeLine Chain Catcher is a good addition for Oval chainrings |
The neat Lezyne Alloy Road Drive Cage has an inbuilt Lezyne pump strapping position |
SKS Raceblade Long Mudguards protect from road spray front and rear |
Modifications such as cable-tying the mudguards in place for added security on rough roads; as well as gear cable boots. |
Lighting up front comes in the form of the Lezyne Mega Drive and Macro Drive |
She's not the prettiest bike around; but damn she can rack up some miles, no matter what the conditions |
Critical Measurements:
- A. Effective top tube: 560mm
- B. Stem length: 120mm
- C. Saddle tip to bar: 565mm
- D. Saddle tip to brake hood: 730mm
- E. Saddle to floor: 1020mm
- F: Bar to floor: 900mm
- G: Saddle height: 785mm
- H: Saddle setback: 35mm
- I: Saddle length: 280mm
- J: Saddle offset: 10mm
- K: Crank length: 172.5mm
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