I got a Grade

83 replies · 7,118 views

henrypretz
67 posts
#1Mar 14, 2015, 5:21 PMedited
It was an impulsive ebay purchase, and I was certain that there was no way my lowball bid would win it. Took it out and played for an hour this morning, and I like it. There will be some dialing in to do, but not bad so far. The 5800 shifted well, but I did no climbing. The brakes feel strong and positive, as far as I can tell. I have a road metric next weekend with two pretty good descents. I'll ride it then and should know more after that.

Cheers!
Henry
p.s. the camo bar tape will be the first thing to change. Anyone want it?

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Walt Brown
210 posts
#2Mar 14, 2015, 6:52 PM
That's great, I hope you have a lot of great memories on your new bike! Looking forward to a bike review!
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pmdundee
13 posts
#3Mar 19, 2015, 9:24 PM
Have you by chance tried to put any larger tires on it? I have one on order and am wondering what the clearance is. I'm hoping to fit wtb nano 40c but I know the stated clearance is only 35c. If nothing else, I hope the fork will fit a 40
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henrypretz
67 posts
#4Mar 20, 2015, 1:22 AM
pmdundee wrote:Have you by chance tried to put any larger tires on it? I have one on order and am wondering what the clearance is. I'm hoping to fit wtb nano 40c but I know the stated clearance is only 35c. If nothing else, I hope the fork will fit a 40

I put the caliper on the stock 28c and they measured 29c. Clement USH 700x35c measured right at 35. Panaracer Pasela PT 700x32 was between 32-33mm. A Veloflex Master 700x25 was a true 25mm. This particular tire measures just 23mm on a standard width rim.
The fork looks like it would handle a true or slightly small 40c but it would be tight, IMO. I didn't get a good look at the chain stays tonight.
Let me know if there is anything else I can look at for you. Remember that my bike is an alloy frame.

Henry
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pmdundee
13 posts
#5Mar 20, 2015, 8:04 AM
henrypretz wrote:
I put the caliper on the stock 28c and they measured 29c. Clement USH 700x35c measured right at 35. Panaracer Pasela PT 700x32 was between 32-33mm. A Veloflex Master 700x25 was a true 25mm. This particular tire measures just 23mm on a standard width rim.
The fork looks like it would handle a true or slightly small 40c but it would be tight, IMO. I didn't get a good look at the chain stays tonight.
Let me know if there is anything else I can look at for you. Remember that my bike is an alloy frame.

Henry

Henry, thanks for that info. I am interested in the alloy model, so I appreciate your input. Can you use your caliper to measure the space in the fork and stays?

Thanks, Eric
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henrypretz
67 posts
#6Mar 20, 2015, 8:53 AM
pmdundee wrote:
henrypretz wrote:
I put the caliper on the stock 28c and they measured 29c. Clement USH 700x35c measured right at 35. Panaracer Pasela PT 700x32 was between 32-33mm. A Veloflex Master 700x25 was a true 25mm. This particular tire measures just 23mm on a standard width rim.
The fork looks like it would handle a true or slightly small 40c but it would be tight, IMO. I didn't get a good look at the chain stays tonight.
Let me know if there is anything else I can look at for you. Remember that my bike is an alloy frame.

Henry

Henry, thanks for that info. I am interested in the alloy model, so I appreciate your input. Can you use your caliper to measure the space in the fork and stays?

Thanks, Eric

I'm doing a road metric on Saturday, so the Paselas are mounted now. I was able to run a 6mm allen wrench between the tire and fork, but not an 8mm. Same for the chain stays. So there is at least that much clearance with a 32mm tire. I will swap back to the 35s this weekend and check that. It's going to be tight with a 40, I think. I would love to run the 40mm Clement MSO, so I will look to you for your observation once you get your bike.
Do you know when you'll get it? (not soon enough, right?!?)

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henrypretz
67 posts
#7Mar 22, 2015, 2:18 PM
I rode the Grade on a road metric yesterday.
Just some thoughts. Bear in mind that this was my very first ride of any significant distance, so I'm sure that as time and miles go by I will get more used to the way the bike rides. Until then, this is what I've got.
It was rolling on 32c Panaracer Paselas. These tires are comfy, but they are not the greatest rolling tires around.
The bike feels long, which makes sense. It's not really sluggish long, but sort of stable long.
After riding my steel cross bike, the frame feels pretty stiff. Not super chattery rigid, but stiff. Also felt slightly kind of top heavy to me.
The brakes performed very nicely, even on the long, up to 12%, descent. Solid and predictable with great modulation. The overall extra length and stability of the bike was also evident in a good way on the descent.
The frame showed no flex when standing on the pedals (climbing up said 12%)
The stock wheelset feels heavyish and slow to spin up. This could be in large part be the fault of the tires. The wheels also seemed not to roll as well as some higher zoot wheels I've ridden.
The 5800 group is nice. It shifted how and when I wanted it to. The 52/36 rings on the front are great in theory, but for my riding they don't fit so well. I've already decided to go 46/36. That should help with mid range response.
That said, I was able to ride to my current fitness level and pretty much ride with the guys I usually keep up with when I'm on my road bike.
So, there is what I observed on one 65 mile road ride. I'm looking forward to trying out the bike off the pavement.

Henry
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Walt Brown
210 posts
#8Mar 22, 2015, 3:55 PM
Henry, \nWould you say it's good as a Sportif bike, capable of comfortable, long rides?
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henrypretz
67 posts
#9Mar 22, 2015, 5:26 PM
Walt Brown wrote:Henry, Would you say it's good as a Sportif bike, capable of comfortable, long rides?

Again, I have just done the one ride of any length so far. But I would say that with the right set of tires and saddle, the Grade would make a very capable Sportif bike. You wouldn't break any speed records on it, but for me the geo and componentry seem conducive to that sort of riding.
There is one thing that did become slightly more clear to me. I had thought of trying to find one bike to fit all of my needs. For me, this bike is not enough of a road bike for some of my those needs. Maybe that will change as I get used to it and get the bike more sorted out?
Will definitely update my review as I get to ride it some more.

Henry
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Walt Brown
210 posts
#10Mar 22, 2015, 6:19 PM
Henry, thanks for the update. I've been wondering if I should get a Giant Defy and then maybe a XC mountain bike.
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pmdundee
13 posts
#11Mar 23, 2015, 6:46 AMedited
Henry, thanks for the review. Looking forward to additional thoughts from you. How do you like the flared bar?
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jjkuhn
1 posts
#12Mar 23, 2015, 1:36 PM
Hey guys, I'm new here, first post. I just got my Grade Carbon last week. I've since logged about 200 miles on it both on road and gravel. I have to say that coming from a Kona Major Jake, this rides awesome. It is far more compliant than an aluminum bike and is plenty fast on the road. I personally love the gearing of the 52 and I ride in the mountains of No. Arizona. I agree this bike is stretched out, but in a good way. It is stable at speed and it helps to take up some of the rough. I'm running some 35C's on it right now and I feel I could go to a 38C, not sure a 40 would fit. I'll be posting a review here after some more miles. Looking forward to reading through this forum.
1
henrypretz
67 posts
#13Mar 23, 2015, 10:44 PM
pmdundee wrote:Henry, thanks for the review. Looking forward to additional thoughts from you. How do you like the flared bar?
re: flared bar - I have ridden On One Midge bars and the GT bars are not quite as aggressively flared as those. The flare is quite noticeable. I typically ride on the hoods and tops, but heavy wind gave me an opportunity to get down.
I will be adding cross levers to my bike. I like the feeling of speed control they afford on slower, steep descents.
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henrypretz
67 posts
#14Mar 28, 2015, 10:44 PMedited
I rode the Grade on actual dirt today. (along with some deplorable pavement) 38 miles, 3500' climbing, about 18-20 miles off pavement.
Here's the skinny. I had Clement USH 700x35c tires mounted running 55psi front and 60psi rear. Compliance was good on rough pavement. It did not feel squishy at all.
The extra length in the wheelbase gives the bike great tracking on hard pack dirt, sandy surface over hard pack, and surface gravel. Ride actually felt quite compliant, but not quite as good as 853 steel in that respect.
The top heaviness that I perceived when I rode the bike on the road metric last weekend was not at all apparent to me today. It felt solid and stable. I like it.
I'm on a 53cm frame size. On every one of my other bikes I have to deal with toe overlap. The slack head tube angle on the Grade makes it a non issue. I love that.
The 5800 group performed flawlessly. Every bit as crisp to me as the Ultegra 6700 I have on one of my road bikes. Ironically, not as smooth as the Ultegra 6600 I have on a different road bike. I am convinced that the 52/36 rings up front are just not a good match for my riding style. I picked up a 46t big ring that I will be swapping out sometime soon.
I plan to add a set of cross levers. I feel better descending riding the tops of the bars with levers. Will probably also change out the seatpost to a Thomson. And what bike couldn't use a wheelset upgrade?

That's about all for now. I'm sure I will discover more to tell about as I ride the bike more.
Bottom line is it does pretty much what it is made to do.

Here is a crappy post ride pic -

2
henrypretz
67 posts
#15Mar 31, 2015, 7:37 PM
From today's ride. Unwrapped the bars to dial in bar rotation and shifter position. Feels good about where it is. Once I get a hold of my cross levers will install and wrap with black LizardSkins tape.
I'm liking this bike more each time I ride it.

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Kampitsch
6 posts
#16Apr 3, 2015, 1:33 AM
I am from Austria and found this Forum. I am interested in buying a GT grade bike in carbon.
I would like to know what size you would recommend for me.
I am 175 cm and have 78 cm legs.
My dealer has no bike to try, so i have to order one.

Thanks for reply
gunter
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henrypretz
67 posts
#17Apr 3, 2015, 9:59 AM
Kampitsch wrote:I am from Austria and found this Forum. I am interested in buying a GT grade bike in carbon.
I would like to know what size you would recommend for me.
I am 175 cm and have 78 cm legs.
My dealer has no bike to try, so i have to order one.

Thanks for reply
gunter

Hi Gunter - it's so hard to recommend a specific size. I can tell you that I am 170cm with about 73cm inseam and the 53cm (S) frame alloy Grade is a good fit. Sorry I can't be of more help.

Good luck!
Henry

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Craig
44 posts
#18Apr 3, 2015, 7:37 PM
I also have a 53 cm GT Carbon Grade and it fits perfect. I am 5'9" and have a 31" inseam.
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Kampitsch
6 posts
#19Apr 4, 2015, 1:19 AM
Thank you very much for your reply. I ordered the Carbon 105 in S yesterday. It should f arrive in 10 days. \nHappy easter \nGunter
1
henrypretz
67 posts
#20Apr 4, 2015, 2:06 PM
Looking forward to a ride report, Gunter!

I made some changes to my Grade.
Replaced the 52t big ring with a 46t.
Added Cane Creek cross levers and replaced "lovely" camo bar tape with good ol' black.

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