After 3 rides of 8 , 110 and 70 miles here are my first impressions.
Everyone wants to know Is it faster??? I don't know. Its certainly NOT slower. And all indications are that it is indeed faster but I have way too many variables to state that. First off I have a new P1 pm meter, which appears to be giving me numbers around 5watts lower on average compared to the Quarq I used on my FELT for years , I did use the P1's 3-4 times on the FELT....Of course weather/winds , and the way I rode , etc are major factors but thought I would post the 2 rides I did , the exact same 110 mile route , similar winds , same clothes, same wheels , same PM's , different bikes , FELT DA vs. Ventum. FELT- 110 miles in 5:01:43 , AP160/NP163 , 21.9 mph Ventum- 110 miles in 5:04:04 , AP152/NP153 , 21.7 mph So a bit slower on the Ventum but 8 watts less (which is huge for me).....that extra 8 watts should be significant...
The Frame- I really really really like the way bike feels. Call it solid/stiff whatever it just has a nice feel to it...There is a lot of frame surface area and I can feel that in a cross wind... My guess is the bike will really excel in windy conditions with frame acting as a sail similar to what happens with a disc wheel (being able to create negative drag in certain yaws)... However I fully expect this thing to be handful descending in very windy conditions.... The good thing is most of the surface area is towards the rear but choosing a front wheel in windy conditions maybe key... That is all just theory on my part since I have only ridden it in flat semi-windy conditions....
Assembly , Fit and Finish - I'm not a wrench... The bike comes mostly assembled (cables and wires) etc... I was able to install the fork , handle bars, front brake , cut seat post, cut front brake fairing, adjust brakes and get it running by myself with just a little help from the Ventum online video's.... After making sure I was happy with the fit , I was able to remove fork , cut to length , and re-assemble... When I got to the front brakes I found a mistake I had made in the first installation...One of the brake calipers spring that goes into the hole on the fork was bent 90 degrees completely over, I had no choice but to try and straighten it and of course it broke. It appears I did not put that pin in the hole on the first assembly, surprised it even worked but it wont work now... I have a call into Ventum and they are working on getting me up and running this week as I have a race next weekend... There could be a bit more data/information/instructions available explaining a little bag with extra parts etc... The fit and finish is quite nice , my only complaint so far in that respect is the fork cap/cover has 2 screws , one that goes into the top of the fork and the other that goes into the top of the bars... I can only get one or the other in at a time since the 2 holes in the cap don't line up with the 2 holes ...
Spec's , Brakes, Bars, UI2, etc- Brakes feel absolutely awesome compared to my FELT and that is on the exact same FLO aluminum brake track wheels , Base Bars are just a tad low but I knew this ahead of time and are not an issue... Aerobars are where every you want them.... Quite happy with the Ultegra specs with Ui2 and see no real reason to go above this groupset...
Misc- With the missing down tube and seat stays its kinda weird handling the bike in and out of the truck, removing/installing the back wheel etc... Sometimes there is just no place to grab it... It feels pretty much normal weight but wow that thing is heavy when the tank is full... I have a BTA set up and ordered an xlab delta mount and aero pouch for the rear.
Update again with how Ventum helps me with my mistake and after my race next weekend.
@JG- if I dont get to commenting on your Ventum vs. SC thread in a day or so , ping me to remind me... Heather just bought a SC Concept One this spring and I have a few comments .
@ Tim - Great write up. Appreciate that you noted the previous bike. My question on "how fast" always applies to what it's compared to. You came off of a bike that is probably 2 generations "old' in terms of slippiness. The P5/Shiv/IA & other superbikes are a generation "faster" compared to your Felt. Wondering how much "faster" than a the most recent generation of superbikes these steeds are. I spent a fair amount of time with the Ventum folks at the IM Boulder Expo and the bike looks/ feels solid...
Can someone take and post some pictures of the stock cockpit? I would like to better understand the limitations and the pictures on the website don't have enough detail. Thanks in advance for the help!
I've had my Ventum for a bit over two weeks and logged over 500 miles training and a 70.3 race on it so feel I have enough experience to do a write up on it.
My setup : I went all out getting the Dura Ace DI2 build with the upgraded Enve 7.8SES wheels, a Torhans 30 BTA bottle, and the Ceramicspeed oversize pulley wheel on the RD.
Here are my thoughts:
- The Ventum team is incredible. I've spent hours with Jimmy Seear getting the bike set up, talking fit, and giving my feedback on the bike. They love the feedback and are super customer-friendly and passionate. Rachel and Diaa were super hepful in the early talks as I considered the buy
-This is the first brand new bike I've ever bought. My conversations outlined above, coupled with a great deal via the EN partnership made me buck the trend. I've had many high-end bikes (and low-end ones as well) in my relatively short 7 year tri career including, in chronological order, a Quintana Roo Tequilo, a Specialized Transition, and Specialized Shiv, a 'customized' open mold Chinese bike, a Cervelo P5, a Dimond, and now the Ventum. And yes...I know I have a problem . I do plan to keep this bike for a while.
-They really knocked it out of the park with the frame. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I'm honestly a bit 'bleh' on the looks (I like the looks of the Dimond better). But the frame is incredibly stiff, compliant, and surprisingly light. The Dimond felt way to 'flexy' for me whereas the Ventum is crazy solid, more so than my P5 even.
- The Ceramicspeed drive-train is crazy efficient. The ceramic BB and OSPW make for very little power loss. When the bike is on the work stand and I crank the pedals to get the rear wheel rotating the wheel keeps going (as usual) but the crank-set continues to rotate as well.
-Aerodynamically I am of the camp that the practical difference between all the high-end superbikes is marginal, meaning a great fit on an average bike trumps a poor fit on a 'super' bike. That said, this bike feels fast and my empirical data would confirm that. I had a massive bike PR in my 70.3 and all of my training rides I'm seeing speeds and Strava Segment performances that are either faster, or the same speed on fewer watts than the Dimond or P5 (with the same P1 power meter pedals)
- The integrated water bottle seemed a bit gimmicky but it's one of the most impressive things after riding it for a few weeks. It really is a game changer...once you get your fit dialed in there is no reason at all to leave aero position. There is a magnet on the aero bar extension and on the straw. When you are riding you put the straw in your mouth, and then I just spit the bite valve out and the straw would find the magnet on it's own 90% of the time. I don't think it was designed to, but the integrated bottle also has some insulating characteristics. In Florida last week I would find an initial sip would be warm from the transparent straw baking in the summer sun, but once that water was gone the water in the base bottle was noticeably cooler. I am experimenting with concentrated nutrition in the Torhans and using the integrated bottle for water as to eliminate most/all solid calorie needs. Note that if you use the Torhans I suggest installing the mount upside down which lets the bottle sit a bit lower allows it to slide back much closer to the head tube (data suggests that aero benefit only delivered when it's within 1 inch or less). I may use black duct tape and tape over the 1/2 inch gap for race day.
- The fork is ok. Not horrible, but not great. Specifically, the fairing setup is a bit difficult until you get used to it. I know they have great aero data on it but if you aren't handy wrenching on your bike you may need a shop to help you get it set up. It uses the TRP brakes which I'm not in love with, but coupled with the new braking surface on the Enve 7.8s to a fine job bringing things to a stop.
- They have gotten a fair amount of criticism on the aerobars which I believe are open-mold design (but have a nice, sleek stem cap cover that conceals the DI2 wiring and gives it a clean look. They are very sleek and aero, so as long as you can dial in your fit (plenty of stack adjustment available with the riser kit but limited reach flexibility) they should work great. The pads suck...and I know they are working on a solution for that.
-Lastly, there is a bit of wasted space between the integrated bottle mount and the stem. I've been toying with a few ideas that I may try to design as I geek out with my new 3D printer. Looking for something to close the gap for aero reason but also provide a mounting surface for a bento box. I know some have hacked their integrated bottle to have bento bosses for mounting, but I'd prefer mine to be closer to the stem. Stay tuned...
Overall very happy with the purchase. The more I ride it the more I like about it. I suspect they are working on solutions for many of the common complaints they are hearing and based on my conversations they will not forget about their early adopters when any new solutions are available. I'm looking forward to racing the bike in Kona as I expect it to be a great bike to balance the fast descents, crosswinds, and climbs.
Side note - I had been riding a mid-compact (52/36) on my two prior bikes. I went with the standard Dura Ace 53/39 setup and bought a 36 tooth DA9000 inner ring on Amazon for $25. I installed in on the crank and it shifts perfectly with no FD adjustment needed. I'll be racing Kona with the 53/36 up front and 12/25 in the rear which will give my plenty of top end for the fast descents but sufficient gearing for the climbs.
Hope this is helpful. Happy to answer any other questions.
Support- has been top notch. I have been dealing exclusively with Rachel who runs stuff by Jimmy if she needs to. Guess I would be dealing with the owner if I was going to KONA :-)... I installed my front brake incorrectly and broke a pin, they sent me out the part I needed 2 day delivery (for $40) which was fast and reasonable , making it in time for my race.
Issues so far- 1. I had this very annoying squeaking. Turned out to be the rear brake cable under the stem cap. Took a while to find it, removing the cap, front brake cover, going over rear tire , brakes, etc. Lubed exterior of cable and its gone. 2. Handling- Felt fine on my first few runs and did 280 miles on it the first week, then I cut my fork down , when I re-installed the fork I made it too tight (it was too loose on the first assembly). First ride I after re-assembly took about 3 seconds to realize fork too tight. Loosened it up again. Noticeably better but still not right. Its hard to describe, the fork and bars turned freely, but it was tracking poorly , required constant input and attention to go straight, not effortless like a normal bike, figured something was binding, but couldnt feel it.. Again taking stem cap off and front brake cover , checking fork... In the end it seemed to get better when I lubed that squeaky brake cable. Musta just been sticking a little. Felt fine on my last 2 rides this week. 3. Creaking, cracking, ticking sound.... When pedaling under load... Assuming its the BB, its not coming from the front end , doesnt happen when coasting or soft pedaling, no visible parts hitting (tires, breakes, cables , wheels, frame)... I have new P1 pedals... I took some speed plays and shoes to try out yesterday to rule out the pedals and of course I rode for 2 hours and could not replicate the creaks. So for now after racing and riding a creaking bike for over a week its gone away all by itself. 4. Stem cap has 2 holes in it... Can only get one screw it at a time since they both dont line up. Ventum is going to remove the front screw from the future bikes stem caps since that is just cosmetic. Said they would replace my stem cap.
Still Loving the Bike, I have really grown to love the looks of it... Initially I thought it was ugly... I like the TRP brakes, they work awesome compared to my FELT DA2 brakes that I never liked. My set up is a zipp bta on the bars with garmin mount in front of bottle between my hands ( I use this for shorter training days and will have concentrated calories for IM disctance) XLAB single bottle holder and AERO pouch behind the seat for flat kit/gear and or another training bottle. Used the built in bottle to race REV3 OOB just fine. The built in bottle works pretty good, kinda hard to get the straw to the bottom to make sure you can empty it when drinking, finds the magnet quite easily when you let it go. I find that after you drink if you take 1 second to keep the bite valve open it allows a little air in the straw and you end up with less sports drink on your bike. If you let it go right after drinking little bits will still come out. Those that use water in that bottle will have no issues. But I end up with a sticky bike....
Speed... Like Jeremy said the differences will be minimal and pretty impossible to quantify.... Those looking for some magical new speed will not find it... Its still about the engine, total watts to total kilograms for climbing, and watts to cda (which is mostly body and position NOT bike) for aero riding.... My biggest problem for comparing rides is that I changed PM's on this new bike and I am seeing lower number of watts than I have ever seen ( same speeds)... I rode my P1's against my Quarq on my FELT a few times , the P1's seemed 5-10 watts lower and I am now believing closer to 10 watts... I raced REV3 OOB last weekend on the Ventum and rode 2:26:48 on 174/179 ap/np vs. 2:26:23 in 2014 on 191/194 ap/np .... so 25 seconds slower than FELT but on 15 less watts , factoring in the PM differential maybe only 5 watts less.... SO I still believe if anything the Ventum is a tad faster but there is no magical I'm faster thing happening....
Comfort- I am finding the bike very comfortable and I am able to stay aero for long periods of time... Position is almost exact to the FELT but lots of parts are different like the aero bars which are a different angle and bend... Adjustment to this new bike has been very easy and fast.
All it all I would definitely recommend a Ventum to anyone who needs/wants a new bike.
"They are very sleek and aero, so as long as you can dial in your fit (plenty of stack adjustment available with the riser kit but limited reach flexibility) they should work great."
Jeremy, can you expand on this at all? By reach, do you mean how far the extension bars extend?
I ask because this issue has been the primary issue I have had with my Trek SC 7.5 (54). My hands have been resting off the shifters since the beginning. I have since swapped out the stem to a 130, and now I am as close as I have ever been to a fit that allows my hands to rest on the bars. After multiple emails, Rachel et al also believe a Ventum 54 would be best, but your comment gives me pause.
It's an integrated front end with a single stem length so the only adjustability on reach is the arm pads which is relatively limited. I played around and got close but ultimately not right so ended up returning the bars and am going with a TriRig Alpha front end.
And yes...the P6 has been "about to be here" for about a year
Doug, IMO the Stack and Reach you want to get dialed in is the height and distance from center of BB to center of the top of your aero pads or elbow pads ..... Todd from ttbikefit.com goes over this quite extensively and I believe quite accurately in this article about the Ventum.... http://ttbikefit.com/ventum-one-first-looks-frame-buildup-and-early-road-test-impressions/
my elbow location is dialed in. but have never found long enough aero extensions to work with my hand location. solved with the Tririg extensions. The Tririg extensions are by far the longest made. Most non-freakofnature folks will trim them. perfect length for me.
The deeper the conversation has gotten with Ventum, the more I think I should just do the TT bike fit deal and get my "fit numbers" and their recommendation before going any further. Todd seems to be suggesting in his marketing that he can tell me what size in what bikes will work best. I don't know how long the Ventum-EN deal will be valid. I dig the ventum to be sure, but am so afraid going all in on a bike without being confident it will fit ok. I know Jeremy seems to have good luck buying/selling rigs at leisure, but that sounds painful.
Posted By Doug Sutherland on 08 Sep 2016 12:18 AM The deeper the conversation has gotten with Ventum, the more I think I should just do the TT bike fit deal and get my "fit numbers" and their recommendation before going any further. Todd seems to be suggesting in his marketing that he can tell me what size in what bikes will work best. I don't know how long the Ventum-EN deal will be valid. I dig the ventum to be sure, but am so afraid going all in on a bike without being confident it will fit ok. I know Jeremy seems to have good luck buying/selling rigs at leisure, but that sounds painful.
My favorite post of the day! I love imagine of Jeremy day-trading super bikes at his leisure.
I totally agree you need a first-class fit first. I know Todd has a ton of experience with virtual fits. I used him 5 years ago when I first joined team and he really helped me. He totally got me in the ball park, I realized in person is pretty powerful and I live in LA. So, I drove an hour across town and got a two hour, in person retul fit. Best choice ever.
If you can find a precision fit in person, you take a road trip to the big city. If that is not an option, let Todd put you in the ball park. It will really let you buy with confidence.
I'm still very reluctant to spend thousands on ANY bike that I haven't even seen in person, much less not ridden!
I recently got my fit coordinates from a local retul guy, so I'll ask what the ventum guys have to offer. If the deal is as sweet as it sounds though, it might be too good to pass up!
Day trading super bikes at my leisure. That's some funny stuff!
Anyone can day trade financial vehicles. It takes real skill to say trade carbon fiber!
Scott - you should ask the Ventum folks if there are any in your area or if there is a race nearby perhaps their pros are typically great brand ambassadors and will chat with you or let you try out the bike. I had the opportunity to talk with both Leanda Cave and Matt Chrabot before I pulled the trigger.
The deeper the conversation has gotten with Ventum, the more I think I should just do the TT bike fit deal and get my "fit numbers" and their recommendation before going any further. Todd seems to be suggesting in his marketing that he can tell me what size in what bikes will work best. I don't know how long the Ventum-EN deal will be valid. I dig the ventum to be sure, but am so afraid going all in on a bike without being confident it will fit ok. I know Jeremy seems to have good luck buying/selling rigs at leisure, but that sounds painful.
Doug, Todd is good, no doubt. But the next time you visit family in LA, book a Retul fit with Jim Manton at the velodrome to get fit coordinates. Then discuss those with Ventum so see what they recommend.
Sitting on the plane to WI getting ready to write my own review of the bike and it's clear that the common denominator in everyone's comments has been Ventum's excellent customer service -- they are more than willing to work with you to answer any questions and make sure they can deliver a bike that works for you. This is mirrored in our dealings with them, from the business end of this relationship.
Review done, will take some good pics this weekend in Madison and post to the blog.
That said,
THIS
THREAD
IS
WORTHLESS
WITHOUT
PICS!!
Very curious to see cockpit setups, ie, computer and bottle mounts AND a bento solution that doesn't have me wearing a fanny pack over my Super Suit. I'm water, gels, and blocks for Kona so I need to figure this out
Thanks, I'll look into it. Any pics of it mounted? FYI, closing in on 12k on the Transit. No issues, runs great, ~14-15mpg. Cyclists, bikers, and old doodes dig the van. Not so sure about chicks though...
@Ed and Rich that is the BTA set up I'm running, minues the xlab bottle, just a gorilla cage mounted ,which came right off my FELT so I been using it for a while now...
Ed, can the quick view portion of that mount be removed? I prefer to stack my hands and have the computer mounted low and in the wind shadow of my hands.
I think the answer is no... The bracket that the bottle cage attaches to is bolted to that part. Text me ... And I'll send you a couple pics to show the mounting hardware... I can't figure out how to post a pic here through this phone...
Comments
Everyone wants to know Is it faster??? I don't know. Its certainly NOT slower. And all indications are that it is indeed faster but I have way too many variables to state that. First off I have a new P1 pm meter, which appears to be giving me numbers around 5watts lower on average compared to the Quarq I used on my FELT for years , I did use the P1's 3-4 times on the FELT....Of course weather/winds , and the way I rode , etc are major factors but thought I would post the 2 rides I did , the exact same 110 mile route , similar winds , same clothes, same wheels , same PM's , different bikes , FELT DA vs. Ventum.
FELT- 110 miles in 5:01:43 , AP160/NP163 , 21.9 mph
Ventum- 110 miles in 5:04:04 , AP152/NP153 , 21.7 mph
So a bit slower on the Ventum but 8 watts less (which is huge for me).....that extra 8 watts should be significant...
The Frame- I really really really like the way bike feels. Call it solid/stiff whatever it just has a nice feel to it...There is a lot of frame surface area and I can feel that in a cross wind... My guess is the bike will really excel in windy conditions with frame acting as a sail similar to what happens with a disc wheel (being able to create negative drag in certain yaws)... However I fully expect this thing to be handful descending in very windy conditions.... The good thing is most of the surface area is towards the rear but choosing a front wheel in windy conditions maybe key... That is all just theory on my part since I have only ridden it in flat semi-windy conditions....
Assembly , Fit and Finish - I'm not a wrench... The bike comes mostly assembled (cables and wires) etc... I was able to install the fork , handle bars, front brake , cut seat post, cut front brake fairing, adjust brakes and get it running by myself with just a little help from the Ventum online video's.... After making sure I was happy with the fit , I was able to remove fork , cut to length , and re-assemble... When I got to the front brakes I found a mistake I had made in the first installation...One of the brake calipers spring that goes into the hole on the fork was bent 90 degrees completely over, I had no choice but to try and straighten it and of course it broke. It appears I did not put that pin in the hole on the first assembly, surprised it even worked but it wont work now... I have a call into Ventum and they are working on getting me up and running this week as I have a race next weekend... There could be a bit more data/information/instructions available explaining a little bag with extra parts etc... The fit and finish is quite nice , my only complaint so far in that respect is the fork cap/cover has 2 screws , one that goes into the top of the fork and the other that goes into the top of the bars... I can only get one or the other in at a time since the 2 holes in the cap don't line up with the 2 holes ...
Spec's , Brakes, Bars, UI2, etc- Brakes feel absolutely awesome compared to my FELT and that is on the exact same FLO aluminum brake track wheels , Base Bars are just a tad low but I knew this ahead of time and are not an issue... Aerobars are where every you want them.... Quite happy with the Ultegra specs with Ui2 and see no real reason to go above this groupset...
Misc- With the missing down tube and seat stays its kinda weird handling the bike in and out of the truck, removing/installing the back wheel etc... Sometimes there is just no place to grab it... It feels pretty much normal weight but wow that thing is heavy when the tank is full... I have a BTA set up and ordered an xlab delta mount and aero pouch for the rear.
Update again with how Ventum helps me with my mistake and after my race next weekend.
@JG- if I dont get to commenting on your Ventum vs. SC thread in a day or so , ping me to remind me... Heather just bought a SC Concept One this spring and I have a few comments .
Wondering how much "faster" than a the most recent generation of superbikes these steeds are. I spent a fair amount of time with the Ventum folks at the IM Boulder Expo and the bike looks/ feels solid...
Looking forward to hearing more info..
I've had my Ventum for a bit over two weeks and logged over 500 miles training and a 70.3 race on it so feel I have enough experience to do a write up on it.
My setup : I went all out getting the Dura Ace DI2 build with the upgraded Enve 7.8SES wheels, a Torhans 30 BTA bottle, and the Ceramicspeed oversize pulley wheel on the RD.
Here are my thoughts:
- The Ventum team is incredible. I've spent hours with Jimmy Seear getting the bike set up, talking fit, and giving my feedback on the bike. They love the feedback and are super customer-friendly and passionate. Rachel and Diaa were super hepful in the early talks as I considered the buy
-This is the first brand new bike I've ever bought. My conversations outlined above, coupled with a great deal via the EN partnership made me buck the trend. I've had many high-end bikes (and low-end ones as well) in my relatively short 7 year tri career including, in chronological order, a Quintana Roo Tequilo, a Specialized Transition, and Specialized Shiv, a 'customized' open mold Chinese bike, a Cervelo P5, a Dimond, and now the Ventum. And yes...I know I have a problem
. I do plan to keep this bike for a while.
-They really knocked it out of the park with the frame. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I'm honestly a bit 'bleh' on the looks (I like the looks of the Dimond better). But the frame is incredibly stiff, compliant, and surprisingly light. The Dimond felt way to 'flexy' for me whereas the Ventum is crazy solid, more so than my P5 even.
- The Ceramicspeed drive-train is crazy efficient. The ceramic BB and OSPW make for very little power loss. When the bike is on the work stand and I crank the pedals to get the rear wheel rotating the wheel keeps going (as usual) but the crank-set continues to rotate as well.
-Aerodynamically I am of the camp that the practical difference between all the high-end superbikes is marginal, meaning a great fit on an average bike trumps a poor fit on a 'super' bike. That said, this bike feels fast and my empirical data would confirm that. I had a massive bike PR in my 70.3 and all of my training rides I'm seeing speeds and Strava Segment performances that are either faster, or the same speed on fewer watts than the Dimond or P5 (with the same P1 power meter pedals)
- The integrated water bottle seemed a bit gimmicky but it's one of the most impressive things after riding it for a few weeks. It really is a game changer...once you get your fit dialed in there is no reason at all to leave aero position. There is a magnet on the aero bar extension and on the straw. When you are riding you put the straw in your mouth, and then I just spit the bite valve out and the straw would find the magnet on it's own 90% of the time. I don't think it was designed to, but the integrated bottle also has some insulating characteristics. In Florida last week I would find an initial sip would be warm from the transparent straw baking in the summer sun, but once that water was gone the water in the base bottle was noticeably cooler. I am experimenting with concentrated nutrition in the Torhans and using the integrated bottle for water as to eliminate most/all solid calorie needs. Note that if you use the Torhans I suggest installing the mount upside down which lets the bottle sit a bit lower allows it to slide back much closer to the head tube (data suggests that aero benefit only delivered when it's within 1 inch or less). I may use black duct tape and tape over the 1/2 inch gap for race day.
- The fork is ok. Not horrible, but not great. Specifically, the fairing setup is a bit difficult until you get used to it. I know they have great aero data on it but if you aren't handy wrenching on your bike you may need a shop to help you get it set up. It uses the TRP brakes which I'm not in love with, but coupled with the new braking surface on the Enve 7.8s to a fine job bringing things to a stop.
- They have gotten a fair amount of criticism on the aerobars which I believe are open-mold design (but have a nice, sleek stem cap cover that conceals the DI2 wiring and gives it a clean look. They are very sleek and aero, so as long as you can dial in your fit (plenty of stack adjustment available with the riser kit but limited reach flexibility) they should work great. The pads suck...and I know they are working on a solution for that.
-Lastly, there is a bit of wasted space between the integrated bottle mount and the stem. I've been toying with a few ideas that I may try to design as I geek out with my new 3D printer. Looking for something to close the gap for aero reason but also provide a mounting surface for a bento box. I know some have hacked their integrated bottle to have bento bosses for mounting, but I'd prefer mine to be closer to the stem. Stay tuned...
Overall very happy with the purchase. The more I ride it the more I like about it. I suspect they are working on solutions for many of the common complaints they are hearing and based on my conversations they will not forget about their early adopters when any new solutions are available. I'm looking forward to racing the bike in Kona as I expect it to be a great bike to balance the fast descents, crosswinds, and climbs.
Side note - I had been riding a mid-compact (52/36) on my two prior bikes. I went with the standard Dura Ace 53/39 setup and bought a 36 tooth DA9000 inner ring on Amazon for $25. I installed in on the crank and it shifts perfectly with no FD adjustment needed. I'll be racing Kona with the 53/36 up front and 12/25 in the rear which will give my plenty of top end for the fast descents but sufficient gearing for the climbs.
Hope this is helpful. Happy to answer any other questions.
Update #2 on my experience.
Support- has been top notch. I have been dealing exclusively with Rachel who runs stuff by Jimmy if she needs to. Guess I would be dealing with the owner if I was going to KONA :-)... I installed my front brake incorrectly and broke a pin, they sent me out the part I needed 2 day delivery (for $40) which was fast and reasonable , making it in time for my race.
Issues so far-
1. I had this very annoying squeaking. Turned out to be the rear brake cable under the stem cap. Took a while to find it, removing the cap, front brake cover, going over rear tire , brakes, etc. Lubed exterior of cable and its gone.
2. Handling- Felt fine on my first few runs and did 280 miles on it the first week, then I cut my fork down , when I re-installed the fork I made it too tight (it was too loose on the first assembly). First ride I after re-assembly took about 3 seconds to realize fork too tight. Loosened it up again. Noticeably better but still not right. Its hard to describe, the fork and bars turned freely, but it was tracking poorly , required constant input and attention to go straight, not effortless like a normal bike, figured something was binding, but couldnt feel it.. Again taking stem cap off and front brake cover , checking fork... In the end it seemed to get better when I lubed that squeaky brake cable. Musta just been sticking a little. Felt fine on my last 2 rides this week.
3. Creaking, cracking, ticking sound.... When pedaling under load... Assuming its the BB, its not coming from the front end , doesnt happen when coasting or soft pedaling, no visible parts hitting (tires, breakes, cables , wheels, frame)... I have new P1 pedals... I took some speed plays and shoes to try out yesterday to rule out the pedals and of course I rode for 2 hours and could not replicate the creaks. So for now after racing and riding a creaking bike for over a week its gone away all by itself.
4. Stem cap has 2 holes in it... Can only get one screw it at a time since they both dont line up. Ventum is going to remove the front screw from the future bikes stem caps since that is just cosmetic. Said they would replace my stem cap.
Still Loving the Bike, I have really grown to love the looks of it... Initially I thought it was ugly... I like the TRP brakes, they work awesome compared to my FELT DA2 brakes that I never liked. My set up is a zipp bta on the bars with garmin mount in front of bottle between my hands ( I use this for shorter training days and will have concentrated calories for IM disctance) XLAB single bottle holder and AERO pouch behind the seat for flat kit/gear and or another training bottle. Used the built in bottle to race REV3 OOB just fine. The built in bottle works pretty good, kinda hard to get the straw to the bottom to make sure you can empty it when drinking, finds the magnet quite easily when you let it go. I find that after you drink if you take 1 second to keep the bite valve open it allows a little air in the straw and you end up with less sports drink on your bike. If you let it go right after drinking little bits will still come out. Those that use water in that bottle will have no issues. But I end up with a sticky bike....
Speed... Like Jeremy said the differences will be minimal and pretty impossible to quantify.... Those looking for some magical new speed will not find it... Its still about the engine, total watts to total kilograms for climbing, and watts to cda (which is mostly body and position NOT bike) for aero riding.... My biggest problem for comparing rides is that I changed PM's on this new bike and I am seeing lower number of watts than I have ever seen ( same speeds)... I rode my P1's against my Quarq on my FELT a few times , the P1's seemed 5-10 watts lower and I am now believing closer to 10 watts... I raced REV3 OOB last weekend on the Ventum and rode 2:26:48 on 174/179 ap/np vs. 2:26:23 in 2014 on 191/194 ap/np .... so 25 seconds slower than FELT but on 15 less watts , factoring in the PM differential maybe only 5 watts less.... SO I still believe if anything the Ventum is a tad faster but there is no magical I'm faster thing happening....
Comfort- I am finding the bike very comfortable and I am able to stay aero for long periods of time... Position is almost exact to the FELT but lots of parts are different like the aero bars which are a different angle and bend... Adjustment to this new bike has been very easy and fast.
All it all I would definitely recommend a Ventum to anyone who needs/wants a new bike.
Jeremy, can you expand on this at all? By reach, do you mean how far the extension bars extend?
I ask because this issue has been the primary issue I have had with my Trek SC 7.5 (54). My hands have been resting off the shifters since the beginning. I have since swapped out the stem to a 130, and now I am as close as I have ever been to a fit that allows my hands to rest on the bars. After multiple emails, Rachel et al also believe a Ventum 54 would be best, but your comment gives me pause.
It's an integrated front end with a single stem length so the only adjustability on reach is the arm pads which is relatively limited. I played around and got close but ultimately not right so ended up returning the bars and am going with a TriRig Alpha front end.
And yes...the P6 has been "about to be here" for about a year
http://ttbikefit.com/ventum-one-first-looks-frame-buildup-and-early-road-test-impressions/
doug. as tim said.
my elbow location is dialed in. but have never found long enough aero extensions to work with my hand location. solved with the Tririg extensions. The Tririg extensions are by far the longest made. Most non-freakofnature folks will trim them. perfect length for me.
My favorite post of the day! I love imagine of Jeremy day-trading super bikes at his leisure.
I totally agree you need a first-class fit first. I know Todd has a ton of experience with virtual fits. I used him 5 years ago when I first joined team and he really helped me. He totally got me in the ball park, I realized in person is pretty powerful and I live in LA. So, I drove an hour across town and got a two hour, in person retul fit. Best choice ever.
If you can find a precision fit in person, you take a road trip to the big city. If that is not an option, let Todd put you in the ball park. It will really let you buy with confidence.
I recently got my fit coordinates from a local retul guy, so I'll ask what the ventum guys have to offer. If the deal is as sweet as it sounds though, it might be too good to pass up!
Anyone can day trade financial vehicles. It takes real skill to say trade carbon fiber!
Scott - you should ask the Ventum folks if there are any in your area or if there is a race nearby perhaps their pros are typically great brand ambassadors and will chat with you or let you try out the bike. I had the opportunity to talk with both Leanda Cave and Matt Chrabot before I pulled the trigger.
Doug, Todd is good, no doubt. But the next time you visit family in LA, book a Retul fit with Jim Manton at the velodrome to get fit coordinates. Then discuss those with Ventum so see what they recommend.
Sitting on the plane to WI getting ready to write my own review of the bike and it's clear that the common denominator in everyone's comments has been Ventum's excellent customer service -- they are more than willing to work with you to answer any questions and make sure they can deliver a bike that works for you. This is mirrored in our dealings with them, from the business end of this relationship.
Review done, will take some good pics this weekend in Madison and post to the blog.
That said,
THIS
THREAD
IS
WORTHLESS
WITHOUT
PICS!!
Very curious to see cockpit setups, ie, computer and bottle mounts AND a bento solution that doesn't have me wearing a fanny pack over my Super Suit. I'm water, gels, and blocks for Kona so I need to figure this out
Also, running DA crank with 52/36 rings. I should be able to put a 53 or 54 on there, correct?
http://www.trisports.com/trisports-torpedo-bta-mount-sytem-250.html
Thanks, I'll look into it. Any pics of it mounted? FYI, closing in on 12k on the Transit. No issues, runs great, ~14-15mpg. Cyclists, bikers, and old doodes dig the van. Not so sure about chicks though...
Then I need to get a 54...
848-702-3018
#NotJealousAtAll