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Flaanimal 5.0 Paul Brake Adapter
I have a Flaanimal 5.0 frame and want to install Paul brakes. What adapter do I need for both front and back brakes please.
Answer
Hey Mike,
I’m assuming you are looking at the Flat Mount version of the Klampers and not the Post Mount version. Based on this, we don’t actually have experience mounting those on a Flaanimal frame. For the front brake, you’ll just need the standard flat mount plate for 140mm or 160mm rotor.
On the rear brake, you may have to use one of our ‘Off The Back’ sliders. This is likely, but it could be worth giving it a shot with the standard sliders before you spring for the alternative set. We’d love to hear how it goes if you’d like to send us feedback when you get them!
Follow up on Flaanimal 5.0 Paul Brake Adapter -
Choosing offset as I replace my fork.
Hey there! I’m thinking of replacing the beautiful Columbus Futura Cross fork on my Macho King ACE. (Long story involving the toll of being a mom to two kids and bike fit for techy gravel.) I’ve ridden this fork on the default 47mm offset with two different sets of wheels. I’m trying to choose an offset for a Spork. I was thinking of the 45 mm offset for longer trail and a ride that favors stability on steep descents. Does this seem right? What would you do? I’m not planning on loading the fork super heavy.
Answer
Hey Alex, thanks for reaching out about our Spork! Without knowing more about the size of frame you ride and the specifics of the geometry, it sounds like you’re on the right track. The 45mm fork will give you more of the handling characteristics you’re looking for whereas the 50mm fork would be more stable with weight. One thing to be conscious of as you go with a lower rake fork is toe overlap when making tight turns. Your front wheel is going to get tucked in a little bit more so I would take a look at your current set up and make sure there is a little bit of clearance there.
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TD2.1 + Ekar?
My TD2.1 is still an awesome bike, but the original groupset is a bit knackered and I am looking at replacing it with Ekar. Are there any known issues there, or tricks & tips to getting it set up on this frameset?
Answer
Ekar will work quite nicely on a TD2.1 and is a solid, well crafted, and very functional groupset. It would make for a nice upgrade / refresh of the bike.
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Does frame weight include the fork?
Hello,
I was curious if the frame weight included the fork on both the steel and TI versions of flaanimal?
If it does include the fork, what is the weight of the fork so I can get the true frame weight.
Thanks
Answer
Frame weight only lists the weight of the actual frame.
Fork weight is 490g on average
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Test Ride to purchase
Hi,
Im interested in purchasing two full Flaanimal 5.0 builds for my fiancé in the next couple of weeks, we are located in Boulder and was wondering if you have demo Flaanimals that we could take for a quick test ride so we can be confident in our sizes. She would be a 52 and I would be a 56 or 58. I understand you guys are based in Lakewood? Thanks!
Answer
Hi Maxwell. We do have demo bikes availble to book and ride. Just go to rodeo-labs.com/demos and use code GRAVELFORALL for each reservation if you’d like to take one out for the day at no cost. If you’d like to just throw a leg over one at HQ, you can very easily do that. Just shoot greg@rodeo-labs.com a note and he can make sure someone is expecting you and here to make your visit as informative as possible.
Thank you!
Stephen
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Spork + Surly Front Rack compatability
Hello, I’m looking at front rack options for the Spork. Would the Surly front rack fit?
Although its a bit heavy, I like that this rack has the option for top loads with a basket or side loads with panniers, but wanted to double check before pulling the trigger on the Spork!
Answer
Gene,
We have not fit one of those racks to our fork, but based on the installation video on the product page, it seems that the rack is extremely adaptable and adjustable to different forks, so I’m all but certain that it will fit a Spork 3.
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TD4 Sizing and finish
I have a few questions about the TD4:
I fall right at 6’2”, between sizes. Do you have any input/suggestions that could help choosing a size? Im thinking more Mtn bike than road bike. Flat bar maybe, 29” wheels, mullet or single speed. On pavement will be kept to necessity only.
Does the Naked finish come in a matte clear?
Are the decals over or under the clear coat ?
Love your work. Check out ours at Combat.net
Thanks
Answer
Hi Jason,
Your motorcycles are incredible! Next level design and craftsmanship. I’ve seen them online before and it’s super cool to have a brush with one of the creators.
For TD4 you would fit a 58cm best. I’m 6’1.5″ and fit it perfectly with a 110mm stem and 44cm wide bars. For a flat bar build you might size down to a 100mm stem and be in the 740-760 width range. We could definitely build it with the wide range mullet rear, and that is probably the most popular build spec these days in terms of gearing.
Naked finish is gloss clear, but we could do a single layer Cerakote satin over the clear to knock it down a bit if desired. Our decals are over clear, not under. Decals that go under clear are typically water slider decals applied at the factory, but the decals we do here are a transfer adhesive decal, and go on top.
If you’d like to swap any more questions, feel free to shoot me a direct email at steve@rodeo-labs.com
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Frameset Rider Weight Limit
Good Afternoon,
I am an athletic 6’4″ and 240 lbs in riding gear and am considering the Flaanimal 5.0 or possibly the TD4 for my single speed ride, I am big but do not ride like a 600 pound man and plan on cruising primarily midwest gravel, unloaded. Regarding the frameset rider weight limit of 251 lbs, what sorts of things go in to the limit and what should be considered when approaching it? Would I still have the option of additional gear?
Thank you!
Answer
Mike.
We are confident that TD4 and Flaanimal 5 are more than adequate for your needs, and yes could also load the bike up for things like bikepacking. We set the official weight limit low out of an extreme abundance of caution, but the real world limit is meaningfully higher.
If you load the bike up for bikepacking, one great technique to spread the weight load is to use a Tailfin system and an axle mount, that puts much of the weight of the Tailfin and cargo on the wheelset, not the frameset itself.
Thanks,
Stephen
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Chris King Aeroset 3 and Flaanimal
The Chris King website seems to suggest that their Aeroset 3 with the appropriate FSA or Enve stem/handlebar would work with any bike with a 44mm headtube.
So…would a Chris King Aeroset 3 with the appropriate Spork 3.2 and FSA or Enve stem/handlebar allow for integrated cable routing on a Flaanimal?
Answer
That will work with one major caveat: The carbon sleeve through the head tube blocks internal access through the head tube down through the downtube. So there is no existing access path into the downtube from the head tube. The carbon sleeve is not structural on the back wall of the headtube, so a skilled technician (here at Rodeo) could create a hole in the sleeve to allow cables to pass through, but we wouldn’t expect customers to be competent at drilling carbon, so we wouldn’t be able to endorse doing it as a DIY. If you haven’t purchased the frame from us yet we can do that before shipping by request, or you could send the frame back here and we’re happy to do it for you.
FYI, most Flaanimals did not ship with Spork 3.2, although some have. Typically they shipped with 3.0 and 3.1. 3.2 is the only fork with integrated (hidden steer tube routing) that we’ve made.
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Traildonkey 3.1 headset bearings
Hello! Can you suggest a couple bearing options that would replace the lower bearing for the Traildonkey 3.1 headset? Everything is good except the lower bearing, and I’m hoping to swap just that bearing.
thanks.
Answer
The lower bearing is an IS52 which is easy to source from various vendors or a local bike shop. Many brands offer them.
We offer an IS52 with stainless bearings. That would help keep rust and corrosion at bay depending on your local terrain and conditions. If you are interested in that option just email bikes@rodeo-labs.com
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