Amflow PL Carbon Pro Dream Build. The Liberace Build.

[Astro66]

So I've ordered an Amflow PL Carbon Pro. Arrival is about 6 weeks. I've ordered lots of parts to customise the bike. I'll run through the order list and post photos as parts turn up.

There are so many parts and upgrades that I'll just post them bit by bit.

First Upgrade is the wheels. I am going to mullet the bike and I want to run Alloy rims for compliance and less chance of damage. I do ride really technical rocky areas, so I am concerned about damage to the carbon rims.

I have some black alloy DT Swiss Rims in 29 and 27 at home. So step one will be to build the rear wheel in 27.5. I've ordered a pair of XD hubs in Oil Spill. I'll initially just build the rear wheel to see if I like the bike in it's mulleted configuration. I do build the wheels myself.

I have also bought gold spoke nipples to add to the wheels. The spokes will be black.

I also have ordered some Gold SRAM 203mm rotors. With black bolts of course.

The Alloy rims are Black so I have ordered some Gold DT Swiss Decals

 

[Astro66]

There are going to be some graphic changes. But I am sticking with the Black and Gold configuration. So step 1 is to add some extra decals on possibly the seat stays and seat tube, then fully wrap the bike in invisiframe.

These parts have turned up and look pretty sweet. I've watched several wrapping videos, and have vinyl wrapped my boat myself. So I'm expecting perfection from myself .........

This is what you get from Invisiframe.

 

[Astro66]

The cranks and pedals will have some cosmetic updates. Mostly just to protect the cranks.

I'll use Gold SPD clip in pedals. I have used this brand pedals before, and they have been very good.

I will also change the Chainring bolts to Gold.

I have also purchased Yellow, Boa style SPD Shoes.

 

[Astro66]

Some of the rear wheel parts have turned up. As previously described. This is a 27.5 rim, so I can mullet the Amflow. I think the Gold on the Black is so elegant.

I have the black spokes. Just need the Hub and gold nipples to turn up, so I can start building the wheel.

 

[Astro66]

It's like Christmas everyday at the moment, with deliveries coming daily. The Renthal Fatbars have turned up.

I also rang the LBS who is procuring the Amflow for me, and I still can't get a delivery date from them. Apparently a shipment is due on the 17th. He was going to see if he could get me one of those bikes. But communication is currently one directional.

I ring. They tell me they'll check. I say let me know either way. I hear nothing till I ring again.

The Amflow is in such high demand. It's hard to be pushy.

 

[iXi]

It definitely feels better to ride in mullet format.

What benefit does the rental bars give it is it just cosmetic

 

[Astro66]

It definitely feels better to ride in mullet format.

What benefit does the rental bars give it is it just cosmetic

I need to cut the bars down because of where I ride. Really skinny between trees. Hurt myself pretty bad clipping a tree with 780mm bars. So the 800mm on the Amflow, would be suicidal.

The Renthals are 760mm, though I normally run 740mm. I'll try at 760mm. But if I clip trees. I'll trim back to 740mm.

I want to keep all the original Amflow parts stock, incase I decide to return the bike to original.

 

[Astro66]

Some opinions please.

I have black securing bands for the grips as well the gold ones in the photos. But I'm thinking I do like the gold. My only concern is the different gold to the bars. Thought I'm definitely using the gold ends, as it's entirely against the black grips.

Thoughts ?

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

I’d go with the black locking rings myself.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Get some gold chrome spray for the bars and go full bling !

Or just put black on one side and gold on the other, then you'll always remember which hand to put on which grip !

Or have it gold on one side like a Wedding ring and see if the Mrs gets Jealous ..

 

[Astro66]

Or just put black on one side and gold on the other, then you'll always remember which hand to put on which grip !

I actually tried that, and it didn't look too bad.

 

[PaulH]

I need to cut the bars down because of where I ride. Really skinny between trees. Hurt myself pretty bad clipping a tree with 780mm bars. So the 800mm on the Amflow, would be suicidal.

The Renthals are 760mm, though I normally run 740mm. I'll try at 760mm. But if I clip trees. I'll trim back to 740mm.

I want to keep all the original Amflow parts stock, incase I decide to return the bike to original.

Clipping trees is the World's way of telling you that you're alive . Rental 760, stem and grips here.

 

[El Grifo]

Though it was only the Road Riding Lycra Lads that cared for excess BLING !!!!

 

[ckkone]

The Liberace build!

 

[Astro66]

The Liberace build!

Forgot about Liberace's flare for Gold. Now I know who to Google to get more Bling Ideas ......

 

[El Grifo]

We laugh, but even in the rough and tumble world of EMTB, it does no harm to keep in touch with ones feminine side

 

[irie]

Some opinions please.

I have black securing bands for the grips as well the gold ones in the photos. But I'm thinking I do like the gold. My only concern is the different gold to the bars. Thought I'm definitely using the gold ends, as it's entirely against the black grips.

Thoughts ?
View attachment 154622
View attachment 154621

Without a black carbon fibre bar it really doesn't work, sorry!

 

[Astro66]

We laugh, but even in the rough and tumble world of EMTB, it does no harm to keep in touch with ones feminine side

You should seen the Silver and Lavender design I came up with for the Non-Pro Model. Ooh-La-La ........ Tres Chic ......

 

[El Grifo]

I went for a sort of lace drape from the saddle and chintz pelmet hangin from the cross-bar.
Bugger in high winds mind you but gets me winks from the girls.
From some guys also it must be said !!

 

[randycpu]

What brand of shoes are those?

 

[Astro66]

What brand of shoes are those?

Tabolu Sport. You can get them from Ebay or Aliexpress. I have 2 other pairs in different colours. They are very comfortable and work really well, but do scuff quite easy. At AUD$40-50, depending on the sales, I just replace them when they get too scuffed. Usually every 2 years.

 

[Astro66]

I have the final photoshop design of the bike. I have ordered all the bits to perform these graphic changes.

I consulted a few Classic Car owner mates of mine who thought the old style pinstriping is a very elegant look, so I found this gold pinstripe decal on the web.

And I've ordered enough to frame the main Logo on the downtube as shown below.

In more important matters. I went to the bike store today to check on getting a bike delivery date. It's been two weeks since I ordered the bike, and communication has been very poor, and I had trouble getting the store on the phone yesterday and today.

So going to the store, I was greeted by a sign saying the owner is taking a week off. I have heard that the owner is having some personal issues. And whilst I'm very sympathetic. Having sold my good EMTB. I really want my bike.

Desperately trying to be patient .........

 

[Astro66]

The Liberace Build continues to have parts turn up.

The brake rotors look mint.

The pedals actually match perfectly, with the black cages.

A bit of a hick up with the hubs. I had a spare 29er rim and a spare 27.5 rim. And I counted the spoke holes on the 29er at 32H. Then made the assumption that the 27.5 was the same.

I started lacing the 27.5 rim last night ....... The first 8 spokes went in, and it should evenly fill the rim ....... Hmmm .......... It was a 36H rim ......

These hubs only come in 28H or 32H, so I had to order a new 27.5 32H rim.

Oh well ...... You know what they say ...... Count twice ........ Purchase Once .....

 

[Astro66]

Well ........... just for shits and giggles, I laced up the 36H rim to the 32H hub. I left 4 perfectly spaced holes without a spoke. I'm impressed I could do it.

Anyway ...... The wheel is going to look mint. The gold decals, nipples and rotor works real nice. Just have to wait for the proper rim. And the bike of course ........

 

[iXi]

Well ........... just for shits and giggles, I laced up the 36H rim to the 32H hub. I left 4 perfectly spaced holes without a spoke. I'm impressed I could do it.

Anyway ...... The wheel is going to look mint. The gold decals, nipples and rotor works real nice. Just have to wait for the proper rim. And the bike of course ........

View attachment 155025

Gold spokes not an option?

 

[Astro66]

Gold spokes not an option?

I want gold\black contrast. So if the hub has gold, and nipples are gold. You want the spokes connecting those 2 elements in black.

Also the rotor contrasts against the black spokes.

Even the rotor bolts will be black, rather than gold, for contrast. I actually have gold rotor bolts. I will try them.

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

Any news on when the bike might actually arrive? Or is the bike shop still on holiday with your Amflow money?

 

[Astro66]

Any news on when the bike might actually arrive? Or is the bike shop still on holiday with your Amflow money?

Zero communication from the shop. The owner is back Monday. He is well known to my riding group. We see him out in the National Park occasionally. And the other blokes bought their analogue bikes from him.

He is a nice guy. But I'm really not liking the radio silence when he has my deposit.

Hopefully news on Monday.

 

[randycpu]

Haven't ween the gold rotos before. Won't the gold color wear off, leaving streaks of gold / silver?

 

[Astro66]

Haven't ween the gold rotos before. Won't the gold color wear off, leaving streaks of gold / silver?

I am assuming the gold will wear off where the pads make contact. So it will be sliver there. But if the pads are making proper contact. It should be a consistent silver ring. And I've seen rotors with coloured inner and silver where the pads contact.

I'll just wait and see what it looks like. If it looks too tatty. I'll try to find rotors where only the inner is gold.