My New Sherpa

[JohnWay]

Here's a first picture of my new Sherpa. Just picked it up on Tuesday along with one for my wife and I'll get some pic's of her's up too soon. Still have to cut the steerer but am already pretty happy with the riding position as set by SJS. Had a chance for a ride yesterday around some of my local lanes in West Devon and it rides like a dream. Unfortunately the wife's got a stinking cough and cold at the moment so can't give hers a go yet.

[Cake]

Thats a fine looking machine John - i'm sure you'll be very happy in each others company!!

[jags]

fantastic bike john ,i see you have the xt groopset ,is that your choice, or did you go for the top build for the sherpa.the reason im asking, my friend is thinking of buying a touring bike, and im trying to steer him toward the sherpa.anyway you will enjoy your bike no end super smooth ride loaded or unloaded.

[JohnWay]

fantastic bike john ,i see you have the xt groopset ,is that your choice, or did you go for the top build for the sherpa.the reason im asking, my friend is thinking of buying a touring bike, and im trying to steer him toward the sherpa.anyway you will enjoy your bike no end super smooth ride loaded or unloaded.

Hi, I went for the top spec option but would have had the XT groupset even if I had built them myself. It's really rugged and so smooth, I'm using the Dura Ace bar end shifters on SJS's mounts and shifting performance seems excellent, the wife's got STI's on hers as she prefers them and I'll let the forum know how they perform in due course

[jags]

thank's john ,i have the xt m770 groopset on mine with tiagra 9 speed sti shifters works brilliant.
i did have (in the beginning) a problem with my rear derailer skipping ,there's no barrell adjuster on the m770 rear derailer.but the problem was the rear outer gear cable, was hitting my pannier causing it to move.so make sure your cables are well tucked in.

[bobs]

The black Sherpa seems to be "the Bike" to have now, very popular . Offering various specs seems to have done the trick.

[kwkirby01]

John, nice bike, you must be pleased? Can you tell me what size frame that is please and the length of the steerer tube? Thanks, Kevin

[JohnWay]

John, nice bike, you must be pleased? Can you tell me what size frame that is please and the length of the steerer tube? Thanks, Kevin

Hi, I'm very pleased thanks. The frame size is a 560XL and the steerer is currently 185mm long with 75mm spacers under the stem which puts the handlebars at 10mm lower than the saddle which so far seems a good position for me.

[kwkirby01]

185mm above the headset I assume (rather than from the top of the forks)?

Can you tell me the height of your saddle from the bottom bracket? I'm trying to picture what my Sherpa would look like with an un-cut steerer tube (I want my drop bars higher than the saddle) and right height saddle - but I can only do this by extrapolating from other peoples pictures! Thanks, Kevin

[jags]

kwkirby i woulden't go cutting anything until your certain sure of your bar height,

[mervynyan]

handsome

I ordered the same color same spec with a drop bar. can't wait to collect in mid March.

[kwkirby01]

kwkirby i woulden't go cutting anything until your certain sure of your bar height,

The bike was second hand, so the steerer has already been cut. The frame is the wrong size for me (the bike was sold as a 560S but is actually a 535L). I'm hoping to get a bigger frame (probably 560S) but want the aesthetics to look right. Kevin

[spoon boy]

I think the matt black does look rather subdued hardcore...I think thats what my daughter called it

But on another note if your travelling to area's where a bike being stolen is a strong possibility then dumbing down it's appearance to give the impression it's an everyday bike rather than a shedload of cash one can only be seen as a good thing

Nice bike

[JohnWay]

185mm above the headset I assume (rather than from the top of the forks)?

Can you tell me the height of your saddle from the bottom bracket? I'm trying to picture what my Sherpa would look like with an un-cut steerer tube (I want my drop bars higher than the saddle) and right height saddle - but I can only do this by extrapolating from other peoples pictures! Thanks, Kevin

Hi Kevin, The saddle height from the centre of the pedal axle to the top of the saddle (measured along the seat tube, see the Sherpa brochure for details) is 955mm, so it's 780mm from the centre of the bottom bracket. The saddle setback is 80mm and the reach measured from the nose of the saddle to the centre line of the handle bars is 570mm, this would obviously be less on a drop bar bike (I'm 5'11" but have long legs, 915mm standover height in cycle shoes, and long arms).

Back to work today so used it for my commute, suprised how quick it was, thought it would be slower than my old 700c 28mm wheeled Mercian but it's not, did it in the same time, love it!

[kwkirby01]

John, thanks for taking the time to measure the saddle height very helpful. It's a little higher than mine, but not much. I have longish legs and a short body. My drops are currently setup 500mm from the nose of the saddle and a little below it - I still find this too stretched out.

If I take a smaller frame to get a shorter top tube, the saddle height is ridiculous and the stack of spacers required up front will be plain silly.

Interestingly Grant Peterson (Rivendell Bikes) advocates a larger frame to solve this problem, on the basis that the top tube doesn't feel as long with with higher bars and a larger frame. The 610S would fit me, although top tube clearance is a little tight. An alternative is a 585S Club Tour - decisions, decisions....

Enjoy your new bike and do post an update report in due course. Kevin