stompandgo's Cannondale Tesoro Neo X Speed build

[stompandgo]

The Neo X Speed isn't like the other Tesoro X1, X2, and X3. The geometry is more like an MTB, which is very different than a gravel bike. The biggest issue is that the head tube, and the resulting steerer tube length, is too short. There's a 5cm difference between the two bikes. The Tesoro comes stock with a short steerer tube and a proprietary clamp-on stem. It slides over the steerer, and is adjusted with a 39mm nut. That stem needs a minimum length of steerer to clamp properly, and there are no height options. There is zero room for spacers underneath it, even though this system wasn't designed for spacers. It fits flush on the headset top bearing cap. I put a road stem and expander nut in place of it, along with 25mm rise bars, which helped, but it's still not right. The bottom line is that I should have bought a Large frame, even though standover would be non-existent. Could I make it fit better, yes, but I'm not going to Pee Wee Herman it. I'll be fitted on the Pinarello and I'll see if I can get the Tesoro close once I dial the new bike in.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Could I make it fit better, yes, but I'm not going to Pee Wee Herman it.

Poor Pee Wee — gets even less respect than Rodney Dangerfield. What would he have done with your stem?

 

[Chazmo]

Poor Pee Wee — gets even less respect than Rodney Dangerfield. What would he have done with your stem?

pinwheel extender.

 

[stompandgo]

Poor Pee Wee — gets even less respect than Rodney Dangerfield. What would he have done with your stem?

I don't want to know.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

View attachment 197317

pinwheel extender.

Definitely something to be said for the "don't worry, be happy, just put a pinwheel on it" approach to life. Maybe I should keep some pinwheels on hand.
;^}

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The Neo X Speed isn't like the other Tesoro X1, X2, and X3. The geometry is more like an MTB, which is very different than a gravel bike. The biggest issue is that the head tube, and the resulting steerer tube length, is too short. There's a 5cm difference between the two bikes. The Tesoro comes stock with a short steerer tube and a proprietary clamp-on stem. It slides over the steerer, and is adjusted with a 39mm nut. That stem needs a minimum length of steerer to clamp properly, and there are no height options. There is zero room for spacers underneath it, even though this system wasn't designed for spacers. It fits flush on the headset top bearing cap. I put a road stem and expander nut in place of it, along with 25mm rise bars, which helped, but it's still not right. The bottom line is that I should have bought a Large frame, even though standover would be non-existent. Could I make it fit better, yes, but I'm not going to Pee Wee Herman it. I'll be fitted on the Pinarello and I'll see if I can get the Tesoro close once I dial the new bike in.

Thank you so much! A very interesting description!

 

[stompandgo]

I took a nice ride yesterday, and after loading the bike on my cheap Hyperax rack, it fell off in the parking lot. I did not have the wheel straps on since the drive is less than a mile. Damage was minimal but the bike cannot be ridden without repair. The loaner Most saddle and the left Ergon grip got banged up, but the stopper was the left hand Magura lever clamp broke into pieces so the lever cannot be mounted. I called Magura and the part is available. It's carbon fiber, and I don't know the cost. I can buy it through shop accounts at Magura, QBP, or JBI. Any Magura clamp will fit, but I like the idea of having a breakaway part just in case.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Will your new Nytro arrive before the Tesoro's back on the road?

 

[Chazmo]

I took a nice ride yesterday, and after loading the bike on my cheap Hyperax rack, it fell off in the parking lot. I did not have the wheel straps on since the drive is less than a mile. Damage was minimal but the bike cannot be ridden without repair. The loaner Most saddle and the left Ergon grip got banged up, but the stopper was the left hand Magura lever clamp broke into pieces so the lever cannot be mounted. I called Magura and the part is available. It's carbon fiber, and I don't know the cost. I can buy it through shop accounts at Magura, QBP, or JBI. Any Magura clamp will fit, but I like the idea of having a breakaway part just in case.

Oy! Sorry to hear it!!! Hope you can get it back in short order.

 

[stompandgo]

Will your new Nytro arrive before the Tesoro's back on the road?

That's a whole 'notha debacle. Potentially. I might have to take a week off of riding.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

That's a whole 'notha debacle. Potentially. I might have to take a week off.

Hoping that'll be a new bike week off, not a fighting to get your Nytro delivered week off.

Assuming you have access to some pretty nice loaners.

 

[stompandgo]

Updated. Would I like to take a week off to strangle the Pinarello rep? Don't ask.