One of the advantages to having been sick the past week and not being able to do intervals is that it gives you more time to work on your new bike…:)
Here’s the QS3 bike put together. Just needs some lube and she’s ready for a test ride. I ended up using a BB30 adapter and my old crank until the new FSA BB30 crankset arrives. As you can see by the photos below, the adapter is just an alloy tube you insert with a bearing press and loctite. Then, you just screw in external BB cups and you can use a standard crank. I had no problems torqueing the cups to spec, so it will be interesting to see how stiff the interface is between the adapter and standard external BB cups.
Here’s my current build. It weighs in at about 16.5 lbs, which is nearly a pound lighter than my Kuota Kredo.
Frame = 2009 Pedal Force QS3 carbon, BB30 (53 cm)
Fork = Pedal Force carbon, 1.125″ to 1.5″ tapered steerer
Wheels = DT Swiss 240/Mavic Open Pro (Front); PowerTap/Mavic Open Pro (Rear)
Tires = Vittoria Open Corsa CX
Brakes = Shimano Dura Ace 7800
Crank = Shimano Dura Ace 7800, 53-39, 170 mm
Front Derailleur = Shimano Dura Ace 7800
Rear Derailleur = Shimano Dura Ace 7800
Shifters = Shimano Dura Ace 7800 STI
Chain = Wipperman Connex 10 speed
Cassette = Shimano Dura Ace 7800, 12-23
Cables/Housing = Alligator galvanized, Jagwire L3
Pedals = Speedplay Zero
Seatpost = Ritchey WCS carbon, single bolt
Saddle = Selle San Marco Aspide arrowhead
Stem = Ritchey WCS 4-Axis Matrix (OS, 110 mm)
Headset = FSA Orbit CF-40, tapered, integrated/Deda Elementi Spadca insert
Handlebar = Ritchey WCS carbon (OS, 40 cm)
Tape = Deda Elementi
Bottle cage = Profile Design Elite Karbon Kage
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Hi –
I am wondering what you thought / think of the pedal force qs3? I am considering buying the frame but haven’t been able to find much in the way of reviews.
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I like it better than my old Kuota Kredo frame. I was a little worried about the bottom bracket stiffness at first, but after riding it for several months I’ve come to love this frame. It’s not as good as my Isaac TT frame, but better than my Kuota. Then again, I’m not a sprinter. I love the handling and weight of the bike. It feels stiff, but absorbs noise vibrations well. I’m sure there are really nice frames for more $$$, but the QS3 is a great deal. For the money, I won’t hesitate trying a new frame in a couple of years. The only downside is that my frame shipped from Asia and was held in customs for a couple of weeks. However, it arrived in perfect shape at the post office.