There is a lot to talk about on this new build, I've been looking forward to getting the bike together for a while and have new handlebars for you, new fork finish and new rims. Plus, I'm experimenting with a 1 x13 SRAM Force AXS XPLR groupset AND 155 cranks, oh, and 34mm tyres. Everything is getting either shorter or wider, much like the owner!
Single chaining builds are becoming more popular but many of you are a concerned that there won't be enough gears or that it will be too hard to climb or the biggest gear will be too small or the increments between the gears will be too big and affect cadence and speed etc.
I have a 1 x 12 Shimano set-up on my Boxer and a SRAM Eagle 1 x 12 on my Hog Hill MTB both of which work perfectly well off-road but the big question in the showroom is what about on the road?
The SRAM XPLR rear cassette is 10 - 46 (10,11,12,13,15,17,19,21,24,28,32,38,46) and can be combined with a chainring size of choice. 42T is the most popular and its what I'm using here. 40T is good for off-road and 38T for something more arduous.
Compared to the 2 x 12 drivetrain from SRAM (46T/33T chainrings and a 10 - 36T cassette) the 1 x 13 set up gearing is tiny bit harder going up hill and the biggest gear isn't quite as big for downhill, so a smaller range but not by much. But, let's be honest how often do we pedal downhill at over 60 kph? Hardly ever and its a bit dangerous so best not to.
Going uphill is a little more testing for most of us and when it gets steep can be extremely uncomfortable so the lower gearing is often a priority but the difference in the gear ratios are 42 x 46 = 0.91 and the 33 x 36 = 0.92 so, scientifically speaking, bugger all.
I haven't been up any hills to speak of yet as have only had the bike for three days; on the flat with a tail wind at 38kph and 95ish RPM I was hovering around the 13T and 15T sprockets so plenty left. If you're a grinder and prefer a low cadence then you'd probably be in the the 11T and 12T. But, not many of us can ride this fast for very long so its best to focus on our average speeds and that means the chain will be sitting nicely in the middle of the cassette.
I should add how smooth the transmission is, its an absolute delight.
The new Varne fork finish- Clear Gloss.
The original Dirty Green wasn't everyone's cup of tea and its always good to come up with something new so the Varne fork is now available in a gloss finish clear coat I'm very pleased with the results and how the carbon lay-up ripples through in the sunlight.
Now available as an option on any new orders.
The Varne fork can fit mudguards/fenders and tyres up to 38mm.
The LANDRACE XY combo bar - the new one piece bar is now available as an upgrade and brings the clean, modern look to the Tupelo and integrates with Chris King and FSA headsets.
Finished in the same Clear Coat with the carbon lay-up looking up at us.
New options on the wheels (not yet listed on the site as this takes ages to do!) is Hope Pro 5 Straight Pull hubs with Sapim CX-Ray aero spokes in silver. The Sapim CX-Ray spokes were the spoke of choice for may pro riders and wheel builders in the late 1990's and early 2000's for their high fatigue resistance and flexibility.
Maybe they are a bit of a throw-back but the ride quality is amazing and when combined with the 34mm Vittoria Pro Control tyres this bike is ready for the Paris-Roubaix and any UK road.
Insulating yourself from the road chatter means its easier to continue pedalling and it reduces fatigue transferred up through the frame in to your body. On the Tupelo the different materials of titanium, carbon, steel and rubber will resonate at different frequencies creating a Dolby filter affect on the bike.
The new 2026 LANDRACE rims retain the hooked bead so you can run inner-tubes or a tubeless set up. The RDEE road rims are available in 35mm and 45mm rim depths with a 24mm internal width. Current tyre width trends on our build are 30mm plus.
And the 155mm cranks? Maybe this is how pedalling is supposed to feel? Effortless, more comfortable, easier in the saddle and climbing. And contrary to cycling myths not going any slower and better recovery.
So, a big yes. Just need to get Shimano to make some now!
