FAIRLIGHT STRAEL 3.0 - Review after a year of riding.

[@TGK_Ember]

First video! That’s was very slick - nice review. Secan - for the win!

[@Pedal_Ton]

As someone considering this bike, thank you for this review 👍🏽

[@MrCelticjazz]

I also have a Fairlight Strael here in London.I love riding it around Richmond Park. That was a really insightful video and great to see cycle enthusiasts like yourself given it the thumbs up!

[@James.Johnston]

Cheers for the encouraging comment mate! Gonna be making some more vids on this piece of art, hope you stick around.👍

[@DaTater]

Excellent vid!! I have a Strael 3.0 in the same colour m, sized 58T. I love the fact that they offer various geometry options to cater for those with longer legs and shorter torsos. Mine isn’t built yet, but seeing yours has given me extra motivation to break out the spanner’s! I’ve subbed. Look forward to your next vid. 👌

[@James.Johnston]

I’m so glad I’ve inspired you to crack on with your build. You’ll love it when it’s finished!

[@thomasklarmann6502]

id love to see some pics of your build.... im also considering a strael and would be on a 58T - so im curious how it looks in real live

[@alannunhuck3974]

Oh and some videos about the cycling routes & rides you do around where you live would be interesting & fun to see!

[@matoduri]

Not in teenage years anymore (wish I'd discovered the road cycling passion back then but well, that's life :)), but I'd really like to see how you train, what's the life of an up-and-coming cyclist, your program, tips for us passionate hobbyists...and just anything you feel like sharing with the community. Good luck with your new channel!

[@James.Johnston]

Thanks for the comment, I’ll do a short video soon talking about my training plan and the sort of things I like to do out on the bike. 👍

[@alannunhuck3974]

Hi James, great video! Interesting, simple & snappy! Looking forward to your next one… Beautiful looking Strael - love the colour. I too have a Strael (2.0 in orange) and it’s probably my favourite bike (out of 7 of them) - as you say it’s the smoothness of the ride which is a standout feature and all beautifully made & finished! I’m a big fan of steel! What a great location you live in too! Keep up the good work, Alan

[@James.Johnston]

Thanks Alan! I’m working on another vid at the moment. Hope you stick around to see it.

[@MrHaroow]

Nice review James! I'm very pleased to know that a cyclist enthusiast owns a Strael 3.0 near me. I'm loooking to buy this exact configuration in a near future. I'd love to share a ride with you to have a more in depth review of this bike (I live in Toulouse). Thanks for the video :)

[@James.Johnston]

@@MrHaroow I’m pleased to know that you enjoyed the video. When you’re south of Pau I’d love to go for a ride with you and chat about the bike! 🚲🗻

[@davidmurphy9151]

Thanks for the review - I have a Secan and was curious about the Strael. The look books dont really call out any differences but the tire clearence.

[@James.Johnston]

I’m so glad you liked it 👍. Thanks for commenting😁.

[@TimothyRuss-i6i]

I have a Fairlight Strael 3 in black with gold finish’s with Ultegra Di2. I also have a Trek Domane SL7 and I would say the Strael is very slightly heavier but more comfortable. It rides really well in rough roads like we have around me. A really good video please do more!

[@James.Johnston]

@@TimothyRuss-i6i Glad you enjoyed the video. The roads around me are pretty rough too and I also find that the steel absorb loads of the shock. I’m working on a video now so stick around 👍👍👍

[@tomascjenkins]

Love your take on your great looking strael. I agree with you on uphill performance, with stiff carbon wheels the bike can just go uphill so well. Taking it to the Tourmalet next week for the 2nd time! It would be good to see videos on how you train and trips / rides you do

[@James.Johnston]

Thanks, I’ll be riding around the Tourmalet this week too.😁 I’ll try and churn out some more vids but getting a little limited on time what with A levels and all.😕

[@fireblade6756]

good first vid look forward to more rides from France, I have mine on order cant wait specced it with the same colour ,wheels with Di 2 ultegra thanks and new sub cheers

[@James.Johnston]

Thanks!

[@theunfinishedarticle]

Did I miss it? What is the groupset & how did it perform? Great video! 👏

[@James.Johnston]

Thanks! I’ve got it equipped with 105 di2. Probably the best group set for the price. Di2 just makes the riding experience so much smoother 👌

[@kareemghattas802]

great vid - very informative. a good start ;-)

[@James.Johnston]

Thanks very much. Glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@StuartandGailWatson]

Great video James!

[@perseverance86]

Beautiful bike. I wish I had gone for a steel when I was due for a new bike.

[@James.Johnston]

My complete bike with pedals, alloy bottle cages and Garmin computer mount comes in at 8,8 kg !

[@UmbertoSconfienza]

could you tell us about the components that you used for the build to achieve that weight? Mine is a 54r with mechanical 105 and some serious weight-weenies components and is around 9kg

[@James.Johnston]

@@UmbertoSconfienza Thanks for the comment. I have a carbon Prologo saddle, ( now have ) Speedplay pedals, Hunt 30mm carbon rims, Schwalbe Pro One tires set up tubeless, standard carbon seat post, Zipp 90mm service course stem around a 38cm FSA Gossamer bar.

[@nigewright8246]

Good video - great log shed😅

[@nyanoot]

Very cool video, thanks a lot

[@michaelmettler5831]

Great review ! Thank you for putting in the effort of sharing your experience with us ! Can you share the weight of your complete bike ? I’m sure many are interested : )

[@James.Johnston]

Thanks for the comment mate, I’ve added the bike’s weight in the comment section for you and all other interested.

[@noelclaremont]

Awesome review. Subscribed. 👍

[@James.Johnston]

@@noelclaremont Thanks !!!

[@raulmartinez5511]

Lovely video man, nothing beats a good steel frame, great choice! cheers from Barcelona

[@James.Johnston]

STEEL IS REAL !!!

[@jonathanlord737]

Hi James - great review, thanks. I see you have the 61R frame. How tall are you? I ask as I could go for either the 58 or 61 according to the info on the Fairlight site.

[@James.Johnston]

Hi there! I’m 1,88M or around 6’2. If you’re my size I’d definitely recommend a 61R, I’m very comfortable on it.👍

[@FotisVamvakas-h7d]

Nice video. Especially for the steel bike lovers! Keep going 😀.

[@James.Johnston]

Thanks, will do!

[@dainiusvysniauskas2049]

Imagine paying 4900 euros for steel bike with alloy wheels. What a rip off

[@James.Johnston]

@@dainiusvysniauskas2049 Imagine paying 1200 euros for a plastic bike. What a scam.

[@James.Johnston]

And the wheels are carbon

[@cocotrumpet]

very nice video thank you !

[@James.Johnston]

😁

[@Rairooo]

Great Video Mate¡

[@James.Johnston]

Glad you enjoyed it 😁👍

[@JamSa85]

Are you happier with the tall version. Is it more comfortable?

[@James.Johnston]

I have the regular sized top tube and find it to be very comfortable. 👍

[@br5380]

What height are you, and also the length of your inseam. I’m looking at a Strael too, but decades older so it’ll be the T version. Their fit calculator suggests a 58T for me at 6’2” with a 35” inseam.

[@James.Johnston]

I’m 187cm in height (6’1”) and my inseam is 90cm. I’ve got a 61R and find it’s perfect for me, you could size down to 58R if you’re looking for a racier position. If you’re just looking to be as comfy as possible I’d get a 61T if I were you.

[@br5380]

@@James.Johnston thanks, I'm definitely looking at a T version, wait until you're my age and you probably will too 🙂

[@jimjohnstone8665]

well done

[@James.Johnston]

@@jimjohnstone8665 Thanks 😁

[@imstillhereileft7530]

I want this bike asap

[@James.Johnston]

Don’t blame you 😂

[@SimonLynes]

´Gréât vid

[@rgfrobotics]

what's more? 😆

[@James-zs3cn]

Why do people keep buying rubbish carbon bikes

[@cupidstunt1975]

They are great bikes…I have a 54T in plum, live near the Yorkshire Dales so lots of climbing and it’s a lovely ride. South France is a fab part of the world to live too, very lucky!

[@James.Johnston]

@@cupidstunt1975 I know I am 🙂

[@dainiusvysniauskas2049]

This thing with Ultegra Di2 groupset (and alloy wheels🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣) costs as much as my Bianchi Specialissima with same groupset and carbon wheels... What a f****ing rip off Also, round tubes are the stiffer than flattened tubes, so no, chainstays don't have better lateral stiffness.

[@cupidstunt1975]

Arent you an arse.

[@ines_johnston]

Wow this is a great review. Thankyou

[@James.Johnston]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TimothyRuss-i6i]

I have a Fairlight Strael 3 in black with gold finish’s with Ultegra Di2. I also have a Trek Domane SL7 and I would say the Strael is very slightly heavier but more comfortable. It rides really well in rough roads like we have around me. A really good video please do more!

[@James.Johnston]

@@TimothyRuss-i6i Glad you enjoyed the video. The roads around me are pretty rough too and I also find that the steel absorb loads of the shock. I’m working on a video now so stick around 👍👍👍