Big shock when the FexEx guy pulled a Catrike box out of his truck, since RBR was supposed to have shipped me a Meta frameset.
 
 

 
 
Relieved when I found a Meta frameset in the box, instead of a Catrike Pocket (A Pocket's invoice was in the box).     A few more components need to be ordered, before the box's contents can become a complete bike. More to come.

Quote from Phantom Rider on Jan 28^th, 2016, 12:13pm:

 
No, not a dumb question. This one is going to be a weightweenied, aluminum-frame bike (Example: will have very light wheels w/ titanium skewers). Just couldn't justify the expense of the carbon frame model.
 
Joe, have I got a deal for you. I know by now you regret selling your Silvio 2.1. Well, it just so happens I have one that's available, because I need to clear some space in my garage for the Metaphysic.  

they didnt offer to replace the seat?  
 
Quote from jayg on Jan 30^th, 2016, 9:13pm:

nothing like a box full of slightly usable bike parts to keep you entertained.     I'm starting to wonder which part of asia this came from.     Given that they boxed it in a catrike box though It had to have come OUT of another box first.  
 
Quote from jayg on Jan 31^st, 2016, 1:07pm:

Quote from MrWizard on Feb 1^st, 2016, 10:45am:

 
It was manufactured in Spain. I think there is only one more problem to deal with - the boom O.D. is 0.7 mm larger than the I.D. of the receiver, so it can't be inserted in the receiver without wedging the clamp screw housings with a plastic wedge. When the wedge is removed, it takes great force to move the boom. There's a glued-in-place 0.3 mm plastic liner inside the receiver. It's purpose is to prevent the boom finish from being marred when the boom's extension is adjusted. Would have to remove it in order for the boom to slide freely.

I think you got one of the siesta bikes.

Quote from jayg on Feb 1^st, 2016, 2:49pm:

 
Discovered there was actually 2 layers of 0.3 mm plastic liner inside the receiver. Removed one of the layers and the boom now fits the receiver. Regarding your Asia comment: You are correct. Production has been moved from Spain to Taiwan. Dealer has made manufacturer aware of problems I have experienced with my frameset.  

Cut the fork's steerer tube off and installed the headset and fork, yesterday.  Already owned a tool to install the crown race on the steerer tube, but not one to set the star-fangled nut inside the steerer tube. Tool can't be purchased over-the-counter at an LBS, so I fabricated one on my trusty Atlas lathe out of aluminum and a 6 mm x 1.00 mm steel screw.  
 
 

 
Star-fangled nut is screwed onto tool, then hammered into fork's steerer tube. Tool sets nut at a depth of 15 mm and insures nut's threaded hole is in line with steerer tube's axis.
 
 

 
Installed star-fangled nut.

Quote from CruzbikeChris on Feb 8^th, 2016, 6:55pm:

 
Thanks, Chris.

 
Completed assembly on Feb. 13. Installed accessories on Feb. 14. Road tested bike at WRL on Feb. 15.
 
Assembled bike weight, less pedals, seat pad and accessories: 21 lbs 11 ounces.
 
Seat back angle adjustment range: 20 to 40 degrees
 
Frame kit:
 
  1. Aluminum frame w/aluminum boom
 
  2. Carbon fork w/aluminum steerer tube
 
  3. FSA headset
 
  4. Swiveling aluminum tiller/handlebar assembly
 
  5. Adjustable-length, aluminum seat support struts
 
  6. Optional carbon seat w/Ventisit seat pad
 
 
Components:
 
  1. FSA Energy, 10-speed, compact crankset (46T/34T) w/150 mm crank arms
 
  2. SRAM GX 11-speed trigger shifters
 
  3. KMC X 11 L 11-speed chain
 
  4. Shimano Ultegra CS-6800 11-speed cassette (14T/28T)
 
  5. SRAM Force, 11-speed, medium-cage rear derailleur
 
  6. Shimano Ultegra FD-6800-B (M/S) 11-speed front derailleur
 
  7. Bacchetta X-Eyed caliper brakes
 
  8. Tektro carbon TT reverse-pull brake levers
 
  9.  Vuelta Corsa SLR Road Wheelset (1,467 gms)
 
  10. Titanium quick-release skewers
 
  11. Crank Brothers Eggbeater 3 pedals
 

Kind of reminiscent of Wile E. Coyote's devices.  

Quote from jrob_bent on Feb 24^th, 2016, 9:32am:

 
Thanks, Jerry. I installed Bacchetta X-Eyed caliper brakes (They're used on the CA 2.0) on my Meta for maximum weight savings (Weight of each brake is only 115 gms). They provide adequate braking power when used in conjunction with the TEKTRO  short-pull levers I installed. If a complete Metaphysic is ordered, it will have SRAM Rival caliper brakes and AVID Speed Dial 7 long-pull levers. Not the best combination, since the Speed Dial 7's are intended to be used with linear-pull and disc brakes, not caliper brakes. If I had purchased a pre-built bike, the first thing I would have done is replace the 7's with short-pull levers.  
 
The good thing about the Metaphysic is it has a disc brake mount on the left rear stay. Also, an aluminum or carbon fork with a disc brake mounting tab can be ordered.
 
Welcome to Texas.  

The Meta is back in action, after being sidelined for over a month. Have ordered a number of replacement parts and finally found a combination that works. The 11-speed SRAM X0 shifter I ordered as a replacement for the SRAM GX shifter I ruined did not cure the shifting problem. Researched info on the Internet and learned that 11-speed chains need to be matched to the particular cassette they will be used with. The Shimano Ultegra 6800 14T/28T cassette installed on the bike didn't like the KMC X11L chain, so I ordered and installed a Shimano Ultegra chain. Well, the cassette didn't like that chain, either, even though they are the same brand and quality level. Next, I ordered a SRAM 1170 11T/28T cassette. It didn't like the Shimano chain. At Meta Ken's suggestion, checked the derailleur hanger's alignment with a Park Tool alignment gauge I ordered from Ebay. The alignment was within the recommended 4 mm tolerance, but I tweaked it to closer tolerances in the horizontal and vertical planes. Shifting problem persisted. Replaced the Shimano chain with the original KMC chain. SUCCESS!!!    
 
Yesterday, lowered the seat back angle closer to the 20 degree limit, then rode the bike 24 miles on the WRL trail. Comfortable, quiet, maneuverable (due to short wheelbase), fast, and a great short hill climber. Easily climbed the steep hill at the dam in the lowest gear combination (34T/28T). Looks like it has the potential of making it to my "favorite bikes" list. Looking forward to riding it on the Plano East Side ride to see how it performs on longer and more numerous hills than at WRL.
 
 
Park Tool DAG-2.2 derailleur hanger alignment gauge. The bar is used to carefully bend the hanger and bring it into a plane parallel to the plane of the wheel.

Quote from jrob_bent on Mar 24^th, 2016, 9:07am:

 
Thanks, Jerry. Was beginning to think I'd made a big mistake going with an 11-speed drivetrain. Solved the bike's shifting problem like I've done on previous bikes with shifting problems - replaced all the Shimano components with SRAM and SRAM-compatible components.  
 

 
Quote from MrWizard on Mar 24^th, 2016, 3:51pm:

On April 12, fell backwards as I was getting off the bike. The bike fell on me and the thin edge of the carbon seat pan hit my left leg, resulting in a hematoma forming. Decided that I needed to find some molding of some kind to install on the perimeter of the pan. Somebody on BROL recommended plastic car door edge moulding for the application. Found some truck door edge molding at Pep Boys that works great. It has a bead of adhesive in it that holds it in place.  
 
 

Until yesterday, had not ridden the Meta since it fell on me in a parking lot on April 12. Have been wanting to test the gearing on a hilly Plano East Side ride route. Got that chance, yesterday. The 150 mm compact crankset has a 46T big ring and a 34T small ring. The cassette is 28T-14T, 11-speed. Rode 43 miles and did 1,053 feet of climbing, all in the big ring. The bike spun out at 27 mph, coming off a long downhill and onto the flats on N. Plano Rd. That's OK, because I'm not strong enough to reach 27 mph on the flats, without a strong tail wind. The bike is a great climber on long, semi-steep hills. Very happy with the bike. One of the better purchases I've made.

Quote from jayg on May 8^th, 2016, 12:59pm:
Oh, brother!