UPGRADE! The Parts Discussion Thread

[Twenty26Six]

OK. Well, I guess this thread could be devoted to talking about _any_ kind of bike part. But, specifically, I've been looking at a new seat and new bars.

I'm looking for a standard drop bar (maybe ergo) that supplies a good number of hand positions.

I'm also looking for a new seat.

I ride road, mostly sprint stuff to stay fit, and I don't run brakes or gears. So, I don't need anything extravagant. I just need some stuff that's an upgrade over the stock crap on my bike now.

Any suggestions? :D

[Moishe]

OK. Well, I guess this thread could be devoted to talking about _any_ kind of bike part. But, specifically, I've been looking at a new seat and new bars.

I'm looking for a standard drop bar (maybe ergo) that supplies a good number of hand positions.

I'm also looking for a new seat.

I ride road, mostly sprint stuff to stay fit, and I don't run brakes or gears. So, I don't need anything extravagant. I just need some stuff that's an upgrade over the stock crap on my bike now.

Any suggestions? :D

How much are you looking to spend? As much as I want to support my LBS, I've found some incredible deals on craigslist as well as ebay. I've linked road bike review which is a pretty good starting point. I've got a Cinelli on my Tommy but the rest of my bikes including my Gary Fisher all have Easton. Easton makes a wonderful product which won't break the bank. As far as saddles go you'll have to ask your buttocks what they like the most. I sadly have no ass so finding a comfy saddle was not easy.

http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/controls/handlebars/PLS_2498crx.aspx

[Twenty26Six]

How much are you looking to spend?

I'm a broke student with 2 kids. So, I'm not looking to spend _anything_. But... :)

I'm just curious if anyone has used different kinds of handlebars. Ergonomic drop bars? Pursuit bars (bullhorns)?

Or, for those with gears/brakes, how often do you ride w/ your hands on the hoods?

[cjump]

well as some have read in other post, i am in the market for a new groupset. i have options that are reasonable in terms of weight and price.

option 1: 2010 sram force.
• sram red looks
• still 200g lighter than dura-ace 7900
• i don't like the crankset
• i like the price
• i would probably run a 10s chorus/record or rival front mech.
• can't trim the small ring
• zero loss on one side
• carbon finish
•ergonomics

major pros: price, new style
major cons: crankset, front mech.
http://www.roadbikeaction.com/contentimages/FORCE%20groupset_2.jpg

option 2: sram red
• it's sram red
• lightest group on the market
• price is a drawback
• ceramic bb is a give and take. spins great, needs a bit more regular maintance, price
• front mech is shit. probably would go campy or rival.
• can't trim the small ring
• carbon finish
• zero loss on both sides
• the open glide cassette and chain is noisy and has shifting issues
• about 100g lighter than force
•ergonomics

major pros: sram red!, love the crankset
major cons: bb price, etc.; overall price, og cassette/chain
http://racecyclesonline.com/magento/media/catalog/product//s/r/sram_red_gruppo_08_m_6.jpg

option 3: chorus 11
• tried and true campy
• new fangled 11 speed (+/-)
• new freehub for the wheels
• carbon finish
• bit on the porky side
• easy to work on
• expensive chain/ cassette
• in between force and red in terms of price
• ability to change multiple gears up and down.
• already running campy chorus brakes
• more difficult shifting from the drops

major pros: 11speed. elitist will talk with me.
major cons: beta tester for 11s, expensive cassette, new freehub, weight
http://www.cbike.com/ProductImages/09campagnolo_11speed/chorus_group09400.jpg

option 4: ultegra 6700
• new dura-ace styling
• smooth shimano shifting
• stiff but expensive chainrings
• still heavier than either sram and on par with chorus
•dull silver with carbon levers

major pro: cheap ceramic upgrade, parts available at almost every shop, new styling
major cons: ergonomics, weight

[cjump]

http://www.rbaction.net/imagefly.aspx?w=471&h=550&p=contentimages%2FUltegra_6700_hero_roadbikeaction.jpg

overall i really just want something to lighten up my bike, the current group is a mixture of tiagra and 105. i bought the complete bike cheaper than the frameset with this upgrade in mind. now is time...

my current ideal setup is 2010 force with red rear mech and crankset with just a normal bottom bracket, and a campy front mech. the cassette would be current ultegra and dura-ace chain for a quieter drivetrain. but i have bike ocd and want it to be the same company and idealy the same group.

anything i am missing? suggestions? offers for my tiagra/105 groupset (read: cheap)?

[cjump]

nothing eh?

[Twenty26Six]

nothing eh?

As you can see by the other thread I just made, I'm trying to learn this stuff for myself. I don't really have any good advice.

But, if you want the same group.

* It seems like you wouldn't need an 11s cassette. So, I'd scratch the Campy Chorus.

* I would choose the higher of the two SRAMs, so scratch the Force.

* Why not just go with the Shimano Ultegra?

[Moishe]

http://www.rbaction.net/imagefly.aspx?w=471&h=550&p=contentimages%2FUltegra_6700_hero_roadbikeaction.jpg

overall i really just want something to lighten up my bike, the current group is a mixture of tiagra and 105. i bought the complete bike cheaper than the frameset with this upgrade in mind. now is time...

my current ideal setup is 2010 force with red rear mech and crankset with just a normal bottom bracket, and a campy front mech. the cassette would be current ultegra and dura-ace chain for a quieter drivetrain. but i have bike ocd and want it to be the same company and idealy the same group.

anything i am missing? suggestions? offers for my tiagra/105 groupset (read: cheap)?

Not trying to be a smart ass but why not just lose a bit of weight yourself? The current setup you have is fine if you don't race plus do you really want to spend that kind of money on upgrades? Look at the cannibal sig I have....

[cjump]

i look like a mixture of Andy Shleck's body and Dr. House's face so i have been told. i can't lose any more weight if i wanted to. i need to actually gain 10 lbs. i am a out and out climber and suffer on the flats tbh. my setup right now is not hindering me but i do want something nicer as i am beginning to race more and more.

[Moishe]

i look like a mixture of Andy Shleck's body and Dr. House's face so i have been told. i can't lose any more weight if i wanted to. i need to actually gain 10 lbs. i am a out and out climber and suffer on the flats tbh. my setup right now is not hindering me but i do want something nicer as i am beginning to race more and more.

Fair enough. Depending on what you currently weigh gaining ten pounds may not have that much of an impact on your climbing. Of course the style of climber you are also matters. If you are racing then the money is justified and besides we all love new toys.

[cjump]

Fair enough. Depending on what you currently weigh gaining ten pounds may not have that much of an impact on your climbing. Of course the style of climber you are also matters. If you are racing then the money is justified and besides we all love new toys.
i am about 6' and 140# on a good day. the 10# would help me power on flats. i know it wouldn't help my climbing at all if not hinder it a bit. with respect to the cost, i work for a shop so price is greatly reduced. our SRAM rep came through last year and was offering Red at a shockingly low price. should have jumped on it then.

[Moishe]

i am about 6' and 140# on a good day. the 10# would help me power on flats. i know it wouldn't help my climbing at all if not hinder it a bit. with respect to the cost, i work for a shop so price is greatly reduced. our SRAM rep came through last year and was offering Red at a shockingly low price. should have jumped on it then.

I almost forgot you work at a shop. Pro forms rule, I had that luxury when I worked at an outdoors shop as a much younger man. At your height and weight, another ten pounds shouldn't hurt your climbing abilities as long as it's distributed properly. As far as gruppo's go, get what feels best and never put Campy on a non Italian rig:D

[cjump]

yep, working at a shop has its perks. the pay however isnt.

i did score some fsa compact bars today to replace some old ergo bars. looking foward to using them as soon as my barwrap needs changing.

[Moishe]

yep, working at a shop has its perks. the pay however isnt.

i did score some fsa compact bars today to replace some old ergo bars. looking foward to using them as soon as my barwrap needs changing.

One day I'm hoping my wife makes enough so I could quit my job and work at a bike shop. One can dream:)

[cjump]

i am so looking forward to FRIDAY! that is it. no more details.

[cjump]

http://marionyoung.net/images/MayTheForceBeWithYou.jpg

[Moishe]

We'll expect a first hand product report on the Force once you get it all sorted out.

[cjump]

well i didnt get it all just yet. tutition is due so that is more important right now and rightfully so. I just got 2010 force levers, cassette, rival rear mech(force was out of stock), and kmc chain. ill have the rival rear only until force is restocked or until i can afford red. the rest will come once i sell some junk on ebay or here. it won't be much longer than a month or so once i am completely switched over.

[Auriaprottu]

I almost forgot you work at a shop. Pro forms rule, I had that luxury when I worked at an outdoors shop as a much younger man. At your height and weight, another ten pounds shouldn't hurt your climbing abilities as long as it's distributed properly. As far as gruppo's go, get what feels best and never put Campy on a non Italian rig:D

:D

...See, this is where we disagree. CampAGNOLO should be on every frame! It's that nothing BUT Campagnolo should ever be on an Italian frame.

[Moishe]

:D

...See, this is where we disagree. CampAGNOLO should be on every frame! It's that nothing BUT Campagnolo should ever be on an Italian frame.

The fact that only Campy goes on an Italian rig is a given but aside from a Waterford, I've never seen Campy look right on an American bike. Call me old school but I get snobby like that, it's the Argentino.....you know, the whole Italian obsession an all:p