djpfine

Thinking of picking up an Izoard from CC. Was originally going for the Rival build, but someone in another thread convinced me to look into the Force version since it comes with Mavic K10s instead of Aksiums and only costs $900 more.

Is it worth it? I'd be stretching my budget but would be willing to find the extra money if the Force Izoard is really that much of a better deal.

Elvo

Not worth it. There are much better wheels out there for $900...Hed C2 Rims laced with CX Rays and some fancy hubs comes to mind.

djpfine

That extra $900 though also upgrades me from Rival to Force.

M_FactorX19

i would say no. main reason being there really isnt that big of a difference between Rival and Force other than the graphics and weight. most of the weight saving is in the crank. i would rather take the $900 and spend it on a good set of wheels.

on the other hand its not a bad deal. the wheels cost about that much and Force does have more of a bling factor if thats something you care about. so if you go the route you will not be getting screwed by any means.

wrr1020

That is a pretty hard choice, i've heard Rival and Force perform pretty similarly, just weight difference really. Can't say for sure though as i've never ridden Rival, only Force. The wheels are about $700 but you can easily get a cheaper wheelset thats just as good if not better.

Elvo

Force is just Rival with a carbon crank, magnesium shift lever, UD carbon brake lever, and carbon RD cage plate.

revchuck 

You know that CC has their Rival build on sale for $200 off this week, right? If only the head tube was 20-30mm taller...

roadiejorge 

If it were a $900 upgrade to Red then I would definitely go for it but as others have said you don't gain much by upgrading to Force in terms of functionality. The carbon crank looks nice but isn't compelling in any other way for me. As for the wheels I would use the money saved by getting the Rival build to get another set of wheels, preferably something custom (**cough**PSIMET**cough**).

ThinLine

Force is different just as chorus is different from centaur and 105 vs. ultegra. I liked force over rival (have the 2010 force group) it does function a bit crisper, better bling and more $$.
You get what you pay for. No, its not leaps and bounds over rival but is better.

Like above post said: get Red.

djpfine

Doesn't the Izoard already come with a fairly tall/relaxed headtube? I remember it being the same height as my Giant Defy, which is a relaxed geo bike with a tall headtube.

revchuck 

For the size I'd need (61cm), it's got a 200mm HT. My 61cm Specialized Allez Comp E5 has a 230mm HT, which is about right for me; the Cannondale Synapse Carbon 5 I'm getting next month has a 220mm HT. I messed up my lower back 30+ years ago in a motorcycle accident, so I need a tall head tube.

gus6464

Force shifts smoother than Rival but if you don't care about that go for Rival. Plus you could always sell the K10's for $600-700 and get other wheels and still come out ahead.