Before and after...what a difference
#1
Flatland hack
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Before and after...what a difference
Been riding my roadie for about 18 months now, and have about 4000 mile on it. Yesterday i finished the upgrade....which was everything except the seatpost and frameset. Anyway, pics!
Before - 24lbs (Sora components, cheap OEM Alex wheelset, stock bars/stem)
After - 18.8lbs (Centaur group, Fulcrum 3s, FSA bar/stem)
Took it out for it's first ride yesterday, and although i never complained about the Sora gear (and still don't), the centaur is leaps and bounds better. The new bars and ergonomics of the brifters allow me to ride the drops 100% of the time if i want, and the hoods feel good to climb on. Shifting is crisp, with an audible *clunk* when i shift, even under load.
The real standout i noticed though were the wheels. Stiff as hell, no noticeable flex at all which makes climbing out of the saddle and sprinting way better. I didn't really realise how much the cheap alex wheels flexed, but now that ive ridden something better....i know what i was missing! They make accelerating that much easier. The ride is slightly harsher, but i kinda like that feeling....sorta like driving a sports car vs a family sedan type difference.
The cool part for me was that i built it myself, well, up until i had to put the chain on and realised i didn't have the campy tool for it. So the shop did that and tuned the derailleurs for me (arguably the hardest part) so i can't claim full credit....but i think im almost self sufficient, just need to learn how to tune my own gears.
Anway, very stoked. This has been a long time coming for me. It's nice to have it finally finished.
Before - 24lbs (Sora components, cheap OEM Alex wheelset, stock bars/stem)
After - 18.8lbs (Centaur group, Fulcrum 3s, FSA bar/stem)
Took it out for it's first ride yesterday, and although i never complained about the Sora gear (and still don't), the centaur is leaps and bounds better. The new bars and ergonomics of the brifters allow me to ride the drops 100% of the time if i want, and the hoods feel good to climb on. Shifting is crisp, with an audible *clunk* when i shift, even under load.
The real standout i noticed though were the wheels. Stiff as hell, no noticeable flex at all which makes climbing out of the saddle and sprinting way better. I didn't really realise how much the cheap alex wheels flexed, but now that ive ridden something better....i know what i was missing! They make accelerating that much easier. The ride is slightly harsher, but i kinda like that feeling....sorta like driving a sports car vs a family sedan type difference.
The cool part for me was that i built it myself, well, up until i had to put the chain on and realised i didn't have the campy tool for it. So the shop did that and tuned the derailleurs for me (arguably the hardest part) so i can't claim full credit....but i think im almost self sufficient, just need to learn how to tune my own gears.
Anway, very stoked. This has been a long time coming for me. It's nice to have it finally finished.
#3
Cornish Mafia
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Bike's looking good. Nice to think you've done most of the work yourself. I only know the real basics, so there's no way i could do any it myself. Although i'm trying to learn. Enjoy and go ride
#5
I like my car
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Holy crap... I want a campy groupset. Actually... I just like the "clunk" with better shifters... which one provides more of that, a SRAM grouspet or campy?
And switch to red tires!
And switch to red tires!
#6
Flatland hack
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Yeah i was surprised to lose 5lbs. I was hoping to get sub 20 though.
Red tires? I thought about it, but thought it might be overdoing it.
Red tires? I thought about it, but thought it might be overdoing it.
#7
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#10
Flatland hack
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Cost? Don't know exactly as ive been collecting parts off ebay for quite some time whenever i see a deal. But its right around $1300 for the upgrade. With the original bike costing me $350 off craigslist (although specialized did me a solid and warrantied the frame when it cracked even though i wasn't the original owner).
#11
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Nice job! Question - which FSA bar is that? Looks like a compact bar compared to your original one. How do you like it?
Cheers
Rob
Cheers
Rob
#12
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It is a compact omega bar, and i really love it. It makes riding the drops a pleasure, and has enough curve to be parallel at the bottom, while still giving a nice flat transition to the hoods (if you like that kinda thing). I've gone from hardly riding the drops, to riding them about 80% of the time yesterday. Cheap too, only $40.
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I'm impressed with the 5 pound weight loss. Could you give us a rough itemization of that? Wheels, tires, handlebars??
#14
Flatland hack
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Fulcrum 3s
Pro Race2
FSA omega bars
FSA OS-190 stem
Cut down steerer and lost a bunch of spacers
Centaur group
Chorus chain
Computer will need to go back on, so i guess it will be an even 19lbs when that happens.
Pro Race2
FSA omega bars
FSA OS-190 stem
Cut down steerer and lost a bunch of spacers
Centaur group
Chorus chain
Computer will need to go back on, so i guess it will be an even 19lbs when that happens.
#15
Living Notoriously Well
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I put on a set of Omega Bars a few weeks ago and love them as well.
Great looking bike, there is something about an all metal crankset that is classy and looks fast.
Great looking bike, there is something about an all metal crankset that is classy and looks fast.
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That's a significant change in position between the two...have you been properly fitted etc? I'm all for experimenting with changes etc...but I'd be nervous making such a drastic change myself, without advice from someone really knows better.
-Jeremy
-Jeremy
#19
Mr.Schwinn F'in Armstrong
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sweet! it's like a whole new bike!
#21
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Looks really good!
#23
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It's a position ive been slowly working towards. The first pic was the position when i started riding road 18 months ago, before the swap id already lowered bars/flipped stem/raised saddle.
#24
My Dog Is Carbon Fiber
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Nice -- though it totally reminds me of the before and after pictures of dental cosmetics/weight loss/hair color/etc. where the first picture is all dark and gloomy and all of a sudden the "after" photo the person is suddenly smiling and in the sun and stuff!
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THERE'S HOPE FOR MY TREK 1000!
I'm definitely going to slap Ultegra grouppo, with Ksyrium wheels and Deda handelbars. I've already got the carbon fork taken care of. Cranks swapped, stem flipped and all good!
I'm definitely going to slap Ultegra grouppo, with Ksyrium wheels and Deda handelbars. I've already got the carbon fork taken care of. Cranks swapped, stem flipped and all good!
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