What's the upgrade you regretted the most?
11-28-16, 10:32 AM
#51
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Looney Tunes, IL
Posts: 7,398
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1549 Post(s)
Liked 941 Times
in
504 Posts
Carbon fiber bike with drop bars. Never got truly comfortable on it even though it was the correct size and I tried. Maybe shorter/shallower bars would have helped, but I decided to sell to avoid any risk of catastrophic CF failure while riding.
Thankfully, I bought it used at a good price, and so came out even in the end.
Thankfully, I bought it used at a good price, and so came out even in the end.
11-28-16, 10:45 AM
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 3,247
Bikes: Moots Vamoots, Colnago C60, Santa Cruz Stigmata CC, and too many other bikes I don't ride
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
Carbon fiber bike with drop bars. Never got truly comfortable on it even though it was the correct size and I tried. Maybe shorter/shallower bars would have helped, but I decided to sell to avoid any risk of catastrophic CF failure while riding.
Thankfully, I bought it used at a good price, and so came out even in the end.
Thankfully, I bought it used at a good price, and so came out even in the end.
11-28-16, 10:51 AM
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 3,247
Bikes: Moots Vamoots, Colnago C60, Santa Cruz Stigmata CC, and too many other bikes I don't ride
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
"After a long day in the saddle," ...
I'm not going to come off looking good here but I suspect it's all about context: I'm talking brevet territory, including super brevets (600km+>10,000m), >monthly >200kms, 150km+1,000m in <5hrs, regular +2,000m--+4,000m rides, and similar.
I'm not going to come off looking good here but I suspect it's all about context: I'm talking brevet territory, including super brevets (600km+>10,000m), >monthly >200kms, 150km+1,000m in <5hrs, regular +2,000m--+4,000m rides, and similar.
11-28-16, 11:04 AM
#54
Recusant Iconoclast
Thread Starter
Several Things.
They were flexy. I would have to open the rear caliper completely so they would not rub when climbing. Maybe Powertap lacing issue?
Powertap would go crazy during winter season. Which meant it had to be sent twice to power tap for recalibration.
They do not brake at all, even compared to my other 3 carbon wheel sets they are by far the worst braking surface. Again, not sure if the brake pads that power tap provided were optimal.
All that makes a $3,200 purchase seem like a fairly crappy deal. But then again I may just have been an unlucky customer. I am going to buy another set in the future but directly from Enve with 180 hubs
They were flexy. I would have to open the rear caliper completely so they would not rub when climbing. Maybe Powertap lacing issue?
Powertap would go crazy during winter season. Which meant it had to be sent twice to power tap for recalibration.
They do not brake at all, even compared to my other 3 carbon wheel sets they are by far the worst braking surface. Again, not sure if the brake pads that power tap provided were optimal.
All that makes a $3,200 purchase seem like a fairly crappy deal. But then again I may just have been an unlucky customer. I am going to buy another set in the future but directly from Enve with 180 hubs
11-28-16, 11:22 AM
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 28,682
Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build
Mentioned: 109 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6556 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 58 Times
in
36 Posts
11-28-16, 12:51 PM
#56
Senior Member
Mercury M35
Chinese Carbon
Both are straight TRASH. Stick with Alloy set & 240 hub and I've been happy ever since.
Chinese Carbon
Both are straight TRASH. Stick with Alloy set & 240 hub and I've been happy ever since.
11-28-16, 01:03 PM
#57
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lexington, SC
Posts: 1,445
Bikes: Lynskey R240, 2013 CAAD10
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 50 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
SpeedPlay Zero Stainless pedals. It's not that they were bad pedals, but the float was almost useless for me (I only used about 3°) because I'd dial it in so my heels didn't clip the chainstay, and my ankles didn't clip the crank arms. The cleats never broke in, and I'd get locked into my left pedal quite often, with a significant amount of force to unclip... that may have been due to the cleats themselves, or the fact they rusted like hell in only a few months of use. Also, because of the relatively narrow contact points, I'd get a lot of pronate/supinate rocking.
I sold them to a teammate at a pretty good loss, but picked up a set of Ultegra 6800 pedals at such a good discount that it evened out in the end.
I sold them to a teammate at a pretty good loss, but picked up a set of Ultegra 6800 pedals at such a good discount that it evened out in the end.
11-28-16, 01:08 PM
#58
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,779
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times
in
469 Posts
The number of people who regret expensive carbon wheels is more than I would have thought.
11-28-16, 01:30 PM
#59
Senior Member
I bought a campy bottom bracket after convincing myself that the bearings were shot. Turned out the crank arms just came un-torqued and I never used it. Now I have the newer ultra torque cranks so it won't ever get used. Need to Craigslist it.
Last edited by jitteringjr; 11-28-16 at 01:37 PM.
11-28-16, 01:45 PM
#60
Flyin' under the radar
Uh, yeah. Especially since I'm about to pull the trigger on my first-ever set of carbon wheels (never even ridden a set!). I don't race, so it's not like I need the aero benefit. Now I'm second-guessing.
11-28-16, 02:01 PM
#61
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
11-28-16, 02:12 PM
#63
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 28,682
Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build
Mentioned: 109 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6556 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 58 Times
in
36 Posts
Hey, don't pay any attention to me. Everyone knows my views are bizarre.
11-28-16, 02:30 PM
#64
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,922
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,882 Times
in
998 Posts
Some of it might have to do with the high cost of the wheels, and the very slight performance gain. Yes the aero benefits are real, but the majority of the recreational cyclists cannot feel a great difference. Add to that the noticeable difference in braking performance, and I can understand why some regret the "upgrade".
11-28-16, 02:46 PM
#65
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 8,896
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 196 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
Velocity A23 wheelset. Got them based on hype that they would widen the tread on tires, leading to smoother ride. My tires were virtually the same width on A23s as they were on my existing Mavic Open Pros. However, the main problem was that tires were extremely hard to install and remove on the A23s rims, and I was afraid to ride them for fear that I might get a flat and not be able to fix it. I sold the wheelset after riding it only a couple of times.
11-28-16, 03:34 PM
#66
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Atlanta GA
Posts: 2,844
Bikes: '13 Spech Roubaix SL4 Expert
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've got a set of Mavic Ksysirium tubulars slr carbons and they do flex as well but they are sub 1200g wheels so i would expect that with my 170 pound weight. They also brake better than any aluminum wheel ive ridden
I also have a pair of Roval CLX 64 wheels that are very stiff and no issues.
I think Carbon wheels are good, depends on the use and who are they for. I wouldnt recommend any carbon wheel to anybody weighing more than 225lbs because (unless you are 6,5"+) there are other things keeping you from going faster than your wheels.
I also have a pair of Roval CLX 64 wheels that are very stiff and no issues.
I think Carbon wheels are good, depends on the use and who are they for. I wouldnt recommend any carbon wheel to anybody weighing more than 225lbs because (unless you are 6,5"+) there are other things keeping you from going faster than your wheels.
Last edited by lsberrios1; 11-28-16 at 03:47 PM.
11-28-16, 04:05 PM
#67
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,922
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,882 Times
in
998 Posts
I've got a set of Mavic Ksysirium tubulars slr carbons and they do flex as well but they are sub 1200g wheels so i would expect that with my 170 pound weight. They also brake better than any aluminum wheel ive ridden
I also have a pair of Roval CLX 64 wheels that are very stiff and no issues.
I think Carbon wheels are good, depends on the use and who are they for. I wouldnt recommend any carbon wheel to anybody weighing more than 225lbs because (unless you are 6,5"+) there are other things keeping you from going faster than your wheels.
I also have a pair of Roval CLX 64 wheels that are very stiff and no issues.
I think Carbon wheels are good, depends on the use and who are they for. I wouldnt recommend any carbon wheel to anybody weighing more than 225lbs because (unless you are 6,5"+) there are other things keeping you from going faster than your wheels.
11-28-16, 04:58 PM
#70
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 270
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
11-28-16, 05:02 PM
#72
Senior Member
11-28-16, 05:08 PM
#73
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
Most people don't buy wheels to go faster, they buy wheels to make their bike look better.
11-28-16, 07:10 PM
#74
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 4,286
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1096 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Got some a few weeks ago and forgot what they cost already, but still love the fact that they're red. Forget the salesman's pitch, too; I got them purely for bling factor. 
Speaking of bling, I also got some fancy carbon cages a while back, and they've worked flawlessly so far, and on roads as rough as I've ever ridden. But I will agree; plastic Elite cages work just as well at a fraction of the cost, and look as pro as anything on the race bike.
Speaking of bling, I also got some fancy carbon cages a while back, and they've worked flawlessly so far, and on roads as rough as I've ever ridden. But I will agree; plastic Elite cages work just as well at a fraction of the cost, and look as pro as anything on the race bike.