cdenniston

I just finished my bicycle tour for this year and now it is time to convert my All-City Space Horse to a pure road bicycle. I purchased the bicycle this spring and immediately outfitted it for touring. The bicycle is the cantilever Tiagra 49cm Space Horse in the silver color. I am not planning to tackle any major upgrades but rather I am swapping out minor parts and components to reduce the weight and improve the performance of the bicycle. So far I am swapping my touring Panaracer Pasela's 700x35c's for a set of Conti Grand Prix 4000s 700x28c. I am also swapping my Brooks C17 saddle for a Soma Hishou because I was not 100% satisfied with the C17. I am also picking up a Thomson Elite seat post and a set of Blackburn titanium bottle cages. I am also considering upgrading the rear cassette to an Ultegra to drop some weight. I have been looking at Cranksets because the stock Tiagra cranks are beasts and I imagine I can find something much lighter and sexier.

I am interested in hearing your recommendations for getting my Space Horse ready for some quick paced road solo and group rides. Specifically I would like recommendations for the crankset as I am not sure what is compatible. I really love the bicycle and experimenting with the component changes and upgrades is really all just a part of the fun!

I work in the outdoor industry so I receive discounted prices on most cycling products. This allows me to do somewhat ridiculous upgrades such as the Blackburn titanium bottle cages

tagaproject6

If you want lighter, change your groupset to SRAM, to include a SRAM Force (or Red) crankset.

ne_dan

Get a second bike, unless you're 100% sold on "that" bike. The frame and fork alone are probably pushing at least 6-7 lbs and the whole build is probably mid 20's. For the amount of $$ it'll cost to make it lighter you could probably build up a second bike. Search CL, Facebook all that, looking for a frame that fits and then put all the upgrade parts you're going to put on the All-City on the frame.

I have a Mr. Pink and even with the Whiskey Carbon Fork, Dura-Ace C24 wheels, decently light cockpit, carbon seatpost and saddle. It's still a hair under 19lbs. Rides good but that's the nature of the beast with All-City's they're tanks.

ThermionicScott 

Got any pictures of it, as-is? If you've got the bars set up high for touring, one of the best mods for fast group rides might not be to shed weight from components but to get yourself in a more aero position for speed.

RJM

Can you get a deal on wheels? I would spend the money on a lighter weight but still stiff set of aluminum wheels before I change out the crank and other stuff. Something like a White Industry T11 hubset laced to Hed Belgiums or something like that.

redlude97

a caliper carbon fork with an aluminum steerer will be the best bang for your buck. The nashbar one can be had for $70 when they have 25+% off sales.

exmechanic89

I agree completely. You'll sink a lot of dollars into this project and still end up with a not particularily light bike. I would either get a 2nd bike or just ride the Space Horse as is. The weight isnt really gonna make much difference, anyway.

cdenniston

Thanks all for the suggestions! I agree about picking up another set of wheels. This is something I will look into morwe and if anyone has some suggestions for wheel sets I should look at please let me know!

As for a second bicycle I do see where you all are coming from. However, in the past I have owned a few bicycles and for the type of riding I do and my lifestyle I am now fully committed to owning only 1 bicycle. I understand that the Space Horse will never be a full carbon di2 sub 15lb racing rig and I am perfectly content with that fact. Rather than owning multiple bicycles I will own 1 bike with a variety of components and accessories. I enjoy bike wrenching (It is part of my job). Working on the bicycle is a hobby in itself for me and I enjoy the process of rigging up the bike for new uses and new adventures. I hope that makes sense. I understand that many other people would simply buy another bike but that is not my approach.

cdenniston

Interesting thought! I will look into carbon forks for the Space Horse and think about that option. Thanks!

cdenniston

Here is the Space Horse in full touring mode.

WhyFi

Okay - if you're not going to get a second bike, I'd recommend a different only bike.

rpenmanparker 

I've got a lightly used Thomson Masterpiece seat post I want to sell. Setback variety. 27.2. Two problems: first I won't be home for another three weeks to send it if you wanted it. And second I can't remember whether I cut it to my minimum insertion point to lighten it. I don't think so, but I am just not sure. If you are willing to wait to find out, let me know by PM. I will make you a good price. Great post.

Bacciagalupe

Y'know, this doesn't really make sense to me.

To make the Space Horse into a somewhat typical road bike, you'd have to swap out pretty much everything except the frame -- which, by the way, is one of the heavier and less roadie components.

Seriously, just get a second bike. It won't cost much more, it won't take up much more space, you'll have a second bike as a backup, you'll get a bike more suited to the purpose, and plenty of opportunities to do maintenance.

Wildwood 

Get an aluminum tubular wheelset and run Veloflex tires. Arenberg for 25mm and a 28mm tire is offered, too. Much less rotating weight and the comfort of a high TPI, supple tire.

evan326

Tiagra groupset is one thing that will weigh you down. Ultegra at least if weight is your goal, sram is far lighter though.

12strings

I'm not sure any ultegra cassette will be compatible with tiara derrailerus.

redlude97

what?

WhyFi

No wonder the princess' bike doesn't shift well.

canklecat

I went through that weight reduction game 40 years ago with my Motobecane. Wasn't worth the money and didn't accomplish significant weight reduction that might translate to riding. Although I did learn from the experience so it was sort of worth the effort.

So when I got a similar weight Univega last year I decided to leave it pretty much as-is in terms of weight and just concentrate on making it comfortable and efficient.

Biggest different was tires. I tried three sets before settling on a pair that felt right and actually translated to consistently faster riding without extra effort, per cycling app data over a period of months.

So when I got an old steel frame Centurion Ironman in early June I took the same approach. I'm not gonna worry about trying to shave ounces here and there. At 24 lbs it's already reasonably lightweight.

But it felt sluggish, and over five weeks of riding I wasn't significantly faster than riding my 30 lb Univega.

Until I swapped tires from the Vittoria Zaffiros supplied with the bike to Schwalbe Ones. That was good for a consistent 1-2 mph speed boost over distance and a few rides.

Best $30 upgrade I could make. Sure, it'll last only as long as the tires. But the only other significant weight loss I could make that might translate to better performance would involve giving up beer. And that ain't gonna happen for the sake of 5 lbs.

mstateglfr 

You need a 10sp cassette. Dont get an ultegra cassette as its 11sp.

Wheels being lighter and tires being lighter. Those 2 things make a huge difference in both actual weigh drop and perceived lightness. Lighter wheels and tires get up to speed faster.
Lighter crankset would be something to consider. Ultegra is 8oz lighter(crank and bb cups) than Tiagra. Is 8oz worth the cost?
New fork is possible, sure. Caliper front canti rear would rub me wrong, but if it works for you- that be a place to save. Otherwise there are carbon cantilever forks- ritchey, whiskey, etc. $200-350 depending. Again- cost worth the weight savings?


Personally, i would slap on supple tires and a lighter wheelset and call it good. Its never going to be light- it wasnt meant for that. Itll end up lighter than my road bikes though so you wont be at the bottom of the barrel!

dabac

There really isn't a lot of weight to save on any single part. To get a light bike you need to have "all" - well, a strong majority of - parts have to be lighter than average.

Myosmith

You can't turn a labrador retriever into a greyhound. The Space Horse is what it is. It was a great choice for touring and a very enjoyable bike for general riding, but a fast and agile road bike it will never be, no matter how much money you throw into shaving weight. IMHO, a modest upgade to 105 or Ultegra as the original components wear out is reasonable but throwing a lot of money into ultralight parts on that frameset is an exercise in futility.

It's your money and bike so, by all means, do what you want, but by posting on an internet forum I assume you want opinions from other people. With the discounts you mentioned, I'd seriously consider finding a lighter frame set with the geometry you want and put your money into building a really impressive road bike.

dwmckee

Perhaps the best option would be to remove as much metal from the frame as you can by drilling as many 3/8" holes in the frame as you can fit without compromising the overall structural integrity...

Sorry, just kidding!

Probably the best option really would be to put on lighter wheels and tires, and to seriously consider finding a good used steel frame on ebay for $250.00 that is 2 - 3 pounds lighter and do a body transplant... There is jsut nothing on that bike that is light... If you do the labor yourself that would cut several pounds and cost maybe $600...

datlas 

Thread is kinda old. I suspect OP figured something out.

Gconan

I do not like when people pull up old threads. Unless the original question was never answered, or the OP was reporting back, or useful updated information.