tws1098

Much of a point in going to a wheel like Ultegra 6800 or Fulcrum 3? Or better to keep it as is and look for something better in good used condition?

icyclist 

What do your bikes weigh? Assuming one is about 15 and the other 18 pounds, I think that's about a 1.6% overall decreased difference in weight (bike weights plus your weight).

By itself a three pound decrease in weight is probably not going to make a noticeable difference between bikes, although it has noticeably lightened you wallet. 😉

Losing 13 pounds overall, though, should make a noticeable difference.

Doge

Physics and "notice" are two different things. Of course you notice 2 lbs - you just spent money for it. How can't you notice?

Fox Farm

Put some 1300 gram wheels on your bike and it will feel much different. Worth the investment, but that said, the cycling great Eddy Merckx said to be faster, "don't upgrade, ride Up-Grade."

tws1098

So I actually weighed my Trek and it's 20.5lbs and the Cannondale hasn't been weighed (shipping to me currently) but "should" be 16-16.5lbs. Actually a 4-4.5 lb difference instead of 3 as I thought.

tws1098

Haha yes, well played.

Doge

It is much harder to do if you are not jacked up on banned PEDs. Eddy was a 2X busted (so I assume more than 2X user) user. Caught 2X/0 (so infinitely) more times than Lance. So not a good example.

Chandne

I'd say wait a bit and save some cash. Personally, I'd get a nice low-use Enve 3.4 or Zipp 303...something like that. They are everywhere and especially the 303s but watch for those 188/88 hubs...get the newer 177/77s. I'm in the market for a new wheelset and I'll definitely go carbon this time. I'm waiting too, so I can get a good deal on a good wheelset. They seem to abound in the winter though.

tws1098

Thoughts on Dura Ace C24 wheels for $300 vs. the Mavics I have?

TheKillerPenguin

They're lightish but they're really not aerodynamic. IMO the aero matters more like 99% of the time, AND you're still losing weight which matters more than saving half a pound in wheels.

Dean V

I haven't heard of anything saying a KOM is supposed to be a solo effort.
As far as I am concerned drafting other cyclists and/or a good tail wind is ok.
Motorpacing however is not which would be why the pro you mention didn't draft the motorbike filming.

caloso

Those are conditions that Phil Gaimon has placed on himself. Nor will he go after any flat segments.

But Strava doesn't know and doesn't care whether your KOM was solo or in a group.

zymphad

Well it makes sense. These are individual records, it's not team "blank." Not everyone has someone who can do an amazing lead out.

Yeah I get that Strava wouldn't know, but seems cheap, dirty, filthy and lame if anyone has a team to help them achieve a KOM. But then seems dirty and lame that Pros and amateurs are competing for the same KOM too.

superdex

Upgrade-itis. It's awesome, isn't it?

First thing: make sure you have the right saddle on the CAAD10. And that the bike fits. It will be a noticeable upgrade.

ok, cool. $400 still burning a hole in your top tube? Aksiums are venerable, but on the portly side. For $400 you can get really nice wheels, but I'm with @caloso -- ride more. Ride the snot out of the CAAD10.


Lighter engine > lighter bike.

SwtBadger

Noticeable upgrade is hard to define. If you mean speed, your likely already into diminishing returns especially if on a budget. I'd be surprise if any single upgrade to your new bike at this point would give more than a few tenths of mph average under real road biking conditions. Perhaps aero wheels, but those are $$$.


There are noticeable upgrades as regards ride feel, ease of use, bling etc.


This is not to say don't upgrade, just recognize that there is no magic bike upgrade that is going to increase your speed by a large percentage.

TheKillerPenguin

I lead friends out for KOMs on occasion. I am 100% in favor of strava terrorism!

joejack951

Is it 'cheap, dirty, or lame' if you had an amazing tailwind on your effort? Or if you blew a stop sign to keep momentum going into a segmen? Or if you are riding a lighter bike with no water bottles? Or if you had fresher legs? Or...(on and on with ridiculous constraints)?

Seriously, I can't believe how serious people take Strava. Go stalk their ride and look for obvious signs of riding with others if you really need to convince yourself that you would have been faster had they not 'cheated.'

tws1098

Got the caad10 operational today. Came in with a busted derailleur hanger and in need of serious cleaning.

So I basically stripped it down (cut down the steerer tube while I was at it) lubed and greased everything that required it and wow what a difference. The slightly smaller frame and weight is quite noticeable coming from the trek. This bike feels much more nimble and snappier to accelerate. It is also more comfortable even on smaller tires. The shifting and braking is phenomenal with the red/force vs tiagra/no name brakes.

Weight with pedals ended up being 17.25 which is still over 3lbs lighter than the trek.

Overall I'm very happy...o and it came with cosmic elites instead of the aksiums listed in the ad. They seem fairly nice.

bruce19

I have Aksiums on my Masi. They are heavy but bullet-proof. And, they're pretty inexpensive. I have Ksyrium Elites on my Guru. Those are lighter but still quite durable. Love them. I have seen Fulcrum Racing 3 wheelsets for under $400 and they weigh 1550 grams. They might work for you.

evan326

Why?