"Luxury" upgrades
#51
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#53
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Lots of mentions of carbon bars. Honestly I've never considered them before. Is the main advantage they have over alloy that they dampen more road chatter, are lighter, can be shaped more aerodynamically for the same weight, look bling, or something else?
I have a set of alloy 38cm Zipps, about the cheapest with a shape I wanted that was predrilled for Di2, on my Roubaix with Future Shock. Probably wouldn't feel a noticeable difference going carbon compared to a less forgiving frame? I don't have any real aero or weight weenie bikes, and the Roubaix is my default choice for the longest days.
I have a set of alloy 38cm Zipps, about the cheapest with a shape I wanted that was predrilled for Di2, on my Roubaix with Future Shock. Probably wouldn't feel a noticeable difference going carbon compared to a less forgiving frame? I don't have any real aero or weight weenie bikes, and the Roubaix is my default choice for the longest days.
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#54
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I would call a rim that GP5K tires go on without ripping off the skin off your thumbs a luxury.
I happened about a guy Saturday that had a flat and not carrying a seat bag with a tube, co2 or pump, or tire levers. I grabbed a tube and co2 out of my wife's seat bag as I am running tubeless and he was running GP5K's. Snapped a tire lever and took both of us to get the damn tires over the rim. I like Conti tires, but do not want to deal with that on the road side.
I happened about a guy Saturday that had a flat and not carrying a seat bag with a tube, co2 or pump, or tire levers. I grabbed a tube and co2 out of my wife's seat bag as I am running tubeless and he was running GP5K's. Snapped a tire lever and took both of us to get the damn tires over the rim. I like Conti tires, but do not want to deal with that on the road side.
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#55
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I would call a rim that GP5K tires go on without ripping off the skin off your thumbs a luxury.
I happened about a guy Saturday that had a flat and not carrying a seat bag with a tube, co2 or pump, or tire levers. I grabbed a tube and co2 out of my wife's seat bag as I am running tubeless and he was running GP5K's. Snapped a tire lever and took both of us to get the damn tires over the rim. I like Conti tires, but do not want to deal with that on the road side.
I happened about a guy Saturday that had a flat and not carrying a seat bag with a tube, co2 or pump, or tire levers. I grabbed a tube and co2 out of my wife's seat bag as I am running tubeless and he was running GP5K's. Snapped a tire lever and took both of us to get the damn tires over the rim. I like Conti tires, but do not want to deal with that on the road side.
#56
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Basically my entire new bike that (fingers crossed) will arrive next month. I guess some of the things will actually make me faster but none of it is really useful. Old bike is a Domane SL5. New bike is a Domane SLR7.
Trek OCLV 500 frame ---> OCLV 700 frame
aluminum stem ---> carbon stem
4iiis single-sided power meter ---> Garmin dual-sided SPD
Bontrager Foray shoes ---> Shimano XC7 (in red because they match my bike)
stock paint job ---> custom paint job
stock boat anchor Affinity wheels ---> Aeolus RSL 51 wheels
Shimano 105 ---> Ultegra Di2
stock Arvada comp saddle w/ steel rails (actually pretty comfy) ---> Verse Pro w/ carbon rails
Current additions I REALLY love are the power meter, aero bars, and bike computer. These are things that would enhance any bike I own. And I'd take a cheap bike with these over an expensive bike without them any day of the week.
Trek OCLV 500 frame ---> OCLV 700 frame
aluminum stem ---> carbon stem
4iiis single-sided power meter ---> Garmin dual-sided SPD
Bontrager Foray shoes ---> Shimano XC7 (in red because they match my bike)
stock paint job ---> custom paint job
stock boat anchor Affinity wheels ---> Aeolus RSL 51 wheels
Shimano 105 ---> Ultegra Di2
stock Arvada comp saddle w/ steel rails (actually pretty comfy) ---> Verse Pro w/ carbon rails
Current additions I REALLY love are the power meter, aero bars, and bike computer. These are things that would enhance any bike I own. And I'd take a cheap bike with these over an expensive bike without them any day of the week.
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#57
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Basically my entire new bike that (fingers crossed) will arrive next month. I guess some of the things will actually make me faster but none of it is really useful. Old bike is a Domane SL5. New bike is a Domane SLR7.
Trek OCLV 500 frame ---> OCLV 700 frame
aluminum stem ---> carbon stem
4iiis single-sided power meter ---> Garmin dual-sided SPD
Bontrager Foray shoes ---> Shimano XC7 (in red because they match my bike)
stock paint job ---> custom paint job
stock boat anchor Affinity wheels ---> Aeolus RSL 51 wheels
Shimano 105 ---> Ultegra Di2
stock Arvada comp saddle w/ steel rails (actually pretty comfy) ---> Verse Pro w/ carbon rails
Current additions I REALLY love are the power meter, aero bars, and bike computer. These are things that would enhance any bike I own. And I'd take a cheap bike with these over an expensive bike without them any day of the week.
Trek OCLV 500 frame ---> OCLV 700 frame
aluminum stem ---> carbon stem
4iiis single-sided power meter ---> Garmin dual-sided SPD
Bontrager Foray shoes ---> Shimano XC7 (in red because they match my bike)
stock paint job ---> custom paint job
stock boat anchor Affinity wheels ---> Aeolus RSL 51 wheels
Shimano 105 ---> Ultegra Di2
stock Arvada comp saddle w/ steel rails (actually pretty comfy) ---> Verse Pro w/ carbon rails
Current additions I REALLY love are the power meter, aero bars, and bike computer. These are things that would enhance any bike I own. And I'd take a cheap bike with these over an expensive bike without them any day of the week.
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#59
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What rim are you running and how were the Pirelli's to install? I am running the Bontrager R3 in 32, but was looking at the Pirelli 28 or 30's when these tires where out. I like the R3's, but would like to try something different. I figured I would pick some up when I spot them on sale that way if something happens, I am prepared.
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I just prefer the overall feel, in general. It's hard to describe, but in addition to the above, there's the fact that they're less of a heat sink, too.
I had carbon bars on my Domane with front IsoSpeed; still preferred them to the stock alloy bars.
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#63
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#64
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What rim are you running and how were the Pirelli's to install? I am running the Bontrager R3 in 32, but was looking at the Pirelli 28 or 30's when these tires where out. I like the R3's, but would like to try something different. I figured I would pick some up when I spot them on sale that way if something happens, I am prepared.
In contrast, the Pirellis were easy. I mounted the first one with a single standard park tool lever, and the second with thumbs. Got the bead to pop with a standard pump. The Pirellis hold air better, and generally feel more supple, though that's hard to measure.
I do think the GP5000s are probably more durable, based on the wear so far, but when my current ones wear out, I'm going back with Pirelli.
Excel was running a sale on a Pirelli 2 pack, but only had 26 and 28 in stock. I will say the 26s set up tubeless are very comfy - I did a century a few weeks ago on them. My cross bike with 33mm schwalbes running tubeless is more comfortable for sure, but for road use only, the Pirellis feel great.
#65
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I'm running 26mm PZeros Race TLR on FFWD RYOT 55 rims. They are hooked. Well, now a mullet with PZero on front and a GP5000 on the back. The GP5000s are a pain to mount. To mount the rear (which was had about 800 miles on it), I used a crank brothers lever together with a tire jack like tool whose name I forget. I had to use a CO2 charge to get the bead to set.
In contrast, the Pirellis were easy. I mounted the first one with a single standard park tool lever, and the second with thumbs. Got the bead to pop with a standard pump. The Pirellis hold air better, and generally feel more supple, though that's hard to measure.
I do think the GP5000s are probably more durable, based on the wear so far, but when my current ones wear out, I'm going back with Pirelli.
Excel was running a sale on a Pirelli 2 pack, but only had 26 and 28 in stock. I will say the 26s set up tubeless are very comfy - I did a century a few weeks ago on them. My cross bike with 33mm schwalbes running tubeless is more comfortable for sure, but for road use only, the Pirellis feel great.
In contrast, the Pirellis were easy. I mounted the first one with a single standard park tool lever, and the second with thumbs. Got the bead to pop with a standard pump. The Pirellis hold air better, and generally feel more supple, though that's hard to measure.
I do think the GP5000s are probably more durable, based on the wear so far, but when my current ones wear out, I'm going back with Pirelli.
Excel was running a sale on a Pirelli 2 pack, but only had 26 and 28 in stock. I will say the 26s set up tubeless are very comfy - I did a century a few weeks ago on them. My cross bike with 33mm schwalbes running tubeless is more comfortable for sure, but for road use only, the Pirellis feel great.
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#66
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#67
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My first set of aero carbon bars were FSA K-Wings in 2010. The silky feel of those unwrapped flats is sublime.
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N+Umpteenth bike. Just because.
#69
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FSA K-wing carbon bars
#70
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I've got a 'Burrito Supreme' bar bag from Road Runner on my gravel bike; https://roadrunnerbags.us/collection...handle-bar-bag
When it arrived in 2019 it felt like a luxury but now the bike feels naked without it.
When it arrived in 2019 it felt like a luxury but now the bike feels naked without it.
#71
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I've got a 'Burrito Supreme' bar bag from Road Runner on my gravel bike; https://roadrunnerbags.us/collection...handle-bar-bag
When it arrived in 2019 it felt like a luxury but now the bike feels naked without it.
When it arrived in 2019 it felt like a luxury but now the bike feels naked without it.
Last edited by Ghazmh; 05-11-21 at 11:53 AM.
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#72
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Nothing says luxury more than a carbon fiber kick-stand. Make sure to spend the extra money to get the one with dimples and the whale fin inspired profile since aero is king!
#73
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Not sure if it counts as an upgrade but, from a pure vanity perspective, a custom paint job on an existing frame/fork always looks sick.
#74
Newbie
Luxury? How about a rain jacket from a bespoke London tailor? (Won't let me post URLs yet, but search YouTube for "Brooks England jacket".)
A more simple luxury? Throw out that old toe-clip strap, and say Hello to the Brooks trouser strap - also known as a $29.50 piece of leather wrapped around a $0.50 snap bracelet!
A more simple luxury? Throw out that old toe-clip strap, and say Hello to the Brooks trouser strap - also known as a $29.50 piece of leather wrapped around a $0.50 snap bracelet!
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The luxurious look on the face of riders neatly in a paceline when I ding my Spurcycle Bell and give them, "Top of the morning, Lads" and power off. The B & M mirror is a close second, seeing the lads out of the saddle chasing is priceless.
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