what would you change?

Felix-da-house-mouse

Posted 16 Jan 2008 19:35
hi guys i own a Cannondale system six 2007 model with the following specs
http://www.primera-bournemouth.co.uk/Te ... rodID=2635
What on this would you upgrade? i'm looking to spend approx £350 max.

Description
Frame SYSTEM SIX Pro Threaded BB
Fork Cannondale System SIX
Rims Fulcrum Racing 7
Hubs Fulcrum Racing 7
Spokes Fulcrum Racing 7
Tires Vittoria Rubino Pro, 700X23c
Pedals Look Keo Classic Team Liquigas
Crank Shimano FC-R600 Compact, 34/50
Chain Shimano 105
Rear Cogs Shimano 105, 12-27
Bottom Bracket Shimano FC-R600
Front Derailleur Shimano 105
Rear Derailleur Shimano 105
Shifters Shimano 105
Handlebars Cannondale C3
Stem Cannondale C3, 31.8mm
Headset Cannondale System SIX Carbon Si
Brakeset Shimano 105
Brakelevers Shimano 105
Saddle Fi'zi:k Arione w/ Manganese rails
Seat Post Cannondale C2, 31.6x300mm
Colors Liquigas Team Replica (gloss) (LIQ)

if anything what can you recommend?

redddraggon

Change the groupset to Campag, then it's more Liquigas realistic.

Of Course you'd need new wheels or a specially spaced cassette.

If you don't fancy a groupset change get some Fulcrum Racing 3s

rjsmith

Without a doubt the wheels as mentioned above. Plenty of good choice for £350.

synchronicity

Sorry if this comes across the wrong way, but why do you feel you need to change something? :? Why not ride the bike first and upgrade only what you need to?

It's just that if you have to ask, you probably don't have a 'legitimate' reason for changing something...

Having said that, the contact points are the most important: pedals, bar + seat. If you know you don't like them, it's easy enough to change those... but why change something just for the sake of spending an extra 350 quid? It's not like it is a super cheap bike to begin with...

SDP

to save weight ..in this order ...
bars/stem seatpost . best VFM for saving weight ( ritchey wcs ?)
wheels fulcrum 3's ? or pair of DT's
groupset - Dura ace

best performance upgrades...
new wheels
get a coach & follow a structured plan

depends where you wnat bike to improve

graham_g

I was thinking of upgrading a few bits on my (fairly new to me) bike but decided that I won't until I've done maybe 500 miles or so and can make a more informed decision as to whether I really need to. Plus, if I still go ahead with the wheel/groupset upgrade then I will actually be able to make a valuable assessment on their affect on the bike's performance/ride.

Just another tuppence worth from another compulsive bike bit buyer

SDP

you do however end up seeing frames with parts on way out of their depth !

i see a guy round here on an ancient trek ...with C.record on it & bora's...

a ferari engine in a morris minor is basically still a morris minor

heavymental

Spend it on a cheap week in the Alps this summer! You'll be going faster after that than any upgrade can buy. Unless you're planning to go away somewhere anyway in which case £350 would buy alot of wheel as already suggested.

pieinthesky

If you dont know what you need then you dont need it!

I have to agree with heavymental, spend it on a week in the Alps or enter a few sportives.

cougie

I was gonna say what heavymental said.

Dont bother upgrading it for performance benefits - you wont notice it that much.

Head to the Alps and have fun with the bike. A much better way to spend money.

Monty Dog

The worst upgrade are bars/stem/seatpost unless you've got a fit/comfort issue. Carbon bars etc probably offer the poorest return. If you need to spend money on bits, make it wheels and tyres - wait for everything else to wear out/break before replacing it. You'll get a greater return on investment on riding the thing rather than tinkering with it!

Felix-da-house-mouse

i thought about spending some cash on a proffesional fitting. I dunno if the alps would be a good idea as i would class myself as a beginner who struggles up hills and i'm built like a hill climber wee and quite thin. do u think at my level of inexperience etc this would be a worthwhile investment??

heavymental

Yeh, get out there!

I dunno. You don't have to go to the Alps. But try anywhere nice and pituresque...like provence (where you can make a crack at the Ventoux your holiday highlight. If you pencil in late summer you have a good few months to get comfortable on the bike, get some miles in the legs and get fit. You're a good build for cycling in the mountains so its not a major challenge!

I went to the Pyrenees with a couple of mates 2 years ago and the Alps last year and wished I'd got out there earlier. If you can find a couple of mates who want to give it a go then all the better. If you spend all week cycling, by the time you get back you're flying around your local rides. The investment yields alot of returns. You'll be super amped about cycling and think about it for the rest of the year until you get a chance to go again! Trust me. You'll be sold on it for life. It gives you more motivation than any shiny new piece of kit would.

I'd go with what Monty says. Don't change it unless you have a good reason to. You've got a nice bike there which is more than good enough to ride anywhere in the world. If you feel uncomfortable on it or aren't sure about your position get someone who knows to have a good look but unless you're having comfort issues after a few tweaks on the saddle/bar position I wouldn't have thought a bikefit is essential. Save your money until you have had a chance to get plenty of miles in and know whats what. You may find you need a compact or triple if you find it hard going on the hills, but decide that after a few miles and after giving yourself a chance to get fit.

Felix-da-house-mouse

i really need to get my fitness sorted out not that i think i'm unfir but i'm just not bike fit if u know what i mean. plus the local cc is going away but i've never went on a run with them yet and i dont really know anyone else who is interested in cycling. my mates are all beer sluggin tv watching layabouts lol.

heavymental

Ah well. There's an opportunity then. Go out with them and if they're a good crowd get on the trip.

Its sometimes worth letting people know you're keen to get out riding of an evening in the summer or at the weekend or whatever. Break into a little group and see where it leads.

gkerr4

Felix-da-house-mouse wrote:

i thought about spending some cash on a proffesional fitting. I dunno if the alps would be a good idea as i would class myself as a beginner who struggles up hills and i'm built like a hill climber wee and quite thin. do u think at my level of inexperience etc this would be a worthwhile investment??

oh god yes - you'd love - it regardless of fitness

it's amazing - the scenery, the pain, the hear rate - the incredible endless climbs - there is nothing like it in D&G or the rest of the UK for that matter.

Plus riding on french roads is a pleasure - drivers make way for you, people encourage you on the hills, they are polite - hell, they even have sunshine! - it's awesome!! - you won't want to come back!

Felix-da-house-mouse

how do yo know i'm from d&g ??? hmmm

gkerr4

your from dumfries aren't you?


I'm from Annan originally so I know D&G - good golf courses - no big mountains

Felix-da-house-mouse

i sure am how do u know that like?? no descent hills nr dfs at all apart from the military road.

gkerr4

i'm sure you mentioned it ages ago - it might even have been on the old cycling plus forum - perhaps when you were looking to buy that new cannondale of yours.