Help me spend some money

goldsmith_robert

Scrimped. Saved. Stolen from small children and the infirm. Sold surplus body-parts.

£1200.

Its burning a hole in my pocket....

Starting road racing this year.

The choice is between a new carbon framed bike, a SRM PM or a top of the range Groupset upgrade....

Answers on a postcard please....

hopper1

What do you ride at the moment?...

cyclingpunk

Dura Ace 7900 is on offer at PX.

I would start upgrading what your not happy with first if anything. Once that is don buy what you think will make the biggest difference to what you want to achieve. I would look at wheels first but if depends what you have now.

FransJacques

Give us your current rig in detail - bars/seatpost/saddle/wheels/tyres/groupset etc and we can suggest upgrades with the benefit of the new part vs old.

Also, tell us what y'all have a hankering for that's shiny and new and we can advise. Or are the improvements just for looks, weight, functionality, performance?

That is my commitment to you :-)

I love vicarious shopping!

goldsmith_robert

Current ride is based on a Alu frame Focus Variado Expert bought from Wiggle for £700 a couple of years ago: http://www.focusbikesuk.com/07/focusroadbikes/focus_variado_expert.php#spec

Spec:
Frame 57cm Focus Renner light alloy
Fork Carbon racing fork with alloy steerer
Shifting System/Rear Derailleur Shimano Ultegra
Shift Lever Shimano Ultegra Double
Chainset Shimano 105 FC-R600
Gear Ratio Front: 50/34, Rear: 12-27
Handlebar Deda Big Piega
Stem Concept SL
Saddle San Marco Ponza K
Seat Post Concept SL, 2-bolt
Brakes Shimano Ultegra

Have made the following changes:
Cassette to 11-25 Ultegra 6600
Saddle: San Marco Aspide
Wheels: I train on the Filcrum 7's, Race Wheels are Soul 2.0:
http://www.bikesoul.com/2009/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=10
Tyres: Pro3's with lightweight tubes.

Im entering TT's and RR's but main aim is RR's like this: http://www.cardiffajaxcycling.co.uk/Ajax_CC/BettyPharoah/CourseDetails.html

I have crashed the bike a couple of times (nothing serious) but only superficial marks. The Ultegra group is still functioning extremely well despite the scrapes. I love the brakes. I have never ridden SRAM red / DA so don't know what im missing!

Seriously considering a SRM PM or perhaps a PowerTap and this would leave me enough buy a Boardman Team bike (or similar for under a grand) on bike to work scheme. I have a Garmin 705 so is ANT+ compatible with either. Training would be a lot more time-efficient with it....

Or should I just blow the lot on a sweet new carbon machine like this:
http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/SL_Pro_Carbon_7900_DA_Wheelset.html - Seem very popular - everyone has one now dont they? Perhaps something more exotic, that gives you the thrill of a new bike...

Over to you...

FransJacques

Dude your race wheels are nailed so no chance there. Hope you're not too heavy cuz if you're north of 80 kgs those might need some regular TLC depening on your road quality.

If you're a cat 3 going for cat 2 or higher than the power meter, a ramp test session to set your LT power and 60 min max and 10 min max would be the biggest addition to what you have.

A used SRM would start around £500 (total guess) and a powertap new is £1000 but since you don't need the head unit it might be cheaper. I rented a PT for my 08 race season and it was worth it once I understood it and the graphing and trends. A PT would necessiate a 3rd wheel and you have 2 sets already so why don't you call up the powermeterrentals website guy, he's a top bloke and discuss with him.

So this has become a "help me spend £1200 on my bike" to "on your race program". I really suggest you leave the bike alone and spend it on the tools and especially the help to make it meaningful to measuring your progress and impacting your training methods.

There is nothing wrong with Ultegra and your alloy frame is great to take some knocks and dings. Let us know how you get on with it. Roll on the spring of 2010!

goldsmith_robert

Im 78Kg and aim to loose a bit more. Racing Cat4 but really aiming at Cat3.

Id love a used SRM for £500 - Cant find one. I can find Powertaps for about £600+

Reckon Ive understood the training principles of using a powermeter- but would love a more specific and time-effective training programme.

STEFANOS4784

Don't kno anything about 'em but just thought i'd point this out in case you'd not seen it;


http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12678904

goldsmith_robert

STEFANOS4784 wrote:

Don't kno anything about 'em but just thought i'd point this out in case you'd not seen it;


http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12678904

looks good but its a wired model, I have a Garmin so would need a wireless model (i think).

FransJacques

no offense but you don't want wired, that is sooo 2005.

goldsmith_robert

I keep changing my mind every week between spending the money on a PM or a new bike.
Thoughts that run through my head:

"I'd train better and go faster with a PM..."

"Im never going to win the tour so I may as well have a nice bike to enjoy...."

I guess I need to make that decision before spending the cash.

I'm currently edging towards getting a PM. It could all change tomorrow.

Anyone out there get a PM and regret it?