Last minute ordering questions!

Avezius
Avezius Posts: 132
edited March 2011 in Road buying advice
Had discussions with significant other - CycleScheme voucher APPROVED! Ordering my Ribble Gran Fondo once my voucher arrives.

So - would like to pick your collective brains one last time!

Q1). I think I'm set on SRAM (spent last year on 105). Is Rival worth the extra (£67 at Ribble) over Apex?

Q2). According to Google Images & me (very scientific!) I think the GranFondo looks much better with light coloured bar tape. BUT, I'm going to commute with it, run it out at lunchtimes & i'm not that hot at keeping stuff clean.

So - Go with white & replace the tape when it gets dirty, or go for something like silver or grey that's still light coloured but more forgiving?

Thanks in advance!

Comments

  • Fizik Microtex is very plasticy bar tape that stays clean. I'm using white on my commuter and it just stays clean.
  • rake
    rake Posts: 3,204
    Avezius wrote:
    Had discussions with significant other - CycleScheme voucher APPROVED! Ordering my Ribble Gran Fondo once my voucher arrives.

    So - would like to pick your collective brains one last time!

    Q1). I think I'm set on SRAM (spent last year on 105). Is Rival worth the extra (£67 at Ribble) over Apex?

    Q2). According to Google Images & me (very scientific!) I think the GranFondo looks much better with light coloured bar tape. BUT, I'm going to commute with it, run it out at lunchtimes & i'm not that hot at keeping stuff clean.

    So - Go with white & replace the tape when it gets dirty, or go for something like silver or grey that's still light coloured but more forgiving?

    Thanks in advance![/quote

    A1). the article i read concluded yes, on the grounds of much better cranks and brakes for not much hike.
    A2).no one gives a damn.