What would you do???

BBH

Just canvassing for opinions really. Am building up new summer bike (cervelo s2) atm and obviously on a finite budget.

Was wondering if it is worth selling my current SRAM force shifters and buying red ones (not 2013 ones!!!! ) in the old style for 320? Am i likley to notice much difference or would it be better to save the money and spend it elsewhere??

Also re deep carbon clinchers whether Chinese are the way to go? I am looking for some 60's (cause i would like to tt too) in a matte finish which wheelsmith don't do but i think fuerte bici do. I have not heard much about this company any good experience?????

Current build is 3t cockpit, lizard skin tape, SRAM red black crankset, rest g/set is force.

Cheers guys

Wirral_paul

If you have the Force shifters then stick with them. The difference is negligible from what I can see (I have Force, mate who's bike I set up has Red). The money would be far better spent elsewhere i'm sure - wheels / tyres etc.

I've got 58mm full carbon clinchers myself and love them. They are the same weight as the previous AM Classic Aero 420's (around 1550g w/out skewers) and are noticably faster once over 20mph. Braking isnt quite up to the standard of a aluminium rim mind - and mine took some careful setting up with a tiny amount of toe in to stop them squealing whilst also giving good braking. I run ali rims on a 2nd bike for winter / wet days anyway so not overly concerned over the slightly inferior braking. Go for them if you want them - worthwhile if you're time trialing. The saving you make on the shifters could always go towards a set of Shimano RS80 C24's (if you dont mind swapping brake pads over)

ex-pat scot

Better bet would be sticking with Force shifters and going for a set of £400 Planet X carbon clinchers - either 50mm or preferably 60mm. They come with alu braking surfaces too. Ideal.

petemadoc

Wirral_Paul wrote:

I've got 58mm full carbon clinchers myself and love them. They are the same weight as the previous AM Classic Aero 420's (around 1550g w/out skewers) and are noticably faster once over 20mph.

Which wheels are they Paul?

BBH

Thanks for the replies guys, really tempted by the shifters mainly for the aesthetics (and I'm a tart!!!!) but am finding it really hard to justify in my head and am also worried that when the new shifters are on general release I will end up wishing I hadn't go the 'old' ones.

This is gonna b the last build before trying for a family and am under no illusions th bike fund will shrink! That's why I also want to get it right.

Btw Paul agree with Pete where did ur wheels come from??

rozzer32

Don't bother with the red shifters. Force is perfectly good and Red isn't much of a step up.

Wheels - If you are just getting them to TT on then get Tubs. Then get a good set of all round wheels, RS80's or the dura ace c24 if you can afford it. What wheels you running now?

Wirral_paul

PeteMadoc wrote:

Wirral_Paul wrote:

I've got 58mm full carbon clinchers myself and love them. They are the same weight as the previous AM Classic Aero 420's (around 1550g w/out skewers) and are noticably faster once over 20mph.

Which wheels are they Paul?

I got them from the USA - Boyd Cycling 58mm clinchers
http://www.boydcycling.com/carbon-clinchers/



PS yes the grass has been cut (and weeded) since!!
PPS the decals will peel off if required - not laquered over

rake

id wait while the new red comes out and just get the front mech with yaw to eliminate the need for trimming. i wonder if it will work with rival.

BBH

Thanks for the advice guys, will stick with force esp as new red out and looks great! Will invest in wheels I think - the boyds look awesome but I would b worried if warranty required.

Anyone any ideas on 60mm clinchers (too scared of tubs atm!), aim is to ride them on nice days, sportives and for some tt's really fancy a matte finish don't think wheelsmith do the 60's
? Furti bici any good?
? Chinese route - again warranty worries!

Cheers all

StillGoing

Wirral_Paul wrote:

PeteMadoc wrote:

Wirral_Paul wrote:

I've got 58mm full carbon clinchers myself and love them. They are the same weight as the previous AM Classic Aero 420's (around 1550g w/out skewers) and are noticably faster once over 20mph.

Which wheels are they Paul?

I got them from the USA - Boyd Cycling 58mm clinchers
http://www.boydcycling.com/carbon-clinchers/



PS yes the grass has been cut (and weeded) since!!
PPS the decals will peel off if required - not laquered over

A mate has just had to return his Stretto frame after what appears to be a crack developed around the BB area. Bike was around ten days old at the time. He's had real crap service from the suppliers so won't be having another.

PhilPub

I'd seriously consider the Planet X 60mm carbon clinchers if I was in the market for that kind of thing. Having taken the PX logo off, they look pretty swish I reckon!

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPPX60CCL/planet_x_60mm_carbon_clincher_wheelset

BBH

Yeah saw those good deal but it's just the weight of them that puts me off, would rather b around the 1500g mark

kingrollo

PhilPub wrote:

I'd seriously consider the Planet X 60mm carbon clinchers if I was in the market for that kind of thing. Having taken the PX logo off, they look pretty swish I reckon!

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPPX60CCL/planet_x_60mm_carbon_clincher_wheelset

+1

These look the best deal around. if you want a warranty.

Can anyone confirm though is the rim alloy or carbon. The blurb says only the braking surface is alloy and refers to a carbon rim ?

Wirral_paul

philthy3 wrote:

A mate has just had to return his Stretto frame after what appears to be a crack developed around the BB area. Bike was around ten days old at the time. He's had real crap service from the suppliers so won't be having another.

Sounds like the frame was damaged from outset - be it a faulty frame or damaged in transit. Odds are the crack was already there and it just progressed to the paint / spread. Mine has done around 4000 miles with no problems.

To get down to around the 1500g mark means a full carbon rim - and a light one at that. The PX ones are an aluminium braking surface bonded to a carbon shell so are heavier - as are all rims of this construction. Advantage is they are a lot cheaper and brake better - and when up to speed they are really fast. I went for the Boyd's as i couldnt find anything at anywhere near a comparable weight for less than £1k, and I wanted a wheel that i could ride in the rolling hills if needs be. No problems on descents for me anyway - down the Horse Shoe Pass in N Wales was great fun as the wheels really were fast and no problems with braking or heating up.

So what is your budget anyway?? The Fuerte Bici look hard to beat at the price anyway.

BBH

Yep am planning for a full carbon rim and the braking (or not!) that comes with them.
Max budget is 700, but obviously less is best!!