Upgrading Handlebars, cranks etc to carbon.
Exumanewbie
Posts: 48
I currently have and aluminium 8 speed Schwinn with carbon forks as my racing bike. It will be my bike for at least another year until I have enough saved for a new bike. I've been riding for 8 months and have started racing against others with more expensive and lighter bikes. Would it make sense to upgrade certain parts (handlebars, crank arms, saddle, seat post etc) to carbon parts in an effort to lighten the bike. I normally find good deals on ebay and I can upgrade in small increments. Thanks in advance.
Giles
Giles
0
Posts
cant he do both ? .... or is it one of those either/or scenarios, like the old water bottle conundrum "I can either spend money and save 300g on a new saddle+ seatpost ..... OR I can carry less water in my biddon .. which one to choose, if only there was a way I could do both"
Anyway
I just shed 1.6kg from my bike - seatpost, saddle, pedals, handlebar, 1x gearing and wheels ... its made a noticeable difference, the bike handles FAR better, it accelerates better, brakes better and manoeuvres better ... all in all its better. And that was a mere 1.6kg ..... I expect though its the WHEELS that made the difference .... but the rest does make it easier to lug up and down steps
Is it any quicker ? .... well its a commuter and its certainly quicker off the lights and sudden bouts of acceleration ... and I have got a new PB on one of my climbs ... BUT is that attributed to the bike, I am getting fitter by the week and I drafted a bus
for me, shedding the weight was worth the expense to make the bike better,.... Is it better for you .. only you know if its worth diverting funds from your next bike ..... I bought my bits knowing I could use them on my other bikes or transfer them if I buy another frame
OH .... and do you really trust a Chinese ebay handle bar .... will it really be that weight and do you trust the quality ?
Of course he could do both. But he's only been riding 8 months, so my guess is that only one of those things would be truly worthwhile. If he gets beaten in a race, it won't be because he didn't have carbon bars.
And if you're on the flat then its aero more than weight. Replace the bars with narrower alloy ones. Get a tighter Top.
You're chasing grammes and you wont get any measurable improvement.
So that's the weight argument out the window then. That only leaves your fitness....
Well actually they're already narrow. They're 40cm and I was already going to go to 42cm eventually so I figure why not go for the "aero" carbon handlebars. However, money is tight so if its not going to help....
And then you contradict yourself below...
Not really. I can hold on for so long before I'm subsequently dropped. I think I'd benefit from a group ride where I can last longer than 10 miles.
Well depending on how I feel I take Wednesdays off. Do you have any suggestions? I've gotten immensely stronger in 8 months (from 13 mph to almost 20mph) in a 40 mile solo ride.
You'll be immeasurably faster compared to if you bought a few bits for your bike. Best upgrade for the money.
(And then buy the carbon bits next year).
The Bahamas.
XM-057 rigid 29er
LOL or sun cream and shark repellant (love the Bahamas, BTW)
Turbo and Zwift a decent plan, but weather where you are is pretty decent! A coach, perhaps? New frame? Power meter?
It's just a hill. Get over it.
Im looking at a turbo and zwift or training peaks.