Southern California - Indolent buys a bike

This would normally go in the Shopping Thread, but since I haven't bought a road bike in almost 14 years I thought it deserves its own thread:

http://www.cycleco.com/Images/frames/Look565.JPG

Hit the "Buy it Now" button. New 2006 Look 565 frame with Look carbon Ergopost. It's mine. :D:D

Now to start acquiring the new doo-dads that I am not swapping from my old bike - bars, front derailleur, possibly wheels, etc. Fun!

Cool! :D

Woohoo!!!!! :D :D :D Have fun with her, Dan!!! Make sure you keep us updated with her progress. :D

Hi,

Just sold a 565 a month ago. Really liked how it rode, didn't like how it fit ME. Of course YMMV. :)

If you haven't bought a new bike in 14 years, you may be surprised as to what doesn't fit on a modern frame. Regardless, enjoy the ride.

Great choice, you will enjoy the Look.:D

Hi,

If you haven't bought a new bike in 14 years, you may be surprised as to what doesn't fit on a modern frame. Regardless, enjoy the ride.

The only thing original to the frame is the headset. Everything else is three years old or less with a Campy drivetrain. The only thing that I know won't fit is the FD (35mm clamp vs 32mm)

I would never put 7 speed 105 stuff on this frame! :D

I'm so jealous...yet, very happy for you. :D

Pardon me...I have a 'thing' I have to deal with.


Nice.
F-ing.
Machine.

Congratulations, Dan. Nice frame.

I'm so jealous...yet, very happy for you. :D

Yur getting a new bike too.:p This one isn't going to end up costing any more than your to-be Madone. I am not averse to ebay or assembling from parts.

BTW, the riding many bikes first thing really is important. A number of bikes I had convinced myself I would like didn't impress me after a test ride.

Dan,
How far did the bike shop let you test ride? Anything you were looking for specifically when you test rode it? When I bought my Seven, I didn't have the luxury of test riding it ... I just took a risk that I'd like it, based on what other people told me about it, and the mere rep of Seven.

suhweet

Hint: Campy ergo, and if you don't want to spend the $$$, you can use Shimano Derailleurs. Ergo shifters just work great. Shimano are the best they'll be when they're new and they go downhill from there. :) Should've gone with the single tube frame. :0

Dan,
How far did the bike shop let you test ride? Anything you were looking for specifically when you test rode it? When I bought my Seven, I didn't have the luxury of test riding it ... I just took a risk that I'd like it, based on what other people told me about it, and the mere rep of Seven.

I rode it for about five miles. Kearney Mesa is pretty flat so I didn't have good hills to work with - I ended up sprinting up the ramps of an empty parking garage :p. The things I was looking for were a good balance between absorbing vibrations and bumps vs feeling connected to the road, handling, and how the bike felt accelerating in and out out of the saddle. All modern carbon bikes are stiff and have good power transfer, but on some of them when I push hard I don't get any feedback that anything is happening. The Look felt fast to me. I am sure it's not in fact any faster than the other bikes I tried, but who cares about that. :rolleyes:

Hint: Campy ergo, and if you don't want to spend the $$$, you can use Shimano Derailleurs. Ergo shifters just work great. Shimano are the best they'll be when they're new and they go downhill from there. :) Should've gone with the single tube frame. :0

Thanks, I already use Ergos and they're going on the Look.

Very nice, Dan! Have fun putting it together! :)

Very nice, Dan! Have fun putting it together! :)

With all that carbon, I think I will have to procure a torque wrench.

Very nice.... I can't wait to see the finished build. :)

That is awesome! Congrats!! :beer:

BTW, I want new bars because I don't like the anatomical bend style I have now. I find I like the bars rotated back a bit for riding in the hoods, which puts the "anatomical" flat spot at the wrong angle. I think I would be better off with a more traditional shallow drop bar.

Which brings me to a question. I notice that carbon bars are not any lighter than alu bars - so why it everyone ga-ga over them? is it just the look?

Which brings me to a question. I notice that carbon bars are not any lighter than alu bars - so why it everyone ga-ga over them? is it just the look?


There are 3 reasons.

First, carbon can be made stiffer so when sprinting or on the hoods you don't get any give.

Second, carbon bars are said to absorb more road vibration.

Finally, they do look cool :)

Honestly, I can tell you carbon bars are stiffer, at least the ones I have used. As for the absorption of road vibration, I don't know... Seems to me a good bar tape will do that as well.

noice.

Saw a guy on Rose canyon bike path a few weeks ago with 2 peice carbon bars pushing his bike. Said they just broke on him and he almost crashed. Do yourself a favor on the stem and get one that uses 4 bolts to hold the bars on, and not the superlight tiny 2 bolt ones. This bike should build up to 17lbs give or take easily. The campy ergo/shimano mix works great for all my stuff. Love the Ergo shifters.

Congrats, Dan! No need to go bike shop shopping anymore for bikes! :D

Whoa dude. You actually went for it. Where'd you get it?

There are 3 reasons.

First, carbon can be made stiffer so when sprinting or on the hoods you don't get any give.

Second, carbon bars are said to absorb more road vibration.

Finally, they do look cool :)

Honestly, I can tell you carbon bars are stiffer, at least the ones I have used. As for the absorption of road vibration, I don't know... Seems to me a good bar tape will do that as well.

I feel the opposite is true. I will be changing out my carbon bars for the alum. Deda Newtons which are actually stiffer and lighter, oh yeah, and half the price. I have the Easton 70 bars and I have no problem flexing them. But they are for sale.:D

I feel the opposite is true. I will be changing out my carbon bars for the alum. Deda Newtons which are actually stiffer and lighter, oh yeah, and half the price. I have the Easton 70 bars and I have no problem flexing them. But they are for sale.:D

I think the only way to settle this is a duel.

Are your Newtons the anatomical or traditional bend?

Whoa dude. You actually went for it. Where'd you get it?

eBay - the source of all that is good and cheap.

BTW, I want new bars because I don't like the anatomical bend style I have now. I find I like the bars rotated back a bit for riding in the hoods, which puts the "anatomical" flat spot at the wrong angle. I think I would be better off with a more traditional shallow drop bar.

Which brings me to a question. I notice that carbon bars are not any lighter than alu bars - so why it everyone ga-ga over them? is it just the look?

Dan: before you go with traditional shallow drops, you might try this: Build up the new bike with your ergo bars w/ brifters and tape removed. Rotate the bars so you're comfortable with the ergo bend and everything is dandy without any brake levers to think about. Lock 'em down.

Next, mount the brake levers where you're comfortable riding on the hoods.

Badaboom, the bars are where you want 'em and the brifters are where you want 'em.

I find (found...as I did the same thing when building my bike) that most times the brifters aren't mounted exactly on the bend of the bars where you are both comfortable on the hoods and in the drops. Their location isn't set-in-stone, and like everything else bike-related, the fit can be dorked with infinitely.

Congrats Dan!!!

I think the only way to settle this is a duel.

Are your Newtons the anatomical or traditional bend?

It really comes down to preference. I have always used aluminum, but when I built the Look I wanted to try the carbon wing bars. I tried em and I am not impressed so Im going back to the aluminum. Both bars are anatomical.

Very nice indeed!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I Love :love: mine and I don't even ride well enough to appreciate it!!!

You're gonna LOVE it! Can't wait to see the bike built up!!! :D

:beer:

I feel the opposite is true. I will be changing out my carbon bars for the alum. Deda Newtons which are actually stiffer and lighter, oh yeah, and half the price. I have the Easton 70 bars and I have no problem flexing them. But they are for sale.:D

+1 I had the Easton EC 90 bars. I thought they were great bars until they broke. I had never crashed with them, but one day when I went for a ride, I pulled up on the brake hoods while taking off from a stoplight and the right half of the bars came off in my hand. I had noticed the bars were flexible but hadn't noticed how much until I replaced them with Deda Newtons and could immediately tell that the Newtons were much stiffer.

I was puzzled as to why the bars broke since I hadn't crashed them and I am not a super buff field sprinter. I thought back to a few days before when my bike had fallen over in the house. That was the only time my bike has ever been down. A friend of mine had the same bars and told me he had the same thing happen when his bike was leaned against his car and got knocked over. My wife's boss broke a pair of carbon Bontragers as well and he's no body builder either. I haven't seen anyone break Aluminum bars.

+1 I had the Easton EC 90 bars. I thought they were great bars until they broke. I had never crashed with them, but one day when I went for a ride, I pulled up on the brake hoods while taking off from a stoplight and the right half of the bars came off in my hand. I had noticed the bars were flexible but hadn't noticed how much until I replaced them with Deda Newtons and could immediately tell that the Newtons were much stiffer.

I was puzzled as to why the bars broke since I hadn't crashed them and I am not a super buff field sprinter. I thought back to a few days before when my bike had fallen over in the house. That was the only time my bike has ever been down. A friend of mine had the same bars and told me he had the same thing happen when his bike was leaned against his car and got knocked over. My wife's boss broke a pair of carbon Bontragers as well and he's no body builder either. I haven't seen anyone break Aluminum bars.

Whoa..thats scary....
Thats what makes me nervous about a full carbon frame as well!!

Whoa..thats scary....
Thats what makes me nervous about a full carbon frame as well!!

I ride a SystemSix with a carbon stem. I've ridden full carbon frames as well. I like to think it is something with the way they have to make the bars (they wrap so little carbon?). The stem scares me a little. The bars and stem make you so vulnerable. Luckily mine happened at low speed almost in slow motion. My wife's boss broke Bontrager bars at riding along in the paceline at the Discovery team camp. The drops basically collapsed. Luckily he was able to grab the stem and ride it out. The mechanics took his bike and replaced the bars with aluminum bars. They didn't even want to see the broken ones.

I ride a SystemSix with a carbon stem. I've ridden full carbon frames as well. I like to think it is something with the way they have to make the bars (they wrap so little carbon?). The stem scares me a little. The bars and stem make you so vulnerable. Luckily mine happened at low speed almost in slow motion. My wife's boss broke Bontrager bars at riding along in the paceline at the Discovery team camp. The drops basically collapsed. Luckily he was able to grab the stem and ride it out. The mechanics took his bike and replaced the bars with aluminum bars. They didn't even want to see the broken ones.

Ok...that makes sense...no carbon on the stem and bars...

Resolved. I'm getting Deda Newtons. I'll get my extra carbon bling with water bottle cages. If they fail you lose a $3.00 bottle. :p

Well??? Is it done yet???????? :roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:

Well??? Is it done yet???????? :roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:

No, but progress. I bought weelz.

Sweet ride! I've been very happy with my Look 555 so far. Yours is 10 better, though! :p

Resolved. I'm getting Deda Newtons. I'll get my extra carbon bling with water bottle cages. If they fail you lose a $3.00 bottle. :p



http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/store/cages/pics/t_look_carbon.jpg

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/store/cages/pics/t_look_carbon.jpg

I'm thinking red.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/emahlman/Bevato/Bottle%20Cages/BCR225SR-1.jpg

Nice!

Which weelz? :D

Probikekit still have their 10% off. Don't know if they're the cheapest, and not sure how much US customs will charge for >$200 purchases.

Beautiful frame Dan!!! enjoy building and riding her...

Did she get a name yet?

Which weelz? :D

Probikekit still have their 10% off. Don't know if they're the cheapest, and not sure how much US customs will charge for >$200 purchases.

Easton EA90 SLs off eBay for $500. A good deal I think since the LBS wants $750.

Did she get a name yet?

I prefer not to think of inanimate objects as being female. Animate females are much more interesting.

As for a name I'm thinking "My new bike", which after a while will evolve into "My bike".

So everything except the stem is ordered or in hand:

Frame: 2006 Look 565 - Brilliant Carbon
Wheels: Easton EA90 SL
Tires: Conti UltraGatorskin 23mm
Seatpost: Look Ergopost
Bars: Deda Newton 46cm Shallow Drop
Bottle Cages: Token Red Carbon
Brakes: 2004 Campy Centaur (off existing bike)
Shifters: 2004 Campy Centaur (off existing bike)
FD: Campy Centaur Triple
RD: 2004 Campy Veloce Long Cage (off existing bike)
Crankset: NOS Campy Racing T triple (off existing bike)
Cassette: Ultegra 9sp 12-27 mated to Campy drivetrain via Shiftmate (off existing bike)
Chain: SRAM 9sp (off existing bike)
Pedals: Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL (off existing bike)
Saddle: Selle San Marco Rolls (off existing bike)

Stem is TBD once I get it all together and am ready to be fit.

I elected to stick with Shimano compatible wheels and cassette rather than going all Campy because the Shiftmate has worked flawlessly for me and a)Shimano cassettes are cheaper than Campy b) I don't particularly like the sizes of the Campy cassettes and don't want to change my current gearing, and c) I want to be able to use my old wheels as a backup set. When my current cassette and chain wear out I can go to a 10sp cassette and chain without having to change anything else.

Now I wait.

Now I wait.

Waiting is the hardest part.

Congrats on the new setup!