Road Cycling - Ugliest Component!

My vote for the ugliest new component goes to the new Dura Ace cranks. Looks like it needs a major nose job.

The power cranks look even worse in my opinion. However, I definitely do agree that the 2004 dura ace cranks leave a lot to be desired.

Who cares? If they perform well, then get them....The last thing I think about when looking at my bike is "Man...Those are sweet looking cranks!" Frame...Yes....Wheelset...Yes....Cranks...Could care less.

Teski

Originally posted by Teski
Frame...Yes....Wheelset...Yes....Cranks...Could care less. Teski Frame...Yes.....Wheelset...Yes.....Cranks...Yes.....Headset...Could care less.

Fixer, I'll take a bunch of those ugly '04 Dura Ace components...if anyone buys a bike with 04 Dura Ace parts and dont want them.. PM for my home addy nand I'll take them off your hands..LMAO
But seriously, I think they look cool.

Sorry, those d@mn threadless stems still win the ugly competition, IMO. Front and center, where you have to look at 'em all the time. Sitting right on top of the "more attractive" integrated headsets, no less. :rolleyes:

Honestly speaking, I have no idea why you guys are talking about the 04 dura-ace being ugly. They are absolutely awesome. They are very cool looking, especially the cranks and rear derailleur.

Originally posted by Teski
Who cares? If they perform well, then get them....The last thing I think about when looking at my bike is "Man...Those are sweet looking cranks!" Frame...Yes....Wheelset...Yes....Cranks...Could care less.

Teski

But a great looking bike and matching outfit make you go faster. Didn't you know that?

:roflmao: :roflmao:

Form follows function, everyone.

CAMPY RULES!!

*tries to start a fight*

Can't agree more, ritalin. Record looks a lot better on my bike than any DA ever did or ever will.

*adds fuel to the fire*

STI levers with the cables coming out the side. Ergo forever

*pours a bit more fuel on the flames*

My 8 year old Mirage still shifts like brand new!!!


*brings the marshmallows*

Like fine wine..... my 10 yr old Record Ergo 8-sp groupo gets better with age. Shifts, looks, and tastes better than ever.

I'm jumping on board with this one! Ergo looks clean and refined, while STI looks as bad as a Pontiac Aztek!

*the flames are rising*

my Tiagra beats all that Campy stuff!

Gotta second the vote for threadless steerers & stems. Yuck!

Brake levers should pivot in only ONE direction! Record Ergo CF levers forever!

*** frantically fanning the fire ***

All carbon fiber cranks, not just 04 Dura-ace look as bad as diarheal feret feces after a week of Pepto Bismol.
:)

As I say, form follows function, everyone.

And carbon cranks are the perfect compliment to carbon components.

A Brooks saddle is a pretty good way to ugly up an otherwise nice looking bike.

*fanning flames with bellows*

Originally posted by Grendel
A Brooks saddle is a pretty good way to ugly up an otherwise nice looking bike. I felt that one coming...... I'm still hanging on to all my Brooks.

Another vote for threadless steerers and stems.



Also...seatpost mounted racks.

*woooooooossshhh!*

I like the way they look. Really racey.

You guys trust carbon? I mean just imagine if this rock would hit at your carbon cranks, you want to go home pedalling one legged? For me, I don't trust carbon.

Yeah sure, the technology has gone way far away for carbon composites, but still the sudden failure is still inevitable. If any of you has read the review (Cycle Sport) on the 2004 Shimano Dura-ace, the components only weigh a few grams heavier than Campagnolo Record. This compromise on weight can be ignored, but the stiffness of the cranks and power transmission is very high. there are many improvements made on the 2004 Dura-ace, and I feel that you guys should not be commenting just on the asthetics. That is downright childish. It should only be a matter of personal preference. If you love Shimano, don't say you hate Campagnolo. If you love Campagnolo, don't say you hate Shimano.

Ugliest component? in my case it would be the rider:D:D

Brendon

Originally posted by oxologic
You guys trust carbon? I mean just imagine if this rock would hit at your carbon cranks, you want to go home pedalling one legged? For me, I don't trust carbon.

Yeah sure, the technology has gone way far away for carbon composites, but still the sudden failure is still inevitable. If any of you has read the review (Cycle Sport) on the 2004 Shimano Dura-ace, the components only weigh a few grams heavier than Campagnolo Record. This compromise on weight can be ignored, but the stiffness of the cranks and power transmission is very high. there are many improvements made on the 2004 Dura-ace, and I feel that you guys should not be commenting just on the asthetics. That is downright childish. It should only be a matter of personal preference. If you love Shimano, don't say you hate Campagnolo. If you love Campagnolo, don't say you hate Shimano.

I'm definitely not talking about functionality here. I would absolutely love to have dura ace on my bike, but the cranks aren't my thing. Not to say they are ugly, but they aren't the most beautiful things either.

Originally posted by oxologic
there are many improvements made on the 2004 Dura-ace, and I feel that you guys should not be commenting just on the asthetics. That is downright childish. It should only be a matter of personal preference. If you love Shimano, don't say you hate Campagnolo. If you love Campagnolo, don't say you hate Shimano.

i thought the point of this thread WAS to be childish.

personally, i wish i could get a Suntour gruppo.

The whole point of this thread is asthetics, not functionality. Asthetically, my first girfriend was as ugly as the new DA crank.

Threadless stems ARE ugly.
STI cables ARE ugly
Those new DA cranks ARE fugly

(Yes, they all work fine this is strictly aesthetics.)

My Campy Record Ergo 8 is quite attractive
My Campy Super Record (titanium pivot and black anodizing on the rear derailleur) is breathtakingly beautiful.

I don't have a problem with the STI cables. In fact, at the risk of drifting into a discussion of what looks good, when I see pictures of older bikes, I think the brake cables arching up out of the levers look cool.

I really don't like the new DA crankset! It looks clunky and "plastic-like"

I also don't like the new '04 S-Works! It looks as funky as the DA cranks....

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/whatsnew/04SWorksTarmac_l.jpg

Give me the "older" model that looks incredible!

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2003/bikes/sw_road_red.jpg

-Dan the Man-

Originally posted by roadbuzz
I don't have a problem with the STI cables. In fact, at the risk of drifting into a discussion of what looks good, when I see pictures of older bikes, I think the brake cables arching up out of the levers look cool.
Roadbuzz,

The reason that the old brake cables look good is because they make a nice line extending from the brake levers and then making a nice curve to either the top tube or to the front brake. The cable jutting out at right angles to the brake lever just doesn't contain the same aesthetic appeal, IMO.

SteveE

Originally posted by ockey53
I also don't like the new '04 S-Works!

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/whatsnew/04SWorksTarmac_l.jpg


That's the new S-Works? And here I thought it was a Crossroads from two years ago... :D

http://img.epinions.com/images/opti/7c/ae/2002_Specialized_Crossroads_A1_Sport-bikes.jpg

Compact frames are ugly. In fact, they are so bad they make their riders look ugly, too.

The Moon Saddle! (Gives new meaning to 'Butt Ugly'). :D

http://dura-ace.shimano.com/publish/content/duraace/en/home/the_product0/drive_train.ProductImagePar.Single.Image.200.200.gif

:cry: :irritated :thumbdn:

-Dan the Man-

ParamountScapin says "Compact frames are ugly. In fact, they are so bad they make their riders look ugly, too." Hmmm, how come I ride a compact frame and still get all the babes? lol
Keep up the funny comments...very good entertainment! lmao

bman wrote: "Hmmm, how come I ride a compact frame and still get all the babes? lol"

It's all relative - think of how many babes you could "get" if you rode a traditional frame. :eek: :p

My Bike looks great until I get on it....

The vote for the ugliest component..... ME!

A tandem is the ultimate test for any components and Campy could not handle it. Since I fitted Tiagra STI's (cables out of the side and all) I feel guilty because I do not spend any more time fixing and tuning the Tandem. Our chains last longer, we have less problems on the road, changes are precise and crisp etc .... the list is endless. Campy may be classic, but it cannot handle the punch!!!!

Keep those wheels spinning!!!

Big H

i think in a few we'll turn our mind thinking that 2004 DA is really nice, becouse it looks really future-styled.

Originally posted by roadbuzz
I don't have a problem with the STI cables. In fact, at the risk of drifting into a discussion of what looks good, when I see pictures of older bikes, I think the brake cables arching up out of the levers look cool.

As do I. I'd prefer all levers to have cables coming out of the top rather than be "aero", but I think from the front STI looks messy, much like bar end levers. Too many cables!!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again,
the 2004 dura Ace is MBU* ! so are most threadless stems
(I happen to like the swoopy look of the TTT Mutant).
My 8speed Chorus looks nice,
My 83 Nuovo Record looks nice,
C-Record, and Cobalto look gorgeous as do some
of the Mavic and Modolo components.
I like the look of brake cables exiting levers and the sweeping
lines. I don't care about a hoot about aerodynamics.
Brooks saddles are clunky looking but one does not really see
a saddle on a bike that is being ridden.

Marty
(dons his Nomex suite)

* mountain bike ugly

I've got to add that I don't like the looks of :

- Aerobars
- Deep cross-section wheels

I still think a classic steel Italian-style racing bike is the epitome of bicycle elegance. (joins hands with Lotek)

SteveE