blandin

Given the success of the Pedal Force RS group buy, mine may be just one of up to one hundred build project threads that eventually get posted, so I decided to start mine sooner than later and avoid the rush!

I am starting with an overview of my plans and a few pictures of parts that I have in hand.

The Plan: Due to WheresWaldo’s contagious/evil influence, I have decided to invest more in this build than I had planed to. I have scratched the plans to go with SRAM Rival and have actually returned the groupset I already had received from GVH, and Tom will be shipping me a full Force group once he gets the proper crank in stock. Color scheme is based on red accents in the saddle, cages and tires.

Despite the fact that I ordered the PF fork, I am going to upgrade to the Easton EC90 SL with the BearTrap headset adjuster. Actual weight 357 grams including the beartrap.



Aerus full carbon flat top bars. Actual weight 245 grams.



I have purchased the same beautiful Carbon Concepts stem that ViperZ used on his Tuscany. Actual weight 146 grams.



Picked up a new Specialized Toupe that goes with my red accent theme. Actual weight 162 grams.



I have selected Profile Design carbon cages. Actual weight is 67 grams for the pair including cage bolts.



Michelin ProRace2 tires. Actual weight 441 grams for the pair.



That’s pretty much what I have in hand right now. Yet to arrive is the Force groupset, my 128 gram U.S.E. Alien Carbon Seatpost and 1300 gram Soul S2.0 wheelset.

I have put everything into a spreadsheet using claimed and actual, in hand weights, and the bike as configured should come in at or under 7000 grams or about 15.4 pounds. I will continue to update as I acquire more of the components and can determine actual weights. I am really looking forward to seeing the wheelset which hopefully will be in by weeks end, and also looking forward to seeing everyone else’s build progress.

Toxanadu

looks like its going to be a hot bike

ViperZ

WHOA...HOA.. HUA!!!

Nice Start blandin

blandin

Thanks ViperZ, I will try to live up to your great examples of how to build 'em right.

JayC

Nice parts.. I have those same bars on my Blue but im going to take them off and probably sell them. They just aren't suited to my riding style.

blandin

Could you give me some insight as to why they don't suit you? They seem nice in hand, but I haven't mounted them on a bike as of yet.

Patriot

Red?


You'll need to custom paint those little yellow half moons on your nice cf handlebars.

blandin

Oh crap, I've been caught by the Pres. of OCP himself! I've got to admit that occurred to me, but I got such a great deal on the bars ($113) on a Turkey Day special, I couldn't resist. On the other hand, I also have a brand new FSA Kforce Carbon bars, but it's the standard, not flat top model - but the accent would be red. So Mr. Prez, and anyone else who wants to chime in, what should I do?

JayC

I dont like the corners of the bars. I tend to ride on the corners a lot during group rides when Im not right on someone's wheel and those bars cause me a lot of hand pain on long rides. That quick bend up right there on the corners sticks right in your hand. Also, the way the hoods are mounted on my bars (I didnt mount them), riding on the hoods you end up with your hands in an odd position, which again, causes me a lot of pain, although that could be the Shimano hoods versus the SRAM hoods. That's one of the things I haven't missed about that bike since I quit riding it a few months ago. I pulled it off the wall last week and rode it all week and the hand pain was right back on the first ride.

I rode that bike a lot of miles and ALWAYS had hand pain when I got done with long rides. My Fusion has cheap FSA Wing Pro bars on it and I really like those way more. That's probably what Im going to replace the Aerus bars with.

Dubbayoo

I like the fork but i'm not too sure about the bear trap thing. I believe I will go with a regular compression plug.

blandin

Dial_tone, the fork comes with the BearTrap on Easton's new models, and given their reputation for quality, I was thinking it would be fine. Anyone with direct knowledge of the pluses or minuses of the BearTrap, please contribute.

ViperZ

Run the bars you want, the accent color isn't that big of deal, unless you want it to be.


I have not used a bear trap, but the concept sounds ok. It could be lighter than a compression plug

Grasschopper

I have heard a bunch of bad things about the Bear Trap both here and at my LBS. I would also suggest not running it...but you get it with the fork so maybe give it a shot...but think about a backup plan.

JayC - you going to be selling those bars? What width? Do they have internal routing or a double cable groove?

botto 

why?

WheresWaldo

I am going to third the comments on the beartrap, lose it . I had one on my TST and it would never stay adjusted. and the actual amount of preloading you can do on the headset bearings is so small that it pretty much has to be set spot on before you even use the beartrap.

Because of you, with all your Dura-Ace bike crap , five bike in your sig, you have forced me to pull out the stops here . I now am following the master again . I feel like a lemming just following the blandin parade. So now I even have to start my own thread to photograph parts I have for a bike I won't get to ride until March .

I will not clutter up your thread with any more of my pathetic whining . I am such a .

BTW, what a wonderful selection of parts. I can't wait to see non-marketing pics of the Force group .

auk

I'll add another bad experience with the beartrap. Had to adjust a riding partners (properly adjusted) beartrap 5 times in the matter of a century ride. Every 15 miles the bike would sound like a machine gun on rough roads.

blandin

Wow, sounds like the beartrap isn't the best idea. Fortunately there's plenty of time to pick up a nice compression plug. Botto, thanks for showing that a little yellow works with red and black. WW, I am looking forward to seeing your new RS thread, and I still say it's YOUR fault that I turned in my Rival for the Force group. Come on man, I have got to blame someone other than myself. Hoping to add/post my Soul S2.0 wheelset next.

ggg300

cables?

pedals?

bartape?

blandin

Cables are going to be the ones that come with the Force group; I considered Nokon's but learned that you have to drill the Force RD to make them work and said no thanks. Pedals are 200 gram Welgo Mg/Ti SPD's - I like to walk unimpeded when I have to. Bartape is one thing I'm debating about, I'm either going to keep it black or use a marbled black and red if doesn't look to busy - time well tell.

baxtefer

No marble/splash tape!

blandin

I think you're probably right. It will be a lot cleaner with just the black.

ViperZ

Black or Red Fizik

WheresWaldo

The red/black marbled bar tape is not nearly as busy as those Michelin Pro2Race tires. It would look pretty good. I picked up some at Performance for 6.95 in-store. It's on my daughters bike. If you go at lunchtime on Tuesdays you get an additional 10% off.

Dubbayoo

+1 I used to buy marble Cinelli cork...dunno what I was thinking.

x43x

So you're going with the full Force group now? Two days ago you had decided on just a Force crank with Rival everything else. The darkside has consumed you. Welcome.