Revtor

All, I'm building up a frame for the summer and using parts lying around to get it running, positions correct etc.. I want it to be aero, fast, light.. no centuries on this one. Once I get the position pretty much dialed, I will begin replacing some of the older parts with new blingy bits of the perfect dimensions. I have a Kestrel EMS Pro fork already, so no need to talk about forks. (unless you know why this fork sucks, then of course Id love to hear aoout it : )

So my question is this; Where would you put carbon parts first on your bike and why.. bars, post, stem, cranks, wheels, ($ ouch) brakes, bottle cage ; ) ? any recommendations for parts? where do you think carbon makes the least difference?

thanks I know this is a pretty open ended topic but I'm all ears to all semi related chatter..

~Steve

R900

Seatpost, but you can always find equal or better substitutes in other materials for most any component.

johnny99

The main benefit of carbon components is lower weight, but that only happens with the real high end stuff. If money is an issue for you, aluminum gives you much more bang for your buck. If you really want some carbon components, tubular wheels will give you the most benefit (possibly the only measurable benefit). Even pro racers usually use aluminum for their other components (not counting the frame and fork, of course).

grahny

campy record... I'd start there

MIN 

Seatpost and bars for vibration reduction.

Revtor

cool, thanks guys.

nayr497

Great topic, Revtor! I am doing something similar. I want to replace the seatpost on my bike because the current one is a piece of junk and impossible to adjust.

I'm looking at Thomsons, Dura Ace posts, and carbon fiber posts.

Are you folks saying a carbon seatpost is a good upgrade to make? Or is a Dura Ace just as good? Weight is a consideration, but this is a Cannondale that is a few years old, so not like I've got a full carbon bike or anything.

I'm looking for a light, strong, easily adjustable, classy seatpost for under $75.

barba

I would go with the Thomson. It is more seatpost than you will be able to buy for $75 in carbon.

slowandsteady

What is your goal?

Lighter weight

or

Just bling


Because aluminum is lighter than CF in most components.

Ritterview

Just go for the wheels, sure a tad expensive, but look at the weight savings.

DrPete 

Bars, stem, and cranks make the least difference. In fact, many CF bars/stems are heavier than high-end AL offerings. CF Cranks are bling and have never really borne out any benefit in terms of stiffness, etc.

Seatposts are debatable, but I think they may soften the ride a little bit if you get a good CF post.

CF makes for some light wheels, but there are very few "everyday" CF wheels out there--most people save them for race day, if for no other reason than they're expensive to fix or replace.

Just switch to a Campy Chorus or Record group and you'll get just the right amount of CF bling.

Chucklehead

EMS Pro is one of the strongest, most dependable forks out there. but if you want light, you've got the wrong fork.

Cromulent

If you want bling, use aluminum parts and then go nuts with the BeDazzler.

superslomo

I'd say without a doubt it would have to be water bottle cages.

Dubbayoo

I think a carbon frame and wheels are probably the only parts that can be cost-justified. I love my carbon bar/stem but I got them at 50% retail cost.

jschatz

Seat post for sure. It will soak up some road shock. You can fiind one for $35 or so at Nashbar or eBay.

Clevor

The biggest carbon impact from the standpoint of bling and hype are a full carbon tubular wheelset. All the pros ride them. You can get wheelsets now for around $1200 which should weigh around 1400-1500 gms. I'd recommend HED Stinger 50s (or Bora Ultras if you can afford them) for best durability. 48 mm deep rims will help with aerodynamics if you ride alone and it isn't too windy where you ride. They break a lot if you hit potholes so go for durability unless you have deep pockets.

Probably the next carbon bling is cranks, but if you already have a DA7800, I wouldn't bother as none of the carbon fiber options would be stiffer and of better overall design. As far as weight goes, you lose maybe 100 gms (1/4th lb) if you go with the lightest, $700 carbon cranks (short of Claviculas). Is it worth it to you?

Carbon fiber bars and stems weigh the same or more than Alu versions. Many pros won't ride on them due to unseen damage when you crash. As for carbon seatposts, the best deal around in the Performance Forte at $79. My 27.2, 250 mm post weighs 143 gms. I actually plan to run one of these with a 31.6 shim on my Pinarello Paris Carbon (shod with Bora Ultras), as it's simply the lightest option out there short of $500 AX Lightness posts.

voltman

If Campy still offered a Chorus or Record alloy crank, would you have opted for that instead? (Just curious).

DrPete 

Possibly. Chorus was something like 150g lighter than Centaur, though, so it was a no-brainer. If Campy decided to make like Shimano and make an alloy crank as light/stiff as DA, I'd probably have gone for it.

That being said, I've been very happy with the Chorus UT and I'd love to see a head-to-head test with DA, because I think they're stiffer than the old Campy stuff.

volleybrad

fill your water bottles with carbon fiber water. It offers unparalleled quench-to-weight ratios.

LtSPD2000

I just removed a Kestrel fork from my bike and replaced it with an Easton SL 1". The Kestrel was 610grams and the Easton is 330 grams. I am keeping the Kestel in case I ever need it but you can see the weight difference. The Kestrel is a solid but heavier fork for sure. About as bullet proof and comfortable to ride as any carbon fork out there.

Machka 

Want carbon forks? Crank arms? Seatpost?

I've taken them all OFF my bicycle over the past few years.






Oh wait, I can't really give you the seat post ... it shattered.

DrPete 

My teammate will trade you for the aluminum one he bent.

If you want to get rid of parts that are at risk of failing, just sell your bike.

voltman

I just got a carbon fiber top cap.

Revtor

hahaha some funny posts in there...

thanks for the advice!! I think ill go for a carbon seatpost, and then stick with AL for the rest, save tons of money at least. . .

hehehe damn my fork is heavy! maybe that will go eventually.

thanks again, CF bottle cage and top cap here I come, gotta dust off the ol bedazzler to bling out the rest of my alum bits! : )

~Steve