Originally Posted by
DinoShepherd
If that weight is close to accurate, I'd rock that b!tch to podium finishes all year long just as it sat. No problem.
If I were to throw a few bucks at it, I would ensure that the bars were the right width, sometimes lower spec bikes come with 42s. Also toss a longer stem at the situation. Make sure the crank length is right for you as well. Again, some bikes come with shorter than is ideal.
A saddle upgrade is definitely in order to get that boat anchor off there.
Tires might be nice, but that problem will solve itself shortly. The wheels are heavy, but wheels are disposable anyway.
The grouppo wouldn't concern me. Tiagra runs fine. If it concerns the OP, buy something else. The shifters will likely be the first thing to go, no problem changing out after that.
Nice bike. Ride and enjoy.
-Z
+1
Make sure it fits. Stem, bar, crank.
I think just the shfiters if you want to upgrade something. Cranks also help with rigidity, but you won't notice too much benefit at this time (you'll notice a change, but you won't notice it really helping you).
As the season started (for me), the team offered bikes at discount. Since I had placed an order for a custom frame, I didn't want to buy a bike. But, when looking at them, I wished I'd fit a regular bike. At some level I acknowledged that it's more about the rider and the rider's tactics than it is about the bike. And I put it to text here:
http://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...team-bike.html
I still stand by the minimum necessary for racing is everything listed above. If I were to make huge changes (i.e. expensive) I'd get a power meter and aero tubular carbon wheels.
My bike is functionally similar to the team bike I describe above. It weighs about 17.5-18 lbs with race wheels on (and no bottles etc), about 19.5-22.5 lbs with clinchers, and another couple pounds kitted out for training (saddle bag, pump, bottles, maybe lights) or racing (bottles). It's totally appropriate for competitive racing in Cat 3s.
cdr