Originally Posted by
Andy_K
The stock wheels are OK. They're nothing special, but there's also nothing wrong with them as far as I can tell. If you're worried about them, maybe have the LBS check them for even spoke tension. That's often a problem on machine built wheels. Mine did quite a bit of pinging for the first few miles, which is a telltale sign that they weren't properly stress relieved (a potential source of spoke tension problems). I did a little tweaking to get them right and didn't have any problems with them in the 500 miles that I used them. I only switched them out because I had better wheels hanging in the garage waiting to be used.
I don't have any problems with the stock ones... just looking for ways to improve performance, since I'll probably use this bike for quite a while until I can afford a BMC road bike. ;-)
Originally Posted by
Andy_K
If you go between off-road and road riding very often a second set of wheels and tires makes life much easier. If you go that route you need to take measures (or have your LBS take measures) to make sure the rotors line up the same way, but it makes tire changes quick and painless.
Not really going off-road so far... but if I ever upgraded, I would use the stock wheels & tyres for a little off-roading if needed.
Originally Posted by
Andy_K
If you have the cash and want to upgrade to something nice my recommendation would be Velocity A23 rims with SRAM X.9 hubs and DT Competition spokes. QBP's Handspun brand makes these for a reasonable price, though I don't know if that means they're available in Australia. I have those rims and hubs separately and like them both a lot. I'm using the X.9 hubs on my Jake with Salsa Delgado Cross rims (discontinued), and those have been great wheels for me. I've got over 4000 miles on the wheels with the X.9 hubs and they still spin like the day they were new and haven't required a bit of maintenance. The A23 rims are a good bit lighter than the Salsas I have, but they're plenty tough. I used them for CX racing last year and had no troubles.
It looks like the A23 are available in Australia (see
here). I have heard a lot about them, as well as the X.9 hubs. Who would build the wheels for me, LBS or special shop? How much would I be looking at?
Back to the BB7s:
Thanks for the correct Wiggle link. The Q&A confirm that a) I might need a different adapter for the front and b) they come with the G2 CleanSweep rotors, i.e. both as you suggested. Interestingly. Chainreactioncycles sells them for the same price but specifically say the rotors are
not included. Might have to double check that.
It sounds like it's a good option to go for 2x the BB7 Road from Wiggle with 160mm rotors. I can then decide if I use the 160mm in the back or the stock 140mm. Unfortunately, I have no idea what kind of post they will be mounted to and where I could get a different front adapter. Can you help out with a link?
EDIT:
After reading this article, I wonder if I could just upgrade the Lyra brakes with 160mm rotors for starters? Which rotor would work? Could I just use G2 ones, or would there be compatibility problems?
Also, I was thinking about a seat post upgrade to carbon. What's your opinion? I checked with Kona directly, the stock one is a 12mm setback. I like the idea of having an
FSA SL-K Carbon Seat Post. That comes in 20mm setback or inline/ZERO setback. Which one would be more appropriate? Or do you think it wouldn't make much of a difference? I am looking more for shock absorption than weight save.
EDIT:
I read on sheldonbrown.com that they do not suggest carbon fiber seat posts due to the "inferior material", though I have no idea how old that recommendation is. However, I get the feeling that it's easy to damage a CF seat post by overtightening the clamp and such (e.g. see this post), so I guess I'll leave mine as is... the saddle already made a great difference in shock absorption.
Lots of questions, I know - thanks for helping out a newbie. I might show my upgrade-addiction a little too much here. ;-)
Anyone else an idea about the U-Lock / bottle cage issue?
Cheers!