Originally Posted by
ColonelSanders
I think your bike has that classy understated look about it and I like it very much.
With the changes you made, what was the thinking behind you making them and what is the difference now that you experience when you ride your bike?
Thanks ColonelS.
My thinking was in fact pretty straightforward.
1. I had been looking for a 'flat bar road bike' frame/fork that I really liked for a couple of years before, and finally found it in 2010. I rode the bike stock for a year (Tiagra mix drivetrain, generic Tektro brakeset, heavy stock wheels etc.) and decided it was a keeper, and that I would have it rebuilt to my liking with a mix of relatively reasonably priced bits. I said "stupid expensive" simply because it always costs more to do this 'upgrade' thing than buy new at the desired level, but so it goes.
2. Objectives: ergonomics, durability, and save a little weight in the process. Ergonomics: drivetrain/brakes. Durability: drivetrain/brakes (especially), and headset. Specialized sold this bike with a crap 'caged ball bearing' headset. That had to go. The brakes I couldn't keep adjusted. The TRPs are fantastic; they've been on the bike since Spring '11, and I've not done a thing to them except clean 'em up occasionally and a single (yes, one) pad replacement. They never, ever go out of adjustment. Weight: overall bike weight went down from 22ish to 19ish pounds. No big deal; it doesn't make me 'faster', but I like the 'feel' of a lightish bike.
3. I finally replaced the wheels last year; got a great deal from my LBS on a Giant wheelset. They're nicer than stock -- that's about it.
I find my bike to be simply 'nicer' to ride as a result. There was a cost, but I consider it relatively insignificant given the use I get out of it and the longevity. I don't have a "stable" of bikes; I prefer to have one 'nice' bike that I use for the riding I want to do: flat bar road bike, 6-7000 kms/year, a mix of 5-day a week commuting and longer weekend road rides, including metric and imperial centuries, and a bit of very non-technical off-road -- all solo. As I've set it up, it works for all of that.
If I change bikes, it will only be because I want to switch to something different -- something like a Spec. Crosstrail for example -- for various reasons (not least being age!). If I do that, I'll do exactly the same thing -- buy the 'base' bike (for the frame/geometry/fit) and then re-work it into precisely what I want. 'Custom' would be nice, but it is not necessary in my opinion, and anyway I can't afford it! My method is as close as I can get to that.