BMC Alpenchallenge ACO1 upgrade (from 105 to Ultegra)
09-20-17, 08:08 AM
#26
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Not surprised re. front shifting -- it's mainly down to the complete re-design of the f/d (relative to Ultegra 6800 or current 105), first on Dura-Ace and now Ultegra. Every review/discussion mentions this.
You're right about XT8000 brakes as well; early problems that so far as I know have been resolved completely. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to go with XT.
Really nice bike, raqball!
You're right about XT8000 brakes as well; early problems that so far as I know have been resolved completely. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to go with XT.
Really nice bike, raqball!
I can get front and rear XT and 2 XT SM-RT81 Ice-Tech rotors for about $229 total after doing some crafty use of sales and discount codes. I think I am going to just go with them..
09-22-17, 08:23 AM
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Went ahead and ordered the front and rear XT M8000 and 2ea XT SM-RT81 Ice-Tech rotors. Found a few different deal and discount code combos so I scored it all for $209. Should be here middle of next week.
After those get slapped on I think I am set for a while as I can't see anything else I'd like to upgrade or change.
After those get slapped on I think I am set for a while as I can't see anything else I'd like to upgrade or change.
09-22-17, 11:18 AM
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Why the upgrade on a newish bike?
09-22-17, 11:24 AM
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I didn't like the 105 gear and wanted smoother shifting. I also wanted the 11-34 cassette. The disc brakes that came on it are fine for the most part but they are squirrelly on mountain descents.
I upgraded my Di2 Sirrus shortly after I got it as well. I generally ride about 8000 miles a year so I want my bike rock solid and configured how I want it.
The 105 gear probably would have sufficed until it wore out but the Ultegra upgrade only cost me $398 and I sold the 105 gear for $140. So the upgrade really only cost me $250 and it was well worth that $$ difference.
I upgraded my Di2 Sirrus shortly after I got it as well. I generally ride about 8000 miles a year so I want my bike rock solid and configured how I want it.
The 105 gear probably would have sufficed until it wore out but the Ultegra upgrade only cost me $398 and I sold the 105 gear for $140. So the upgrade really only cost me $250 and it was well worth that $$ difference.
09-22-17, 12:31 PM
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I'm the opposite end of the spectrum. I just upgraded an 17 year old entry level hybrid from 7 to 9 speed last night, but because I had to. I also collected parts when bargains presented themselves and the crank being the last also. So forgive my puzzlement. My wife would have shot me if I upgraded a new bike.
09-23-17, 01:13 AM
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I'm the opposite end of the spectrum. I just upgraded an 17 year old entry level hybrid from 7 to 9 speed last night, but because I had to. I also collected parts when bargains presented themselves and the crank being the last also. So forgive my puzzlement. My wife would have shot me if I upgraded a new bike.
09-27-17, 09:02 AM
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The XT SM-RT81 Ice-Tech rotors are out for delivery today and the XT M8000 brakes are due for delivery on Monday. I'll probably do the upgrade on Wednesday since that's going to be my rest day next week. 
09-27-17, 01:04 PM
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i love living through other people vicariously on this forum.
Nice mods bro. I swore I'd never do this sort of thing with fishing, now I carry close to $4,800 in rods/reels/gear when I go to the beach AND I LOVE IT!
Nice mods bro. I swore I'd never do this sort of thing with fishing, now I carry close to $4,800 in rods/reels/gear when I go to the beach AND I LOVE IT!
09-29-17, 03:00 PM
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Thanks!
The XT M8000 brakes arrived today (were scheduled for Monday) so all parts are in hand and ready to roll for a Wednesday (next weeks day off riding) install!
Total:
$209 (for brakes and rotors)
-$40 (already have a buyer for old brakes and rotors)
--------
=$169 for the upgrade
The XT M8000 brakes arrived today (were scheduled for Monday) so all parts are in hand and ready to roll for a Wednesday (next weeks day off riding) install!
Total:
$209 (for brakes and rotors)
-$40 (already have a buyer for old brakes and rotors)
--------
=$169 for the upgrade
Last edited by raqball; 09-29-17 at 03:13 PM.
10-01-17, 02:08 PM
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1st ride with the XT brakes today. 42 miles and a small’ish mountain climb and descent of about 1200 feet. The 1st 10 or so miles I went easy breaking them in. Even during this break in period I could tell a massive difference in stopping power -v- the old brakes.
The brakes are a night and day improvement over the old ones. This was very noticeable on the mountain descent. My old brakes felt squirrely when descending but these gave me complete confidence. I didn’t notice any overheating or loss in braking power as I descended but I’ll try a larger mountain next week and see how that goes.
Overall I’ll call the upgrade a massive improvement...
The brakes are a night and day improvement over the old ones. This was very noticeable on the mountain descent. My old brakes felt squirrely when descending but these gave me complete confidence. I didn’t notice any overheating or loss in braking power as I descended but I’ll try a larger mountain next week and see how that goes.
Overall I’ll call the upgrade a massive improvement...
10-02-17, 06:34 AM
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I always get my rides up to Ultegra level fairly quick. I am very happy with the drivetrain and brake upgrade.
I am now pretty much done. The only other upgrade I might consider is upping the shifters but I am not sure if the XT M8000 shifters will work with Ultegra components. Shimano comparability does not list them as being so but I don't know how they couldn't be. I'll have to call Shimano and ask.
SL-M8000-IR
I can score a set for about $70
The rapidfire shifters I have now (SL-RS700 Rapidfire Plus) are fine but if I can eek out a bit more smoothness then I'll go for it. My Sirrus is Di2 and is buttery smooth shifting so somewhere close to that is the goal. If the XT shifters are not compatible then I'll just continue rocking the RS700's.
I put more miles a year on my bike than I do on my truck (last year I had 8K on bike and 4k on truck) so I am very particular in getting it the way I want it..
Edit to add: The XT SL-M8000 shifters are not compatible with road components. Something about cable pull so I'll be sticking with the SL RS700's...
I am now pretty much done. The only other upgrade I might consider is upping the shifters but I am not sure if the XT M8000 shifters will work with Ultegra components. Shimano comparability does not list them as being so but I don't know how they couldn't be. I'll have to call Shimano and ask.
SL-M8000-IR
I can score a set for about $70
The rapidfire shifters I have now (SL-RS700 Rapidfire Plus) are fine but if I can eek out a bit more smoothness then I'll go for it. My Sirrus is Di2 and is buttery smooth shifting so somewhere close to that is the goal. If the XT shifters are not compatible then I'll just continue rocking the RS700's.
I put more miles a year on my bike than I do on my truck (last year I had 8K on bike and 4k on truck) so I am very particular in getting it the way I want it..
Edit to add: The XT SL-M8000 shifters are not compatible with road components. Something about cable pull so I'll be sticking with the SL RS700's...
Last edited by raqball; 10-02-17 at 08:19 AM.
03-07-18, 11:28 AM
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Looks great ragball. I just scored this bike from Mike's Bikes on clearance for 50% off. So far, I have just put on ergon grips. From what I'm reading for upgrade path - crank and FD, then brakes? I see you are still on the factory wheelset, I guess you are happy with them? I was looking at some vision 30 team disc from Merlin as a backup set for low $? Looks like you are using another set of tires from the Conti's? Schwalbe's maybe? hard to tell in picture
Any advise would be great
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Any advise would be great
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johngwheeler
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07-25-17 11:32 AM
