fmw

Today I received a brand new Full 2006 Campy Record gruppo - carbon CT crankset - the works. Why? Well, I wanted one. Did I have a plan on how to use it? Not exactly. And therein is the dilemma.

I have three road bikes that I really love and enjoy riding. My favorite is my Basso Gap but it already has a Chorus gruppo installed on it. So that's out. The two Shimano equipped bikes are one with a Pedal Force QS2 CF frame and a titanium framed Litespeed Firenze. Between the two I like the ride and fit of the Litespeed a little better. It is the heavier of the two. The CF bike is very high tech with all the latest stuff and a ride-ready weight of just 15 1/2 lbs. It has a Dura Ace Group which, of course, works just fine. It doesn't really need an upgrade. The Litespeed has an Ultegra gruppo so that would certainly notice the new Record stuff.

The only wheelset I have that can be converted for Campy is the one on the CF bike-Garcia/DT Swiss. In fact, I have the cassette carrier needed to convert it. If I upgrade the Ti bike, I need to move the light wheels from the CF bike over and move the heavier wheels that are on the Ti bike back to the CF bike making it 1/2 lb or so heavier. Or, I could upgrade the CF bike to Record and then move all the DA stuff over to the Ti bike as well as the FSA SLK crankset. That would get two bikes upgraded. I ride the Ti bike more often so I would get more use from the Record gruppo on that bike. This stuff just keeps circling around in my head and I'm getting nowhere. Does anybody have a logical suggestion that would get me started installing all this lovely new gear?

Cypress

Put it all on your Gary Fisher.






The Ti bike should get it. Wheels are wheels no matter what bike they are on.

bbattle

I'd say you'd need to buy a new frame and wheelset to go with that Record group. I noticed you didn't have a steel bicycle. Why not pick up the phone and order an Orbea Spirit; only another grand.

fmw

No, my Basso is a steel bike and it is really a treat to ride. I could put the Record gruppo on it, I suppose, and then move the Chorus gruppo somewhere else. The Basso is really fine the way it is. It's fairly heavy and won't benefit so much from the slightly lighter Record components. Besides it is a triple and I want to leave it that way. I have a naked aluminum frame but I think the Record stuff deserves something beyond aluminum. It's going either the Ti or the CF frame.

fmw

I am building new wheels for the Gary Fisher. That's about all I'm willing to do to it. I sort of chuckle at the notion of adapting a Record road group to put on a 35 lb. mountain bike. It might be the only one like it in the World.

I'm leaning toward the Ti bike myself, mostly because I ride it more than the CF bike. It's an 18 lb. build at the moment and would benefit from the lighter wheels and gruppo. If I go that way, I'll probably strip the decals and make it a "stealth" model like the CF bike. I think it would look nice that way.

Grasschopper

I would put it on the Ti bike....and then order another for the QS2. LOL also be sure you have both the freehub body and the axle end for the other side of the hub.

jschen

Ship it all to me. I'll relieve you of your headache.

SpongeDad

I should have such problems.

Get a decent CX frame and put the ultegra stuff on it.

fmw

I decided to go with the Litespeed. I ordered a new CF handlebar so I just spent this evening installing the stuff at the bottom of the frame.

fmw

That's a pretty good thought. Would the Ultegra control levers have enough range to operate cantilever brakes?

ViperZ

I was going to say put it on the CF bike, just so you had more CF on it, but never mind... I'm sure it'll be a blast on the Litespeed too

55/Rad

Gawd I love dilemmas like this - ones that create the domino effect. Before you know it, every bike in the stable has a different build and feel like new. Whooo hooo!

Good choice with the Litespeed.

55/Rad

ronbridal

I have a mix of 105/Ultegra on my cross bike with Avid Shorty 6 cantilever brakes and only had to buy larger triangle things for the front and back brakes. I can't believe I forgot what they're called, but whatever. Below's a full frontal shot of my Ridley I would second putting the Ultegra on a cross frame.

Ostuni

that's gonna be a downright lovely bike..... which handlebar?

fmw

That's a great looking cross bike, Ron. I see the cable routing is just like on my MTB with everything running along the top of the top tube.

I'll poke around and see what kinds of frames are available. However, I think I'll wait until the work is done on the Litespeed.

fmw

Easton EC90. I chose it mostly because it's a weight weenie type handlebar - i.e. light. I also ordered one of the superlight Syntace F119 stems. If I don't like it, I'll just use the Ritchey WCS that is on it at the moment. I still have that black fade to yellow painted frame. I could just stick all the Ultegra stuff on it. It was the source of the Utegra stuff in the first place. What comes around......

thewalrus

what barrel adjusters are those on your shimano shifters?

ronbridal

The brand is Jagwire. I got them at the LBS. Sorry but that's about all I know about them. Hope that helps! ROn