Aikidoka

Hi Folks,

I ordered a bike today and want to put a carbon post, bars on it and need SPD pedals. Its been a few years since I've had a road bike and dont know what's good, bad and indifferent in bike goodies.

The bike is Motobecane Le Champion SL-Force from Bikes Direct. Pretty excited about riding again and this bike gives me a nice package to work with. I've never used SRAM road equipment so this should be interesting. Being an aluminum frame I want to soften up the ride with a carbon post and bars. I also need pedals. My present shoes only accomodate SPD.

I'm looking for good quality, don't want expensive top-shelf, just reliably break-proof. I weigh 160 and in excellent physical condition. I'm also 51, so my older bones will appreciate the vibration dampening.

Also locations for good deals on above mentioned goodies helpful.

Many thanks,

k

Sprocket Man

If strength and reliability are a big concern, go with aluminum bars. Here's what Competitive Cyclist has to say:

Carbon bars, like carbon rims, are made with pure performance in mind, i.e. durability isn't paramount.


https://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...E=FAQS#ques_42

And a carbon seatpost won't make much of a difference in comfort, if any.

If comfort is what you're after, you would probably see the biggest difference if you switch out your tires from a 23 (the most common size shipped with most road bikes) to a 28, assuming your frame can handle the width.

Aikidoka

Thanks sprocket man, excellent advice, I'll go with that.

the obvious question from a guy who used to ride tubulars and now has clinchers...what's a good handling road tire these days in a 25-28mm thats got some durability?

k

shakeNbake

Nice to see another aikidoka on the board, welcome!

For good 25-28mm tires with good puncture protection I suggest the Conti GP 4 Season

Aikidoka

konichiwa my friend, been thown around the mats recently?

Thanks, I'll check em out.

k

Camilo

As someone who had an aluminum seat post and "upgraded" to a fairly expensive carbon post, I recommend not doing that. It is a total waste of money (imho) - both in terms of weight and comfort. Absolutely no comfort difference, and you can get a similar weight aluminum post for quite a bit cheaper. Plus, the high quality aluminum posts catch the eye of anyone who really knows cycles. Just one guy's opinion, but if I were to do it over again, I would have bought a top of the line aluminum post and had money left over for a pair of nice tires.

Aikidoka

Thanks Camilo, that saves me some more uneccesary expense.

Once I get the bike I'll check tire clearance, pop some wider tires on and invest in some winter rding gear.

Now I have pedals to select. So far, Ultegra's seem the logical choice (I re-checked my shoes, they have a current bolt pattern).

Guys, thanks a ton!

DinoShepherd

I just picked up a Performance brand carbon post for $60 on screamin' deal to replace the generic aluminum post that was on the Junkyard Dog before. Dropped about a 1/4lb. The unit is very well made and is probably made in the same place in Taiwan that makes most of the other carbon posts.

No difference in performance that I can tell (or expected)

What can I say, I wanted it...

-Z

sced

Also, you can do a lot to dampen shock and vibration with padded seat and handlebar tape, and tires/pressure. I too am 51, have gotten back into cycling after running for many years (knees), a Campy/531/tubular rider long ago, and bought a similar BD bike, but with Record. It's great. I ride several times a week. The workout is great and there's no soreness. My wife is a strong runner that I've gotten into biking and we have a lot of fun together on rides. Welcome back!

Aikidoka

Thanks sced...

Ditto on campy/steel/tubular. I havent gotten the bike yet so have no idea of how the seat rides. Any recommendations on saddles to consider? Also, does your frame/fork allow 25mm tires (if you have the Le Champ Sl frame)?

gracias,

k

Jerseysbest

Carbon? Just get one of those suspension seat posts.

sced

I bought a cheap mushy seat from Nashbar for about $25 to spare my pelvic bones. It makes a big difference. The one that came with the bike, a Bottecchia, was way too hard.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ght=Bottecchia

I don't know for sure about the tire clearance, but I'd be very surprised if 25mm will be a problem. The 23mm on my bike seems pretty common for even high performance tires, and what's another 2mm?.