What upgrades should I make?
 

Hi all, I recently replaced my old, boat-anchor Fuji Newest aluminum frame with a Scott CR1 Pro. I can really notice the improvement in ride quality and responsiveness. I've been looking into what upgrades I should make to improve the ride and shed off some more weight (yes, I've become somewhat of a "weight weenie" since I've gotten the frame).

Here are the complete specs:
Scott CR1 Pro '07 frame/fork
Mavic Ksyrium Elites + Michelin Pro 3 S.C.
Shimano 105, 5703 shifters (yes I'm using triple shifters w/ double cranks)
Thomson Elite X2 stem
FSA Wing Pro compact drops
Tektro calipers
Ritchey Comp 27.2 seatpost with a shim
Bontrager Paradigm RL saddle

Drivetrain:
D.A. 7900 cranks
D.A. 9000 BB
D.A. 7810 pedals
SRAM 1031 chain (soon to be KMC x10SL)
Shimano 105 11-28 cassette
Shimano 105 long-cage R.D., 105 F.D.


I was thinking of upgrading the seatpost/shim to a 31.6 carbon seatpost, maybe the Deda Black Stick ($100 to save 150 grams). Thanks in advance for any suggestions~

I know that triple shifter would be on my short list, I'm sure it works and all but more of a right way/wrong way thing for me. One of my minds idiocencracies to let it drive me nuts. The seat post with a shim would fall in the same category. What kind of budget are you working with? I could be quite happy with that group of parts but I am the type of person that likes to modify and tinker and could go overboard really easy. I doubt the bike holds you back so just enjoy it.

ride more
ride 3 to 4 times more
get away from the beach and hit some hills.

I haven't really worked out a budget yet but I'm guessing maybe around $150 to $200. To be honest I'm pretty happy with the build as it is, it's just the seatpost that irks me. Is it just me or is a 350g seatpost/shim setup a bit excessive?


I gotcha. I'm starting a regimen with a friend next week. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays - Turnbull Canyon Rd. I figured I've lazed around enough this summer ha.

If you are wanting to shed some weight just for dropping weight, look at bars, stem, seat post, wheels, crank and brake calipers.

If you are wanting to shed weight AND have actual benefit look into wheels, light tubes, lighter tires.

$100 for 150g is a big weight savings and a good $/weight ratio. Once you replace most of the larger weight items you end up dropping $50-$200 (some people maybe more) for 10-20g.

Your Thomson X2 stem is strong and some people really like the looks of it, but it is an anchor weight! If wanting a light weight weenie approved stem, look at 110g or less. Your bars are also fairly heavy. Weight weenie approved bars are sub 200g. Your brake calipers if I'm not mistaken are very heavy as well (I don't know much about tektro but I know they have a couple good sets and the rest are pretty entry level). Faf and near/planet x are some good options for light weight calipers that are fairly inexpensive for calipers.

Hope that helps

Thanks for the info Bianchi10

My brake calipers (entry level R350) weigh in at 365g. I looked into the Planet X calipers. There's a $40 and 25g difference between the CNC and Forged...I'm guessing that is where price to weight ratio gets bad.

Current upgrades I have in mind (just from perusing the Weight Weenies weight listings):
Deda Black Stick seatpost
Planet-X Ultra Light Forged calipers
Ritchey WCS C260 stem
Easton EC90 drop bars

If you are going to get the Easton bars why not get the Easton ec90 stem to match? Its 110g. The c260 stem is great (I have it on my bike) but its a difference of 6g, but more important TO ME is having a bar and stem should match. Otherwise that would be like wearing Nike shoes with Adidas socks, which is a huge no no.

. Also, if you are gonna do the planet x calipers I would recommend you pay the extra for the cnc. The extra $40 seems questionable but when you/if you get to a point where you trying to tip the scale just under your goal, you're gonna wish you had just pony'd up the dough.

Regarding the seat post, you should be prepared for a bit more shock coming through the larger diameter post. Maybe the carbon will offset it. The 27.2 post with shim is a bit more flexible, construction material being equal. I had always ridden 27.2 mm posts for nearly 30 years before building up an Everti Falcon Ti frame with a 31.6 mm post. Same carbon post model as on my other bikes, but the larger diameter was quite noticeable as a very rigid feeling under my butt. Three years later I am fine with it. Think about it before you choose since you already own the shim.

Once you accept weight weenidom, you are lost. Along those lines I have had tremendous good experience with lightly used Zero Gravity Ti brake calipers. They are only 195g and are always available on ebay. I have never paid more than about $165 for them and have always been completely satisfied. Work great, good condition used, pads are in good shape, and so on. Now that would be a weight savings! If you should go that route, be sure what you buy is post-2005 when some significant design improvements were made.

Another comment on the Planet X brakes is they work great. I had 5700 brakes that were really good and the CNC brakes are just as good if not better. They seem to be on sale a lot so that usually works out in you favor. I used the metal mounting nuts from my 105's because they came with plastic for what ever reason. I also needed a little longer brake cable housing when I did the swap. Solid performers though.

Rule of thumb for weight reduction that I use is $1/g. Much less than that and I am a happy camper. Much more than that isn't worth it.

I'm using ritchey superlogic II bars with the ritchey C260. you can find good deals on the EC90 bars and EC90 stem as well. As for the Planet X, I really dont know if there is a performance difference.

EC90's appear to be around $160 and C260's around $100 on ebay. FOR ME, its worth the extra to keep the brands the same. Otherwise, I would ditch the EC90 bar idea and go with a ritchey bar set if you are set on getting them stem. Just my thoughts though, I know not everyone cares about that.

I believe there was a change to the cam design that improved the stopping power and modulation. All these type of CNCed brakes incite some negative reactions from many cyclists, but the overriding impression seems to be that they are top notch. I attribute the negative reports to nervous nellies and spoil sports if you know what I mean. I love mine.

Most important here is a dynamite ebay listing with just a couple of hours left (EDT): 321165957063. Don't let this one get away. Good price right now, maybe you can get it not much higher. Seller says he isn't sure of the year model but thinks it is 2007 or 2008. They come with Swisstop Yellow King pads. BRAND NEW in box. Beautiful.

"I read that some people have experienced poor stopping power from the Planet X calipers - worse stopping power than 105 calipers."

Maybe they do not know how to set up brakes. I ride down a lot of hills at pretty good speed and these work great for me. I would suspect that there is no difference from the forged and CNC brakes as far as performance. The Forged are pretty light as well. There seems to be a push that forged are just better but I have no reason to think mine are unsafe.

I can really relate to your wanting the best price on a part. I can honestly say I have not paid full price for any thing on my bike or the bike itself for that matter. Saving money and getting what you want is a wonderful thing.

Great, I'll probably get the Planet-X ones then. For full price as well since I can't seem to find it being sold anywhere besides the planet-x website. Anyone know where I can get them for cheaper? Their website has them for $130 I believe.

I'll be getting the Deda Black Stick seatpost and EC90 drops tomorrow :)

Edit: Decided to go for the Ritchey C260, too. Cheaper than the EC90 stem and I like the looks, as well.