mbw

The weather has been crap for the last couple of days, so it is just on the trainer. It shifts really nicely. I even figured out that if I am in little ring, smallish cog and want to go up to a higher gear, I can actually just mash both long levers and go to the big ring and up several cogs and the gear is just right... a bit higher... its even smooth. I have no idea if that is even smart, but it works great. hulk-smash-shift.

I do feel a bit of the chain/rear cassette on the smaller cogs right now. I think the chain has shipping-lube on it and its kinda sticky. I think once I get all of that off and re-lube it will smooth out a bit. It doesn't rub anywhere, despite 11 speed having a fairly thin chain and not a lot of room between cogs, its very slick.

The bottom bracket/crank also seems different somehow. Smoother, less movement. Its a little hard to tell on the trainer, but I can see things torque a bit on the trainer since the rear stays are clamped into the trainer frame. Could also just be that its new and smooth. I had a lot of miles on the old setup.

I think all the black looks great. Although I did post in the hot or not thread just for fun and got not'ed pretty well... lol. I like the stuff in that thread, but I guess I dont know what all people look for when they say its hot. I understand it looks better to have the seat post jacked up and the stem slammed, but what is the point of that if you can't ride it that way... i must be missing something.


Can' wait to get out and start riding again.

bigd73

Any updates mbw? I'm curious to know the differences between your new Ultegra wheelset and the old Bontrager Select wheels, as well as overall impressions of the drivetrain upgrade. Thanks!

mbw

It has been a great upgrade. I really expected to feel the wider gaps in my 11-32 cassette, but it has turned out to be pretty perfect. I just never seem to run out of cogs back there. Shifting and braking is definitely improved. The ergonomics of the hoods are also very nice. That 32 cog is perfect for the hills if im tired or not trying to push myself much.

The wheels are solid. I can't say I have noticed a huge difference. We have had some strong wind lately and I haven't noticed a huge amount of push from the wheels, most likely because the spokes are small, bladed, but not wide.. and very few spokes 16/20. They are smooth, the hubs are great and I can lean on them in a corner and they dont rub the brakes or anything (laterally stiff).

I actually managed to damage a spoke on the rear wheel, so im having that replaced now. I ordered some extra spokes to have spares. They are about $7 each.

mbw

I did flip the stem and made a few other tweaks.

dr_lha

That looks pretty slick!

merlinextraligh

This, plus new cables. For less than$200 it will ride like new

dr_lha

Good advice, if he hadn't already gone and done it!

mbw

Ya, i could have gone the cheap route, but I massively enjoyed tweaking and upgrading every detail of my bike. It's great.

MikeyBoyAz

bike looks slick!

As for the Hulk Shift both levers thing... I do it all the time, have for years with no degradation to shifting... but I have campy so I ramp down 5 at a time in the back... .

chip1

I considered doing the same to my bike, but in the end I backed off because of cost, time and effort. Good to see someone going for it and enjoying his upgrade.

rms13

I just upgraded my bike from 5700 to 5800. Worth every penny!

bigd73

Thanks for the update! The black Tacx cages look great with the other updates. Bummer about the spoke on your rear wheel, the wheels look great by the way.

I can't wait to upgrade my wheels and drivetrain soon. Happy riding!