anacrime

howdy.



i bought this bike complete in new zealand and want to swap out a few things to ride it on the street. just lookin for a few suggestions.

the drops/stem are both 3t. i'm not exactly sure if i want to switch out the bars or not. i really like riding bullhorns but i don't think they fit the look for this bike (not that i'm incredibly vain, my other bike is a kilo and want this bike to look a little classier). interested in ideas for bars or bar tape (if i don't switch to something else)

the rims are fiemme tubulars, they're nice and super light but i want some clinchers. suggestions?

also i'm pretty set on skinwall tires, but what brand?

thanks fellas

drainyoo

Gorgeous bike there. Personally I love drops and if those are 3T they're pretty sweet. I would keep them, they go great with the look of the bike.

The rims are pretty sweet too, but I totally understand about wanting clinchers. If you're looking for the same look, then the Mavic Open Pro is a good option.

I love gumwall tires as well and I ride Veloflex Pave's. They're freaking amazing. Another nice gumwall tire is the Gommitalia Calypso. There's also the Continental Grand Prix and Michelin Erilium 2.

psirue

I'd stick with drops -- just get road bars and full-tape for comfort.

If you're not up for tubs (understandable -- not for everyone -- I prefer clinchers as well), but still want a classic wheelset, check out open pros or ambrosio rims. the gumwall tires that drainyoo mentions (veloflex, gommitalia) are excellent and ride quite amazingly but wear down quickly and do not offer much puncture-resistance. For a durable (but less supple) tire, pasela tourguards are excellent -- a decent compromise. Otherwise, I can recommend Continential 4000S (capital "S") with black chili. But it all depends, I suppose, on where you'll be riding that sweet bike...what's your application?

bar tape is a no-brainer: fizik microtex tape

anacrime

fellas,

thanks for the replies. can you guys recommend an online or LB/OC shop i can buy open pros? the ones i've found all have machined surfaces, what's up with that?

and psirue, i've never seen that microtex stuff in person. would you suggest the darker red? or what?

thanks yo

Cy Trivialities

for that bike look for the bright red fizik tape. the regular red is too dark.

chase.

if you want the old-school classy look, get hard anodized rims like open pro CDs. they'll be charcoal grey.

B125AAs or other shallow-drop track bars might fit your needs better. you may need a longer stem if the current bars' reach is comfortable for you.

drainyoo

Universal Cycles sells the Open Pros.

Overwhelming

I don't really have any suggestions as I am not a huge gumwall fan, but your bike is pretty.