Bar ends and aero bars for more hand positions. I don't have room for a dedicated touring bike right now, unfortunately.

Fizik microtex soft touch feels really nice on the mash horns. A friend of mine has that going and I thought it was great.

*Stock photo

Buddy of mine is selling his lightly used complete set with a friend discount for me; still big $$$$ through (note the $'s); perhaps the chance of a lifetime but I'm torn between buying it as a collectible and the much more economical choice of buying the park equivalents of all the tools in it.

very nice, but if you're not heavily wrenching then that's a lot of $$$$$

Should I sell my Aksiums and build DT Swiss 240 + Velocity A23 + Sapim Lasers?

Regarding toolset : if you're a campyphile and you intend to build a legion of campy bikes go for that set... It is indeed a chance of a lifetime!

Even as a bike mechanic/shop owner, that stuff doesn't do anything for me - especially considering how much it costs.

Yeah, you guys make a great point about the price point; I'm weighing in rationality and my own stupid desires... I mean damn, that set would look awesome in my house... being displayed in the open and probably not used..

I wouldn't, it's more of a lateral move to me...

How so?

Might be just me, but if I were to buy that set, I would use those tools until they all broke.

I used that on my Nashbar bullhorns and really liked the way it felt, it just doesn't match my saddle nearly as well as the Deda tape. I will consider it though, I wouldn't mind being able to ride without gloves.

+1

IMO, that'd be a worthy upgrade. It'll be lighter, you'll get the wider rim advantage, smoother hubs, and a pretty strong wheelset overall. Aksiums are heavier than they look, as you probably know.

That's what I'm thinking. I would hardly say it's a lateral move... Aksiums are basic low-mid end wheels. The weight is a huge turn off for me. Heck... they're heavier than my Novatec Forces (deeper, more spokes, high flange hubs). Using weights I found listed online, the 240/A23 would be ~1400g, which is almost a pound lighter than the Aksiums!

I'm still curious as to why leuky and gigantor think it's a lateral move.

I'd HED Belgiums, but they don't come in the drilling I'm looking for. Plus, I can get two A23's for the price of one Belgium.

Zipp 101's are the next step up.

Should I swap all the black parts for chrome on my Kilo? Thomson post/stem, Andel cranks, Nitto 123AA's?

I'll probably keep all the stock parts for when I resell, and swap the nice parts to a nicer frame.

Get dem Omnomz.

True... we'll see. The cranks are probably what I'll last switch out.

I'd say just ride it into the ground first. Or I'd change the crankset first to something that is 144bcd so you can start stocking up on chainrings (I'm assuming you're going to keep coming to the track).

Yeah... this sounds more appropriate. Just change what I need to. I guess just track drops and a new crank set. Probably get some used DA on ebay.

There is also nothing wrong with your current bars. Unless you think it's flexy for you.

Maybe a little on the sprints, otherwise they were fine. Eh, i guess if a pair come up on craigslist for cheap I will get them.

Should I buy a stock 2011 Specialized Allez triple for $550?

should i give 1 of these to my semi-alcoholic buddy for his b-day or find something else for him & get it for myself?

neither

Should I:

Keep my Ortliebs and buy some racks, or sell the Ortliebs and buy a BOB trailer?