Good times ...

[madcyclist]

For all of you outdoor folks looking to upgrade your components, FYI.

Because Shimano came out with their new Dura-Ace 10 speed system, the prices on the Dura-Ace 9 speed components are falling through the floor. You can now get build a bike with Dura-Ace components for just a little bit more than what Ultegra cost. The bike I'm building will end up being about 15.5 lbs (seat included). I'll spend a little over $2000.00. And EVERYTHING is new. Can't beat that at all.

It's a good time to build a bike or upgrade your components.
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[spinnergirl]

:o Dura Ace 10 ? wow !
I heard that in Canada, we will eventually have problems getting spare parts from Shimano this summer , for whatever reason :?: ... the distributor told us to get our spare parts asap ! marketing technique ? hum... could be! 8)
BTW, what kinda frame you building your bike on ? :D

[madcyclist]

Hey,

I picked up a 2003 Look KG461 frame for just under a $1000.00USD in a close out sale - a damn good deal.

I'm getting my Dura-Ace 9 speed parts from Performance Bike. However, it's looking like some components are going up in price (like Dura-Ace rear derailleurs). I got the crankset, STI shitfers, & calipers for about $500.00USD. Not bad. I purchased them first b/c besides being the more expensive parts, I was afraid that they would be snatched up first. But as I said, I anticipating a challenge to find an older model of the 9-speed rear derailleur. But I not too worried - I'll find one by hook or crook. ;)

I think that although Shimano won't stop production on the 9-speed Dura-Ace components, they might not produce that many (my guess). But on the other hand they might eliminate one of their lower end family of components.

The 10-speed stuff is nice, but, really who is going to buy it? It's too expensive and I don't think the benefits are worth paying out all of that money. Most people who I talked to about the 10-speed stuff feel the same way. But don't tell Shimano that. Let's keep those prices on the 9-speed Dura-Ace stuff down. :)

I hear soon (within months) the prices will be dropping on the Ultegra components - b/c the 10-speed Dura-Ace prices will be driving them down.
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[spinnergirl]

ou lala !! very nice frame ! :wink: it's always great when we can get a deal and build our own dream bikes !
I still have my .. man, what year is it :?: ... I think 2000 TCR 1 from Giant (with 9 speed) ! and it still rides like a dream ! great little climbing bike!
so, as you said, lets keep the cost of the 9speed low ! :lol: to when I'll need to change the parts... but by then, I guess I'll be looking for a new machine to ride, and keep my Giant for the early spring roads (full of sand and rocks to keep cars from slipping in the ditches in winter!) , and keep the new ride for the nice almost dirt free summer roads!
ahhh... dreams !
enjoy that new bike of yours ! :D

[kipkip1]

All i want to do is upgrade to ultegra...I checked with LBS and becuase my hub won't take 9 it will be $900..this is a bit steep as I am a rec/Century/Sprint tri rider..any ways to beat down the price..I don't wanna go with 105..bearely a step up, but my comps SUCK ! If I ordered the parts myself and just had to pay labor would that shave it down ? Thanks

Kip,
If you can wait, I heard 10 speed Ultegra is on the way.Like Mad said about the Dura Ace, the price of Ultegra should soon bottom out.
Ride Safe,
Curt

[madcyclist]

For 900 bucks you can buy some Mavic Ksyriums for that price seriously. Kip I don't know what you money situation is, but, you might watn to consider looking into some new wheels. I bought some Cane Creek Cronos last season for about 350.00 for the pair. Those wheels are smooth and relatively light. And I like the way they are constructed as well.

Something to consider. With prices falling and deals everywhere, it doesn't make build something old up, buy new if you can.
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[FlowerGirl]

Hey Mad,

Long time no see! Welcome to the LOOK team! I finally pulled myself together and got a new bike last year. With a 10 month old baby in the house, it saw embarrasing low milage. But I'm planning to change that this year.

I also got a good deal on a frame, KG361, not top of the line exactly, but works well for me. Ultegra and Ksyrium wheels (forget which model). This bike is scary to corner with, it feels like it pulls me around, good thing I guess.

Anna

[madcyclist]

Hey girlie.

Whazzup?!

How's the little one (assuming it's still one). :D

Just got my frame in the mail yesterday. It's so new & pretty - it'll look good with this pretty boy. 8) LOL! Don't b hatin' ya'll.

So far as for my selection, I wanted to find a frame that fit the budget at this point but wanted something that was a high quality product. For the money, the KG461 was the best deal I could find. How long this frame will last, only time will tell. But given my goal at the moment - to build a fast, light bike without stretching the wallet - this frame fits the bill.

Dream bike? Naw, I'd like a Ti/Carbon frame. But, even though I've never ridden a Look before, I'm sure I'll be happy with this one.

My goal is not to get dropped this year. We'll see if this new light bike will help. 8)
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[FlowerGirl]

Still just one kid, thinking of more! :wink:

I've got this feeling that this bike is just to good for me! I'm not the slowest around, but I certainly get some glares from the "big boys" every now and then saying "does the chick really know what she's riding?".

Dear husband got himself a full custom Seven Ti bike. It's a beauty! Actually it looks very classic, and I'm going to have to watch out if I'm going to stay ahead of him (which I usually do).

Anna

[madcyclist]

I'm not the slowest around, but I certainly get some glares from the "big boys" every now and then saying "does the chick really know what she's riding?".


I KNOW you're not the slowest - you DEFINTELY got my R-E-S-P-E-C-T. :)

I know your game - you play this sweet soft-spoken fyne young thang with your proper English accent. Show the guys a little leg. Get on the bike. ride with the pack ... and then drop them ... I remember when you were trying to set me up. I wasn't falling for that one. 8)

I know you girlie. :D

Tell the hubbie that he is going to have to start saving for college so get the bike he wants now. LOL! The truth is that I felt a little guilty for spending this money b/c it could have when into the college fund.

Shhhh! Don't tell the wifey or my daughter - they'll make me return it. LOL!

BTW, send me some pics of the family. I'll have to get some your way as well.
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[madcyclist]

Man! I tell you. Innovation is suppose to be a good thing. U would think right?

I was excited. Got my new Look frame (w/ fork) in the mail on Wednesday. I opened it up and gave it the close eye inspection. The white paint glistened in the sunlight as I looked over it. I installed the crankset on Friday evening and looked over the instructions on how to install the integrated headset. Well, although it looked simply, I figured I'd take it to the local Look dealer to get it installed - it's worth spending the money to get it done right.

Took it in and left it with them over the weekend. One of my buds at the shop installed the headset but notice that the tolerances on the head tube were off - seems as though the bottom cup is too deep up in the head tube causing the fork crown to rub the bottem of head tube when the bearing are compressed. (I know that some technical jumbo, but, for those of you who understand it, you know what I am talking about).

Bottomline: bike shop's recomendation - new frame.

Ah man! Why isn't it that I just can't build a bike and go out and kick some butt?

Why the drama? I'm going to have to call the Look retailer I purchased it from, probably will have to pack it up and send it to them (and I'll probably have to pay for that), have them give me the verdict, if it is a bad frame then they'll probably will have to find another frame in the same size, or give me a refund, or even worse get Veltec Sports (the Look USA dealer) involved.

Man maybe I'll have this thing built by the fall.

I should have used this money to go to the TdF.

Anybody out there have an experiences or war stories about the Look integrated headset? It seems as though it's a good design, but, production and assembly seems to be an art rather than a science.
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[madcyclist]

Update on the saga of building my bike ...

With some help from the retailer I purchased my frame from, the mechanic and I successfully built up the integrated/internal aheadset and it works fine now. I installed the fork, crankset, calipers, rear deraileur, and handlebars (eventhough I haven't cut the steer tube yet - waiting to ride it so that I know how high I need the handlebars).

I lucked up and found a new Dura-Ace rear deraileur last week for $60.00USD, a steal, but, these parts let alone deals are scare now. Now I have to find a clamp on Dura-Ace front deraileur, one that fits my seat tube - this frame has oversized tubing so I'll have to get one that is bigger than the usually ones found in the shops. I'll go trolling this weekend.

Anyway, I need to get the chain, seatpost (which I'll have to order) and seat (that I can get for a steal) and then I'm on the road again.

Looks like I'll have this thing ready to roll for the first group rides coming up in April.

Now that my bike has lost weight, I need to loose a couple of pounds (and I not talking about money either) - it's cheaper to do it this way too.

Paix mes amis.
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[kipkip1]

My choices were
1) get a new bike ( I'm liking thta 2300)
2) upgrade

I chose to upgrade for several reasons. I am a tough fit, and like the way my frame fits. I would rather be semi fast on an "iffy" frame with decent components, that semi fast on a really nice bike. I hate going to charity rides and pulling away from some spandex clad weinie on a $3500 bike, with $300 shoes and a killer wheel set, and he rides 3-4 SLOW Centuries a year, and spends the restyof his time at the bike shop working his jaw. Thanks for the advice, going all ultegra with new profile carbon front, a new stem and middle of the raod wheels. Function baby function.

[madcyclist]

Thanks for the advice, going all ultegra with new profile carbon front, a new stem and middle of the raod wheels.

Kip,

You might as well go Dura-Ace. While the 9-speed stuff is getting more and more scare, you can upgrade with these components for a little more than Ultegra. And it's worth it. Besides the components being lighter, they are built better (with the exception of the bottom bracket). About 2 years ago I upgraded my components from 105's to Ultegra components along with a lighter seatpost, handlebars, and seat. And I definitely noticed the difference in weight.

I hear you on the frame. It's nothing better than a frame that fits you fine and you are comfortable with. I would have done that with my Bianchi but I went a little smaller in the frame size this time (I felt stretched out over the top tube on my Bianchi). However, this time I spent the money to get sized and then picked my frame out based on those measurements - the way it's suppose to be done. So the compact frame I purchased should be fine but I'll find out soon enough.

Anyway, good luck on the component upgrade. The prices of the Ultegra components are dropping as well. And there is more of an abundance of them too so you shouldn't have any problems finding them.
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[madcyclist]

Update...

I finished building my bike about a week ago but didn't take it out for a test ride until 2 days ago.

Man! The feel between a 15 lbs bike and a 19 lbs is a HUGE difference. I was in a big gear and it felt like I was in a small one compared to my 19 pounder. At one point I thought the bike was going to slip from under me when I was stomping for the pedals out of the saddle. Looks like I'm going to have to get use to the lighter feel. So far as the ride, the carbon tubing definitely makes for a smoother rider and faster ride. I did my 20 mile route in 55 mins and I wasn't pushing (and that's with traffic lights too). I can see how someone can get spoiled with bikes kike these. But they are like candy - I'd rather train on me heavier bike for preparation.

This weekend I'll take it to my guys for them to tune the bike up and Istill have to get the steerer cut - I didn't want to cut it until I tried a few setting. Then I'll take it on the road at our Tuesday and Thursday night club rides - they just started this week.

I'm apprehensive about racing on it - it may take sometime before I get used to the feel. But it looks like I'm going to have some fun with my new machine.
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