Building my first road cycle

Leland Pate · 06-04-2010, 11:53 AM

So I got the itch to get another bike and decided to build my first road cycle from a frame set.

Here's the heart of the beast, which arrived yesterday:

I'm struggling with the decision over what make/model to use in the component group. I don't need full Dura-Ace because I'm just not that competitive to warrant the expense. But, Dura-Ace and SRAM Red sure do look perdy! But, I hear conflicting things about SRAM and am not sure if I want to take the plunge. My Mavic Ksyrium SL's take Shimano/SRAM so Campy is not an option.

Thoughts???

Should I do a mish mash of Dura-Ace and Ultegra? If so, what importance should I place on what components?

Use is strictly exercise/group rides, not competition. But, I am only going to have one and sexy counts!

herr_oberst · 06-04-2010, 01:53 PM

I've always felt, that for MY ability, Dura Ace (doo-rach-ee

) is not enough of a engineering step-up from Ultegra to justify the price gap for the full gruppo. But, damn, that stuff always looks so freaking nice!!!

My vote is for mish-mash of components.
I'm thinking D-A crank and brakes, Ultegra hubs/shifters/derailleurs. Pedals to taste.

My Basso has a little of both, with some nice components in the cockpit (saddle/stem/bars/seatpost).

BTW, your new frame is really swell.

cantdrv55 · 06-04-2010, 01:54 PM

I am jealous. That is a beautiful frame. What's it weigh - 3lb? My bike is a mish-mash of 105 and Ultegra. Just for club and solo rides. Works great for me.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Ultegra has historically been the "sweet spot" for performance and price, though 105 usually is almost as good, just heavier and will only last 100K miles instead of 150K miles.

That said I haven't bought any new components in years, as my parts bin gruppos work just fine. And those are a total mishmash of DA, Ultegra, XTR, XT, RaceFace, Avid, etc.

gtc · gtc's Garage

A friend of mine has bought a few sets of Nimble wheels. They are very light and have been bombproof. His are the Fly model. Worth a look if you don't want to be beholden to Mavic (ever tried to find a replacement mavic freehub or wacky spoke? major PITA...)

Schrup · Schrup's Garage

I'm bored, so I did some ebay comparisons. These are all Buy it now prices for an 8 piece group.

Sram Red....$1500
Sram Force.....$950
Sram Rival....$800

Shimano Dura Ace.....$1550
Shimano Ultegra SL.....$700

Force used to be on par with Dura Ace, I think it may be the best value. Personally, I prefer the smoked look of Shimano. I wouldn't mix components, not with that frame.

gchappel · 06-04-2010, 02:44 PM

Wore out Ultergra group before- although I will admit that was when I was younger and could ride faster than a turtle with ingrown toenails. Never wore out dura ace. But- once you go to dura ace, you will never want to go back. I am looking at putting a new bike together- riding a 16yr old dura ace Kestrel carbon as we speak. I can not justify the cost of dura ace- but heck I have a porsche. I can not afford the best house, or the best car- but if I want to I can afford the best bike. A mix would work fine- but full dura ace would sure be sweet on that frame.
Gary

Jagshund · 06-04-2010, 02:52 PM

Use 8 spd Ultegra components. That way I won't be the only cyclist left with a set.

Leland Pate · 06-04-2010, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1968cayman

use 8 spd ultegra components. That way i won't be the only cyclist left with a set.

lol!

Talewinds · Talewinds's Garage

Ahhh, the first rode bike I built was an S-Works also, the Festina team bike, looked like this one below (Not MY actual bike).
I love building bikes, wish you could actually make money at it though. Unfortunately, the whole is worth less than the sum of the parts.

gchappel · 06-04-2010, 06:12 PM

By the way- I have ridden that frame with a mix of dura ace and ultregra--sweet. I do not remember which wheel set.
Let me put it this way, I was thinking of getting a newer gruppo and putting it on my present frame- which is a kestrel 200 ems.
After riding that bike, I was thinking of putting my present gear on the tarmac frame. Stiff in the right places, soft in the others. Not as soft as the RS, but still took the edge off nicely.
Enjoy the ride
Gary

GrindingGears · 06-04-2010, 06:17 PM

the joy i get from having capagnolo components on my bicycles is well worth the price. test ride a bike with 11-speed chorus, it's not only aesthetically beautiful, but functional.

loving that frame.

Kraftwerk · 06-05-2010, 06:33 AM

Someday I will buy a carbon bike...

You can save money (cheaper than a grouppo) by buying all the components used individully
but it takes forever.
I am a Campy guy with a mix of Chorus and Record.

Ever hear of Bike Forums? That's a rabbit hole for this type of topic!

BGCarrera32 · 06-05-2010, 07:46 AM

Typically with these gruppos you get the trickle down effect; this year's Ultegra is basically what DA was 2 years ago, this year's Chorus was what Record was a year or two ago, etc.

Personally, I would put the money in Ultegra, no shame in that. It is way ahead of what it was 10 years ago as are all the other groups out there. I am a bit out of touch, but when I raced years ago I dabbled with Sram parts on the mountain bike (remember Grip Shift?) and thought that stuff was garbage after about 500 miles.

If you feel the need to spend money after the Ultegra, get the correct repair tools for things like the bottom bracket, cassette, etc- either buy Shimano factory tools (the cat's patoot) or the cheaper Park Tool versions.

Leland Pate · 06-05-2010, 12:31 PM

Whoo Hoo! Here we go!

Dura-Ace 7900 group set should be here by next week too!

dd74 · 06-05-2010, 10:07 PM

Good choice. One tip: I've heard the 7900 freewheel, particularly the largest two gears, wear out quickly because they are titanium (for weight savings). Because of this, some builders recommend using the Ultegra equivalent, as all the gears are made of steel and because of this, have better longevity.

Another and more important tip: Dura Ace 7900 marks the end of compatibility with older Shimano parts. So 7800 or Ultegra 6600 will not work well with D/S 7900.