Help me! Road Bike Part Grades for Dummies

[Zen]

i like that, Fredwina.

I think I'll clip it out and carry it around for quick reference

[alpinerabbit]

Then there's the new Ultegra SL.

Which I am getting on my new ride. That would be the "turbo" version of Ultegra/Insert car of choice, with metallic paint or summat.

Except that I'm installing an SRAM cassette. So I am, GASP! Mixing brands!

Shimano only provides road cassettes up to 27 cogs.
Campy up to 29. What I had so far.
SRAM cassettes go up to 28 and that's what I'm getting.

So other than weight, I guess gearing options will be something to look out for?

I always thought or Record/DuraAce = Porsche and Chorus/Ultegra = BMW (although Chorus a higher series BMW than Ultegra).


Now what is Triple vs. Double vs. Compact???


May I also add that I visually detest the dial thingy on XT shifters?

[tulip]

And the BEST thing is that they are all NO EMISSION vehicles!

[Andrea]

^Alpinerabbit- If you're not planning on sprinting to win races or achieving break-neck speeds on descents, I'd say the compact is the way to go! The crank I'm replacing on my bike this afternoon is a compact, and I really liked it except for when I'd max it out in either of those previously mentioned situations

Just to widen your options, FSA makes a 52 tooth chainring that will fit a compact BCD (bolt circle diameter- the part that attaches the crank to the rings). So, if you wanted a huge range of gears, you could go with a 52/36 compact in front (rather than the typical 50/36) and the gearing of your choice in back (personally, I'm a fan of an 11/26). I was going to go with that setup until I fell in love with the Red group & got a killer deal on a build kit.

[alpinerabbit]

Thanks dear,

I was mainly commenting on "componentry vs. car nomenclature". Perhaps regular double is a tuned Ford Mustang, Triple is an SUV and compact double is... well I'm not that into cars. Something small that goes up mountains, anyway.

I am set on what I want - getting 50-34 / 12-28. Even better for the mountains I climb / the power I have compared to these ambitions - 36-26 would not be enough. I am not at all worried on the high end - 50 is peachy for me.
I disliked Shimano shifters so far because of the bug antennae-like wiring. Now I am getting Nokon cables and they just hide away. Almost like my old Campy.

[rij73]

What are Nokon cables? Do they make it possible to route shifting cables under the bar tape? That would be very

I'm loving the creative responses on this thread... FWIW, I went with 105 except for the R700 shifters (they are short reach for small hands and Ultegra-level) and the R700 compact crankset (also Ultegra level). These are 2007 parts. I think that for 2008 you can get a compact crank at any parts level.

[alpinerabbit]

Correct. These are cables or, more specifically housings that allow very sharp turns.



Fine German jewellery....

[rij73]

Correct. These are cables or, more specifically housings that allow very sharp turns.
Fine German jewellery....

Oooh... Very purty!

[melissam]

Correct. These are cables or, more specifically housings that allow very sharp turns.



Fine German jewellery....

<Sigh> Just when you thought there was nothing left to buy for your bike...