Help me! Road Bike Part Grades for Dummies

[VeloVT]

I just tried my new bike on a trainer for the first time. It has 2007 Ultegra and an Ultegra SL crankset (which might be '08? I bought a 2007 bike but had them swap out the cranks). The shifting is amazingly gorgeous. So fast and accurate and very light touch. I had 2004 Ultegra on my other bike and shifting to the big ring required a herculean shove, and, while accurate, was a little sluggish... This is so different. Highly recommended!!!

[Beane]

I know, I know, but my bike came Shimano-equipped from the factory. At least the slick-cable thingy is a cheaper route than switching to Campy. Or upgrading to the new Shimano group that brings cable-routing back to the aerodynamic advances of the mid-80's.

-- Melissa (who's reminding herself that the problem isn't aerodynamic drag so much as an inefficient motor)

wait, so is shimano making new brifters that don't have two cables coming out of the tops of them (bug antennae effect) ?

p.s. ditto on the inefficient motor thing, but, (according to my DH-- so this may be a "DH fun fact") something like 80% of the work you do biking is fighting wind resistance.

[mimitabby]

Your pleasure or displeasure with the Campy Centaur is likely a personal preference. I had campy Veloce (cheaper) on my Bianchi and I never had any trouble with the way it shifted. Due to an unexpected deal at a bike swap, I ended up with Record (I was going to buy Veloce & Centaur for my new bike)
but it just isn't THAT different. I love the way Campy works. Before I had a campy geared bike, I had terrible problems shifting. It was just counter-intuitive to me.

Whatever you get (unless it's awful) you'll get used to it.

I LOVE the sound my bike makes when I am coasting down a hill.

[Starfish]

wait, so is shimano making new brifters that don't have two cables coming out of the tops of them (bug antennae effect) ?

I haven't been in cycling that long, so I am not sure what you are talking about?

I have Shimano 105. The brake cables don't come outside off the hood at all...they are routed under the bar tape. The shifting cables do come out of the hood, but on the side, on the inside (not off the top).

[alpinerabbit]

:
Originally Posted by Beane

wait, so is shimano making new brifters that don't have two cables coming out of the tops of them (bug antennae effect) ?

I haven't been in cycling that long, so I am not sure what you are talking about?

No, the shimano STI/brake-shift levers are still the same (actually have no clue why they don't ever make it better) - but Nokon makes these cable housings made up of little links, and you have a teflon lining and carbon cables that allow sharp turns without inhibiting them from working. So you get to hide both the brake cable and the gear shift cable under the bar tape.

It's not just for pretty - they say shifting is smoother.

[rij73]

Actually the new Shimano *electronic* Dura-Ace that is being tested in the Pro Tour has very tidy cables all routed under the bar tape. That might be what MelissaM is talking about, but I wouldn't hold my breath for that technology to trickle down to us mortals any time soon. There are some video reviews of it around the web. Fabian Wegmann rode it in the Tour of California. It looks very sweet...

[Idealmuse]

Argh!

I found a really really good inventory sale look you made me go by a campy type bike now.

Javelin Fara - Javelin 7005 butted aluminum frame with carbon seatstays and 11/8" Hammerhead integrated head tube. Featuring Campagnolo Veloce 10-speed Ergo shifting components, Velomax Vista wheelset, and carbon fork.
$600.00 (plus tax and shipping)

did I do good for someone on a budget?