Pile of stuff

My crank

I actually have a new Ultegra crankset, and a new SRAM Force crankset. The new ultegra crankset is a compact and I want to try the standard double crankset first. The SRAM Force crankset has an undetermined future. Yes, I know that the bearing I.D. for the non-drive side on SRAM cranksets is smaller than on Shimano etal neccessitating a different bottom bracket but that's not why I choose to go with the Shimano. The reason is I have had problems with the retention style used on SRAM cranksets. The single fastener keeper bolt style is, in my opinion/experience, less reliable and harder to keep correctly tightend than the two pinch bolt style non-drive crank arm fastening design.

Thanks for checking the pile and the tips, now for the first questions.

Since I have 3 sets of handlebars and intend to make some judgements to determine which reach and drop I want to go with, and given that I usually average 120 - 150 miles a week,

How long do you think I should test ride each handlebar?
Should I plan on making adjustments to the position of the shifters on the curve, for each one, and rotational adjustments, as I test ride to make my decision?

Thanks

Looks good... and fun!

This is certainly not criticism, just some ideas to consider...

I use both types of cranks and don't see much difference. They both just need to be checked and re-torqued every so often.

That's a very shallow drop set of handlebars. Probably good ones to experiment with, while starting out on drop bars. Not too aggressive. You've got the bars really high, too, between the bike's tall head tube, the spacers and the "erect" stem orientation. Also good to start with, but you might gradually lower things and see how it feels.

Have you ridden the bike without the Tri bars? I like the "tuck" they encourage, but always felt the bike was a bit "nose-heavy" with them. I've gone back and forth using them over the years, for my typical recreational riding.

Are you using the stock Sram brake pads that came with the calipers? IMO, they aren't bad, but Kool Stop are better.

Amfoto1 said:

Looks good... and fun!

This is certainly not criticism, just some ideas to consider...

I use both types of cranks and don't see much difference. They both just need to be checked and re-torqued every so often.

That's a very shallow drop set of handlebars. Probably good ones to experiment with, while starting out on drop bars. Not too aggressive. You've got the bars really high, too, between the bike's tall head tube, the spacers and the "erect" stem orientation. Also good to start with, but you might gradually lower things and see how it feels.

Have you ridden the bike without the Tri bars? I like the "tuck" they encourage, but always felt the bike was a bit "nose-heavy" with them. I've gone back and forth using them over the years, for my typical recreational riding.

Are you using the stock Sram brake pads that came with the calipers? IMO, they aren't bad, but Kool Stop are better.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback.

Yeah, I intentionally set everything up to be as upright as practical. I figured it would ease my transition from the flat-bar to the drop. I plan to re-orient as my body gets adjusted. I have a longer stem, and anticipate flipping the stem, removing spacers etc. to lower things gradually.

The aerobars are my crutch. I have a spot in my back that has been troublesome for 30 years. If I ride more than 20 miles or so I will feel it the next day pretty seriously. When I first started riding on the road I tried all sorts of positions and couldn't find any relief. I bought the aerobars on a whim and they have been a godsend. The aerodynamic benefit is one aspect but the real boon has been the relief on my back. I can use them and ride comfortably for hours. I am trying to wean myself off of them (physical therapy and weight training to help my back) but they help me a lot.

I have ZERO experience with road (generic term) brakes. I bought those brakes on ebay and bolted them on. I have read some stuff on the forums about pads etc. but down here on the Texas gulf coastal plane as long as the brakes aren't rubbing I don't think about them. Given my propensity for buying stuff, I'll probably replace the pads soon.

Thanks,
JWR

About the fork...

FatTireFred said:

different fork?
and I hope you closed the brake qr

Click to expand...

It's a different fork because the other fork scared me. I had the bike assembled, and I had assembled the fork per instructions (the fork had a carbon steerer with sleeve/nut insert that had to be epoxied into the steerer). At the end of the first ride I hit a hole in the pavement (not huge, didn't pinch the tube or do any damage) when I hit it I heard a "BANG" from the front end of the bike. The noise was pretty loud. I stopped and did a cursory inspection and saw nothing out of the ordinary. When I got back to the house I did a more detailed inspection and still didn't see anything, so I picked the bike up about a foot off the ground and propelled it down onto the concrete. "BANG". I did the same thing two more times with the same result. (I wasn't slamming it on the ground but it was more than 32 ft/sec/sec). Again I inspected and this time I saw a fine dust on the top of the fork crown. I pulled the fork and looked at it and didn't see anything but I was spooked so I bought a new fork with an aluminum steerer and hung the other fork in the garage.

Yes, brake qr is closed when riding.

Thanks,