|
|
Click to view larger size |
Cannondale Evo SRAM Red 22 2014 Complete Bike Cannondale riders are using the Synapse Hi-Mod and the SuperSix in 2014, so take your pick. You can get a fairly good team replica for $4000. It will have Mavic Ksyrium Equipe S WTS wheels, so expect to drop a couple thousand for carbon wheels, and another few thousand for an SRM power meter. The stock bars and stem are cannondale alloy, which will do the job well, but you may prefer the look of carbon. Weight: 7.45kg (16.42lb) Peter Sagan's bike 2014 RRP in USD: $4099 | |
 Click to view larger size |
Vision Vision Metron 81 tubular Wheels These are deep carbon wheels, (81mm as you might have guessed). They are very aerodynamic, but not particularly heavy at 1460g tubular / 1780g clincher. For flat or rolling courses, it is of course more advantageous to go for aerodynamics over weight. The hubs roll on ceramic bearings in Vision P.R.A. hubs (stands for Preload Reduction Assembly - you can adjust bearing tension without taking the wheel off the bike, so you are less likely to overload the bearings). You may also wish to look at Vision's Metron 55 wheelset. Vision is a Taiwanese company owned by Full Speed Ahead (FSA) Weight: 1460g pair tubular RRP in USD: $2500 The Vision Metron 81 wheelset (tubular) is selling for $1116.50 here  which looks like a fantastic deal.
| |
 Click to view larger size |
SRM Cannondale SL Hollowgram Power meter This is an SRM power meter with Cannondale Hollowgram cranks attached. The result is 151g lighter than the SRM Dura-Ace 9000, which is significant. You would probably only get these cranks if you had a Cannondale bike though. This is the first power meter brand, from around 1986. As a result, the design appears to be the most mature and reliable. Strain gauges in the crank measure the force, and this data is sent wirelessly to the head unit. These power meters seem to work reliably for years. Worst case is to replace the electronics, which SRM service can do (cost about $600). SRM service also need to replace the batteries for you, which is expensive and inconvenient (about $100 + calibration). When the battery is replaced, the zero offset needs to be adjusted, but you will need an oscilloscope to get the correct settings. It's not as easy as pushing a button. SRMs are high quality and robust, which is why people love them. SRM adds the most weight to your bike compared to other power meters: 208g over a normal Dura-Ace crank. Pros: reliable, accurate, easy to swap between bikes. The most bling power meter to have on your bike. Cons: Expensive, heaviest power meter, doesn't auto-calibrate due to temperature, doesn't do L-R, unit has to be sent for expensive battery replacement, no GPS in the head unit (although this is coming with the PowerControl 8, summer 2014 or pair it with a Garmin). Software is free but adequate. Better to buy WKO+ Weight: 707g RRP in USD: $1899 | |
 Click to view larger size |
Speedplay Nanogram Zero Pedals Speedplay pedals are light and are easy to enter as they are double sided. This Nanogram version is very expensive. Fabian Cancellara is using them, so they must be good, right? The pedal is light: Standard SpeedPlay: 210g pair Nanogram SpeedPay: 130g pair Shimano Dura-Ace: 248g pair Look Blade 2: 180g pair But some of the weight has been moved to the cleat, although if you pay for the Nanogram version you do get a light cleat. Standard SpeedPlay cleats: 118g Nanogram SpeedPay cleats: 89g Shimano cleats: 75g Look cleats: 68g There are some problems with these cleats however. 1) You can't screw them to your shoe too tightly. If you do, the release mechanism doesn't work. If you torque the screws correctly, they fall out. You have to use Loctite, which is an unsatisfactory solution. 2) If you live in an area with a lot of rain and mud, like Wales or Seattle, then the cleat mechanism becomes full of grit and stops working smoothly. You'll be fine if you are in california or Sydney. 3) The cleats wear out very quickly if you walk on them. You could carry around cleat covers with you, but who can be bothered with that? 4) If you are building a bike to be over the UCI6.8kg limit, then you'd want to put more weight on the pedal rather than the cleat. I guess we're talking about a few grams here, so it doesn't really matter. 5) They are comparatively expensive at $40  (comparing to Look or Shimano).If you live in a place with good weather and you'd like a really light bike that's good for crits, then go for the speedplay. Otherwise, stick to the tried and tested Look or Shimano (best). Weight: 130g RRP in USD: $630 The Nanogram is selling for $630  . Look for the Speedplay Zero Cr-Mo pedalset at $129 for a more reasonable price.
| |
 Click to view larger size |
SRAM Red 22 Levers A bit heaver than the Shimano Di2 and Campagnolo EPS shift levers, but the derailleurs will be much lighter as they won't have the servos. This is the lightest groupset. The double tap action to change gears is easy to learn, but I feel that the future is electronic shifting. These were also available in a hydraulic braking type, but was recalled at the end of 2013 due to a problem in the cold. Weight: 280g pair RRP in USD: $625 / £499.99 | |
 Click to view larger size |
FSA PLASMA INTEGRATED COMPACT Handlebars Again, I fail to see the benefit of integrated bars and stem. - Expensive - Can't adjust stem/ bars individually. - need to replace bars and stem in the case of a crash. - Not lighter than normal bars and stem. - Can't use standard Garmin/ SRM/ light mounts. - Not noticeably stiffer than a standard set up. However they do look cool, so perhaps that's the attraction. This one points upwards, i.e. stem not horizontal to the ground, looks like about a 6 degree stem. 17 deg would be better. Weight: 385g 10cm x 42cm RRP in USD: $680 The bars sell for $550 here  or for $612.37 in Cannondale green colors.
| |
 Click to view larger size |
SRAM Red 22 Short Cage Rear Derailleur Features ceramic pulley bearings. Over standard 2013 Ultegra this will save you .6W. Over Campagnolo Chorus 2013 this will save you 1.2W. That might start adding up over serveral hours and days of riding. I have heard reports from mechanics that the springs tend to wear out after 6 months or so. This becomes most apparent when trying to shift into the 11. Limit screws may be properly adjusted, and cables well lubricated and tensioned, but the derailleur isn't able to pull the chain across any further. Possible evidence of this: Stage 5 2014 Tour de France, Alberto Contador (Using SRAM Red) is unable to shift to his small sprockets because of mud. Weight: 144g short cage / 163g long cage RRP in USD: $375 &GBP;299.99 The short cage rear derailleur is selling for $313. | |
 Click to view larger size |
Fi'zi:k Arione R1 Carbon braided Saddle
If you go with the standard model you'll be 50g heavier but about $170 lighter. If you fall off, your saddle will get scraped. On the other hand, your saddle is quite visible, so perhaps you want to get something carbon and special. Note that these wingflex saddle have a habit of breaking after a year or so. The plastic in the middle snaps, resulting in a saggy saddle. this has happened to every Fi'zi:k saddle I've ever owned (3) and also those of friends, so whilst anecdotal, it does seem to be an issue. Weight: 195g RRP in USD: $370 The Arione R1 Carbon braided sells for $245  or
for an Arione CX (169g),
$190 at Bikewagon
| |
 Click to view larger size |
SRAM Red Aero Link Front and Rear Brakes A little lighter than Shimano Dura-Ace and Campgnolo Super Record brakes (39g and 18g), this may come at the cost of reliability. I know of two riders whose SRAM Red brakes failed at the quick release. That was the 2011 model, so perhaps the issue has been resolved now. I recommend getting Shimano or Campagnolo if you possibly can as they work just that bit better. Weight: 254g pair RRP in USD: $368 | |
 Click to view larger size |
SRAM Red 22 XG-1190 Cassette About the same weight as Shimano Dura-Ace, although slightly more expensive. Two unknowns remain: longevity and shift quality. Weight: 160g 11-25 RRP in USD: $351 / £285 Selling for $326 here. | |
 Click to view larger size |
FSA K-FORCE SB32 Seat Post
This is being used by the Cannondale 2014 Team. Nice looking post but I'm not sure about the seat clamping area. It looks like it might have serrations, which will stop you from getting the exact seat angle you want. Weight: 219g for 35cm. RRP in USD: $200 The FSA K-Force seatpost sells for $125  (2011 model).
| |
 Click to view larger size |
SRAM Red 22 (chain spotter included) Front Derailleur This front derailleur rotates from side-to-side (i.e. in the yaw plane) to eliminate chain rub. This is a very good engineering solution to the problem. It comes with an integrated chain catcher which is very handy. Weight: 74g RRP in USD: $144 The SRAM Red front derailleur is selling for $110 here. | |
 Click to view larger size |
SRAM PC Red 22 Chain This SRAM 11 speed chain comes with a silver PowerLock quick connect link. (Gold for 9 or 10 speed chains). You may want to spend $10-$15 on a tool that helps to open quick links, although needle-nosed pliers will work almost as well. Weight: 246g RRP in USD: $63 / £49.99 Selling for $50 here SRAM PC XX1 Hollow Pin 11 Speed Chain 118 Links with Power Link Connector 
| |