on building a hotrod

I think with things being what they are, getting what I want together for a killer off the shelf road bike (Cervelo R3 Di2 Ultegra machine, for example) is just not so likely to happen.

In the world I live in, other pressures than cycling mean that spending serious cash on a bicycle is just not in the cards. Of course, things could change, but I think I am planning on something else.

This makes me think that perhaps the best option is to seriously hotrod my Kona Jake the Snake cyclocross bike in a manner similar to that which I did my now old (but still good performing) S-Works hardtail mountain bike.

So what to do with a 2013 Jake the Snake to make it special when on a budget?

First off, I love the bicycle as a whole. It is a lot of fun. I don't want to change the way it fits me, so changing up the cockpit does not matter to me even though I would like to swap out the components.

From the ground up, this is what I am considering. Prices are based on the respective company's webpages. Dealers may sell for less ;p

Wheelset

The bicycle needs to retain its ability to bang down gravel roads and rail trails and the like while gaining a better more responsive ride than the low end Shimano wheels it comes with offer. I am looking for something lighter, stiffer, and faster rolling than what is on the bicycle now. Either of these options would do the trick I think. I am leaning towards the Zipp.

1. Zipp - Of course, what discussion of wheel sets would be complete without mentioning Zipp? I was thinking of the Zipp 30 clincher as a good all around choice which balances cost and durability. While they are low end, the appear to be very tough and better than much at its price point. ($850)
2. Easton - The Easton EA90 sl was recommended to me by a friend of mine who races. He uses the higher end slx version of the set and loves them. He pointed out that this wheelset will take a good beating, and roll quite nicely. ($900)

Saddle

Nothing to do here. I bought a very light Ti railed unit from Specialized when I got the bike and love it.

Drivetrain

Whole sale changes are planned here. While what is on the bicycle now is good - Shimano Ultegra RD, 105 FD, and 105 brifters - shifting lacks a certain crispness and the chain rubs. The bike is a 10 speed unit. I find that often, the front deraileur often rubs and that drives me nuts.

I have had, for a while now, a hankering to try out a SRAM groupset. While the Red is worthy of a certain amount of gear lust (in much the same way DuraAce or Super Record is), there is nothing wrong with SRAM Force. It is a solid bang for your buck set of components.

1. RD - SRAM Force 22 RD - looks to be a solid and light performer. Gets my vote. ($118)
2. FD - SRAM Force 22 FD - one of the neat features about this one is the way it helps reduce chain rub by the derailleur rotating as it moves outwards to follow the line of the chain better. Apparently, it helps reduce chain rub and noise. Sounds good in theory. ($63)
3. Shifters - SRAM Force 22 doubletap shifters - Needed to be compatible with the SRAM drivetrain - they are nice and light and full of carbon goodness.($469)

Of course, a compatible chain and cassette will have to be sourced. I would need to swap out the chain rings, but the FSA crank on the bicycle now will continue to serve. Upgrades would include something like the SRAM Force 22 crankset ($350ish) or perhaps a FSA SL-K Light Compact 50-34 crankset depending on compatibility.

Seatpost

I am not sure what to do here. I don't think I want a carbon one, but would like to replace the Kona branded post the bike came with. Something light and aluminum would be good.

In keeping with the Zipp theme, the Service Course Seatpost 20 ($98) looks like a very good offering. For one thing, it is available in the correct size, is aluminum, and is quite light and strong.

Cockpit

I am not sure why I like Zipp so much, but there you go.

Stem - The Zipp Service Course Stem ($76) or its big brother, the SL, would be the one to get. Again, in an effort to keep costs down, I am avoiding carbon while seeking a lighter solution to what is on the bicycle now.

Bar - The Zip Service Course SL 70 Ergo ($110) ought to do the trick with a good balance of strength, weight, and fit.

So there you have it, the building of a hotrod.

The order to do it would be wheels, drive train, then cockpit/seatpost at the same time. Should make the bicycle significantly lighter and more responsive (especially the wheels).

Supposing I skip the crankset, it comes to $1784 full retail for the Zipp/SRAM stuff plus chainrings, cassette, and chain. Not too bad actually since it can be done in manageable bits over a couple of years if need be.

ever have one of those days?

Recently, I had a birthday.

I am well on my way towards being 50 (eek!! how did that happen?!?) and am planning my mid-life crisis. I am funny that way. I don't have crisis' like normal people do, I plan them... and I figure that 50 is as good a time to have a crisis as any, so...

I am planning a crisis for when I turn 50.

Like most of these things, my crisis' tend to centre around bicycles (and maybe sometimes cameras, but this one will be about bicycles). I am planning a new bicycle for my 50th year. I am not sure which bicycle exactly, but it will definitely be a road bike of some sort. I am not the sort to run around after unattached women (and make a fool of myself and ruin my family) or to go out and buy some stinky sports car, but I am always in the mood for new bicycles.

My last two bicycles that I have been riding on the road have been cyclocross bicycles. More or less, these are road bikes that are a bit over built with clearance for mud and mud tires. My most recent one is a 2013 Kona Jake the Snake. I love it and have no desire to replace it. By the time I am almost 50 though, it will be nearing the end of its life cycle as the main road/rail trail machine.

I am wanting to put my bike that slots into the Kona's position in the fleet with something special next time. Something Specialized in fact.

I was thinking one of these:

Shawing mobile?!?

Why this bike and not something else?

Well, I would like a carbon fiber road bike. The whole notion of a very light and very tough and very fast machine appeals to me greatly. I know very well that the determining factor is me. What makes the bike go is my legs, heart, and lungs and a will to suffer. But, a bike like this makes working me a lot more fun and enjoyable.

Carbon fiber has come a long way from the days when frames used to come unbonded and fall apart in splintered shattered wrecks. Specialized does some nifty things with their frame manufacturing. The frame is in seven parts. Four of these parts make up the chain and seat stays, and three the rest of the frame.

The area around the seat is one piece, with extensions pointing towards the steer tube, crank, and seat stays. The bottom bracket is also one piece, with extensions pointing towards the chain stays, steer tube, and seat. The steer tube section is one piece with extensions pointing towards the bottom bracket and seat. What makes these frames cool is that for different sized frames, they don't just change "tube length" but actually make different sized and proportioned parts for the three main frame components so that ride characteristics for the different frame sizes remain the same regardless of frame size. Once the bits are assembled, using aircraft adhesive, several more layers of carbon are wrapped on the frame as a whole to finish the assembly process.

The carbon is wrapped in such a way that the frame, once assembled, with flex slightly up and down but won't flex side to side. This gives a very good ride without compromising performance. You can do this with carbon much more effectively than with other frame materials. Super stiff steel/aluminum bikes will pound the daylights out of the rider while more comfortable ones will flex too much to be stellar performers. Carbon can be tuned more specifically.

Stress tests on modern carbon frames show them to be less likely to shatter or break compared to metal ones. Specialized has proven to my satisfaction that their carbon frames are stronger than metal ones regardless of the metal (steel or aluminum) while being lighter in the process. I had a very interesting talk with a bike mechanic friend of mine who had been to a "Specialized Weekend" in Montreal to play with their new stuff and learn how they are made and what stress testing is done on the frames to ensure their durability. They are tough. Full stop. Carbon wheel sets are also not what they used to be. They can withstand significant forces before breaking, more than aluminum ones will.

This bike has a groupo on it that I have been wanting to try. There is nothing wrong with Shimano. In fact, every bike I have owned since my first serious bike has had Shimano stuff on it. But I want to try SRAM road componants. I like the notion of the front derailleur which twists with its shifting to line up better with the rear of the bike and rub less. The reach adjustments are better for the brake/shift levers than Shimano (SRAM uses infinitely adjustable set screws vs fixed spacers). Specialized wheel sets are good, and this one has a carbon set - should be very light and strong.

The only question for me at the end of the day is whether to go with a Tarmac (like above) or with a Roubaix.