Road Wheelsets - What are my Options?

[Mr Purple]

I suspect some spacers will disappear with the next bike fit - still coming back from 7 broken bones so not hitting my usual position yet.

Agreed on the rego, I’ll hopefully replace it with an outside pic tomorrow.

[g-boaf]

I saw the Strava pics, great looking bike, would a Defy have fit you better?

No, the TCR was about perfect, bike fitter saw no issues. First ride was like slipping into an old pair of shoes, which was weird for something this fast. And it's fast!

Indoor pictures only unfortunately due to the weather.

......

Downloaded the appropriate app, calibrated the PM, waxed the chain and all good to go. Expect torrential weather tomorrow.

That looks quite nice! Sounds like you got a great bike there especially if it feels right immediately.

Yep, right on cue, Sydney has a wet weekend as well.

[ningnangnong]

Looks like a beauty Mr. P!

Nothing better than hopping on the bike and it just 'feels right' instantly.

[Mr Purple]

Looks like a beauty Mr. P!

Nothing better than hoping on the bike and it just 'feels right' instantly.

Thanks! Though now I'm lookin at it and thinking 'too many spacers'.

Will give it a few months and then do a proper bike fit.

Unfortunately confined to the garage today, bit wet and I'm stuck at dance concerts all day (kids).

[Retrobyte]

Does look great, Mr P! Good to see something new in a colourway that's not mostly black

[Mr Purple]

Yeah, ok. This thing’s mental and everyone raving about aero was right.

Did a 6:18 Cootha Front this afternoon with about 30W less than what it used to take me. Then rode home along the V1 Veloway at an average 36km/hr with a casual 220W. It just sits effortlessly in the high 30’s.

Very happy!

[blizzard]

Yeah, ok. This thing’s mental and everyone raving about aero was right.

Did a 6:18 Cootha Front this afternoon with about 30W less than what it used to take me. Then rode home along the V1 Veloway at an average 36km/hr with a casual 220W. It just sits effortlessly in the high 30’s.

Very happy!

The scary thing is the TCR isn't a particularly aero bike either.

Now imagine it with faster tyres

[Mr Purple]

I’m beginning to suspect the Focus was a brick.

Yep. Another 4W saved on GP5000s.

[AndrewCowley]

Yeah, ok. This thing’s mental and everyone raving about aero was right.

Did a 6:18 Cootha Front this afternoon with about 30W less than what it used to take me. Then rode home along the V1 Veloway at an average 36km/hr with a casual 220W. It just sits effortlessly in the high 30’s.

Very interesting!

[Mr Purple]

To give you an idea my Cootha Front PB on the Focus was 5:57@380W with a solid tailwind and largely standing.

The TCR was all of 22 seconds slower with 63W less, mainly seated and a crosswind. Effortless.

The only problem is I took my mechanical gravel bike for a ride today and it feels awful now. Three rides with Di2 and I need it on everything.

[AndrewCowley]

To give you an idea my Cootha Front PB on the Focus was 5:57@380W with a solid tailwind and largely standing.

The TCR was all of 22 seconds slower with 63W less, mainly seated and a crosswind. Effortless.

The only problem is I took my mechanical gravel bike for a ride today and it feels awful now. Three rides with Di2 and I need it on everything.

Is that going uphill?

[jasonc]

Three rides with Di2 and I need it on everything.

Is this where I say "I told you so"

[Mr Purple]

Is that going uphill?

2.1km/7.2% so yes!

Unlike Cootha Back (2.2km/9.2%) it does level out in the middle and finish though. My Cootha Back wasn’t quite so spectacular on it, but that was me, not the bike.

[g-boaf]

Three rides with Di2 and I need it on everything.

Is this where I say "I told you so"

Everyone says "don't need electronic gearing" until they get it and then they change tune.

[jasonc]

Three rides with Di2 and I need it on everything.

Is this where I say "I told you so"

Everyone says "don't need electronic gearing" until they get it and then they change tune.

it's why I even upgraded my checkpoint to Di2.

[Mr Purple]

Everyone says "don't need electronic gearing" until they get it and then they change tune.

You'd think I'd have learned by now.

'I don't need disc brakes'. Ok, wow.

'I don't need carbon wheels.' Ok, wow.

'I don't need tubeless'. Ok, wow.

'I don't need Di2'. Ok, wow.

The problem comes in getting off the Kickr Shift with Di2, and the TCR with Di2 and hopping onto the Checkpoint now. It immediately feels broken and wrong.

It is stupid to spend another $1500 upgrading an ALR5 Checkpoint to Di2, but I don't think I'll be allowed to buy a new bike for a few years now so I might do it anyway.

[jasonc]

didn't we work out the ALR frame isn't di2 compatible? Unsure how, but from memory it may be difficult to mount a battery somewhere. so you'll just have to buy a new frame to go with the di2

[Mr Purple]

didn't we work out the ALR frame isn't di2 compatible? Unsure how, but from memory it may be difficult to mount a battery somewhere. so you'll just have to buy a new frame to go with the di2

Honestly, it's probably not worth it anyway.

I've got enough aftermarket stuff on this frame (seatpost, saddle, wheels, bars) and a spare 48/31 crankset - I should probably just spring for a new frame at some stage, upgrade to Di2 and revert the bike back to stock and sell it.

Most of the gravel options with Di2 GRX want big money new, that'd actually be a reasonably cheap way of doing it.

[jasonc]

Most of the gravel options with Di2 GRX want big money new, that'd actually be a reasonably cheap way of doing it.

When I was looking there was a significant difference between GRX and GRX Di2. I bought the checkpoint for $4k. bought an 8070 di2 groupset for $1k (sold the power meter crank, then bought GRX Di2 derailleurs)
Now I've bought carbon gravel wheels for ~$1150

I sold the GRX derailleurs and shifters
Pretty sure I'm well ahead of a standard spec GRX Di2 bike (with 2x)
https://www.canyon.com/en-au/gravel-bik ... /4327.html

[Mr Purple]

Yep, from what I could see that's about the price for a base model 2X Di2 gravel bike.

The GRX Di2 groupset sans crank is about $1600 new so comparable with 105 Di2 now. As you said the limiting factor may be the frameset, I think I'll just wait until n+1 is acceptable again (may be late next year).

[warthog1]

Yep, from what I could see that's about the price for a base model 2X Di2 gravel bike.

The GRX Di2 groupset sans crank is about $1600 new so comparable with 105 Di2 now. As you said the limiting factor may be the frameset, I think I'll just wait until n+1 is acceptable again (may be late next year).

Is that 12 speed?
Must admit having used it I am now a big fan too.
It is heaps better.

[2wheels_mond]

You'd think I'd have learned by now.

'I don't need disc brakes'. Ok, wow.

'I don't need carbon wheels.' Ok, wow.

'I don't need tubeless'. Ok, wow.

'I don't need Di2'. Ok, wow.

Add a power meter to this and I've gone through the same process. Did all of these on the road bike and have now just gone through the same process on the gravel bike in doing a custom build - and am much happier to have all the same tech on the gravel bike as I do on the road bike.

[jasonc]

don't worry - we sorted Mr Purple out with a power meter a couple of years ago

[warthog1]

Everyone says "don't need electronic gearing" until they get it and then they change tune.

You'd think I'd have learned by now.

'I don't need disc brakes'. Ok, wow.

'I don't need carbon wheels.' Ok, wow.

'I don't need tubeless'. Ok, wow.

'I don't need Di2'. Ok, wow.

The problem comes in getting off the Kickr Shift with Di2, and the TCR with Di2 and hopping onto the Checkpoint now. It immediately feels broken and wrong.

It is stupid to spend another $1500 upgrading an ALR5 Checkpoint to Di2, but I don't think I'll be allowed to buy a new bike for a few years now so I might do it anyway.

Missed that post. True

[g-boaf]

don't worry - we sorted Mr Purple out with a power meter a couple of years ago

Lol!

Not getting a new wheelset but do want to upgrade the Xentis rear wheel to this hub:

https://www.dtswiss.com/en/components/h ... s-road/180

It got serviced recently but it's on the way out.