Wheel upgrade for my Tarmac comp

[merlinxlm]

I've just ordered a set of upgrade wheels for my Specialised Tarmac comp. I finally decided on the new Shimano RS81 24. I decided on these particular wheels, because of their weight and a very good price, £304 all in from Ribble cycles. I hope to see a difference compared to the Std wheels that came with the bike Alex 3.0? I'll post a review of them, as soon as I've ridden some miles with them fitted.

Thank you.

[merlinxlm]

Sorry,

I thought that I would introduce my self first. My bike is a specialized Tarmac Comp 2012, 49cm frame. Current modifications that I have carried out are as follows:
1. Change the chain rings to 50/34.
2. Recently fitted a rear cassette, 30/12.
3. SLR seat.
4. Continental GP4000s, 23mm tyres.
5. Ritchie carbon bars, these made a huge difference to be ride quality of the bike. The roads around my home aren't that good.
As I live in North Wales, plenty of steep hills, I thought that I would also upgrade the wheel. Current bike weight is about 16 1/2 pound, this is a rough guess.
I'm hopping the these new wheels will further reduce the overall bike weight? And make it even better on the hills. Here are some photos of my current setup.













Any comments, or advice appreciated.

Thank you.

[SilentG]

Nice looking bike. Wheels are always a good place to start with upgrades. The next time you or your shop changes cables & housing, you may want to shorten them.

[merlinxlm]

Yes you are right. I'm planning on changing them sometime to black outer cables. They are still the original cables at the moment.

Thanks.

[Quinn039]

sensible choices youve made so far.

[FIJIGabe]

Wait. Is your right shifter controlling your front brake? That's miscabled, if that's the case. Front shifter-front brake (left), rear shifter-rear brake (right).


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[merlinxlm]

I've just checked and yes the right shifter is controlling the front brake. But that's how it's was from new. I've also checked my winter bike, an Allez with 105 and that's the same?

[deltree]

Wait. Is your right shifter controlling your front brake? That's miscabled, if that's the case. Front shifter-front brake (left), rear shifter-rear brake (right).


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Not in the UK. Right hand, front brake, rear shifter and visa-versa.

Although the cables are cabled incorrectly. Specialized warrants a crossed set of inners under the downtube. i.e. right-hand shifter goes to cable stop on left side of bike. Eliminates cable rub on the frame and tidies up the front end a lot.

[FIJIGabe]

Sorry, I'm just not seeing how that makes any sense. Look at how that cable is kinked by forcing it to make that turn to fit into the front brake, when the other shifter has a clear shot. The way I see it, use one lever to control the front (shifting and brakes). The other lever should control the rear.

Also, hate to nitpick, but when shooting photos of the bike, please put the chain on the big ring in front, small cog in back.

[cmdr199212]

That's how I have my Allez set up, I didn't want to bother with crossing cables. The housing could be trimmed, but the setup is good

[merlinxlm]

Update time on upgrades. Finally received and fitted my new Shimano RS81 C24 wheels. Must say, they look and feel like high quality wheels. I'm hopping weather permitting to try them out tomorrow, I also de-cluttered the messy cables. Took some time to get them as tidy as possible, I think that they look a lot better now? Also fitted a chain catcher, in case of frame damage? I weighed the bike on our scales, 7.4KG with my Polar CS500+ fitted. What to upgrade next? I'm thinking of some Planet X ultra light forged brakes, not to sure what to upgrade after them, any ideas? Here are some pictures of my newly upgraded bike, hope you like?










Any comment or advice appreciated, thank you for looking.

[aserota]

I personally wouldn't bother changing the brakes, stick with the 105 as they decent stopping power. Where in North Wales are you? I was working just outside Ruthin last year and did a bit of cycling after the snow cleared. You'll certainly need good stopping power round there.

[merlinxlm]

The Porthmadog area, very lucky around here. We've got a lot of variation of climbs around the area.

[brearley]

It's actually a british standard for front brake to be controlled with the right shifter.
Basically it's illegal to sell a bike with it the other way.
If you're in the market for new brakes planet x have the cnc version at a crazy price atm.

[barney10080]

Im looking at getting the 2014 comp in the 49cm frame. Have you actually weighed yours?