Aero Weenie - 6.5kg and falling.

[HEN12Y]

Built up off a 54cm 2010 Felt AR3. Most of the upgrades were bolt ons:

Ritchey Carbon Superlogic II Bar 181g
KCNC 100mm Stem 93g
Specialized toupe saddle with carbon rails 134g
Titanium/carbon skewers by One23: 43g
Keo Carbon Ti clipless 16Nm 187g
Polar CS200 circa 60g w/o Cadence sensor
Reynolds DV64 UL (old models)
KCNC 11-23 cassette
Easton EC90 Cranks - with out spindle sepperation and wobble!

The eagle eyed amongst you will see that the weight last week was 6818g, but if you're that eagle eyed you'll have seen that it is fitted with weighty Continental Giros for going over the broken glass of londons streets, it usually has Tufo S3 on it at 105g per tyre less. And the SRAM Force brakes (275g/pair) are being replaced with KCNC C7s at 165g/pair. Bringing the weight down to spot on 6.5Kg including pedals and computer.

Have 1 or 2 minor adjustments i can make to it to get it lighter, top cap, cables, headset, and uncut seatpost all spring to mind, but i doubt i can get it into the 5Kg range very easily. But considering the overall chunky-ness of the bike, i'm quite happy where it is!

[Martin.F]

3 things not so aero:

1: Saddle - bar drop. Your handlebar is higher than your saddle
2: Speed sensor on fork leg. Ruining the air flow not only for the one leg and in front, but for complete bike.
3: No shaved legs

Other than that: Nice bike! Have you tried the fizik arione? I've read some places that arione-butts fits the toupes as well, and as I'm on a chunky arione right now, I'm interested in hearing some feedback.

[Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez]

Saddle to bar drop is not strictly related to aerodynamic.

You can be really aerodynamic with no drop if the bars are far enough.
High and long positions work better for lots of guys.

A bit like the "Praying Mantis" position

[Martin.F]

Well, I don't think that a 90 mm (or whatever the length that is) stem makes it very long.

No offense to OP though, he might have back problems/simply want a more comfortable ride. Lots of reasons wanting to be more upright

[Kasparz]

If we're talking about time trial(or fighting against wind ir any other way), body is first thing to improve aerodynamics, second is helmet, third is front wheel(and a tire!). A difference between a modern aero and nonaero frame is much, much smaller than lets say longer hair or unaero road helmet model.
Your wheels, frame, all aero gear is totally, totally wasted if you are riding in relaxed position.

[SaXoB]

Higher the saddle is and lower the bar is, is the best aero position imo. Than comes the aero wheels/frame/helmet.

I'm a huge aero bikes fan. This felt is well done

[miltmaster3]

nice one! if you also shave your legs you will be more aero

[HEN12Y]

Shaved legs... There's a limit to how aero I want to go! When I'm in the drops I'm very flat on the bike actually. I don't spend all my time in them though, I commute on it at the moment so like a more uptight position on the hoods, hence the cheap giro tyres. I'm not trying to make it super aero, it's not a TT bike. At 6.5kg it's not the weeniest here either. But it's a nice balance of the two!

[SDP]

its nice & i dont often criticize other bikes but

i agree given stem length & saddle drop the frame is too big
agree re the computer sensor
legs need shaving if you are at all serious about your cycling

nice colour scheme

[djconnel]

Saddle to bar drop is not strictly related to aerodynamic.

[woodys737]

What's up with the computer sensor comments? Most I know and see are the same as the ops. A few more:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/ ... ics/170585
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/ ... ics/170599
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/ ... ics/170579

[prendrefeu]

So, uhhh, yeah... that saddle. WTF (where the fudge) did you get it?
It's mythological at this point: everyone is looking for carbon railed Specialized Toupe.

[euan]

come on guys lets not pretend shaving legs is about aero. its about vanity and looking pro.

[djconnel]

come on guys lets not pretend shaving legs is about aero. its about vanity and looking pro.

One person's vanity is another person's normal grooming. I shave my face, trim my hair, and even take a shower every morning, as well. It's all part of not looking like a slob within the social circle you place yourself.