New road bike components...

I want to put a new component group on my road bike, which I use extensively for training. I plan to also dabble in some road racing next year. The frame is a Litespeed Ultimate with a Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork. I am considering the SRAM Red group, as well as the new Shimano Ultegra 6700 group. I have read much about SRAM Red and it appears to be a nice lightweight option, although a bit more expensive than Ultegra 6700. I will need to mail order, as I live in the sticks with no LBS with either of these choices on hand to try in person. If I opt for Ultegra 6700, I'll have spare funds to put toward something really useful like a power meter. On the other hand, gear lust has a hold on me and the SRAM Red stuff makes me drool. I would view the Ultegra 6700 simply as a workhorse tool. I think the Ultegra 6700 group weighs something like 3/4 pound more than SRAM Red. Would this be a factor at all in moderately hilly road races? Something tells me the money is better spent on Ultegra 6700 and a power meter than forking out for SRAM Red and satisfying my gear lust. I do really like (on paper, anyway) some of the innovative SRAM features, like the Double Tap shifting, machined/hollow cassette design, fully adjustable lever reach, and ceramic bearings. Ultegra 6700 doesn't seem to offer any significant innovation other than the hollow outer chainring, but I'm sure it's a solid/reliable component group. What would you do... satisfy gear lust with a top-of-the-line, very lightweight, innovative component group, or stick with a less expensive, heavier, less flashy group and pocket the change to use elsewhere? Hmmm...

i haven't had the pleasure of entertaining even the idea of having enough to spend on new components and being a broke ass bastard, i'd try to get more for my money and that would entice the ultegra and grocery money if i had that option.

btw, it's not about the components, it's you.

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Sounds like sram marketing has a hold on you as well.

Have you ridden the double tap? I would before you buy. Hollow powerdome cogset? Noisy and very expensive to replace. Ceramic? A product of the marketing department, not the racing department. Reach adjust? Have small hands, good idea. 6700 are reach adjustable as well(I think).

Would 3/4 of a pound, 300 grams mean anything on a say 185 pound or so rider and bike package? Nope.


If ya have a bunch of shimano whels around and want a shimano compatible group, I'd vote for 6700 or disconted 7900 or a 7800 group if you can find one..less than 6700, BTW.

If wheels are not an issue, look at Campagnolo. Chorus is cheaper than Red, about the same as 6700, have better levers, more ergonomic, better shifter function on the LH and RH side(more gears, more trim etc.).

I have seen lots of sram BB bearings go south early on as well as chainrings and cogsets not last very long. I think sram is high on hype but short on actual function and reliability, My HO, YMMV.

Yeah, okay, SRAM marketing has a hold on me. But... you are helping me get over it!

After shopping around a bit, I found 7900 for only about $100 more than SRAM Red, and 6700 for around $600 less than SRAM Red. I guess it just comes down to how much I am willing to spend, but 6700 is looking like the most sensible option. I guess 7900 would give a little more "bling" factor, but if there's no real performance benefit over 6700 the choice becomes easier. I could put the money saved toward professional bike fitting, nice lightweight wheels, or whatever else would actually help me be faster and more comfortable on the bike. That is the logical path, but then I don't always proceed logically!

You mentioned this is gonna be on a everyday training bike? I would put 105 on it if it saves me more $$. My 105 derailleurs and shifters are just as good as any of the Ultegra stuff I have in use...

enjoy the shiny new stuff!

all's'miles

curby

Lets throw SRAM Force into the mix. Weight performance and looks it seems to be up on the new Ulterga.

If you like the idea of ceramic BB you can always add SRAM red BB to force group.

Powertap is probably the one thing thats going to make a performance difference, google "DT swiss Powertap" this is the best combo I have seen.

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SRAM Force looks like a nice, less costly option. I hadn't really considered it, but I'll take a closer look. I am only vaguely familiar with Powertap, but I'm starting to look at the various options they have availble at different price points. Lots of folks seem to think using power data as a training tool is beneficial, so I have lots to learn there. I've been kinda "old school" and have just been going by heart rate and perceived effort. Thanks for the tip about Force!