Making Flat Bar Road Bikes faster and lighter

Originally Posted by drewjc

I bought a brand new flat bar bike last year, mainly for training on the road with my road and track racing mates. It goes like this....
Giant XTC2 disc (black), shimano deore (LX/XT rear) running gear, race face black cranks, hayes hydraulic discs, rock shox duke XC forks (w/adjustable travel and rebound damping).

The parts i have added are these; Velocity deep V 700c rims (all black, no braking surface) laced onto Deore 32 hole disc hubs with black double butted spokes and Hayes discs. I run all black Vittoria rubino pro tyres and an 11-23 ultegra cassette. Also have black profile boxer bar-ends for multiple hand positions on and off road, black Tacx bidon cage, and a polar s720i HR monitor with speed sensor. I also flipped the stem and took out all of the spacers aswell as lowering the forks to the lowest suspension setting (63mm) for a much lower more aero position which is almost as low as my road bike (but still comfortable enough for every day use).

This is my favourite bike for all round use and can basically go anywhere with a quick change of wheels. It is as fast as most of my training bunch on the road, and although it is a bit heavy with the road wheels on, they are virtually indestructable. The guy who owns the bike shop did up a bike exactly the same as this about 1 month after mine but he decided to go for ultra light weight. He used light weight bladed spokes (DT new aero i think??) with some velocity aero head rims and XT disc hubs and michelin pro race tyres (black/grey). Looks pretty neat either way but if u want a light weight flat bar bike i think this is the way to go. I have also considered adding a set of 105 black cranks with larger chainrings (52/42/30) as this would help out with top speed but it means a change of bottom bracket and other things that i couldnt really be bothered to do. For now the 44x11 will have to suffice. Maybe i could get me a 50t chainring for the race face MTB cranks and be done with it.

Originally Posted by flatbarfanatic

I pick up my giant crx 1 on Saturday. Unlike those moving from roadbikes to flat bars, I am going from hard tail mountain bike to flat bar – been sick of going slow, but didnt want to be confined only to the road.



I admired the road bike speed of the felt sr 71, loved the fork and disc brakes of the specialized sirrus pro disk, but Ive always wanted an all black bike (2000 f2000 lefty cannondale all black was always my dream bike)… but now I need some road speed, but still hoping to not be wearing tights and riding along beach road.

Hence the Giant CRX1 - total cost under $1800 incl below changes (better to do before you own parts and then want to change them) - from Terry Hammond Cycles in Port Melbourne, VIC. (they have been really good guys)


I have done some basic mods to the bike, mainly aesthetic – changed the silver truvativ crank to a black shimano 105 crank, using dmr v8 black mountain bike pedals (looks better than standard plastic ick), BBB carbon fibre composite bar ends, cateye 7 wireless computer (in black J) as well as cateye ultra cool black front light (HL-EL400)



I am now interested in doing some modifications to bike to get it lighter and more speed.



Im going to see what the tyres are like but may go from the 28’s to 24 or so.. any one done this ? or can recommend specific tyres ? Thanks



I was interested in disc brakes ala the top of the line Sirrus but the CRX 1 isnt set up to do so, so I guess that’s not a goer. And the LBS says it wont add much as I wont be off-off road.



I would love to upgrade the levers and v-brakes... I see that Campagnolo have new ultra-sexy carbon fibre ultra light levers out (Chorus line) O/S but Im sure they will be about same price as the CRX. I find the V-Brakes a bit cheapo to be honest but I should ride them first before I judge J



Anyone with any carbon fibre, speed/weight saving ideas for flat bar bikes, please tell



And please no-one recommend to put drop-bars on.



Im flatbarfanatic and im not wearing fluro tights ok… (except underneath !)


Ben
giant crx-1

Originally Posted by TOM MILLAR

Hi Ben,

My comments here are probably at bit out of date but I have just joined this forum. Was v. interested in your comments because I'm looking at the same kind of bike you have. Currently am running a Avanti Blade sport on which I have changed the tyres to 23 but think 25 might have been better 'cos I've had too many punctures. I've dropped the flat bar 2 rings and changed the seat to a racing style seat and got rid of the suspension seat post, changed the pedals to clip less.on. But am now looking for a lighter version of this style of bike..mainly to do local century kilomentre rides..ie 100 ks around our local mountain which is 150 ks. Tfhe comfort style gave me saddle sores - not nice and I felt the suspension seat post lost me some of my peddling effort.

How have you found your bike having by now had it a while. If you wish to email me that would be fine. tommillar@xtra.co.nz

Originally Posted by flatbarfanatic

hi. i still ride my giant crx1 every day and love it big time. it is awesome as are flat bar roadbikes, so totally endorse it. one year later, id probably want even thinner tyres and a even lighter.. like the more expensive top of line norco.. but really this bike is awesome totally recommend it, as i woudl those like it, ala top of line norco and specialized... but go for it. email me or post with specific questions if u have them. LOVE the flatbar.. really. Ben

Originally Posted by robalert

i have a 06 CRX and absolutely love it Felt a bit lost with my front shifters not telling what gear I was in by reading the numbers..but guess my legs will tell this eventually. See ya down the road. Tommillar

not your cup of tea since the paintjob is silver tho

i too have added some carbon fibre bar ends

can't think of much more options to lighten it, since i already find it light enough

the maxxis uncategorie 700x23c are fast but ride is alot harsher and not suitable for commuting

i run a FSA Gossamer compact crankset and ultegra cassette 12-25

I also run a Sigma BC1600... love the cadence function!

unfortunately i added weight with my christmas feasts... apart from replacing worn parts, I doubt i would upspec any parts

Originally Posted by robalert

still loving my CRX1... got another set of rims for commuting cause I got sick of constantly changing from 28s to 23s for the weekend and back for commuting

just added EC90 Easton flat bar (99g) ... and some ergo grips with built in barends... and swapped out for a longer EA50 stem 120mm... (original was 105mm EA30)

Soon to pop some Michelin Prorace2s on the R550s and see how the set up goes....

I tried out my bro TCR1... geometry was nuts... or more specifically crushed my nuts... impossible for me to go to the drops... tried a friend's OCR1.0.... no thanks!

I am not really interested in going faster than 78km/h so don't need drop bar road bike yet...

Originally Posted by TOM MILLAR

up the side of our local mountain and I meant mountain, mid summer here and its still got snow on it!!

Originally Posted by robalert

........................I am not really interested in going faster than 78km/h so don't need drop bar road bike yet...

Originally Posted by flatbarfanatic

hi. i still ride my giant crx1 every day and love it big time. it is awesome as are flat bar roadbikes, so totally endorse it. one year later, id probably want even thinner tyres and a even lighter.. like the more expensive top of line norco.. but really this bike is awesome totally recommend it, as i woudl those like it, ala top of line norco and specialized... but go for it. email me or post with specific questions if u have them. LOVE the flatbar.. really. Ben

Originally Posted by robalert

I am not really interested in going faster than 78km/h so don't need drop bar road bike yet...

Originally Posted by HughMann

You dont say what tyres you have but I can thoroughly recommend Specialized Armadillo All Condition tyres. 28mm slicks. Something of similar quality in a slick would be fine. Need to get a tyre that will take 100psi.