Tell me if this sounds weird to you. Building my bike

[thestretch]

I have a 2002 Trek 1000(steel frame w/ aluminum fork) but am too broke and cheap to buy a whole other bike. Im trying to break into racing but i know i need some upgrades for the bike so that it can respond better to my riding. Basically, I just don't trust the Sora components when im downhilling. The brakes are gonna get me killed some day.

That said im looking to keep the frame but making a couple additions to the bike. Heres what they are...

Mavic Ksyrium SLs(latest models... i think 2005s are out) w/ Michilin Pro's
Ultegra 9sp groupo(the full kit)
Dura Ace shifters

I plan on picking all of this off of EBay.

Tell me if you see any serious risks here or If I'm doing anything incredibly stupid. Advice would be appreciated. And dont flame me either. I know I know nothing but I wanna learn. Flames to this post would be like playing basketball with a retarded kid and calling him for double dribble.

 

[boudreaux]

I have a 2002 Trek 1000(steel frame w/ aluminum fork) but am too broke and cheap to buy a whole other bike. Im trying to break into racing but i know i need some upgrades for the bike so that it can respond better to my riding. Basically, I just don't trust the Sora components when im downhilling. The brakes are gonna get me killed some day.

That said im looking to keep the frame but making a couple additions to the bike. Heres what they are...

Mavic Ksyrium SLs(latest models... i think 2005s are out) w/ Michilin Pro's
Ultegra 9sp groupo(the full kit)
Dura Ace shifters

I plan on picking all of this off of EBay.

Tell me if you see any serious risks here or If I'm doing anything incredibly stupid. Advice would be appreciated. And dont flame me either. I know I know nothing but I wanna learn. Flames to this post would be like playing basketball with a retarded kid and calling him for double dribble.

On a POS Trek 1000?? Gimmie a break. Downgrade to open pros with ultegra hubs, 105 or veloce parts and stick it on a Cdale caad4 from gvhbikes or one you can get used off ebay. Add in what you can get for that POS 1000 at the recycle center,and you will be money ahead, and have somethng to race on other than some fancy poseur'parts. Trust me on this one bub.

 

[a1086528]

I have a 2002 Trek 1000(steel frame w/ aluminum fork) but am too broke and cheap to buy a whole other bike. Im trying to break into racing but i know i need some upgrades for the bike so that it can respond better to my riding. Basically, I just don't trust the Sora components when im downhilling. The brakes are gonna get me killed some day.

That said im looking to keep the frame but making a couple additions to the bike. Heres what they are...

hey stretch, i think what you want to do is fine, some people just don't understand that others arent as well off. the trek1000 is definitely not a POS, its not a Madone or Six-13, but its a ok bike, thats great for beginner racers. boudreaux probably hasnt even ridden one, he's probably sayin it cause its a low priced bike, or it could be that everyone else is right and that he's just a **** and that you shouldnt listen to any of his advice.
i'm a uni student and i've also got a trek1000, i couldnt afford to get a nicely spec'd up bike straight up, so instead, overtime i've just upgraded a few essential parts to make me go just that little bit faster during a race eg.wheels, forks etc.
if i've got any worth while advice it would be to not get the Mavic Ksyrium SLs and save it for your madone sl, there fantastic wheels, but there too expensive for the bike. get the lower spec'd ksyriums or do what i did and get a set of bontrager racelites, there the same price as the ksyriums elites but look better, kick the elites in performance - dt swiss hubs, stiff as ****, ok weight and maintain the trek-bontrager relationship.
also, if your worried about the brakes, just upgrade them. keep the cash you'll save on buying a whole grouppo for your next bike. the sora grouppo is a ok groupset for the weekend racer, it will hold its own and if you crash during a crit, you'll be glad that the sora parts are more cheaply replaced.
after you've upgraded the wheels, and forks its time to save for your ultimate bike, i'm nearly at the stage of getting mine. if your a good rider, basic upgrades will keep you in the hunt for a race win, but when you've saved enough and you get your new bike, since you've worked hard on a heavier/slower bike, your existing rivals wont be able to keep up.
goodluck!

 

[JohnO]

Wheels and frame, in that order.

If you're really on a budget, can the Mavics and pick up a set of Rolf Vector Pro's. Stiffer than the K's (if that's possible), same weight, maybe a bit lighter, lower spoke count, aero rim section, very durable, typical price on ebay is $250-300 for a clean set. I may be putting my spare set on ebay soon...

After that, keep an eye on ebay for a Trek 5200 frameset. Set you back at least $500, but you can build a real bike around that.

Sora ain't pretty but it will get the job done. Replace the group last, because it will have the least impact on performance.

 

[CycleFreakLS]

Wheels and frame, in that order. ... Sora ain't pretty but it will get the job done. Replace the group last, because it will have the least impact on performance.

Disagree:

[a] Frame / fork
Wheelset
[c] Components

is the order where you spend your $ on a bike. Sora/Tiagra isn't the best stuff but if you have to upgrade, go to 105. Go to Open Pros. The rest of the $ that you were about to spend (e.g., on the DA) get a good frame. The quality of the FRAME will make the biggest impact on the overall performance of the bike, and since you're on an old frame, that is where you want to make the biggest impact.

E.g., if you put Ksyrium SSLs on your old frame ... or ... a used 5200 and Open Pros (maybe just a little more $), the 5200 would be light years better. Way way better.

 

[boudreaux]

Disagree:

[a] Frame / fork
Wheelset
[c] Components

is the order where you spend your $ on a bike. Sora/Tiagra isn't the best stuff but if you have to upgrade, go to 105. Go to Open Pros. The rest of the $ that you were about to spend (e.g., on the DA) get a good frame. The quality of the FRAME will make the biggest impact on the overall performance of the bike, and since you're on an old frame, that is where you want to make the biggest impact.

E.g., if you put Ksyrium SSLs on your old frame ... or ... a used 5200 and Open Pros (maybe just a little more $), the 5200 would be light years better. Way way better.

Geeze, I hope you don't get called a **** for saying what I did.

 

[boudreaux]

<snip>...


i'm a uni student and i've also got a trek1000,......

That explains alot.

 

[Quigs Snr]

That explains alot.

Your 2002 Trek 1000 by the way has an Aluminium Frame (Not Steel).
Probably has a cro-moly fork too ...

 

[CycleFreakLS]

Geeze, I hope you don't get called a **** for saying what I did.

Yeah, but I said it with more tact ...

 

[dhk]

Your 2002 Trek 1000 by the way has an Aluminium Frame (Not Steel).
Probably has a cro-moly fork too ...

Yes, it sounds weird to me too. I did some Trek test rides last fall. Compared to the 2300 and 5200, the 1000 felt heavy, clunky, dead, and very harsh. The Trek 1000 and the frame just don't deserve SSLs or DA shifters.

Like putting a set of $3000 BBS wheels on an Escort, what's the point?

You'd do much better for the money to pick up a new Trek or whatever at 04 closeout prices and trade in or sell the 1000 outright. Do some test rides, then decide.

 

[boudreaux]

Yeah, but I said it with more tact ...

Well, I guess I'll just put my dickhat on and go ride my bicycle.

 

[RC2]

Learn how to adjust your components (parktool.com) and tweak 'em before a race (be sure ride the bike post tweak!) and put the hundreds on a 105/ult/da upgrade towards better wheels. Lots of good options w/better bang for the buck than ksyrium SLs as mentioned, slightly used set is a good way to go. I won't knock trek 1k's but it's not a racer. Putting a couple few hundred into a gently used stiff & light Al frame as mentioned would be another big performance gain.

I think you should trust the advice of the more experienced members on this forum if you're really serious about getting the most performance for your dollar.

 

[CycleFreakLS]

Well, I guess I'll just put my dickhat on and go ride my bicycle.

I sure hope you mean HELMET

 

[SDL]

hey stretch, i think what you want to do is fine, some people just don't understand that others arent as well off.

CAAD4 with Ultegra including build kit and Open pros at GVH Bikes: $1275

Ksyrium Sls and Ultegra gruppo: $1525

How's the weather in fantasy land?

 

[capwater]

"Tell me if this sounds weird to you."

Yes it does sound weird. A skank dressed up in Victoria's Secret goodies is still only barely rideable......

 

[boudreaux]

CAAD4 with Ultegra including build kit and Open pros at GVH Bikes: $1275

Ksyrium Sls and Ultegra gruppo: $1525

How's the weather in fantasy land?

Give him a break. College kid,weak in math ya know.

 

[dhk]

"Tell me if this sounds weird to you."

Yes it does sound weird. A skank dressed up in Victoria's Secret goodies is still only barely rideable......

That's funny! Not the kind of escort I was referring to, but another good analogy.

Don't know how SSLs got so popular, but the way my LBS dealer here hypes them, must be a huge profit margin. Lots of flash, but most crit guys here I know wouldn't want to risk an $800 wheelset.

 

[tcklyde]

That's funny! Not the kind of escort I was referring to, but another good analogy.

Don't know how SSLs got so popular, but the way my LBS dealer here hypes them, must be a huge profit margin. Lots of flash, but most crit guys here I know wouldn't want to risk an $800 wheelset.

I think people think that SSLs look fast... You know, bladed (and expensive and difficult to replace) "Zicral" spokes and all.

I'd rather get one of those "dickhats" that bourdeaux uses though. That sounds much faster.

 

[mjw_byrne]

I have a 2002 Trek 1000(steel frame w/ aluminum fork) but am too broke and cheap to buy a whole other bike. Im trying to break into racing but i know i need some upgrades for the bike so that it can respond better to my riding. Basically, I just don't trust the Sora components when im downhilling. The brakes are gonna get me killed some day.

That said im looking to keep the frame but making a couple additions to the bike. Heres what they are...

Mavic Ksyrium SLs(latest models... i think 2005s are out) w/ Michilin Pro's
Ultegra 9sp groupo(the full kit)
Dura Ace shifters

I plan on picking all of this off of EBay.

Tell me if you see any serious risks here or If I'm doing anything incredibly stupid. Advice would be appreciated. And dont flame me either. I know I know nothing but I wanna learn. Flames to this post would be like playing basketball with a retarded kid and calling him for double dribble.

It sounds like you just don't like the group on your bike, i.e. the Sora brakes and transmission. If that's really all that's bugging you, just upgrade the group to something like 105, which is probably as high as you should consider going with that frame (incidentally, there's nothing wrong with the frame/fork; but as others have pointed out, you should avoid putting uber-cool kit like Ksyrium SL wheels on a relatively cheap frame, because the cheap stuff is likely to prevent you feeling the full benefit of the expensive stuff).

You say that you "know nothing" - does this mean that you are not a very experienced cyclist? If that is the case, the Trek 1000 frame/fork is probably perfectly adequate for your requirements, so don't feel that a new frame is a magical answer to everything. You also mention brake performance downhill. Remember that road bike brakes (regardless of cost) are not designed to have ultimate stopping power. They are designed with modulation and light weight in mind. Even the best road brakes are never going to feel as reassuring as chunky disc brakes or V brakes.

 

[thestretch]

I came up with this crazy idea based on a couple of ideas.

1. Wheels are the greatest performance enhancers because of rotational weight and aerodynamics, right? So why not get the best? I've been hearing that SLs are bomb proof. Does this mean they hold up better over the years? Or is there something just as good for cheaper?

2. SORA sux(i can say that cause I own it and have ridden it for 2 years now) and it wears out too easily. it's not meant for training let alone racing. Don't want to get 105s because I know I'm gonna eventually get Ultegra might as well spend more now than loose even more later.

3. This is the big factor. It could take a year of saving to get something like a LOOK Kg461 or a Trek 5200 frame. Last thing I want to do also is be riding around on a nice frame like that with big clunky rims and tires like i got now. Not to mention SORA components! lol

4. I know I said I 'know nothing'. Don't take that to literally though, I just don't want to come off as sounding cocky. I'm 23, my friends say i'm overly competitive, and my engine is fine. My gramar sucks also. I ride hard always and I know what it takes to be good at anything. It's simple. Work... Lots and lots of hard honest work.

What I'm asking is... I dont have the cash to buy a whole new bike, not even a 5200 for next race season. Only have like a $1000(ebay 'new ultegra' and 'lightly used sls' go for this) to work with. I'f I put on some really nice rims with some good reliable components, will it increase my performance at all. Will I be safer on the downhills and accelerate quicker out of the turns?

Keep this in mind. This is not the end product. I do plan on getting a nicer frame. Once it's all finished I know the bike will look and ride great. This is like a 2 year project. I just want stuff now. I dont want to have to keep saving for 2 years and keep riding on this ****.

I probably wrote way to much and am now just boring you.