Who else bought a mid-level bike solely to upgrade?

Who are you (no off-topic talk please)

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frostorama
Posts: 82
Joined: Mon Jun 10, 2019 8:29 pm

by frostorama

I also went down a similar path. Purchased an Aethos Expert as I preferred that colour (black/red) and then swapped out the stock wheels for Alpinist CLX, Turbo Cottons, latex tubes. I also swapped out the bars/stem for the Alpinist SL cockpit. Also fitted a Fizik Antares 00 saddle, Tune seatpost clamp, Tune steerer top cap and a Sigeyi direct mount hanger. Running with a single Bontrager XXX bottle cage and Speedplay Aero pedals my bike is 6.6kg ready to ride in size 54cm.

I'm now thinking about swapping out the chainset to something lighter, but I am hesitant to give up the sweet gear changes that I have with the stock R8000 chainset.

dcj10
Posts: 91
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2021 4:22 pm

by dcj10

frostorama wrote:
Fri Jul 22, 2022 10:05 am
I'm now thinking about swapping out the chainset to something lighter, but I am hesitant to give up the sweet gear changes that I have with the stock R8000 chainset.
Love the colour of your frameset, incidentally.
No worries on either the superbly engineered Rotor chainset, or Bdop cassette affecting shift quality - which remains really good in my experience.
Main ride Aethos Expert 2021 https://weightweenies.starbike.com/for ... 0&t=169445
First reserve Pegoretti steel 2012 Ciavete paint viewtopic.php?f=10&t=168091

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dcj10
Posts: 91
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2021 4:22 pm

by dcj10

With the benefit of one summer season, just a quick update: the Aethos in this configuration has turned out to be the fastest, most comfy and overall easily the most enjoyable bike I've ever ridden. The only other bike that came close was the Lightspeed Ghisallo from 2005, which I regret selling in 2012.
Main ride Aethos Expert 2021 https://weightweenies.starbike.com/for ... 0&t=169445
First reserve Pegoretti steel 2012 Ciavete paint viewtopic.php?f=10&t=168091

spdntrxi
Posts: 5789
Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2013 6:11 pm

by spdntrxi

I'm thinking of a 105 Madone if I can get the color I want from P1
2024 BMC TeamMachine R Building
2018 BMC TImeMachine Road
2002 Moots Compact-SL- getting aero look makeover
2019 Parlee Z0XD - "classified"
2023 Pivot E-Vault - completed project, full Xplr package

Knightyboy27
Posts: 267
Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2020 9:06 pm

by Knightyboy27

spdntrxi wrote:
Mon Jan 30, 2023 7:29 pm
I'm thinking of a 105 Madone if I can get the color I want from P1
Annoyingly, you can't do P1 for the 105 model which is a shame, because in the UK at least, the price difference to the Ultegra is stupid, and not worth the upgrade.

spdntrxi
Posts: 5789
Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2013 6:11 pm

by spdntrxi

Knightyboy27 wrote:
Mon Jan 30, 2023 11:38 pm
spdntrxi wrote:
Mon Jan 30, 2023 7:29 pm
I'm thinking of a 105 Madone if I can get the color I want from P1
Annoyingly, you can't do P1 for the 105 model which is a shame, because in the UK at least, the price difference to the Ultegra is stupid, and not worth the upgrade.

yeah I want Chroma, but does not seem to be available. There are a few others that ultegra kit might be worth but not sure. I might be lazy and just get black then 105 it is.
2024 BMC TeamMachine R Building
2018 BMC TImeMachine Road
2002 Moots Compact-SL- getting aero look makeover
2019 Parlee Z0XD - "classified"
2023 Pivot E-Vault - completed project, full Xplr package

User avatar
FIJIGabe
Posts: 2241
Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:07 pm
Location: The Lone Star State

by FIJIGabe

Yes, I did that with my Madone (see signature). It came with Ultegra 6800, which I immediately upgraded to DA9000 (which I had on my old bike). I bought the least expensive Madone 9 that had the integrated cockpit, and moved all my old parts over to the new bike. I eventually upgraded it to Di2.

mike
Resident Pro
Posts: 2994
Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2003 9:42 pm

by mike

I have slice a few cables myself and it is an expensive mistake! Buying a mid grade bike is the way to go and use parts from the parts bin to upgrade

dcj10
Posts: 91
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2021 4:22 pm

by dcj10

As an adendum to my post update I wanted to mention the Bdop 11-30 cassette @ 116g.

Big chunk of weight off, and not expensive.
Wear after one season not major.
Shift quality not noticeably inferior to the standard Ultegra steel cassette.
Main ride Aethos Expert 2021 https://weightweenies.starbike.com/for ... 0&t=169445
First reserve Pegoretti steel 2012 Ciavete paint viewtopic.php?f=10&t=168091

User avatar
nickf
Posts: 1427
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2010 10:34 pm

by nickf

dcj10 wrote:
Fri Feb 03, 2023 12:06 pm
As an adendum to my post update I wanted to mention the Bdop 11-30 cassette @ 116g.

Big chunk of weight off, and not expensive.
Wear after one season not major.
Shift quality not noticeably inferior to the standard Ultegra steel cassette.
Good to hear. Always wanted to try one of those cassettes but was always skeptical of it being all aluminum.

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