[Closed] Nice road bike finishing kit

I'd go for 3t bar, stem and post. Just classy, well made, stylish components.

I wouldn't go for aero bars as I'm not a fan of bars with flattened tops. For the bars I'd go for ergosum stealth, then matching stealth stem and post

Build will be Dura Ace 9070 Di2,

Nice group to hang off a Deng Fu!

FarSports carbon wheels - probably some 50mm clinchers for every day and some silly light 20mm tubs (or go 38s for everyday?

What would you use the silly light carbon tubs for? About the only time I'd use them would be hill climbs.

What finishing kit would folk go for?

Most of mine are a mishmash of Deda, FSA and Zipp. Gone carbon bar for the first time here with the K-Force compact and liking that.

What would you use the silly light carbon tubs for? About the only time I'd use them would be hill climbs.

Hill climbs 😉

They do a very light set for not much money. I'll use them for hilly rides, again, under no illusion they'll make any real difference, but for £300 for a set of 900g wheels I'm curious! Good for the "my bike weighs X" discussions too! Like I say, I did wonder if I'd be better just getting some 38mm clinchers as all rounders.

Nice group to hang off a Deng Fu!

Well I was going to get something much more expensive, but none of them quite tick all the boxes for me. I was all prepared to get an Emonda SLR or S-Works Tarmac or Madone 9-series. I figure if I'm saving £2k on the frame there's no reason to downgrade the groupset (and having an additional £300 pair of wheels isn't much of a hardship either!).

I've had my current Madone 10 years (and still love it), and there's every likelihood I'll have this a similar length of time, so I don't mind throwing lots of money at it. Had a bit of a windfall, so the money is there for it.

If disc brakes are ubiqitous in 3 years at least I've not sunk insane amounts of money into an obsolete frame as well.

The Deng Fu FM208 is 840g too, so still a decent weight. Was looking at the VeloBuild sommat or other but put off by stories of woeful customer service and QC.

so don't need a massively stiff stem.

Thats marriage for you...

Ba dum tish! You're here all week, try the fish. Don't forget to tip your waitress 😉

I keep looking at Zipp sl-70 aero's, I'm not 100% convinced by the aero claims either what with them being positioned in front of your legs but think they look cool. Double check the 3T aero bars work for you, the reach is much longer than most bars.

After fitting PlanetX 50mm tubs to my race bike and never feeling bothered by the wind I'm not sure I'd ever go for uber shallow for a nice bike, I'm generalising but 99/100 if it's really windy it's rainy here so I'll be on the bike with guards anyway.

Where you getting it from Njee? I keep looking at the FM086 TT frame, thing is they don't seem to be that much cheaper than the same version PlanetX have in. (If PX start discounting 'em I'm not sure I'll be able to resist)

Interesting. I had some 50mm clinchers years ago (Bontrager ones) and they were great on the flat, but really horrible on hilly rides, just felt sluggish. Hence the shallow wheels as well.

I was going to buy through Deng Fu direct, pricing seems reasonable ($725 shipped) and they'll do custom painting for $53 (very precise!).

Have to say on my 'dream build' I love the Ritchey Superlogic II bar and stem. It was weirdly the stem that I fell for when looking at the finishing kit!
I went with Dura Ace mechanical group & wheels apart from the Ritchey. Not a fan of Ritchey posts though - that was the Thomson Masterpiece.

I went from carbon Bontranger Race-X-light to Ritchey WCS evocurve alloy, but then I hated the bontranger for their really sharp bend a the end of the tops which left no room for forearms when on the drops, OTOH I find I can't get my whole hand in the drop on the evocurve, but I do have big hands. As for stiffness, they're a lot stiffer than the bontranger, but in a good way (better feel/steering but less fatiguing).

Those Farsport clinchers are probably as light as my PX tubs! Go for it if you do a lot of hill climbs though, it'll still work out cheaper than one Giant/SpecTrek frame! Personally I doubt I'd use 'em as tubs are like cat AIDS and the deeper wheels seem to work so well.

Cheers, will take another look...

I think Deda makes nice kit , Zipp very nice too.

I don't do a lot of hill climbs really, but I live in a flat bit between the North and South Downs, so rides tend to be flat or hilly without much crossover, thus choosing between two sets of wheels isn't all that tough. Moreover I really enjoy climbing, and previous experience tells me that a light set of wheels makes that feel more enjoyable, even if there's little real world benefit.

I kinda figure while I'm ordering one set it makes sense to get a second pair and consolidate postage. I suspect I could sell them for a sensible sum anyway if I really never use them.

Interesting TINAS, I'm not bothered by the sharp bend in the Bontys, but I do like the slightly convex shape to the drops. The Allez has round compact drops and I find them horrible in comparison.

Just not sure I see the point in carbon stems STL. Heavier for no real advantage.

Ritchey WCS always looks good (had matching forks, stem and bars. Zipp looks dull (no logos). Deda would be my choice to brighten up a plain frame. Nice logos, a splash of red and white. I like it on my track bike.

Or for much matchiness go for Fizik everything (including saddle and bartape)

Njee20, I'm surprised you're not waiting for a new Madone!

If you decide to go for Deda and fancy the 35's I can only suggest going to for carbon ones as the Alu ones felt too stiff to me, I had tingly hands after less than an hour. However, the carbon ones are stiffer than I need and really comfy.

Njee20, I'm surprised you're not waiting for a new Madone!

Well, I was, but the trouble is that I'd much prefer an H1 geometry frame, but that means you have to buy the RSL one, which is £4200 for a frame, and I can't quite stomach spending [i]that [/i]much on a bike given the marginal benefit over something £3k cheaper, particularly given my marginal levels of fitness!

Hadn't really thought of the 35s though, standard too far I reckon!

[i]Ritchey WCS always looks good (had matching forks, stem and bars.[/i]

I have Ritchey fork, headset, stem spacer (one only), stem, bars, bar tape and seatpost on my dry day commuter.

I like matching 🙂

But I wouldn't call it really nice, just functional and alright.

That's kinda what I felt about Ritchey. I like it, used to use WCS stuff on the MTB, but it's almost a bit utilitarian, like Bontrager. Decent, solid kit, sensible weight, not insanely expensive, but just not overly exciting. That said, I'm not sure "exciting" is a characteristic I want from a pair of handlebars. Invokes images of breaking bits!

Fizik is one I'd not considered. Unlikely to take a punt on their saddles as I know what I like, but bars/stems/posts could be interesting.

Fizik is nice kit, and you really can go match crazy - shoes, saddle, seat pack (if you must).

You don't see it often, which is good.

I was in a similar position a couple of months ago. Slightly higher end frame than you're looking at, Reynolds Assault's, Ritchey WCS/Superlogic finishing kit, Fizik carbon Arione and mechanical DA cos I don't care for electrickery.

Happy with the build though I'd be even happier if it was half a kilo lighter. It came in at 7.2kg ready to ride.

Would be good to get under 6.8kg with the 50mm wheels. Prob gonna go for PowerTap P1 pedals which doesn't help though.

I seem to have managed to kick my weight weenie habit (though I don't think it was anywhere near the magnitude of yours njee!) I think it's a testing thing and my focus moving from weight to aero. Obviously if I can have both then that's even better 🙂

Haha! I'm not [i]that[/i] bad, and never done proper weight weenie on a road bike, nice to have a bit of a target in mind when building though!

New ENVE post is a much better design and requires much less to nip up (5.5 nm). I'm using the compact ENVE bars also, good fit thankfully as I don't pay for them!

6.8kg is a weird one in its randomness. I wonder how the UCI ended up at 6.8? Notice it is almost exactly 15 lbs, that sounds a more likely number to decide on.

Obsessive weight weeniness seems to have gone a bit out of fashion these days. Quite a few bikes from the pro peloton a fair bit over the UCI limit. Seeing more weighty XC bikes at WC rounds too (usually with RS-1 forks!)

Re Enve... the brand association with Surrey hill mountain bikers with the latest Santa Cruz (with colour co-ordinated decals!) on an Audi roof rack is a bit off putting these days 😉

New ENVE black on black ftw! Unless you're building a bright show bike....

I built my Colnago C60 with Fizik R1 Bars, Stem and Seatpost and saddle. I like the Arione saddles anyway and I had to have matching collars and cuffs for the rest of bits to satisfy my ocd element.

It's lovely kit and works well, it's 'italian' and isn't seen much, just like the frame so that suits me just fine.

New ENVE black on black ftw! Unless you're building a bright show bike....

How about PRO vibe carbon? I've had alloy stem and bar and the carbon stuff looks very nice. ENVE is way beyond my affordability but they are a great sponsor!

Think Pro stuff looks a bit cheap TBH.

Fizik looks good, the R1 bars look a nice shape, the stem looks good. Seatpost seems expensive for what it is, but not too bad.

I agree with TINAS and mrblobby re Enve!

New ALR looks nice njee......

Well it all has to match, 3t for the solid if boring choice, got it on my cross bike and it's all good.

Deda make some nice stuff but it's not normally light, my road bike kit.

Ritchey is good call, light, nice looking, carbon, although not cheap.

The Zipp stuff has left me somewhat underwhelmed.

The Fizik option is a little unusual, would definitely look into that, matching saddle option too!

Is it that bad in the Surry hills? I tend to be at races or lonesome riding away from things. Easton sl stuff is also pretty good. Bontrager?

Ritchey kit for me belongs on an xc mtb. Don't know why really as they make some excellent road stuff.

New ENVE post is a much better design and requires much less to nip up (5.5 nm). I'm using the compact ENVE bars also, good fit thankfully as I don't pay for them!

I've got 3 ENVE posts, on 3 different bikes, and they have never moved,

there does seem a dearth of decent finishing kit, unless you go mad weight weenie money and then there are loads,

how about Syntace?

[img]Think Pro stuff looks a bit cheap TBH.
[img]

my brother has one of the stem/bar combo's - its nice, but would be a lot nicer if it was matte UD carbon

Is it that bad in the Surry hills? I tend to be at races or lonesome riding away from things. Easton sl stuff is also pretty good. Bontrager?

there are a lot of Enve equipped SCs certainly! The cliche holds up! Bontrager stuff is good, just a bit dull. The latest stuff is nice though, the XXX bar/stem/post is tempting, understated, functional.

New ALR looks nice njee......

It sounds daft but I don't think i could psychologically replace a top end carbon frame (albeit an old one) with a mid range alu one from the same brand. The ALR is a chunk heavier than my Madone too.

I think the 3T ergosum carbon with stem looks great. The shape works for me too - but I have alu.

Look forward to an unbiased report on your kit. Especially the wheels.

Deda and Zipp for me. I had the Deda top end alloy and the stem snapped, so I've opted for their light alloy bars on a more basic stem!
Deda 35 is really nice, using it on the crosser and plan to put it on my 2016 race bike.

Look forward to an unbiased report on your kit. Especially the wheels.

Deda and Zipp for me. I had the Deda top end alloy and the stem snapped, so I've opted for their light alloy bars on a more basic stem!
Deda 35 is really nice, using it on the crosser and plan to put it on my 2016 race bike.

Deda Superzero or Super Legerro a pretty light twin bolts units. That's what I've got/would choose. Also got a Fizik post that's pretty good. Don't bother with anything if it hasn't got two bolts.

3T ARX stems and Pro PLT stems are decent; whip the logos off with some nail polish remover if you're not keen. They do 140mm lengths for the tall folk aswell. The 10 degree angle of the Pro is a great choice for many modern frames, as it matches the angle of the top tube perfectly. Like wise, if your new frame has a horizontal TT, get a -17 degree 3T stem.

I agree w/regards to the Enve stuff; it looks pish, especially that monstrous stem. Road bike aesthetics are all about clean lines; that stem spoils them.

Deda stuff for me.

The Fizik option is a little unusual, would definitely look into that, matching saddle option too

the Cyrano post is a lovely looking bit of kit, spoiled by using an anvil of a head which made it heavier than the £10 OE alloy post I'd got it to replace 🙄 (it went straight back to CRC after hitting my Scales Of Justice).

[i]It sounds daft but I don't think i could psychologically replace a top end carbon frame (albeit an old one) with a mid range alu one from the same brand. The ALR is a chunk heavier than my Madone too.[/i]

It's funny you say this as it's exactly what I've done this year. TCR Advance then a few years without a road bike and now I'm racing on an alloy TCR - your point about weight is right, it's a chunk heavier but god the drive is good!

Yeah, I'm sure the ALRs are excellent, and it's wholly irrational; I just know that having considered an Emonda SLR (just too expensive for a bike I think looks really boring) and an SL (not wild keen on the geometry) I know I'd always feel I'd compromised with an ALR.

For some reason getting a Dengfu is something totally different, so I don't mind! Can have it painted however I want too! Biggest hurdle at the mo is what to have written on it! I don't want a blank downtube as they look a bit empty, but trying to come up with something which isn't:

a) shit
b) hugely egocentric
c) a brand name

Is actually quite tough!

Turboferret's wheel decals come to mind... 😉

[img] [/img]

Though FWIW, black with no decals would be my choice.

hugely egocentric

I heard there was once a guy from these parts that had some decals made for his frame but not in his real name, oh no - his ****ing forum name!

Don't do that, obviously.

real name, oh no - his ****ing forum name!

Your forum name isn't your real name?

Supwitchoo - course it is.

Just have 'Stealth E-bike 30HP' written on it to wind people up!!

I've changed my name to VU12 VXP because it was cheaper than a personalised number plate ho ho ho.

Definitely gonna get it painted, because I want a green one. That alone is cause for consternation though, too much choice! Trying to work out the pantone number of my green Radars 😳

real name, oh no - his ****ing forum name!

He sounds awful. Won't be doing that!

I'm quite liking "étape" on the downtube, with "Broom Wagon" on the top tube (in significantly smaller letters!). But it does sound like you're trying to invent a brand because I don't want it to say "DengFu", nor do I want it blank. Which is exactly the reasoning.

Wheels will just be matt UD.

How about getting it painted here? I know at least 2 painters(I work for Bespoked so get to see and meet a lot of painters) that do fantastic stuff and can help with design. It will ad cost to the bike but it will look fantastic.

^^ this, then i guess, you could have the painters name on it, could also nicely spray the post/stem/bars as well, Field/Cromaworks stuff always looks good imo

It's an option, not really sure what it would offer over them doing it though, Dengfu will send proofs before they do it, will paint anything you want, work to pantone numbers, quality seems good etc. Plus it's only £40 or so, so if it's really rubbish I could then get it done over here.

I imagine we'd be talking a couple of hundred quid plus to get it done over here?

could also nicely spray the post/stem/bars as well,

Nooooooo!

These are excellent for the money/gram shaving I have them on my race bike and cx bike so plenty strong enough .. I tuned mine with Ti bolts and they're around 95g 🙂

Nail polish remover takes off decals to leave stealth black finish 🙂

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=131251375231&globalID=EBAY-GB

Very light seatpost I've put 2 years into mine on race bike no issue .. Sure I offered £50 or so which secured one ..

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=141721333021&globalID=EBAY-GB

My alloy tcr is just under 16lbs with far sports clinchers on 🙂

njee - can i tempt you with a pair of LB 35mm road rims, Extralite CyberSL rear and UltraSX front hubs? Come with CX Ray spokes?

That seat post looks awful. Clamp is reminiscent of an (at least) 20 year old USE post I have in a box in the shed.

Probably not to be honest, although how much are you after for them, and do you know how much they weigh 🙂

I have to say I'm now waivering back toward 38mm clinchers for every day use as something more versatile.

Depends on the design/amount of work. I would ad fat creations and doktorbobby to the list. Not only are they fantastic painters (Bobby is Dysons top painter in mock ups/r&d and frames get painted at Dysons r&d facility booth) but really good with design.

they weigh 1110 grams and tubeless ready - drop me an email if you want to discuss further.

DrBobby is a known Bristol sexpest, not sure he wants the fact he uses his work facilities to paint frames broadcast on the web either?

Been a genuine fit and forget post for me 🙂

BTW 38mm clinchers from Farsport, with DTSwiss Hubs have been brilliant for over two years, sold them and the bike a few days ago. They will be missed.

they weigh 1110 grams and tubeless ready - drop me an email if you want to discuss further.

YGM!

BTW 38mm clinchers from Farsport, with DTSwiss Hubs have been brilliant for over two years, sold them and the bike a few days ago. They will be missed.

That's what I'm contemplating, or Tune Mig/Mag. Told myself I wouldn't go back to Tune after problems with a Kong Superscharf on the MTB years ago, but to be fair to them they look to have addressed all the problems I had, and they come in pretty colours.

Also, if I was on a project like yours, this would be my build choice:

Bars, stem - MCFK
Post - MCFK
Saddle - Selle Italia Kit Carbonio or ALM Fabric
Pedals - Dura Ace or Ultegra

Tempted by a Fabric ALM, they look interesting. Always used to use SLRs, find the Toupe more comfortable, so would go down that route even if it was heavier.

It's not a weight weenie build, I'd just like some light-ish wheels. MCFK stuff is nice, but big money! Can't get it trade either, which makes it even more expensive in effect

Also a Look pedal man, and I want a power meter on there, my mediocracy needs to be quantified!

mrblobby - Member
That seat post looks awful. Clamp is reminiscent of an (at least) 20 year old USE post I have in a box in the shed.

Yeh, looks like it's been put together by a scaffolder

I've got an identical clamp on the New Ultimate seatpost on my MTB, it's been fine, it is slightly more delicate than the Mr Ride one.

Imagine I'll need a layback post though anyway, with losing 15mm off the top tube I don't really want to exacerbate that. I'm a bit more inclined to form over function on the road bike too!

they weigh 1110 grams and tubeless ready - drop me an email if you want to discuss further.

Before I get flamed by people who get their calculators / spreadsheets out, I was incorrect in my weight calc, it should read 1203 grams.

I think you should buy a second hand Neil Pryde.....

Which Deng Fu are you going for chief? The BMC looking one? I like em and weight weenies have a post giving them rave reviews (that I'm sure you've seen).

As for finishing kit, there's only one answer isn't there? Starts with an E.... 😉

Haha, might you have a lightly used Neil Pryde then?!

Was gonna get the FM208, it's their (allegedly) T800 lightweight jobby. Looked at some of the aero ones, but they just don't look as good IMO, plus no idea if they've ever seen a wind tunnel!

there are a lot of Enve equipped SCs certainly!

Howard has a lot to answer for!

Not seen you in a while Njee hope you're well. Thought I'd drop you some thoughts for this build.

Wheels wise (you know me, I always have an opinion about wheels!) I've now got 32mm Corima Vivas on my road bike; the Dura Ace C35s were refunded after the laquer peeled off the replacement pair.

I can compare the 32mm Vivas with the 60mm Gigantex wheels that are now on the TT bike. For road riding, including hilly rides, the Gigantex were really very good all round, but then being tubulars they still only weighed 1350g.

The big problem with them is that they are just too deep for all round use; when the wind is up, especially in the hills and on descents, it got pretty hairy. The net result is that you just have to ride much slower down hill.

The 32mm Vivas have none of those issues and they weigh 1150g. I really notice this on the climbs but interestingly you also notice it elsewhere. The bike is much more eager to change direction and under certain circumstances, it can feel a little 'flighty'; not quite nervous, but it doesn't have the same inherent stability as riding with a heavier wheel. It just needs a slight attenuation of your concentration to counteract, but you do notice it.

I think your choice shouldn't be between a 38mm wheel or a 50mm wheel though. I think it has to be between the brand of wheel. A 50mm Enve Smart system or Zipp will likely have a much more neutral feel in cross winds than say a cheap Chinese copy. You do also see a big difference in the quality of the construction. My brother recently ran his Zip 202 clinchers on the Marmot without any problems (and he weighs 92kg and the temperature was 30 degrees!)

My choice for one set of all round use wheels is based on what I am weakest at, which in class group of riders is climbing. I can power away on the flats quite happily so the aero benefit of a 50mm wheel is only playing to my strengths and not really helping my weaknesses.

You can already climb really well; perhaps you would feel more benefit from a 50mm wheelset? If you went tubs then they would still be sub 1400g.

As for finishing kit, I really like the aesthetics of carbon stems; just that. Nothing to do with weight or stiffness. Just how they look. Carbon bars are meh. I've got some but if I neeed to replace them I'd go alloy.

Seat posts - I have an Enve one on my road bike. It looks lovely but as it's also 400mm long (they only do one size) it's the same weight as a 270mm Thomson Elite. Also the seat clamp design isn't very good. I've slipped my saddle quite a lot including in TTs which is a right pain (literally).

Geetee - while you're here, am I right in saying you've got the Genesis with the Dura Ace on </stalker>. Is yours the 853 version? If so, whats it like?

Njee - that Fizik stuff is ok but the stuff I've tried but I couldn't get on with the bar shape. They're really short for a start and I couldn't get comfortable on them. Stems are nice though, and the bar and stem together are really light.

I've always liked the 3t stuff, not the flashiest but a really nice shape to the bars. Plus I've managed to go from a 44 to a 42 and find it much more comfortable which I'm putting down to a better bar shape (over the Syntace ones I had before). And narrower iz more aero yo!

Wheels - I've ridden a few sets and nowt compares to Vision Metron 40's for stiffness - they're also tres wide. Zipps - I think I must be the only person not to be blown away by 404's. They're ok, but nowt special IMO. I'd rather save the money and have a set of LB's on Tunes. Or DT's if you're not bothered about colour.

[i]They're really short for a start and I couldn't get comfortable on them[/i]

Did you buy the right bar shape? They have 3 choices don't they?

Geetee - while you're here, am I right in saying you've got the Genesis with the Dura Ace on </stalker>. Is yours the 853 version? If so, whats it like?

Yes that's me 😀 happy to share my experiences.

I love my 853 Equilibrium; it's like comfort food or your favourite armchair. It can hustle along at speed if you're energetic with it, but it's more at home being a fast workhorse.

Compared to the 725 Equilibrium, which I owned before (and probably should not have sold originally but I didn't plan on running two bikes at that point) it is more comfortable but that is all down to the fork, which is steel rather than carbon.

It's a bit lighter than the 725, but only barely. The frame itself is quite a bit lighter but the fork is also quite a bit heavier hence the overall is pretty much neutral.

I'd buy the 853 version again just for the fork, but then I use mine to commute (100km round trip when I do it) and the comfort plus mud guards are really useful.

Much appreciated chap (sorry for the derail Njee!)

Do you know what the difference is between this and the Volare? I was swayed towards this because of the carbon fork, but now not so much if you think its better with a steel fork.

Do you know what the all up weight of yours is?

Pebblebeach - yeah, tried all three and none felt great. I realise its all down to personal preference though, what I don't like someone else might love

another vote for Deda. ITM are understated and OK, Pro, and Ritchie stuff is very ordinary looking IMO

cinelli?

Nick - likewise sorry for the derail.

Do you know what the difference is between this and the Volare?

Well the Volare is designed as a race frame whereas the Equilibrium is designed as an audax, trainer, sportive bike. There's probably a lot less in the ride and a lot more in the marketing between them.

The Equilibrium will take mudguards and needs 56mm deep drop brakes (which will limit your choice a little) and has a slacker head angle and longer wheelbase, making it feel more 'sedate'. The Volare will feel racier.

Your main issue is they don't make the 853 Equilibrium anymore. It was, I think, I limited edition run. They do however make a stainless steel version, which is very nice.

Do you want a race bike or do you want a bike that takes mudgaurds?

Weight of my Equilibrium is around 8.5kg.

Sorry nick!

I'd be more after a race bike if I'm honest. I struggle a bit with position on anything other than an arse up - head down race bike (strange I know) and I also get a bit frustrated by weight. I couldn't stretch to the stainless (it does look lovely) as this is on the bikes to work voucher doo dah, and I've got a Di2 groupset ready to go on it - Genesis seem to be the only ones making provision for Di2 that aren't crazy money. I'm not so fussed about guards really, just something light'ish and fast that'll take di2.

I'm holding you entirely at fault for this - it was pictures of yours that made me want one. Damn it...

canyon seat post is very comfy and surprisingly pricey. Looks good too.

No need to apologise gents, we've gone way off topic anyway, makes a change it's not me derailing a thread!

Getting it sort of back on topic (in that it's me talking):

I think your choice shouldn't be between a 38mm wheel or a 50mm wheel though. I think it has to be between the brand of wheel. A 50mm Enve Smart system or Zipp will likely have a much more neutral feel in cross winds than say a cheap Chinese copy. You do also see a big difference in the quality of the construction.

I dunno, I did wonder about Enve SES, Beyond stock them, so they've got 3.4s and 4.5s on R45s. They're nice. But are they £2.5k nice? I just don't think I can justify that. I've never been to the Alps, and whilst it's reasonably likely I really struggle with the notion I could trash 5 FarSports rim for a single Enve, which are hardly immune from failure, heat induced or otherwise.

I'd rather save the money and have a set of LB's on Tunes. Or DT's if you're not bothered about colour.

Amazingly only £10 difference between 240s at trade and Tunes at (German) retail, I think Tune probably win on bling.

My choice for one set of all round use wheels is based on what I am weakest at, which in class group of riders is climbing. I can power away on the flats quite happily so the aero benefit of a 50mm wheel is only playing to my strengths and not really helping my weaknesses.

You can already climb really well; perhaps you would feel more benefit from a 50mm wheelset? If you went tubs then they would still be sub 1400g.

Perhaps, and that was my logic behind getting some Bontrager Aeolus 50mm jobbies a few years ago, but they ruined the part of riding I enjoyed by feeling really sluggish. I wasn't necessarily any slower, but they felt awful. I'm not racing, I never even ride in a group really, so I want things to [i]feel[/i] nice more than to be at the cutting edge of performance. I know people who have gone to deeper Enves say the same - feel slow, go fast. I'm a little bit 'once bitten, twice shy', particularly as I'm most likely going to build them myself, and whilst they're comparatively cheap, if I find the 50s a slog then it's still a few hundred quid to rebuild. 38s seem like they'll be far less objectionable, I reckon I can tickle 1200g.

As for finishing kit, I really like the aesthetics of carbon stems; just that. Nothing to do with weight or stiffness. Just how they look. Carbon bars are meh. I've got some but if I neeed to replace them I'd go alloy.

Yeah I have to say I don't! Most are just too chunky for my liking. I don't mind the Bontrager XXX Lite (for example), but the Ritchey Superlogic or Pro Vibe look horrible I think! I prefer a conventional round alu stem, which will generally weigh the same and cost £200 less!

another vote for Deda. ITM are understated and OK, Pro, and Ritchie stuff is very ordinary looking IMO

Deda or 3T look good! Deda do an adapter for internal Di2 battery as well, which is another plus, although this is a can of worms I'm yet to open. Guessing I need holes in the frame in specific places for that to work?

ITM have gone very quiet it seems, used to be one of 'the' brands, I remember their "The Stem", 95g of magnesium. Flexy as hell. Combined with "The Bar" which was only light because they forgot to make the drops long enough to actually hold!