Upgrading from Aksiums
Discussion
My Supersix is after some winter attention. Its the 2012 105 and is due a new sprocket & chain and after seeeing some deals on Ultegra, think i'm going that way. Likewise, Wiggle are flogging sets of Ultegra brakes for under £80 so I think I may as well invest and sell on the 105s for half that meaning only a £35-40 upgrade for an improvement in braking.
But I know the weight in the bike is in the wheels. The Aksiums have been excellent, so reliable but want to upgrade them for something lighter, but equally reliable if thats possible. Theyre also suprisingly compliant I find in soaking up road imperfections.
What would you recommend for a good upgrade? Dont mind buying last years models if theyre still available.
Can it be done for under £400?
But I know the weight in the bike is in the wheels. The Aksiums have been excellent, so reliable but want to upgrade them for something lighter, but equally reliable if thats possible. Theyre also suprisingly compliant I find in soaking up road imperfections.
What would you recommend for a good upgrade? Dont mind buying last years models if theyre still available.
Can it be done for under £400?
)Ive got the same bike as you and have upgraded to an ultegra rear mech and brakes. Try je james cycles as i only paid £40 for brakes and same for mech. I then sold my 105 for £40 so cost nothing.
Ive also upgraded my chainset to a sram red , this was the biggest difference ive felt apart from the wheels. So much stiffer and lighter. Hunted around and got a deal for about £200 from a little bike shop. Sold my old set for £70
I went with cosmic carbone wheels , and managed to ge them from westbrook cycles for £630 which is a bargain. My old aksium sold for £100.
Ive also upgraded my chainset to a sram red , this was the biggest difference ive felt apart from the wheels. So much stiffer and lighter. Hunted around and got a deal for about £200 from a little bike shop. Sold my old set for £70
I went with cosmic carbone wheels , and managed to ge them from westbrook cycles for £630 which is a bargain. My old aksium sold for £100.
Upgrading to Ultegra brakes won't make your braking better. If you want better braking then fit some decent pads. They will, however, be lighter (by a few grams).
Now isn't a good time to upgrade your wheels, given that winter conditions wear wheels the most. So wait for the road to be free from grit before using your new wheels, at least.
Now isn't a good time to upgrade your wheels, given that winter conditions wear wheels the most. So wait for the road to be free from grit before using your new wheels, at least.
PX have £100 off their carbon wheels at the moment, can have these for £400.
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPPX52CCL/plan...
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPPX52CCL/plan...
Not 100% sure on the price but I think a set of Mavic open Pro rims with Dura Ace hubs would come in close to your price range. They would be bomb proof and easier to replace spokes etc by comparison to manufacturer built wheels. (I guess Ultegra hubs would make things a little cheaper if necessary.)
If you'd rather something more aero you could go for the Mavic CXP-33 or for tubs Mavic Reflex rims. Just to give you an alternative to manufacture built wheels.
If you'd rather something more aero you could go for the Mavic CXP-33 or for tubs Mavic Reflex rims. Just to give you an alternative to manufacture built wheels.
Don´t upgrade the wheels.
Get yourself a set of Continental GP4000s tyres in black, and a pair of latex tubes.
Tiagra 10-speed cassettes are pretty cheap, and do the job.
I agree with the other poster that a brake pad upgrade and a good clean of the rim are the only things you need to change from your stock 105 brakes.
Get yourself a set of Continental GP4000s tyres in black, and a pair of latex tubes.
Tiagra 10-speed cassettes are pretty cheap, and do the job.
I agree with the other poster that a brake pad upgrade and a good clean of the rim are the only things you need to change from your stock 105 brakes.
Barchettaman said:
Don´t upgrade the wheels.
Get yourself a set of Continental GP4000s tyres in black, and a pair of latex tubes.
Tiagra 10-speed cassettes are pretty cheap, and do the job.
I agree with the other poster that a brake pad upgrade and a good clean of the rim are the only things you need to change from your stock 105 brakes.
Already got a set of GP4000s. Get yourself a set of Continental GP4000s tyres in black, and a pair of latex tubes.
Tiagra 10-speed cassettes are pretty cheap, and do the job.
I agree with the other poster that a brake pad upgrade and a good clean of the rim are the only things you need to change from your stock 105 brakes.
Why shouldnt I upgrade the wheels? Its pretty widely stated that its the one noticeable improvement you can make and probably best value for money.
JohnnyMac said:
Not 100% sure on the price but I think a set of Mavic open Pro rims with Dura Ace hubs would come in close to your price range. They would be bomb proof and easier to replace spokes etc by comparison to manufacturer built wheels. (I guess Ultegra hubs would make things a little cheaper if necessary.)
If you'd rather something more aero you could go for the Mavic CXP-33 or for tubs Mavic Reflex rims. Just to give you an alternative to manufacture built wheels.
The Das would take it over the £400 mark, or at least leave no change for appropriate tyres and tubes. Ultegras on a similar build come in at £300ish. CXPs would have minimal aero gain for a chunk more weight. If you'd rather something more aero you could go for the Mavic CXP-33 or for tubs Mavic Reflex rims. Just to give you an alternative to manufacture built wheels.
re. brakes, a VAST improvement in braking can be had with new cables, new pads and a good (read: proper, with an appropriate cleaning block) clean up of the rims. It's amazing how many people automatically believe fancier parts to be better when replacing supposedly inferior stuff spoilt by rubbish cables, pads, poor setup etc. Brains before bling
EDIT: And stock Shimano pads are utter s
te Edited by Jimbo. on Sunday 3rd November 23:59
I saved about a kilo changing to a pair of PX 50mm carbons with Tufo Tubs from my Shimano RS10 on my SuperSix. Probably cost you about 470 for tyres and a set of Reynolds blue pads.
Braking will get a little worse but not as much as you'll have read.
Having recently changed back to the RS10s for winter I can tell you that the PX are much stiffer (and therefore less comfy) but also noticeably lighter.
If you were happy with Aksiums then maybe just move up the Mavic range. Have you considered second hand?
Braking will get a little worse but not as much as you'll have read.
Having recently changed back to the RS10s for winter I can tell you that the PX are much stiffer (and therefore less comfy) but also noticeably lighter.
If you were happy with Aksiums then maybe just move up the Mavic range. Have you considered second hand?
Dixie said:
If you were happy with Aksiums then maybe just move up the Mavic range. Have you considered second hand?
Yeah I have and would do, provided they were true. I am happy with the Aksiums, theyve been great but when I pick the bike up, I notice the weight at the rear is noticeable more than my mates 2nd hand Ribble Carbon which despite having a heavier frame, has lighter wheels and components on it, Shimano Ultegra wheels & groupset. As weight in the rolling weight of the bike does make a difference when scaling hills, I'm sure a set of lighter wheels should make those climbs a little faster than they would be on the heavier Aksiums. I would however, like to retain ride quality so if it means a happy medium somewhere within the range, then thats good for me.
Considering a pair of RS80s or RS81s, depending on what the difference between them is (Its about £70 in money) but no idea if the tech has changed other than to be 11 spd compatible.
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