rocklandbike
new member
Reged: 06/17/04
Posts: 16
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I'm sure no one here will be surprised to hear I'm on a quest to lighten my dragonfly. I went with Shimano over Campy (just prefer Shimano's shifting) so I've got some weight I can spare.
I'm running the FSA K-force Mega EXO cranks in compact right now and god do I love them.
Now I'm looking at the wheels. I've got 2004 Zip 303's which are GREAT wheels. They aren't the lightest and so of course my eye is wandering over that way. Browsing through my Velo News buyer's guide, I'm drawn to the Rolf Elan Aero wheelset.
I haven't ridden that set, though I'm familiar with Rolf's reputation for solid stuff. Anyone have any thoughts on them? (Rider type: 170lbs, I put about 3k miles on the bike a year, all sorts of terrain, often leading group rides for local club, but many sprinting and racing nights.)
Second question, look Keo Ti pedals, anyone running them? I'm using the Shimano Dura Ace (7800s) which I like a lot, but am not married to. Swapping out the wheels and the pedals alone would take a lb off the bike, claimed weight to claimed weight.
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flythebike
captain
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 272
Loc: N. Virginia, USA
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Coombe Pro pedals are as light as the Keos, made of steel instead of carbon, and are made in the US instead of France. Buy American! www.coombepro.com. And they cost about $120 less.
Zipp 303s (I'm guessing you have the clinchers) are light enough for training wheels IMHO. Rolf makes good wheels. My only issue is that I don't really care for that paired spoke design. I don't like how it handles. It feels 'ghosty' to me, like I can feel all that hollow space between the spokes. And if you happen to hit the rim real hard on something, right between the spokes, that rim is done. That said, I'm sure the Elans are nice wheels. The only thing neg I have heard is that the braking surface is really small, and you might have to cut the pads. This is only a problem if you are running different race wheels.
I'm a big believer in running durable training wheels and lightweight racing wheels. So if I were you I woulnd't change your training wheels. Instead, I'd buy a set of racing wheels. But that is me. Do what makes you happy on your bike!
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rocklandbike
new member
Reged: 06/17/04
Posts: 16
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Despite my incredibly race-worthy bike, I don't race. I just ride and ride and ride. 
I like the Zipps, really. The spin up quickly though dont' have a terribly lively feel to them. I used to like my Mavic Heliums a long number of years ago for the opposite reasons. They were lively, but a bit too jittery. I guess I"m looking for something in the middle.
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flythebike
captain
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 272
Loc: N. Virginia, USA
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I respect that you don't race and want fast wheels.
Another option you may not know about is the American Classic Carbon wheel. I'm not sure if it is available yet. But it is suppossed to weigh about 1200 grams for a clincher. That is about the lightest thing you can get, I think. And AC has a good reputation for quality and they are American Made.
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bfd
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 77
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Then you need to get the following:
Zipp 202 Carbon Tubular (2004 Model, 1040 grams) "Quick V" Wheelset, 700c Shimano. Wheels have less than fifteen total miles ridden on them. Were purchased for the Mt. Diablo Hillclimb this past October. One of
the lightest wheelsets available.
Prepped after purchase by a top wheelsmith and are in perfect condition. Price includes professionally glued Tufo Elite Jet tires ($80 new, each) also in perfect condition. Glue was applied with several layers over multiple days. Also comes with Zipp lightweight
skewers.
Super-stiff, super-light and super-fast. Last time I looked these were the lightest rims on the market. Retail for the wheels alone is $1550.
Price: $1325 / BO. This includes tires, skewers and I'll throw in some new Zipp carbon-only brake pads. Local SF Bay Area sales only
Email gregdrake1 at yahoo dot com
It should be noted that this ad was posted back in January. However, the seller used these wheels up mt. diablo and set the record for fastest time!
Here's his response to some questions:
<<I do believe the wheels helped up Diablo - their acceleration is unmatched in my experience. And yes I made it up in "less than an hour" (and got a t-shirt to prove it:). Seriously, I'm sure someone like Dan Connelly can run some numbers through analytic cycling and see
how much time they saved me (interested Dan?). Anyway, I clocked a 44:58. Here are the results from 2004:
http://www.doitsports.com/newresults3/client/75181_88473_2004.html
> I snagged the Mt Diablo record by a mere 22
> seconds. The previous record of 45:20 was set by Mike Engleman in 1990. I'll betcha it was those wheels! >>
He also corrected the ad by stating that the wheels have a total of 22 miles on it, not 15. Do it all, do it now!
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flythebike
captain
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 272
Loc: N. Virginia, USA
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I have a pair of 202s. They are superlight, relatively durable (require very minor truing every few rides) and a lot of fun to ride. Very responsive spin up and good road feel. I rode them every day for three or four months with no problems. Then I switched to training on clinchers to save me the hassle of training on tubulars and dealing with flats that are expensive in time, trouble and money.
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superunleaded
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 223
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Here 'ya go.
Go for it. I'm sure you'll find the lightest part here.
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/listings.php
--------------------
***Regular Unleaded - 4.99
***Special Unleaded - 7.99
***Superunleaded - Arm & a Leg
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rocklandbike
new member
Reged: 06/17/04
Posts: 16
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Thanks for the advice. I'll check em.
I put the Rolf's on order. They are 1295 for clincher, and are made in the US too. I'm looking forward to them. They should look great on the calfee.
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rocklandbike
new member
Reged: 06/17/04
Posts: 16
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The Coombe Pro have a claimed weight of 190 grams, which is the same as the weight of the Look pedals.
But it's the platform of the Look that I'm more interested in. I'd go to Crank Brothers Ti Egg Beaters if I wanted to shave weight and not have a wider platform.
My drivetrain is made in Japan, the carbon on my bike accessories comes from asia, the rubber on the wheels is made in Mexico, the tubes are made in Taiwan, the bar tape is made in Taiwan, etc. I'm not all that concerned about "buying american" at this point.
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Bruce
contributor
Reged: 12/27/03
Posts: 133
Loc: North of NYC
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Don't forget the shoes. They are a part of your bike. I switched from old carbon soled Dedoro's, Campy Profits, and metal cranks to carbon cranks, Bebop pedals, and Rocket 7's. Shaved off about one lb. Makes a big difference. Don't forget they are all rotating weight.
Make sure you send the extra bucks for the custom Rocket 7s. They will fit your foot like an expensive glove, and are about as light as you can get for shoes, and not that much more than a high end pair of machine made shoes. http://www.rocket7.com/
Also I would use the Bebop over the Coombe pedal any day. Bebops weigh just 240 per pair with cleats. Coombe is almost 300 depending on the cleat. http://www.bebop.com
You will need to go tubulars if you are serious about weight reduction on wheels. Check out Tufo tires. Light and strong. When they say the tire is 195 grams, it is. http://www.tufo.com
Good luck on with weight reduction. Many may kid you about getting a light bike, but it is a noticable difference.
Also, the correct address for Coombe is http://www.coombe.com
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flythebike
captain
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 272
Loc: N. Virginia, USA
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How do the Bebops engage?
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Bruce
contributor
Reged: 12/27/03
Posts: 133
Loc: North of NYC
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You just step into them. They have two little latches on the front and rear of the cleat than engage a lip of the pedal. You can also twist your foot around and stay on the pedal and not "clip" out. This is more relevant for MTB than road riding. I find it takes a while to get used to getting in to them, but then it becomes natural.
The cleat is walkable and does not get junked up with crud. You need to lube the cleats once a month or more to keep them smooth, but it is not a big deal.
What I like about them is they are not a Ti axle, but steel, so you don't have weight limits and fear of the broken axle.
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flythebike
captain
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 272
Loc: N. Virginia, USA
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Sounds like a viable alternative to Coombes. I'm satisfied with the Coombes, though. Also all steel, so nice and tough. The cleats are lasting a long time, too. Great cornering clearance!
If you insist on a full platform, I'd go with the Time RSX. I never had any reliability issues with them.
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