Kahuna
Forum Admin
Reged: 12/11/03
Posts: 162
Loc: Maui, Hawaii
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How about this test
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Max
journeyman
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 69
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I thought I would get this New forum started with A NEW BIKE. That's right I just order a new Tetra Pro this week. What a nice Xmas present. She will have a stock 58 cm geometry with an extra stiff down tube, a 1 1/8" head tube, painted with the red fade, and will have only a Calfee decal on the head and the Tetra Pro decal wrap around the seat tube. She will use to compete in the California Triple Crown Stage Race this year. I am looking for some suggestions on how to build her up. I am a 190 lbs now, but will be 175-180 for the race. She will be race in double centuries over steep and rough roads. Need ideas to make her light for climbing and durable for the conditions.
This New Forum looks great! Kahuna - Thank you, and Congratulations!!!
I don't know how to use everything let, but I am sure that will come with a little practice.
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MAX
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Kahuna
Forum Admin
Reged: 12/11/03
Posts: 162
Loc: Maui, Hawaii
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Congrats on your new Calfee purchase. If you're like me, you will feel like you're positively flying when you race that bike. The Tetra Pro is a beautifully stiff and responsive. You're gonna love it. What fork did you get?
-K
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Max
journeyman
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 69
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Thanks. Yes, you're right I did feel like I was flying on that bike. My LBS allowed me to demo 8 bikes this past year. I spend a week on each bike, and the Tetra was the one that really stood out for me in every way.
On the fork I am going with the Reynolds Ouzo Pro 1 1/8".
I live at the top of a cliff, so I needed something that would track a blizzering descent and at the end of my day fly back up a tear jerking climb. This terrain here can be a pain, but I can't complain about the weather or the now the bike 
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MAX
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Suds
new member
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 22
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Congrats on your Calfee purchase. Hope your wait isn't too long before your frame arrives. Regarding building it up - tell us what components and gearing you use now and what you feel the shortcomings in your equipment may be so that we may make some good suggestions.
Cheers
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skagwayroadie
contributor
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 141
Loc: Alaska
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Congrats on the new ride - you won't be disappointed.
You are in the same weight catagory as I am, however you did not mention how you ride(spinner, masher, sprinter or cruiser)so these are simply general recommendations.
I would suggest the following: Kestrel EMS Pro bars(stiff and comfy), Ritchey WCS stem(reasonably light and stiff), King headset(the best),Thomson seat-post (best clamp in the biz), I like Selle Italia Flite saddles (most comfy to my posterior), I prefer Shimano 7700 Dura-ace, but go for what ever you are used to, and upgrade to Mavic SSC brake calipers (stiff and much more responsive than stock)- and finally shoot for handmade wheels using King hubs/Mavic Open Pro rims and DT revolution spokes (more cost effective than boutique brands).
Nothing super light or fancy - just good solid stuff that will last, work well together and allow you to enjoy the ride or race and not fuss over details. This should net you a 15-16 pound bike depending on frame size.
...Mark
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rickrides
new member
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 8
Loc: SF Bay Area, CA
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Testing to see if this works. Thanks, Gary, for the new forum!
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Max
journeyman
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 69
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I am spinning at 90 rpms most of the time, except sprints, and big hills, and then the bike will be doing some flexing. However, I want to change that getting out of the saddle so much on the hills. I am currently using a 53-39 Chrous Crank and a 23-12 Dura Ace Sprockets and Rear Derailer, which has been ok for 1 or 2 mile 8% climbs, but my needs are changing. So need to rethink the gearing all together, get back to one make, and get some spinning gears for the long 12-15% grades I'll be doing this spring.
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Suds
new member
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 22
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A couple of options for the climbing, as I see it: First option - an easier cassette ie. Campy 12-25 or 13-26 or 13-29; Second option - FSA Compact Carbon crankset with a standard cassette; Third option - triple crankset. My only concern for either of the double crankset solutions is the possibility of running out of gears if you like to hammer the downhills, if not, I like the clean look of the FSA crankset with the Calfee frames.
Cheers,
Suds
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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From Uncle Al at roadbikerider.com
FSA Carbon Cranksets
DEAR UNCLE AL: Have you any experience with the FSA carbon cranksets? I’m wanting to replace a Campy triple with the FSA compact double. I can fit 50/34 chainrings with a 13-29 cassette and get almost the same gear range. Please give me your thoughts. -- Walt C.
UNCLE AL FIRES BACK: Yes I have, and yes you should. That’s a great crankset, Walter, and solves a lot of problems that triples seem to have on short-wheelbase bikes. Tyler Hamilton used this crank in the ’03 Tour, only with 52/36 rings and an 11-23 cassette. That's pretty low gearing for a pro, but he had a broken collarbone and needed to stay seated on climbs. His crank choice didn't slow him down now, did it?
FSA does wonderful stuff and it's beautiful to look at, as well. You'll need an Isis bottom bracket, and I recommend that, too. There are three versions, including a Ti one, so take your pick.
If you ever have a question about their cranks or other products, call FSA at 425/488-8653 and you'll be treated with respect and enthusiasm that is too often lacking in the bike business.
A 53 x 12 has a gear ratio of 8.8
A 50 X 11 has a gear ration of 9.1
A 52 X 11 has a gear ratio of 9.4
So you can run the compact and still have a good high end.
Happy riding.
Have all sorts of gearing fun at the Sheldon Harris web site. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/
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skagwayroadie
contributor
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 141
Loc: Alaska
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I have also heard good things about the FSA Compact crank and it certainly fits your application. My beef is the cost. One option that I have suggested in the past and has been debated is swapping to a XTR deraileur and XTR cassette. I'm sure an D/A long cage derailleur would work fine, but I haven't used one before. I have seen the M952 deraillleur and cassettes go for 65.00 and 95.00 respectively.
I will be using my XTR crank - minus the inner ring and a D/A cobb on my up coming Luna Cross...but I keep looking at the FSA's!!! Let us know what you decide.
...Mark
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bfd
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 77
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For those looking for a 110bcd double crank, another option to consider besides the FSA is the 2004 Ritchey double crank that is expected to be out in January 2004. Its my understanding that this crank will cost in the $160 range. Here's a picture:
http://www.ritcheylogic.com/images/newproducts2004/Crank_RD_110_Pro.jpg
The only other alternative is TA, but those are very expensive. For more see here:
Zephyr:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/zephyr.asp
Carmina:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/carmina.asp
Alize:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/alize.asp
I understand Stronglight and Sugino also have 110 double cranks, but haven't seen those yet....
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BikerDoug
friend
Reged: 12/29/03
Posts: 88
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What were the other seven bikes you tested? It would be great if you could post your impressions of each.
Thanks
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Max
journeyman
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 69
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I was on my way out of town for the weekend, and I was thinking about my bike. I had only inquired about it once a week ago, since order it, and the owner told me he just got a order for another customer, that he had place two weeks before mine. So, I went into LBS Friday to talk about components for it. As I walk in the shop the owner was signing for a delivery from UPS, then he turn around cut open the delivery and ask me if I would like to take my bike out of the box. I could believe it, I was so excite. What timing.... I could think of anything else the whole weekend. Now it's decision time for the components.
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MAX
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