What do you know about Headsets and Stems and Base Bars?

morpheus

 K.  Just signed up for Wisc.  That's good.  But, the cash I put into the race probably means that I should hold off on my plans to get a new bike.  So, I need to replace a few things before they vaporize into the rusty dust that they're showing.

Keeping in mind that my bike is an '06.  I thought IMFL this year would be the retirement of the bike but I'm probably going to use it for next year's IM before I put her in the pasture.  Meaning, I don't need Top Shelf but definitely want quality.

Need a new headset.  Any recommendations?

Stem?  Length is different for tri than road, eh?  I like my 3T on my roadie but not sure about the length needed for tri.  Should I just measure the existing rust monster on the tribike?  Been pretty happy with my setup for the last few years.

Base Bars?  Presently looking at the Profile Design Svet, good bar and good price from what research I've done.

And clip ons are pretty individual, I guess, but ideas are welcomed.

 

thanks all!

robin sarner

 Are you talking converting a road bike to a tri bike?

morpheus

Nope, just have ancient rusted out stuff on my tri bike.

def needs a new headset, stem, base bar, and clip ons.

Put off changing these pieces out because I really thought that I was finished with this bike after this year's IM.

Dino Sarti

Check out these links. If you have or can borrow the tools it's easy and the replacement bearings can be had pretty cheaply...

http://www.slowtwitch.com/Tech/Headset_How-To_-_Part_1_3127.html

novaavant

Unless you've done it before I would have the headset swapped at a shop. Your typical stem length will be shorter for tri bike versus the same setup on road. My tt bike stem is 90mm and my road bike is 120mm for example.
You might also look at the zipp aluminum base clip combo.

http://www.tririg.com/articles.php?id=2012_06_Zipp_Vuka_Alumina_Review

I would also check eBay or craigs list for guys dumping the aluminum bars from their specialized shiv bikes maybe find a bargain there.

Dino Sarti

If you like your fit, measure the old one and then just replace.... 4 bolts... Easy...

John Withrow

Chris-- Can you take some pictures so we can see what you're talking about (and how bad/rusted it really is)? I would be surprised if it's not something that simply taking it apart and giving it a thorough cleaning/degreasing/re-greasing won't fix. Or maybe just new bolts if they are all rusted (try WD40 as well). If you like your fit/setup AND you needed a new stem, I would simply replace it with the exact same size/angle that you already have. You can get a stem on eBay for less than $50 and maybe as low as $20 (Aluminum stems are cheaper and are often actually lighter than Carbon Fiber stems). You can get a new basebar/extentions on eBay for a couple hundred bucks, but why not save the dough and put it towards your new ride in a couple of yrs. You could also simply paint what you have (matte or gloss black) and replace the pads and bar tape.

With all that said, I bought a set of wide and flat HED bars for my P3 a couple yrs ago and absolutely love them...

robin sarner

 Yes same lenght stem.    Any brand.

profile design aluminum bits.    Ozero base bar and t2 extensions.   Very versatile.    Personally i would get all aluminum.   Expecially for the extensions, you can not tighten the pad rests enough to keep from moving without crushing carbon.

morpheus

Looking into all these options.

@John W- not only is my cockpit rusted but I modified it a bit a year ago and the cables don't run as smooth as I'd like. While this was OK for IMFL due to the lack of shifting and braking, I want it shifting/braking smooth for Wisc. So, I'll probably take it a step further past the cleanup/repaint mode (which is what I usually do). And, you're spot on about saving the $ for the next bike. Paying for the Foundation slot put a dent in the play fund. And, after Wisc, I'll probably take a year or two off from travelling and Full's due to back to back summers of kids going to college. I've decided to treat myself to that new bike once I get thru that.

After reading the link on the versatility and bang for the buck of the Zipp Vuka Alu setup, I'm hoping that I can go over to all3sports and see if they'll let me try a few setups before I purchase.

John Withrow

If it were me and I was upgrading the bars on an old bike, I would personally spend less than $200... If you drop $600-800 on bars, you are literally 1/3 of a way towards a sweet bike. Here are several options that would work for me...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110974418321?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290810290121?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200845521773?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221151903612?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181023079975?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

But if you have your heart set on the Zipp's, try these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/290812013317?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

[Deleted User]

if your looking for aluminum i have 2 set ups. profile t2 base and t2+ clips brand new taken off my tri bike. 0r 1 year used profile t2 base with carbon profile strike clip ons. i also have the profile brake levers and a set od dura ace bar end shifters. What size stem do you need? i have a few.

[Deleted User]

Posted By robin sarner on 12 Nov 2012 07:41 AM

 Yes same lenght stem.    Any brand.

profile design aluminum bits.    Ozero base bar and t2 extensions.   Very versatile.    Personally i would get all aluminum.   Expecially for the extensions, you can not tighten the pad rests enough to keep from moving without crushing carbon.

 

 

By the way a great fix for the carbon extensions, flip the elbow bracket over so it rests on the bolt and use the plastic spacer between the bracket and elbow pad. you can tighten enough and not worry about it moving. it also gets you a little lower in aero. 

 

morpheus

@john- i'm agreeing with you. Will look at those listings tonight when I get home ( at hospital with daughter having little surgery today). And, not looking at the carbon vuka setup ($$$$), but the aluminum ($).

@anthony- I'll send u a pm about questions regarding the used parts. Thx.

Dino Sarti

I have the carbon vuka set up on my P3 with the bull base bar. It is a cool set-up, but in hind site I could spent that cash elsewhere. It was fun at the time...