Bike Upgrades

jfields74

 I have a 2012 Cervelo P2 that I purchased last May.  Raced a few sprints on it last year but I am looking to make some upgrades to the bike.  Besides, training with you guys here on EN, I've got 5 sprints planned and IMFL.  The only upgrade I've made is a Xlab Tropedo bottle mount and Speedfil bottle.  What would be some recommend upgrades for my bike?  Looking forward to everyone's suggestions.

Peter Wick

Do you have a power wheel or crankset?

MattAaronson

I haven't tricked out my bike too much. Powermeter and race wheels and behind-the-saddle bottle holder. Otherwise pretty much stock. I think I will add some Tririg Omega brakes this year.

harrast

Started with a QR CD0.1 which I built in my basement with parts that I bought all over the internet (including the frame which I purchased slightly used on eBay). Upgrades that have stuck:

Quarq powermeter :-D
Garmin Edge 500 :-D
Stem mounted Speedfil a2
Dark speed bento box
1 single bottle cage mounted Lieto style behind the seat with zip ties
Profile design Aerobottle on the seat tube
SRAM return to center shifters :-D
A rear disk wheel and a front deep section
Special skewers (not quick release) that require an allen wrench to remove. They are more secure and aero than standard skewers. I've seen similar ones on Nashbar, but I was out of my mind and bought the titanium ones.

The only items I paid retail for were the Dark speed bento box and the stem mount for my Speedfil bottle. Everything else I grabbed on close out or ebay or used or somewhere where I could save a buck. Now I have a pile of used parts in my basement that I need to get rid of.

Darren Freeman

I just bought a 2012 P2 in November and the first or second thing I'm going to upgrade is the handle bars.. It has the Ultimate Performance 3T bars and they aren't doing the job in terms of comfort. They work for the time being but since they are fixed pads I can't move them back any farther because it is a function of the stem length which I'm already on the shortest one already.

My plan is the upgrade to the one of the Profile Designs base bars (Prosvet, Svet, Svet Zero, or Viper Wing) and then put one of the Profile Designs aero bars (T3+, T2+, T1+) on them.

Power Meter and Wheels are other upgrades I'll be making before IMLP 2013.

robin sarner

More efficient derailleur pulleys.

jfields74

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

@Darren - I too feel the same way about the the 3T Aura Pro's that are on my bike. You can adjust the pads on mine just a bit but not enough to my liking. I need them out only a little more so I broken down and bought the 3T Mistral that is more adjustable. Haven't got them installed yet but plan to do so soon.

Dino Sarti

I changed my P3 quite a bit. The biggest change was due to the 3T not moving enough, as you said above. Here is what I did:

- ZIPP 404 with Powertap
- Cobb saddle
- Compact Crank
- Entirely new cockpit - stem, base bars, aero bars (all Zipp)
- Various behind the saddle water bottle schemes and gimmicks...

benvanmarcke

Minimal changes to my 2009 P2, other than the wheels. Same handlebar / cockpit, brakes, whatever. Only thing I have changed were the cables, after getting fitted the cables were too short. Got Nokon cables because the standard Shimano cables are also too short (the housing at least). Oh and I swapped the crank for a compact, the bike came with an FSA SLK which was awesome, but now it has a Shimano Ultegra compact.

No other changes, good enough for top bike splits in the last 5-6 short course races I've done so no need for further tuning...

William Jenks

The most cost effective thing is an aero helmet, particularly in the sub-$200 range.

We recommend compact cranks here (50/34). I STRONGLY recommend switching out the FSA cranks for Shimano or something else that shifts better than the FSAs. I have a P3 and I'm running with Shimano 105s. Not very sexy but MUCH better than the FSA and quite affordable. You can look into the bike part of the Wiki to see the reasoning for going to compact cranks, but the bottom line is that it's a much better way of having low gears (which you should have if you race anything hilly) than having a rear cassette that has a huge low gear. (I run 50/34 and 11/26)

And, as others have said, Power is a huge big deal if you don't have it already. There are multiple ways to do it, but the most cost effective is usually to get a Power Tap built into a pretty bomb-proof rim and then use an inexpensive wheel cover to turn it into a disk for racing.

My opinion only.... but front end upgrades are pretty expensive on a bang for buck basis.

[Deleted User]

I have a 2008 C2. Here are the changes I have made from 'stock':

Hed Jet 6 Wheels with Powertap and Wheelbuilder cover
ISM Adamo Road Saddle
Moved to a Shimano Ultegra compact crank

jfields74

@William, I do indeed have the FSA crank with (50/34) but I should possibly consider upgrading from the FSA crank, eh? Wheelbuilder would be the best route for power tap, rim and cover, correct? Got an aero helmet recommendation? I was looking at the Rudy Project since EN has a discount there.

@Ian I also have a ISM Adamo racing saddle, forgot to mention that. Great saddle.

Thanks for the input!

benvanmarcke

Oh yeah i also swapped the saddle, in my case for a Cobb.

harrast

I'm going to have to check out the adamo saddles. I have an smp that is killing me. I forgot to mention that I also have 2 salt stick dispensers lashed to my aerobars with zip ties. Also, my frame bottle is an Xlab aero bottle--I think I said it was a profile design, but it's not. I installed the ceramic jockey wheels on my derailleur last year; got 'em cheap on eBay. Now I'm really fast;-) Also got a deal on a SRAM red ceramic bottom bracket.

William Jenks

Jamie, the change in crank won't make you any faster. It is just one of those things where you will be amazed how much better the front shifting is. So, in that sense, it's zero bang for buck, but just makes you more comfortable. Kind of like finding the right saddle. :-) If you needed to change cranks for another reason (e.g., to go compact), then it would be a no brainer...but now it's just an option that I promise you would like, but it's still an unnecessary expenditure.

As for getting the PT wheel, Wheelbuilder would be a very good choice. I have a local bke shop (LBS), whose favor I like to curry...so I had them build me a wheel on a Mavic Open Pro, and they love me because I spend money at their place...so I get all my repairs very quick and often little adjustments for free as a courtesy. The difference in cost was under $100 from the cheapest online I could find. (I knew what that was before talking to them.) If it were today, I might choose a rim with a little deeper cut so that using the wheel cover was a little easier, but otherwise I'm very happy.

I wish I could advise you about aero helmets. I don't know that anyone really knows what's best. I therefore recommend whatever fits, is fairly easy to put on, and isn't ridiculously expensive. :-)