Road Racing Bike
Problems tend to happen with frames at the top end and wheels at the low end. The first issue is that “race only” equipment is being sold to the public as everyday riding gear. The top end carbon fiber frame of just about any companies line will be paper thin. The bikes stand up to riding but a stone chip can crack the frame. This sort of thing isn’t covered under warranty.
The other is simple economics. Your going to get more durable wheels on a $1500 bike than on a $800 bike. The nice thing about wheels though is that it is an easy and relatively affordable upgrade. Cheaper bikes tend to have lower quality bearings in the hubs and cranks which you don’t know to look at but make a big difference in durability.
With the aim of giving pros the lightest and stiffest frames to win races the limits of carbon fiber construction are really being pushed. For the most part they stand up to riding well but in the real world, stuff happens. If you watch the Tour de France you may have seen shattered bikes from crashes. Heavier, tougher frames have a better chance of surviving the wipe outs that will happen. Stone chips, the bike falling over, car racks and wipe outs can write off one of these frames which of course isn’t covered under warranty. When you spend this kind of money (usually over $5000) it’s fair to expect some durability.
If you have the budget for a high end race bike, buy a companies mid range Carbon Road frame such as the Kuota Kharma and put the money you save into wheels, drive train and cockpit controls. You will have a bike that is the same weight or lighter and a frame that will stand up to day to day use much better. In a carbon frame, an extra couple hundred grams means a huge difference in toughness. The plus is that the slightly heavier carbon frames are much lower priced. As an example the Kuota Kharma frame is around 200 grams heavier than the top end KOM. The Kharma frame set is half the price of the KOM. With the money you save you can cut way more than 200 grams off the overall package. Some people would argue that the higher end frames ride better or are stiffer but the big secret is that the wheels make much more of a difference in over ride quality than the frame does.
And don’t be brainwashed into thinking Carbon or aluminum are the only options. A nice steel road bike like the Soma Smoothie is a great balance between bike fit (18 sizes between the Smoothie and Smoothie ES), ride quality, durability, cost and weight. If all other things are equal, the extra weight from a steel frame will not affect your speed but is much more forgiving.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not dumping on carbon bikes. But they aren’t the instant speed boost that companies would have you believe. Lighter weight matters but mainly going up hill, which when you do the math, isn’t a huge percentage of a given ride.
And while faster, most carbon fiber rimmed wheels are for racing and special occasions, not everyday use. If you are looking for an everyday riding wheel that you can also race on Spinergy Stealth Carbons are a great riding wheel that isn’t overpriced like Zipp wheels. The price of the Zipp wheels keeps going up making them a poor value regardless of performance. If you are looking at top performance regardless of price I recommend the Edge Composites rims and wheels as they are built better than just about any carbon rims on the market. As a test to their toughness, they make mountain bike rims that stand up to real world riding conditions so their road rims are going to as close to bombproof as you can get.
If you want a fast road bike but can’t afford to replace it if it breaks, follow my guidelines and you will be on your way to a High Performance bike that will survive the real world.
My name is Winston Endall. I’m a bike shop owner and cycling coach. Over the last 12 years I’ve worked developing my Speed Factory Training System to allow real people like you to maximize their fitness. My system lets people with jobs and families build a high level of cycling performance with the minimum time spent each week. Speed Factory combines bike workouts, crosstraining and flexibility work to make you a stronger overall athlete in as little as 4 hours per week. For more information go to my site http://www.cyclecambridge.com
Spinergy Rev X Carbon Rear
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Bicycle Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xyclone Race MTB Front $31.00 |
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New2012 Spinergy Stealth FCC CarbonPBO Yellow Wheel Set/Shimano/Ceramic Bearings $1,349.00 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Ceramic Premium ABEC-5 Spinergy Alloy Front $33.00 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Ceramic Premium ABEC-5 Spinergy Carbon Rear $33.00 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Ceramic Premium ABEC-5 Spinergy Alloy Front $33.00 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Ceramic Premium ABEC-5 Spinergy Sm3/sd3 Front $35.00 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Ceramic Premium ABEC-5 Spinergy Xaerox Front $35.00 |
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Bike Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xaero Carbon Road Premium ABEC-5 $35.00 |
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Bike Bearing Ceramic Premium ABEC-5 Spinergy Xyclone Disc MTB $35.00 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Ceramic Premium ABEC-5 Spinergy Xaerox 6902 $35.00 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Ceramic Premium ABEC-5 Spinergy SR3 Front $35.00 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Ceramic Premium ABEC-5 Spinergy Sm3/sd3 $35.00 |
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Bicycle Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xaero LITE Road Premium ABEC-5 $35.00 |
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Spinergy Rev-X Bearing $3.32 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Ceramic Premium ABEC-5 Spinergy Sr3 srx Rear $35.00 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Ceramic Premium ABEC-5 Spinergy Xyclone MTB $35.00 |
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Bike Bearing Ceramic Premium ABEC-5 Spinergy Xyclone Disc MTB $35.00 |
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Bicycle Bearing Ceramic Premium ABEC-5 Spinergy Xyclone MTB Hub $35.00 |
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SPINERGY XYCLONE FRONT HUB WHEEL BEARINGS $7.89 |
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Bicycle Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xaero Carbon Road 6000 $31.00 |
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4 Bicycle Hub Bearings Spinergy Rev-x Wheelset Sealed (GENUINE SPINERGY PARTS) $9.95 |
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GENUINE NEW SPINERGY WHEELCHAIR BEARING SET FACTORY REPLACEMENT GUARANTEE FIT $9.85 |
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SPINERGY XYCLONE FRONT HUB WHEEL BEARINGS $7.89 |
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Bike Cartridge 10 Bearing Spinergy SPOX Alloy Rear 6000 $12.95 |
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Bicycle Hub/Cartridge Bearing Spinergy Rev-x Wheelset $6.95 |
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Full Ceramic Bike Hub Bearing Spinergy Rev-x Wheelset $67.95 |
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Bicycle Hub/Cartridge Bearing Spinergy Alloy Front 6901 $8.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Spinergy Xyclone Disc MTB Front $9.95 |
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10 Bike Hub Bearing S Stainless Spinergy Rev-x Wheelset $59.00 |
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Bike Hub/Cartridge Bearing Spinergy Rev-x Wheelset R8 $3.95 |
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10 Bicycle Hub Bearing Spinergy Rev-x Wheelset Shielded $23.95 |
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10 Bike Hub/Cartridge Bearing Spinergy Rev-x Wheelset $19.95 |
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Full Ceramic Bicycle Bearing Spinergy Rev-x Wheelset R8 $64.95 |
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10 Bicycle Hub Bearing S Spinergy Rev-x Wheelset Sealed $53.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xyclone Race MTB $14.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Spinergy Xyclone Race MTB Rear 6902 $6.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xyclone MTB Rear $14.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Spinergy Xyclone MTB Rear Cartridge $6.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Spinergy Xyclone MTB Front Sealed $6.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xyclone MTB Front $14.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Spinergy Xyclone Disc MTB Rear 6902 $6.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xyclone Disc MTB $14.95 |
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Full Ceramic Bicycle Hub Bearing Spinergy Xaerox Front $89.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xaerox Front Si3N4 $14.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xaerox Front ZrO2 $14.95 |
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10 Bicycle Hub/Cartridge Bearing Spinergy Xaerox Front $29.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Stainless Spinergy Xaero Road Rear $6.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xaero Road Rear $14.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Spinergy Xaero LITE Road Rear 6902 $6.95 |
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Full Ceramic Bicycle Bearing Spinergy Xaero LITE Road $54.95 |
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Ceramic Bicycle Bearing Spinergy Xaero Carbon Road Full $109.00 |
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Bicycle Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xaero Carbon Road Hub $14.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Spinergy Xaero Carbon Road Rear $6.95 |
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Full Com Ceramic Bicycle Hub Bearing Spinergy SR3 Front $99.00 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Stainless Spinergy SR3 Front Sealed $6.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy SR3 Front Si3N4 $14.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Stainless Spinergy SR3 Front 6902 $6.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy SR3 Front ZrO2 $14.95 |
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Bicycle Hub/Cartridge Bearing Spinergy SR3 Front 6902 $5.95 |
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Full Ceramic Bicycle Hub Bearing Spinergy Sm3/sd3 Front $109.00 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Sm3/sd3 Front 6902 $14.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Stainless Spinergy Sm3/sd3 Front $6.95 |
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Bicycle Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Sm3/sd3 Front ZrO2 $14.95 |
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Full Ceramic Bike Bearing Spinergy Xyclone Race MTB Hub $99.00 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Spinergy Xyclone Race MTB Rear Sealed $6.95 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xyclone MTB Rear 6902 $17.77 |
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Full Ceramic Bike Hub Bearing Spinergy Xyclone MTB Rear $54.95 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xyclone MTB Rear ZrO2 $17.77 |
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Full Ceramic Bike Hub Bearing Spinergy Xyclone MTB 6902 $89.95 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Stainless Spinergy Xyclone MTB Front $6.95 |
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10 Bike Hub Bearing Spinergy Xyclone Disc MTB Rear 6902 $29.95 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Spinergy Xyclone Disc MTB Front Sealed $6.95 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xyclone Disc MTB ZrO2 $17.77 |
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Full Com Ceramic Bike Hub Bearing Spinergy Xaerox Front $99.00 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Stainless Spinergy Xaerox Front Sealed $6.95 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xaerox Front Si3N4 $17.77 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Stainless Spinergy Xaerox Front 6902 $6.95 |
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Bike Hub/Cartridge Bearing Spinergy Xaerox Front 6902 $5.95 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xaero Road Rear Si3N4 $17.77 |
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Full Ceramic Bike Bearing Spinergy Xaero LITE Road Hub $89.95 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xaero LITE Road Rear $17.77 |
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10 Bike Hub Bearing Spinergy Xaero LITE Road Rear 6902 $29.95 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Spinergy Xaero LITE Road Rear Shielded $5.95 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Spinergy Xaero Carbon Road Rear Sealed $6.95 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xaero Carbon Road $17.77 |
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Full Com Ceramic Bike Hub Bearing Spinergy Sm3/sd3 6902 $99.00 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Stainless Spinergy Sm3/sd3 Front 6902 $6.95 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Sm3/sd3 Front Si3N4 $19.95 |
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Bike Hub/Cartridge Bearing Spinergy Sm3/sd3 Front 6902 $5.95 |
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Full Ceramic Bicycle Hub Bearing Spinergy Alloy Front $59.95 |
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Bicycle Hub/Cartridge Bearing Spinergy Carbon Rear 6901 $5.95 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Carbon Rear Cartridge $17.77 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Alloy Front Cartridge $17.77 |
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Full Ceramic Bike Hub Bearing Spinergy Alloy Front 6901 $59.95 |
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10 Bike Hub/Cartridge Bearing Open Spinergy Alloy Front $39.95 |
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10 Bike Hub/Cartridge Bearing Spinergy Alloy Front 6901 $29.95 |
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Bike Hub Bearing Ceramic Spinergy Xyclone MTB Rear 6001 $17.77 |
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Bike Hub Full Ceramic Bearing Spinergy Xyclone MTB Rear $59.95 |
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Bike Hub Cartridge 10 Bearing Spinergy Xyclone MTB Rear $14.95 |
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Bike Hub Ceramic Bearing Spinergy Xyclone Disc MTB Full $64.95 |
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Enduro R6 2RS Max Cartridge Bearing for Spinergy, DK, GT, Santa Cruz $5.05 Blue polyurethane upgrade dust wipers and oil seals Dual lip offers improved seal with lower stiction Fox Forx kits include wipers, oil seals, crush washers, and foam rings… |
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Enduro R8 2Rs Enduro Max Cartridge, Id=1/2 Od=1-1/8 W=5/16 $4.49 R8 2RS ENDURO MAX CARTRIDGE ID=1/2″ OD=1-1/8″ W=5/16″… |
Tags: bearings spinergy, bike, carbon fiber construction, carbon frame, carbon frames, frame, road frame, stone chip, tour de france, winston endall
