Current Projects chat and miscellany

Pretty keen to try the Aliante, but thanks for the suggestions. Will keep them in mind.

Cable routing (assuming brakes and gears...): Do people prefer:

• Front brake on the left side, and the brake and gear cables to curve around to the opposite side of the head tube (cables end up crossing under downtube)
  
• Front brake on the left side, but gear cables run the same side as their levers, so don't cross under the down tube
  
• Front brake on the right side, all cables run to the same side of the head tube as the levers, and straight underneath the down tube.
  
• Front brake on the right side, and the brake and gear cables to curve around to the opposite side of the head tube (cables end up crossing under downtube)
  
  

I did it the first way. Seems fine. Took the bike to a shop to have the knackered BB30 shell inspected, and they promptly told me the cable routing was wrong. Bit tired of the "this is the way to do it and you know nothing" attitude of some "mechanics". Gets old. Learn more from YouTube videos than from some shop jokers. I told them I liked it that way. Also, cables taped up behind the bars, instead of at the front. Looks way neater I think. The FSA Energy Traditional drop bars feel so much better than the Ergonova I used to ride on the Pompino. And 44cm down from 46 makes a big difference.

I might be sat here twiddling my thumbs for a while, waiting for the insurance replacement for the CAAD10. Considering upgrading some parts in the mean time. Swapping standard Red crankset for Exogram (will the new design chainrings work ok with Ultegra 6700 front mech, or do I need Red with YAW? Also thinking of the best way to black out the grey bits on the ring), shitty Ringle/Salsa/worn-out silver Thomson post for FSA K-Force carbon or Thomson Elite with layback, and that Koobi PRS / old Gel Flite for a Fizik Aliante. Apart from that, pretty happy with the build. Arundel Mandible or King Ti cages will be the final choice...

BTW, the + 4mm axel option Dura Ace pedals seemed like a good choice: With the blue (2 deg float) SPD-SL cleats mounted in the centre of my size 47 Fizik R3 shoes, I had enough heel clearance. Good choice for those with larger feet, so you can have cleats mounted centrally. Same price as the standard axel option too, as opposed to Speedplay where you have to shell out big cash for a separate set.