aka the "What Could Possibly Go Wong" bike (racism aside)
Right, last time I weighed my last build (Alfine hubbed 653 fa... slow tourer), it rocked in at 16kg - I still took it round the short course at Paris/Roubaix but spent too much time looking at the behinds of men zip across in lithe lightweight carbon whizzers.
I've always been intrigued by the promise of the no-name chinese carbon frames and wheels as on alibaba etc, so thought I'd have a go at creating a respectfully light (and unbranded) bike and fitting it with Di2 (I hate deraillers (hence the previous build as an alfine)) though a colleagues eulogising about the new reasonably priced electric shifting piqued my interest enough to give it a go.
Like a nerd (why not?) I started to amalgamate a list of parts (noting their weights - not as a target though hopefully indicative) and ordered them this week. I'm pushing 95kgs so I'm not scrimping too much weight wise.
I looked at the similarly priced alternatives (Wiggle ventura and the Dolan Tuono), though none of the specs are quite what I was after.
I say it's been ordered - only the overseas stuff has been so would love to hear suggestions for the completing bits (or any other stuff I've missed off).
There is a significant chance this'll probably turn to shit so feel free to get in the early obligatory "I told you so" posts about being cheap :)
aka the "What Could Possibly Go Wong" bike (racism aside)
Right, last time I weighed my last build (Alfine hubbed 653 fa... slow tourer), it rocked in at 16kg - I still took it round the short course at Paris/Roubaix but spent too much time looking at the behinds of men zip across in lithe lightweight carbon whizzers.
I've always been intrigued by the promise of the no-name chinese carbon frames and wheels as on alibaba etc, so thought I'd have a go at creating a respectfully light (and unbranded) bike and fitting it with Di2 (I hate deraillers (hence the previous build as an alfine)) though a colleagues eulogising about the new reasonably priced electric shifting piqued my interest enough to give it a go.
Like a nerd (why not?) I started to amalgamate a list of parts (noting their weights - not as a target though hopefully indicative) and ordered them this week. I'm pushing 95kgs so I'm not scrimping too much weight wise.
I looked at the similarly priced alternatives (Wiggle ventura and the Dolan Tuono), though none of the specs are quite what I was after.
Groupset: Ultegra Di2 (£1050/2620g)
http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/road-parts/transmission/groupsets-road-bike/shimano-ultegra-di2-groupset.html
Frame: Ebay Chinese no-name (£373/1100g)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-new-full-carbon-bike-bicycle-frameset-internal-cable-frameset-RB006-56cm-/150837285620?pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item231e9a52f4
Forks: With frame (£0/410g
Headset: Order through frame purchaser for $15, guessed weight (£10/150g)
Handlebars: Ebay (£110/410g)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/full-carbon-computer-mount-included-integrated-road-bike-handlebar-/280946459184?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4169b6c230
Wheelset: AliExpress. Chinny reckon on weight, though he assured me it's accurate! (£415/1430g)
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/700c-50mm-carbon-clincher-wheels-alloy-brake-Aerodynamic-shape-design/103713_848284657.html
Bottle cages: Ebay (£16/34g)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271159417030?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Saddle: Ebay (£41.36/232g)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/129-Road-Bike-Titanium-Carbon-Padded-Saddle-Bicycle-Seat-232-Grams-/290824932803?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43b6844dc3
Bar tape: Botranger (£20.00/90g) http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bontrager/2013-isozone-padding-with-black-bar-tape-ec044737#features
Tyres: GP 4000s (£66.48/460g)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-grand-prix-4000s-road-tyre/
Inner Tubes: Conti (£15.00/126g)
http://www.probikekit.co.uk/bicycle-inner-tubes/continental-race-28-light-road-inner-tube-700-x-18-25mm/10782208.html
Spacers: Ebay (£4/15g)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=271187177720
Brake Cabling (£31/205g) http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/dura-ace-ptfe-brake-cable-set-ec042965?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=froogle&utm_content=mkwid__pcrid_17321847296_kword__match__plid_
Pedals: Shim Ultegra (£105.00/260g)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-ultegra-pd-6700-carbon-spd-sl-road-pedals/
Total £2250/7.6kg ish.
I say it's been ordered - only the overseas stuff has been so would love to hear suggestions for the completing bits (or any other stuff I've missed off).
There is a significant chance this'll probably turn to shit so feel free to get in the early obligatory "I told you so" posts about being cheap :)