This has been going on in my head for years, maybe I’ll sort it out this time.
Last raced my argon e118 in Frankfurt ‘23 it was fine and it’s still super comfortable on the turbo. But frankly it’s been a bit of a hazard over the last seven years since I built it and first raced it in ‘18. The brake levers are always shaking loose, the rear wheel is a bit warped rubbing the brake pads, the bars are seized in place. Shifting is mechanical, Athena 11 works fine and I have plenty of spares. Cranks are also Campag and a good 165mm.
Options?
Replace wheelset (tricky as it’s Campag QR rim) and probably tyres, ignore other concerns feels a weak choice storing problems
Buy new tri bike, cheapest I can find is £3000 possible under c2w but feels like a step down and means replacing the turbo trainer
Buy new disc tri frameset, tricky under c2w, reuse good wheelset from TCR, move over Athena groupset or sacrifice the di2 on the tcr
Put clip ons on the TCR and accept the discomfort/cost, I couldn’t walk properly after doing this in 2017 IMUK
I want to minimise effort maximise on 70.3/140.3 courses but I only ride my TT outside twice a year max in races, I’d like to race club TTs but haven’t joined again yet, still looking for roads suitable for TT training after ten years at it…
Buy a frame ( rim ) frame/ bike that takes 25/28 mm tyres
Pennies on eBay / face book market place you can get a belter with aero wheels 10/11 speed for a grand ish, electric shifting 1500.
I think Poet says Exocet 2”s take 28 mm tyres ?
I should have swopped out the front tyre to a 23 for the race yesterday but then I would have to change it straight back, didn’t bother in the end
The difference between 23-28 mm tyres is HUGE ! Comfort wise, faster … ish and and sets you up for a better run
Old scirroccos fit I’m not sure about these new Calimas, but assuming they do fit almost all the gains are in the aero position a tri bike gives you right - so how much do shit wheels really matter?
I think £169 I might be able to afford if the Mrs isn’t looking.
Went through my pile of old shitty wheels, the bullet 80 rear still has a lump in it but the front 80 looks good. The only rear wheel I have that would fit is a basic bottom rung Miche that whilst is not covered in rust it looks totally fatigued…so that’s a “no”.
Rear brake, only one caliper is moving…
Option 4
Cleaned up my old clip ons from 2017, waved a tape measure about but adjusted nothing, and stuck them on the TCR over some electrical tape. Took it round the block and didn’t hospitalise myself…but the di2 is dead again - another reason not to race this bike
Is there an Option 5 ?
I looked at seat tube angles and the small Propels are 74.5° to my E-118s 76°…
It “takes” gp4000 25mm but I ran them at Lanza in a total disaster, later finding that they span freely unloaded but ever so slightly rubbed under load and forensics by a mechanic, so 23mm max for me
I see. After an experience like that .. I totally get it
I’m pretty sure I did several 70.3”s on it on 25 mm tyres ..?!
No certain though ?!?
My 116 has a broken jockey wheel, ghost shifting and a few other probs
If it’s going to be a fortune to mend / improve
I’ll split it for bits and go again.
