Ok... with a bit of luck I'll be ordering a 2010 RS by the end of the week. I have my final spec in mind but would appreciate comments from you guys who have far more experience than I.

51 cm RS 2010 (I'm 5'7" and will be getting a full bike fitting)

SRAM Force 2010 groupset (compact chainset and 12-27 cassette)

3T Ergosum alloy bars and stem

Easton EA90SLX wheels

Fizik Aliante carbon kium saddle (white)

Cervelo branded bar tape (again in white)

Look Keo 2 Max pedals

Tires - no idea what to buy

My previous bike (Focus Cayo) was too big for me and consequently I was too stretched out which in turn gave me Ulnar nerve problems. To combat this I used a set of Fizik gel pads under the bar tape which helped a bit. Do any of you use the gel pads on an RS? Given I've gone for a carbon rail saddle, is there a noticeable flex from the rear end? I'm 83Kg and wondered if I'd be better getting the steel railed version.

Thanks,

 

Phil

Ask the bike shop to check the compatability of the carbon rails on the saddle with your seat post.  If you are a climate that gets cold in the winter, the Continental Grand Prix 4 Seasons is a fine tire in the winter, fall, and spring.  The Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX II are great tires in the summer with their reduced rolling resistance.

Any thought of SRAM Force or Red?

I have gel pads on my RS (Specialized Avitar); it's comfortable when you ride where you are suppose to, but it has chrome rails.  I have a Selle Max Flite with venox rails (some form of titanium) waiting to replace it.  I think your saddle choice is fine.

For tires Vittoria Open All-Weather Clincher or Serfa Seca RS seemed to rate well on Road Bike Review.  I still have my stock Vittoria's from when I purchased the bike.

 

You will love the RS; it is a great bike.

Sorry I did mean SRAM Force not Rival, I will edit the post in a minute

 Phil

Phil,

Not sure where you are geographically, but  good choice on going with the compact (50/34). Compacts seem to be the new standard, and I would go with an 11-28 Cassette (11-26 if few hills or mountains). The 11T gives you a superior high speed end over the old 53/39-12-25 combo and the 28 gives you a very good low end if you have long 5+% hills or you think you will go explore some!

My Roubaix came with 53/39,12/27 and I Upgraded it to a 50/34, 11-27 and I go places that few other road cyclists go. I bought my R3 with the Upgraded Compact and 11-28 and I find few limits.

You'll really enjoy the bike!

Aloha,

Jeff

For tires, I'd recommend Conti GP4000 25c. Although they're marketed as a race tire, I've found them to be excellent all round tire as well. It's quite a strong and durable tire. I've ridden them as cold as -15C, on 10+km stretches of gravel, and even some commuting duty with zero issues.

I also recommend the SRAM Rival drivetrain. I've got two sets, one on my 2008 RS (compact with 11-23 rear) and another on my CX with 11-28 rear. THey're awesome. Even the mud an grit of CX and they perform w/o issues. The piano black goes nice with the RS finish a well. ;-) 

 

 If you have Ulnar nerve problems, why limit your hand positions on the Handlebar with a - so called - ergo bar? With the bends in an ergo bar your hand positions are very limited.

Why not consider a traditional bend bar?
I rode the 3T Rotundo Pro for several hundred miles.
I now ride the Deda Newton Deep. The Deda is slightly deeper, and the bend is a little wider radius. If you have large hands the Deda is better. I prefer the Deda. You also need the matching Deda Newton 31 stem.
The “tail” on both bars is long enough for a full palm grip.
The Deda tape is nice, too.
I use Cenilli gels on the tail of the drops.

I bought the frameset back in 2008. Most of the build came off the old bike. My addition was the Rotor chain rings. I really like them. That's my 2 cents

Hi Phil,

I have a 2009 RS with a Selle Italia Carbonio SLR and I weigh 89kg.  I don't notice much flex, just nice damping of the road vibration so I reckon at 83kg you'll be fine.  Mine is also a 58cm, so the 51cm should be even stiffer I think. 

I use gel pads on my Deda Mara handlebars which works nicely.  If you're doing long rides, a few extra grams for a bit of comfort is worth it IMO.

Hope you enjoy the RS as much as I do mine.

Great bike the RS and I built mine similar to yours with Force and SLX wheels. I had 50/34 compact but switched the 34 to 36 and am much happier. No more chain drop (multiple attemps by shop to fix) quicker up shifts and can keep pace with standard crank guys easily. Combined with an 11-26 I find it ample for the ski hill mountain climbs we have here in Vancouver and Im no lightweight at 190 lbs! If you have those types of issues I had its an easy fix.

Oh - Conti GP4000 currently. Krylions are bomb proof for training though. Enjoy!

sounds like a great bike. for tires i use krylion carbons for training. they're fast and super durable. people i know like continental for ride and durability.

after speaking to a UK dealer today, it seems like the Easton 90SLX's aren't a good idea. Out of ten sets sold this year, he's had 5 of them returned for freewheel problems. I'm now thinking about switching to Mavic Kysirium Elites 09/10, they are 50g heavier but are more readily available than the 90SLX's Only one more day to wait..... Phil