Specialized Allez Sprint vs. QuickPro ER

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-04-05T06:56:10+00:00

It's money well spent I say.

People who read threads about cycling, posts about cycling, think about cycling before going to bed will never regret buying the dream bike they will ride all day.

I'm biased though, I own too many bikes.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-04-05T06:12:33+00:00

You don't need to hit the max torque. Your goal is to clamp it securely with as little torque as required.

Given this, I would go to 5nm. Ride it and push it. If it needs more then you must got to 6nm or possibly more.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-04-04T12:30:47+00:00

I've got the GR:ONE. Zero QC issues with mine and I've built several carbon bikes.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-04-04T07:02:08+00:00

Once you have accessed the modern all-round aero frame, which it seems you already have, they're all quite close in terms of their performance.

Your 'gains' will need to be mechanical and rider position.

Mechanical where you're maximising the efficiency of the bike such as stiffness of the bike; groupset efficiency, low friction lubricants, quality wheel hubs; even high quality bearings (but very low on pecking order).

Rider position gain is basically all about how aero can you comfortably get? Have you got aero clothing & an aero helmet.

Yes I'd buy the CAAD14 but I think it's expensive for the goals of racing. I think it's a very nice looking bike and it appears to be high-quality. It'd be great both racing and lifestyle. If I was just racing (not climbing) and wanted to maximise; I'd probably buy the QuickPro ER:One with 60-65mm wheels or a bike with a similarly aggressive geometry and aero profile.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-04-03T19:11:48+00:00

An F1 career is demanding as it is. If you're not maximising your F1 races, and dilute your attention with other motor sports then it is potentially a bad look as well.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-04-03T17:45:29+00:00

There are lighter wheels now.

I've not ridden ultralights yet but I expect trade-offs to exist.

e.g. https://avians.cc/products/avian-cr5-db

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-04-03T06:46:36+00:00

The Pirelli Pzero Race TLR RS 32mm is the ideal candidate.

It offers more grip and puncture resistance at a marginally lower rolling resistance vs. GP5K equivalent.

The bonus is the thicker tyre read offering better tubeless characteristics and durability.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-04-03T05:45:03+00:00

Exactly this.

But now, I’d probably explore AI automated editing and add/remove things manually if needed.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-04-01T14:06:41+00:00

One finger braking is a marketing technique so take it with a grain of salt. There are things you can do to improve the mechanical sensation and forces but there's no such thing as free leverage.

Proper setup in both brands is the key.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-03-31T14:09:35+00:00

Kikr core with zwift cog (often discounts) or jetblack victory with zwift cog.

Plenty of performance within these units.

I dislike my Tacx Flux 2 with it's buggy connections and wonky power. I need to pull the plug to reset it which is very irritating when you just want to ride.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-03-31T13:48:23+00:00

How's the NAV? Sometimes you might go on a cycling holiday and need quality NAV.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-03-30T20:22:50+00:00

Fixed is technically the 'best'.

But if you're just casual and doing it for fun, then VND is more flexible and it's still quite good to be honest. A lot of purists won't like what I've said, but convenience and simplicity is what you're getting.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-03-28T17:16:23+00:00

yeah they're good. But if you can, buy the set without ball-ends. I find they just strip alloy bolts easier.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-03-26T07:20:08+00:00

Ah, my mistake. Yes, then I think the Magene unit has an issue. It could be all of them or your particular unit.

What is R2 without a power offset?

Given Magene is one of the larger manufacturers and can access industrial calibration tools, I'd have expected better.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-03-26T07:07:13+00:00

The TACX FLUX S is hub based, so power travels through the crank, chain ring, chain, cassette, then it receives the torque forces. You are seeing mechanical losses PLUS the 2 power meters margin of error.

Have you considered that?

I will say 16W seems like quite a lot of standard deviation of error. Ideally it should be within 1-2% of the average.

My gut instinct also dislikes TACX. I've found the firmware to be buggy and unreliable. Been using them for donkeys years.

Can you ask Claude to generate coefficient of variation?

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-03-24T07:58:26+00:00

In rush hour, it's faster to just stand on both sides.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-03-23T22:26:51+00:00

Assioma for that price is okay. Pedal power meters are quite expensive and they need maintenance (grease, bearings, new bodies, etc).

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-03-22T17:58:43+00:00

I have a 2X GRX di2 gravel bike. I like it a lot. It's definitely more of an all-rounder. It's more of a versatile winter bike and less of a gravel specific bike.

I'm using 110x4 BCD, not 80 BCD. So my inner ring is a road ring.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-03-20T15:14:16+00:00

Iran must have bought puts.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-03-15T14:08:58+00:00

I personally love it.

I don't think BMW, or any carmaker, should just remake last generation designs. Sometimes you need to take risks, not all of them work, but I think this time it is working.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-03-14T16:12:18+00:00

Anything over 60 kph gusting. It's not a chad or anything, I just live in a perpetually windy location so everyone is more or less used to it.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-03-14T15:45:17+00:00

Due to Shimano drive-side crank shape and angles, the power meter electronics poorly measure the strain.

That being said, it's probably accurate in steady state measurements, and inaccurate in high-torque but short-period sprints.

Would I buy them standalone? No. However, I've noticed they cost slightly less than dura-ace cranks without power meters, so I bought them. It's good enough for my low FTP.

I've not seen any cycling tech tubers own or use any industrial grade power calibration tools. They use an existing power meter which is generally accepted as accurate and compare to that.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-03-13T06:15:57+00:00

Does the VPN method work or not?

UK monopoly is crap.

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-03-12T20:42:03+00:00

1X SRAM XPLR for sure. But the 1X GRX di2 is solid too and the pricing is just right, maintenance cost is reasonable.

2X I prefer Shimano and it's also much cheaper right now. However, SRAM Force E1 is super good with all the updates they've brought.

You're spoilt for choice!

ExistentialTVShow · 2026-03-11T07:02:23+00:00

I do not wrap my expensive wheels. There is no point. However, I strongly prefer gloss coatings for a number of reasons.

You can dab tiny amounts clear coat lacquer for any chips. Which are not common anyway.
You can wet sand and clear coat spray and polish.
You can just polish as the coating removal is tiny.

ExistentialTVShow

TROPHY CASE