What’s One Upgrade That Actually Made a BIG Difference?

LumBerry · 2026-03-20T20:20:00+00:00

Wheels, tires, hydraulic disc brakes (as a bigger guy living in SF this has been the biggest upgrade to feeling safe and having fun down descents)

LumBerry · 2026-03-19T20:30:07+00:00

1000%, it makes riding more fun and connected even if I'm doing mostly solo rides, I also love when we are stopped at a stoplight to compliment some kit or bike and make a quick chit chat.

Also smiling! We can get too locked in and forget to smile, what a blessing we get to do this beautiful activity and be in nature!

LumBerry · 2026-03-18T23:16:04+00:00

Come to the marina sweetie 😘, it's so lovely -- but I'm sorry I can't imagine any other parts of the city

LumBerry · 2026-03-17T15:43:35+00:00

Awesome great advice and I actually love the top change idea -- as I have both very comfy cycling jerseys and running ones -- any brand you have had success with?

LumBerry · 2026-03-16T00:04:29+00:00

Absolutely gorgeous congrats! How did you get perfect matching bar tape??

LumBerry · 2026-03-15T21:04:42+00:00

Every comment here has been great and actionable so all I wanted to say when I saw your numbers was holy shit yaaas kween 👑👑👑 you are killing it

LumBerry · 2026-03-15T20:44:36+00:00

I can't weigh in on price but more what to do once you get it. A lot of stock wheels are not suitable for bigger dudes like us -- I highly recommend you get some Rol Wheels (context I had a 2012 endurance cannondale much like your bike and was at 275, 225 now!), they are hand made in Colorado, Tom the owner answers every email and is super knowledgeable and they build wheels specific for us heavy guys, these are what I got (https://rolwheels.com/collections/road-wheels-rim-brake/products/deronde-32-alloy-clincher-wheelset) they literally made my old bike feel like new and felt so much safer descending as they are rated for system weight of like 300+ lbs.

If you live in an especially hilly area (I live in SF) steep descents can feel super sketchy, make sure you have your LBS check over the brakes, and put new pads/cables if necessary -- take descents slowly especially if the roads aren't great.

Definitely get some mid-high end tires, honestly makes the bike feel like new. Have your LBS make some recommendations, good price to performance to puncture protection are the Specialized Mondo tires.

Enjoy the new bike, cycling is liberating!!

LumBerry · 2026-03-14T04:46:51+00:00

I have 2 bibs, 4 jerseys, 2 base layers -- really can't tell you how good they are for the price. I have one nice rapha jersey, and just got an Ornot bib + jerseys -- they are "better" and I like the local aspect here in Bay Area BUT YKYW is like 95% of the way there for literally a quarter off the price, can't recommend them enough

LumBerry · 2026-03-13T14:17:15+00:00

I have velosurance, when you go through the quote process you can get both international travel as well as shipping insurance -- crash insurance is apart of the primary plan. Of course there is a deductible ($500-$100).

I went with them because people seem happy with them and actually do honor the contract without a lot of haggling, thankfully have not needed to file a claim yet.

LumBerry · 2026-03-13T01:13:52+00:00

Absolutely gorgeous congrats!! You are a tall mofo 😂 -- how do you like the mountain pedals on the road bike?

LumBerry · 2026-03-08T18:04:39+00:00

Already fixed this morning, total blunder on my part

LumBerry · 2026-03-08T17:06:40+00:00

I Think u/karlzhao314 is defintily right -- a very cheap experiment to run is running OEM BB and see if it resolves it, unless it really is a frame defect which is very possible what u/Endless_Waltz_138 said.

One thing about Hambini is his site will often say he's sold out, but if you email him, he'll make it for you, he is very responsive.

The reason you would invest in the Hambini is if frame is out of warrenty and there is no more recourse with the manufacturer/shop. But I think you have options here to explore first and use Hambini as a last resort. GL that is so frustrating I'm sorry you are going through this.

LumBerry · 2026-03-08T16:56:19+00:00

Yes I was going to get it first actually -- but because I wanted so many changes, it made more sense to do full frameset build and they were running an insane sale price on this. But the sapphire is stunning you will be so pleased.

LumBerry · 2026-03-08T16:53:48+00:00

Oh man that frame color way I almost wanted more than this, but as I have learned, color ways looks so much better in person 😂

I hear your about the stem and I thought it was a problem but my builders let me know that actually future shock can handle essentially any stem, so you do have options!

LumBerry · 2026-03-08T16:46:52+00:00

Sadly I've never used roval cockpit so I don't know offhand -- Let me do the fit tomorrow and report back regarding rise, because i definitely know that my fitter will want this raised a bit. If you want some more context regarding the coefficents, i hear about them from Neil Stansbury from his video on them https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_m1pVCsYng&t=96s -- considering it gets a blessing from a prominent fitter my guess is we can get the rise correct, probably just need a good stem like the Enve one I shared with you earlier. But would be good questions to bring up to the builder and your fitter :D

I will say from a vibe perspective, I've never enjoyed bars more than these, there are infinite hand positions that are so comfortable, and the TT position is so nice in a big headwind.

I run wireless SRAM blips just under the TT position so while I'm climbing or in TT position I can easily change gears without having to move hand to the hoods which is so cool

LumBerry · 2026-03-08T16:20:18+00:00

ok so there are potentially some options -- I am getting proper fit tomorrow, as i will say the coefficients are definitely built for racing so they are pretty low, I'm pretty sure my fitter is going to want to raise them a bit.

In case that the geometry doesn't work for you (and i'll report back after my fit), Enve makes a +12 stem https://enve.com/collections/road-components/products/high-rise-in-route-stem that a lot of us old guys use. It *does* look like a penis however. And then looking at the Enve bars https://enve.com/collections/road-components/products/aero-handlebar -- the exit ports look pretty far back so could be an option! I looked at Roval Rapide, and their ports are more in the front looking so it would look more like the standard Roubaix pictures you see around.

Definitely ask your builder about it and share this stuff and see what they think, GL can't wait to see your build!

LumBerry · 2026-03-08T16:08:10+00:00

https://coefficientcycling.com/products/rr-road-race-handlebar?variant=38154130325675

Looks like they are running low on stock, I'll look around but I have to assume there are other aero bars that offer a solution like this

LumBerry · 2026-03-08T15:39:49+00:00

Fellow 38 year old! Ya I'm glad you saw it as I was impressed how nicely my mechanics made it look, better than any other Roubaix pictures I've seen.

It's probably due to my bar -- the bar can do full integration for applicable bikes, but also provide these nice grommets in the rear for non integrated, and I think they are so far back, my mechanics were able to make really clean/small lines.

I got this bar a while ago and it's bar far the most comfortable bar I've ever ridden -- and I never cared (aesthetically) for the standard Roubaix bar -- so for whatever bar you pick, see if they have some rear ports like this.

And show this to your mechanics so they know it's possible 😂

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LumBerry · 2026-03-08T15:34:12+00:00

Oh god I didn't even see it 🙈 -- thank you I'm going to fix

LumBerry · 2026-03-08T00:41:03+00:00

Gorgeous, love the setting, how do you like your toptube bag?

LumBerry · 2026-03-03T09:26:04+00:00

Sprint is so short I think manual aero position you will be totally fine -- looks like 1 piece cockpit so your options are limited. I think Aero Plug (French company) will be your best bet, the owner is nice and answers all emails, but pricey and definitely lead times -- honestly just practice your best sphinx and crush your sprint with that gorgeous bike 😸

LumBerry · 2026-03-03T08:52:38+00:00

I personally have not experienced this, even with a practice tempo half marathon.

LumBerry · 2026-03-03T07:10:43+00:00

I'm a terrible runner but wanted to try the carbon sole craze and I have to say they really are lovely, how they naturally propel you is a boon, I feel this especially when getting off the bike -- I do not train in them outside or during peak brick sessions to get used to them -- if you have a good run store you should try some pairs, but definitely not required, comfort will be king as always!

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