SRAM red sti failed in this morning ride

Wheels of Happiness

This post experienced failure on this am ride intended to go around Teresa.  I could only shift to the 5th cog and no more  up ot Mambog.  So this post decided to return because that meant I could not negotiate steep hills at Teresa and Antipolo because the shifter was not working properly.

Could it be failure of the shifting mechannism inside STI?  Did the pawls or the plastic dram fail.

Five km from Mamabog on the way beck this post tried to examine the tightness of shift cable.  And lo and behold, it was.  The cable was loose by at least 4-5 mm.   I tightened the cable, (pulled by hand and later with a plier when I reached home) and tightened the nut the cable nut well.  And the problem seemed to have been resolved

Cables and uts do get loose and they result in such function failures   Be sure to bring tools

Thought I have to see Mario Toledo again or worse buy a new shifter.   Good for me.  Savings

Constant repairs, upgrade on S works now makes it a darling bike

Wheels of Happiness

S works carbon frame, venge vias bike was a least preferred bike because of many challenges:   weak brakes, untrued wheels, noisy hubs  Non functioning sti and RD

I held the bike since 2016 and was a Peter Sagan model.

However I strived hard to make this A-1

1.  To align the wheel, I researched YT and had 5.5 socket wrench sanded out to be a tool to align the

      Cosmic wheel set.  No one dared touch the alignment because there was no tool.  With the tool, it be-

      came an ordinary alignment job.  Cheap.  No need to bring this to Greenhill's.

2.  I had new tires 25mm fitted;

3.  For the  SRAM red STI i tried to get BN 10 speed STI.  Fortunately Mario Toledo repaired the broken barrel drum and found the problem to kinked cables which he replaced

4.  As for the crank, disassembled this, cleaned  regreased this.  However the crank bolt kept coming off

     A stronger push on the 14 mm made sure it would not get loose again

5.  Centered the V brake and had a barrel adjuster for the rear brake to get this finely adjusted

6.  Disassembled  the rear hub repaired the pawls, regreased the bearing and oiled the pawls.  Spent             some  time perfecting the pre load and centering the wheel in the bike

But finally got things right.  It now runs as smooth as a better.  And is equal to or better than Pinarello 

Happiness is sharp and smart shifting with SRAM red

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
May 3, 2018

The SRAM red GS I bought from an owner of  repair shop of luxury cars who lives in a village in Pasig, stayed in a box for nearly 5 months, and was advertised for sale for 3 months.  It was installed in an S works bike I bought and its RD shift functioned 100%. And oh it worked like a dream.  Especially for  downshifts (going to lower number of cogs).  The clicks are shorter crispier and smarter.  And the change of gears were more silent....There was no chain rub even for a 34 x 12 combination.

That is why SRAM owners swear by their groupsets?

Did I get used to it at once.  Oh yes...

What really is BB 30? The mechanic and the bike trader were surprised

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
May 1, 2018

                                               The  circlip and the bearing

                               The circlip being fitted with a special plier into the BB30 shell groove
                                The bearing at the top right pics will rest/be stopped by the circlip

A bike trader and I had an agreement to buy and sell an S works bike frame today, provided:   it had a BB 30 shell ready for installation of SRAM BB 30 Red Crank (which was very light at less than 600 grams).  When I arrived at the appointed time and place the  frameset had a BB30 adapter for a Shimano Ultegra spindle. It did not have a BB30,  for SRAM and so we thought.

I brought out the SRAM crankset spindle and trying to insert this into the adapter  it wont, nor trying to find out if the spindle would protrude out of the adopter.  It wont.

I called up Bikezilla and said they dont have any adapter.   They will have one in a month's time. The trader was blaming me for not agreeing to let him provide/order the BB 30.   And so I requested that the BB30 adapter be removed so that he can have ready for the next order. I paid the DP as agreed upon, and I requested that the BB adapter be removed (It was done with a drift)

As the mechanic was readying the bike, I noticed that the  shell had the familiar groove for the circlip (where the 30 mm ID bearing would set flush.  And Eureka, I said the BB 30 bearing and circlip I had were the BB 30 parts.   The mechanic and the trader did not know. We do not have to buy nor wait for the BB 30 because it was right here.  They had no idea.  I had no idea.  Iyon pala BB 30.  Hahaha

Now the mechanic the trader, and I increased in the  technical knowledge about the actual BB30. Now we know


The SRAM red BB30 crankset finally found the  home. Am I glad nobody bought it after a 3 months  post at a famous social media site.

                                               Light at less than 600 grams (the  BB 30 especially)

                                             30 mm outside diameter, 30 mm ID ng bearing -
                                                   kaya nga BB30 eh. 41 mm ang OD ng bearing

                              The gray and black graphics of the SRAM matched the same color of
                                                           S works frameset

                                                  I am so glad no one bought you

                                                            Ito mismo ang BB 30 parts!!!

Giving up my dream for superlight bike via SRAM red, opting for Ultegra instead

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 8, 2018

After weeks research finding solution for the BB30 crank to fit into 86.5mm BB (the spindle length of BB 30 is only 74 mm  vs GXP which should fit the Bianchi frame I bought) this post gave up and opted as per advice of our mechanical engineer elders expert to go for Ultegra instead since the Direct Mount brakes I had installed  is an Ultegra

Ibebenta ko na lang SRAM Red GS. Not meant to be.

Gerry Y was kind enough (Salamat po) to dismantle his Ultegra asap and me acquire the same for affordable price. I found out later on that what the frame supplier provided a BB 86 accepts Ultegra 22 m spindle.  Spacer na lang kailangan.  I had the crank PF at Padyak.

I had to sacrifice nearly 200 grams in weight difference.  Gerry Y's group set is 6700 and comparing this with 6800 and R8000, this is very competitive GS:

                            6700 weight                           2,309 grams

                            6800                                     2,274 grams    (-46 grams)

                           R8000                                   2,263 grams    (-9 grams)

Total difference with  8000 only 55 grams.  Wow at price difference of  P17,500

Difference with SRAM Red GS           2,309 - 1,741  =  568 grams.  Dapat super light ang bike project ko.

                                 

Getting a great value for money for SRAM group set

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 26, 2018

Actual pictures

As preparation for my forthcoming OEM Bianchi Oltre bike, I tried to look for  a group set that would be worthy the bike that will be bought

I thought of Ultegra R8000. But at P30,000 (I can get from online at P29,000)  It weighs 2,200 grams+ We can get an equivalent value same weight 6800.  Some say you can get a good value at P17,000 but  none can give a quote. I nearly got one from Mars Kingdome at P21,000 but changed their mind and upped the price to P25,000. I would rather get an R8000

Eto sayang, from whom I bought the SRAM red, he sold his Durare for only P34,000 (50% of the current price of  Durace)

SRAM red for Sale -Bike Parts for Sale

And then I saw this ad last Sunday evening. Posted in November selling a SRAM red group I texted and pm him and he called me up. I saw the parts last Wed,  He gave me a senior citizen discount.

Today I paid the amount and got the parts. The SRAM red weighs 1975 grams and is lighter than Durace. My problem will be the bottom bracket that is special since the drive side is 24 mm and the non drive side is 22 mm.  Riders, former student who use it swear by the crisp shifts, and better braking. It takes some doing though getting used to double tap:  short tap for downshift (high gear) and long tap for upshift (low gear)

I bought a group set at 1/4 I would have paid for Durace, and 1/2+ for what I would have paid for Ultegra. I am so happy for my achievement today  Thanks sir Bjay.  for the opportunity and the senior citizen discount

More pictures

                                                   170 mm carbon fiber crank

                                                     BB 30  fit

                                              Stunning graphics at the  crank arm, solid
                                                       aluminum crank axle

                                                        Inalis ang rubber hood to get a better
                                                                     of the shifter

                                                     Kinalawang na ang lugar ng handle bar attachment
                                                                    nut

                                             Deep scratch in front top of the shifter

                                                 FD shifter body, ti daw?  at may yaw?
\

                                            RD with ceramic bearing and 1:1 actuation for
                                                       crisp precise shifts  (vs 1.4:1 sa shimano)

                                                     Group set from solid alum billet

                                       Note uneven spacing of teeth at 4 quadrants of the 26 cog

                                         BB 30 bearing, circlip and shims for US bike attachment

                                                       Front brakes

                                                            Sram Chains

The SRAM group set have beautiful and attractive graphics and are lightweight. The red group is lighter than a Durace.   However I got mine for a bargain for many reasons:   may mga deep scratches, mga kinalawang, and because the seller like Atty Fortun was generous and was kind to senior citizen.  Salamat sir.  Bjay.

Should we start experimenting using SRAM groupsets?

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 23, 2108

Actual weights of SRAM red - bike rumor

Ever since I started cycling about 10 years ago+, all I have heard was Shimano group set:  with Claris at the bottom, then Sora, Tiagra 105, Ultegra and the King of them all, Durace. (The most expensive)   Then there are Campy groupset:   Super Record,  Record, Chorus and Veloce.   And lately we have SRAM.   Many were stranger to SRAM double tap.  There is only one lever:   short taps for down shift, and long taps for up shift (bigger casette)

That  is one reason why we avoid it;   it would change our habits, as I find difficulty at times in Campy Record shifting,  Pressing the button for the downshift, and the pressing the lever for the  upshift.  (Just like the old Sora)

Many avoid Red because of the price. The are known to be more expensive than Durace.   I thought one Bianchi owner was boasting to the max when he said his Red Sram cost over P130,000. 00 When I asked the staff at Missing Link, the said it is more.

On the plus side the advantage is the weight.   The SRAM red is lighter than Durace and the  first sub 2 kg group set.  The first generation was 1975 grams, the latest is only 1700 grams.   That is 300 grams advantage  over Durace, and 500 grams with  Ultegra.  But the  price difference.

Also the great graphics.  Lovely color.  I saw a second hand red for only P20,000.  I will experiment

                                     Cranks                -   588 grams
                                     Brake Caliper          (127 @ x 2)  254 grams
                                     BB                          102 grams
                                     RD                          145 grams
                                     Front derailleur          78 grams
                                    Cogs                        158 grams
                                    Shifters     (2)           281

                                                                  1,606

                                    Missing -   chain weight

                                        Only 158 grams, Shimano cogs weigh typically 200+ grams

                                                              Only 145 grams RD

Am starting to implement weight slashing measures to lighten up my bike

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
January 22, 2018

As I accompanied Vhen to  Missing Link bike shop in Eastwood, I saw lightweight parts that are parts of my recent post to reduce bike weight:

1.  Superlite tubes by Kenda  @ P280.00 each (They discounted mine to P240.00 dahil bumili ng Ridley frame kasama ko.
2 Salsa Gel Cork tape  (baka mga 50 grams lang ito)   P700.00 discounted price.
3.   Jagwire Road Pro Kit (Celeste green ang color)   30% lighter daw cable outer, Teflon coated ang cables @ P1,100.  {{1.350) listed price)

There was a Kenda Kaliente tire priced at P2,000 that weighs only 190 grams, lighter than GP 4000.  Later na lang 23C kasi   Kenda Kaliente Superpro  (maproblema?)

So how much can you save with light tires:

                Tires    Ordinary tires 400 grams -   190  -   210 grams  x 2   =  420 grams
                Tubes   Ordinary        150 grams       90         60 grams x 2   =  120 grams

                                                                  Thats                                       540 grams

 Thats about the same weight you chop off a Shimano Durace   vs 105;   or a carbon frameset

I also found out that the weight of SRAM red is lesser than Durace;   less than 2 kg (1,900) the latest which cost P100,000+ is 200 grams lighter.  I am looking at 2nd hand that is affordable

Total cycling component weights

SRAM red for sale by Bjay