SRAM Red, White, and Black
What do I do now? Before Christmas I ordered some components as part of my POA Cycling Team deal with SRAM. I’m certain John, at Sunshine Cycle Shop, grew weary of me asking when the order would arrive. Well, I’ll pester him no longer. The order arrived yesterday.
Now I’m left with a quandary. Which frame do I put the components on? The white Giant or the black one?
2009 (black) and 2010 (white) TCR Advanced frames
My original intention was to move the ’09 Force group from the white bike to the black bike and then build up the white one with the ’10 Red group. With that in mind I ordered a new Force crank so I could keep my SRAM S900 with the Quarq CinQo on the white bike.
That would have full Red on the white bike except for the crank and full Force on the black bike. It all made perfect sense until some friends told me I should consider racing the black frame with the Force group and leave the white frame and the Red for the cookie rides. The idea makes sense.
Let’s face it, there really isn’t that much of a difference in the components. Yes, the Red is lighter with a slightly different construction, but when it comes to someone at my skill level it really doesn’t make that much difference. I hate to say it, but it really comes down to what looks good.
That is the problem. Since I only have one Quarq CinQo and I am training this year, I have to keep the powermeter crank on the bike that I plan to race. Unless I plan to mix the Force crank with the remaining Red group, I have to keep the Red stuff with the S900.
I’m leaning heavily toward my original plan – build the white Giant up with the Red group and the CinQo. The black bike would then be all Force. If looks count for anything, that is definitely the way to go.
2010 Giant TCR Advanced
Then again… if I race the white Giant, I will be the only POA rider on a white bike — all the other Giant frames on the team are black. Also, the black frame is the repaired frame and keeping the white frame out of the racing action would keep it safer. Who cares if the black frame gets nicked?
2009 Giant TCR Advanced
Then again… you only live once and that white frame is really sweet. With the Red group on it, that white Giant is going to stand out… though I have to admit the black frame just looks more menacing.
Silly, isn’t it?
Help!!!! I can’t make up my mind!
Tags: Force, Giant, Red, SRAM, TCR Advanced
I may be partial but… White all the way! It’s a clean look and… easier to spot in the Living Pixel’s race pix
The white bike with the red would be really really cool. But, I think the advice you have been given is solid. race the black bike with force and you won’t have to go through more expensive versions of the headaches you went through last season.
Or you could train on the black bike with force and race the white bike with red.
Tough decision – but not sure about racing a different bike than the one you train on… consistency is important:)
The white will be easier to spot by spectators/ wife:)
Buy another Quark so you can ride both bikes with power.
Hmmm. . . that’s a tough one. Might be cool to swap the forks while you are at it.
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