FSA cranks. Comparing it with the older 6750 cranks, the FSA (with a 30mm spindle) is much stiffer, very similar to the 9000 cranks (but cheaper!).
DA 9000 mini group. Moving up a cassette has become effortless, crisp and quick. Also takes in a 30T no problem. The experience is pretty damn close to di2, which is quite a standard to match. Lever throw has been much reduced (probably unfair comparison with 6700), and only needs a very light touch to shift. Shifting down however is less amazing when there were a few occasions where the shifting lever stud didn't catch the shifting barrel stud. Never had this problem with the 6700. The front isn't quite as good as the 9000 cranks on the venge with di2 though, but I blame that on the FSA chainring rather than the FD. There has been (very) slight chain rub on the outermost position (big ring, small sprocket) which I could not get rid of. Perhaps due to the fact that these are marketed as 10s chainrings.
Finishing kit. I'm quite happy with the more traditional shape of the Romin. Lately I have been going on 100km+ rides with the Power and experienced some discomfort towards the end of the ride. Romin is both cheaper and lighter, so win-win if this works out. However the Romin rails are positioned pretty far back, and I might switch to an in-line post as I dislike the look of slammed forward saddle.
Speaking of seatpost, the elita one post is nice for its price. Nice finishing, and after shortening it by 15cm it yields a 110g ultra light post (I don't need much post as you can see). However the 2 bolt mechanism is not as well engineered as something like a thomson. There seems to be more friction in the rear bolt, and under the same torque the saddle would have a slight forward dip.
The cages are chinese clones bontrager xxx. They work fine, 1 of them weighs bang on 18g, the other is overweight at 22g. The bolts are pretty cheap looking. Given the very similar cost and extra long wait time, I would have gone for the zefal l2 cages instead. My ones on the venge both weighed 18g , and comes with much nicer alloy bolts.
What else... cables. Jagwire pro are a nice upgrade from the lifeline stuff. They do fray pretty easily if you are (I am) clumsy with repeated adjustments.
That's about it for now. The next upgrade would be a threadless carbon fork. I have no experience with headsets or any press fit bearings, so might be a steep learning curve. I have already grabbed a cheap mizuno fork from ebay just to "practise", and if that works well I would fork out for a columbus minimal.
The riding experience so far:
FSA cranks. Comparing it with the older 6750 cranks, the FSA (with a 30mm spindle) is much stiffer, very similar to the 9000 cranks (but cheaper!).
DA 9000 mini group. Moving up a cassette has become effortless, crisp and quick. Also takes in a 30T no problem. The experience is pretty damn close to di2, which is quite a standard to match. Lever throw has been much reduced (probably unfair comparison with 6700), and only needs a very light touch to shift. Shifting down however is less amazing when there were a few occasions where the shifting lever stud didn't catch the shifting barrel stud. Never had this problem with the 6700. The front isn't quite as good as the 9000 cranks on the venge with di2 though, but I blame that on the FSA chainring rather than the FD. There has been (very) slight chain rub on the outermost position (big ring, small sprocket) which I could not get rid of. Perhaps due to the fact that these are marketed as 10s chainrings.
Finishing kit. I'm quite happy with the more traditional shape of the Romin. Lately I have been going on 100km+ rides with the Power and experienced some discomfort towards the end of the ride. Romin is both cheaper and lighter, so win-win if this works out. However the Romin rails are positioned pretty far back, and I might switch to an in-line post as I dislike the look of slammed forward saddle.
Speaking of seatpost, the elita one post is nice for its price. Nice finishing, and after shortening it by 15cm it yields a 110g ultra light post (I don't need much post as you can see). However the 2 bolt mechanism is not as well engineered as something like a thomson. There seems to be more friction in the rear bolt, and under the same torque the saddle would have a slight forward dip.
The cages are chinese clones bontrager xxx. They work fine, 1 of them weighs bang on 18g, the other is overweight at 22g. The bolts are pretty cheap looking. Given the very similar cost and extra long wait time, I would have gone for the zefal l2 cages instead. My ones on the venge both weighed 18g , and comes with much nicer alloy bolts.
What else... cables. Jagwire pro are a nice upgrade from the lifeline stuff. They do fray pretty easily if you are (I am) clumsy with repeated adjustments.
That's about it for now. The next upgrade would be a threadless carbon fork. I have no experience with headsets or any press fit bearings, so might be a steep learning curve. I have already grabbed a cheap mizuno fork from ebay just to "practise", and if that works well I would fork out for a columbus minimal.