I finally understood the joy of riding off-road, no cars. Went around the woods on my boardman pro, and I had a good time even though I got off for the more technical bits - too scared of falling off.
Amazing what suspension can do!
I finally understood the joy of riding off-road, no cars. Went around the woods on my boardman pro, and I had a good time even though I got off for the more technical bits - too scared of falling off.
Amazing what suspension can do!
Newbie alert! The company I work for offers a c2w scheme and I'd like to use it to cycle more regularly as with my new job I'll be driving* more and might have less opportunities to get to the gym. As we're moving out of London to the Peak District (Dronfield) cycling is certainly a good way to keep fit and I really enjoy spin-classes at the gym.
I'm basically looking for pointers on where to start. Knowledge is zero, but I know I would like to have a bit more flexibility than an outright road bike so a hybrid is of interest so long as it doesn't ruin riding on road. The specialized diverge on previous pages looks good to my naive eyes!
*I'm assuming I don't have to use the bike full time to commute, but would like to use regular in evenings and for weekend rides.
I'd really appreciate any insight or tips in starting up this hobby!
The only issue with a hybrid is they tend to come with flat bars. It may not be an issue as such but it puts you in a more relaxed, upright riding position which will compromise on road performance a little. The further you ride, the more likely it is you'll appreciate drop bars. Cyclocross/gravel/adventure bikes are kind of hybrids with drop bars, or road bikes with clearance for wide tyres to put it another way. To me they offer the best of both worlds providing you are not doing proper off-roading. For the average fire road, gravel track etc they are excellent.
Disc brakes are becoming more popular on this type of bike now, although the best performing hydraulic brakes are still quite expensive. Although I resisted the pull of discs for ages, I've found the cable disc brakes on my Diverge to be excellent so far. Other considerations are mounts for mudguards for winter use, and/or racks for touring. Although they are becoming widespread, many CX bikes still don't have them.
Last edited by benny.c; 7th May 2015 at 16:05.
If you do go for a cyclo cross bike watch out for the gearing if you live in a hilly area as those are geared for a pretty flat course.
Thanks for the reply. Looking into the scheme some more it seems I can only get the bike via Halfords...so my options seem to beOriginally Posted by benny.c
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike...oad-sport-2014
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike...n-cx-comp-bike
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike...-edition-black (I quite like this one, but is more road focused?)
Any other good options? Assume Boardman is respected enough for a newbie?
Cheers
I have just changed from my CX bike, cross race disc currently on eBay, to a mountain bike before I switch back I had changed the 11-32 rear block to a 11-28 it made quite a bit of difference, still with the 36/46 up front but never used the 36.
Was able to do sportives and keep up with roadie bikes easy..
I suppose it depends a lot on the route, last sportive I did I ran out of gears spinning a 50/34 crankset on a 11/28 cassette - a 53 up front would have been very nice. I'm giving some serious thought about the 52/36 crankset & 11-30 for whatever will be my next bike. When I did a big climb last year the 34/28 combination made things very tough - mind you the climb was from 400m to 3275m over 40km with no downhills and some parts being 15-20%.
If you can sustain 50/11 at 90rpm you will hit 33MPH, spin your legs into a blur and youll be close to 50, on a 52T you might gain 1-2 MPH but over any race less short TT's you probably wont be left wanting and you would be better off fresher for the climbs where you can make more time up than on any decent.
RIAC
Depends a lot on preference really. I have a 50/34 on one bike and find it under geared for London and surrounds.
The 52-36 on the other bike is a good compromise for me and with an 11-28 on the back theres never reason to change the set up. The front rings are what the bike came with and wasn't worth the cost of switching it to my preferred 53/39.
If your average speeds over any distances are below 17.5mph you will make better use of a compact, 17.5-20mph would make good use of a semi compact and over 20mph is perfect for a 53/39
RIAC
Decathlon bikes (BTwin) are excellent value. A guy in our village just took up cycling with us and got a great BTwin road bike with a nice light aluminium frame, carbon forks, all in a stealth matt black finish with Shimano 105 groupset for a mere £600. Those of us who have cycled for a fair few years were quite shocked at the quality and components for the price.
Edit: this is the bike, its on offer at £599. Rediculously good piece of kit for that money: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/alur-700-...d_8290145.html
Last edited by PipPip; 8th May 2015 at 19:55.
Finished building my lads bike last week.
Turned out ok, cranks are a temporary measure until I get the 150mm 3x spider from Thorn now that I've manged to get some decent chain rings.
My kids new bikes. Seem like decent kit:
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1433442207.372997.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1433442235.321148.jpg
I use my mountain / hybrid bike for my daily commute (2 miles each way) but I'd like to try a 'racer' maybe to see if I like it(if that makes sense)
I've seen this bike on eBay locally - guy wants £60 - is it worth it just to see if I like it
Looks like it may need some work
eBay number 131528359665
Thanks for any comments
Should be about the right size I'm 6' 11/2" with a 33" inside leg
I think the frame may be a little large for you but depends on the geometry. What concerns me more is guys selling stuff that is a claimed easy fix but they dont do it due to time or such. Thats nonsense.
If you factor in new chain, cassette and rear mech plus labour its not worth buying I'm afraid.
Those bolts holding the chainring on - crazy (and unrideable). I'd don't think "filing" will quite do it.
My bet would be that in order to make this bike ride nicely it would need the entire drive-train replaced. I'd also be concerned about things like the handlebars as it it likely that there has been over-tightening and general butchery going on. Wheel rims - hard to tell but could be well worn.
My verdict: will take a lot of time / moderate amounts of money to put right. You'd be better off going to Evans or Halfords to see what they have at the lower end. Some of the sub-£500 road bikes can be remarkably good value.
Ok thanks - it's not for me then
Applied a few upgrades to my Carrera Fury.
Mavic Crossride wheels
Nukeproof Warhead bars 760mm
Boardman carbon seat post
Got a KS eTen dropper post to fit in the next few days.
Would have had the panda dialled Speedmaster on SC today if I hadnt bought this yesterday :(
My knees have gone all weak just looking at this:
hubba hubba!
(the all new Venge ViAS)
Come on cycling nerds, where's the passion?!
Tell me these dont make your lycra stretch just a little bit, if not a full blown crotch blowout?
Im a Specialized Fanboy of the highest order and I don't rate it! I have rode The Venge, Transition, & Shiv and Id always opt for a Tarmac or Roubaix any day of the weekMy knees have gone all weak just looking at this:
hubba hubba!
(the all new Venge ViAS)
RIAC
More or less ditto. although not a Spesh fan especially, I also prefer road to aero bikes.
(late reply, I know...) ...but I heard Cav doest rate it either, apparently swapping to his "old" bike after the first couple of sprints where he lost out. I read this from one of the journos on twitter, so cant confirm since I have since seen him riding on this new machine. Perhaps he uses his "old" venge just for the sprint stages?
Stem and aero top cap are very ugly, I don't like the saddle and wheels would have to go but other than that it is quite purposeful. Hardly a good looking bike though.My knees have gone all weak just looking at this:
hubba hubba!
(the all new Venge ViAS)
Allegedly it's 5 mins quicker than a Tarmac over 40km, although if you dig deeper that seems to include changing not only the bike and wheels but the shorts and flappy jersey for a skinsuit, normal helmet for an aero one, tyres, shoes so a little misleading.
Considering it comes with a Quarq as standard £8,500 looks almost reasonable - I'll be sticking with my S5 for the time being though.
I was about to pull the trigger on one of those bad boys as a daily commuter but then noticed that the stupid saddle has nowhere to hang my saddlebag from so on that basis i am out.
Love some of it but brakes leave me cold, looks a ball ache to work on/maintain
With Sworks new aero venge the topic of conversation what's everyone's thoughts on the new more "Aero" Canyon ultimate cf slx that's just been announced?
Prefer the Aeroad to be honest... the new Ultimate looks gopping, particularly in the battleship grey colour they've got on the website
That said, I had the pleasure of seeing Dowsett's Canyon Speedmax TT bike close up the other evening... although I didn't get a particularly good look the first time I saw it as he overtook me...
Last edited by Meesterbond; 24th June 2015 at 21:41.
Thanks for that, not sure about the grips...
Just upgraded my Trek Domane 4.5 disc that I have put over 1,000 miles on since buying it in March to a BMC Teammachine SLR01. Night and day between the two bikes.
The next day, I took it to the Lake District for 3 days, performed amazingly well, particularly on the climbs.
Saddlebag and flare light have gone, Dura Ace groupset ordered (pure vanity), Stages power meter, looking for new wheels (Enve 3.4SES if I'm brave) and a new cockpit. Perhaps Ritchey Superlogic bar and stem.
Pics.
Last edited by JC180; 14th July 2015 at 11:22.
First time i ever seen a bike where you could get a body in the trunk...
You're the perfect snob Josh. I did say the saddle bag has gone. Ruins the lines apparently
Is this your car by any chance?
I've got the Domane 4.3 (non-disc).....in what way is the BMC "night and day"??
I've been upgrading mine since last Sept (don't we all) and I've gone about as far as I will go with it without changing the whole bike so just wondering.
Also, 2 other questions;
1. Why didn't you buy the version that already has Dura Ace?
2. Will you be selling on the Ultegra that you take off (please) :o) ?
Mark
Hi Mark,
Happy to clarify. I'm 73kg and pretty fit now. I wasn't all that fit in March when I purchased the Trek but could quite easily do a 50+ mile sportive in 3hrs as I had been doing loads of spinning on the turbo over the winter to lose weight. Since I purchased the Trek, I have been doing lot of road riding and most pertinently climbing. Going in to the Peak District and doing 5,000 ft of climbing on avg per ride, I also did a 100 mile ride from Manchester to Penrith. I have also purchased a Wahoo Kickr which is incredible for training benefit and a Stages Power Meter for my bike so that I can push myself to my known capability rather than backing off due to perceived physical exertion. I've also added Schwalbe One tubeless tyres to the Trek which transformed it on the flat and downhill, made it faster and far more stable and confidence inspiring. It also naturally rides better as I'm running them at 75psi.
I achieved what I wanted to in terms of endurance and distance, I wanted to go faster. And as I was a lot more flexible than when I started, wanted to get down in to a more aggressive position, so wanted a lower head tube and smaller stack height than the domane.
My one one weak spot was climbing, I could climb, and steadily improved from March, increasing power output and shaving off seconds, but the Trek with discs particularly is a heavy bike 9kg+ and even with 32 teeth on the back and a compact chainset, I found that in 7% + gradients, I was just spinning in the granny gear trying to keep my breathing in check.
The BMC is a pro level frame set, 800g frame weight and a 7kg fully built weight with average DT Swiss wheels. Immediate the bike felt light and lively, and on a regular 14 mile route that I do I went for a shakedown Sunday AM before breakfast and shaved 2 mins off my time. It was faster everywhere but especially on the climbs, I shaved 14 seconds off my PB on a local steep climb and was well down the block all the way up with a long out of the saddle sprint to the finish. Unheard of on the trek, I may have been on the 25 or 28 tooth at best.
That evening I went to the Lake District and tackled up to 25% inclines, again, I was on my lowest gear for these 28 teeth in this case, but still the exertion was much less, the enjoyment was greater and I felt less anxiety all round. The bike was just more fun.
I havent even even got to stiffness, and comfort which are both exceptional, the ride on 23mm clinchers is within 2 tents of my Domane with isospeed and 28mm tubeless. Pretty exceptional.
Here is the review, only marked down half a star due to price. http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/c...lr01-14-48486/
I didn't buy the Dura Ace because I got an exceptional deal on the Ultegra. New with just some handling marks for £2k! List is £3.5k and the Dura Ace is £5,300. My groupset is costing me £800 or thereabouts and I will sell the Ultegra groupset so a net cost of me of much less. If you're interested in it send me a PM.
The allure of a pro level bike (once I sort the wheels) for around £3k is intoxicating.
If I was a snob I might mention Rule 17...
That's interesting as I keeping reading about how the weight of the bike doesn't/ shouldn't make a material difference, but its seems to have had a positive impact with you. I realise some of it is down to a better position, marginal gains and all that, but this reinforces my decision to get a light bike at some point in my life.
With me acting as middle man Kerry (100thmonkey) sold this to my boss and cycling buddy Mike. He is delighted with it Kerry, fantastic bike.
Edit: Roubaix with Ultegra Di2, Mavic carbon rims, S-Works bits elsewhere.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1436898662.177735.jpg
Back in Black
RIAC
Some fantastic machines on here. Thought I'd make my own contribution.
The frame for this was given to me by a friend of my Dads who'd given up cycling due to ill health/age in the mid 80s (so I think it's late 60s) Finally got round to painting it and building it up with bits left over from upgrades/scrap in 1990. Been sat around since last year until I finally brought it over. Not a bad ride and I've never seen another.
Last edited by Barton Red; 14th July 2015 at 21:53.
Work of genius, who was the frame builder? Any ideas?Some fantastic machines on here. Thought I'd make my own contribution.
The frame for this was given to me by a friend of my Dads who'd given up cycling due to ill health/age in the mid 80s (so I think it's late 60s) Finally got round to painting it and building it up with bits left over from upgrades/scrap in 1990. Been sat around since last year until I finally brought it over. Not a bad ride and I've never seen another.
Sadly not, I was only 14 when it was given to me and it didn't occur to me to ask. Weirdly the geometry really works well
What is that Kerry? A Tarmac with a Roubaix Zerts seat post, I thought you were a Di2 man through and through?Back in Black
Tarmac with a Cobl-Gobl-R seatpost on for a bit of comfort, I ride Di2 or Mechanical (remember its all about the legs), go just as fast on any of them just quite like this as I dont need to clean it and it looks 'really mean' ;)
RIAC
Kerry, you just won this thread with that bike! I WANT IT!!!Back in Black
Jacob - havent read all your posts above in detail, but;
1) NICE bike... very very nice! Great choice!
2) looking much trimmer & fitter than last time I saw you - well done that man! It's great to see people change like that!
As for changing the new Ultegra to Dura-Ace; I totally understand the vanity aspect and with plenty of disposable cash - why not? But the new Ultegra really is very very good, and certainly from a performance point of view at our sort of level / use, I doubt it's be of any benefit at all...
Just make sure if you do get the Dura-Ace fitted to that AWESOME bike, you need to have the legs and the lungs to keep up with it!
The idiot in me always targets folk on really high-end kit / Rapha wearers** and tries to rip their legs off - I imagine it's like having a red Ferrari - everyone probably tries to race you!
** I wear Rapha (though mostly in the winter / cold-wet)
I spend my life on this Steel 87 Scapin Atec, I treated it to a Dura Ace 7700 groupset a while back, holds its own nicely with the local Carbon boys!
I suspect thats more about the riders than the bikes.
I'm having a midlife crisis and the best way to tackle it doesn't seem to be buing a new watch. I tried all sorts of things, but in the end I quit smoking (eight weeks without a puff come monday) and started exercising. I haven't owned a bicycle in twenty years, if you don't count the army issue bike, and I thought now it would be time again.
I wanted something simple of decent quality, an all-rounder for mostly paved surfaces in an urban environment. So today I went to a couple of bike shops and rode a few examples. In the end I bought a Specialized Daily Sport in a basic setup they had in the store, like this:
Pic from google, I'll see if I have it in me to take some pics in the weekend.
My current commute is some 5 miles and went to reconnoiter the route. I must admit I enjoyed the first four and a half of them. A nice change of pace to jogging. The last half a mile wasn't so enjoyable as my rear tyre went flat. I took the bike back to the store and the chaps there noticed that sidewalls of both tyres had started to break and the rear inner tube was leaking from the inner side. I got new tyres and inner tubes free of charge on the spot. I'm very happy with the service. Nice chaps and very cool and helpful from start to finish with a total numpty like me.
All in all I rode some 15 miles today. My a**e is sore from the saddle and the backs of my legs feel like they'll be sore tomorrow. Can't wait for the weekend when I'll have a chance for more.
After all that I opened this thread for the first time. I see this is Watch Talk all over again. All the other kids have nicer toys and they know something about the subject.I think I'll see what's happening here and see if I'll learn something.
I'd be glad to hear some informed opinions about my bike. How did I do? Is it a good one?
Cheers,
Antti
I spend my life on this Steel 87 Scapin Atec, I treated it to a Dura Ace 7700 groupset a while back, holds its own nicely with the local Carbon boys!
Very nice indeed.
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