Big Bike Thread

Berger · 11 Jun 2011 at 20:29

I hate short steps, need to keep the bike under total control to stop it running away from you!

Andelusion · 11 Jun 2011 at 20:30

Just sent you a text dude

Torch [P4] · 11 Jun 2011 at 20:49

Draeger said:
You rode the Wildcat on Ben Bhraggie before m8?. How was it?.

yeah, really nice trail fast flowing with lots of features. havent ridden the full black around the monument tho but i plan on getting that done soon

RobotXander on here is the one to talk to about it and may join you tomorrow as i think its his local trail

Draeger · 11 Jun 2011 at 21:08

We are heading up there tomorrow for 4 days, taking our 3 month old with us so I'm not sure what day I'll actually get on the trails themselves. My other half may have some say in that....lol...!!!.

Checked out a few vids on Youtube, looks nice and fast, yeah. How does the red up there compare to Laggan?.

Vegeta · 11 Jun 2011 at 22:14

Hey guys. Excuse my ignorance but just looking at some road bikes some are £700 and look exactly the same as the £2,500 bikes and appear to be specced at similar weights (I know this probably varies).

So what's the big difference in price? And will it make any real life difference in speed when cycling/commuting? And will they be big enough to justify the difference in price?

weescott · 11 Jun 2011 at 22:17

All road bikes look exactly the same to me TBH

Best to ask in this thread

SDK^ · 11 Jun 2011 at 22:43

Vegeta said:
Hey guys. Excuse my ignorance but just looking at some road bikes some are £700 and look exactly the same as the £2,500 bikes and appear to be specced at similar weights (I know this probably varies).

So what's the big difference in price? And will it make any real life difference in speed when cycling/commuting? And will they be big enough to justify the difference in price?

A £700 road bike will almost certainly have an aluminum frame. Most bikes above £1500 have Carbon frames which makes them lighter.
Also, gear systems, cranks and wheels on higher end bikes are parts which have a significant weight and stiffness advantages.

Your fitness will make the biggest difference to your speed. If you're not fit then you'll be slow on £8,000 bikes.

Vegeta · 11 Jun 2011 at 22:49

SDK^ said:
A £700 road bike will almost certainly have an aluminum frame. Most bikes above £1500 have Carbon frames which makes them lighter.
Also, gear systems, cranks and wheels on higher end bikes are parts which have a significant weight and stiffness advantages.

Your fitness will make the biggest difference to your speed. If you're not fit then you'll be slow on £8,000 bikes.

How much real world difference would it make? Say if I average 15mph through all sort of roads etc what might it increase to?

SDK^ · 11 Jun 2011 at 22:54

Vegeta said:
How much real world difference would it make? Say if I average 15mph through all sort of roads etc what might it increase to?

It's impossible to say as there are too many variables.
The biggest gains to be made are from lighter wheels and lower rolling resistance tyres.

Vegeta · 11 Jun 2011 at 23:02

And sorry once again to be really annoying! So why do people spend thousands when they probably don't need to? Just like a hobby/toy kind of thing i'm guessing? Or get into it soo much just want the best?

andi · 11 Jun 2011 at 23:09

Vegeta said:
And sorry once again to be really annoying! So why do people spend thousands when they probably don't need to? Just like a hobby/toy kind of thing i'm guessing? Or get into it soo much just want the best?

Same with anything I guess, PC components for example, a cheaper graphics card will get you 90% of the performance, but some people want that last 10%, and are willing to pay for it. Bikes are the same.

SDK^ · 11 Jun 2011 at 23:09

People spend thousands on bikes because they can.
It's the same reason why people buy BMW's when a Ford does the same job.

Vegeta · 11 Jun 2011 at 23:13

SDK^ said:
People spend thousands on bikes because they can.
It's the same reason why people buy BMW's when a Ford does the same job.

Well not really. Most BMW's are a lot faster than most Ford's. Not trying to say you're all wrong to spend thousands as I would if money was no object i'm just trying to see if there is big gains to be made by spending it and trying to find the sweet spot for my next potential bike. This is nothing personal or trying to start a debate just trying to educate myself! It's a bit intimidating looking at all the brands and different components when you don't have a clue.

Vegeta · 11 Jun 2011 at 23:15

andi said:
Same with anything I guess, PC components for example, a cheaper graphics card will get you 90% of the performance, but some people want that last 10%, and are willing to pay for it. Bikes are the same.

Exactly what I wanted to know

So i'll stick with my mid priced bikes at 500-700 (although that seems very expensive to me! But nothing compared to some) as i'm not into it as much as some or use it for races etc like you guys might.

Andelusion · 11 Jun 2011 at 23:16

Vegeta said:
Well not really. Most BMW's are a lot faster than most Ford's.

...and a lot of more expensive bike components are stronger, lighter, more durable and more exclusive than less expensive ones.

I have spent a lot on my bikes because I like to be sure that they're up to the job and that I am the only weakest link

Vegeta · 11 Jun 2011 at 23:19

Weight is probably the most attractive thing to me about a bike. Just knowing you're carrying as much little as possible. But i've always wondered some of the really good bikes are a little more than 1kg in weight? How on earths that possible and how can they be stronger than your average bike at such light weights?

SDK^ · 11 Jun 2011 at 23:26

Vegeta said:
Weight is probably the most attractive thing to me about a bike. Just knowing you're carrying as much little as possible. But i've always wondered some of the really good bikes are a little more than 1kg in weight? How on earths that possible and how can they be stronger than your average bike at such light weights?

A high end light weight road bike weighs about 6.7kg. The frames weigh under 1kg and are very strong and stiff because they are made from carbon and have been developed using the latest technology.

High end parts carry a huge premium for a small percentage gain.

Vegeta · 11 Jun 2011 at 23:35

Ahh that's where my confusion ends. Thanks for answering all my questions mate. Would love to ride a really good bike just to see how I get on with it. Wish I did more research when initially buying my bike bought a Hybrid Boardman for £500 but would have prefered a Specialized Road bike I seen for £589. Got it on cycle2workscheme

My bike:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_777843_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

One I should have got:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-24-2011-road-bike-ec025026

Don't know which is better/has better parts but that Specialized looks stunning.

SDK^ · 11 Jun 2011 at 23:50

I have a Specialized Allez - check this link for a photo : http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=18283491&postcount=1276

Basically the Allez will be quicker because of the lower front end and the drop bars allowing the rider to tuck in low.
Your bike is designed to be comfortable and has capacity to carry bags etc.

Vegeta · 12 Jun 2011 at 00:02

Initially I just wanted as much speed as possible and comfort to get to work a 10.5 mile all sort of stop/start, uphill/downhill, gravel/road and going up and down kerbs sort of journey. But regret not getting a road bike as some just look soo much nicer than a hybrid and that small speed increase would be nice as I would have been paying basically the same. Maybe next year!