Road Cycling Essentials

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Jonny69 said:
W00t! Freecycle scores again! I put a 'wanted' out for some wheels and pedals for the Equipe frame. The guy wanted me to take a nice set of classic alloy drop bars with brakes, a saddle and seatpost, flat alloy pedals with chrome toeclips and a selection of straps, two wheels, a barely used 5 speed block and some quick-release skewers. Result! 10 speed Raleigh Equipe will soon hit the road for next to nothing!
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I've not used Freecycle before. Is it a good bet for picking up bits of old bikes? I wonder whether I could blag anything to upgrade my bike...
 
One of the worst things about my new job is the lack of cycle commute. I should probably look at a weekday let in London but not really sure I want to do that, even if it would give me more hours in the day.

Even with winter coming I'd give anything to be able to go back to my 45 minute cycle!
 
I'm in a similar position to .Sean, being a noob in this area.

Never had a bike since I was very young, but now I am interested and I've decided a road bike is best for me. My budget is a little higher as I'll be using the cycle to work scheme.

My workplace is 5 miles from home, and the more I get into this the more miles will mount up on weekend rides. I've no idea what I am looking for to be honest, and so far I've only been to my local Evans and seen this Cannondale, but it's not available in my size (I'm just shy of 6ft).

Ideally want to get everything for under £1k; bike, helmet, shoes, pedals, and whatever else I need (this is where you tell me I'm a noob).

Thanks for your help guys.

EDIT: Also not sure on when is the best time to buy, I'm thinking around March time when the winter is over and warmer weather starts to kick in. But what is it like for bike availability and value for money around this time of the year?
 
Basically now is the time to buy while 2012 models are discounted, else you can buy any time. until september next year when 2012 models get discounted again
 
Yeah, everything 2012 is being sold off now to make room for 2013 models. You may have to do some shopping around though to find something in your size as stuff is going quick.
 
rossk26 said:
Is there any particular make/model to look out for? And what should I be looking at in the specifications?
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Have you ridden a bike with drop bars before? You might want to look at some hybrids if you want a piggy in the middle between a road bike and the "MTB style".
 
Beepcake said:
Have you ridden a bike with drop bars before? You might want to look at some hybrids if you want a piggy in the middle between a road bike and the "MTB style".
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I have a bad memory, but I think I have!

Is there a disadvantage to the drop bars? I thought they looked better to be honest than the MTB style handle bars...
 
rossk26 said:
I have a bad memory, but I think I have!

Is there a disadvantage to the drop bars? I thought they looked better to be honest than the MTB style handle bars...
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I've rode with MTB handlebars for the best part of my life and only started with drop bars in the last few weeks. I reckon they're better. I am pretty much riding only on the hoods though. Riding in the drops still feels way too weird.
 
It might be worth giving them a ring (or they're open til 7:30 tonight) depending on where in the NE you are - they're in Stokesley.

I got a CAAD10 105 for 950, instead of 1399 which is about 200 less than Evans.

They may have something in your size at a nice discount:)
 
If riding in the drops feels wierd as in uncomfortable your bikes set up wrong

the hoods should be a comfortable upright position, and the drops should be a comfortable leaning forward position.

I see way too many people that are happy with the hoods being their leaning position
 
going to post this in here instead of my own thread..


i am gutted

just had a call from a local (ish) cycle shop and they have talked to Focus and they are not going to start building the Izalco Pro 3.0 untill the new year, he said the earliest i will get one is March !

not happy !
 
rogan said:
If riding in the drops feels wierd as in uncomfortable your bikes set up wrong
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They're just weird as in unfamiliar. After 20+ years of riding MTBs there's a bit of getting used to required. Nearly all of my cycling at the moment is in rush hour traffic so being more upright gives me more visibility anyway. I reckon after giving the drops a try on a few quiet leisure rides I'll get the feel of it.
 
Jono said:
It might be worth giving them a ring (or they're open til 7:30 tonight) depending on where in the NE you are - they're in Stokesley.

I got a CAAD10 105 for 950, instead of 1399 which is about 200 less than Evans.

They may have something in your size at a nice discount:)
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It all depends if the shop is part of my works cycle scheme. I know Evans is, but not sure about this one.

For now I'm just gathering information on what I should be looking for. But both of these Cannondales I've seen so far look really nice. Just wondering if they are the best bike for the money...
 
.Sean said:
Just north of Inverness I'm afraid! I think they have a Halfords, Tiso (do they even sell bikes?) and a Sports Direct. :(
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There is an alpinebikes in Tiso, but they dont have anything in that price range.

IMO, the best you will find nearby is a Viking Echelon from GoOutdoors, which is slightly better spec than the triban, but also slightly more expensive. (£370)
 
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