Road Cycling Essentials

Berger · 29 Sep 2013 at 12:42

Going round in circles new bike shopping.

I don't think the Giant TCR can be beaten! full Ultegra etc for $3200.

Nothing that side of $5k really comes close, Specializeds Tarmac range, looking at $3800 for a comparable bike. Trek aren't too far away, but the fact they all come with compact cranks isn't doing it for me, I want at least the pro compact 52/36.

There are a lot of 2011 Cervelo R3's about at huge discounts on the border of NSW and VIC, would be good with a wheel upgrade, $2600 with ultegra 6700 or 3200 with SRAM red, but ideally I wanted 11 speed.

uniQ · 29 Sep 2013 at 12:47

iguanoid said:
There are certainly variables in the various different chinese manufacturers around. Any idea who he bought from, and how long ago?

No idea, was too busy :eek:

at the sidewall lol.

Berger said:
Going round in circles new bike shopping.

I don't think the Giant TCR can be beaten! full Ultegra etc for $3200.

Nothing that side of $5k really comes close, Specializeds Tarmac range, looking at $3800 for a comparable bike. Trek aren't too far away, but the fact they all come with compact cranks isn't doing it for me, I want at least the pro compact 52/36.

There are a lot of 2011 Cervelo R3's about at huge discounts on the border of NSW and VIC, would be good with a wheel upgrade, $2600 with ultegra 6700 or 3200 with SRAM red, but ideally I wanted 11 speed.

R3 > TCR.

R3 w/ Red for same price as TCR w/ Ultegra? Wha? No brainer.

Do Canyon ship to AUS? They have some decent '13 models in the outlet or the '14 Ultimate CF

arknor · 29 Sep 2013 at 12:48

uniQ said:
Stated so matter-of-factly, You sound like an expert.

I know a lot about chinese manufacturing of copies from my RC days where almost everything can be had as a clone and from the same factories as the originals.

a lot of RC stuff is carbon as well.

Chinese factories care about one thing $$$ they tend to not be very ethical

Berger · 29 Sep 2013 at 12:57

uniQ said:
No idea, was too busy at the sidewall lol.

R3 > TCR.

R3 w/ Red for same price as TCR w/ Ultegra? Wha? No brainer.

Do Canyon ship to AUS? They have some decent '13 models in the outlet or the '14 Ultimate CF

2011 R3 with 2011 Red so only 10 speed. Sounded good to me though, comes with crap wheels, but I'd happily spend 1k on wheels to race on. Would depend if they still had stock, but show online as having them.... Only 5 hours drive away.

Afraid Canyon don't ship to Aus, it's something I've looked into before. Most brands have dealer only pickup so you have to shop in your LBS.

Over the past 3 months the dollars dropped 20% or so vs the pound so buying from the UK isn't quite as attractive.

iguanoid · 29 Sep 2013 at 13:04

The PX CT45 is certainly an option. It falls into the same price bracket, but is around 400g heavier for the set. They have an alloy braking surface which would be a nice touch if i lived anywhere near any hills i guess, and was worried about heat build up, but i don't, and i cant help feeling that i may as well be riding a set of dura-ace C24's than a set of Planet X semi carbons that weigh as much as my R501's.

The joys of wheel shopping!

King85 · 29 Sep 2013 at 13:10

Can anyone point me in the direction of the company that lets you try out saddles that was posted on here a while back please. I thought I'd saved it but I can't find it and my searches are throwing up similar stuff but not the one I remember.

uniQ · 29 Sep 2013 at 13:12

Quite a few are on the Fizik demo program some do the Prologo demos as well. Try calling your Local bike stores.

Thomas. PLease. · 29 Sep 2013 at 13:39

iguanoid said:
The PX CT45 is certainly an option. It falls into the same price bracket, but is around 400g heavier for the set. They have an alloy braking surface which would be a nice touch if i lived anywhere near any hills i guess, and was worried about heat build up, but i don't, and i cant help feeling that i may as well be riding a set of dura-ace C24's than a set of Planet X semi carbons that weigh as much as my R501's.

The joys of wheel shopping!

If I was buying wheels again I'd definitely go for carbon tubs for a set of nice/race wheels. Lighter, faster, no pinch flats. I wouldn't worry about heat build up unless you're descending alps with brakes locked on. I had a set of px carbon clinchers and they were only marginally better than decent alloy wheels in my opinion, heavy too. I've a set of carbon tubs now and they absolutely fly. Need to carry less flat kit too. Preglued small tub and co2.

As an aside I've recently moved back to my alloy training wheels for winter (boo, hiss, winter) and god I miss the carbon braking surface. So so much more initial bite.

iguanoid · 29 Sep 2013 at 13:50

I don't have any hills, so heat really isn't a concern. I basically want a decent set of everyday wheels, no need to throw something on for winter training as the sun shines 360 days a year here. No pot holes, no dodgy roads, just prime tarmac and custom built cycle paths.

I keep coming back to people telling me to go for tubs. Its really virgin territory for me, i understand why the rims are better, certainly in the carbon market, but the faff, which is probably perceived rather than actual, of tubular tyres has put me off so far.

DIABLO · 29 Sep 2013 at 13:53

iguanoid said:
My research suggests that Zipp are made from scratch in the States, but i haven't got that much money to throw at a set of wheels. Mavic are made in France. Eaton are made in China.

I am talking to Yishun Bike. They have been very clear in my mails back and forth, answering everything from what model number the hubs are, photos of where the brake track is, their recommendations on what ceramic pads to use, max recommended psi on the rim etc etc.

Even supplied technical drawings of the rim, profile and cross section, photos from every conceivable angle...

Very tempted to take a punt on a pair of 50mm clinchers:-

"The rim is made of 220 degree high TG carbon and made with 24mm rim width. The price for NP50C-24mm width now is 608usd/pair, and weighs 1507g +/-30g/pair.

The Novatec hubs model is AS01CB+FS12CB.

For the rims, 3K matt or glossy...

Every wheelset ordered from us will come with 2 pair free carbon brake pads, spare spokes and nipples.
By the way, we have ceramic brake pads, the ceramic brake pads will greatly protect the clincher brake surface better. I suggest perhaps you can try it. it's 10usd/pair."

The photos all look very good quality, but the proof of the proverbial pudding is in the eating...

Bought some 50mm chinese clinchers from e-bay done 600 miles on them so far without a hitch, i did decide to use different pads though. The finish is not the best you will see in the entire world but for the price you shouldn't expect it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6DEtMF1u54

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1490g-NEW...sure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item3f2920c4cc

Vonhelmet · 29 Sep 2013 at 13:55

uniQ said:
Oh dear.. Tiernan-Locke in UCI inquiry

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/24321502

My neighbour's just been over to pick up some stuff and was chatting about that. He reckons Sky will drop him now...

touch · 29 Sep 2013 at 13:55

arknor said:
Chinese factories care about one thing $$$ they tend to not be very ethical

Thats about the only thing you've said on the subject that we can be sure of.
How do you know that the stuff you are buying is made in the same factories?
How do you know that it's made with the same materials?
How do you know that they are not just the big-name stuff that failed quality-control?

The reality is that you dont know anything about what you are buying.
It could be big-name stuff that has been 'misplaced' on it's way to the paintshop.
Or it could be a random factory that has managed to get their hands on a mould somehow but have no idea how to layup carbon properly.

I have had chinese carbon tubular wheels in the past. I used them as race wheels so they didnt do a lit of miles but the miles they did do were hard. They stood up to quite a bit of abuse and stayed true and solid. Had 19mm tubs on them and ran them at 170psi, so they didnt get much cushioning from the tyres either.

Thomas. PLease. · 29 Sep 2013 at 13:58

Where are you located? If I was blessed with nice weather all year round like you say then I'd forever be using my 50mm carbon tubs.

Yeah I was as well until fairly recently, but I've really not encountered much faff. Sure you need to glue the tubs and let them set for a night, but tub tape is so good now it's painless. Changing a tub at the roadside is no more hassle than clinchers I've found.

One More Solo · 29 Sep 2013 at 14:13

I'd have Chinese carbon tubs but not clinchers, but only because I don't think carbon clinchers are a good idea in general.

Certainly from what I've read, people rate the rims but the hubs and build quality aren't what they could be. I'm going to go down the Chinese route next year but I'll just be importing the rims and getting them built up here.

Disco Boy · 29 Sep 2013 at 14:18

One More Solo said:
I'd have Chinese carbon tubs but not clinchers, but only because I don't think carbon clinchers are a good idea in general.

Certainly from what I've read, people rate the rims but the hubs and build quality aren't what they could be. I'm going to go down the Chinese route next year but I'll just be importing the rims and getting them built up here.

There's nothing wrong with novatec hubs. But getting the wheels built by hand using chinese rims with hubs and spokes of your choosing is a good idea, even if the parts aren't better, then the quality of the assembly certainly will be.

touch · 29 Sep 2013 at 14:18

Thomas. PLease. said:
If I was blessed with nice weather all year round like you say then I'd forever be using my 50mm carbon tubs.

I like putting the old, heavy fulcrum 7s on after each race. If you keep the fancy wheels on all the time then you wont get that little boost when you swap to them for a race.

iguanoid · 29 Sep 2013 at 14:20

Thomas. PLease. said:
Where are you located? If I was blessed with nice weather all year round like you say then I'd forever be using my 50mm carbon tubs.

Yeah I was as well until fairly recently, but I've really not encountered much faff. Sure you need to glue the tubs and let them set for a night, but tub tape is so good now it's painless. Changing a tub at the roadside is no more hassle than clinchers I've found.

I live in Dubai, so we do have to deal with fierce heat and humidity 3 months of the year, but a month of that i spend abroad cooling down. The downside is that there is a premium to pay on anything you buy locally, and its usually pretty high....

Hence looking into China, although the UK is also pretty decent when the exchange rate is right, as we don't pay any VAT on goods...

Guess a bit of research into the daily running of tubs is in order.

arknor · 29 Sep 2013 at 14:31

touch said:
Thats about the only thing you've said on the subject that we can be sure of.
How do you know that the stuff you are buying is made in the same factories?

I don't 100% for bike stuff but it's more than likely.
with RC stuff we know from group buys directly from the factories where the official stuff was made

How do you know that it's made with the same materials?

I said often they use lesser quality materials

How do you know that they are not just the big-name stuff that failed quality-control?

I never said it was safe just that it's likely from the same factories

The reality is that you dont know anything about what you are buying.
It could be big-name stuff that has been 'misplaced' on it's way to the paintshop.

unless you do a group by and someone visits the factory no you do not.
you will find on factory visits to china they let you freely walk around , pick stuff up , take photos of anything you want pretty much.

people tend to discover interesting things

Or it could be a random factory that has managed to get their hands on a mould somehow but have no idea how to layup carbon properly.

it very well could be I never said it was 100% safe and you are always taking a risk.
If I got any carbon stuff for my bike from china I would inspect it extremely carefully before putting it to use and reassemble It if possible
[/QUOTE]

In RC for example the official "align" helicopters are made in a factory that also makes "copter X" clones or used to be
the copter X clones however are made of poorer quality plastics and some parts on them need replacing for official align ones for safety reasons like the tail rotor assembly and the main heli blade holders

QA on them clearly is not to the same standards as the sub contracted "Align" models

I'm sure there are some chinese factories that make perfectly good wheels you obviously have to do a lot of research on other cycling forums to find out which ones have the better reputations

ShiWarrior · 29 Sep 2013 at 14:32

thinking of getting this front light :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Knog-Blin...rtGoods_CyclAcces_RL&var=&hash=item53fd678dbb

don't think its worth me getting it though, as a rarely use any lights, was just going to get the blinder 4, use in flashing mode so that people know im there, also after work I might need a light over winter months if I get caught out

don't commute , have a turbo (due to arrive next week)

so might be too much ?

love the idea of putting one light on flashing the other on a wide/low beam

One More Solo · 29 Sep 2013 at 14:43

Don't bother with a flashing light, they're annoying for drivers and make it harder to judge distances. Just get a good, bright light for the front and maybe an extra one for your helmet if you feel flush.