Road Cycling
- Thread starter FrenchTart
- Start date
Welcome! Don't be scared, we don't bike too much in here! You could've started a new thread if you wanted probably more in depth responses and recommendations. But more of a quick response/summary/advice is best in here - far more footfallFirst time posting in here, so please go easy on me. I'm not sure if this warrants a new thread, so I thought it would be more sensible to chuck it in here instead. Long story short, I want to start riding. It won't be for commuting, just for long distance rides on the weekends, occassional trips to Scotland/Wales, Trans Pennine Trail etc, that sort of thing. Also for maintaining/improving my fitness.
The problem I now face is picking a bike. Budget wise I'm reluctant to spend anything over £500 - simply because I'm a beginner and also due to the fact that a lot of the bikes within this budget do seem to review quite highly (a lot of trash too). I'll happily increase that budget by 3-4x in the future, if I end up sticking with it obviously!
I've spent the last couple of weeks checking out reviews, Cycling Weekly, YouTube etc and ending up putting together a list of bikes that seem to either get mentioned on forums a lot or appear in "Best Budget Bikes 2018" articles over and over again:
B'Twin Triban 500 - £350
Boardman Road Sport - £350
Calibre Lost Lad - £319.20
Calibre Rivelin (2016/17 bike?) - £279.20
Vitus Razor Claris - £349
A colleague also offered me her husbands Jamis Nova Sport T6 (no idea what size) which has apparently been used for a grand total of 3 weeks from new, so it's in great condition. Worth considering?
The Triban 500 seems to get mentioned on here a lot, with the general opinion that it's probably the best I can buy for under £500.
Any other bikes I should consider?
Any help would be much appreciated
Most of us here I'm sure would recommend the Triban, the range from B'Twin have a good solid reputation - as does much of the Boardman range. You probably couldn't go wrong with any of the ones you mentioned - all quality 'known' brands, so should be no issues. There's a host of other brands with similar prices and specs of course. Obviously Halfords/Evans'/Decathlon are the way to go for most of them at this price point but hunt down vouchers, deals and maybe even a cycle2work scheme to make things even more affordable. If one is available through your employer you could pickup a bike in the 700-800 range and the vast majority of the accessories you needed within the grand total - helmet, lock, shoes, GPS etc which would work out well with your initial 'budget' covering half of it (but spread over a year, so easier to stomach the cost).
The Jamis could be a bargain, if the correct size. Reading details they seem a good solid spec (although not a brand/model I've heard much about).
Regarding the type of riding you mention - general road riding, distance and possible rough surfaces (think the Trans Pennine is scetchy in places - think canal towpaths), then a relaxed fit 'endurance' bike, possibly a Gravel type of bike would suit you best. Maybe even a CX bike (like the Jamis!). Of course the type of riding you do (and end up enjoying) isn't known yet!
Sheesh, he's not made of money, it's a Rotor crankset on there, not Dura Ace!@Thomas. PLease. Enve 4.5 SES with Chris King hubs. You've built a lovely bike - finish it off with the best wheels
Any of you guys devised your own training schedule/plan for the winter yet?
I'm kinda trying to form my own, trying to take an average/median/sensible view of all the different ideas out there. I know the current thinking is to train for something specific, you know to sort of tailor your training for an event, indeed I have a Sportive March 19 but I don't much care about being fast for that tbh, I've more got my eye on either Crits or Track April 19 onwards.
I'm kinda trying to form my own, trying to take an average/median/sensible view of all the different ideas out there. I know the current thinking is to train for something specific, you know to sort of tailor your training for an event, indeed I have a Sportive March 19 but I don't much care about being fast for that tbh, I've more got my eye on either Crits or Track April 19 onwards.
I haven't got a fixed plan so far but I want to focus on being able to be faster over longer periods. Previous winters I've ridden a mix of Sufferfest videos and seen decent improvements in the virtual power figures returned in the app. However, I want to target MAP and FTP in Sufferfest (5 min and 20 min power), along with a target weight of 80kg (84.7 on this morning's weigh-in). So I'll prioritise the videos which work MAP/FTP rather the 5 second and 1 minute (NM/AC), though still through in some sprints for a balance.
I'm lazy and pay for coaching now, although mostly in between races currently until CX finishes at the end of January.
Usually multiple varying efforts 2-6 minutes at 105-150% of ftp, tuesday and thursday, longer z1/2 ride on a wednesday and sunday and some longer efforts (10-20 minutes) with z2 on a saturday.
Currently it seems to be "ride less". Lacking motivation after being spoilt during summer.
I kinda half expected the wide variety of responses. It's such a wide open thing - and of course different people have different time constraints and motivation levels.
Sort of thinking two months mostly strength work, then two months mostly cadence/speed/high intensity, but it's tricky because I want to trim 3 kilos off - not sure when to slot that in, guessing probably better to get that weight off over Dec and Jan (I can happily diet/control calories through xmas - it doesn't bother me) than Feb/March.
Sort of thinking two months mostly strength work, then two months mostly cadence/speed/high intensity, but it's tricky because I want to trim 3 kilos off - not sure when to slot that in, guessing probably better to get that weight off over Dec and Jan (I can happily diet/control calories through xmas - it doesn't bother me) than Feb/March.
Cool. Do you pay for actual coaching, or for a coach to just knock up your weekly plans?
Obvious question maybe, but do you have a specific goal (power output, average speed, etc)? You've mentioned events, but the desired outcome will drive the training plan.
Pay, discounted through my club, trainsharp. Been using it since February and seen some big improvements and massive uplift in consistency. Took about 2 or 3 months to really get it right but now I'm into the routine it is really working.
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Good timing!
New blog post on my winter base planning and structuring - https://dcun.co.uk/winter-training-base/
Next posts will go into more detail on specifics of sessions etc. I was coached going into last season but self coaching for next year.
Very interesting read and it's actually given me food for thought, many thanks.
I do use a physio quite regularly - I'm constantly in need of maintenance, quads and hamstrings shorten at the sight of a bike! Mine is also a PT but jesus I hate the gym so much I think I might just buy a basic weight set.
Half my problem is I'm worried that 6 or 8 weeks of endurance just might not benefit me somehow. That of course is utter nonsense but I can't get the daft thought out my head of "wasting" 6 to 8 weeks in Z2. I'm a muppet.
I'm chasing 3.75 w/kilo. On a good day I'm at around 3.4 w/kilo, at the mo.
It's going to take a monumental effort, I know that much, especially as I'm borderline elderly
(47).Good spot! Actually that good a typo I'm leaving it!Speak for yourself.
Yup wouldn't surprise me. I'd investigated it a couple of years back the same with a Stages PWM when the pound was strong, there really wasn't much in it (basically price of flights/overnight stay/PWM purchase in US vs Stages UK pricing). Obviously prices have changed quite a bit now (not to mention exchange rates!)
Yup, you tend to find most Enve wheels are available with a CK (45) or DT (240) hub options. You can also purchase Enve rims, so wheelbuilders like DCR offer them with any hub you want.
z2 base riding is great for calorie burning/deficit riding without much recovery or 'omg raid every food cupboard' times when you get home. Exactly what you need if trying to trim! Consider them the foundation building of what training is yet to come - as that's what they really are!
Elderly? More like borderline middle aged! Only as old as you feel mate!especially as I'm borderline elderly
So complex.
Mine is - ride whenever I can!
Other half called in to work with a flat tyre on the chariot this morning (I setup bikes & get them sorted, before leaving them to ride to work solo/faster). Found blackthorn, changed tube & back on their way in less than 7 minutes. Pro!
Low pressure 16" tyres help with that - easily hand mount them and only about 20psi into a 16" tube takes <20 pumps!
Bike porn: https://www.instagram.com/p/BV7hlj-gBci/
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z2 base riding is great for calorie burning/deficit riding without much recovery or 'omg raid every food cupboard' times when you get home. Exactly what you need if trying to trim! Consider them the foundation building of what training is yet to come - as that's what they really are!
Good advice I'm sure. Incidentally I have pretty much solved the scramble for sugar/fat after a ride - protein drinks - fill you up nicely and (generally) taste good - it's kept me away from the biscuit jar quite nicely so far.
So I'll continue to build my plan - which I aim to start this weekend (turbo if wet, outside if not). Endurance, then strength, then speed - over 4 months Dec Jan Feb and March and I'll see where that takes me=.
I've trimmed my weight down nicely over the year (but a more focussed effort is coming shortly):
Jan 18 159 lbs
June 18 155 lbs
Nov 18 151 lbs
So complex.
i'm too fat and I don't ride up enough hills (there may even be a link between the two....)
no new toys until I feel faster.