Big Bike Thread

[Bunka]

Not sure about the bars, but a seatpost will make hardly any, if zero difference at all. The bars might flex a bit less I guess so the bike might feel a bit tighter.

 

[monkeypants]

Carbon fibre flexes more so will have a damping effect on high frequency vibrations. It can also get hairline cracks which seriously affect it.

 

[Altaz]

Looking for some help with a new bike build. I've been looking at the Merlin webiste, and I am trying to put together a decent Hardtail (a little bit of commuting) with some decent specs I have so following so far;

Frame: Rocklobster Tig Team SL aluminum
Fork: Reba SL
Brakes: Formula Bianco
Rear Mech: SRAM 0.9
Front Mech: Shimano XT
Shifters: SRAM 0.9
Stem: Thomson Elite x4
Handlebars: Easton EA70
Chainset: Shimano XT
Pedals: Shimano 540
Seatpost: Thomson Elite
Saddle: SDG Bel Air RL Ti
Wheel: XT hubs/MAVIC 717 rims
Tyres: Panracer FIRE XCs

Does this look ok? any suggestions? or is this overkill?

 

[squiffy]

Brooks Saddles

 

[Jonny ///M]

Carbon fibre flexes more so will have a damping effect on high frequency vibrations. It can also get hairline cracks which seriously affect it.

I would run a CF seatpost but im not sure if i could ride a carbon bar.....possibly a carbon stem but its a psycological thing lol.

 

[SDK^]

Does this look ok? any suggestions? or is this overkill?

Great spec but I would say its overkill for basic commuting. If you plan on doing some serious XC as well then go for it otherwise get a hybrid bike.

 

[monkeypants]

New bike

or

Used bike?

I'm thinking if the Cannondale goes above £200 inc. then I'll get the Barracuda. So that's what I'll do unless anyone has severe objections. Or is that Barracuda a really good deal for a first road bike?

 

[squiffy]

I would try and save up for Tiagra shifters, they're much better than Soras. Are you sure that is the right size? With horizontal top tubes there're much pickier in getting the right sized frame.

Cannondales are expensive, you'll get a much higher end beginners bike second hand from Giant (resell value are much lower so you'll get a better bargain)

 

[monkeypants]

Excellent, hoped you'd be around.

I strictly want a double, and there aren't many 56cm Giant doubles around at the moment and I've been waiting for ages.

56cm is bang on my size so I reckon it'll be fine. I don't have much time to get out somewhere to try frames but I'm willing to risk it.

It's not going to be raced or anything, just commuting and recreation so I figured that Soras would be ok for that.

That is, of course, unless you know of anywhere I can get a second hand 56cm Giant double?

 

[monkeypants]

I would run a CF seatpost but im not sure if i could ride a carbon bar.....possibly a carbon stem but its a psycological thing lol.

For some reason I keep thinking about fluorescent light tubes.

 

[Jonny ///M]

lol im confused about what you mean?


Well i just sold my old 1" boxxer drop crown for £20 so i changed from a bel air RT to a bel air RL and going for black and camo.

CRC have now got the seatpost i want in the size i need so will be getting it from CRC for a fiver cheaper than the ebay seller.

These two things.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?modelID=18088
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?modelID=17911

I need the adjustment the design gives but dont want to buy an expensive seatpost to get it.

 

[monkeypants]

lol im confused about what you mean?

Go hold a fluorescent light tube like a handle bar, you know how easy they are to snap? That's what I imagine a carbon bar would feel like.

 

[squiffy]

Carbon fibre seatposts have been known to split, with razor sharp shards sticking upward.

Still for a roadie not a concern. Thought about replacing stock alu SP with CF, but only 100g saving.

 

[SpudMaster]

lol im confused about what you mean?


These two things.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?modelID=18088
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?modelID=17911

[/IMG]

only £13 more for a ti one, so id get that personally. dunno how the camo ones compare but i got a black/black ti one and a friend has a black/black cromo one and the top of mine feels much nicer Though the cromo ones where £25 when i last looked so maybe they have changed them now??

oh and get cow

 

[bcjames]

Theres mine from today

 

[Jonny ///M]

only £13 more for a ti one, so id get that personally. dunno how the camo ones compare but i got a black/black ti one and a friend has a black/black cromo one and the top of mine feels much nicer Though the cromo ones where £25 when i last looked so maybe they have changed them now??

oh and get cow

Well you can get the RT cromo....which is £27....but it looks well different. I decided to spend more to get the RL cromo.....which is the same as the titanium but with cromo bits obviously. My mate has a cow I beam so i dont want to be copying him.

I dont wanna spend a tenner more to get the titanium one,only for the bling factor.

 

[SDK^]

^^ bcjames - Nice SX Trail

 

[Jonny ///M]

^^ bcjames - Nice SX Trail

Enduro?

 

[bcjames]

Enduro?

Indeed.

 

[Bennah]

Bit of a n00b question here,

Ive got some 26x1.95 tyre's on atm. Wanting to get some new one badly.

Could I use 26x2.0 tyre's on the same rims?