Road bike advice

Vonhelmet said:
Shorts and jerseys for sure. Plenty more clothes beyond that, particularly when we get to winter. Lights, maybe? Toolkit for at home and a workstand wouldn't hurt, but they're not essential to begin with.

Oh, a track pump for sure if you've not already got one, and a mini pump to take out and about with you. No point taking a spare tube with you if you've not got one of those. Also some tyre levers if your multi tool doesn't have them. Hell, probably worth getting some even if it does as the ones on a multi tool aren't always great.
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lights, great.

already got a mini pump but not a spare tube? puncture repair kit instead?
 
You could use a puncture repair kit instead, but the difference between a spare inner and a repair is a quick five minute swap over or an irritating twenty+ minute session of trying to find the puncture, getting it clean enough that it'll stick and then waiting for the glue to dry. Which you can do at home no problem, but at the side of the road?
 
Yeah, definitely take spare tubes with you on the road. The last thing you want is to be stood in the freezing cold or pouring rain buggering about with patches. In my saddle bag I have two spare tubes and a puncture repair kit. It would have to be a very bad day for me to end up using the repair kit.
 
My brother bought the Giant in blue a few months back and has been very impressed. I don't like the colour in the pictures, but in person it's actually a really nice looking bike. I've had a quick spin on his and couldn't fault it. You'd be getting a good bike for a good price.
 
Have just got back into road cycling after 15 years away.

I picked up a 2014 Defy 3 for £499 and it's a beauty!
 
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:D:D:D:D

Went well today. So much so I am now the happy owner of the Giant.

Decided the red/black one looked better in the flesh.

Thanks for all the advice and links:)

Now it just needs to stop raining?

Jb
 
Jobe said:
:D:D:D:D

Went well today. So much so I am now the happy owner of the Giant.

Decided the red/black one looked better in the flesh.

Thanks for all the advice and links:)

Now it just needs to stop raining?

Jb
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Congratulations! It is a great bike :)

I would recommend upgrading the brakes to at least 105, there was a huge difference in stopping power and feel when I upgraded my Defy to the Ultegra's.
 
Pics will follow in a day or so.
Going to get some accessories Monday so will get them on first. Need a couple of handlebar mirrors and a lollipop stick for the back wheel......

As for changing the brakes........it's brand new. Can I at least ride it first:D
 
grudas said:
doesn't really make them bad :) tektro make some great brakes and 540's from what I've heard are quite good.
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The problem I had was a lack of feel when flying down hill, they felt very off or full on, not like the ultegras that have a nice smooth linear feel to them.

Maybe a pad change would have helped but I wanted a full Shimano group on the bike
 
Jobe said:
Pics will follow in a day or so.
Going to get some accessories Monday so will get them on first. Need a couple of handlebar mirrors and a lollipop stick for the back wheel......

As for changing the brakes........it's brand new. Can I at least ride it first:D
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Handlebar mirrors and a lollipop stick! WTF! :eek:

P.S Don't forget a nice pink basket for the front of the bike!
 
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On the off chance that you were being serious, handlebar mirrors are completely useless. Don't bother with them. At least helmet and glasses mirrors don't require you to move your head as much to see what you want and don't always vibrate so much that you won't be able to see anything anyway.

Reflectors should be fine for now, with days getting shorter you'll want lights and probably some sort of safety jacket/vest/sash if you're riding in the dark. I put some 3M reflective tape on my bike the other day but it's probably not necessary.
 
PermaBanned said:
On the off chance that you were being serious, handlebar mirrors are completely useless. Don't bother with them. At least helmet and glasses mirrors don't require you to move your head as much to see what you want and don't always vibrate so much that you won't be able to see anything anyway.

Reflectors should be fine for now, with days getting shorter you'll want lights and probably some sort of safety jacket/vest/sash if you're riding in the dark. I put some 3M reflective tape on my bike the other day but it's probably not necessary.
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Not being serious no. Just my sense of humour (or lack of) ;)

Jb
 
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