Road Cycling Essentials

Saundie · 22 Jul 2013 at 08:44

Darryl_1983 said:
I've just bought an Eddy Merckx AMX-1 for £600 from Winstanley Bike. It's a 2012 model with 10 speed tiagra groupset and shimano RS10 wheelset. Reduced from £1000.

I thought it was pretty good for the price, might be worth looking at. Note though that the sizing is a little funny. Im roughly a 58 on most bikes, I'm a 51 on this

The sizing is a bit odd, but apparently that's just how the Merckx frames are measured. Bikeradar.com reviewed the 2011 model and noted the difference in sizing, I guess you have to be careful and try it out before you buy. It looks like a great spec for the price, and the 2012 Tiagra is a decent groupset from what I've read, especially now that it's 10 speed.

platypus said:
Anyone recommend some super padded bar tape? Looking to replace mine and I use some Deda stuff at present but I've really been feeling the road lately and I'm not sure if its because the tape is old or if its just not padded enough.

Which bar tape did you go for in the end? The tape I have on my Van Nicholas is looking shabby now - the writing has worn off in places, and not in others, so I think it's time to replace it. The Cinelli gel tape is highly rated and is pretty cheap, so I was considering giving it a try.

platypus said:
Touring bikes: am I best of going for steel rather than aluminium?

Although "steel is real", for a touring bike what you really want is titanium

daveski · 22 Jul 2013 at 09:29

I'm after a new chain and cassette, its a PG950 9speed cassette, can I buy any 9 speed chain?

platypus · 22 Jul 2013 at 09:40

Saundie said:
Which bar tape did you go for in the end? The tape I have on my Van Nicholas is looking shabby now - the writing has worn off in places, and not in others, so I think it's time to replace it. The Cinelli gel tape is highly rated and is pretty cheap, so I was considering giving it a try.

I bought Fizik in the end as I'm a little vain and it matches my saddle, haven't fitted it yet though as last week was a week of rowing racing so haven't cycled until today

. Will probably be fitting tonight/tomorrow.

Although "steel is real", for a touring bike what you really want is titanium

I completely agree. However, I'll be buying two touring bikes because the wife wants to cycle in Europe next year. Her idea!!!!! And she would never go for Ti.

touch · 22 Jul 2013 at 09:42

daveski said:
I'm after a new chain and cassette, its a PG950 9speed cassette, can I buy any 9 speed chain?

Any shimano/sram compatible chain will work.
I dont think a campag chain would work.

arknor · 22 Jul 2013 at 09:45

deleting every post I ever made in this thread

[DOD]Asprilla · 22 Jul 2013 at 09:47

arknor said:
if you go for a ride when it looks a bit wet outside without mudguards do you get soaked?

Damp feet and the 'brown stain of shame' up your back.

daveski · 22 Jul 2013 at 09:47

touch said:
Any shimano/sram compatible chain will work.
I dont think a campag chain would work.

Thanks. Just there's a few choices on Wiggle/CRC and not sure which one I should buy. I'll go for a mid priced one.

bam0 · 22 Jul 2013 at 09:54

grudas said:
end of the year i might be looking at getting a CX bike, but id love 105 groupo with it... can't see that happening for a grand tho

After a suggestion from someone else here I picked up a Sensa Fermo, a CX bike with 105 for £869

[DOD]Asprilla · 22 Jul 2013 at 09:57

If you can go to £1,010 the you can have a Sensa Fermo with Ultegra.

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-bikes/sensa-bikes/sensa-fermo-cyclecross-bike.html

platypus · 22 Jul 2013 at 10:01

Hmmm, should I be shot for thinking of a tandem for touring? The idea seems sound, and I think its the only way I wouldn't get sick of waiting for her at every other junction. On the other hand, it'd be nice to be able to nip off and do a mountain by myself..

daveski · 22 Jul 2013 at 10:06

I did a 100 mile ride on one and it was great fun. We didn't have to go up any real hills though, I think getting out of the saddle on one requires a lot of practice.

Begbie · 22 Jul 2013 at 10:20

I feel disgusted at myself for asking this

But, what's peoples views on the Carrera TDF, it would be used only for some fitness really and the odd 20mile journey to work.

I've no interest in road cycling if I'm honest, but sometimes it would be easier to have a road bike to get out a cycle rather than loading the car up and driving half hour to go mountain biking.

R0B75 · 22 Jul 2013 at 10:37

Nothing really wrong with the TDF at all as a starter road bike. People may point you towards a Triban 3 (Red) from Decathlon as a better value bike.

I didn't really have any interest in road cycling either and only interested in MTBing, but the constant packing of the car and driving around to ride somewhere is tiresome and time consuming. Road biking is much more accessible as on a road bike I can just open my front door and off I go. Its also made me considerable fitter than just mountain biking ever could.

I still love my mountain bike but I ride on the road much more than my MTB now, but I enjoy both equally. Plus, Lycra is sexy.

arknor · 22 Jul 2013 at 10:40

deleting every post I ever made in this thread

#Chri5# · 22 Jul 2013 at 10:45

platypus said:
Hmmm, should I be shot for thinking of a tandem for touring? The idea seems sound, and I think its the only way I wouldn't get sick of waiting for her at every other junction. On the other hand, it'd be nice to be able to nip off and do a mountain by myself..

I've done a day on a tandem with my other half and the best thing was not waiting at the top of hills or junctions (not that she's unfit, I'm just a stronger on a bike or running, whereas she is a far far better swimmer).

The downside for the stoker is staring at somebodies back rather than getting a good view - I have seen a hybrid recumbent tandem once though (like this)

daveski · 22 Jul 2013 at 10:55

I cycled to work on this today

A friend from work wasn't using it (Hadn't for two years) so I have it for as long as I want it. Gearing was crap for the road, only 32x16 iirc. With the slicks on I was struggling to go much faster than 15mph.

Thinking I might get a 38 or 40t front chainring for it and see how I get on, cheap way into single speed riding.

Saytan · 22 Jul 2013 at 11:04

42:16 is the usual stock choice for road singlespeed

daveski · 22 Jul 2013 at 11:06

Friend of mine said might be worth dropping a few teeth as its a steel frame MTB, 42x16 might be a struggle?

GAC · 22 Jul 2013 at 11:19

just cleaning out wiggle box i got my undershorts in and low and behold a small pack of haribo hiding in the bottom

Begbie · 22 Jul 2013 at 11:19

arknor said:
do you live near Glasgow or Edinburgh ?
51cm and 54cm red triban 3 instock at edinburgh
48cm , 51cm , 54cm and 63cm triban 3 red instock at glasgow

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-red-road-bike-id_8274036.html

Thanks, no live in the highlands but down in Edinburgh frequently so shall pop in and have a look.

R0B75 said:
Nothing really wrong with the TDF at all as a starter road bike. People may point you towards a Triban 3 (Red) from Decathlon as a better value bike.

I didn't really have any interest in road cycling either and only interested in MTBing, but the constant packing of the car and driving around to ride somewhere is tiresome and time consuming. Road biking is much more accessible as on a road bike I can just open my front door and off I go. Its also made me considerable fitter than just mountain biking ever could.

I still love my mountain bike but I ride on the road much more than my MTB now, but I enjoy both equally. Plus, Lycra is sexy.

Dude, there is no way you will see me in that Lycra stuff. I'll still be wearing baggy shorts and my camelbak. O yeah