Road Cycling Essentials

[DOD]Asprilla · 8 Sep 2010 at 20:21

An Audax with an alfine hub? Google Civia Bryant Alfine. As soon as there is stock available I'll be importing one from the US; no euro distributors I'm afraid.

Gates carbon drive, disc brakes, full guards, front and rear rack mounts, alfine hub. What more could you ask for? It's going to be my winter commuter and the wife's summer bike.

The Mad Rapper · 9 Sep 2010 at 11:56

Saundie said:
After doing some more research, I'm leaning towards spending a decent amount of money on an audax bike like the Thorn Mk3, which seems like pretty much the ideal bike for me.

I'd look at a number of companies before I'd consider spending money with Thorn:

Enigma
Sabbath
Van Nicolas

Unlike Thorn, they don't feel the need to **** their competitors off in order to sell cycles.

oddjob62 · 9 Sep 2010 at 19:10

[DOD]Asprilla;17333636 said:
An Audax with an alfine hub? Google Civia Bryant Alfine. As soon as there is stock available I'll be importing one from the US; no euro distributors I'm afraid.

Gates carbon drive, disc brakes, full guards, front and rear rack mounts, alfine hub. What more could you ask for? It's going to be my winter commuter and the wife's summer bike.

I'm waiting for Roastie to get his prototype into production http://www.suchbikes.co.uk/

[DOD]Asprilla · 9 Sep 2010 at 19:41

So was I but it's looking like that's in the balance due to external factors. Besides, for a limited production run of a titanium frame I don't think you are going to get much change from £2500.

The Mad Rapper · 10 Sep 2010 at 08:49

[DOD]Asprilla;17341037 said:
So was I but it's looking like that's in the balance due to external factors. Besides, for a limited production run of a titanium frame I don't think you are going to get much change from £2500.

Why bother? You can get proven frames from established small manufacturers for far less.

Showboat · 10 Sep 2010 at 09:16

Guys, Aldi have a bike accessories sale starting next thursday, some good stuff to keep you safe in the winter:

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_15603.htm

Siliconslave · 10 Sep 2010 at 09:38

thanks for that - i'm off next week so actually have a chance to pop by one and pick some bits up

[DOD]Asprilla · 10 Sep 2010 at 09:42

The Mad Rapper said:
Why bother? You can get proven frames from established small manufacturers for far less.

Because you can't get one in the UK that offers what his does, which is the same as the Civia Bryant: Gates Carbon Drive (which requires a split seat stay), afine hub, disc brakes, full guards, front and rear rack mounts and sportive / cyclocross geometry.

If you know of a bike available in the UK which offers all of this then I would love to know because it will save me importing one from the US. Seriously, I've been looking for months.

The Mad Rapper · 10 Sep 2010 at 13:02

[DOD]Asprilla;17344349 said:
Because you can't get one in the UK that offers what his does, which is the same as the Civia Bryant: Gates Carbon Drive (which requires a split seat stay), afine hub, disc brakes, full guards, front and rear rack mounts and sportive / cyclocross geometry.

If you know of a bike available in the UK which offers all of this then I would love to know because it will save me importing one from the US. Seriously, I've been looking for months.

Aah...fair enough. I didn't realise you were after a belt drive. Sorry.

[DOD]Asprilla · 10 Sep 2010 at 13:21

Yeah, I want it for the winter with minimum of maintenance and I want Mrs A to be able to use it in the summer without worrying about cleaning it or getting dirty.

Also, the £2500 I was quoting was for the full bike, not just for the frame. Not that I actually have any idea what they will be looking to charge.

oddjob62 · 10 Sep 2010 at 20:07

If anyone's looking for a decent deal on a winter bike, On-one are doing their Pompinos for £399 atm
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOPMPRS/on-one-pompino-road-sport

platypus · 11 Sep 2010 at 09:07

One More Solo said:
How much cheaper? Even with the crappy exchange rate?

Well I bought some S-Works Carbon Road Shoes for €180 from a bike shop in Bressuire, near Nantes. They're £200 here.

willhub · 11 Sep 2010 at 10:29

Looks like you can get em for £150 here:

http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=S-Works+Carbon+Road+Shoes&hl=en&show=li&sa=N&start=0

(Assuming the shoes on there, at least one of em are the same as yours)

Saundie · 11 Sep 2010 at 14:07

[DOD]Asprilla;17333636 said:
An Audax with an alfine hub? Google Civia Bryant Alfine. As soon as there is stock available I'll be importing one from the US; no euro distributors I'm afraid.

Gates carbon drive, disc brakes, full guards, front and rear rack mounts, alfine hub. What more could you ask for? It's going to be my winter commuter and the wife's summer bike.

How much do you anticipate it costing once you've got the import dealt with? It looks pretty much perfect for me.

I was looking at Sideways Cycles and their version of the Cotic Roadrat with an alfine hub and disc brakes. Apparently the frame is pretty versatile, and available in the UK. At the moment I'm awaiting availablity of the Alfine 11, as I find the Nexus 8 on my hybrid a bit limited. I know you're looking for the belt drive and so this wont appeal to you, but I'm fairly certain it'll be a lot cheaper and easier to get hold of than the Civia Bryant Alfine.

[DOD]Asprilla · 11 Sep 2010 at 14:30

I've seen that Road Rat and if I didn't know about belt drives then I'd have one in a moment. However, I've got my heart set on the Civia. I reckon it will be about £1500 all in when you add shipping, VAT and import duty.

Temi_D · 11 Sep 2010 at 16:44

Hi all, I'm planning on starting to ride to uni this year to get fitter and save money. Could you please advice me on the accessories I need? So far heres what I've picked out from argos and wiggle:

Draeger · 11 Sep 2010 at 17:16

If you hold off for a bit you will be able to pick up some pretty decent bike kit in Aldi's just shortly ( 16th ) :-

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/offers_week37Thursday10.htm?WT.z_src=main

Some of it is mediocre but some bits of kit are pretty good for the dosh. The socks, shirts and winter gloves are excellent having used them myself in the past.

Jonny ///M · 11 Sep 2010 at 18:24

Temi_D said:
Hi all, I'm planning on starting to ride to uni this year to get fitter and save money. Could you please advice me on the accessories I need? So far heres what I've picked out from argos and wiggle:

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8985/bikecart1.png[/img*][/QUOTE]

Please,please,please don't by that bike for any serious cycling.

If your nipping back and forth to uni look into a good second hand single speed/fixie if it's not a long distance.

[DOD]Asprilla · 11 Sep 2010 at 18:45

Jonny ///M said:
Please,please,please don't by that bike for any serious cycling.

If your nipping back and forth to uni look into a good second hand single speed/fixie if it's not a long distance.

Exactly what I was going to say.

£100 for a dual suspension bike means that it will be poorly constructed and possibly dangerous. Anything from a supermarket, argos, etc or anything made by Create / Unipack should be avoided at all costs. If you intend to ride it you will only be disappointed.

Please, please, please think again.

Jonny ///M · 11 Sep 2010 at 19:02

To follow on from before if you want a mountain bike you need around £200-250 just to get on the quality ladder. Basic 21speed shimano gearing,fully metal brakes/levers and half decent overall quality.

Something like a mongoose rockadile,gt palomar/outpost or specialized hardrock.

A hybrid will set you back similar money but will be more suited to the road. Something like a mongoose crossway(variety of spec levels), a gt transeo/traffic,specialized globe or a claud butler urban of some sort would suit you nicely.

you can then fit full mudguards to the hybrid for full effect and actually enjoy cycling to and from uni. That argos pile of ***** won't even set up well from new and will put you off cycling forever.