Road Cycling Essentials

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Looking into new bikes for my Cycle Scheme renewal, budget of £1000.

Whyte Suffolk looks amazing but comes in at ~£1200 :(. So much want!
 
Dunks said:
Usually you size up one, but you're best to try a few on as each make can be pretty different.
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Vonhelmet said:
I wear a 9 in regular shoes, which is a 43 in Euro land, but I need a 44 for my Shimano shoes. Shimano are notorious for this. Some other brands are better, I gather.
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Derek W said:
Yeah that's sort of the problem. I can't think of anywhere close by that would have cycling shoes to try on :(
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My local Halfords usually has several pairs of Shimano's so certainly worth checking there as they'd give you an idea at least on the sizing.

I'd always been told that Shimano were a 'slim fit' and when younger I had suffered with a wide instep. I'm a UK size 8 in most shoes although I do wear a 7 in some trainers so my sizing is probably closer to UK 7.5. I'm currently wearing an EU size 42 Shimano XC30 (and have seen these on sale in Halfords) and they fit me fine, they could even be tighter so I could go down a size but I'd be worried about my instep suffering. Although I do have enough 'space' to put on a thick thermal pair of socks if required (only done it once!)... :D

lordrobs said:
I don't think they do but I will ask. TBH I don't think I'm eligible anyway as due to my job (field service technician) I have a compulsory company car and can't commit to cycling my commute at all really.

I'm a bit funny with buying some stuff online due to after sales and wanting to get a feel for what I'm buying. Luckily an Evans Cycles has just opened in Norwich and Paul's Cycles sometimes has some good offers on so hopefully I'll be ok.
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See I'm the opposite after dealing a few times with Wiggle I'll happily order something on a whim from them - as I know I'll have no quibble with returning it if I need to. I've emailed them questions on sizing and fit of clothing and had very quick and usually very accurate answers.

Certainly with their free delivery/pre-paid easy (Collect+) returns I now wrongly expect it of other places! :eek::rolleyes:

ArmoVanBuuren said:
Yes you need a pc, mac or iphone?ipad. I use a pc with an Ant+ USB stick (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/suunto-movestick-mini/)

Think there is some device you plug in for iphones or ipads.

Really enjoying Sufferfest and trainerroad combination - training to virtual power with the sufferfest videos. Can do 2 hours on the turbo now without too much boredom! Good structured training too with Sufferfest vids.
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I'll dig out the laptop this weekend and come up with some way to mount it infront of the trainer... But which ANT+ stick to get, whats everyone else using? (The Suunto and Garmin are out of stock at the mo).

Did a Sufferfest last night, my first ride in 11 days but felt good as I've not exactly had a lazy week away snowboarding! ;)

Also a week of eating out and multiple beers and I really haven't put on any pounds! Result! :D
 
ArmoVanBuuren said:
Can you overpay, I was told by company I could buy a bike over £1000 but I would need to pay the difference there and then over £1000 to the retailer?
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You may be able to, but it's in breach of the scheme rules. The company owns the bike until the end of the term, so they can't very well own a £1,200 bike that they only paid £1,000 for. YMMV, though, it depends on what your finance people will let you get away with.
 
Roady said:
My local Halfords usually has several pairs of Shimano's so certainly worth checking there as they'd give you an idea at least on the sizing.

I'd always been told that Shimano were a 'slim fit' and when younger I had suffered with a wide instep. I'm a UK size 8 in most shoes although I do wear a 7 in some trainers so my sizing is probably closer to UK 7.5. I'm currently wearing an EU size 42 Shimano XC30 (and have seen these on sale in Halfords) and they fit me fine, they could even be tighter so I could go down a size but I'd be worried about my instep suffering. Although I do have enough 'space' to put on a thick thermal pair of socks if required (only done it once!)... :D
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I have very wide feet, so most shoes are a bit uncomfy for me. I'm planning on getting some proper road shoes and pedals this year, so I need to find some suitable ones that don't cost the earth. Shimano do the RO88 in a wide fit, so that might do the job. I was hoping for something in black, but I'll live.
 
Roady said:
I'll dig out the laptop this weekend and come up with some way to mount it infront of the trainer... But which ANT+ stick to get, whats everyone else using? (The Suunto and Garmin are out of stock at the mo).
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The Suunto is the one usually recommended on here, DCRainmaker does a good review of it here http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2012/02/much-better-usb-ant-stick-for-your.html. USB2 so ANT2 So more channels.

It's available at Evans online but a little bit dearer than Wiggle.
 
Vonhelmet said:
You may be able to, but it's in breach of the scheme rules. The company owns the bike until the end of the term, so they can't very well own a £1,200 bike that they only paid £1,000 for. YMMV, though, it depends on what your finance people will let you get away with.
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True, I'd guess for £200 you should be ok to risk it. I was looking at a £2K bike for my C2W (£1K Limit) so didnt fancy risking it and having them owning a £2K bike of mine and also what happens if I was to leave, so I dipped into my savings instead.
 
Weird clicking sound started yesterday...checked out the bike and it seems to be that the front hub needs a service. Zomgz, so tired of having to mess about with my wheels. I need to look into getting a decent set for my next bike.

Vonhelmet said:
You may be able to, but it's in breach of the scheme rules. The company owns the bike until the end of the term, so they can't very well own a £1,200 bike that they only paid £1,000 for. YMMV, though, it depends on what your finance people will let you get away with.
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Normally it's down to the bike shop to be honest. Perhaps it depends on the scheme you're in but here at least they take the name of the bike/bits and then just issue you a £1000 voucher. In my experience any decisions about overpaying have been down to the mood the guy/gal at the bike shop is in.

@Dunks - The Whyte Suffolk is a great bike btw. Really good choice. Be sure to check the set up of the brakes though as most bike shops get it wrong with HY/RDs.

ArmoVanBuuren said:
True, I'd guess for £200 you should be ok to risk it. I was looking at a £2K bike for my C2W (£1K Limit) so didnt fancy risking it and having them owning a £2K bike of mine and also what happens if I was to leave, so I dipped into my savings instead.
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I guess it depends on how sure you are about staying in your current job for a year. Personally I'm fairly sure I'm stuck here for the duration so it's not something I'd worry about.

ArmoVanBuuren said:
The Suunto is the one usually recommended on here, DCRainmaker does a good review of it here http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2012/02/much-better-usb-ant-stick-for-your.html. USB2 so ANT2 So more channels.

It's available at Evans online but a little bit dearer than Wiggle.
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Yup. You need USB2/Ant2/whatever it is for Trainer Road too. Older Ant+ sticks stopped working with the newest (or almost newest) release.
 
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ArmoVanBuuren said:
The Suunto is the one usually recommended on here, DCRainmaker does a good review of it here http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2012/02/much-better-usb-ant-stick-for-your.html. USB2 so ANT2 So more channels.

It's available at Evans online but a little bit dearer than Wiggle.
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FrenchTart said:
Yup. You need USB2/Ant2/whatever it is for Trainer Road too. Older Ant+ sticks stopped working with the newest (or almost newest) release.
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Thanks guys, I'll hunt one down and get it ordered later! My free month is running out so time is of the essence! ;)
 
Roady said:
Thanks guys, I'll hunt one down and get it ordered later! My free month is running out so time is of the essence! ;)
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Must have got the last stock from Wiggle :) Do you want mine? I'm not signed up to Trainerroad yet, so can wait for Wiggle to get stock. Happy to do a deal with you.
 
booyaka said:
I got this yesterday

http://www.amazon.co.uk/hLine-ANT-U...5?ie=UTF8&qid=1421763364&sr=8-5&keywords=ant+

Hooked up in 1 min to trainerroad and will test it tonight.
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Let us know how you get on with it!

janp said:
Must have got the last stock from Wiggle :) Do you want mine? I'm not signed up to Trainerroad yet, so can wait for Wiggle to get stock. Happy to do a deal with you.
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Naaaah don't worry mate, you'll be using it soon enough I'm sure ;)

SoliD said:
I have a suunto stick if you can wait until next week?
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Only if you don't need it any longer Paul? More than happy to wait :)

EDIT: £22 on Amazon with free delivery, I'll just order it later from there if you don't mind mate? Thanks for the offer though - I'm sure someone else will need one! :)

EDITEDIT: Not in stock till the 27th so still interested in yours Paul! :rolleyes:
 
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