Road Cycling Essentials

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I've had my Specialized Allez since last summer and I really like it but it feels too big for me and I fancy something newer and more shiny. So I'm thinking of getting a new bike on the cycle to work scheme.

I'm thinking of a Bianchi VIA Nirone 7 105

http://www.bianchi.com/Global/Bikes/Bikes_Detail.aspx?ProductIDMaster=789 (that seems to be the 2010 model, I'm looking at the 2011)

or a Wilier La Triestina

http://www.wilierbikes.co.uk/2011/details.php?ModNo=11TRMIR

Any thoughts on either of these or other similar options I should look at?
 
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Both good bikes. However, if you aren't happy with the fit of your Allez then I'd recommend you look at paying for a professional bike fit. They may be able to adjust your current bike so it fits a lot better, and if they can't make it fit they will be able to give you advice on the best geometry / sizing to suit you.

Otherwise you could be in the same position again in 12 months time.
 
Draeger said:
This is just my opinion but I can't see a dedicated GPS making that much of a difference to accuracy compared to a phone app, at least for most peoples needs. I use Endomondo on my iPhone like a lot of folk in this thread do, it's an excellent little app.
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I have both and aside from the issue of strapping a £600 phone to your bike and the possible damage should you fall, by the time you've bought the ANT+, HR strap and Cadence sensor stuff you might as well of just bought a Garmin Edge in the first place.
 
This is true but as already said I suppose it depends on what you use it for and how. I only use my Iphone 4 + Endomondo on the mountain bike on trails. It gets activated and locked on to a satellite in the car park, started and stuck either in my rear pocket or in my Camelback. I'll then stop it at the end of the trail and have a quick shifty at what its recorded but generally leave looking at my stats until I get home and logged onto my Endomondo account on my PC.

On the road bike I've no need for a GPS, a Cateye Micro tells me all I want to know while on the move. I'll activate the iPhone as well usually but only because I'll have it with me anyway and I like the way Endomondo will keep a training log of rides whether they be on or off road.

So yeah - In short if you have a need for a GPS then buy one. If not an iPhone or Android handset plus a few free apps is perfectly adequate. :cool:
 
Sagalout said:
Depends how long you ride for. iphone apps are fine for short rides, and you can get some very neat holders, but they don't last for more more than 2 - 3 hours. If you're going out for more than that Garmins are best - my 705 is well over 10 hours (longest ride I did was 9 hours and still had nearly half showing on the battery meter). Also the Garmins generally come with HR straps, which I know you can get for the iphone but they are expensive.
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I've been connecting a 5000mAH usb battery pack (cost £21) to my Desire Z and on a 3 hour ride the battery changes from 100% at the start to...100% after the ride! I should imagine it would last for as long as a Garmin and if battery life is the only reason for someone buying a dedicated GPS to replace a smartphone, there is this alternative.
 
What does that setup weigh? Seems a bit pointless spending £xxxx on carbon kit to then strap a 1kg+ battery pack to it.
I need to see my stats in real time. Heart Rate data is critical for my training and race requirements.

I can see the value in Smart Phone apps in that they are better than nothing but they are far from ideal.
 
Yeah, the smartphones are an alternative, but it depends on use. The Garmins are lightweight and weatherproof, and crucially for me act as a head unit for my Powertap :)
 
SDK^ said:
What does that setup weigh? Seems a bit pointless spending £xxxx on carbon kit to then strap a 1kg+ battery pack to it.
I need to see my stats in real time. Heart Rate data is critical for my training and race requirements.

I can see the value in Smart Phone apps in that they are better than nothing but they are far from ideal.
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It's 11X7X1.5cm and 147g in weight. My phone itself weighs 181g.
 
I'm a massive McLaren (F1) and Specialized fan and today all my dreams came true.
McLaren have linked up with Specialized to develop this - anyone got a spare £10k please ;)

http://venge.specialized.com/

Specialized-3.jpg
 
As people have said regarding the GPS thing. It depends on your use. If you want it as a kind of research tool then a proper unit is best but if, like me, you just want to monitor basics (miles completed, calories burned) then a phone with software is sufficient.
 
Saundie said:
Are you up for a ride on Sunday, Jonny69?
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Sadly, I think I'm going to have to take it easy for a while. I'm really suffering with my knee at the moment so I'm trying to ride and run as little as possible until it's fixed itself :(
 
Jonny69 said:
Sadly, I think I'm going to have to take it easy for a while. I'm really suffering with my knee at the moment so I'm trying to ride and run as little as possible until it's fixed itself :(
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That's a pity, though it's best if you recover rather than exacerbate the problem. I'll use the opportunity to improve my pace; hopefully I'll be able to keep up with you by the time you're good to ride again :)

Speaking of which, I'm planning a 130km (about 80 miles) ride on Sunday, most likely on the Specialized. I'm hoping it won't take much more than 6 hours including breaks. If that goes well, I'll have a crack at 160km in a couple of weeks time. Still trying to figure out the hydration and nutrition thing, I guess it's something you just pick up as you go?

Richie said:
As people have said regarding the GPS thing. It depends on your use. If you want it as a kind of research tool then a proper unit is best but if, like me, you just want to monitor basics (miles completed, calories burned) then a phone with software is sufficient.
Click to expand...

Sagalout said:
Yeah, the smartphones are an alternative, but it depends on use. The Garmins are lightweight and weatherproof, and crucially for me act as a head unit for my Powertap :)
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I agree with you both, in that it entirely depends on what you want to get out of it. My current goals don't require me to keep track of my heart rate, cadence, power output etc. I just want to keep a record of where I've cycled, and have the ability to share it online, which means that my smartphone is adequate. It's also waterproof and sufficiently rugged to survive a drop onto the road from a height of 1m at 50kph (verified during an unplanned test :P).
 
Somewhat noobish question...
I've just got some SPD-SL pedals and shoes (having previously used MTB SPDs out of convenience). Are the shoes supposed to have a hole in the sole near the front?



It obviously looks deliberate but I wasn't sure if I was supposed to plug it with something, or if it's for heat release or something else.:confused:

TIA
 
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