Road Cycling Essentials

Shamrock · 14 Feb 2013 at 10:35

The Antares isn't so bad with a good pair of bib shorts, but I can't imagine anyone describing it as having "long ride comfort". It's a race saddle.

PermaChanged · 14 Feb 2013 at 10:46

George Hincapie said:
As do I. I'm not even flexible.

Have you considered trying the Kurve variant?

Not really, I can't imagine it to be more comfortable and can't really justify £180 on a saddle for a few grams weight savings.

George Hincapie · 14 Feb 2013 at 10:56

Rusty_Noob said:
Not really, I can't imagine it to be more comfortable and can't really justify £180 on a saddle for a few grams weight savings.

Try a test one? I'm going to myself when the weather improves a little - I'll let you know how I get on.

Would look nice on your CB TBH.

PermaChanged · 14 Feb 2013 at 11:05

I could test one, but then I'd probably want one which is not good! Currently eyeing up wheelsets at the moment which is the next wedge of cash going on the bike. Zipp 404 Cyclocross (for 24/24 rather than 16/20 lacing) would be the ideal set.

George Hincapie · 14 Feb 2013 at 11:20

Rusty_Noob said:
I could test one, but then I'd probably want one which is not good! Currently eyeing up wheelsets at the moment which is the next wedge of cash going on the bike. Zipp 404 Cyclocross (for 24/24 rather than 16/20 lacing) would be the ideal set.

Oh beautiful!

I've been thinking about getting a set of carbon clinchers for months but read conflicting views about safety etc. It causes me concern.

VeNT · 14 Feb 2013 at 11:28

Brooks?

PermaChanged · 14 Feb 2013 at 11:45

George Hincapie said:
Oh beautiful!

I've been thinking about getting a set of carbon clinchers for months but read conflicting views about safety etc. It causes me concern.

I wouldn't go cheap if I was going the clincher route due to the safety concerns (braking heat causing tire pressure to change and blowing up tyres) but I wouldn't be too worried with tubulars.

I've decided to go the tubular route as I've been lucky to avoid punctures running GP4000's for the whole of last season so I trust them, and they do a tubular version.

Koko56 · 14 Feb 2013 at 12:04

Vonhelmet said:
Could be a something skipped up between the wheel and the mudguard? A stone or something? If you were doing any sort of speed then it would lead to either the tyre or mudguard going bye bye.

You might wanna try SKS raceblade or raceblade long. When I had the cruds i think they were the only ones to fit bikes without mounts - flopped about all the time and rubbed on the tyre at times. Got some Raceblade longs and while twice the price they are waaay more solid and seem like they can last a long time.

Jonny69 said:
Steel bike in the peleton?

http://roadcyclinguk.com/news/gear-news/pro-bike-dean-downings-genesis-volare-953.html#slide-1

Ugly fat tubes though. I don't like it.

Articles been floating around for a while. Not sure about that one above, but this is just incredible looking:

Shamrock said:
The Antares isn't so bad with a good pair of bib shorts, but I can't imagine anyone describing it as having "long ride comfort". It's a race saddle.

I find that an odd thing to say. Saddles are for being comfortable. When people talk of getting lighter saddles it's sort of like getting the lightest tires for the commute without a puncture protection layer.

grudas · 14 Feb 2013 at 12:10

Koko56 said:
You might wanna try SKS raceblade or raceblade long. When I had the cruds i think they were the only ones to fit bikes without mounts - flopped about all the time and rubbed on the tyre at times. Got some Raceblade longs and while twice the price they are waaay more solid and seem like they can last a long time.

yeah ive been looking at them but at 40quid im not sure if i can justify that..

they SHOULD fit my triban 3 but ill need to do more research.. they look meatier but then even cruds were a tight fit(front nose piece wouldn't fiit at all)

Koko56 · 14 Feb 2013 at 12:16

They fit my Allez okay. If you have a few mm between the tire and the brakes it should fit.

uniQ · 14 Feb 2013 at 12:36

[DOD]Asprilla;23758407 said:
For which bike and are you a whole hunk of lovin'?

For the R5 build

5'10, 140lb which is a bit over my summer weight.

Shamrock said:
Charge Spoon or Charge Knife.

NOT a Fizik Antares!

I quite like the look of the Antares. On my Ti I have the Planet-X knock off Arione.

tedmaul said:
Always a personal choice, but for what it's worth i get on with the Charge Spoon. Done lots of 50 miles and a few 100 miles on it with no issues. I'm pretty light though (175cm and 66kg) which i think can help. They are cheap as chips so at least if you try one and don't like it it's not broken the bank.

They are cheap! I think a brown one could suit the Ti but not the bike I'm speccing it for.

George Hincapie said:
You can't say that.

Saddles are incredibly personal; what's right for one bottom will be wrong for another. The only advice the OP should be given is to try as many as possible. Any decent LBS will, on payment of a deposit, allow you to try their range of test saddles.

The only ones LBS's seem to have for test are Fizik's my main LBS has most of them on loan too

InQ · 14 Feb 2013 at 12:38

Had Raceblades and now using Crud mark 2's.....much prefer the Cruds, especially for £20!

Fizik Arione on my best bike, find it comfier and to fit my backend better than my Charge Spoon (in a bag somewhere in the garage).

VeNT · 14 Feb 2013 at 13:07

Koko56 said:
Articles been floating around for a while. Not sure about that one above, but this is just incredible looking:

I tweeted genesis the other day, apparently they frame/bike will be available retail too.
I'd love one!
guy at work has a coux de fur and it's BE_UTI_FUL srsly thinking about going new steel for my next bike

Koko56 · 14 Feb 2013 at 13:18

Yeah I have carbon (canyon ultimate CF) and while it is super reactive and actually quite absorbent over the rough stuff it feels a bit muted. Seems like carbon is perfect for racing though for just riding around I think I prefer metal. Thinking of ti/steel for a frame.

but my GOD that genesis is just evocative

George Hincapie · 14 Feb 2013 at 13:23

That Genesis is stunning. I'd buy it. Not that I'm the arbiter of good taste or anything

Shamrock · 14 Feb 2013 at 13:26

Koko56 said:
I find that an odd thing to say. Saddles are for being comfortable. When people talk of getting lighter saddles it's sort of like getting the lightest tires for the commute without a puncture protection layer.

Well for "race day" you'd be more concerned with performance than comfort and practicality. So lightweight saddles, latex inner tubes and light/fast rolling tyres. All of which would be silly on a daily beater bike.

I realise I am not a racer or a pro so my bike is pretty impractical but I don't care cos I like it.

EDIT: +1 on the Genesis 953. It is very sexual.

grudas · 14 Feb 2013 at 13:43

InQ said:
Had Raceblades and now using Crud mark 2's.....much prefer the Cruds, especially for £20!

Fizik Arione on my best bike, find it comfier and to fit my backend better than my Charge Spoon (in a bag somewhere in the garage).

and why is that? - crud/raceblade topic

Koko56 · 14 Feb 2013 at 14:14

Shamrock said:
Well for "race day" you'd be more concerned with performance than comfort and practicality. So lightweight saddles, latex inner tubes and light/fast rolling tyres. All of which would be silly on a daily beater bike.

I realise I am not a racer or a pro so my bike is pretty impractical but I don't care cos I like it.

EDIT: +1 on the Genesis 953. It is very sexual.

Guess a firmer saddle might make it feel racier and if the compromise on comfort is not too great then for some it makes sense, but I mean saddles are what 300-200 gramms and a light saddle would be 150

I get making bikes light but out of all the places to make a bike lighter to do it with a saddle? It's just illogical to me. Honestly using lightweights with tubs on on some 2kg pig iron frame makes a lot more sense than knocking off weight off a saddle while sacrificing comfort.

At least that's what I read everytime I see "want a lighter saddle"

Shamrock · 14 Feb 2013 at 14:34

Marginal gains!

I'll be honest I chose the Antares based on looks as when browsing the saddle choices on Rose's configurator, photos are all I had to go on.

I've done many 40-50 mile rides on the Antares and it isn't that bad providing you wear padded shorts.

Koko56 · 14 Feb 2013 at 14:53

When I was deciding rose/canyon fancied a prologo but apparently they are made of rocks. Still wanna try one though