Road Cycling Essentials

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chanjy said:
You guys are hardcore.. snowy days I just jump on the Tube or work from home :p
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I've been forced to get the tram to work for a least a week for the past two winters; I refuse to give in so easily this year.

[Damien];23266510 said:
Just checked out the price of Marathon Winter tyres. £40 a tyre!!

I'll just chuck the CX tyres that came with the bike back on I reckon. They're not puncture proof but I'll take a couple of flats over spending £80.
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I got mine from Spa Cycles for £60 a pair, which was the cheapest I could find. I haven't gotten around to fitting them yet, and given the weather forecast for the next couple of weeks, I should probably do it this weekend. I'm told they make a fantastic amount of noise on normal roads :)
 
I'm looking into getting a road bike, possible through one of the cycle to work schemes (though nothing is setup at the moment). But i know nothing about road bikes at present, so would like a little advise from some people in the know.

I've been looking at the Ribble bikes (the winter trainer and the alloy sportive), which i've read are very good. However i'm not sure if i'd be better of going for a special build with 9 speed tiagra, but with only 2 options for the wheels. Or going for the more custom built option with 10 speed Sora but having a lot more options with wheels.

I think i'd prefer to get the tiagra levers over the lower spec Sora, but would i be limiting myself with the old tech 9 speed equipment.

It can actually work out cheaper to go for the standard 9 speed tiagra and buying a second set of wheels from the list from Ribble, over just specing the custom build with 10sp Tiagra and the upgraded wheels. So this might be a good option for me as i could have a commuter wheel and a weekend wheel.

Basically i'm only looking to spend around £500 - £700 max, i want to get the most for my money, so that if i do get into road riding i'm not going to be wanting to upgrade everything on the bike. I also need to get something that's going to last me. I don't mind upgrading in the future, but want to have a good base. I'm assuming this would mean getting the best frame and forks i can now and not worrying too much about the drivetrain, as i can upgrade this if/when needed.

Uses will be for commuting 15 miles each way to work several times a week, some evening riding for training, and the some longer weekend rides when i don't fancy getting muddy or driving miles to find something decent to ride.

I've also seen a Caad 8 with Sora for £600 in my size which is tempting me too.

I've never riden a road bike, though i have been fitted for a Caad at my local Evan cycles and was advised to take a 56cm in the Caad but a 58cm in anything else. Which also seems to match the size guide on the riddle website (i come in at 57.95cm). Going by website guides does worry my slightly though.
 
Darryl_1983 said:
I'm looking into getting a road bike, possible through one of the cycle to work schemes (though nothing is setup at the moment). But i know nothing about road bikes at present, so would like a little advise from some people in the know.

I've been looking at the Ribble bikes (the winter trainer and the alloy sportive), which i've read are very good. However i'm not sure if i'd be better of going for a special build with 9 speed tiagra, but with only 2 options for the wheels. Or going for the more custom built option with 10 speed Sora but having a lot more options with wheels.

I think i'd prefer to get the tiagra levers over the lower spec Sora, but would i be limiting myself with the old tech 9 speed equipment.

It can actually work out cheaper to go for the standard 9 speed tiagra and buying a second set of wheels from the list from Ribble, over just specing the custom build with 10sp Tiagra and the upgraded wheels. So this might be a good option for me as i could have a commuter wheel and a weekend wheel.

Basically i'm only looking to spend around £500 - £700 max, i want to get the most for my money, so that if i do get into road riding i'm not going to be wanting to upgrade everything on the bike. I also need to get something that's going to last me. I don't mind upgrading in the future, but want to have a good base. I'm assuming this would mean getting the best frame and forks i can now and not worrying too much about the drivetrain, as i can upgrade this if/when needed.

Uses will be for commuting 15 miles each way to work several times a week, some evening riding for training, and the some longer weekend rides when i don't fancy getting muddy or driving miles to find something decent to ride.

I've also seen a Caad 8 with Sora for £600 in my size which is tempting me too.

I've never riden a road bike, though i have been fitted for a Caad at my local Evan cycles and was advised to take a 56cm in the Caad but a 58cm in anything else. Which also seems to match the size guide on the riddle website (i come in at 57.95cm). Going by website guides does worry my slightly though.
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Ribble bikes are good. i love my evo-pro carbon. and would recommend any Ribble bike. the more u spend the better the components will be. i bought the frame and components separately. and built it myself. n for £700 got the evo-pro carbon frame n forks and full campag. parts. and prorace carbon crankset

dont know anything about Caad so cant advise about that
 
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Darryl_1983 said:
I'm looking into getting a road bike, possible through one of the cycle to work schemes (though nothing is setup at the moment). But i know nothing about road bikes at present, so would like a little advise from some people in the know.

I've been looking at the Ribble bikes (the winter trainer and the alloy sportive), which i've read are very good. However i'm not sure if i'd be better of going for a special build with 9 speed tiagra, but with only 2 options for the wheels. Or going for the more custom built option with 10 speed Sora but having a lot more options with wheels.

I think i'd prefer to get the tiagra levers over the lower spec Sora, but would i be limiting myself with the old tech 9 speed equipment.

It can actually work out cheaper to go for the standard 9 speed tiagra and buying a second set of wheels from the list from Ribble, over just specing the custom build with 10sp Tiagra and the upgraded wheels. So this might be a good option for me as i could have a commuter wheel and a weekend wheel.

Basically i'm only looking to spend around £500 - £700 max, i want to get the most for my money, so that if i do get into road riding i'm not going to be wanting to upgrade everything on the bike. I also need to get something that's going to last me. I don't mind upgrading in the future, but want to have a good base. I'm assuming this would mean getting the best frame and forks i can now and not worrying too much about the drivetrain, as i can upgrade this if/when needed.

Uses will be for commuting 15 miles each way to work several times a week, some evening riding for training, and the some longer weekend rides when i don't fancy getting muddy or driving miles to find something decent to ride.

I've also seen a Caad 8 with Sora for £600 in my size which is tempting me too.

I've never riden a road bike, though i have been fitted for a Caad at my local Evan cycles and was advised to take a 56cm in the Caad but a 58cm in anything else. Which also seems to match the size guide on the riddle website (i come in at 57.95cm). Going by website guides does worry my slightly though.
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I rate Ribble bikes very highly, though their customer service is very slow and not the best.

Whatever route you go definitely get a bike fitting. Especially if you're commuting 15 miles each way.
 
Personally I'd say stick with 9sp if you're going to be commuting regularly. Only for the reason that the thinner the chain, the quicker you're going to have to replace it.
 
And get the winter trainer rather than the sportive if you are commuting - you'll be thankful for the mudguards and not lose much speed!

Size wise I reckon the best thing to do is find the CAAD geometry details on the Evans website and take the closest Ribble has for the CAAD 56cm stack and reach.
 
My winter gloves that came with the Planet X winter bundle are doing really well so far. Didn't feel a thing this morning when it was around freezing.
 
^?!

Guys I'm in need of some help with panniers and racks. As I'll be moving out very soon, and can't rely on my Dad to bring my clothes etc to work (work at the same place), I'll need something to bring all that gear to work. I initially wanted a back pack, but I don't fancy the slight discomfort and also sweaty backs in summer!

I've seen these bags, which seem to have rave reviews: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ortlieb-back-roller-classic-panniers/

I just need some advice on the rack itself really. Will anyone fit any bike (within reason)?
I made the mistake last time of buying mud guards for a bike with eyelets which mine doesnt have, so I don't want to make another mistake.

How do they fit to the bike?

Again, from scouting Wiggle.....this seems to have good reviews: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tubus-logo-rear-rack/
 
Shadowness said:
^?!

Guys I'm in need of some help with panniers and racks. As I'll be moving out very soon, and can't rely on my Dad to bring my clothes etc to work (work at the same place), I'll need something to bring all that gear to work. I initially wanted a back pack, but I don't fancy the slight discomfort and also sweaty backs in summer!

I've seen these bags, which seem to have rave reviews: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ortlieb-back-roller-classic-panniers/

I just need some advice on the rack itself really. Will anyone fit any bike (within reason)?
I made the mistake last time of buying mud guards for a bike with eyelets which mine doesnt have, so I don't want to make another mistake.

How do they fit to the bike?

Again, from scouting Wiggle.....this seems to have good reviews: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tubus-logo-rear-rack/
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To be honest I dont see the point in a rack just for carrying clothes. I work in an office (so full shirt/tie gear) and all I do is roll my pants and shirt up in a clean cycling top or t shirt and put it in my bag. If you roll it tight enough there's no creases. My bag's not a big one either. It's a deuter race air one I've had for ages. It's just big enough to fit a set of rolled up clothes, and a pair of shoes if done right.

I know you don't fancy a backpack but a small one with a ventilated back like my deuter one is hardly noticeable, even in summer.
 
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[QUOTE='[Damien]
I know you don't fancy a backpack but a small one with a ventilated back like my deuter one is hardly noticeable, even in summer.[/QUOTE]

I disagree. I hate wearing a backpack, much prefer panniers.
 
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