Road Cycling

DaleTheWhale · 10 Mar 2015 at 16:44

Just applied for the £750 Ride2Work certificate, not sure how long it takes.
I measured myself up and from remembering previously, I believe a 58cm bike is going to be perfect for me, 56cm is OK but I'd rather it being a full size than a little smaller.

I'm struggling on picking a bike now, as the ones that I take a liking too i.e. sora groupset, right size, compact, but then mudguards can only be clip ons or something.

I like this one, but it doesn't tick all the boxes and I'm not sure about what mudguards can be attached properly.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/synapse-alloy-sora-2015-road-bike-ec071023#features

Vonhelmet · 10 Mar 2015 at 16:45

grudas said:
yeah but it's 2.4kg! whereas halo would work out at a more reasonable 1.9ish.. those chinese sets that you bought are mental, like 1.7kg for the rear?

Meh, I've not weighed mine. I'll ride them for a bit then build some new ones myself next year and sell these.

Vonhelmet · 10 Mar 2015 at 16:45

OK, own up...

FrenchTart · 10 Mar 2015 at 16:51

topgun06 said:
Which tyre was it??

Both were Michelin Pro4s (SC Grip 23mm for the first, End 25mm for the second).

Pretty annoyed as whilst there are more expensive tyres about these also aren't super cheap.

FrenchTart · 10 Mar 2015 at 16:54

ThaReaperGuy said:
Just applied for the £750 Ride2Work certificate, not sure how long it takes.
I measured myself up and from remembering previously, I believe a 58cm bike is going to be perfect for me, 56cm is OK but I'd rather it being a full size than a little smaller.

I'm struggling on picking a bike now, as the ones that I take a liking too i.e. sora groupset, right size, compact, but then mudguards can only be clip ons or something.

I like this one, but it doesn't tick all the boxes and I'm not sure about what mudguards can be attached properly.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/synapse-alloy-sora-2015-road-bike-ec071023#features

£700 for a bike with Sora is a bit steep imo.

DaleTheWhale · 10 Mar 2015 at 16:57

One of the boxes it didn't tick, I have seen Tiagra around that price, struggling to find the right one. (Guess it is my first.)

grudas · 10 Mar 2015 at 16:59

ThaReaperGuy said:
One of the boxes it didn't tick, I have seen Tiagra around that price, struggling to find the right one. (Guess it is my first.)

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXLDNRDTIA/planet-x-london-road-argento-shimano-tiagra-drop-bar-bike

?

FrenchTart · 10 Mar 2015 at 17:01

ThaReaperGuy said:
One of the boxes it didn't tick, I have seen Tiagra around that price, struggling to find the right one. (Guess it is my first.)

Try something like this:

http://www.evanscycles.com/categori...ice_from=343;price_to=623;on_sale=;sort=desc;

Dunks · 10 Mar 2015 at 17:01

Frosty this morning so wore bib-tights, overshoes and light full finger gloves, it's now 10c and sunny!

Got rather warm on the way home even without my overshoes and gloves, time to switch to knee warmers and shorts I think if this keeps up! :coo:

PermaBanned · 10 Mar 2015 at 17:07

ThaReaperGuy said:
One of the boxes it didn't tick, I have seen Tiagra around that price, struggling to find the right one. (Guess it is my first.)

I've seen 105 around that price...

http://www.merlincycles.com/felt-f75-road-bike-2014-71825.html

touch · 10 Mar 2015 at 17:08

grudas said:
think Imma go for halo aerorage wheelset, rather than PX track set! 60 quid more but worth it!

This is my aerorage:

To be fair, it was a 24 spoke rear. I'm too heavy to be riding 24 spokes. It lasted over 2 years as well, so a much longer life than an average Grudas wheel

Vonhelmet · 10 Mar 2015 at 17:09

FrenchTart said:
£700 for a bike with Sora is a bit steep imo.

You're paying for Cannondale's excellent alloy frame abilities there.

grudas · 10 Mar 2015 at 17:12

touch said:
This is my aerorage:

To be fair, it was a 24 spoke rear. I'm too heavy to be riding 24 spokes. It lasted over 2 years as well, so a much longer life than an average Grudas wheel

that's not too bad for 24 spokes and 2 years(how many miles tho?) I'm looking at the 32 hole one's can't see any with 24 for sale.

FrenchTart · 10 Mar 2015 at 17:12

Vonhelmet said:
You're paying for Cannondale's excellent alloy frame abilities there.

Paying for the name, indeed

It may make more sense on higher-end bikes but I'm not convinced by it for the cheaper end of their range.

PermaBanned · 10 Mar 2015 at 17:14

I dunno, i think it might be worth it if you're going for a CAAD for the racing geometry but the Synapse is an endurance frame with a more relaxed geo so by choosing that you're pretty much admitting that it doesn't matter much to you.

Basically, ride them and make up your own mind

DaleTheWhale · 10 Mar 2015 at 17:22

I'm stuck to Evans as that's who are scheme runs through.

So have been staring at the selection they have for the last few days so it's confusing me more and more, I'm just hunting for a good idea of an all rounder before I give a few a test ride and start being indecisive after riding them, ooing and ahing at this over that.

I'm rubbish at buying things I know little about.

touch · 10 Mar 2015 at 17:24

grudas said:
that's not too bad for 24 spokes and 2 years(how many miles tho?) I'm looking at the 32 hole one's can't see any with 24 for sale.

Yeah, i'm not too disappointed really, it lasted longer than expected. No idea how many miles, 3-4k i'd guess. It was my powertap wheel, so got a fair bit of use.

The problem is that a wheel which lasts 2 years for me will probably only last a couple of weeks for you

topgun06 · 10 Mar 2015 at 17:25

FrenchTart said:
Both were Michelin Pro4s (SC Grip 23mm for the first, End 25mm for the second).

Pretty annoyed as whilst there are more expensive tyres about these also aren't super cheap.

Gah! I'd be pretty annoyed too.

*touch wood* I've been pretty lucky with tyres and punctures.

FrenchTart · 10 Mar 2015 at 17:30

topgun06 said:
Gah! I'd be pretty annoyed too. *touch wood* I've been pretty lucky with tyres and punctures.

I seem to be the opposite. I'm banned from even looking at the tyres of most of my friend's bikes

Roady · 10 Mar 2015 at 17:32

Dunks said:
Frosty this morning so wore bib-tights, overshoes and light full finger gloves, it's now 10c and sunny!

Got rather warm on the way home even without my overshoes and gloves, time to switch to knee warmers and shorts I think if this keeps up! :coo:

Tell me about it... About to get ready to ride home and my only option are my thermal bib-tights, thermal jersey and/or my jacket. Doh! Might do thermal bibs and jacket - I'll be cooler than wearing thermal jersey and thermal tights! :eek:

PermaBanned said:
I've seen 105 around that price...

http://www.merlincycles.com/felt-f75-road-bike-2014-71825.html

Thats a great buy, it is '2014 105' which means 10 speed (20 gears on a double) rather than 11 speed. Not an issue really

ThaReaperGuy said:
I'm stuck to Evans as that's who are scheme runs through.

So have been staring at the selection they have for the last few days so it's confusing me more and more, I'm just hunting for a good idea of an all rounder before I give a few a test ride and start being indecisive after riding them, ooing and ahing at this over that.

I'm rubbish at buying things I know little about.

Know exactly what you mean (we were all there at the start!) but you did the right thing by asking here first... Unlike someone who goes and spends £800 on a hybrid then asks!