Full carbon road bike for 400 quid. What could go wrong?
Discussion
Some Gump said:
Mr Will said:
I think most people will acknowledge that tyres make an even bigger difference than wheels. Gatorskins are probably not a very good comparison as they are still very heavy, hard and stiff. Swap them out for something like GP4000S or the Michelin equivalent and you should notice the bike roll better, corner more securely and ride more smoothly. It's not about the weight, it's the compound and construction that make the difference.
GP4000S 700x23 205gGatorskin folding 700x23 220g
I wish I could have to worry about 30g on my bike, but sadly I weigh 14 stone so maybe that's why I can't tell =(
My summer bike needs it's factory tyres replacing soon ish, so maybe I'll try some 4000's so I can see what the difference is between them and the gators. It's on Luganos so an instant 200g saving (and more importantly I can finally ditch the gay blue stripe bit!)
If you do swap them, please let us know how you get on. The view of a skeptic is often more interesting than that of someone who's already convinced.
Some Gump said:
TwistingMyMelon said:
Does it come with Zafiros? If they did they are good tyre for standard fit bike tyres, as most are a lot worse
You can buy worse than £7 tyres that are a bugger to get on and off, and offer the puncture resistance of a fairground baloon? I hope to never meet those tyres!
tty lanes through pitch black winter nights Never needed levers to get on and off when swapping out , did it in about a minute
Not great tyres, but great for price and I had no hassles.
OP I would go for Conti 4 seasons if you want a nicer rider and ride in bad weather.
Mr Will said:
Did you miss the bit where I said it isn't about the weight
If you do swap them, please let us know how you get on. The view of a skeptic is often more interesting than that of someone who's already convinced.
Oh, I'll happily take advice. My only tyre experiences are luganos, the cheap vittorias and gator folding - most of this forum will have more knowledge than me on tyres. If you do swap them, please let us know how you get on. The view of a skeptic is often more interesting than that of someone who's already convinced.
It's just you said they're still heavy hard and stiff - I guess I read the heavy part and assumed you were referring to something other than what I have (which are nearly as light as the 4000's and much, much flopper than my luganos or vitorrias were.
I'll prob. not make the change until the start of next season now (the alu bike will come back out as soon as mudguards are needed), but I will report back - I'll probably pick up some non gators and realise that by comparison, they are indeed stiff and granite =)
Gump, my TT bike 'feels' slower on fast race tyres and with latex tubes, than with training rubber (Zaffiros, coincidently!)
I think it's something to do with the extra give in the supple tyre. The bike goes though, even with my fat arse powering it.
Be careful with perceptions, they can be misleading.
I think it's something to do with the extra give in the supple tyre. The bike goes though, even with my fat arse powering it.
Be careful with perceptions, they can be misleading.
johnnyfinlandia said:
.. when you add to Basket and put ANY postcode in it says Out of Stock for Delivery (which is now the only option)
I also spoke to Customer Services and 'computer says No'
The homebase stock system is a nightmare, was having troubles this weekend trying to buy a BBQ, was "in stock" so was close to driving to the shop but thought I'd reserve it, all of a sudden "no stock"! I also spoke to Customer Services and 'computer says No'
Does your GF intend to ride off-road? A cyclocross tyre will have less grip on road than a road tyre, but more grip on mud.
Conti GP 4Seasons is the popular choice for winter roads. Incidentally, they come up a mm or so small on width, so maybe you'd have clearance for a size wider than normal.
Conti GP 4Seasons is the popular choice for winter roads. Incidentally, they come up a mm or so small on width, so maybe you'd have clearance for a size wider than normal.
Mainly on road but there is a small amount of gravel paths that she’s paranoid about after coming off last year resulting in stitches and a nasty scar on her knee. I too did point out they won’t be best for road but she liked the look of all the “knobbly bits”.
I’ve stuck mud guards (RaceBlades) on it which will make it even tighter. I wonder if it might be a case of ordering a few pairs and see what fits.
I’ve stuck mud guards (RaceBlades) on it which will make it even tighter. I wonder if it might be a case of ordering a few pairs and see what fits.
Type R Tom said:
Mainly on road but there is a small amount of gravel paths that she’s paranoid about after coming off last year resulting in stitches and a nasty scar on her knee. I too did point out they won’t be best for road but she liked the look of all the “knobbly bits”.
I’ve stuck mud guards (RaceBlades) on it which will make it even tighter. I wonder if it might be a case of ordering a few pairs and see what fits.
Fair enough. If it wasn't for the 'guards I'd suggest Schwalbe CX Comps, which in 700x30 were the narrowest CX type tyres I could find when looking earlier this year in preparation for some bridleway bashing on my alu Synapse. More of a semi-click than a full-on CX tyre, so little rolling resistance increase over slicks and great on dry hardpack but not as good as a knobblier tyre when it's wet and muddy. Might give her more confidence on a gravel path, even if only a placebo effect. Oh, and they seem to wear pretty quickly too but at £11 odd they're cheap enough to replace when they do. I’ve stuck mud guards (RaceBlades) on it which will make it even tighter. I wonder if it might be a case of ordering a few pairs and see what fits.
If they won't fit, more heavily treaded 28mm road tyres like Vittoria Randonneur II might be worth a look.
I use the 32c Vittoria Randonneur II on my mtb/hybrid for a road commute and 3 mile gravel/bridleway track at end, they are very thick rubber which works well on gravel
It does the job very well, I imagine the 28 vers will be the same , you don't really need tread on gravel, just slow down for bends
I'd be wary of fitting guards and wider tyres with any gravel bits, as rubbing will be a PITA if clearance is tight.
It does the job very well, I imagine the 28 vers will be the same , you don't really need tread on gravel, just slow down for bends
I'd be wary of fitting guards and wider tyres with any gravel bits, as rubbing will be a PITA if clearance is tight.
My bike arrived yesterday, first impressions are that it's not as light as I thought it might be, it feels like a lot of weight is at the rear wheel, but then it was only £400.
Really nice to ride, feel very supple compared to my mates cannondale which is aluminium.
Where can I get spare rear mech hangers from though? I'd like to get a fe was I suspect Argos won't have much in the way of after sales support. I hope not to need them but you never know!
Really nice to ride, feel very supple compared to my mates cannondale which is aluminium.
Where can I get spare rear mech hangers from though? I'd like to get a fe was I suspect Argos won't have much in the way of after sales support. I hope not to need them but you never know!
I have one of these (have had it now for about a year and have done over 1500 miles on it with no real issues at all) but I am now thinking of upgrading the entire groupset to 105 (around £300) and wondering if anyone else has done this ie. the complete groupset?
There are quite a few options around the groupset, some of which I'm not fully understanding ie. OK with the front and rear chainring options but not sure about the length and whether the bottom bracket etc. will be a problem?
There are quite a few options around the groupset, some of which I'm not fully understanding ie. OK with the front and rear chainring options but not sure about the length and whether the bottom bracket etc. will be a problem?
aspick said:
I have one of these (have had it now for about a year and have done over 1500 miles on it with no real issues at all) but I am now thinking of upgrading the entire groupset to 105 (around £300) and wondering if anyone else has done this ie. the complete groupset?
There are quite a few options around the groupset, some of which I'm not fully understanding ie. OK with the front and rear chainring options but not sure about the length and whether the bottom bracket etc. will be a problem?
Well, you only have chainrings on the front, not sure what you mean about the rear chainring.There are quite a few options around the groupset, some of which I'm not fully understanding ie. OK with the front and rear chainring options but not sure about the length and whether the bottom bracket etc. will be a problem?
Length? Of what? Cranks? 170mm should be OK.
You want a ´standard´ BSA threaded bottom bracket (english threaded)
Removing the standard square taper BB and replacing it with the Shimano 105 external BB is easy if you have the right tools.
You might want to invest in a reuseable 11-speed quick link for the chain.
Depending on your wrenching experience you might consider swapping the gruppo over a job for the LBS. Oh, and you´ll need a new rear wheel.
Alternatively just keep with the perfectly serviceable 9-speed setup that the bike came with!
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