road bike

[WarrenG]

I think from a group set point of view - the Shimano range ends and then there's Campagnolo, I have heard of something called SRAM but not really sure what it's for

[okgo]

I know it's a bit over budget, but what's £400 between friends.

http://www.thetristore.com/product/cervelo-s2-2013...


I reckon that is a good starting point. Flog the wheels before you even ride it and buy some fulcrum 7's and you've got a decent machine. Stick some £500 wheels on it and it's as good as nearly anything on the road.

[dave123456]

keith2.2 said:

Not being rude, Dave, but this being the case, you'll surely understand the point.

An entirely non descriptive thread title, followed by a monetary value isn't exactly helpful.

If someone came to you as someone who knows a bit about the MTB market and said "I want an MTB for a grand" your first response would be "what type of riding do you want it for?"

Same with road bikes.

Believe me, I went from MTB to road and it's taken me 3 years to understand what the hell is going on re group sets, pedals etc. so I do understand why you'd want some guidance!

that's my ignorance then, I thought you could get road, tri and touring bikes.

you're right, but if someone came to me and said "I want an MTB for a grand" 25 years ago it would have been a similar question to mine...and easier to answer.

[dave123456]

pretty much decided on this..

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5512/CUBE-AGRE...

top end of my budget, intended use is mainly sunday morning rides, training for mountain bike races and possible venture into tues night 10 mile tts.

are there any other similar spec bikes that would provide me a useful comparison before I pull the trigger?

[anonymous-user]

A colnago?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/colnago-strada-sl-tiagra-2...

A vitus (if the size fits you)

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-zen...

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 29th May 21:39

[dave123456]

got a cube agree with fulcrum 77 wheels, was after some decent wheels as an upgrade, the racing 5's get good reviews, any others recommended?

thanks

[Daveyraveygravey]

Roman said:

Probably a size 54 then for a Sportive orientated design with a shorter top tube like the Synapse rather than long and low to stretch you out for racing, like a Supersix.

It would be good to try some for size - Evans Cycles price match FYI..

The other bonus of Evans is they let you demo them. Book it and pay a deposit, you may have to wait a few days for them to get it in, but then off you go. Lots of shops only demo top of the range stuff, like 2.5k. I tried 3 or 4, didn't buy from them, but confirmed the Giant Propel was the one for me.
Alternatively hunt around on Ebay for you a Specialised or Trek or Giant. There will be plenty of hardly used examples, you can ride it for a few months and suss out if you like it, and what exactly you like. If you hate it you'll be able to get shot of it easily and won't lose a lot. If you really get in to it, you'll learn more about what you want.
I wouldn't get TOO hung up on the racy/relaxed geometry thing, if you're a "normalish" person the differences aren't that great.

[Barchettaman]

dave123456 said:

got a cube agree with fulcrum 77 wheels, was after some decent wheels as an upgrade, the racing 5's get good reviews, any others recommended?

thanks

What is it that you find lacking in your current wheelset, and what are hoping to ge out of your upgraded wheels?

Serious question BTW, not trying to be a tt.

[TwistingMyMelon]

dave123456 said:

got a cube agree with fulcrum 77 wheels, was after some decent wheels as an upgrade, the racing 5's get good reviews, any others recommended?

thanks

What budget you got?

Had 5s on my last bike, were quite good . Bearings got killed when I did a century ride in the rain, but got them replaced easy enough, had loads of wheels over the years (some costing lots more) and never had a set that "rolled" so well and smooth, they would freewheel for ever. good all rounder but I wouldn't buy a set for winter riding, was surprised how the rain killed the bearings on mine quickly.

[chris7676]

Jayfish said:

At 5'11" I'd definitely be looking at a 56, just put my son on a 54 he's 5'4", it's got growing room for him but not 7" of.

6'4", long legs (meaning relatively shorter body) and 54cm frame and happy.

[lukefreeman]

pick a 105 groupset, fulcrum quattro wheels and you're golden

[lukefreeman]

dave123456 said:

got a cube agree with fulcrum 77 wheels, was after some decent wheels as an upgrade, the racing 5's get good reviews, any others recommended?

thanks

Fulcrum quattros, £200 from Ribble.

They're Dank.

[Russ_H]

I'd also look at second hand / almost new.

There are loads of high spec bikes for sale bought originally by fat middle aged men looking to get fit and then sit there gathering dust.
I picked up a Focus Cayo Evo with Dura Ace / Ultegra chainset for £750 - still had the bobbles on the tyres.

[dave123456]

Barchettaman said:

dave123456 said:

got a cube agree with fulcrum 77 wheels, was after some decent wheels as an upgrade, the racing 5's get good reviews, any others recommended?

thanks

What is it that you find lacking in your current wheelset, and what are hoping to ge out of your upgraded wheels?

Serious question BTW, not trying to be a tt.

ridden mountain bikes for years and know that a nice light set of handbuilt wheels can transform a bike. had some bontrager race lites on my cotic and bought a set of handbuilt stans alpines on hope hubs - it was night and day in terms of responsiveness and feel.

so just a bit less weight and a bit more zing... hoping to do a few competitions next year.

[nammynake]

dave123456 said:

ridden mountain bikes for years and know that a nice light set of handbuilt wheels can transform a bike. had some bontrager race lites on my cotic and bought a set of handbuilt stans alpines on hope hubs - it was night and day in terms of responsiveness and feel.

so just a bit less weight and a bit more zing... hoping to do a few competitions next year.

Love my new Ksyriums. Latest version has the wider rim which suits 25mm tyres better.

http://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/mavic-ksyrium-elite-...

[Silver940]

chris7676 said:

Jayfish said:

At 5'11" I'd definitely be looking at a 56, just put my son on a 54 he's 5'4", it's got growing room for him but not 7" of.

6'4", long legs (meaning relatively shorter body) and 54cm frame and happy.

Careful, depends on the Brand. My 51cm Felt is within 1cm size wise of my BIL's 54cm Spech. Mine is measured by top tube his by seat tube. Sit on them is the only way to be really sure

[chris7676]

Silver940 said:

chris7676 said:

Jayfish said:

At 5'11" I'd definitely be looking at a 56, just put my son on a 54 he's 5'4", it's got growing room for him but not 7" of.

6'4", long legs (meaning relatively shorter body) and 54cm frame and happy.

Careful, depends on the Brand. My 51cm Felt is within 1cm size wise of my BIL's 54cm Spech. Mine is measured by top tube his by seat tube. Sit on them is the only way to be really sure

That's true, I actually sat on Fuji & Pinnacle which were similar (got the Fuji) and then another one (I think Cannondale) which was a lot longer with the 'same' size.

[Roger Irrelevant]

nammynake said:

Love my new Ksyriums. Latest version has the wider rim which suits 25mm tyres better.

http://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/mavic-ksyrium-elite-...

Yeah these are what my bike came with as standard and they are really good, I had Ksyrium Equipes on my old bike and they were good too and lasted incredibly well. I can't believe it when I hear tales of wheel bearings being knackered after a few rides in the rain - I didn't know it was possible for wheels to be made that badly any more!

[nike 5]

Ask yourself how flexible are you - point I'm making is if you'd struggle to touch your toes, then an aggressive race geometry bike would be a wrong for you (mostly difference in height between saddle and handle bars). As you'd likely find it too uncomfortable to use the drops on the handlebars, or would be using lots of spacers on head tube. Sportive bikes geometries have higher handlebars.
Go to an enthusiasts bike shop and get advice on sizing.
Bike clubs often get discounts at local bike shops.

Are you doing it over winter, just to increase fitness? Get something that'll take mudguards, if you're cycling with others they'll constantly bh about getting spray in face and clothes. (Saying that, I use clip on rear guard, and don't bother with front).
If it is for winter training, as a mtb rider you'll hate the road brakes (especially when wet) find out about disc brakes (don't know if that'll be out of budget).
Think about cyclo cross bikes - change tyres for road, have relatively high frame geometry, chainrings are smaller and you wont be as fast. Which will only be an issue if cycling with others. But investigate.

Whatever bike you get...
Get a track pump, as you'll have higher pressure in tyres (100psi ?), this pressure will drop overnight, you will regularly be pumping tyres to maintain pressure (don't often have to do this with a mtb)
Saddle height is far more important than on mtb.
Avoid cornering over drain covers and white lines when wet.
Avoid holes you'll get pinch punctures, and they' can be sudden.
Find out about pedal cadence.
Clipless pedals - it's a no brainer on a road bike