Road bikes - where do I even start?!
Discussion
Bought my Daughter a brand new Avail which is the womens specific Giant Defy, paid £300 for a £500rrp entry level bike which she loves. It wasn't much more than what sellers on eBay etc were asking for 2nd hand ones.
If she gets really into it I'll sell it & buy her a better model with carbon forks & better components, hers should return a fair chunk of what it cost me.
If she gets really into it I'll sell it & buy her a better model with carbon forks & better components, hers should return a fair chunk of what it cost me.
I've just picked up a barely used 2013 Allez for £200, it's great.Deerfoot said:
To be fair though they`re a great bike for the money. Of course they`ll be lacking against a £1600 bike but would you compare a Golf GTI with a Porsche costing eight times as much? (it`s a poor comparison I know but you get the picture...).
For the majority of people an Allez, Defy or Boardman (at that price point) will be a decent bike.
I didn't word it very well, I was trying to say it isn't a lot worse than my Propel, certainly a lot nearer than the £1300 odd price difference would tell you at first glance. He doesn't ride it much, I'm probably going to winter-ise it and use it myself before he takes it to Uni and completely buggers it up by not riding it and leaving it in a hall of residence un-cared for.For the majority of people an Allez, Defy or Boardman (at that price point) will be a decent bike.
Daveyraveygravey said:
I didn't word it very well, I was trying to say it isn't a lot worse than my Propel, certainly a lot nearer than the £1300 odd price difference would tell you at first glance. He doesn't ride it much, I'm probably going to winter-ise it and use it myself before he takes it to Uni and completely buggers it up by not riding it and leaving it in a hall of residence un-cared for.
Ah, I see. I know it`s hardly TdF standard but for my needs (I`m 45 years old and ride about 240/250 miles a month) it`s a great bike.
I think the bikes we've talked about so far on this thread have all been the curly drop handlebar type. That's what I like to ride so I recommend that!
It really is whatever suits you though, you won't go as fast probably on a more upright straight bar bike, but may be more comfortable, may not be.
I think if you can get to an Evans, particularly the Gatwick store you can see a lot of bikes and test ride them without pressure. I haven't done that so I don't know for sure, but its what people say.
It really is whatever suits you though, you won't go as fast probably on a more upright straight bar bike, but may be more comfortable, may not be.
I think if you can get to an Evans, particularly the Gatwick store you can see a lot of bikes and test ride them without pressure. I haven't done that so I don't know for sure, but its what people say.
Evans were the best retailer by a mile when I was looking. You have to book it, and pay a deposit but you get to take out what you want. Most other shops have demo fleets but they are further up the price scale than most - like 2.5k! I did try a Giant at that price and it was so good I nearly signed up even though it was a grand more than I wanted to spend!
Flat bar bikes are OK but to me drops are so much better. You have at least 4 different places for your hands with drop bars, whereas flats it is one, maybe 2
Flat bar bikes are OK but to me drops are so much better. You have at least 4 different places for your hands with drop bars, whereas flats it is one, maybe 2
Another newbie question. If I got something like the Planex X Pro Carbon, what other equipment would I need as a minimum?
For example, on these bikes do I HAVE to use special cycling shoes that clip on to the pedals, or can you wear normal trainers?
I'm guessing as a minimum, I would need a helmet and some kind of bike chain. Anything else?
For example, on these bikes do I HAVE to use special cycling shoes that clip on to the pedals, or can you wear normal trainers?
I'm guessing as a minimum, I would need a helmet and some kind of bike chain. Anything else?
FreeLitres said:
Another newbie question. If I got something like the Planex X Pro Carbon, what other equipment would I need as a minimum?
For example, on these bikes do I HAVE to use special cycling shoes that clip on to the pedals, or can you wear normal trainers?
I'm guessing as a minimum, I would need a helmet and some kind of bike chain. Anything else?
Helmet, gloves, lights if commuting, toolkit and puncture repair stuff. Bottle cages if you're going far and don;t forget some decent shortsFor example, on these bikes do I HAVE to use special cycling shoes that clip on to the pedals, or can you wear normal trainers?
I'm guessing as a minimum, I would need a helmet and some kind of bike chain. Anything else?
Pedals. They come without pedals so you put on what you want - flat ones for normal shoes if you want. Clip ins are definitely and advantage but can take some getting used to. Some people, myself included, use mountain bike SPD ones which are a bit easier to get used to and walk in.
Yeah, my evolution was something like this:
MTB - V8 with normal trainers
MTB - V8 with Fivetens
MTB - XT trekking pedals (dual sided, flat & SPD)
Road - SPD
Road - Keo
Mrs LLA is now using the XT pedals on her road bike so I'm back to V8s on the MTB. I do miss the 'locked-in' nature of them on steady sections and ascents, but the grip with the Fivetens is still superb and I do appreciate being able to stick a foot down reflexively.
Big jump between V8s and SPDs but I'll be honest and say that I feel the difference between SPD (MTB style) and the Keos is minimal, the real difference for me with that switch was the 500g it saved, mostly in the shoes.
If you're using a road bike as it's meant to be used then that obviously means long periods in the saddle and not much stopping. Clipless really comes into its own here. Providing you get the cleat position and seat height right there are tangible benefits and it's just one less thing to worry about...until you do, eventually, stop
MTB - V8 with normal trainers
MTB - V8 with Fivetens
MTB - XT trekking pedals (dual sided, flat & SPD)
Road - SPD
Road - Keo
Mrs LLA is now using the XT pedals on her road bike so I'm back to V8s on the MTB. I do miss the 'locked-in' nature of them on steady sections and ascents, but the grip with the Fivetens is still superb and I do appreciate being able to stick a foot down reflexively.
Big jump between V8s and SPDs but I'll be honest and say that I feel the difference between SPD (MTB style) and the Keos is minimal, the real difference for me with that switch was the 500g it saved, mostly in the shoes.
If you're using a road bike as it's meant to be used then that obviously means long periods in the saddle and not much stopping. Clipless really comes into its own here. Providing you get the cleat position and seat height right there are tangible benefits and it's just one less thing to worry about...until you do, eventually, stop
loudlashadjuster said:
If you're using a road bike as it's meant to be used then that obviously means long periods in the saddle and not much stopping. Clipless really comes into its own here. Providing you get the cleat position and seat height right there are tangible benefits and it's just one less thing to worry about...until you do, eventually, stop
Get them in the right place, (not actually that hard, and you're quite right!Everyone falls over at least once forgetting. Mine was actually not managing to get in after starting, and I ended up in the middle of a crossroads, on my back, with the bike on top of me. I've had a few close calls when stopping, but never actually come down.
FreeLitres said:
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have been browsing the classifieds looking for some of the gems you have mentioned.
For a casual novice rider wanting to cycle for about 30 or 45 minutes a few times a week, should I be looking for a straight handlebar, or the curved racer type?
The other advantage of drop handlebars is that you have 3 riding positions built-in. For a casual novice rider wanting to cycle for about 30 or 45 minutes a few times a week, should I be looking for a straight handlebar, or the curved racer type?
Thumbs/fingers around the brake levers
Hands on the top flats of the bars
Hands down on the drops
You can move around and find the most comfortable position depending on where/how you are riding. With flat bars you are stuck with holding the grips (unless you get bar ends fitted) - after a while you can get sore hands/wrists.
Something to think about
Another vote for the Defy as someone who is only 8 months ahead of the OP.
OP - a couple of pointers of what I've learnt in that time:
1. It's worth understanding that different frame geometry makes a lot of difference. All frames looked the same to me at first. Key thing is whether to have something more endurance/relaxed or more sporty but less comfortable. The Defy is the former which turns out to be good although I'd not really appreciated any of this on Day 1. I'll likely go for something more races as a second bike in a years time (ie that's my reward if I'm still at it then!)
2. I went with regular pedals for the first 4-5 months and then moved to cleats. No shame in this and I think the shop's advice that you've enough to think about in the early days without worrying about unclipping was sound.
Is addictive and am loving it all so far. Just got my first Garmin so learning myself round that right now and should be getting on my first Audax soon enough. Join a local club if you can.
OP - a couple of pointers of what I've learnt in that time:
1. It's worth understanding that different frame geometry makes a lot of difference. All frames looked the same to me at first. Key thing is whether to have something more endurance/relaxed or more sporty but less comfortable. The Defy is the former which turns out to be good although I'd not really appreciated any of this on Day 1. I'll likely go for something more races as a second bike in a years time (ie that's my reward if I'm still at it then!)
2. I went with regular pedals for the first 4-5 months and then moved to cleats. No shame in this and I think the shop's advice that you've enough to think about in the early days without worrying about unclipping was sound.
Is addictive and am loving it all so far. Just got my first Garmin so learning myself round that right now and should be getting on my first Audax soon enough. Join a local club if you can.
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