The "what bike bits have you just bought" thread

[yellowjack]

TKF said:

700 did a bike fit for me and cut down the seat mast. It fit like a glove from the first ride so I'm very happy with the service from them.

I'll eat an old summer cap if that's alright with you? The Sealskinz Belgian might be a little chewy.

I'm hoping to be so overwhelmed with happiness at getting back on a road bike, that I'll not hold you to that

[anonymous-user]

yellowjack said:

I also nipped into Boutique Cycles in Murrell Green, near Hook today, and after a (brief) chat with Nev, I'm going back to talk about a Storck Scenero and a bike fit and accessories package sometime in the week. I've not kept up with the road bike mags lately, but I recall the Storck winning "Bike of the Year" awards a few years ago.

Have you had a bike fit with 700? Or do you know if they are any good at that side of things? I'm slowly boiling my 'long list' down into something approaching a manageable short list. I think Boutique and 700 are the shops at the top of it so far. Can you think of any other local-ish shops I ought to look at, that perhaps stock brands I haven't yet seen/considered?

Storck are a fantastic manufacturer. See this months 'Cycling' they have an interesting article on them.

[TKF]

yellowjack said:

TKF said:

700 did a bike fit for me and cut down the seat mast. It fit like a glove from the first ride so I'm very happy with the service from them.

I'll eat an old summer cap if that's alright with you? The Sealskinz Belgian might be a little chewy.

I'm hoping to be so overwhelmed with happiness at getting back on a road bike, that I'll not hold you to that

Well if you spend £4k on bikes just to win an internet bet I'm not sure there will be any winners.

[anonymous-user]

TKF said:

Well if you spend £4k on bikes just to win an internet bet I'm not sure there will be any winners.

These guys are winning loads of fans, seriously looking at one. Guessing a full build with half decent spec would cost around £1500.

[yellowjack]

TKF said:

Well if you spend £4k on bikes just to win an internet bet I'm not sure there will be any winners.

There'll be no 'willy waving' on this subject. Deep down, I want to spend more, but this payout also needs to pay for other (boring, but pretty essential) stuff, and a nice holiday. I'm also very much NOT riding at a standard where I need a really expensive, lightweight 'superbike' to get the best out of my cycling. Hence me setting a pretty fixed portion aside as a 'bike budget'. The MTB is pretty close to sorted at the moment, I'm going to see the chaps at Bird, get them to spec a demo frame in my size, as close to the spec I'm considering as possible. Then I'll take them up on their 'extended test ride' offer to confirm that the bike is really what I want. Then I'll order it up. Likely spec for that one will come out at £1885 including a dropper post, possibly less if I take the 'standard' (default) finishing kit.

The road bike is a tougher call. There's so much out there, everything from entry-level Colnago and Pinarello stuff, via the 'mainstream' Trek/Giant/Cannondale/Specialized bikes to the slightly less common, and to be honest, better looking Storck and Genesis stuff. Then there's rim v disc brakes, which groupset to go for, allowing for subsequent wheel upgrades, which shop will be able to 'walk the walk' as well as they 'talk the talk', and whether frame warranty is as big a consideration as the rest of it. The Storck Scenero is foremost in my mind right now, at about £2,300 for an 11-speed 105 build. But there's also a local shop with and old 2013/2014 Trek Madone 2.1 with 10-speed 105 for only £800, which I took quite a shine to in the shop. I know it's a cheaper, 'low-end' aluminium framed bike, but it'd be enough to get me riding again, and as I've said, the gains from something better would be lost on me, for the most part.

I've also got a 'newbie' style shopping list for all the usual stuff - pedals, saddle bag, jacket, helmet, etc. Some of that stuff was busted/cut up in the collision, and by the paramedics, some of what survived was pretty low-rent, or reaching the end of it's useful life anyway. Prepare for plenty of posts from me in this thread, just as soon as I get used to the idea of spending some of this money.

[MadDad]

yellowjack said:

MadDad said:

Also, you don't want a bike that will snap in half when you look at it!!!

Trek have one of the highest frame failure rates, but because their customer service and warranty repair/swap is so good they don't attract bad press - a bit like Apple! When I bought my 'nag, 3 separate independent bike shops warned me away from Treks - all for the same reason.....

I went to 700 in Windsor in the week. I dropped your name, just as I was leaving, and they (k)new who you are, you "friend of the shop", you

Haha - cheeky feckers! They 'know' me, I lead a good proportion of their Sunday rides for them, bought my Ti bike, CX bike, and ZIPP's from them!!!!

I have had a bike fit in 7Hundred and AW Cycles in Caversham, both fits came out almost identical, although Rikki from AW left last week and I would recommend him rather than the shop. Dave (7Hundred shop owner) does the fits at 7Hundred, the only thing I would say is if you decide to get a fit there try to book it for a slow time of day/week so you get his undivided attention. They offer a basic fit through to comprehensive fit including saddle and cleat analysis on a sliding cost scale.

I also have a friend who has recently invested a LOT of money in equipment and training, and has set himself up as a mobile bike fitting/coaching service. The guys name is Royce, he is a lifelong cyclist in his 50's (cycled coast to coast in the US, and across Europe solo). A couple of years ago gave up an extremely lucrative career in industry to re-train as a cycle coach, and recently set himself up in business - his website is here; http://velocitysportscycling.com/

Royce is a passionate cyclist, he will spend time with you and be extremely thorough with a fitting, like 7Hundred he offers basic to comprehensive fits on a sliding cost scale. Although I have not had a fit with him, I will be doing a baseline assessment in the next few week, so might finally find out how many watts I am capable of producing and what my LT is - along with other things!

Most bike shops will charge £100-£150 for a bike fitting, but will offset that against the cost of a bike, Royce can't do that as he does not sell bikes - so the obvious downside to using him will be the money you spend on a fit won't be refunded against a bike. That said, on the upside you will get a true fitting and be able to take your measurements to any LBS to try to find the right match. If you decide to try Velocity drop my name into the eMail or conversation, Royce will DEFINITELY know who I am!!!!

[yellowjack]

MadDad said:

Haha - cheeky feckers! They 'know' me, I lead a good proportion of their Sunday rides for them, bought my Ti bike, CX bike, and ZIPP's from them!!!!

"Cheeky feckers"? Probably not - I may have slightly understated their reaction, and I didn't mention you until I was almost out of the door

I'll consider my options on the bike fitting. Boutique Cycles looks like a good bet, especially as I'm now veering toward a Storck. They'll refund £100 of the £150 fee against a bike from them, but my visit today was brief, just a 'sighter' really, as wife and No 2 son were in the car waiting outside.

I think I can safely say that I'll end up with something pretty useful for my budget. I'd have to work hard to buy an absolute lemon for it, anyway. The biggest (only?) thing putting me off buying from 700 is the lead time on the two brands/models in my size. I'm not in an absolute blinding panic for a new bike, but I'm not sure waiting until April/May is terribly good service, although I'm fully aware that the delivery dates are out of the shop's hands. I also need to find a Focus stockist, to have a look at their bikes. Anyone know any?

[anonymous-user]

23c stock Focus.

Last comment on the Storck....make sure you take a long ride on it, they are usually quite long in the top tube and setup pretty low.

[Grandfondo]

Yellowjack test ride a Buanchi Infinito CV before you decide on the Focus or Storck!

[Johno]

Having a Rudy Project shop just down the road was always going to prove expensive ..... But after my last trail tumble my old Oakleys got mullered and my old helmet has been through 2 tumbles and wasn't ever the best fitting.





Mrs Johno insisted on the new helmet and added the lime green kit for the Rydon's.

Managed first ride today after 5.5 weeks off bike after a couple of issues with my back ... Good to be back out.

[paulmon]

Johno said:

Having a Rudy Project shop just down the road was always going to prove expensive ..... But after my last trail tumble my old Oakleys got mullered and my old helmet has been through 2 tumbles and wasn't ever the best fitting.





Mrs Johno insisted on the new helmet and added the lime green kit for the Rydon's.

Managed first ride today after 5.5 weeks off bike after a couple of issues with my back ... Good to be back out.

Those glasses are really nice I had a pair of them and a set of Oakley Racing Jackets and preferred the Rudy Rydons but the arms are really long and even with my massive head they didn't work with Kask Mojito or my Ski Helmet so I sent them back.

[bakerstreet]

Hylix Carbon bars for the CX bike arrived yesterday. Only £49 from Ebay and they are 187g, which is excellent value considering a set of 3Ts would cost you £150 for the same weight. These are certainly much better than my previous chinese carbon bars that were advertised at 185g and actually weighed 221g



Hopefully going to get them fitted tomorrow evening, but I will get the bike shop to do the bar tape, as I've tried it before and I made a mess of it.

Also got a set of titanium bottle cage bolts coming for the CX. If I get on well with the bars, then I'm going to go for a matching Hylix stem which even comes with titanium bolts

[tuffer]

Johno said:

Having a Rudy Project shop just down the road was always going to prove expensive ..... But after my last trail tumble my old Oakleys got mullered and my old helmet has been through 2 tumbles and wasn't ever the best fitting.





Mrs Johno insisted on the new helmet and added the lime green kit for the Rydon's.

Managed first ride today after 5.5 weeks off bike after a couple of issues with my back ... Good to be back out.

Glasses look cool but I bought that helmet and hate it, not comfy at all. Suppose I should have tried one on rather than just ordering it because it was reduced.

[Johno]

tuffer said:

Glasses look cool but I bought that helmet and hate it, not comfy at all. Suppose I should have tried one on rather than just ordering it because it was reduced.

Strange isn't it... I struggle with helmets and their shape/fit. This went on and was perfect without the retention being adjusted, which only made it better, hence buying it there and then.

I've removed the standard net padding as riding here in average 30 degree heat would be uncomfortable and still with the individual padding it's as comfortable. Used it this morning and it's cooler and less noticeable than my old one. Less sweat issues and generally forgot it was there, which is the highest recommendation for me with a helmet.

[TheBALDpuma]

Just had my bike in the LBS fitting a new XT groupset, 1 x 10 with a lovely gold front ring.

However...

I asked them to have a look at my forks as the RH side is leaking oil. Turnsout the LH side as wear on the stantion and they weren't sure why the RH side was leaking so much and advised it went off to mojo for a strip down, and probably replacement steerer and stantions, as well as fixing the problem on the RH side. So I'm looking at

Service £110
Steerrer + stantions ~£200
RH fix ??? Who knows. Say £100-£200

So anywhere between £400 and £500 to get them properly sorted. fk!

[CoolC]

What forks are they?

Your well into the cost of new forks there.

[TheBALDpuma]

CoolC said:

What forks are they?

Your well into the cost of new forks there.

Fox Vanilla Rs

Yeah I know what you mean, but I think these or equivalent would be be more in the region £800ish...? And I'll have pretty much as new forks after.

Saying that they are a few years old, so could sell in current condition and use that to offset the cost of a new pair of equal quality that may be lower down the pecking order of forks as tech has moved on.

Edit: A problem seems to be that I have 9mm QR and EVERYTHING and any good is 15mm! Might be a problem

Edit No.2: Wiggle have the RS Revelation RCT3 down as a 9mmQR, but it looks like a 15mm in the photo, and CRC have it as a 15mm? Thoughts?

Edited by TheBALDpuma on Monday 19th January 09:30

Edited by TheBALDpuma on Monday 19th January 09:48

[donfisher]

One of these:



and two of these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-tiagra-4600-10-speed-cassette/?utm_source=google&utm_term=_inurl:shimano/&utm_campaign=UK_EN_DSA_Manufacturers_Shimano&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=sbPySK8Fl_dc

All at nearly 50% of RRP.

[MiseryStreak]

TheBALDpuma said:

Fox Vanilla Rs

Yeah I know what you mean, but I think these or equivalent would be be more in the region £800ish...? And I'll have pretty much as new forks after.

Saying that they are a few years old, so could sell in current condition and use that to offset the cost of a new pair of equal quality that may be lower down the pecking order of forks as tech has moved on.

Edit: A problem seems to be that I have 9mm QR and EVERYTHING and any good is 15mm! Might be a problem

Edit No.2: Wiggle have the RS Revelation RCT3 down as a 9mmQR, but it looks like a 15mm in the photo, and CRC have it as a 15mm? Thoughts?

Edited by TheBALDpuma on Monday 19th January 09:30

Edited by TheBALDpuma on Monday 19th January 09:48

I would never spend that much fixing a fork that cost a similar amount new, that's way more than just a service, you're replacing the main/most expensive components of the fork, the stanchions.

You'd be better of with a new/new old stock replacement.

These are a 9mm skewer and are for a 26" wheel and are £380:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/fox-suspension-...
They are two years old now though and only come in white, which might look gash on your bike.

[TheBALDpuma]

MiseryStreak said:

I would never spend that much fixing a fork that cost a similar amount new, that's way more than just a service, you're replacing the main/most expensive components of the fork, the stanchions.

You'd be better of with a new/new old stock replacement.

These are a 9mm skewer and are for a 26" wheel and are £380:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/fox-suspension-...
They are two years old now though and only come in white, which might look gash on your bike.

White would look good - I've got a grey frame with white decals.

Assuming they'd fit the frame (no idea - need to look into that) I think 100mm may be a bit short for what I want. Preferably at least 120mm or 140mm I think.

I've been looking in CRC and wiggle, and there is very little made for 9mm!