How do they do it

[WinstonWolf]

yellowjack said:

TheFungle said:

yellowjack said:

What do I win???

The other half of the odd cranks

Know any good orthopaedic surgeons? I'll need to make some changes to take full advantage

I do!

[yellowjack]

WinstonWolf said:

Well duh, I've got odd length legs

Lost a couple of inches out of my left femur thirty years ago, the guy at the bike fit suggested odd length cranks would help. So obviously I bought a whole new bike

I've got a 165 on the left and a 175 on the right and it's a lot better climbing when I get out of the saddle. The thinking was I might actually be able to get a KOM with a half decent bike

Serious question.

With the many different classifications of Paralympic athletes, would you qualify as a disabled competitor if you wanted to race?

I went to watch the ExCel Centre paralympic events for a whole day last year, and was amazed by the sheer number of classes, from learning disabilities through missing limbs to the entirely wheelchair bound, and as an outsider, understanding the classes was pretty difficult to get my head around, as it was never fully explained. I imagine it's better as a spectator to do as I did, and just enjoy the spectacle of sport for sport's sake, whoever is competing. I imagine the athletes/coaches know as much as they need to know about which class they qualify to compete in.

Edited by yellowjack on Wednesday 7th August 13:30

[WinstonWolf]

yellowjack said:

WinstonWolf said:

Well duh, I've got odd length legs

Lost a couple of inches out of my left femur thirty years ago, the guy at the bike fit suggested odd length cranks would help. So obviously I bought a whole new bike

I've got a 165 on the left and a 175 on the right and it's a lot better climbing when I get out of the saddle. The thinking was I might actually be able to get a KOM with a half decent bike

Serious question.

With the many different classifications of Paralympic athletes, would you qualify as a disabled conpetitor if you wanted to race?

I went to watch the ExCel Centre paralympic events for a whole day last year, and was amazed by the sheer number of classes, from learning disabilities through missing limbs to the entirely wheelchair bound, and as an outsider, understanding the classes was pretty difficult to get my head around, as it was never fully explained. I imagine it's better as a spectator to do as I did, and just enjoy the spectacle of sport for sport's sake, whoever is competing. I imagine the athletes/coaches know as much as they need to know about which class they qualify to compete in.

Dunno, never really thought about it, I'm just a bloke with a short leg It's made me bloody competitive mind, as long as I exercise regularly you would never know I had a short leg and I'm not bad in the pool. I'd love to do a tri but I can't run more than about five paces.

I'm pretty good on a bike, I can do sixty milers without thinking about it. The more I do the better I get. Plus, there's the kudos of beating people, it's much more satisfying if you're a bit 'wonky'

If I can't go faster with odd length cranks I'm going to be bloody annoyed

[Gizmoish]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_at_the_Summer...

You might classify as C1-5, but probably not. Sarah Storey is C4-5 due to her (lack of) hand, and that's the lowest level of impairment IIRC.

[WinstonWolf]

Next time I kick ass on Strava I'll be sure to point that out

[TKF]

SILICONEKID343HP said:

Is the chain set Shimano FC-R565 10 Speed equivalent to the 105?

Looking at the prices for spares the brakes and chainset seem to be more equivalent to 2300/Sora.

That's what makes the bike spec a bit weird imo. I'm sure it'll ride fine but as I said earlier I'd personally prefer full 105 to a mix of high/low end components.

[SILICONEKID343HP]

TKF said:

Looking at the prices for spares the brakes and chainset seem to be more equivalent to 2300/Sora.

That's what makes the bike spec a bit weird imo. I'm sure it'll ride fine but as I said earlier I'd personally prefer full 105 to a mix of high/low end components.

They said it`s equivalent to a 105 .. Don`t think it belongs to a group set .


http://www.bicyclestore.com.au/shimano-compact-fc-...


http://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-Shimano-R565-105-equi...

Edited by SILICONEKID343HP on Thursday 8th August 20:05

[TKF]

SILICONEKID343HP said:

They said it`s equivalent to a 105 ..

Hmmmm... Then why don't they fit 105?

Your own links show it's priced around the Sora mark, not 105.

They shout "Carbon and Ultegra" and whisper about the lower end bits. Not the only ones doing it and I'm not criticising the bike but answering your question in the OP.

[dirty boy]

Just spotted the Sensa, £750

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-b...

Anyone think that's a better deal than you'd get with Ribble etc?

Surely that's the best bike in that price bracket?

[Gizmoish]

dirty boy said:

Just spotted the Sensa, £750

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-b...

Anyone think that's a better deal than you'd get with Ribble etc?

Surely that's the best bike in that price bracket?

Getting into sale season now. So if you STILL haven't bought a bike give it a week or two.

The best discounts are bikes reduced from ~1800 to ~1100 to tempt people up from 1k bikes though.

[dirty boy]

Gizmoish said:

dirty boy said:

Just spotted the Sensa, £750

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-b...

Anyone think that's a better deal than you'd get with Ribble etc?

Surely that's the best bike in that price bracket?

Getting into sale season now. So if you STILL haven't bought a bike give it a week or two.

The best discounts are bikes reduced from ~1800 to ~1100 to tempt people up from 1k bikes though.

Honestly, I was going to buy a Canyon Roadlite AL 6, had it in the basket ready to buy....not in my size

I'm not the most decisive at spending (my own money) so i'm now finding it really difficult.

The more I think about it, the more I think a £1k bike would be a bit of a waste on me and perhaps a lower spec bike with some potential to upgrade would be more suitable.

I really am at a loss though. I think £800 is more than enough, that leaves pennies for some gear.

[bakerstreet]

Accessories like computers, helmet and clothing soon add up to more than £200. Sports Direct and Wiggle are your friends for cheap clothing and accessories.

£800 will get you something that will accept the odd upgrade, but I wouldn't buy much more than a new set of wheels.

For £1000, the PX Pro Carbon is still a bargain and you wont find anything cheaper unless you go second hand and even then I'm not sure you will find anything better value than that.

[SILICONEKID343HP]

dirty boy said:

Just spotted the Sensa, £750

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-b...

Anyone think that's a better deal than you'd get with Ribble etc?

Surely that's the best bike in that price bracket?

That bike is 9.1kg ,mine is only 8kg Mine has a carbon Seat stem and pro light handlebar stem so a bit lighter with the upgrade.

[Dan_1981]

So is the PX still one of the better options around at £999 or in the last 8 months have things moved on at all?

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT2/planet-x-...

[z4chris99]

build your own from eBay parts!

[Rich_W]

SILICONEKID343HP said:

Just purchased a planet X carbon frame with part Ultegra group set for £999 . Paid £40 more for carbon seat post and stem and upgrade tyres and a few bits . ..That's got to be a £1800 bike ,how do they do it ? All the components are top notch ,nothing cheap on the bike .


http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT2/pl...

Initial thought is simple. They've cut the costs in the frame.

Not all Carbon Fibre is the same quality remember. Different strengths, grades, uses, weight. But lots of people get side-tracked with "must be CF"

[WinstonWolf]

They've got a very good business model, they cut out the middle man and pass the savings on.

[thetrash]

WinstonWolf said:

They've got a very good business model, they cut out the middle man and pass the savings on.

This very much. You do hear more said about the value rather than quality of ride, a few people I know have them and love them though.

I'd rather pay more and buy from an LBS.

[Barchettaman]

Dan_1981 said:

So is the PX still one of the better options around at £999 or in the last 8 months have things moved on at all?

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT2/planet-x-...

Entry level brakes.
Other than that it's a cracking deal (and the brakes are almost certainly fine)

[Dammit]

Only thing with the PX is that the resale value is typically a bit lower than the usual suspects, not that that often comes into these calculations.