I think the Road Cycling bug has bitten me.
Discussion
I have been riding my MB on the road for several months now, I started as I wanted to re-coup some of my former fitness and shed a bit of weight.
At first it felt like a chore and my first ride of 5 miles left me in tatters, it took the best part of 25mins!! I used to live for sport and did all kinds, but a problem with a nerve running through my leg-foot has ruled out anything with too much impact (so cycling or swimming it is!)
Several months later I am really improving (I have cut nearly 10mins of my 5mile ride), I am still riding a MB on the road but now im pedalling upto 40miles.
Over the past month I have borrowed my younger brothers Carbon Road bike a couple times and this is really pushed me on, also riding with him (hes pretty darn quick) has motivated me more.
So how do I know the bug has bitten me, well I have my brothers RB in the boot of my car and I am planning a long ride this evening and well its hard to put it, but lets say I am excited like a kid at Christmas. I just want to get out there and pedal as fast as I can for a couple hours. I havent felt this pumped for exercise since lining up to play football at national level (when I was a teenager I must add).
I am currently looking at getting my own Road bike - if I want to get faster and increase my ride distance I feel I need to, 30miles plus is becoming a chore on the MB.
My Local shop is trying to persuade me to buy a lovely 2012 Scott CR1 Team/Pro/Elite they have at a very good prices, I am tempted as it looks lovely and weighs literally nothing at 7.2kg. But I think this is overkill and I may look for a used bike at under £1k to begin with. Having a chat with a bloke in Evans he reckons I am looking at a frame of 54/56cm if any of you have a bike for sale!
So there it is, looks like I have turned into one of those Lycra boys I used to (and still do) laugh at.
At first it felt like a chore and my first ride of 5 miles left me in tatters, it took the best part of 25mins!! I used to live for sport and did all kinds, but a problem with a nerve running through my leg-foot has ruled out anything with too much impact (so cycling or swimming it is!)
Several months later I am really improving (I have cut nearly 10mins of my 5mile ride), I am still riding a MB on the road but now im pedalling upto 40miles.
Over the past month I have borrowed my younger brothers Carbon Road bike a couple times and this is really pushed me on, also riding with him (hes pretty darn quick) has motivated me more.
So how do I know the bug has bitten me, well I have my brothers RB in the boot of my car and I am planning a long ride this evening and well its hard to put it, but lets say I am excited like a kid at Christmas. I just want to get out there and pedal as fast as I can for a couple hours. I havent felt this pumped for exercise since lining up to play football at national level (when I was a teenager I must add).
I am currently looking at getting my own Road bike - if I want to get faster and increase my ride distance I feel I need to, 30miles plus is becoming a chore on the MB.
My Local shop is trying to persuade me to buy a lovely 2012 Scott CR1 Team/Pro/Elite they have at a very good prices, I am tempted as it looks lovely and weighs literally nothing at 7.2kg. But I think this is overkill and I may look for a used bike at under £1k to begin with. Having a chat with a bloke in Evans he reckons I am looking at a frame of 54/56cm if any of you have a bike for sale!
So there it is, looks like I have turned into one of those Lycra boys I used to (and still do) laugh at.
loads of good things around for £1000 just be very cautious of Evans and their sizing assessments. I can almost guarantee that you wont fit on a 54 and a 56, it will be one or the other. Also, one 54cm frame will vary in terms of geometry from another 54 cm frame. your best bet is to find something that feels right, then find the geometry online and compare it to other bikes.
Like pablo says, £1000 opens up a very wide choice of bikes, especially at the moment due to the 2012 bikes being at sale prices.
A few of my friends have recently gone down the Cube route, which does seem like a lot of bike for around the £1000 mark, and plenty of retailers around which means you can go and get sized up and try before you buy.
For £1000 I would personally look to get something aluminium and get better spec components compared to a carbon bike of that price. I'd also be looking very closely at the Canyon website
A few of my friends have recently gone down the Cube route, which does seem like a lot of bike for around the £1000 mark, and plenty of retailers around which means you can go and get sized up and try before you buy.
For £1000 I would personally look to get something aluminium and get better spec components compared to a carbon bike of that price. I'd also be looking very closely at the Canyon website
russy01 said:
Gizmoish said:
I wonder if you live near Dizeee. 
If you let me know what you are on about I'll be able to tell you if I live near him.You could go out for rides together, I think he's near Woking.
Once you have worked out what size bike you need, and the make, as manufacturer sizing does vary - have a look on ebay. A grand could get you into a full-carbon, 105-equipped bike. Alternatively, the alu models are pretty good, the CAAD8 has great reviews and that would set you back less than £1k. Check out Cycling Plus and Bike Radar for reviews.
Good luck
Good luck
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff