Going round in bike choice circles
Discussion
I looking to upgrade from my carrera road bike.
Was really fancying something carbon.
Looked at Planet X , decathlon facet, mekk etc all at around a grand.
But keep seeing alu/ carbon bikes for less that also look good buys.
Just can't decide.
I'm not the lightest and can give the pedals some welly when climbing so am a little concerned about flex.
Or will I not notice being just mr average/ non expert???
Was really fancying something carbon.
Looked at Planet X , decathlon facet, mekk etc all at around a grand.
But keep seeing alu/ carbon bikes for less that also look good buys.
Just can't decide.
I'm not the lightest and can give the pedals some welly when climbing so am a little concerned about flex.
Or will I not notice being just mr average/ non expert???
Any flex you notice at present will almost certainly be the wheels and not related to the frame.
Wheels flex because the rider generates big power or has poor technique. Sadly for most of us, its the latter not the former.
Strong wheels and higher spoke counts are the solution, frame material is largely irrelvant.
Poor technique means using too much upper body to climb, throwing the bike from side to side when stood on the pedals and flexing the wheel given its effectively acting as a pivot point at the hub. As you push down on the drive side, you pull on the bars to the non drive side.... The solution is to remain seated and use your legs or stand on the pedals and stay upright, not to push the bike from side to side and that requires immense core muscle strength.
However, as we have said many times before, carbon frames vary in terms of strength as it is built into them by design but you wont go wrong with Planet X.
Wheels flex because the rider generates big power or has poor technique. Sadly for most of us, its the latter not the former.
Strong wheels and higher spoke counts are the solution, frame material is largely irrelvant.
Poor technique means using too much upper body to climb, throwing the bike from side to side when stood on the pedals and flexing the wheel given its effectively acting as a pivot point at the hub. As you push down on the drive side, you pull on the bars to the non drive side.... The solution is to remain seated and use your legs or stand on the pedals and stay upright, not to push the bike from side to side and that requires immense core muscle strength.
However, as we have said many times before, carbon frames vary in terms of strength as it is built into them by design but you wont go wrong with Planet X.
I've got a Mekk Poggio with Dura Ace bits, it's not my main bike race bike but I use it for club runs and sportives. For the money it's great, wheels are perhaps the weak point but still passable.
Wiggle often have the 105 version for £850 - £900 which seems great value for a carbon bike.
Plenty of people I know ride the Planet X and have no complaints either.
Wiggle often have the 105 version for £850 - £900 which seems great value for a carbon bike.
Plenty of people I know ride the Planet X and have no complaints either.
milu said:
Cheers
I guess I'm worried about going for carbon for the 'never had before' factor only to regret it later
For a grand you can't go wrong with this Planet-X I guess I'm worried about going for carbon for the 'never had before' factor only to regret it later
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPWHT/pla...
Well Ive got a planet x.
However it's a lightly(apparently) used example off a local chap.
Has new wheels and a few other bits.
But...now I've got it home and had a fettle it has some play in the cranks.
It's a SRAM bb and SRAM force crankset which the chap upgraded from SRAM rival I think. So I can't get my head round the bit of slop? I've had the non drive arm off and the axle/spindle does move in its bearing a bit but I thought they relied on clamping pressure to stop play anyway,so this may be normal.
Perhaps it just needs a fine shim??
Anybody??
However it's a lightly(apparently) used example off a local chap.
Has new wheels and a few other bits.
But...now I've got it home and had a fettle it has some play in the cranks.
It's a SRAM bb and SRAM force crankset which the chap upgraded from SRAM rival I think. So I can't get my head round the bit of slop? I've had the non drive arm off and the axle/spindle does move in its bearing a bit but I thought they relied on clamping pressure to stop play anyway,so this may be normal.
Perhaps it just needs a fine shim??
Anybody??
jodypress said:
For a grand you can't go wrong with this Planet-X
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPWHT/pla...
Agreed. I almost wish I had a reason to buy it http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPWHT/pla...
milu said:
Well Ive got a planet x.
However it's a lightly(apparently) used example off a local chap.
Has new wheels and a few other bits.
But...now I've got it home and had a fettle it has some play in the cranks.
It's a SRAM bb and SRAM force crankset which the chap upgraded from SRAM rival I think. So I can't get my head round the bit of slop? I've had the non drive arm off and the axle/spindle does move in its bearing a bit but I thought they relied on clamping pressure to stop play anyway,so this may be normal.
Perhaps it just needs a fine shim??
Anybody??
depends how "lightly used" it is. There shouldn't be any play unless the bearings are worn. Most likely either incorrectly installed or just needs tightening up to correct torque.However it's a lightly(apparently) used example off a local chap.
Has new wheels and a few other bits.
But...now I've got it home and had a fettle it has some play in the cranks.
It's a SRAM bb and SRAM force crankset which the chap upgraded from SRAM rival I think. So I can't get my head round the bit of slop? I've had the non drive arm off and the axle/spindle does move in its bearing a bit but I thought they relied on clamping pressure to stop play anyway,so this may be normal.
Perhaps it just needs a fine shim??
Anybody??
Plenty of info here: http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/categorie...
Just to finish this off.
Cranks now tight ,correct high torque required!
I've been for a quick blast and did notice less road buzz than my other Alu bike. Also went quite quick but that could be new bike adrenaline!
The bike is very light,in fact i didn't want to put my pedals on 'cos they seemed so heavy lol.
I paid £700 which is for a 8 month old,with new wheels and tyres( guy swapped off another bike,they are aero xr3 with Schwalb tyres???). Upgraded crankset,carbon bars and new stem with originals supplied too.
Hopefully I've done ok.
Cranks now tight ,correct high torque required!
I've been for a quick blast and did notice less road buzz than my other Alu bike. Also went quite quick but that could be new bike adrenaline!
The bike is very light,in fact i didn't want to put my pedals on 'cos they seemed so heavy lol.
I paid £700 which is for a 8 month old,with new wheels and tyres( guy swapped off another bike,they are aero xr3 with Schwalb tyres???). Upgraded crankset,carbon bars and new stem with originals supplied too.
Hopefully I've done ok.
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