Very Short Time to Decide

[CooperS]

Hi Everyone.

Right i've just found a great deal on a Spec Tarmac Elite 09 (really good deal).

I rode no more than 10 mins on the bike but it which it felt great. Yes the position is racy but i found it quite comfortable.

Now the question is:

I want a bike that will be fun to ride on a 40 - 50 mile blast on the weekend but i also need it to do two days a week 20 mile each way commute + in a years time complete the LEGOG with a support crew (no need to carry bags).

I live in Edinburgh so its not exactly smooth road city but will i find it that helish? I drive an Elise so lets face it i dont exactly care for lazy comfort and want more about performance. But is this to far am i buying the ariel atom or seven of the road bike world? and in itself should this matter?

I'm putting my money down tomorrow at 10 so please let me know your thoughts tonight

Thanks

[Parsnip]

If you know it will fit you then go for it.

If you aren't used to a proper race geometry frame, then it's easy enough to start with a big spacer stack and work down - comfort over 50 miles will come with time, a bit of work on your core strength soon sorts that out though. A lot of people will poo-poo a race frame if you aren't racing and say go for something more relaxed, if it fits though, why not? I commuted on my race bike today and had a blast.

The Edinburgh roads are properly crap, and compared to most places they are hellish to ride on, but you get used to it - as long as you avoid the craterous potholes, you are laughing.

Weekend blast - ERC?

[CooperS]

Parsnip said:

If you know it will fit you then go for it.

If you aren't used to a proper race geometry frame, then it's easy enough to start with a big spacer stack and work down - comfort over 50 miles will come with time, a bit of work on your core strength soon sorts that out though. A lot of people will poo-poo a race frame if you aren't racing and say go for something more relaxed, if it fits though, why not? I commuted on my race bike today and had a blast.

The Edinburgh roads are properly crap, and compared to most places they are hellish to ride on, but you get used to it - as long as you avoid the craterous potholes, you are laughing.

Weekend blast - ERC?

Thanks for that.

Your right the roads in Edinburgh are awful and my ride to work isn't exactly like my old ride to work in Bristol i'll be coming from Stockport area down the west ferry road across the bridge

I take on board your comments about my core strength and tbh along with my cardio this will need to be addressed and start again.

I am 2 stone heavier than i was in September (when i left Bristol), so i'm hoping that this will boost me into getting out more, as now i have my Elise i don't get out to the parks on my 5 anymore

What is ERC? But if you know of any groups who are happy to take on relative beginners i'd be more than happy to come along as riding in groups is always better way of speeding up the fitness curve.

[Gooby]

You live with all those mountains around you and you want a road bike? Stick the liz on those perfect lotus twisties and get an orange 5 for those hills ...

[CooperS]

Yer i know madness hey

I do get out in my elise (when its not at the dealership :Angry so dont worry about that but my 5 get zero use!

I dont know anyone to ride with up here and cause i havent riden in such a long time dont feel all that confident on getting out there by myself wheras a road bike i'd feel fine.

[CooperS]

Its mine!!!

I cant wait for my first proper ride on it.

[Parsnip]

CooperS said:

What is ERC? But if you know of any groups who are happy to take on relative beginners i'd be more than happy to come along as riding in groups is always better way of speeding up the fitness curve.

Edinburgh Road Club - http://www.edinburghrc.co.uk/ - worth checking out the Saturday morning rides - the 9.50 is the introductory one, gets you used to paceline riding and stuff, plus they are generally a good group of guys - was basically how i got into racing.

Congrats on the purchase, think the weather is supposed to be cracking tomorrow as well!

[CooperS]

Parsnip said:

CooperS said:

What is ERC? But if you know of any groups who are happy to take on relative beginners i'd be more than happy to come along as riding in groups is always better way of speeding up the fitness curve.

Edinburgh Road Club - http://www.edinburghrc.co.uk/ - worth checking out the Saturday morning rides - the 9.50 is the introductory one, gets you used to paceline riding and stuff, plus they are generally a good group of guys - was basically how i got into racing.

Congrats on the purchase, think the weather is supposed to be cracking tomorrow as well!

Cheers

Will have to get a few miles under my wheels and then get involved.

Think this could get expensive was originally thinking of some new mtb shoes but now i've gone for such a serious road bike it doesn't seem right.

New thread will appear on pedals and shoes i think. I run Time Atac MTB so will probably go down the time route again,

Any advise?

Also

[timbo48]

One bit of advice on shoes. If you do have to walk a long way with the bike (forget to take pump, tube etc....it does happen) mtb shoes are a damn site better than pure road shoes and there's not a lot of difference in stiffness (the shoe, that is!) if you go for a more xc race oriented shoe.

[CooperS]

timbo48 said:

One bit of advice on shoes. If you do have to walk a long way with the bike (forget to take pump, tube etc....it does happen) mtb shoes are a damn site better than pure road shoes and there's not a lot of difference in stiffness (the shoe, that is!) if you go for a more xc race oriented shoe.

Thanks Tim.

Yer i was thinking something like a race XC shoe from Specalized or Sidi.

Think i'll end up going down the Spesh route as i can get moulded inners which i like and Sidi top shoes arent cheap (200 +) whereas the Spech can be bought for 150.