Advice for a Newbie. Road bike related.

Advice for a Newbie. Road bike related.

Author
Discussion

yellowjack

17,065 posts

165 months

Thursday 11th October 2012
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? which model/spec/price ?

That is a very nice looking bike. I might be tempted by one myself. Have to both agree and disagree with walm on the bar tape. White would indeed have looked ridiculous on this machine, and I love the tyres matched to the hoods look. BUT. I generally love the white bar tape. Mine is a mainly black/white bike, with white bar tape and a mainly white saddle. IMHO it looks the biz.

Currently debating the colour selection for the new tape that's needed on my old steel framed Falcon, as it needs to be spruced up before being pressed into use over the winter.

Current bar tape looks very much like this: http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.b...

I'm not sure whether to go for 'same again', or to choose something else, just for a 'change of scenery'. Bike is pretty much original, colour as this one: http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=67... and plain black saddle with plain black brake lever hoods.

walm

10,609 posts

201 months

Thursday 11th October 2012
quotequote all
yellowjack said:
I generally love the white bar tape. Mine is a mainly black/white bike, with white bar tape and a mainly white saddle. IMHO it looks the biz.
Sorry, I wasn't clear.
It does look absolutely great, when you first buy it, in the shop window and if you have a bike you never use.
For real use though - doesn't that white turn a rather stained-Y-fronts brown quite quickly?

Perhaps I should stop using my MTB gloves while on the road bike...

okgo

37,858 posts

197 months

Thursday 11th October 2012
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walm said:
fk me that's a good looking bike.

In particular I am pleased you didn't go with the absurd white bar grip.
Why on earth do all the manufacturers insist on white as almost standard?
It's going to look filthy in seconds.
Buy the right one and its fine, but lots do go grey as you say. Fizik Microtex is fine for staying clean.

Gizmoish

18,150 posts

208 months

Thursday 11th October 2012
quotequote all
walm said:
Sorry, I wasn't clear.
It does look absolutely great, when you first buy it, in the shop window and if you have a bike you never use.
For real use though - doesn't that white turn a rather stained-Y-fronts brown quite quickly?

Perhaps I should stop using my MTB gloves while on the road bike...
My white fuzzy bar tape has gone a bit brown. But I like that. It gives it a patina of actually having been used, rather than being a garage queen.

yellowjack

17,065 posts

165 months

Thursday 11th October 2012
quotequote all
Gizmoish said:
walm said:
Sorry, I wasn't clear.
It does look absolutely great, when you first buy it, in the shop window and if you have a bike you never use.
For real use though - doesn't that white turn a rather stained-Y-fronts brown quite quickly?

Perhaps I should stop using my MTB gloves while on the road bike...
My white fuzzy bar tape has gone a bit brown. But I like that. It gives it a patina of actually having been used, rather than being a garage queen.
^^ this ^^

Mine is the original bar tape, complete with 'Merida' embossed into it. It does, indeed, show up dirt, and there are a few marks on it from chain filth, where I've ridden it straight after fixing a puncture, but all of the marks are indicative of the 5,100+ miles I've ridden on it since new. It is in much better condition than I thought it would be after such a long time. I assume there are different brands that wear better or worse, dependant upon what materials they are made from. I won't hesitate, when the time comes, to replace 'white with white'.

JSquaredJim

Original Poster:

238 posts

211 months

Thursday 11th October 2012
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yellowjack said:
? which model/spec/price ?
It's a Planet X RT-57 with full SRAM Force. There are a couple of upgrades such as the FSA hollow carbon cranks and the 52mm Carbon clincher wheels.
I bought ex demo so got a really good deal wink

yellowjack

17,065 posts

165 months

Friday 12th October 2012
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Thank you, James. Being a Shaw Tarse, I don't often get an opportunity to buy Ex-Demo stuff, but that looks like a really nice bike. My problem at the moment is cash - being out of work for the first time in my life, I can't really afford to blow any savings on new gear, so I'll have to just continue dreaming. I've bookmarked the page on the Planet-X website ready for when I get sorted.

thiscocks

3,127 posts

194 months

Friday 12th October 2012
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Hope youve got some clipless pedals to match

JSquaredJim

Original Poster:

238 posts

211 months

Friday 12th October 2012
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The toe cage pedals are not staying, just popped them on for a test ride. The clipless pedals and shoes are going on tomorrow smile

thiscocks

3,127 posts

194 months

Saturday 13th October 2012
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Good, toe clips + carbon bike = fail!cop