Bike Reviews....
Discussion
As I am considering a new bike, I am reading a lot of bike reviews online (road.cc, Bike Radar etc.).
Something they all seem to say a lot is that 'this is a fast bike', or 'it accelerates quickly'.
Now, I am not a bike expert by any stretch, but I know enough that the engine is what makes a bike fast? Can a Focus Izalco really be faster than a Giant Propel or a Canyon Aeroad CF when ridden by a slightly overweight PHer at the limit of their abilities? Will a Cervelo S3 really knock 2 mins off my 10 mile TT time?
I think I'll follow some buying advice that Okgo gave on a thread a while back and choose one that is a nice colour!
Steve
Something they all seem to say a lot is that 'this is a fast bike', or 'it accelerates quickly'.
Now, I am not a bike expert by any stretch, but I know enough that the engine is what makes a bike fast? Can a Focus Izalco really be faster than a Giant Propel or a Canyon Aeroad CF when ridden by a slightly overweight PHer at the limit of their abilities? Will a Cervelo S3 really knock 2 mins off my 10 mile TT time?
I think I'll follow some buying advice that Okgo gave on a thread a while back and choose one that is a nice colour!
Steve
The people reviewing bikes don't have some extra qualification in many cases, they're just normal folk quite often, sure some are ex-pro's, but many aren't. I rode with one of the guys who does a lot of reviews and such for Cycling Weekly the other day, nice guy, but his opinion on a bike would be no more or less valid than the next half decent riders IMO.
Save for the german bargain brands or a mega 50% off deal somewhere I think brands have pitched themselves at a fairly similar level at most of the common price points, so while choosing purely on colour was a slightly flippant remark, I think its not far from the truth in a lot of cases!
Save for the german bargain brands or a mega 50% off deal somewhere I think brands have pitched themselves at a fairly similar level at most of the common price points, so while choosing purely on colour was a slightly flippant remark, I think its not far from the truth in a lot of cases!
Steve vRS said:
Struggling to see past a Giant Propel Advanced Pro 2 at the moment.
Or a second hand TT bike and a Mk1 MX5 for the same money!
Steve
Giant Propel is a cracking bike Or a second hand TT bike and a Mk1 MX5 for the same money!
Steve
The red and white ultegra version looks great IMO. Another classic statement from the mags is 'Overall the bike is really good, but the wheels could do with an upgrade'
okgo said:
The people reviewing bikes don't have some extra qualification in many cases, they're just normal folk quite often, sure some are ex-pro's, but many aren't. I rode with one of the guys who does a lot of reviews and such for Cycling Weekly the other day, nice guy, but his opinion on a bike would be no more or less valid than the next half decent riders IMO.
But isn't that what you want? I want a review of a bike/car/whatever by someone who is of a slightly higher level of ability and experience to me, but not so high that their requirments and what they perceive as good are beyond my normal use. The main reason that the reviewers are better qualified to assess the bikes is that they get to ride loads of different ones so they can compare and contrast between them. The average man on the street won't be straddling several bikes a week. It's not down to his ability as a rider, it is down to his experience and ability to turn those opinions into decent prose that readers can relate to and understand.
Takes a keen eye to cut through the bulls
t, knowing what you want from a bike before you shop helps.
I don't race, I've no interest in racing so unobtanium components and ultra slippery kam-tail aero tubes and shaving a gnat's knob off 50kms at 40km/h which is all the reviews seem interested in isn't what I wanted from a bike.
Long days without my arse falling off and my filings falling out, was much harder to find the right bike for as a result.
t, knowing what you want from a bike before you shop helps.I don't race, I've no interest in racing so unobtanium components and ultra slippery kam-tail aero tubes and shaving a gnat's knob off 50kms at 40km/h which is all the reviews seem interested in isn't what I wanted from a bike.
Long days without my arse falling off and my filings falling out, was much harder to find the right bike for as a result.
Shuttle Cock said:
...buy the one that fits best, suits your purpose and you like the look of.
IroningMan said:
Buy the one that will make you want to ride more.
These are the best bits of advice when buying a bike really.I bought a Trek Emonda in February, first rode it in March. I've covered 2,300 miles on it in less than 5 months - more riding than I did in either of the two previous whole years. 315 of those miles in the last 7 days. I'd set my heart on a Cervelo or a Storck. Sadly neither one of these felt 'right' out on the road, yet the Trek (a brand I'd previously ignored) just felt like 'my bike' right from the off.
I am quicker on it (generally) than I was on my old Merida, but that's as much to do with improved fitness as with anything 'blingy' about the new bike. It did review pretty well in the bike press, although it didn't quite make it into the 'Final Shootout' for one of the 'Bike of the Year' features in the press. It was a (admittedly brief) test ride that really sold it to me. No question that reviews give you a start point, some way of filtering a shortlist, but there's no substitute for getting your hands on a selection of bikes in shops, IMHO.
Maybe I'm getting cynical in my old age, but I've noticed a 'bit of a pattern' with a lot of magazine reviews for a number of years.
Many seem to be plagiarised from the manufacturer's description/catalogue, or from other magazines...... so are they accurate in any way? to be believed? As an example, I bought a bridge camera that had many features I was looking for, and a leading photographic magazine had 'reviewed' the camera and said it had a disappointing 12cm minimum when used in macro. This wasn't an issue for me, and I bought the camera anyway, to be surprised to find that the macro went down to 12mm! which was more as expected and similar to competitors product. So did the magazine review it? Strangely when I started digging around for more reviews others said 12cm as well, and also the manufacturer's data repeated this figure. My guess is the manufacturer made a simple typo, and everyone else 'copied' it. I'd be more inclined to value a 'layman's' opinion off a forum (despite not knowing his experience or credentials) than a professional reviewers........ after all he probably actually tried the item!
Many seem to be plagiarised from the manufacturer's description/catalogue, or from other magazines...... so are they accurate in any way? to be believed? As an example, I bought a bridge camera that had many features I was looking for, and a leading photographic magazine had 'reviewed' the camera and said it had a disappointing 12cm minimum when used in macro. This wasn't an issue for me, and I bought the camera anyway, to be surprised to find that the macro went down to 12mm! which was more as expected and similar to competitors product. So did the magazine review it? Strangely when I started digging around for more reviews others said 12cm as well, and also the manufacturer's data repeated this figure. My guess is the manufacturer made a simple typo, and everyone else 'copied' it. I'd be more inclined to value a 'layman's' opinion off a forum (despite not knowing his experience or credentials) than a professional reviewers........ after all he probably actually tried the item!
Reviews can only be pointers at what's good and what's not as good - but there is always personal preference / fit - most importantly fit. That's what will save you time - if you're not comfortable you won't be moving as fast as you could, or for as long. Components do help - as does overall weight.
Last night I switched back to my old hybrid instead of the new titanium Enigma - hell - it felt bad. And winter is just around the corner when the Enigma will stay indoors. Slow ! Heavy - but my muscles had a workout.
If you went on reviews, the Synapse would be in there - but it did nothing for me. The Cervelo R3 was great - instantly took to it on the road for speed and comfort, but the Enigma was just more timeless. And all get good reviews.
Now I have had the Enigma for a few weeks the only thing that annoys me slightly is the carbon seatpost - creak (under hard load only)!!
Putting it into perspective - local Strava user / club ride hero - Tommo (275 miles in 12hr) - did a flyby the other night. Never seen him before. Bike looked great - and fast - all bare carbon but the carbon creaks are what I remember ! He must be deaf, or very tolerant.
Seek out titanium ! Enigma rocks.
If you want another perspective on what others think about choice affecting speed - check the latest article on road.cc about the guy doing a LeJog JogLe record attempt - reckons 1 kmph difference on his bike choice is what will break the record (as long as the winds don't blow in the wrong direction of course).
Could I maybe go faster if the chainset wasn't the popular compact version - possibly - but the compact suits the hills around here and makes the ride more enjoyable for the lump of lard sat on the saddle - and I'm riding the fastest I have ever ridden.
That's why the pro's change setup each day to suit the terrain they will be riding. Sadly we don't all have manufacturer support to allow the changes we might want to make / bikes to switch to as desired. Life's about compromise.
Last night I switched back to my old hybrid instead of the new titanium Enigma - hell - it felt bad. And winter is just around the corner when the Enigma will stay indoors. Slow ! Heavy - but my muscles had a workout.
If you went on reviews, the Synapse would be in there - but it did nothing for me. The Cervelo R3 was great - instantly took to it on the road for speed and comfort, but the Enigma was just more timeless. And all get good reviews.
Now I have had the Enigma for a few weeks the only thing that annoys me slightly is the carbon seatpost - creak (under hard load only)!!
Putting it into perspective - local Strava user / club ride hero - Tommo (275 miles in 12hr) - did a flyby the other night. Never seen him before. Bike looked great - and fast - all bare carbon but the carbon creaks are what I remember ! He must be deaf, or very tolerant.
Seek out titanium ! Enigma rocks.
If you want another perspective on what others think about choice affecting speed - check the latest article on road.cc about the guy doing a LeJog JogLe record attempt - reckons 1 kmph difference on his bike choice is what will break the record (as long as the winds don't blow in the wrong direction of course).
Could I maybe go faster if the chainset wasn't the popular compact version - possibly - but the compact suits the hills around here and makes the ride more enjoyable for the lump of lard sat on the saddle - and I'm riding the fastest I have ever ridden.
That's why the pro's change setup each day to suit the terrain they will be riding. Sadly we don't all have manufacturer support to allow the changes we might want to make / bikes to switch to as desired. Life's about compromise.
ClassicMercs said:
If you want another perspective on what others think about choice affecting speed - check the latest article on road.cc about the guy doing a LeJog JogLe record attempt - reckons 1 kmph difference on his bike choice is what will break the record (as long as the winds don't blow in the wrong direction of course).
Could I maybe go faster if the chainset wasn't the popular compact version - possibly - but the compact suits the hills around here and makes the ride more enjoyable for the lump of lard sat on the saddle - and I'm riding the fastest I have ever ridden.
That's why the pro's change setup each day to suit the terrain they will be riding. Sadly we don't all have manufacturer support to allow the changes we might want to make / bikes to switch to as desired. Life's about compromise.
And there they go, selling us the bike based on a record attempt, not a lumpy 100 with mates...Could I maybe go faster if the chainset wasn't the popular compact version - possibly - but the compact suits the hills around here and makes the ride more enjoyable for the lump of lard sat on the saddle - and I'm riding the fastest I have ever ridden.
That's why the pro's change setup each day to suit the terrain they will be riding. Sadly we don't all have manufacturer support to allow the changes we might want to make / bikes to switch to as desired. Life's about compromise.
If I was buying a weekend car I'd not be looking at pure bred race cars, I'd be looking at road cars with track manners.
Lots of reviews I take as a total pinch of salt. Its just words to fill columns, nothing more. There are special bikes out there and they are usually the ones that fit you best, than the most expensive you can buy. If you put a pro on my bike, he would still whip everyones ass, but put me on his bike I would still be way behind.
Just been on holiday and bought a few mags ( of the cycling kind !!) to read on wet days and I read a lot !. In one review, the Whyte was fantastic. In the same report another bike had really flexy and not very good forks. Although one was set at 150mm and another at 130mm ,they were both the same forks.
From meeting the great Steve Worland on a ride, he admitted to me that reviewing was awkward, as you couldn't just say it was crap. Lots of people wages and lives rely on selling stuff. He was riding a bike which as he put it, 'is the biggest piece of st, he had ever ridden', ironically that day.
My Cannnondale F29 came with Sram X7 and X5 bits on it and when you read the reviews it all seems a great groupset comparing to XT, but I have changed it to XT now and is a revelation. 10times better.
Just been on holiday and bought a few mags ( of the cycling kind !!) to read on wet days and I read a lot !. In one review, the Whyte was fantastic. In the same report another bike had really flexy and not very good forks. Although one was set at 150mm and another at 130mm ,they were both the same forks.
From meeting the great Steve Worland on a ride, he admitted to me that reviewing was awkward, as you couldn't just say it was crap. Lots of people wages and lives rely on selling stuff. He was riding a bike which as he put it, 'is the biggest piece of s
t, he had ever ridden', ironically that day.My Cannnondale F29 came with Sram X7 and X5 bits on it and when you read the reviews it all seems a great groupset comparing to XT, but I have changed it to XT now and is a revelation. 10times better.
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