577 replies to this topic

[Brawlyrox]

That looks like a good bike, its more relaxed than a pure race bike so should be nice and comfortable and plenty upgradeable.
Did you get it from a bike shop? The reason I ask is that they normally can do a deal on a helmet and lights etc. as they like to see the riders getting out on the roads as safe as possible. They will normally chuck a free service in to. Look after it and keep it clean, try not to wash near the bearings with a hose pipe or jet washer. Its ok for the pros because their bikes get rebuilt every race, sadly ours dont.
Attached is a pic of my race bike it only comes out on dry days, I wouldnt add up the price of the parts as it will make you and me cry!

Nick

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[THE ANORAK]

Anorak: Thanks again for that advice about going to one of the local bike shops. I think i've grabbed myself a bargain with this on:

no problem i think its always best to check the bikes out at a shop, even if you then go back home and find your bike of choice cheaper on the Internet looks like a smart bike

shop soiled bikes hey !!! i didnt know people got that excited about them

oh yes, and just to add a little controversy to the thread, i dont (and never have) use a cycling helmet

EDIT: oh yes, one thing about buying a "cheaper" bike, i was absolutly amazed how much weight you can save by upgrading the tyres, just something to think about

Edited by THE ANORAK, 06 January 2009 - 08:21 PM.

[AndrewJ530]

That looks like a good bike, its more relaxed than a pure race bike so should be nice and comfortable and plenty upgradeable.
Did you get it from a bike shop? The reason I ask is that they normally can do a deal on a helmet and lights etc. as they like to see the riders getting out on the roads as safe as possible. They will normally chuck a free service in to. Look after it and keep it clean, try not to wash near the bearings with a hose pipe or jet washer. Its ok for the pros because their bikes get rebuilt every race, sadly ours dont.
Attached is a pic of my race bike it only comes out on dry days, I wouldnt add up the price of the parts as it will make you and me cry!

Nick

I'm gunna see what they have and if they will do me a deal when i buy some stuff together (helmet, lights, rear mud guard and maybe a computer if it's cheap enough). Thanks for the advice though.

Andrew

[THE ANORAK]

i found my local bike shop were very eager to give me a discount. i went in there with every intention of spending money eventually and just asked what they had available at the time, as he was showing me the bikes he kept saying "but you wont pay that much, i can do it a lot cheaper for you".

when i went back to order the bike i had a big long shopping list... bike, computer, pedals, shoes, bottle cages, saddle bag, track pump, spoke key etc.

he totaled it all up and his first words were "i can do a bit better than that for you". well, that Dominic bloke of the telly would have been proud, i didnt even open my mouth

i guess they are trying to get your loyalty, but then its the only real serious bike shop left in Rugby, so its not like they had a load of competition.

its well worth getting chatty with them and if they dont get it in first, its well worth asking if they can "do a deal"

PS: plus the place always smells great

[AndrewJ530]

Aye i'll see if they can do me a deal on the a few bits for it. They seemed nice enough when i went in for the bike so they should be okay with it.

Can't wait to get it and get out there lol.

[THE ANORAK]

if your going to be doing any serious miles then some clip-less pedals and propper shoes are a must, if you cant stretch to some of these then toe clips are worth it

it took me a while to get confident with my clip-less pedals at junctions. i use the big chunky "look" type cleats with the float built in (means your foot can move on the pedal without un-clipping).

[nurseholliday]

I have never used a helmet either. I used to use on at the skatepark on my BMX when I was younger but once I turned 16 it wasn't mandatory so I stopped. Haven't worn one since.

Clipless pedals are brilliant, you get much more power from being attached to the pedals. Toe-clips are kind of half way there and a good way of feeling what it's like to pedal up and down, but proper clipless are the best. If you're going to be using your bike for transport then MTB clipless pedals and shoes will be better because the shoes are designed to be walked on, whereas road shoes are much slimmer and lightweight and very uncomfortable to walk on.

[Mark@IR]

Also, along what the chappy above me said, road shoe/cleats when you walk on them they get soooooo mashed up!

The guy above mentioned the 'look' cleats, the come in three different colours, red, black and grey, one has alot of movement, one has a bit and one has none.

Simulary if you go for MTB pedals/cleats, they do single release and multi release.


Yea, sorry to but in i just thought i'd add that to futher mess up your brain

[THE ANORAK]

Also, along what the chappy above me said, road shoe/cleats when you walk on them they get soooooo mashed up!

this is very true and you walk like a constipated chicken on ice

[alicetheauto]

I use the mountain bike style shoes.... Cheaper too. I get my new bike monday!!!!!!

[AndrewJ530]

Picked up the bike yesterday and had my first proper ride of it this morning. Absolutely loved it . It's so quick. I've only ever ridden mountain bikes before and this is just in a different league lol. A few pedal strokes and your down the road .

Can't wait to be able to ride it to work. How long do you reckon it would take me to do 9 miles? Most of it's straight road and not much stopping. Half an hour?

[Mark@IR]

Picked up the bike yesterday and had my first proper ride of it this morning. Absolutely loved it . It's so quick. I've only ever ridden mountain bikes before and this is just in a different league lol. A few pedal strokes and your down the road .

Can't wait to be able to ride it to work. How long do you reckon it would take me to do 9 miles? Most of it's straight road and not much stopping. Half an hour?

Amen, they're damn quick! Getting back on an MTB after several rides on a roadie is a killer! Still, i'll never give up MTB'ing.. so much of a rush!


The 9 mile commute is great for you, get yourself a stop watch and start beating your times. Cross train with it aswell to keep your muscles in tip top form, varey from high cadence to low cadence rides, this will work two different muscle fibres in your legs.

[AndrewJ530]

Picked up the bike yesterday and had my first proper ride of it this morning. Absolutely loved it . It's so quick. I've only ever ridden mountain bikes before and this is just in a different league lol. A few pedal strokes and your down the road .

Can't wait to be able to ride it to work. How long do you reckon it would take me to do 9 miles? Most of it's straight road and not much stopping. Half an hour?

Amen, they're damn quick! Getting back on an MTB after several rides on a roadie is a killer! Still, i'll never give up MTB'ing.. so much of a rush!


The 9 mile commute is great for you, get yourself a stop watch and start beating your times. Cross train with it aswell to keep your muscles in tip top form, varey from high cadence to low cadence rides, this will work two different muscle fibres in your legs.

Lol haha i used to love mountain biking mind. Loved downhill the most though. Can't beat that rush when your flying downhill dodging between boulders lol.

I'm going to gym pretty regularly so i'll be doing my strength work in there. But me and my mate are going for rides into north yorkshire once we get a bit fitter lol.

[THE ANORAK]

Picked up the bike yesterday and had my first proper ride of it this morning. Absolutely loved it . It's so quick. I've only ever ridden mountain bikes before and this is just in a different league lol. A few pedal strokes and your down the road .

Can't wait to be able to ride it to work. How long do you reckon it would take me to do 9 miles? Most of it's straight road and not much stopping. Half an hour?

good stuff any photos ????

when i did my main 15mile route on my hybrid i was surprised to see that the times were no different, maybe its not such a bad bike after all

[alicetheauto]

I got my student loan through 2 days early! Got my new bike today, but I have already dismantled it for its rebuild into a stealth timetrial bike! Its currently been primed and had a coat of BINI Metallic black, and is drying till it is ready for its Carbon fork, carbon brakes, carbon crank, carbon seatpost....
I have a for sale thread with the bits I dont need by the way!