Which road bike (cycle)
16 July 2009, 09:07 AM
#63
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16 July 2009, 12:25 PM
#65
I'm glad to see this thread as have been wondering about road bikes myself. Have you had a look at the Felt F95? Seems well reviewed and good value for £600ish. I like the look of them but it's probably to racey for what I want/need.
My usage would be occasional commuting and leisurely road rides perhaps with a few rougher tracks, so would probably suit a hybrid best as I'd like some comfort, but I definitely want drop bars. My old man has just got a Specialized Tricross Sport which is the sort of thing I'd like but would prefer to spend a bit less, more like £500 tops. Quite happy to buy 2nd hand as I can't get cycle-to-work. When I rode his Tricross I liked everything about it except that I couldn't move to standing on the pedals comfortably as it felt a bit cramped somehow. Any alternative suggestions for me?
My usage would be occasional commuting and leisurely road rides perhaps with a few rougher tracks, so would probably suit a hybrid best as I'd like some comfort, but I definitely want drop bars. My old man has just got a Specialized Tricross Sport which is the sort of thing I'd like but would prefer to spend a bit less, more like £500 tops. Quite happy to buy 2nd hand as I can't get cycle-to-work. When I rode his Tricross I liked everything about it except that I couldn't move to standing on the pedals comfortably as it felt a bit cramped somehow. Any alternative suggestions for me?
I spent a couple of weeks on a Z65 and it was great, the Z is the more relaxed/less nervous/less sporty version of the F line Felts, I personally would avoid the full on sports for commuting, have ridden a couple and didnt ge ton with them, fine if you are racing but a pain for commuting, the Z seems sporty enough yet will commute very nicely as well.
16 July 2009, 01:37 PM
#68
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Nah.
If I get a problem I can't walk in to my local bike shop and ask them to fix it.
And to be honest if I spend 600 or 1600 I'm not really going to enjoy it anymore, or go 'that' much faster. Law of diminishing returns etc.
If I get a problem I can't walk in to my local bike shop and ask them to fix it.
And to be honest if I spend 600 or 1600 I'm not really going to enjoy it anymore, or go 'that' much faster. Law of diminishing returns etc.
16 July 2009, 01:47 PM
#69
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Why ever not , they should be able to cure most ills if theyre a proper bike shop...
-Do you really live on top of a halfords ?
- i bought a moutain bike from there and the free servicing last a few months i think
griends hardly touched it since and i wish id gone second hand - so much more for the money
-Do you really live on top of a halfords ?
- i bought a moutain bike from there and the free servicing last a few months i think
griends hardly touched it since and i wish id gone second hand - so much more for the money
16 July 2009, 01:56 PM
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..OK another reason is I can't sit on the bike and try of for size, or test ride it.
As a newbie, buying my first bike from a shop seems a good idea.
What has halfords got to do with it?
As a newbie, buying my first bike from a shop seems a good idea.
What has halfords got to do with it?
16 July 2009, 02:20 PM
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Biggish frame then - but I'd go a size down to make the bike more useable. Oversized frames are a pain.
I reckon 56cm would do the trick but you might be borderline 58cm.
Why oh why are MTB frame sizes in inches and road bike frames in cm?!!
I reckon 56cm would do the trick but you might be borderline 58cm.
Why oh why are MTB frame sizes in inches and road bike frames in cm?!!
16 July 2009, 02:32 PM
#76
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We can yoza - next to the separate forum for watches...
Davy - tricky without sitting on a bike although do be aware that Spesh road bikes have short top tubes for their frame size.
Davy - tricky without sitting on a bike although do be aware that Spesh road bikes have short top tubes for their frame size.
16 July 2009, 02:49 PM
#78
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Seat tube length is not so important, the top tube and stem length is far more important when it comes to getting a decent fit...
If it's your first bike and you're unsure then go to a LBS and get fitted out properly....
If it's your first bike and you're unsure then go to a LBS and get fitted out properly....
16 July 2009, 03:24 PM
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Top tube length is basically how long the bike will be - long top tube = stretched over more and "flatter" riding style, short top tube = more upright and usually a bit more comfy.
Spesh bikes have shortish top tubes for a given seat tube length, Scott have longer but not sure for your other shortlisted bikes. Just want to make sure you'e not leaning too far over but you also need to make sure the seat tube is long enough - when you put the crank arm down (either side) with your heel on the pedal, your leg needs to be straight. Bike fit is very important. More important than the bike itself. A perfect fitting average bike will be nicer to ride than a top spec poorly fitted bike.
Spesh bikes have shortish top tubes for a given seat tube length, Scott have longer but not sure for your other shortlisted bikes. Just want to make sure you'e not leaning too far over but you also need to make sure the seat tube is long enough - when you put the crank arm down (either side) with your heel on the pedal, your leg needs to be straight. Bike fit is very important. More important than the bike itself. A perfect fitting average bike will be nicer to ride than a top spec poorly fitted bike.
16 July 2009, 03:39 PM
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interesting read,im thinking about getting back into biking again,
mattee i am 5'5" tall and have short legs and a longer torso/arms if that makes sense
what size of frame would i need? it would be used mainly on cycle paths/country road with the occasional coast path trip so what sort of bike would suit?i would have a budget of around £300 and dont mind getting second hand if its a quality bike have you any suggestions for what would suit me. thanks
mattee i am 5'5" tall and have short legs and a longer torso/arms if that makes sense
what size of frame would i need? it would be used mainly on cycle paths/country road with the occasional coast path trip so what sort of bike would suit?i would have a budget of around £300 and dont mind getting second hand if its a quality bike have you any suggestions for what would suit me. thanks
16 July 2009, 04:01 PM
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James - can you get Cyclescheme?
If not I suggest a MTB biased hybrid such as one in the links - fast rolling, comfy, good brakes and durable. A road bike won't handle the coast paths, a pure MTB will be too slow and expensive, a cyclo cross bike is also too pricey.
Evans Cycles | Felt QX65 2009 Hybrid Bike | Online Bike Shop
(52cm frame)
Evans Cycles | Scott Sportster P6 2009 Hybrid Bike | Online Bike Shop
(Small frame)
Evans Cycles | Pinnacle Borealis 1.0 2009 Hybrid Bike | Online Bike Shop
(Small frame)
Evans Cycles | Pinnacle Mean Streak 1.0 2009 Hybrid Bike | Online Bike Shop
(Small frame)
I'm not keen on 2nd hand bikes - you don't know what's happened to them - aluminium (which most bikes are made of) fatigues over time and sometimes hides nasty wear and tear. Best to buy knew unless it's from a bike shop (where they service them) but they charge way over the odds.
If not I suggest a MTB biased hybrid such as one in the links - fast rolling, comfy, good brakes and durable. A road bike won't handle the coast paths, a pure MTB will be too slow and expensive, a cyclo cross bike is also too pricey.
Evans Cycles | Felt QX65 2009 Hybrid Bike | Online Bike Shop
(52cm frame)
Evans Cycles | Scott Sportster P6 2009 Hybrid Bike | Online Bike Shop
(Small frame)
Evans Cycles | Pinnacle Borealis 1.0 2009 Hybrid Bike | Online Bike Shop
(Small frame)
Evans Cycles | Pinnacle Mean Streak 1.0 2009 Hybrid Bike | Online Bike Shop
(Small frame)
I'm not keen on 2nd hand bikes - you don't know what's happened to them - aluminium (which most bikes are made of) fatigues over time and sometimes hides nasty wear and tear. Best to buy knew unless it's from a bike shop (where they service them) but they charge way over the odds.
16 July 2009, 04:13 PM
#83
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Depending on how much cycle paths you do, I'd suggest something like the giant FCR again.
I've used ours on cycle paths and all the wheels seems true still.
I've used ours on cycle paths and all the wheels seems true still.
16 July 2009, 07:04 PM
#84
I use my hybrid with 28c tyres off road on tracks quite a lot, I weight 16 st, have broken three spokes in 2100 miles, wheels still true. I think there is a perception that to go off road you need a mountain bike which is wrong, mountain bikes are engineered for much roucher stuff than bridle paths, tow paths, unmade roads, more for barrelling down hills hitting rocks so they are massively over engineered for what most people put them through, even a really skinny road bike will do some off road if sympathetically handled, sometimes urban roads are more like off road tracks anyway.
16 July 2009, 07:44 PM
#85
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It makes no differance....
If it tells the time, it tells the time...sorry I mean if it rides from A to B, it rides from A to B.
16 July 2009, 07:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Matteeboy reply to the above post...
Yoza - you try and ride up this:
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...53087_7814.jpg
or carrying it one armed over this:
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...52979_9000.jpg
Riding one of these:
http://plumblines.files.wordpress.co...dutchbike1.jpg
Then try one of these:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/...9671fd8b09.jpg
down this:
http://www.switch-backsdh.com/images...bike_hol23.jpg
Then finally attempt to win this race:
http://www.cyclingbc.net/pageimages/...0on%20bike.jpg
On one of these:
http://www.haggul.com/ProdImage/25%5C1572927.jpg
But I can tell the time just as well on this:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA280_.jpg
This:
http://www.europastar.com/europastar...tling305_1.jpg
or this:
http://www.timebooth.com/gallery/alb...aut_5167_A.jpg
Mattee, your not seeing my point at all.
You say your Casio will do all the things my watches will do...it wont, simple as that.
I am telling you that a shorter down pipe, or kevlar wheels, ball crushing saddle, aerodynamic helmet, and padded walnut hugging shorts will not make an ounce of differance if you want to cross a river with the bike above your head.
It will simply make you look like a complete to55er.
If you want to ride a bike, ride it, if you want to cross a river swim or get a boat, if you want to climb a mountain, but you have to carry your bike...leave the bike.
If you want to go to the moon, buy a SpeedMaster.
If you want to look like a pretentious pr1ck, buy a Audimars Piquet masterpiece.
If you want to look like an actionman buy a Casio G shock.
If you want to look like a Xmas tree buy a Ball.
If you want to look like a lunatic take your mountain bike swimming.
Later Yoza
Originally Posted by Matteeboy reply to the above post...
Yoza - you try and ride up this:
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...53087_7814.jpg
or carrying it one armed over this:
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...52979_9000.jpg
Riding one of these:
http://plumblines.files.wordpress.co...dutchbike1.jpg
Then try one of these:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/...9671fd8b09.jpg
down this:
http://www.switch-backsdh.com/images...bike_hol23.jpg
Then finally attempt to win this race:
http://www.cyclingbc.net/pageimages/...0on%20bike.jpg
On one of these:
http://www.haggul.com/ProdImage/25%5C1572927.jpg
But I can tell the time just as well on this:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA280_.jpg
This:
http://www.europastar.com/europastar...tling305_1.jpg
or this:
http://www.timebooth.com/gallery/alb...aut_5167_A.jpg
Mattee, your not seeing my point at all.
You say your Casio will do all the things my watches will do...it wont, simple as that.
I am telling you that a shorter down pipe, or kevlar wheels, ball crushing saddle, aerodynamic helmet, and padded walnut hugging shorts will not make an ounce of differance if you want to cross a river with the bike above your head.
It will simply make you look like a complete to55er.
If you want to ride a bike, ride it, if you want to cross a river swim or get a boat, if you want to climb a mountain, but you have to carry your bike...leave the bike.
If you want to go to the moon, buy a SpeedMaster.
If you want to look like a pretentious pr1ck, buy a Audimars Piquet masterpiece.
If you want to look like an actionman buy a Casio G shock.
If you want to look like a Xmas tree buy a Ball.
If you want to look like a lunatic take your mountain bike swimming.
Later Yoza
Last edited by yoza; 16 July 2009 at 07:48 PM.
16 July 2009, 09:28 PM
#87
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If you want to tell the time get a WATCH. Any watch.
If you want to ride, get a bike suited to where you are riding.
Would you race around a circuit in a 4WD?
Would you rally a 599?
Would you chauffeur someone around in a P1?
No you wouldn't.
Bikes vary in what they do and how they do it. Watches tell the time. A £100k watch tells the time no better than a £15 watch. In fact it's probably worse.
But of course you'll bang in until you are blue in the face about how you MIGHT need a watch that still works after an electron bomb detonates. Or to take you deeper under water than any organism can survive. Or that will work after the world ends.
Handy. I'll just pick bikes that do the job.
If you want to ride, get a bike suited to where you are riding.
Would you race around a circuit in a 4WD?
Would you rally a 599?
Would you chauffeur someone around in a P1?
No you wouldn't.
Bikes vary in what they do and how they do it. Watches tell the time. A £100k watch tells the time no better than a £15 watch. In fact it's probably worse.
But of course you'll bang in until you are blue in the face about how you MIGHT need a watch that still works after an electron bomb detonates. Or to take you deeper under water than any organism can survive. Or that will work after the world ends.
Handy. I'll just pick bikes that do the job.
16 July 2009, 09:49 PM
#88
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Theres road geometry and off road geometry - and some oddball in betweens of course
- unless your going extreme most frames will make it thro given the right mounts for components
and lets face it 95% of us dont do extreme
- unless your going extreme most frames will make it thro given the right mounts for components
and lets face it 95% of us dont do extreme
16 July 2009, 11:16 PM
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Daveyboy - I'm 6' 3", my Spesh Allez Sport is an XL and it fits me very nice.
There are plenty of 'rules of thumb', but for basic size you should have the distance from the tip of the saddle to the mid-point of the bars approximately the same as the distance from the point of your elbow to the tip of your longest finger.
There are plenty of 'rules of thumb', but for basic size you should have the distance from the tip of the saddle to the mid-point of the bars approximately the same as the distance from the point of your elbow to the tip of your longest finger.