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pazza98
Joined: 01 Feb 2010
Posts: 257
Location: Hornsey
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 Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 6:36 pm Subject: Ask Steev ! |
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So Steev, now you have your own thread 
And my first question, if you were looking for a road bike between 500 - 750 pounds. Mostly for commuting, but occasional long rides eg. FNRttC, London to Brighton etc. road bike with drops rather than hybrid as I'm not keen on them, what makes and / or models of bike would you be looking at? |
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Sparky
Joined: 03 Jun 2004
Posts: 448
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| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:55 pm Subject: |
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I've done well on the 2nd hand market though I know some like to avoid.
Having a quick look around something like THIS would tempt me. |
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Barrie
Joined: 21 May 2006
Posts: 1380
Location: Putney
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 12:38 am Subject: |
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Ask Sparkanoid :-
Why're you so keen on 105 over Tiagra, possibly to the detriment of the frame?
How do you avoid feeding the bike theiving trolls if shopping 2nd hand? |
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pazza98
Joined: 01 Feb 2010
Posts: 257
Location: Hornsey
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 8:24 am Subject: |
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I don't think I can do 2nd hand with the cycle to work scheme.
| Sparky wrote: |
| Having a quick look around something like THIS would tempt me. |
Hmmm . . I'm tempted by that, now you've pointed me in that direction. However my only issue is that they're based in Ireland and that could give me issues with giving it a test ride. Anyone have one I can test ride?
| Barrie wrote: |
Ask Sparkanoid :-
Why're you so keen on 105 over Tiagra, possibly to the detriment of the frame? |
When was it to the detriment of the frame? 105 is a better groupset though isn't it? |
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ed!
Committee Member
Joined: 13 Mar 2005
Posts: 4444
Location: E R, London
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Howard
Joined: 24 Jan 2010
Posts: 333
Location: W2 now init.
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 10:40 am Subject: |
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If you can't test ride it, you are taking a substantial risk. But you could get lucky, and indeed, that looks bargainous for full 105 groupo - even if it is the generation behind 105's current incarnation.
Note: 105 is 10 speed, Tiagra 9 speed. And oohhh it's a triple, so if you try to race it you will get mocked.
What I don't understand though is why you'd want to use that bike to commute on - it has no mounting points for anything, and the sacrifices they've made to get it so light will mean you'll be popping spokes in nine months of London riding. I don't think pure road bikes are good solutions for what you want to do.
If I wanted one bike to do London commuting and chilled out long distance - I'd try and build up a Roadrat or Cross Check. You could probably do one for £600 odd if you buy the frame new then fit second hand tiagra bits and some mavic rims bought from lfgss or bikeradar forum.
The great thing about these bikes is that you can whack 35mm tyres on them and smash them around the forest, too.
You can then fit Dura-Ace when funds allow
Last edited by Howard on Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:18 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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pazza98
Joined: 01 Feb 2010
Posts: 257
Location: Hornsey
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:00 pm Subject: |
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| Howard wrote: |
If you can't test ride it, you are taking a substantial risk. But you could get lucky, and indeed, that looks bargainous for full 105 groupo - even if it is the generation behind 105's current incarnation.
Note: 105 is 10 speed, Tiagra 9 speed. And oohhh it's a triple, so if you try to race it you will get mocked. |
105 does also come in Compact (50/34) or Double (50/39). With a 10 speed, surely Double should be fine and the extra range of the compact unnecessary. Is that right?
I forgot to mention in this thread, I'm aiming at cycle to work scheme, so I'm not sure a build it yourself / spec yourself such as Road Rat / Cross Check would work? Has anyone done that already? I'm also looking to get accessories such as lights, locks and helmet from the same retailer. Also considering clipless pedals / shoes. |
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Howard
Joined: 24 Jan 2010
Posts: 333
Location: W2 now init.
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:17 pm Subject: |
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| pazza98 wrote: |
| Howard wrote: |
If you can't test ride it, you are taking a substantial risk. But you could get lucky, and indeed, that looks bargainous for full 105 groupo - even if it is the generation behind 105's current incarnation.
Note: 105 is 10 speed, Tiagra 9 speed. And oohhh it's a triple, so if you try to race it you will get mocked. |
105 does also come in Compact (50/34) or Double (50/39). With a 10 speed, surely Double should be fine and the extra range of the compact unnecessary. Is that right? |
The Cube bike that was linked to by Sparky and Ed! features a triple crank. Yes, 105 does come in all those combinations, but if it's a triple specified on the bike you are buying a triple is what you are going to get 
Whether a double is suitable depends on your style and the type of riding you want to do I guess. My 48/18 single speed does 95% of what I want, so I doubt you'll have any problems with double/compact/triple/SA 3 speed
| pazza98 wrote: |
I forgot to mention in this thread, I'm aiming at cycle to work scheme, so I'm not sure a build it yourself / spec yourself such as Road Rat / Cross Check would work? Has anyone done that already? I'm also looking to get accessories such as lights, locks and helmet from the same retailer. Also considering clipless pedals / shoes. |
You can buy complete crosschecks and roadrats, but they may out of your price range. Brixton cycles sell them both and will build them up to your spec.
I don't think anyone selling second hand bits is going to take a C2W voucher, but you'll be able to buy frames and components new with them. |
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BigSteev
Joined: 04 Jul 2006
Posts: 282
Location: London
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 6:04 pm Subject: |
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| Howard wrote: |
Note: 105 is 10 speed, Tiagra 9 speed. And oohhh it's a triple, so if you try to race it you will get mocked. |
Right up until you kick their asses!
| Howard wrote: |
What I don't understand though is why you'd want to use that bike to commute on - it has no mounting points for anything, and the sacrifices they've made to get it so light will mean you'll be popping spokes in nine months of London riding. I don't think pure road bikes are good solutions for what you want to do. |
I'd disagree. Of all my bikes, the only one I really enjoy commuting on is my road bike, but I guess that depends on how much stuff you need to carry to work with you. As for popping spokes, I've never lost any even though there are only 16/21 in mine and I've even done off-road on it. |
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matty
Committee Member
Joined: 05 Aug 2010
Posts: 455
Location: Godalming - sunny surrey innit :)
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:31 am Subject: |
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| Howard wrote: |
If you can't test ride it, you are taking a substantial risk.
Note: 105 is 10 speed, Tiagra 9 speed. And oohhh it's a triple, so if you try to race it you will get mocked.
What I don't understand though is why you'd want to use that bike to commute on - it has no mounting points for anything, and the sacrifices they've made to get it so light will mean you'll be popping spokes in nine months of London riding. I don't think pure road bikes are good solutions for what you want to do.
If I wanted one bike to do London commuting and chilled out long distance - I'd try and build up a Roadrat or Cross Check. You could probably do one for £600 odd if you buy the frame new then fit second hand tiagra bits and some mavic rims bought from lfgss or bikeradar forum.
The great thing about these bikes is that you can whack 35mm tyres on them and smash them around the forest, too.
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all +1
I've commuted full lightweight race spec bikes and hybirds over the years and by far the nicest ride for me has been a very simple piece of steel, my Surly.. i just wish I'd stumped up and bought a Cross Check not a steam roller, the gear set would be a big bonus living at the top of a really big hill.
I'd think carefully about frame material, alu bikes feel quick and stiff but translate alot of road lumps and bumps straight to you.. this can be quite harsh..(this is why alot give you carbon forks and rear stays)
and the full on geometry of a race bike can be testing to ride everyday... especially if you need to carry a rucsac etc...
there's no way i'd carry my teaching skates to the park on my roadbike..
lastly Id go for a compact, a double would be great if you were defiantely training and working hard on your cycling form, but i reckon better to have lower ratios and an easier time of it when you first buy the bike... my road bike is a full on double and its taken me a while to get to grips with it, but it is great fun downhill |
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dan_b
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Posts: 2428
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:20 pm Subject: |
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I built my nice bike with a compact, and then put a corncob[*] block on the back which I reckon about cancels out the effect ... with 50/34 on the front and 12-23 on the back, overall range is about 38" to 110"
I wouldn't necessarily recommend this approach, it was not a conscious decision really, just what I ended up with. It's probably lighter than a proper double but it'll wear out faster as well.
[*] well, not quite, but close |
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