LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

Christophe · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 1621

Got a few questions for the cycling peeps on here:

1. Might be getting a new bike, I know I want something light. Everywhere I read or look, bikes as advertised as "ultralightweight" etc. without really giving proper weight specs.
What is considered light for a bike in kg: under 11kg? under 10kg? under 9kg?

2. Road-racer or hybrid flat-bar? Pro and Cons?

3. Where's a good bike shop around London? (that's not Evan Cycles or the Bike Surgery - not that I have anything against either chain)

Tnx

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4070

What kind of riding do you plan to do?

Otherwise, go ride and try lots of bikes at bike shops. It's like skates, you've gotta find one that's comfy. Oh, and don't try to save too much money, btw.

fzurro · Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 796 Location: Middlesex

Mike is right there. Just try stuff and see what fits you.

I cycle to work every day (10 miles each day) so what I've got is fine (hybrid thing and a few bags at the back so I can carry my work clothes there).

Was thinking in getting a better/lighter bike but then I though (Hey, if it's heavy, I do more exercise Very Happy

)

dan_b · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 2417

My bike's about 11kg as measured just now on my bathroom scales (although I didn't remove the lock, lights and pump before weighing it),and it's a 15 year old steel-framed road bike. I would consider it to be on the heavy side for a road bike, at least by today's standards.

Bike shops: depends very much on the kind of bike you want, and whether you "hit it off" with whoever's serving you. Condor, for example (on Gray's Inn Road) is pretty much "roadie paradise" -best place to get carbon fibre water bottle holders and all that weight weenie kit, but I've heard some people say "they were really helpful" and others say "they didn't seem interested at all". I suspect that half the answer, whatever shop you go to, is not to do it on a Saturday afternoon.

Tom · Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 482 Location: Holland Park

Christophe · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 1621

Thanks, I might visit the Condor shop this Sat if I'm in the area actually.

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4070

I do like the Condor Pista, though the audax-style fixed they also do might be more practical!

Monty Dog · Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 52

These days, ultra-light is in the region of 15lbs - but you're talking carbon everything and a price to match - around £4-5k for the full pro-team replica. Quality bikes start from about £500 upwards - you can now get a complete carbon framed bike for £1000 and beyond about £1500 it's a law of dimishing returns. It really depends on what type of riding you're looking to do. For daily commuting, you want something robust and reliable such as a hydrid / flat-barred roadbike, whereas if you're going to be doing rides longer that 2-3 hours, then a 'sportive' style roadbike is probably better. As an owner of three fixed gear bikes, they are very robust and reliable - but as a novice, you'd be better off with a single-speed 'freewheel' rather than going straight to fixed. Fixed gear requires a degree of suppleness and strength in your legs and unless you want to do your knees in, start with gears/freewheel for at least a year. The best bikeshop in central London is Condor. Unless you're an experienced rider, getting a proper 'bike-fit' done will help considerable in terms of getting the right size and set-up. In the next month or so, shops start discounting 2007 models to make way for 2008 models, so may be worth looking around for good deals. Online, Wiggle also have some good deals on Focus bikes.

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4070

Here's that ITV London Programme:

http://www.itvlocal.com/london/documentaries/?player=LON_Documentaries_26&void=82777

Christophe · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 1621

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4070

That whole fixed causes knee problems is a bit of an urban myth, by the way. Knee problems are mostly related to bike fit, and the level of exercise you're doing. Change either and you may get knee troubles.

Getting a new fixed changes both, since for the same rides you'll be working very slightly harder (or rather in a different way to geared bikes, but that equals harder when you're not used to it). Most of the experienced riders say that fixed is generally slightly better for your knees than geared. Anecdotal of course.

dan_b · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 2417

Although the thing about fixed is, now that everyone's doing it it's not fashionable any more. Which is annoying, I should have got one last year.

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4070

LOL, now that would have made you Mr Cool. Razz

dan_b · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 2417

Let's face it though, if the requirements are for reduced mechanical complexity, lighter, better training, slightly impractical, and a feeling of being "in contact" with the road, even a fixie has nothing on a good pair of skates. Never mind the lack of mechanical gears, skates don't even have a place to sit. I predict the next big thing.

Who else is following the TdF, by the way?

danceskater · Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 47

just finished watching the final timetrial.

I must say now that the riders are being escorted directly to doping control instead of to the team bus makes me think that this is why more are caught cheating this year.

I hope Cadel Evans goes for it tomorrow.