Re: New to cycling
 

Rode it in a charity ride today.

Lots of looks/laughs/comments 'I bet you'll struggle up hills rah rah' I remember one guy telling me I'll struggle and this and that... Passed him after a big climb and didn't see him again!!! He had a sweet bike though! All in all though most of the comments were pretty encouraging.

Probably didn't help that I wore a tshirt and cutoff jeans making me look like a hipster as opposed to a 'serious' cyclist.

One guy asked me what gearing, I said 52/17 and his jaw dropped lol 'i run 46/18 on my single speed!!!'

I dropped the chain bombing a massive hill (chain tension was too loose and as I hopped the rear wheel to slow the chain popped off the rear sprocket) with a big *** peloton behind me. Footjam'd my way into a side street, fixed it and kept going. Wished I had of seen their faces as it happened ha.

53km in 1hr 35m. By my calcs that's 33km/h avg speed with one gear, no coasting, and no brakes lol

Re: New to cycling
 

Very very impressive Henry. congrats on a good time and top effort. I did my first 52km ride yesterday at a much slower pace. lol.

Re: New to cycling
 

Mate that is awesome :notworthy
well done, good to see the old clacker got some respect points

Re: New to cycling
 

Well Done HLC...

I know plenty of "serious cyclists" that would struggle holding a 33 average over a 60k ride!!!!

Re: New to cycling
 

Solo I'd struggle! But tacking onto the back of a bunch of roadies was great! Found it easier to keep my spin going!!!! Wish I had a smaller rear sprocket for the last 10 or so Kays. But I got a sweet tow for the last 5ish til the guy in front realized and put the power down in the last 2 Kays and I couldn't keep up ha!!!

Re: New to cycling
 

Youre a nutter Henri!!!

Re: New to cycling
 

Hahahaha I think I might do Perth - Mandurah this weekend. 90kms one way from my front door. At a more relaxed pace though! Especially solo, I'll be grinding along into some South Westerly's :( :doh

Bike feels good but, and I feel good so why not!!!

Re: New to cycling
 

Yeah go hard son.

I went down to Sandown on the weekend, as I was walking through the airport carpark round 530-6 I saw your dads car being valet parked :)

Re: New to cycling
 

Hey guys,

Would this bike be a good bike to get for a person like myself? I really would like to get into a road bike next. It's not a bad price, has some carbon components but essentially aluminium. Also has 105 components. Ordinary wheelset based on reviews. Also may need upgrade on brake pads. Thoughts?

http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bicyc...l/sa/102010184

Re: New to cycling
 

Not bad mate... I would look at getting in contact with them and asking whether they would let you take it for a test ride... Some LBS' are reluctant to do this but I believe sometimes that is the only way to be sure that you are happy with the bike, especially seeing as this is your first road bike.

Re: New to cycling
 

The thing is, how will I know what to look for? All I know based on my current bike is that my current bike feels a bit heavy (over 13kg with all the extra bits and pieces), the gearing is set for commuting (20-30kph max on flat) and I can feel the road a lot on it. The 7005 Alum abutted frame seems to highlight the worst things bumps in the road. Im not sure of its the frame to be exact. It could be me.

The Felt looks the goods on paper. I have read some reviews they say an upgrade in wheel set is needed. The seat post is completely carbon, just carbon lined or something to that description. Other than 105 componentry, carbon front fork and a max weight of just over 9kg, is this a good entry level bike that I could upgrade componentry over time?

Re: New to cycling
 

The componentry should suit you fine.. No problemo..... There is nothing in particular that you should be looking for other than your own personal comfort at this point in time especially if you plan on clocking up the k's .... Felt also has a lifetime warranty on their frame to the original purchaser (another good reason for going new), much like Trek, Specialised, Ridley etc.
You will also find that 105's will last a very long time if properly maintained (as per anything else)
And yes later down the track you can look at upgrading to ultegra and some nicer more 'rolling' wheels or even go to a CF bike if that's your thing!


EDIT: Don't be afraid to look at Giant either; Yes everyone has one but they are a solid unit and offer a great bang for buck bike...

Re: New to cycling
 

If you guys had $1300 for an entry level bike, what would be the best one to get? i am coming from mountain bikes, however next april i am doing a triathlon so i need to get a road bike to start training now, cheers.

Re: New to cycling
 

Im not sure, but I would consider something like this.
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bicyc.../qld/100347946

Re: New to cycling
 

Wow cheers mate, that is heavily discounted, i am not worried about getting the brand new model, as long as it does the job. I know you can buy speed, but right now i don't have the money to purchase some.

Re: New to cycling
 

Bike exchange is an excellent site for bargains out there new or used. I was told to wait till after xmas before purchasing my next ride to wait for the discounted offers from 2011. If you aren't in a rush, you could wait til then. otherwise the bike in the link is an exceptional buy considering the componentry it has.

Re: New to cycling
 

I think 2012 models started in or around october, I know the giant 2012 range is released, the bargains are probably out there already

Re: New to cycling
 

Ratter is on the money 2012 already out... Most dealers will sharpen their pencils to clear 2011 stock

Re: New to cycling
 

cheers for the advice mate. ive been looking and because i need an XL frame i have some limited options. It's hard to know what to go for as i am used to enduro cross country events and have never done a road triathlon before. It's going to be a learning curve

So what is the best brands? my mountain bikes are all giants

Re: New to cycling
 

Giant have some great roadbikes and to suit any budget or requirement, but the only problem is, it seems every second road bike is a giant, including mine

Re: New to cycling
 

get a giant

GIANT TCR Composite 2

2011 models should be on sale about now.

carbon frame, 105 gearset.

Re: New to cycling
 

the drama with 105 etc is it is what you can afford now, and then 6 months later you think, if I had of spent a little more I could have had Ultegra :doh

Re: New to cycling
 

yeah but the 105 of today is what ultegra was 12 months ago. plus you get a carbon frame.

i admit thought ultegra is much smoother shifting. more seamless.

but really, unless your doing 500+ kays a week, ultegra is'nt warranted.

Re: New to cycling
 

either is 300 rwkw in our cars, but we still want it :)

Re: New to cycling
 

Yeah but then pay another 800 and get DA or an extra 1k and get record!!! :yelrotflm ... It's like a car!!

Re: New to cycling
 

everything is addictive isn't it?

I want Di2

Re: New to cycling
 

It sure is mate... For the price of a big kb kit for your boss you can buy a killer specialized Mclaren!!!!!

Re: New to cycling
 

So they are a quality bike? 2011 ones are going for $1500

Re: New to cycling
 

TCR's are more aggressive in their positioning, they are aimed at performance, the Defy range is a more relaxed geometry and can have the same groupsets

Re: New to cycling
 

Forget all this.. Classic steel FTW ha