Forum menu
After reading [url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/weight-loss-hintstips ]this[/url] thread, and in particular Mr Taylforth's post:
Its still far easier cycling from your door than loading mtb into the car, getting to the trails, getting mtb out of the car, riding, loading the car with muddy mtb, driving home, unloading the car, showering, washing mtb clothes etc. etc.
...I am thinking it might be time to get a road bike for mid week action, as unfortunately I am one of those who needs to pack everything up and drive 2hrs to get anywhere decent for mtb. On the plus point I am near some very nice flat to undulating country roads which would probably be quite fun on a road bike.
Soooo,
1) If I had £500 to spend on a road bike, would I be looking second hand automatically?
2) What sizing would someone 170cm with 78/79cm inside leg be looking at?
3) What other equipment will I need? Usually ride with flats so assume some new SPD shoes/lycra/helmet is needed....if not straight away?
4) Is there anything else I need to know?
1) Not necessarily http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/offers.php?cat=7 (unless you need to have great components)
2) Get shop to do fitting
3) Use flats (+ whatever else you've got) to begin to see if you like it/can be arsed.
3.1) Do you not already have a helmet?
4) Learn to love the climbs!
Yeah, I saw you on the other thread.
Special deals aside, I'd be looking for something from Giant.
🙂
£500 2nd hand would get you a nice alu frame, carbon forks and shimano 105 drivetrain. You may even get something like a planet x carbon for £500 2nd hand.
Not sure what size, I'd say low 50's like 52cm or something? Manufacturers websites will give you an idea. The top tube length is the key here rather than seat tube. Some frames are compact and others are traditional sizing I think.
Get some road shoes and road spds and some lycra shorts (you dont need any of this but its better if you have it) You probably already have a bike helmet.
Take note of gearing - you can get double, compact or triple. Triple isnt necessary at all, but if you live somewhere hilly it may be worth getting a compact rather than a double chainset.
This is all bollocks really though, my last road bike had flat pedals, 18 gears and downtube shifters and it was awesome.
3.1) Do you not already have a helmet?
Yup. Got a Giro Hex or Xen....I forget....which I will use initially. Didn't know if there was any benefit in using a road specific one at some point.
I wouldn't use flats on the road, most bikes will come with the old fashioned straps on the pedals, try it with these to begin with.
give it a go, I started road biking two years ago, haven't looked back since, love it to bits, do 150ish miles a week now
No, I got into road riding for similar reasons and got a bottom of the range Trek. That was 6 or 7 years ago, in that time its had a new set of wheels and thats about it (other than brake pads & tires).1) If I had £500 to spend on a road bike, would I be looking second hand automatically?
3) Its up to you what you want to wear, lyrca will make you feel faster though 🙂 I ride clipped in on my mtb, so bought road pedals/shoes for the road bike, it depends whether you feel happy with flats or if you want try being clipped in. If you will be riding with a club, get mudguards for the benefit of the rider behind you. A decent windproof top, overshoes, skull cap, gloves and warm lyrca tights are essential for this time of year. Handy to have lights for the bike too, given it gets dark so early just now. I always wear sunglasses to avoid getting flies in my eyes.
4) It is addictive. I now ride my mtb maybe 4 times a year as road ride/run the rest. *wonders where it all went wrong* 😀
Some good bikes around at £500. Specialized Allez, Trek 1000 or 1200, Giant do a couple of bikes around that price point.
Sizing - get a good, knowledgeable roadie shop to sort you out. You don't need a proper pro fitting but you do need to try out a range of bikes and see what feels comfy.
Road riding for any distance needs clipless pedals. by all means start off on flats but if you're buying the bike most shops should sort you out some sort of deal on some cheap road shoes and clipless pedals - even those will be better than flats.
[i]Is there anything else I need to know? [/i]
Yes, road riding is great! 🙂
1. Not nec. My winter road bike/commuter, which does 200+ miles a week cost me £500 new (Giant SCR - think the Defy is the replacement).
2. Somewhere around 52cm.
3. Clipless deffo easier on road. How about double sided SPDs and MTB shoes? Helmet - your call. Some do, some don't. A Peak may (but not nec) give you neck ache. Lycra - more comfy, but no obligation.
4. It's the best way to spend as many hours as you have available to you.
Bearing in mind it is relatively flat where I am, would it be worth looking at singlespeed to save some cash/get betterer other components?
Nah, £500 will get you a good geared bike, and if you get into it and start riding in hilly areas then you'll need the gears.
Ok, cheers.
*head off to google*
Check out the bike radar forum and ebay. Ive been looking for a 2nd hand bike for my brother recently and have some some dead good deals for £500, they were all just too small though.
Well if you see any bargains that look like they will fit me, give me a shout mate! 8)
You might want to lose the peak off your Giro, or at least tip it up out of the way.
I got terrible neck ache the first time I rode in mine, eventually bought a road specific one which is far more comfortable.
double post, ****ing hamsters etc.
I'll let you know
Never had a problem with my peaks, I guess I may have a more upright riding position.
my road bike was from decathlon, carbon forks and seat stays, campag mirage groupset, rigida wheels.... very comfy and nippy, £450 a couple of years ago... all it's had since are tyres and pads.
like suggested it's the best way to make the most of your biking time, but I always feel nervous when it turns wet/greasy on the roads and grab my MTB instead over winter.