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[Closed] Nicest Road Bike Ever... Pt2 (IMHO etc)

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Yes, we have discussed this before - just you don't appear to have taken in the facts.

At 44mph, on a safe road, I'd always want to crank more - in a slightly tucked position, hands on the tops/elbows down/chin to the stem. 53/11 allows me to do this safely without the bike becoming unstable.

I get a "wider" range of gears because I have an extra cog, with 28 teeth. I used to just have a 25. Now I have all the same gears, including the 25, AND, a 28! So that is a [b]"WIDER"[/b] range of gears. Can you see that?

Sticking with 53/39 makes the rations more "USEABLE" to my riding style, cadence and the type of roads I tend to ride on. I've explained this earlier: if I use a compact, I spend too much time flipping between chainrings.

Does this make sense to you now?


 
Posted : 28/01/2013 5:21 pm
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Nice bike.

Looks a bit like a Boardman Team Carbon, which is also nice. I like those too. 😀


 
Posted : 28/01/2013 5:25 pm
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At 44mph, on a safe road, I'd always want to crank more - in a slightly tucked position, hands on the tops/elbows down/chin to the stem. 53/11 allows me to do this safely without the bike becoming unstable.

Maybe - you'd still go quicker if you stopped pedalling and tucked (unless you're a pro in a sprint).

I get a "wider" range of gears because I have an extra cog, with 28 teeth. I used to just have a 25. Now I have all the same gears, including the 25, AND, a 28! So that is a "WIDER" range of gears. Can you see that?

Yes, but what's that got to do with your "need" for 53/11 top gear?


 
Posted : 28/01/2013 5:25 pm
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Wow, that looks ace! Nice build too. If i were being 100% picky, i find the super slim seat stays a little too slim for the ultimate asthetics however 😉


 
Posted : 28/01/2013 5:32 pm
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Yes, but what's that got to do with your "need" for 53/11 top gear?

I use it all the time, so I'd miss it if it wasn't there. Getting rid of my top end gears would benefit me in no way whatsoever. the 11-speed groupset allowed me to keep EXACTLY the same gears that I'm used to, PLUS have one lower gear that is EXACTLY the same gear length as I would have if I put a compact on my current bike.

The only time I ever wished I had a compact was on 25% hills which forced me to stand and mash rather than sit and spin efficiently. This set-up will address that problem without me having to sacrifice the gears I'm used to and use regularly. Capiche?


 
Posted : 28/01/2013 5:37 pm
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Do you not find the jump between 15 and 17 really irritating? That's in the gear range I use all the time, and I'd really miss the 16 - though granted I'm not strong enough to get any benefit out of a 53/11, so maybe you rarely use sprockets that big.


 
Posted : 28/01/2013 5:42 pm
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Do you not find the jump between 15 and 17 really irritating?

I've never noticed it as being a bigger jump than other gears. Oh christ, now you've pointed it out I'm gonna be looking for it!!


 
Posted : 28/01/2013 5:45 pm
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*visions of aracer gleefully rubbing his hands and saying 'Reeeesssullttt'*


 
Posted : 28/01/2013 5:47 pm
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* Visions of Shibby thinking he'd found a good way of making aracer pipe down 😉


 
Posted : 28/01/2013 5:54 pm
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you guys 😉


 
Posted : 28/01/2013 5:54 pm
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You don't get rid of me that easily 😈


 
Posted : 28/01/2013 6:03 pm
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Just off out for 90 mins endurance miles on the winter bike... I'll see if I can spot that MASSIVE jump... 😉


 
Posted : 28/01/2013 6:06 pm
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Make sure you also let us know how much you use that MASSIVE gear.


 
Posted : 28/01/2013 6:10 pm
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53/11 is daft IMO, how often are you using it? Each to their own and all. I too hate not having a 16T - anyone who doesn't can't spend much time grinding out training miles I'd guess.

Then again, when you are pedalling in top gear, who says it's always faster to tuck? Some evidence aracer, I missed the thread in question (sadly). Depends on gradient Shirley?


 
Posted : 28/01/2013 6:16 pm
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[i]53/11 is daft IMO, how often are you using it?[/i]

[i]I use it all the time, so I'd miss it if it wasn't there[/i]

The question was answered before you even asked it.

Nice bike 8)


 
Posted : 28/01/2013 6:21 pm
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Ah, I see. 1st cat or cadence of <70?


 
Posted : 28/01/2013 6:25 pm
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I use it all the time, so I'd miss it if it wasn't there

Ah - I missed that too. Explains why he doesn't miss the 16, though in that case I'm confused by the need for the 28, or even an 11s cassette.


 
Posted : 28/01/2013 6:26 pm
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Make sure you also let us know how much you use that MASSIVE gear.

Only used it once last night but the ride didn't incorporate any big hills. According to my Cateye, I hit 44mph descending Brockholes Brow out of Preston - it's one of those descents where it's safer to go full gas and keep up with the traffic in rush hour.

I probably used it on 4 or 5 descents on Sunday's ride - a lumpy 50mile loop round the Pennines.


 
Posted : 29/01/2013 10:00 am
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It is a nice bike, who really cares what gears you use except you?

The only change I would do is put some carbon 35mm tubs on it.

Then ride until it broke into bits.

😆


 
Posted : 29/01/2013 10:35 am
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Thanks Bikebouy, maybe next year for the deep sections! The C24s do a great job for now at a good price. Nice and light too...

I'll be keeping my current race bike for Crit racing - I'd rather not get tangled up in one of the frequent crashes on a £5k bike! So I think the C24s should be fine for the type of riding I'll be doing.


 
Posted : 29/01/2013 10:40 am
 Solo
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[i]It is a nice bike, who really cares what gears you use[/i]

Yeah.

Don't listen Shibby. Just get out there and enjoy that new bike.
🙂

EDIT:
Have you fitted those red cable ends yet.


 
Posted : 29/01/2013 10:55 am
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No Solo! I think I'm gonna stick with the black ones for a classier look. Red might just have looked a bit like I was trying too hard... 😀


 
Posted : 29/01/2013 11:05 am
 Solo
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[i]I think I'm gonna stick with the black ones[/i]

I knew it, I have no taste.
🙁

Anyway, joking aside. Nice ride, enjoy !.
😀


 
Posted : 29/01/2013 11:07 am
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Only used it once last night but the ride didn't incorporate any big hills. According to my Cateye, I hit 44mph

I'm confused. According to the calcs I did up there, at the sort of cadences you'd be turning you should still have been in the 12 at that speed.

BTW did you remember to check how much faster you went when you stopped pedalling and tucked?


 
Posted : 29/01/2013 11:16 am
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Here's a [url= http://www.machars.net/bikecalc.htm ]useful link[/url] to stop you having to make your inaccurate back-of-a-fag-packet calculations.

On 53/11 at 44mph, I was turning 115rpm. If I'd had a 12 (which would be a completely pointless change to my setup), I would have been spinning at over 130!

And it's not a hill that would benefit from tucking - it's not particularly steep and takes a maximal effort on a big gear to keep up with the traffic. Only the traffic draft and a tailwind makes it possible to get that sort of speed...


 
Posted : 29/01/2013 11:25 am
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Red


 
Posted : 29/01/2013 12:05 pm
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michaelmcc - Member

Red

Oh no, I've ordered black and now the vote has swung! 😕


 
Posted : 29/01/2013 2:40 pm
 Andy
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Hmmmm that is nice

Cable ends? I'd use solder as far neater so neither colour 🙂


 
Posted : 30/01/2013 12:18 am
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Hmmmm Chinese carbon from some Canadians who try to sound European! I like their business model.


 
Posted : 30/01/2013 7:50 am
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walleater - Member
Hmmmm Chinese carbon from some Canadians who try to sound European! I like their business model.

POSTED 10 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST

I tip my hat to you Sir! I just laughed out loud on a ferry!

Lush bike OP!


 
Posted : 30/01/2013 8:02 am
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I use a 53/11 for sprinting in crits and closed circuits. Its a proper man gear, dont like it take your compact and mince along.

Nice bike OP enjoy mallorca, ill be there myself in 50 days 🙂


 
Posted : 30/01/2013 9:12 am
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good choice on wheels btw (especially for that bike) very nice


 
Posted : 30/01/2013 9:34 am
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115 vs 130 is a big difference?


 
Posted : 30/01/2013 9:45 am
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115 vs 130 is a big difference?

Not massive, but it's a difference. And there would be absolutely no point in making the change to a 12-tooth sprocket... Or am I missing something??

Thanks Walleater, I like their business model too, they make beautiful bikes 😀

Carbon337, here are you heading? I'm off to Pollensa in April... Might get another few days in prior to that if work permits...


 
Posted : 30/01/2013 10:19 am
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Pollensa April 13-20th. Duva Hotel.

Was wanting to head out sooner before racing starts on 17th March but for one reason or another we couldnt get sorted. There are 2 of us going and another 2 who are apart of another biger bike club but whom we know.

Probably riding as a 4 or members of the bigger group on recovey days. If your around let me know, mail in profile.


 
Posted : 30/01/2013 2:54 pm
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very nice Cervelo... always been mildly tempted by them, especially when they sliced 50% off the price of your frameset recently.

i'm gutted i missed out on a baum corretto build recently which was up for around £4k... was a relative bargain.

i did however recently buy this toy which retailed (with the build spec) at around £5,700.... i paid just under half this direct from the importer.

[IMG] [/IMG]
(2012 Cinelli Pro Best Of' full custom build)

i sold that on (far too good for me!), and bought this, which i rebuilt with all new parts and then sold on for a profit

[IMG] [/IMG]
(FM-001 full custom build with 50mm carbon tubs)

and now i'm knocking about on this, which to be honest i far prefer (in terms of look, feel and budget!)

[IMG] [/IMG]
(Giant TCR Advanced with 38mm carbon clinchers)

road biking rocks... i'm saving my pennies for a Spooky Skeletor next!


 
Posted : 30/01/2013 3:44 pm
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My Crit bike is a TCR, lovely little bike. Got mostly Ultegra group and Ultegra wheels on that, great, solid little bike that I'll be keeping for circuit racing.

Carbon337, I'm going on the 13th too, I'll drop you a message when plans are finalised...


 
Posted : 30/01/2013 4:01 pm
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Nice Giant. I wanted an Advanced SL but cost put me off so ended up with this...

[img][url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8013/7446869410_595782d42a_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8013/7446869410_595782d42a_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url] [url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/risky337/7446869410/ ]IMG_3063[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/risky337/ ]H2O Foto[/url], on Flickr[/img]

Got brand new frame and fork for £600, Wheelsmith 50mm clinchers £400 off Bike Radar, slowly upgraded to Ultegra gset, new Fizik R3 saddle, Zipp stem and PX brakes since then. DA shifters next then done. About £1400 cost so far.

Shibboleth, yeah mate just mail me and ill let you know the craic with our trip.

EDIT Should really spend more on the wall instead though eh


 
Posted : 30/01/2013 4:34 pm
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EDIT Should really spend more on the wall instead though eh

I like what you've done with the terracotta panier, is that attached to the seat post pinch bolt? 😉

I was looking at one of those in Wheelbase, they also had some Focuses (Foci?) with full DA9000 for bargain money...

What do you think of those wheels? I'd be tempted to get a pair based on prices...


 
Posted : 30/01/2013 4:52 pm
 tlr
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I'll be in Majorca that week too; keep an eye out for me and my mamil machine.

I suspect that there might be a few of these out on the roads this year if the weather ever improves.

[IMG] [/IMG]


 
Posted : 30/01/2013 4:52 pm
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Wheels are ace. Derek is dead canny and will help you out with any issues. I had a problem with rear hub but didnt buy them through him.

They were over a year old but for 100 he replaced hub, all newnipples. retuned and returned it posted. Cant argue with that and it now has the lighter novatec hub.

Also they look ace which helps.

TLR - will keep my eyes peeled. Its gona be some kind of darkside STW love in. We can sit back, enjoy a coffee and think of all those singlespeeders in the mud back home. #roadisthefuture


 
Posted : 30/01/2013 5:03 pm
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Ooh, looks nice with HEDs!!!

I just need to get a new bikebox - I'm not putting the R5 in anything less than a Bikebox Alan!


 
Posted : 30/01/2013 5:08 pm
 Solo
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Right !. Bike boxes. Its a good point.

I'd really like some recommendations. It has to be rigid, things can be damaged in a bag. The boxes I was looking at about a month ago, don't appear to be large enough for a road bike, without serious partial dismantlement (is that a word ?).

So, are there any bike box recommendations ?.
🙂


 
Posted : 30/01/2013 5:22 pm
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There's [url= http://bikeboxalan.co.uk/ ]only one option[/url] really...

Not cheap, but I'm not going to risk a £6k bike in a floppy bike bag!

Plus, I intend to travel at least once a year so I'm sure I'll get my money's worth...


 
Posted : 30/01/2013 5:25 pm
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How do you find the Rotor cranks and Q rings tlr?

Very tempting


 
Posted : 30/01/2013 5:35 pm
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