I'm thinking about investing in a road bike, probably on C2W, but I don't really like the look of many. I like the Roadrat, but I just love Cotics.
The thought of buying a nice frame and learning how they are built appeals to me. Another issue is not liking the whole lycra malarkey. I would like a bike that I can enter events with my mate, and every now and again go for a big explore.
What exactly do I want? because I don't bloody know.
At the one end you've got out and out race bikes and 'sportive' bikes (which are basicly the same thing, just with geometry built for more comfort and/or a larger gut).
At the other end you've got gravel/adventure bikes in their various forms from CX bikes without mud clearance right through to almost-MTB bikes with drop bars.
I would like a bike that I can enter events with my mate
What kind of events?
Another issue is not liking the whole lycra malarkey.
I don't like saddle sores and flappy baggy clothes are just really irritating after a while on the road (there's not so much to focus on so little things that bother you can become a really big deal, see also bar tape and saddle choice).
and every now and again go for a big explore.
What kind of exploring?
For £1k on cycle to work though you can't really go wrong with the Boardman CX, with slick tyres it'd easily keep up with a racing bike, and with knoblies you can go off-road or try CX racing.
One thing I'd say though, knobblies are horrible on the road compared to slicks. It's rideable, but constantly feels like it's about to give way in the corners. So it is worth buying a spare set of wheels or at least tyres if you want a bike that will do everything.
We've done the Manchester 100, done the Manchester to Blackpool a few times. We're planning on coast to coast and maybe looking at a few others too.
On a day like today (if I wasn't injured) after a night of heavy storms I know the Peak district will be like a bog. So I'm thinking rather than just binning it off if I had a road bike I could still go into the peaks, maybe the lakes or wales or wherever and still get out.
I like the Roadrat, but I just love Cotics.
just because it says ‘cotic’ on the down tube doesn't necarsarily make it a good road bike.
in the long list of attributes you look for when buying a road bike(any bike)a brand you are familiar with and trust isn’t an arbiter of making a good choice.
i would put down the Kool Aid.
just because it says ‘cotic’ on the down tube doesn't necarsarily make it a good road bike.
in the long list of attributes you look for when buying a road bike(any bike)a brand you are familiar with and trust isn’t an arbiter of making a good choice.
Conversely, unlike MTB's it's pretty difficult to f*** up making a road bike, they all do something well, even if that something is being unbelievably stiff and uncomfortable that just makes a good Crit racer, and vice versa the cotic would probably be a rubbish one.
If you get a bike you like and want to ride then you're more likely to go out and ride it, than buying a bike that doesn't inspire you and not wanting to ride it however technically perfect it is. This is pretty much why steel road bikes still exsit.