I am only doing 30 miles as been getting out on the mountain bike too, so just balancing the 2, going to a 50 miler this week and a 25 miler off road. It's just a time thing. I mangaged about 85 miles all in last week, on and off road…. I carn't commute so has to be before or after work.

The Specialized Avatar seems a good option for the money in terms of it's comfort, the selle italia is twice the price but saves you 85g…. I guess I just need to be comfortable.

When you get to doing 2-300 miles a week it might be worth spending money, until then I'd just concentrate on riding what you've got as much as you can.

MTT – Member

WTF

You read it right.

I did? Never heard of a 50mm front wheel before.

Comfort first, then miles, then upgrades.

Once you know what works for you, then spend cash. In the meantime, get as much riding in as you can, as you'll have a much better idea of what you want to change/keep on the bike.

That said, don't for a minute think there's a rule about only spending money on your bioke if you actually ride it – this is STW after all..! 😉

I mangaged about 85 miles all in last week

I did 361, you need to get out more 😉

Gary M, how the tell do you find the time…. 8 till 8 is wiped out during the week, so I only have the rest to go at….

103 mile ride on Monday
40 mile commute on Tuesday
67 mile ride Wednesday
40 mile commute Thursday
111 mile ride Sunday

That was an exceptional week though as I usually do around the 200-250 mark.

"The Specialized Avatar seems a good option"

Trust me, it isn't. I have never used a less comfortable saddle. I've now swapped back to an old Flite on my road bike and am far comfier.

I have a Spesh Avatar (155 fat-ass width), it's OK and it usually my neck or hands that give me jip before my ass does on long rides (4 hours+), I do wear good quality shorts though. A few LBS will have demo saddles (usually Fizik or Selle Italia) so might be worth borrowing them (usually for a week each, the small rental charge is refundable against a purchase). If an LBS sells a lot of Specialized stuff they might have the saddle width checker think (basically a pad you sit on that shows where you sit bones are).

If I did commute I would rack up 80 miles a day, but probably die in the week….

Wheels – Have a look on ebay for some good wheels, you don't need to get superlight, but Mavic Kyserium Elites and upwards are good value for money and very strong, they roll nicely and although aren't as light as some other wheels you should have very little trouble with them. Also don't get sucked into getting the most recent model year. Have a look around and you get last years (brand new) if you look hard enough, and they'll probably have a big discount.

Saddles – Everbody is different and what might be good and comfortable for me might be horrible for you so choose wisely, saying that I'm on my 2nd Specialised Toupe and love it.

ransos – Member
"The Specialized Avatar seems a good option"

Trust me, it isn't. I have never used a less comfortable saddle. I've now swapped back to an old Flite on my road bike and am far comfier.

Don't trust him – you have to try for yourself. As much as some people will find one saddle awful, others will find it great. I probably would find whatever saddle ransos likes to be uncomfortable seeing as I find the specialized saddles great…

BTW, specialized saddles typically need to be adjusted 1cm further forward than other saddles for them to be comfortable. If you don't you tend to sit with your sit bones in the wrong place and unsuprisingly, that isn't good… – get someone to check where you're actually sitting on the saddle before deciding they're no good for you. I've saved a couple of friends from replacing their spesh saddles with this advice…

Don't trust him – you have to try for yourself. As much as some people will find one saddle awful, others will find it great. I probably would find whatever saddle ransos likes to be uncomfortable seeing as I find the specialized saddles great…

True enough. All I will say is that I was properly measured & set up, and have never found any other saddle I've tried to be as uncomfortable. Maybe other Specialized saddles are better.

Maybe, maybe not – it's perfectly possible that they're just no good for you.

evo cx's don't last that long and are a bit fragile if you're doing lots of miles I suffered with glass cuts.

They're cracking tyres though and I've got some I save for special occassions wher I need all the help I can get.

AS for wheels, I got some bonty race x-lites of the bay for £200 massive difference to how the bike felt

younggeoff my intention is to save them for long rides rather just everyday stuff. Might buy a set now.

I have some DT R1900s sitting in the spare room going for £150 or so, only in London for meet and hand over of cash though (with 10spd shimano cassette probably 12-25 although I've never looked).

I did? Never heard of a 50mm front wheel before.

Sorry, not clear;