[Other Sport] Cycling geeks

[Stat Brother]

It won't get 'too' steep this year.
There is nothing like the Angliru climb in the Vuelta.

BW and CF have been working closely on climb management, which certainly has been showing this season.

With so much Time Trailing this year, Brad is lucky Cadel is a similar climber and the ultimate stop starter Contador isn't there.

Cav will need a bigger bed when he gets home, because he'll sill have Bernie Eisel next to him.

 

[Brixtaan]

True, forgot that Eisel transferred with him and Thomas looks like he'll be able to fill Renshaws shoes but they'll be the only ones that Sky will be able to afford the World Champion. I liked Wiggins observation today that you know your in a strong team when you have the W Champion riding for you. I wouldn't want to pick the starting 8 for Sky. Wiggins is going to need everything if he has any hope of keeping up with Evans, Schlecks,Sastre, Voeckler and a whole host of Spanish mountain goats. I worry for him, he's just a converted track specialist.
You may say Stat Bro that there is less climbing this year but the sheer number of high stages means it's still a climbers tour. As they all are.

 

[Stat Brother]

I have spouted an awful lot of bollox tonight, and to think we are still 2 months away from the 'official' Tour thread.
That's going to be epic, this year.

I'm off for a lay down, night all.

 

[Woodchip]

Is Brad riding the Giro? I reckon he'd be better placed elsewhere on smaller races to keep the focus of him until the Tour starts. Keep his form, but keep him fresh.

Just my opinion though.

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

I have been enjoying the TV coverage - and reading the banter from the NSC cycling geeks on on here. Are any of you able to advise me about prospective road bikes?

I have an old Olmo / Campag bike that is on its last legs and a Saracen MTB. I really want to do more runs out on evenings/weekends and I am tempted by one of the new carbon framed jobbies that are available for around a grand (eg Mekk P2, Carerra Virage or Cube Agree GTC). I know that Carerra are not highly regarded by the purists for the Halfords connection although this one gets decent reviews for having a full 105 setup. The Mekk is a bit of an unknown but the Cube is rather tasty. My nearest specialist cycle shop mainly deals in titanium framed road stuff that seems even more exotic than carbon and the prices are eye watering. I also know that I could a very respectable aluminium frame/carbon fork job eg from Specialised for my budget but fancy the full carbon option, is this wise?

At least being in Norfolk I don't have to worry about too many steep ascents although (don't laugh) a 'king of the mountains' stage was in the lane outside my gaff on the 2010 Tour of Britain, we still have a painted 'Go Wiggo' visible on the road surface. I have read some comments / reviews suggest that carbon frames would be more forgiving on our dodgy tarmac.

I also wonder whether to go for a compact rather than triple set up.

Finally I envisage doing some training on a turbo in my garage - but have read that some carbon bikes should not be used on a turbo, surely they must be ok - what is the issue?

Any other constructive thoughts would be welcome. I have canvassed opinion through the local club but there is only limited experience of carbon stuff.

 

[Stat Brother]

My instant reaction is Carbon, 105 for around a grand, what's wrong with that, square wheels?

Carbon doesn't make any difference to how 'we' ride.
Yes it's a little lighter (we are all too heavy) it has a bit more flex (we won't be pushing to a level where that's an issue).

I ride both full carbon and alu/carbon, not at the same time, I get more enjoyment from my winter bike as it feels faster and more responsive.

Unfortunately for you a grand is just about the sweet spot for bikes, you have far to much choice, from every maker.

The only way to find yours is to try them.
You will surprise yourself as to how quickly you can suss out the different bike shapes, what works and what doesn't.

I take it your local is Fatbirds?
Try the black Cinelli, but don't buy the first bike, until you've tried other brands.

Best Road Bikes Under £1,000 - BikeRadar

 

[Stat Brother]

I should have said, that's just my thoughts [MENTION=12656]Pantani[/MENTION] is the opinion you should be listening to, as he knows his way round retail sales.

 

[Pantani]

I have been enjoying the TV coverage - and reading the banter from the NSC cycling geeks on on here. Are any of you able to advise me about prospective road bikes?

I have an old Olmo / Campag bike that is on its last legs and a Saracen MTB. I really want to do more runs out on evenings/weekends and I am tempted by one of the new carbon framed jobbies that are available for around a grand (eg Mekk P2, Carerra Virage or Cube Agree GTC). I know that Carerra are not highly regarded by the purists for the Halfords connection although this one gets decent reviews for having a full 105 setup. The Mekk is a bit of an unknown but the Cube is rather tasty. My nearest specialist cycle shop mainly deals in titanium framed road stuff that seems even more exotic than carbon and the prices are eye watering. I also know that I could a very respectable aluminium frame/carbon fork job eg from Specialised for my budget but fancy the full carbon option, is this wise?

At least being in Norfolk I don't have to worry about too many steep ascents although (don't laugh) a 'king of the mountains' stage was in the lane outside my gaff on the 2010 Tour of Britain, we still have a painted 'Go Wiggo' visible on the road surface. I have read some comments / reviews suggest that carbon frames would be more forgiving on our dodgy tarmac.

I also wonder whether to go for a compact rather than triple set up.

Finally I envisage doing some training on a turbo in my garage - but have read that some carbon bikes should not be used on a turbo, surely they must be ok - what is the issue?

Any other constructive thoughts would be welcome. I have canvassed opinion through the local club but there is only limited experience of carbon stuff.

My instant reaction is Carbon, 105 for around a grand, what's wrong with that, square wheels?

Carbon doesn't make any difference to how 'we' ride.
Yes it's a little lighter (we are all too heavy) it has a bit more flex (we won't be pushing to a level where that's an issue).

I ride both full carbon and alu/carbon, not at the same time, I get more enjoyment from my winter bike as it feels faster and more responsive.

Unfortunately for you a grand is just about the sweet spot for bikes, you have far to much choice, from every maker.

The only way to find yours is to try them.
You will surprise yourself as to how quickly you can suss out the different bike shapes, what works and what doesn't.

I take it your local is Fatbirds?
Try the black Cinelli, but don't buy the first bike, until you've tried other brands.

Best Road Bikes Under £1,000 - BikeRadar

Good advice from SB, try every bike you can, make notes, try them again, take as long as you can manage to make this decision. I would advise avoiding carbon frames at this price point, as the wheels will not be square, but it would seem they are often where the savings are made. Heavy wheels will effect the ride of the bike more than less weight on the frame.

The alu-carbon bikes at this point will be the more complete bikes out of the shop, carbon ones more a frame with room to invest later (although the frames will not be that good).

I would go with a compact chainset as you live in East Anglia and there are no hills, plus triples look terrible (cycling snob).

On the carbon frames and turbos I have never heard of any problems, however, many manufacturers will void your warranty if you use carbon framed bikes on turbos.

 

[Woodchip]

Leave triples alone! I think mine will come in very handy in the mountains of NZ.

I'd also recommend avoiding carbon frames in the £1000 region. If my aluminium frame cracked then I doubt a carbon one would last very well, our if it did the shortcuts in other areas must be astronomical.

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

Thanks to you all for the very helpful advice. You're right there is a mind boggling choice and just getting down to a short list is fun. My second home after NSC is bike radar plus wading through a huge pile of mags/reviews. One advantage to the early kick off at Barnsley was that I could take in a couple of decent specialists on the way home from the grim north. I feel like I am doing the hard miles with the research but will be worth it.

I will certainly think a bit more carefully about the full carbon option. It seems daft to save weight on the frame only to have 'heavy' wheels so finding the right combination is key, on the other hand the thought of a more forgiving frame on the sort of tarmac we have around here is very appealing. It seems that as I suspected a compact is the way to go too, especially as I won't be cycling in NZ!

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

Just sat down to try and pick my Giro team. Its a seriously tough one, don't want to shoot my bolt in the prologue with two dead flat stages to come, plus a team time trial! That's before the endless 'medium mountains' stages they have in the giro that are like a lottery.

 

[Stat Brother]

Just in case we haven't put you off a 'cheap' carbon frame, he's another thing.

It's probably playground rumours and Chinese whispers, but there is a school of thought that carbon frames can't be trusted and are too brittle in the cold.
Personally I'm not sold on the idea but if there is any truth I can guarantee it's more likely to effect the bottom of the market, instead of the top.

Oh and compact or double, no point having a triple unless you are a big gay goose.

As I said, assuming your local is Fatbirds, I'd definitely try:-

Cinelli Experience Black Veloce Road Bike - www.fatbirds.co.uk


You'll be able to get better bike/frame/fork combos, but it's a good place to start.

 

[Woodchip]

I like being a big gay goose.

One of my local climbs will be 4 mile long and 12% at its maximum. I'm going to need my gay goose ring.

 

[Stat Brother]

Tonight's Gadget Show on Chl 5 has a top of the range road bike test.

I image it will be a complete twatfest as usual, by hey, it'll give us something to pick over.

 

[Woodchip]

Tonight's Gadget Show on Chl 5 has a top of the range road bike test.

I image it will be a complete twatfest as usual, by hey, it'll give us something to pick over.

"This bike comes with all the latest features, like a Shimano Sora groupset."

 

[Stat Brother]

Tonight's Gadget Show on Chl 5 has a top of the range road bike test.

I image it will be a complete twatfest as usual, but hey, it'll give us something to pick over.

Now time to start Giro prep.

 

[Woodchip]

Anyone else notice the reason her bike didn't corner very well was because the front wheel was in back to front. Being disc brake this meant the disc was on a different side to the caliper.

 

[Stat Brother]

By jove I think you're right.
Good old Gadget Show.

I was too busy reeling from blokes cornering technique, fookin plum.

 

[Woodchip]

By jove I think you're right.
Good old Gadget Show.

I was too busy reeling from blokes cornering technique, fookin plum.

Cumbersome doesn't quite cut it. I've seen a sack of spuds with a better riding position.

He probably wants to watch this video...

 

[Woodchip]

Actually, some of those Livestrong videos are pretty good.