Recommend a mid range road bicycle??

[Beeercan]

how is it going so far SSB?

We just got the first of the Condor's we are stocking this year they are fantastic a little pricy but gorgeous in so many ways:
Bike sections (eg brand/ type etc) - Cycle Heaven
we are doing them as framesets for custom build-ups, already planning my staff purchase next year!

 

[South Stand Bonfire]

Have only been out on it twice to be honest as I have been away on hols but wanted to get it whilst it was still in the sales. I need a spin in the morning and am starting marathon running training this month too. Winter is not a good time to start bike riding but I feel that after next years Brighton marathon, I will be into the bikes big time!

how is it going so far SSB?

We just got the first of the Condor's we are stocking this year they are fantastic a little pricy but gorgeous in so many ways:
Bike sections (eg brand/ type etc) - Cycle Heaven
we are doing them as framesets for custom build-ups, already planning my staff purchase next year!

 

[Stat Brother]

Obviously our winters aren't too bad, compared to Beercan!.
You'll be surprised how many days you can get out on.
Clocking up any miles now, will be a bonus when the summer returns.

Although be careful, obvious stuff mainly:-
Braking distances, on wet/damp roads.
Leaves are like ice.
Visibility.
Oil spillages.
White lines are also like ice.

Basically keep upright and don't expect to ride any PB's, just think of the miles banked.

 

[Stat Brother]

We're heading your way, today SSB.
We'll be going up over Coombes from Shoreham airport, before heading back to West West West Sussex.

 

[tubaman]

Obviously our winters aren't too bad, compared to Beercan!.
You'll be surprised how many days you can get out on.
Clocking up any miles now, will be a bonus when the summer returns.

Although be careful, obvious stuff mainly:-
Braking distances, on wet/damp roads.
Leaves are like ice.
Visibility.
Oil spillages.
White lines are also like ice.

Basically keep upright and don't expect to ride any PB's, just think of the miles banked.

You left off cars and vans. I class myslf as a sensible and reasonably careful cyclist - I don't run red lights. I wear high vizz clothing and use lights but so far I've been knocked off my bike four. Is that about usual for for everybody else or am I a white van magnet?

 

[Stat Brother]

Link not working, will try again later.

 

[TotallyFreaked]

You left off cars and vans. I class myslf as a sensible and reasonably careful cyclist - I don't run red lights. I wear high vizz clothing and use lights but so far I've been knocked off my bike four. Is that about usual for for everybody else or am I a white van magnet?

Think you sound a bit unlucky. I have cycled virtually everyday for the last ten years and so far have only been knocked off once by a car door opening. I am super careful though and will generally assume that a car has not seen me until i make eye contact with the driver especially with cars pulling out etc. Lots of very close shaves and look of shock on drivers faces when they realise how close they were to knocking me off. Got to the point where it's stopped even making me angry just a feeling of resignation when another car pulls into my path.

 

[Stat Brother]

2nd try at this.
Check out Jnr Stat's 7th birthday present:-

 

[Jesus Gul]

Had an impulse purchase from http://www.wbs.ae/

2012 Scott Aspect 10 hardtail in the black. It's lulley. One of the cheapest bikes on sale. Plenty of candy to help expats get rid of their tax free moolah. Lots of carbon Storck bikes costing about the same as a mid sized Hyundai.

But also love the look of Genesis bikes. Genesis Equilibrium 10 - Overview - Genesis Bikes Maybe a road bike next...

Looking forward to hacking round Yas Marina F1 track that they open up to cyclists and runners on Tuesdays.

 

[Spreadbetting Seagull]

I'm about to purchase my first road bike and would greatly appreciate some comments on the Cube 2011 Streamer.

I was planning to spend around £1,000 and this is on offer for £859. The quality of the kit sticks out - a mix of Ultegra and 105 but I'm not familiar with Cube as a manufacturer! It's not a carbon frame but as it's my first 'proper' bike I guess it doesn't matter so much.....

Cube 2011 Streamer | Buy Online | ChainReactionCycles.com

Thanks in advance!

 

[Pantani]

I'm about to purchase my first road bike and would greatly appreciate some comments on the Cube 2011 Streamer.

I was planning to spend around £1,000 and this is on offer for £859. The quality of the kit sticks out - a mix of Ultegra and 105 but I'm not familiar with Cube as a manufacturer! It's not a carbon frame but as it's my first 'proper' bike I guess it doesn't matter so much.....

Cube 2011 Streamer | Buy Online | ChainReactionCycles.com

Thanks in advance!

Nice bike. You are getting top quality components at the expense of the frame with this bike. Not that there is anything wrong with the frame it is still good, personally I'd be more tempted to go for something with an alu carbon mix at this price point. Actually scratch that, just checked a few websites and it seems prices have gone up considerably since I stopped working in a bike shop. It looks like a bargain but make sure you try riding it before you buy, do not rush your purchase and try as many bikes as possible.

 

[Spreadbetting Seagull]

Nice bike. You are getting top quality components at the expense of the frame with this bike. Not that there is anything wrong with the frame it is still good, personally I'd be more tempted to go for something with an alu carbon mix at this price point. Actually scratch that, just checked a few websites and it seems prices have gone up considerably since I stopped working in a bike shop. It looks like a bargain but make sure you try riding it before you buy, do not rush your purchase and try as many bikes as possible.

Cheers Pantani, much appreciated. I've found a bike shop near me which stocks Cube so will pop down there tomorrow.

 

[Stat Brother]

Cheers Pantani, much appreciated. I've found a bike shop near me which stocks Cube so will pop down there tomorrow.

Blazing Saddles?

As Pantini says don't rush it.
You'll be quite surprised how individual a bike can feel.
For my first main purchase I tried 4-5 different manufacturers and everything about what I chose was right.
I couldn't explain what was wrong with the others until I sat on a bike that really did tick all the boxes.

Cycling being the new golf has really had an impact, prices even on ebay are through the roof, compared to 5 years ago.

I'm getting some great rides in at the moment, it is January, isn't it?

 

[Spreadbetting Seagull]

Blazing Saddles?

As Pantini says don't rush it.
You'll be quite surprised how individual a bike can feel.
For my first main purchase I tried 4-5 different manufacturers and everything about what I chose was right.
I couldn't explain what was wrong with the others until I sat on a bike that really did tick all the boxes.

Cycling being the new golf has really had an impact, prices even on ebay are through the roof, compared to 5 years ago.

I'm getting some great rides in at the moment, it is January, isn't it?

Yep, haven't been there in years. Southdown Bikes (the Worthing store) stock Trek, so will also have a look in there. I've done the new Giant store and Rayment Cycles. I've also noticed that Wiggle do a 30 day trial on most new bikes, interesting.

A colleague of mine is bike mad, he's built up a bike based on a Ribble frame. The wheels alone cost what I'm shelling out in total!

What do you ride? Thanks for the advice by the way. I still can't get my head around how much choice there is out there!

 

[Stat Brother]

Yep, haven't been there in years. Southdown Bikes (the Worthing store) stock Trek, so will also have a look in there. I've done the new Giant store and Rayment Cycles. I've also noticed that Wiggle do a 30 day trial on most new bikes, interesting.

A colleague of mine is bike mad, he's built up a bike based on a Ribble frame. The wheels alone cost what I'm shelling out in total!

What do you ride? Thanks for the advice by the way. I still can't get my head around how much choice there is out there!

There is a load of choice out there, hence trying plenty of bikes.
You'll quickly get a feel for what's working for you and what doesn't.
The Southdowns store has moved to Goring (main parade by Caffins garage).
The Bike Store bike shop Worthing, bicycle repairs Lancing, Brighton cycle parts, bike service Hove, specialized bikes West Sussex, The Bike Store (opposite the Aquarena in Worthing) stock Specialised and others, plus they usually have something half decent in a sale.
Quest Adventure (Broadwater by the fire station) have this Bike shop, Cycle shop in Worthing, Brighton, West Sussex, mountain bikes, road bikes, repairs, servivcing,women's bikes, 29ers but it is way down on the gear spec of the Cube.

Just remember though as good and as honest as these fellas are (reputation is a big thing for a Local Bike Shop) they are businesses and will want to sell you anything they have in store today, don't be put off asking questions esp over size and geometry.

My winter 'hack' is in the photo on post 48 (the bigger one!).
I made that bike, over the summer, and it compliments my summer bike which is also a Bianchi but a singing and dancing carbon one.

 

[teaboy]

Actually at the moment it is back to all it's original components, as I am putting the 105 stuff on to a old Peugeot steel frame, mainly because I do not want to see yet another classic racing bike frame turn in to f***ing fixie. Those haircuts on bikes certainly do not get a nod from me as I pass, wankers. The only thing worse than a fixie rider is one of those idiots who do not have the balls to make the bike fixed wheel but instead cruise around with a single speed instead, these people are the lowest of all cyclists to me.

How is that for snobbery?

Whilst I generally agree (especially about conversions - rapists in my opinion), there's nowt wrong with proper trackies though! Not really sure why they'd be on the road mind...

 

[Pantani]

Whilst I generally agree (especially about conversions - rapists in my opinion), there's nowt wrong with proper trackies though! Not really sure why they'd be on the road mind...

Absolutely, a track bike with drop handle bars is a thing of beauty. Love em. A badly sprayed bright pink former steel frame road bike with yellow wheels and a handle bar narrower than the hair cut riding the bike is an abomination that would not be tolerated under my cycling dictatorship.

 

[teaboy]

Vive le Revolution!

 

[Stat Brother]

I'm about to purchase my first road bike and would greatly appreciate some comments on the Cube 2011 Streamer.

I was planning to spend around £1,000 and this is on offer for £859. The quality of the kit sticks out - a mix of Ultegra and 105 but I'm not familiar with Cube as a manufacturer! It's not a carbon frame but as it's my first 'proper' bike I guess it doesn't matter so much.....

Cube 2011 Streamer | Buy Online | ChainReactionCycles.com

Thanks in advance!

How did the shopping trip, go?

 

[Spreadbetting Seagull]

How did the shopping trip, go?

Sorry for the late reply Stat Brother, been abroad and offline. Have finally made a purchase. Seems I got the last 52cm as well:

Wiggle | Raleigh SP Carbon Comp 2011 Road Bikes


I got an additonal 10% off using a voucher code so ended up paying £945. Pretty pleased to be honest. Looking forward to getting out on the roads!