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B’twin Ultra 720 AF…

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  • March 19, 2017 at 10:32 am #26903
    road

    too much bike for a beginner cyclist?

    Started riding after 30+ years on a cheap MTB from a certain high street shop and have realised I actually prefer being on the road so started to look for a replacement.

    Keep getting drawn towards the B’twin bike’s as they seem to be excellent value for money.

    If I went for the cheaper 540 I’ll also be looking to changing to a Compact 50/34 vs the 52/36 it comes with and possibly the tyres. I can (just about) stretch to the 720 without needing to change much of anything. Just add mudguards (assuming it can take them?).

    Are there better options for a beginner cyclist? Or is it a fairly safe bet?

    Should add I’m massively unfit (though it’s getting better – slowly) and a little overweight (only a little)

    Thanks for any help/advice.

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  • March 31, 2017 at 2:40 pm #889351
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    ClubSmed

    JimD666 wrote:

    JimD666 wrote:
    Pulled the trigger on Merlin Axe7. Thanks to all who helped a confused mind find clarity :)

    Excellent, I wish you many grinning miles!

    March 31, 2017 at 1:39 pm #889349
    0
    Anonymous

    Pulled the trigger on Merlin
    Pulled the trigger on Merlin Axe7.

    Thanks to all who helped a confused mind find clarity 🙂

    March 29, 2017 at 2:22 pm #889347
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    Anonymous

    Now need to find something

    Now need to find something for the wife. Shes 2 inches to short for the Merlin ones 🙁

    March 29, 2017 at 2:00 pm #889345
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    ClubSmed
    JimD666 wrote:
    On further looking at the Merlin ones…They look very, very nice……

    Any one have any experiance of them? Looking at the Axe7 Pro 105 Disc Brake or the ROC105 both come with free peddals and shoes…..

    The ROC105 is showing out of stock for me but he Axe7 Pro 105 Disc looks fantastic and very nicely priced!

    I was going to second the Pinnacle suggestion but at the price and spec of the Axe7 it is hard to justify going for anything else

    March 29, 2017 at 1:25 pm #889343
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    rdmp2

    Been beaten to it, but if you

    Been beaten to it, but if you want one bike for all year, what about Pinnacle Dolomite from Evans? Compact chainset, 11-28 cassette. Mudguard mounts, clearance for 28c tyres + full guards. Hydro disc brakes, Tiagra/105 depending on budget. Lower spec than BTwin, but maybe more practical?

    March 29, 2017 at 1:04 pm #889341
    0
    Anonymous
    cyclesteffer wrote:
    Also worth looking at Merlins own brand, Wiggles Eastway and Verenti range, Chain Reactions Vitus bikes range, and Evans Pinnacles. also good value and sometimes some corking end of season bargains.

    Oh dear.

    More choice. Like I needed more choice. I’d not seen the Merlin ones before. They look rather nice with some good offers curently on…..

     

    EDIT: On further looking at the Merlin ones…They look very, very nice……

    Any one have any experiance of them? Looking at the Axe7 Pro 105 Disc Brake or the ROC105 both come with free peddals and shoes…..

     

    March 29, 2017 at 11:10 am #889339
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    Stef Marazzi

    Oh yes, and SRAM is really

    Oh yes, and SRAM is really good. I can swap between Shimano, SRAM and Campag no problems. They are all intuitive to use.

    March 29, 2017 at 11:09 am #889337
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    Stef Marazzi

    Also worth looking at Merlins

    Also worth looking at Merlins own brand, Wiggles Eastway and Verenti range, Chain Reactions Vitus bikes range, and Evans Pinnacles. also good value and sometimes some corking end of season bargains.

    March 29, 2017 at 10:18 am #889335
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    I am a human

    JimD666 wrote:

    JimD666 wrote:
    Dismissed SRAM more because I’m really, really unsure about the shifting method. Push it in one distance to shift one way, push in a bit further to go the other?! That sounds, well, odd frankly.

    I thought that about SRAM at first, but having used it I have absolutely no worries about it.  The shift paddle makes really obvious clicks that you can both feel and hear, so it’s very clear what the derailleur is doing.  The shift lever is really big, too.  It’s a great system – try it if you can.

    March 29, 2017 at 9:54 am #889333
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    Anonymous

    I’ve been playing around with

    I’ve been playing around with a gear calculator and I think you lot have manged to stop me from rejecting the 52/36 with 11/28 cassette….

    I’ll at least give it a go.

    Groupset: simply put I can’t afford the top range and I’d prefer something up from the bottom so Tiagra/105 is my starting point. Ultegra only came in to view becasue of the B’twin. Dismissed SRAM more because I’m really, really unsure about the shifting method. Push it in one distance to shift one way, push in a bit further to go the other?! That sounds, well, odd frankly.

    Mudguards are a really would like, but I’m prepared to risk the clip-on versions and hope I’m one that thinks they are great and not a pile of crap.. 

    I like comfort so would prefer to be able to shoehorn in at least a 28mm. I may be able to live with 25mm, until I ride one I have no real conception of the difference.

    Panniers not needed. If it can take them – great,  if it can’t – no issue.

    Everything comes down to a test ride. I can live with a lot if it makes me smile 🙂

    Problem being if I’m really looking at the B’twin’s it’s a 2 hour round trip to the nearest one. Will be off there in the near future anyway as we need to replace some of our walking gear.

    March 29, 2017 at 9:20 am #889331
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    fustuarium

    ClubSmed wrote:

    ClubSmed wrote:

    I think you need to make a list of things you need on your bike and things you would like, something like this:

    Good idea. Maybe use project management method of Moscow. Must-Should-Could-Wont.

    March 29, 2017 at 9:13 am #889329
    0
    ClubSmed

    I think you need to make a

    I think you need to make a list of things you need on your bike and things you would like, something like this:

    Compact Crank and/or 11-32 cassette – Need? (I still think you could cope with semi compact and 11-28 but it’s your call)

    Shimano Groupset Tiagra plus – Need? (you seem to have chosen at least Tiagra bikes and dismissed SRAM)

    Clearance for Mudguards – Need (going of what you’ve said it’s a must?)

    Clearance for at least 28mm tyres – Need? (Just assuming you want a more cussioned ride)

    Mounts for Mudguards – Like (as long as you have clearance there are other mouning options)

    Mounts for Panniers – Like? (I don’t think you  have specificaly mentioned this but I get the impression you would like this?)

     

     

    Once you have your check list of requirements it will be easier to compare bikes that meet your specific needs

    March 28, 2017 at 11:02 pm #889327
    0
    Anonymous

    ClubSmed wrote:

    [quote=ClubSmed]You could also look at ex display model bikes like this https://www.scotbycycles.co.uk/2328/products/2016-cannondale-synapse-alloy-disc-adventure-54cm-road-bike-fork-swap.aspx%5B/quote%5D

     

     

    Not sure how much coinfidence I’d have in that though…..

     

    The blurb descirbes is as “Reliable Shimano Tiagra 10 speed offers excellent shifting and performance at a very good price.”

     

    while the Tech Spec listing says it has SRAM Rival 22……..which the pictures seem to back up. Just read up on SRAM and not sure I like the way the shifters works…..

     

    Your point is very valid though and I have been looking at ex-displays and older models etc. Problem is in finding one of the right size at times. Found a couple of cracking deals only to find the bike was in Small or X-Large….

     

    I chose my last car fast than this!

    March 28, 2017 at 10:47 pm #889325
    0
    ClubSmed

    You could also look at ex
    You could also look at ex display model bikes like this
    https://www.scotbycycles.co.uk/2328/products/2016-cannondale-synapse-alloy-disc-adventure-54cm-road-bike-fork-swap.aspx

    March 28, 2017 at 5:21 pm #889323
    0
    Anonymous
    mikepridmorewood wrote:
    I went for a 540 as a winter bike, mainly as I was sick of bodged on guards fitted to summer bikes that constantly rubbed. The 720 AF has got the clearance for proper guards either.

    My suggestion would be 540 for a year, keep it as a winter bike and buy a really nice summer bike for next year 🙂

     

    Love the idea but….

     

    Only have room for a couple of bikes. One each for me and Her 🙂

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