Building a super bike

jrg91 wrote:

I am “naturally” slim: 177 cm and around 60 kg. I work long hours including weekends which is why my fitness has taken a hit over the past couple years though I think it’s been coming back well with the cycling I’ve been doing and want to keep it up and build up to doing even more. Currently I’d say I’ve been doing around 8 hours a week, not sure about distance and speed though I do a fair bit of climbing.

You shouldn’t have much issue getting good on a bike then, given your build.

If you are set on a superbike, then certainly look at new Dura Ace 9100, you can fit an 11-30t cassette on that. As for whether you want a compact 50/34 or mid-compact 52/36 chainset, that depends on how fast you ride and how much climbing you do.

You wouldn’t go far wrong with something like this https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road/ultimate/2016/ultimate-cf-sl-7-0.html Great bike with plenty of wheel and groupset opportunity.

“but as a noob”

“but as a noob”

One “o” too many, one “k” too few.

8 hours a week is probably
8 hours a week is probably more than most hobby cyclists.

Someone delete this thread.

Someone delete this thread.  And stop encouraging him.

Chris Hayes wrote:

I think you guys are being far too kind with your advice here….might be xmas spirit but my take is that this is a wind up

Yeah, seems like one. Although, worryingly I’ve met a couple people at my LBS (Clifton – posh part of Bristol) who have said they are “getting back into cycling” having not ridden in years, and shell out a few thousand on race bikes…

jrg91 wrote:

You’re all beginning to sway me away from the F10. I had already considered, as some have mentioned, that it may be more enjoyable in a way to start out with less and gradually build up.

I kind of like Specialized as well, in particular, I think maybe the Allez would be a good bike for me but I guess it might all depend on my LBS. Although I have also considered traveling to pick up a bike and then have maintenance done at the LBS as I learn to do my own.

I really wanted the bike to start taking my training seriously and so I was thinking of getting a power meter, HR sensor etc. But someone advised against that at this point. What do the rest of you think?

If you haven’t done much cycling, seeing as you described yourself as a “noob”, then neither a power meter nor an HRM will make a lot of difference for a while.

First thing to do is put in the miles and shed a few kg.

To be honest, unless you are dead set on racing, there isn’t much point with a power meter. As you’ve said you aren’t very experienced – you won’t be racing for quite a while.

To give everyone a better idea of what you might need; how far do you usually ride, how fast do you usually ride, how much do you ride, how much do you weigh and how tall are you?

If the answers to the above are; 10miles/week, 12mph, rarely, 96kg and 175cm then the type of bike and training you will want are vastly different to the type you’d want if the answers were; 200 miles/week, 20mph, every day, 65kg and 175cm…

I think you guys are being

I think you guys are being far too kind with your advice here….might be xmas spirit but my take is that this is a wind up

As mentioned, is suggest tubs
As mentioned, is suggest tubs are beat saved for racing.
If you have the coin, I’d suggest going for disc brakes. This will future proof your ride and just provide a better experience.
If you do this, you have to go Shimano di2 as everyone else’s hydraulic shifters look gash.
Money no object, go dura ace di2 with discs, but I’d suggest the new ultegra will still deliver a beautiful ride and bike.
The discs will also open the option of going carbon tubeless on the wheels. This is the answer. Superb fast and comfortable rolling, great puncture resistance and basically the best of all worlds.
Finishing kit is personal choice.

From your original post I’d

From your original post I’d advise against tubulars for anything but racing. They don’t puncture much, but when they do, you’re stuff unless you have a team car with spare wheels.

I’d repeat the advice to avoid a full on superbike intended for racing. The geometry isn’t the best for people that don’t spend a fair amount of the year on a bike. If you do, or are going to, then go for it. But keep in mind that Pinarello do the GAN RS, which is a little more relaxed in fit.

Dura Ace is beautiful so if you’ve got the cash, do it. Pro components is what Sky use and they’re also really nice. We’ve tested a fair amount of their stuff.

But the biggest piece of advice is to go to a shop and get them to fit the bike to you. They can then tell you all about the gearing you’ll need for the local terrain. They’ll also talk you through what components would be best for you.

I should also point out that I’m rather jealous!