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First proper Road bike – few questions and options please?

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  • May 3, 2018 at 8:08 am #918073
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    Marino999

    I’ve not read through all the

    I’ve not read through all the comments but definately look at the saddle and getting measured for one. This could make a whole lot of difference in terms of ride enjoyment and numbness!

    Also, the amount you are going to spend, is it worth it and how often are you going to use it?  

    180k can be a long way and if it ends up being a beasting for you, it might put you off riding again so give yourself plenty of time on the bike beforehand.  A few hours on the bike will give you an indication on where your weaknesses are biometrically. 6 hours or so on the bike will expose these. 

    Finally, good luck!

    May 2, 2018 at 2:53 pm #918071
    0
    steelydom
    Duncann wrote:
    A few thoughts to add to those above.

    Re: brakes. Rim brakes can be perfectly good and requiring little adjustment and maintenance – if you ride dry roads! I don’t know how fair weather a rider you are but Ireland is fairly damp, so if you’re going to be out on wet roads a lot then discs may be the better option for you. Their performance will be less affected, and they won’t grind down pads and rims so quickly.

    On the ‘feel’ of a road bike, it probably is more arse-up/head down/arms out than you’re used to, and narrower. But it’s easy to flip (or even replace) the stem for a more upright riding position in the early months – you can flip it back when you’re more used to it.

    Likewise, if you’re relatively broad shouldered, road bars are also pretty narrow – typically 42cm on new bikes. I swapped mine for 46cm bars and felt better for it. Also, look for shallow drop bars that don’t need you to get so low when on the drops (most new bikes have these). And reach too, as veloUSA says.

    I tend to agree with hawkinspeter than an expensive bike fit at this stage is perhaps too early – both bikes and bodies are adjustable, and the latter will definitely adjust in the early stages of road riding – just by getting used to it. With some online research of your own, trying out a few bikes and asking sensible questions you can get pretty close.

    It might be an idea to borrow or hire a suitably-sized bike for a few rides (further than a shop would allow a test ride – although that’s also a good idea). You’ll get an idea what feels right and what aches after an hour or two, and can then make a slightly more informed decision about whether you want a stretched-out racer, or a more upright endurance bike.

    On groupsets, 105 is excellent – but Tiagra is very much like the excellent 105 of a couple of years back, with the bonus that 10 speed replacement chains and cassettes are much better value than 11 speed. Some look down a little on Tiagra, thinking 105 is the basic level for “serious” roadies but that’s bollocks.

     

    Thanks – The Cube I went with had the most comfy drops of all I tried so going to give them a proper go and give it some bedding in time to let it feel natural.   Running is my thing so I in no way will ever consider myself a serious roadie but I did (surprisingly!) actually notice the difference in the sora and tiagra bikes I tried – when buying stuff, I’m generally pretty practical as to what specs will actually make a difference to me 

    May 2, 2018 at 2:44 pm #918069
    0
    steelydom
    ClubSmed wrote:
    You say that the bike “won’t be for commuting”, what is the reason for this?

    I am going to make the assumption that as you are wanting to buy your “first proper road bike” and the impetus behind this being “a 180k cycle (hilly, Irish roads) in the summer” that you have not done long distances previously? If that is the case then I would strongly advise you to look into the possibility of commuting by bicycle to get as many extra miles under your belt before the event as you can. I really think that you will be grateful for this in the end.

    Fair point – about 12 yrs ago when I moved up to Dublin one of my first sights was a cyclist under a lorry.  It put me right off the idea right then and I haven’t changed my mind.  I’ve seen 2 more similar incidents  since and heard of many more.  Its not a nice city to cycle around – not a lot of good infrastructure, vehicles can be pretty aggressive against cyclists, cyclists  aren’t helping themselves with some of their behaviour and attitude, pedestrians not paying attention to what they’re doing – I will say its probably minorities from all sides at fault but I’m happy walking/using public transport rather than risking it.  I’ve moved out a bit lately so I’m close to a good coastal bike path so I do plan on using it in the evenings etc to build up the miles that way

    April 30, 2018 at 1:36 pm #918067
    0
    ClubSmed

    You say that the bike “won’t

    You say that the bike “won’t be for commuting”, what is the reason for this?

    I am going to make the assumption that as you are wanting to buy your “first proper road bike” and the impetus behind this being “a 180k cycle (hilly, Irish roads) in the summer” that you have not done long distances previously? If that is the case then I would strongly advise you to look into the possibility of commuting by bicycle to get as many extra miles under your belt before the event as you can. I really think that you will be grateful for this in the end.

    April 30, 2018 at 1:13 pm #918065
    0
    Dnnnnnn

    A few thoughts to add to

    A few thoughts to add to those above.

    Re: brakes. Rim brakes can be perfectly good and requiring little adjustment and maintenance – if you ride dry roads! I don’t know how fair weather a rider you are but Ireland is fairly damp, so if you’re going to be out on wet roads a lot then discs may be the better option for you. Their performance will be less affected, and they won’t grind down pads and rims so quickly.

    On the ‘feel’ of a road bike, it probably is more arse-up/head down/arms out than you’re used to, and narrower. But it’s easy to flip (or even replace) the stem for a more upright riding position in the early months – you can flip it back when you’re more used to it.

    Likewise, if you’re relatively broad shouldered, road bars are also pretty narrow – typically 42cm on new bikes. I swapped mine for 46cm bars and felt better for it. Also, look for shallow drop bars that don’t need you to get so low when on the drops (most new bikes have these). And reach too, as veloUSA says.

    I tend to agree with hawkinspeter than an expensive bike fit at this stage is perhaps too early – both bikes and bodies are adjustable, and the latter will definitely adjust in the early stages of road riding – just by getting used to it. With some online research of your own, trying out a few bikes and asking sensible questions you can get pretty close.

    It might be an idea to borrow or hire a suitably-sized bike for a few rides (further than a shop would allow a test ride – although that’s also a good idea). You’ll get an idea what feels right and what aches after an hour or two, and can then make a slightly more informed decision about whether you want a stretched-out racer, or a more upright endurance bike.

    On groupsets, 105 is excellent – but Tiagra is very much like the excellent 105 of a couple of years back, with the bonus that 10 speed replacement chains and cassettes are much better value than 11 speed. Some look down a little on Tiagra, thinking 105 is the basic level for “serious” roadies but that’s bollocks.

    April 30, 2018 at 11:56 am #918063
    0
    hawkinspeter

    Cannondale Synapse would be

    Cannondale Synapse would be excellent for a first road bike. They’re considered to be a “comfort” geometry, but they’re at the more racy end of that category.

    I’d agree with guinom8 about the usefullness of a bike fit, but I think it’d be more worthwhile to go for a bikefit after getting a bit more experience. Ideally, you could have a cheap (£50?) basic bike fit with an expert just eyeballing your position and giving you sizing recommendations, but it won’t be that useful as you wouldn’t have settled into your cycling position at that point. If you ride your bike for a month or two until you feel settled, a bike fit would then highlight more detailed changes such as saddle position etc.

    With brakes, my preference would be for hydraulic disks first, rim brakes second and cable disks last. I’m a big fan of hydraulic disks and I think they’re absolutely brilliant although can be very squeaky in the rain (as opposed to rim brakes that don’t work in the rain until you get the water off the rim – typically one revolution of the wheel). I haven’t tried cable disk brakes, but they seem to need more adjustment and care.

    April 30, 2018 at 10:18 am #918061
    0
    guinom8
    VeloUSA wrote:
    Buy the bike you like not what others like. AND, after purchase be sure to get a bike fit. Without one you’re riding will be uncomfortable, with one a pleasure.

     

    As it is your first proper road bike for long cycle with plenty of inclination I would actually recommend a bike fit before you buy the bike

    You know the bikes you want, that already helps.

    A proper bike fit professional will be able to run the test and be able to tell you if you the bikes you are after will either fit you or not, or recommend the right frame size you should go for. As well as giving you your measures and cycling posture style so you’ll know which brands and frames will suit you best.

    Then once you buy the bike the bike fit professional will be able to adjust and tweak  the bike down to millimitres for best comfort and enjoyment.

    Many may will say that’s probably a waste of money, however I personally think that for your first bike it is a MUST do.

    It may set you back maybe a couple of hundred quid, however it will save you loads of pain, hassle and money in the near future.

    April 30, 2018 at 9:54 am #918059
    0
    steelydom

    Went with the Cube Attain

    Went with the Cube Attain Race Disc in a 56 frame – felt the best out of the Giant/Cannondale, both fit and the way it was put together, didn’t try a Trek but a Lapierre was a close second in the end.  The black and yellow paint job kinda clinched the deal!

    Thanks

    April 29, 2018 at 8:58 pm #918057
    0
    Dr Winston

    What Velo said. 

    What Velo said. 

    I have a range of bikes of different types but i only do short hops so size doesn’t really matter as much to me. If you’re gonna do any big miles then make sure it fits and fits well.

    No matter how much you spend on a bike if it doesn’t fit well you’ll grow not to like it and end up on the same route as many others have

    Shop > ride > garage > shed > ebay…a well worn path…

    April 28, 2018 at 6:27 pm #918055
    0
    VeloUSA

    Choosing your first road bike

    Choosing your first road bike can be a doozy. Going by “every bike I’ve tried feels ‘weird’ just because its sharper to steer, different hand position etc which is a little hard to judge them by.” it appears frame size needs deeper consideration. A brief write-up here https://www.bikeradar.com/us/road/gear/article/road-bike-sizing-what-size-bike-do-i-need-40459/

    But don’t hold this as the gold method. I am 5′-7″ and ride a 49 frame. My recommended size is 51/52.  Howvever, I have owned several 51/52 frames and always felt “stretched” out. This is why I went down to a 49. Suggest you ride a recommened size and one size smaller. Be sure to ask about the handlebar size (width) and reach. It will help answer “different hand position” you’re experiencing.

    Ride as many bikes as you prefer. Understand head tube height. A taller head tube sits you more upgright.

    Buy the bike you like not what others like. AND, after purchase be sure to get a bike fit. Without one you’re riding will be uncomfortable, with one a pleasure.

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