[Daveyraveygravey]

There are various signals
There are various signals that groups use to warn people at the rear of hazards coming up, you can probably find them on Google. Give yourself a bit of room and cover your brakes, if you’re too close and overlap with the wheel in front and you touch it can be very hard to not crash. Listen out for calls as well, usually as you approach a junction.
Best thing to do is to try and get some group riding in beforehand.
I haven’t done the Ashdown sportive, but do know the hills and they can be very tough if the wind gets up.
Also try and get chatting and take a turn on the front if you’re feeling strong.

[Daveyraveygravey]

Leodis wrote:Oh well thats

Leodis wrote:

Oh well thats another ride full of MAMIL’s who have no idea of group riding I will miss.. Not bitter at all

…or condescending…

[Daveyraveygravey]

Sorry me and Halfwheeler,
Sorry me and Halfwheeler, plus the 18 mph guy, that is a scientific trend. If you’re going to give up being up, make sure you’re on it!:-D

[Daveyraveygravey]

I’d been a bit lucky (and/or
I’d been a bit lucky (and/or smug) about riding on ice for a few years, been riding through winter for a few years and had a few moments but until you actually smack yourself hard into terra firma you don’t really appreciate how horrible it can be. I was lucky both times to be on very quiet roads and could lie there for a few moments getting my act together. Really scary to think how bad it could be if there were lots of other vehicles around

[Daveyraveygravey]

Thanks – my next question
Thanks – my next question would have been about size!

[Daveyraveygravey]

Finally making progress on
Finally making progress on this, due to breaking my wrist and not actually being able to ride the thing!

Got lucky on ebay and picked up a used Campag Mirage standard crankset for £11. Trouble is, it says it is square taper, which I think is the bb type, and I have Power Torque bb at the moment. Can it be made to work with extra parts, or do I need to get a Power Torque crankset?

The seller hasn’t said if it is 9/10 speed. I think my front shifter is actually a 10 speed, but have asked him to clarify.

Might have to get a bigger cassette now as I am still on a standard, a 27 is getting tough on these old legs.

[Daveyraveygravey]

Thanks Chasseur, exactly the
Thanks Chasseur, exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

I was dabbling further with the wheel options and there are 2 or 3 DT Swiss choices at no extra cost. Will look into them more.

[Daveyraveygravey]

Would agree with both posts
Would agree with both posts above re Rose and Dolan. I’m looking for a similar budget but not CX/disc brakes, and Rose seem to hold the aces as far as I am concerned. I like the custom-isability of Rose, seems like you can change any part you want whereas almost all the other retailers say, here’s the spec we think you want, like it or lump it.

[Daveyraveygravey]

2015 over for me, half way
2015 over for me, half way through my first one. Went over on some ice, may have bust my scaphoid but it doesn’t show for ten days. Gives me a chance to get some replacement drive train parts…
Did make the strava climbing challenge by 8m! B-)

[Daveyraveygravey]

Great review, thank you. I
Great review, thank you. I wouldn’t be pimping it at any stage, so interesting to see those comments. It is sufficiently over my budget (but not totally out of man-maths logic) that I would want it to be 100% out of the box.

[Daveyraveygravey]

Tons of bikes at this price
Tons of bikes at this price point. I am looking at Rose, and possibly Canyon; what you get for the money is brilliant but of course its quite hard to even see the bikes in the flesh never mind ride them. I’m going to the London Bike Show to check them out hopefully.

There’s also Dolan, Sensa bikes at Merlin Cycles, Evans have several versions of Cannondale Super Six (and a few others) then there’s Ridley, Ribble; Kinesis if you are not fixed on carbon…

[Daveyraveygravey]

Give us a review as soon as
Give us a review as soon as you can – I need to make a decision soon and would like to know what you think of the ride. B-)

[Daveyraveygravey]

frankierae wrote:I’m not sure

frankierae wrote:

I’m not sure if you can do part payments via internet outlets, but I totally agree with Davey that the likes of Canyon, Rose, Ribble/Dolan etc would be your best bet for that sort of money. The Cycle to Work Scheme might be the way to go about it (I know Canyon and Ribble both do it) if your workplace offers it. It also means you’ll be getting a £1000 bike for £600 so perhaps you could go a model or two up…

From the sounds of the mileage you’re doing I’d definitely suggest getting a comfortable carbon frame over alloy.

I don’t think CTW applies to Canyon, they are an internet only German firm. Would like to be proved wrong!

I’m going to the London Bike Show in a couple of weeks, hopefully will reduce my shortlist in one east visit.

[Daveyraveygravey]

ssykes0206 wrote:Thanks for

ssykes0206 wrote:

Thanks for that. The Cannondale Synapse 105 disc is definitely worth a look.

Carbon though, isn’t it?

[Daveyraveygravey]

Sounds like a Kinesis to me –
Sounds like a Kinesis to me – not sure which would best suit your needs but they have a good range and are designed for UK conditions

[Author]

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