Forum Replies Created
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Replies
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If you’re happy with the
If you’re happy with the comfort I’d be loathe to change the frameset, but if you do pay close attention to stack and reach so you can achieve a similar position. Potentially if this is going to be your last bike maybe consider that you’ll need to make your position less aggressive as you get older. Maybe a custom titanium frame to the same dimensions if you intend to keep it forever?
Personally I’d keep the frameset and go with a hand-built performance wheelset, new tyres, and maybe a groupset upgrade (you might find good deals on eTap come the Spring). Should be able to get the Datum below 10kg then.If you’re looking for an
If you’re looking for an alternative British-designed race frame that will take a compact, Bowman Palace:R should be on your list.
If you look at the pics on
If you look at the pics on the Kinesis website there’s a noticeable flare to the seat tube approaching the massive bottom bracket area, I think that might be the issue – in that the 34 ring would be too close to the frame. If not, something like this might help – https://wickwerks.com/products/fit-link-adapter/
Even with that installed you running the risk of catastrophic frame damage if you drop your chain – that frameset is very skinny-walled (hence rider weight limit)
It’s a bit of a shame because it’s absolute bikeporn in the cherry red finish.
They’re usually pretty responsive to emails but you’ll probably only get the party line from them because it’s potentially a safety/warranty issue.
My Vision Team 35s are loud,
My Vision Team 35s are loud, as are most of the Hunt wheels. Generally the louder wheels are the ones with the fewest degrees of engagement (more/stronger pawls) so anything that’s at the racy end of the spectrum is worth considering.
Looking at the specs the
Looking at the specs the Specialized are good all-rounder shoes.
Giro have a reputation for not being roomy, although there is a High Volume (HV) version of the Cylinder. If you’ve got wide feet or a high instep they might not suit you. Difficult to tell from the product photos but it looks like they’ve got less tread than the Speshs.
Anything that will take an
Anything that will take an SPD (not SPD-SL) cleat
I’ve got on well with Shimano MT-series shoes, also worth looking at their XC series which are a bit racier/lighter and can be made more off-road capable with optional toe spikes.
There’s loads of choice out there though – have a look at Northwave, FiveTen,or Bont.
If you intend walking in them you don’t want them to be too stiff – most of the performance brands will give you an idea of how stiff their shoes are. If you’re going with a heavily treaded sole just remember that they won’t necessarily work well with the flat side of those pedals because of the grip pins, just depends on where the grooves are.
I’ve got a pair of (last-season) MT5s – fine for walking in the woods, just about roadie enough to not look out of place on a road bike, very comfortable with adjustable speed laces
Don’t bother getting a Dura Ace one unless they are seriously reduced. HT2 bottom brackets aren’t hugely different in function.£19 from Sigma at the moment. Will probably go with something blingy from Hope or similar as this is my best bike/summer show-pony now.
Ah, that makes sense. I’m
Ah, that makes sense. I’m pretty sure its got well north of 4000 miles on it so probably time for a change. Has been on three bikes over that time too
So…. a bike on my budget with full hydraulic brakes? Not gonna happen? Good braking comfort and speed is what I’d like.. Christ aren’t bikes expensive now lol!!!?!!It’s a bit of a stretch. And yes, bikes have got expensive. Base prices have gone up considerably in the last couple of years and disc-braked drop-bar bikes are fashionable at the moment so prices are firmer on those than on rim brakes.
Modern rim brakes will be much better than what you’ve got on your Carrera – mine are perfectly capable of hauling my considerable bulk up for the occasional emergency stop – certainly enough to try and chuck me over the bars.
Discs win in the wet and also for year-round riding because you don’t destroy your rims with road grime but they do need a lot of fettling to keep everything running smoothly – particularly cable-operated ones. I’ve got one disc brake bike and one rim brake and I’d say I feel more confident on the rim brakes.
Go and try a rim-brake model with 105-level or above brakes, you might be surprised how good they are.
Hi chaps, well I’ve had the Carrera for years, it’s not a bad bike.. but looking for someat a bit swifter, nicer to ride, comfort is a must.. I’m not at all very handy with bikes and repairs, got a local chap whose awesome and reasonably priced… I play keyboards in a Bon Jovi Tribute Band 100 shows a year, so not very “bikey” lol!This would be a good upgrade
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBFBPXXLAAPEXMECH/planet-x-xla-sram-apex-1-mechanical-disc-cross-bike
Great for the commute and if you want to go and do say the Swindon -> Marlborough off road.
The thing with disc brakes is that they limit your choice quite a bit at your budget.
One other to consider
One other to consider
This is amazing spec for the price and has had good reviews (including on this site)
But once again, might be too much towards the comfort/distance/gravel end of the handling spectrum)
Boardmans from Halfords are
Boardmans from Halfords are good but a lower spec for more money than the Tribans. Something like the ASR8.8 or ADV8.8 would fit the bill
Tribans are great value with good customer service and consistently get good reviews. Now they’ve finally started building disc brake versions they’re bang on for commuting on our excuses for roads. I guess the only thing that counts against them is that you’ve got a bit of a journey if something does need fixing.
If you’re going to buy something without chucking a leg over it something like this might be a good option:
https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-malt-g-tiagra-gravel-bike-2019-114706.html
What don’t you like about the Carrera? Most of the bikes we’ve listed are on the practical side of fun. They’ll be nicer to ride because they have nicer components and better frames but none of them are racy, and you’d struggle to find a new “fast” disc-braked bike in your price range.
Yeah I cycle to work in all weathers, a fair bit of A road and a cycle track that definitely needs fixing by Swindon Borough council!! Holes and bits of trees on a big stretch of the journey to work… I’ll look into the cycle to work scheme, trouble is I’m on a zero hours contract with travis Perkins, I work 3 days a week 8 hours a day.. wonder if I could get some help?Definitely want disc brakes yeah
heres a pic of my current bike
As long as you’re employed, pay tax, and they’re a member of a C2W scheme you should be eligible. You’ll save about 25% on the price but bear in mind that a lot of places will either charge an admin fee (£100 at PlanetX I believe) or not let you buy a discounted bike on the scheme. Good time to be buying now though as retailers are clearing down stock ready for the 2019 models so it might be a case of chasing down a bargain and not bothering with C2W.
I think your sweet spot would be a Tiagra 10-speed bike, space for 35mm tyres including mudguards, and either full hydro or TRP HY/RD brakes.
Well worth hopping on the train to Reading and checking out the Tribans in Decathlon – the RC520 is bang on your budget and has better spec than what I’ve suggested, or you can go for the RC500 and save yourself a couple of hundred quid. Just checked and they’ve got 1 XL 520 in stock – you might get on with a L, just depends on whether proportionally your height is in your legs or torso.
+1 for the Triban
+1 for the Triban
Planet X London Road worth a look too
Possibly Pinnacle Arkose (haven’t checked prices on those recently)
If you’re going for discs aim for a bike with hydro discs – easier to maintain and a more noticeable improvement over rim brakes
Do you cycle to work in all weathers? If so something with rack and mudguard mounts is worthwhile.
I’ve got Vision Team 35s as a
I’ve got Vision Team 35s as a set of summer wheels. No complaints here and a fractional performance gain. Clicky-clacky freehub might not be to everyone’s taste but obvs it sounds pro…
