[matthewn5]

What he said. Definitely go

What he said. Definitely go for an excellent alloy frame with a better groupset, than a cheap carbon frame and a fairly rubbish group as it would be for £999.

[matthewn5]

Change the chain. Those

Change the chain. Those Wipperman chains are a bit basic IMO.

People might laugh but I also reckon that Ultegra cassettes are notably quieter than 105, maybe its the machining or the finish, not sure.

[matthewn5]

Another vote for Speedplay

Another vote for Speedplay Zeros, infinitely adjustable float and if you buy a pair of aftermarket Keep-On-Kovers (sic) the cleats will never wear out.

Really easy to clip in and out, like spds, but super secure once in.

Best of all, double sided like spds, and you can add ‘platformers’ if you want to ride to the pub in your ordinary shoes.

 

[matthewn5]

My Record front (left)

My Super Record front (left) shifter (A-type 11 speed) has 4 positions:

1. Inner chainring trimmed – for the biggest cogs at the back

2. Normal inner chainring position

3. Normal outer chainring position

4. Outer chainring trimmer – for the smallest cogs on the back.

If you set it up with too much slack in the cable, you won’t be able to get into position 4, so the chain will rub when in 53×12. Tighten the cable and make sure that all four ‘clicks’ are accompanied by shifter movement. Sounds like you may have sorted it already though.

[matthewn5]

Actually dare I say it,

Actually dare I say it, bikeradar has an excellent classifieds section.

[matthewn5]

Rony87 wrote:

Hy. I have a nice old road bike. If I want to sell, how much is it? 🙂

Try posting detailed close-up images here:

http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/828280-colnago-saronni.html

They may be able to help you work out whether it’s real or a fake.

[matthewn5]

If you’re spending the full

If you’re spending the full £1500 on a frame and switching over the kit you can find some really lovely stuff around. I found a new Colnago EPS frame for £1100 and switched the groupset and wheels over. Another time a new Bianchi Sempre Pro for £950. Both were new superseded stock. You can always upgrade kit bit by bit if you have a frame worth it.

[matthewn5]

@adamthekiwi, seat belts

@adamthekiwi, seat belts saved the lives of people in cars, but the evidence suggests that drivers drove faster afterwards and took more risks and killed more cyclists, children and pedestrians. Fewer people cycled and walked as a result.

See Dr Robert Davis’s book Death on the Streets. Nothing is clear-cut in this debate.

 

[matthewn5]

Shop around, you can find

Shop around, you can find excellent deals on wheels as light as that – and lighter – from the handbuilders in the UK, who’ll be closer to hand if you need fixing/truing.

That said, Edco is an interesting long-established company with a long history of making hubs, bottom brackets and headsets. Wheels seem to be a new departure for them. Not entirely sure from their website whether they are the same company or whether someone bought the branding.

[matthewn5]

Hunt around, you’ll find it.

Hunt around, you’ll find it. Eg

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Cables-Housing-/42335/i.html?_dcat=42335&Colour=White&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

 

[matthewn5]

A few online shops sell

A few online shops sell Campag housing by the metre. Hunt around, you’ll find it.

[matthewn5]

I’ve got a Canyon Ultimate AL

I’ve got a Canyon Ultimate AL in M (56). I’m a bit taller than you:

179cm 
inseam: 85
arm: 67
torso:64

I needed a 120mm stem for it to work out, so I’d hazard a guess it will work for you, as you can always use a shorter stem and move the seat forward a bit.

[matthewn5]

Rather than a bike fit, go to

Rather than a bike fit, go to here:

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp

If you measure yourself up carefully, I found this works exceptionally well. You can usually get the fit you want without spending much at all. If you need a longer/shorter stem look on Ebay, they are really cheap second hand.

+1 for keeping your bike in good working order, there are lots of videos on the web for most things.

And don’t overlook Decathlon for cheap decent cycling clothes. I got a jersey there for under a tenner, still wear it sometimes.

[matthewn5]

@Tjuice said:

@Tjuice said:

What works well for me is:

* Shorter stem (typically stem length around 85-90mm)

* Saddle fairly far forward (natural preference – would still do this even if I had a longer body – for the bikes where it’s possible, I buy a zero offset seat post to get to the most comfortable position for me)

On the surface, that sounds as if you have a frame that’s too long for you, i.e. the reach is too large?

[matthewn5]

Try riding some of these

Try riding some of these bikes. You won’t know unless you try them out.

[Author]

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