I'll be okay until she asks "how much?"
03 November 2008, 04:55 PM
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I'll be okay until she asks "how much?"
and then I may be trouble
My new commuter, as the road bike was getting killed on the bridleway and frankly appalling roads in and around Derby.
Picking it up tomorrow. Before I attach all the commuting stuff to it, I'm going to go for a run into work and see just how fast I *can* make it without being weighed down or worrying about arriving as a baggy ball of sweat.
My new commuter, as the road bike was getting killed on the bridleway and frankly appalling roads in and around Derby.
Picking it up tomorrow. Before I attach all the commuting stuff to it, I'm going to go for a run into work and see just how fast I *can* make it without being weighed down or worrying about arriving as a baggy ball of sweat.
03 November 2008, 05:06 PM
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I went for Cyclocross bike (harder wearing) as the road bike simply can't cope. I'm going to remove all the commuting bits off it, get it fixed (more buckles in the wheels) and set the CX bike up properly.
The added bonus is: the Road config (drop bars as opposed to my present flat bars) and lighter bike will speed up the commute. The 32c tyres will also add to the comfort.
The added bonus is: the Road config (drop bars as opposed to my present flat bars) and lighter bike will speed up the commute. The 32c tyres will also add to the comfort.
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03 November 2008, 05:07 PM
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The thing is: I am serious about this commute thing and I am enjoying it. The cold snap last week convinced me I can commute through the Winter, so I need something that will cope... this will.
03 November 2008, 06:32 PM
#11
The testing times will come and I think it will be wet rather than cold, possibly snow but I want it to be good sense telling me not to ride rather than laziness, I dont even think about going in the car now.
Bizarre thing is I seem to be enjoying Autumn/Winter cycling more than in the summer.
Go for it, see if you can get it via the Cycle to Work scheme, once I have paid for this one I am going to get another, either a nice MTB or a road bike.
03 November 2008, 06:51 PM
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Got a nearly new 2nd hand one at our LBS for £900.
They are £1600 new I think. The lesser version is a lot less.
I want one, despite having four bikes already (two are very old though)!
They are £1600 new I think. The lesser version is a lot less.
I want one, despite having four bikes already (two are very old though)!
)
03 November 2008, 09:44 PM
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I'll be using my own pedals (matching SPD shoes) and one of the reasons why I picked that particular bike is that it has all the mounting points for rack and mudguards.
03 November 2008, 10:27 PM
#20
Its funny, people look at my bike now and you can tell they think its a bit gimpy, but then if you use it you need all the crap attached to it, rack, speedo, numerous lights, mudguards etc, if its just a case of spending a fortune on a bike you never use then of course it will look a bit less nerdy.
Mine looks best with a liberal coating of mud
Mine looks best with a liberal coating of mud
04 November 2008, 08:29 AM
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56cm frame - matching my 6' frame
Tried it out in the shop and it's very comfortable, albeit less upright than before.
My biggest issue is actually going to be changing gear
It's got the integrated gear change / brake lever combo which will take some getting used to! Well... that and the slightly different gearing (50t as opposed to my present 48t)
04 November 2008, 08:39 AM
#23
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Got a nearly new 2nd hand one at our LBS for £900.
They are £1600 new I think. The lesser version is a lot less.
I want one, despite having four bikes already (two are very old though)!
They are £1600 new I think. The lesser version is a lot less.
I want one, despite having four bikes already (two are very old though)!
Thought you stormed off in the huff never to be seen again
Hope all well with you and your good lady
04 November 2008, 08:41 AM
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Do you mean the Tricross Comp? They're £1200 new but don't have the mounting points the Sport does (which is odd). So while I was tempted, it wasn't practical
04 November 2008, 08:48 AM
#25
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Just waiting to see you all give up your shiny new bikes for solid old cheap workhorses when you realise that they get totaly fecked in the winter....with daily road use.
Nobody wants to wash their bike down and oil it every night when they get home through brutal conditions.
You need:
1) A Summer commuting bike (thats adept in floods)
2) A Winter commuting 'saltproof' bike with extra ballast to help in crosswinds
It's the only way
Nobody wants to wash their bike down and oil it every night when they get home through brutal conditions.
You need:
1) A Summer commuting bike (thats adept in floods)
2) A Winter commuting 'saltproof' bike with extra ballast to help in crosswinds
It's the only way
04 November 2008, 08:51 AM
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Just waiting to see you all give up your shiny new bikes for solid old cheap workhorses when you realise that they get totaly fecked in the winter....with daily road use.
Nobody wants to wash their bike down and oil it every night when they get home through brutal conditions.
You need:
1) A Summer commuting bike (thats adept in floods)
2) A Winter commuting 'saltproof' bike with extra ballast to help in crosswinds
It's the only way
Nobody wants to wash their bike down and oil it every night when they get home through brutal conditions.
You need:
1) A Summer commuting bike (thats adept in floods)
2) A Winter commuting 'saltproof' bike with extra ballast to help in crosswinds
It's the only way
The only salt proof bike is a complete carbon fibre one... I ain't got £10K spare at the mo
04 November 2008, 08:56 AM
#27
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The only salt proof bike is a complete carbon fibre one... I ain't got £10K spare at the mo
It's the grinding paste that the sand that's mixed with the salt seems to make, up in my neck of the woods they have certainly upped the sand content in the road salt and it just destroys components
04 November 2008, 09:05 AM
#28
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Si - came back to say hello and mention our new baby.
This gets ridden 10 miles every morning - I just keep it clean and it's now done 2500+ miles without any problems:
And yes - it's in full "winter" mode (mudguards, lights, etc)!
Just look after them and they last fine.
The Tricross is a lovely bike though - tempted myself.
This gets ridden 10 miles every morning - I just keep it clean and it's now done 2500+ miles without any problems:
And yes - it's in full "winter" mode (mudguards, lights, etc)!
Just look after them and they last fine.
The Tricross is a lovely bike though - tempted myself.
04 November 2008, 10:23 AM
#29
Just waiting to see you all give up your shiny new bikes for solid old cheap workhorses when you realise that they get totaly fecked in the winter....with daily road use.
Nobody wants to wash their bike down and oil it every night when they get home through brutal conditions.
You need:
1) A Summer commuting bike (thats adept in floods)
2) A Winter commuting 'saltproof' bike with extra ballast to help in crosswinds
It's the only way
Nobody wants to wash their bike down and oil it every night when they get home through brutal conditions.
You need:
1) A Summer commuting bike (thats adept in floods)
2) A Winter commuting 'saltproof' bike with extra ballast to help in crosswinds
It's the only way
My Cannondale is on the Cycle to Work Scheme, 18 months, it costs me £20 or so a month as I dont have to pay 40% on the payments.
I will run it for 18 months and buy another through CTW if its on offer, if its still ok I will buy a nice MTB or Roadie, if its fooked I will buy another Hybrid, I suspect it will still be ok but at £20 a month I don't worry about it, I look after it but am not precious about it, it has a couple of chips in the paint now
from my lock and it gets ridden down some rough tracks and pretty bad roads.
Might go for front suspension next time for the commuter, or at least raked forks.
04 November 2008, 10:27 AM
#30
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Just look after them and they last fine.
...and many congrats on the new baby, that must mean the world to you both considering what you have been through