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    #51
    Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

    I've only ever had doubles, but just cos that was what was on offer.

    My maths is shit, so I've never quite understood the triple/compact comparisons, but I'm definitely going that route when my insurance cheque comes in, cos when I did the C2C two years ago, very fit and raring to go on my Cinelli, I couldn't help noticing the MTBers (w/ triple) were able to twiddle away and not get off on the really steep stuff, whereas I just didn't have an extra escape gear to go down to.

    Plus the fact I think my knees are going (tendonitis at least) and my trad method of coping with steep climbs (accelerate into them, power up as far as you can, then see what happens) is no longer possible without significant twinges in the knee dept.

    MEANWHILE...I bought my 1st ever piece of new-look Euskaltel gear recently (ebay, as ever). All my other Euskaltel gear was the orange/navy combo, but I just got one of these...

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      #52
      Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

      Nice top Felicity! That looks really great.

      Plus your comments about triples, seems to speak directly to my knees as well, alot of the climbs around here are every now and again 10 - 13%.

      But one less allignment to do at the front is sort of tempting. So Amp I understand that too.
      So maybe a compact - arghhhh decisions.
      (I am spending ages on Sheldon Browns web site as he has got a cool speed calculator for gear ratios) - http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/

      Interestingly , after my comment about being anti (for no good reason) people like Specialized, Scotts and 'Dales, I saw a very good value Scott CR-1 , so carbon yeesterday with pretty good kit, sub 8,4kgs, around 1360 euros after shop discount - and I sure am tempted - but you know it's not Italian and all that; and I have barely scratched the surface of looking.

      (Oh and the Extreme Power was 11 grand!)

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        #53
        Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

        Pimped gold plated Brompton. £2,500. Any takers?
        http://www.eta.co.uk/pimp_my_ride

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          #54
          Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

          Er no ta!!

          However to stop my head exploding - I would appreciate some guidance on choosing the new bike.
          As I want one and I want one now; but - I can't make my mind up:

          OK flash Harry Italian bikes are out of my pocket money - no FP3, CLX or Willin' examples to even to be seen here and quotations from shops to get them in are just silly money.
          Only affordable Italian options are Bianchi.
          A Nirone 7 Carbon/Alu with Veloce - with crap wheels for around 1350 euros - no discount and has to be a special order

          A Bianchi C2C Carbon/105 hitting 1700 plus – after discount, a bit heavy there in weight terms..

          Actually the French are starting to look interesting with two 100% carbon offerings- there are basically 2 that "attract me"
          Time Speeder with 105, OK wheels and a touch over 8kg
          Definitive Gitane "Dream On" on with Ultegra SL throughout.

          Both around 1700€, the Gitane most heavily discounted.

          Now Gitane as a brand image, doesn’t draw me that much, they have always seemed to me to be like Peugeot, MBK etc; but it is a lovely looking thing, and this Definitive range seems a real rebranding and effort from them.
          Other option is an Orbea Onix – 100% carbon/105's for 1400euros - all carbon; but heavy 8,9kg and felt "dead" when I picked it up.

          Biggest dilemma is researching the Time and the Gitane which seem to be the favoured choice - I can find only one test done on the Time (UK test with different kit, but generally pretty good write up) and ZERO on this Gitane anywhere.

          While I am thinking, carbon with Ultegra and nice looking as well, I am hesitating a bit – as it is an unknown quantity..

          Any thoughts on Time or Gitane as marques?

          I always thought Time and Look were pretty similar (or maybe that is the pedals that are confusing me).

          Oh the horrors of it all.

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            #55
            Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

            Time and Look both good brands/frames.

            The Time Speeder got very good reviews recently
            £1650
            http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Ti...08/5360034123/

            What about a Wiler. Italian and some reasonable complete builds with Campag. I think the price start around £1,500 for a Veloce build

            http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/article/mps/uan/3173

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              #56
              Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

              What do you want it for? I wouldn't worry about weight too much. Unless you're a racing snake, most of these road bikes are going to be light enough. it's the stiffness that matters, if you don't mind me saying so Missus.

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                #57
                Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                yes Amp , thats the one review I saw, it is one from Bike Radar whatever that is. Actually very accurate (apart from all the kit and the weight) because........

                I took the plunge - Time Speeder it is.

                Pushed the budget (as predicted); 1699 Euros but went for first little whizz this morning - mmmmm, I like it alot. Really wonderful.
                (Of course after several days of lovely sunshine - it rained)

                Light, (8,05 kg sans pedales) and comfy - after that steel one, and the Alu/carbon melanges I trialled it was way less harsh - but also out of the saddle far more stiff and responsive and balanced.(Buyer's justification syndrome perhaps - but it felt great)
                I won't even compare it to the VTT time records for the same route as they are a world apart.

                It comes with a compact front crank; but I had the back cassette changed to a 11 - 27 to be able to keep up with people on doubles on the downhills, flat blasts, and hopefully the 27 will help the knees on the hills.
                Little hill climb this morning , no problem and nowhere near the larger cogs at the back.

                Only little gripe so far is the Shimano 105 group set, and it's smoothness it's passable only - being used to Shimano XT on VTT's for so long the 105 groupo seems less sure and a bit mushy in selection.
                Maybe in the future I will look to upgrade; but I guess I need to fettle a bit more.

                Oh yes - the pedals - No positive comment on the barbaric pedals with only one side you can enter, with shoes that are impossible to walk in - I am seriously thinking of putting my SPDs on it so I can use my nice comfy Spesh Tahoes. But they match the bike I suppose, so I shall hobble on.

                Wheels are Fulcrum Race 7's not light, but seem solid and roll well.

                Another thing I really love is the noise when I freewheel - I wish my VTT did that.

                Anyway whoopie - I only wish it would stop raining - so I can don the shades and hit the smooth stuff, rather than don the yellow shades and get wet.

                (When I pass the full susser in the garage it hisses at me).

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                  #58
                  Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                  Am I the only OTF'er that doesn't use clip-less pedals?

                  I've spent a fortune on every conceivable type over the last 20 years or so, but just never got on with any of them. Finally, after I fell off at a traffic-light for about the 28th time, I thought "sod it" and went back to conventional pedals and straps.

                  I use MKS Custom Nuevo pedals, which are designed for Japanese Kirin racing - very light and super-strong (I'm kind of hard on pedals)...



                  ...in combination with Power grips...



                  I can now approach junctions and traffic lights without fear and trepidation.

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                    #59
                    Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                    While I was looking for a photo of my pedals I came across this beauty, which features them (not that anyone is going to be looking at the pedals.)



                    The Corina 4-spoke wheels are always lovely, but the surprise for me is that this is a Gan Well Carbon frame. I'd always thought of Gan Well as being purveyors of very nice, but very traditional frames.

                    http://www.businesscycles.com/ganwell.htm

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                      #60
                      Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                      I've had my caad 9 for a week now and it's so much fun. I hadn't ridden a bike in 11 years and it took a little bit of getting used to, even more so because I dived straight into clipless pedals. I did tip gently to the pavement a couple of times as I forgot to unclip in time but I'm getting the hang of it now.

                      Cyclists are so nice. Other cyclists stopped every time I fell off and asked if I was ok. I'm not used to this level of caring in London.

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                        #61
                        Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                        I use standard Look pedals / cleats.
                        Though thinking of switching to Speedplay, or failing that, Keo.

                        TPC - why did you keep falling off? You've obviously tried a lot of different types so I'm surprised you've not found something you can get along with.

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                          #62
                          Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                          Excellent VTT! Enjoy it. Bike Radar is a one stop forum for a combination of UK bike magazines. That review is from the Cycling Plus mag.

                          I got my insurance cheque through (from 06 accident) last week. I'm probably going for a Cervelo S2 with a Carbon Centaur build and an Easton EA90SL wheelset. Woo!

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                            #63
                            Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                            Thanks Amp - just having it is giving me a warm smug glow ; but your planned new steed sounds fantastic.
                            The Time pedals came with the bike - they did offer to change it to any other marque I wanted ; but I thought what the heck, maybe should have done some more research. But I think main issue is only a single side entry, I was toying to get a eggbeater for the VTT with 4 possible entry points - so just one way in - grief!

                            Ricky - glad you're enjoying your CAAD - the CAAD or Six models from 'Dale have a great reputation from what I read.

                            TPC - do they still make Powergrips? - I haven't seen a picture of them since the halcyon early days of MBUK with David Hemmings on his steel Team MBUK Kona Cinder Kone.

                            I have fallen off a lot with SPDs while mountain biking - usually in embarrassing places viewed by my wife and kids at close to zero km/h in a kind of slow falling tree motion - but when I hired a MTB in the Ardeche, I hated the normal flat pedals - I felt all exposed especially on technical descents and climbs.

                            I think if you do a lot of town riding a very lose fixing is probably best though (a SPD with the tension at minimum or simple plastic cages with no straps) - but a Powergrip - wow I must get some.

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                              #64
                              Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                              You can still get Powergrips all over the place, I got my last pair from Amazon.

                              Comment


                                #65
                                Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                                VTT - Speedplay are probably the best double sided pedals.

                                PROS: They are small - so light. The cleats are exposed rather than recessed BUT they're made of metal so last much MUCH longer than plastic cleats.

                                CONS: Expensive!

                                Not used them myself but always hear glowing reviews from anyone that rides with them

                                http://www.speedplay.com/


                                and...EDIT
                                http://teepay.com/frontend/showtee/91

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                                  #66
                                  Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                                  As the best home for it, the Guardian is starting a bike podcast.

                                  Which may or may not suck.

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                                    #67
                                    Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                                    I use standard Looks, on the basis that (a) they came with the bike and (b) they're the easiest to get replacement cleats etc. for, in my experience. There is no way I would by choice ride without clipless pedals again. Though one-sided entry can be a pain alright; there's a bit of a knock to flipping them over with your toe and clipping in before they spin too far as you push away at a traffic light...

                                    Comment


                                      #68
                                      Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                                      Given that you all sound like hard core cyclists, perhaps this is not the right place to ask for advice on buying a commuting bike.

                                      As a reward to myself for packing in smoking I've decided to buy a bike and start cycling into work. It's a pretty short journey (3-4 miles) mainly flat terrain through the streets of south London.

                                      I'm on a budget and don't really want to spend more than £350. I was wondering whether it really is worth spending more than that for what is basically a few miles a day, plus the odd spin at the weekend.

                                      Having done a bit of research I know I should be getting either a road bike (probably with flat handle bars) or a hybrid bike, although I'm not sure which or indeed why. Also, if there are any brands people could recommend I'd be very grateful.

                                      Thanks in advance for any tips.

                                      Comment


                                        #69
                                        Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                                        In the past, OTF recommended me to get the Revolution Courier for my commuting - a few miles through flat terrain on the streets of South London - from the Edinburgh Bike Cooperative

                                        This one. (Although mine was not the 2009 edition).

                                        So far it's lasted me fantastically well - I think I got it in the summer of 2005, and apart from replacing the chainset once, it's still solid. I doubt it's much use for anything other than commuting - there's only one chainring which keeps maintenance and costs and weight down, but means you don't want to go and find hills or anything.

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                                          #70
                                          Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                                          You should be able to pick up a second hand Marin Muirwoods for about £150 - £200 (they're £400 new although the 2008's are £339 in On Your Bike in London Bridge right now.) They're mint for street-riding. They're a bit heavier than your average as they have a steel frame, but that wakes them more forgiving on bumps and they're quick as. the new ones don't look quite as good as the old ones.

                                          Apart from that, I hear the Boardman bikes are quite nice.
                                          Edinburgh Cycles get a good write up for inexpensive, good bikes, so you could try their site

                                          If you simply MUST have an Italian bike though, you can pick up an entry-level Bianchi Camaleonte for a mere four hundred quid here

                                          Bear in mind though, whatever your budget, you'll need at least £50 - £80 for locks (I suggest 2 different types) and 330-ish quid for a set of kevlar-lined tyres. These are ESSENTIAL unless you like fixing punctures twice a week.

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                                            #71
                                            Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                                            For £330, I would expect my tires to be made of solid gold...

                                            though the rolling resistance isn't great.

                                            The kevlar belt is useful, but a better determinant is the threads per inch (tpi) count.

                                            Comment


                                              #72
                                              Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                                              Heh. I meant £30 of course.

                                              Comment


                                                #73
                                                Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                                                Also Sprach Zaratoro wrote:
                                                For £330, I would expect my tires to be made of solid gold...
                                                I did wonder that myself. In fact, last night I dreamt that I got a puncture on my first ride on the new bike and was almost in tears at the prospect of having to fork out another £300.

                                                Anyway, thanks for the tips.

                                                Comment


                                                  #74
                                                  Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                                                  Awww, meregreen. I apologise if my typo caused you nightmares.

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                                                    #75
                                                    Time For a New Bike Porn Thread

                                                    I don't want to jinx myself, but I haven't had a puncture for over a year.

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