Re: Any bike recommendations?

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

James said:

Comrades,

I'm looking for advice of what sort of road bike to buy. It

shouldn't

Quoted message said:

be too delicate because roads are not exactly ideal track conditions,
and I'm planning to use it for middle-long distance rides rather than
quick blasts, so a harsh racer wouldn't be ideal.

Given I'm about 5"5' and long in the leg for that height, plus it's
pretty hilly here in Wales so lightness is a neccessity, what might
this group reccommend as a reasonable hybrid between a tourer and a
racer, given I've got maybe £1500 ($2750, Eur 2180) to spend on it?

Thanks!

James.

No real single answer but often you buy the bike shop rather than the
specific bicycle. many would work well for you.

Not sure if local bike shops can do anatomic fits there, but a start
there is essential. Then a frame or bicycle that fits you. The frame is
the heart of the bicycle, and in importance, probably the
wheels(reliable) and saddle, the brakes. the rest is not that
important. Spend the majority of the $ on the frame/fork.

Did ask around about a fitting jig. I discounted those shops which
had never heard of them, but it turns out they're not readily
available in these parts. I found a Specialized Roubaix today which
felt absolutely wonderful, and seemed to be exactly right for my size.
There was a Trek 5000 for a bit more which also seemed to be part of
me as soon as I'd sat on it.

However, the Trek 5000 did seem - although precise - a bit more
twitchy. The ride was also harsher, and it seemed like the handlebars
were rather too narrow (which might account for the tightness in
directing it). Given this was indeed a pure racer, I'm leaning even
more towards the Specialized.

The Trek 5000 was a pound or so lighter, but as other posters have
pointed out, the odd pound doesn't really make very much difference.

Quoted message said:

For Nearly $3000, carbon is not out of ther question and high end steel
looks great, rides great, lasts forever.

I would avoid aluminum, as the price is in the stiff that's not all
that important, like whiz bang seatposts and hbars and the like.

I think a well fitting frame with Centaur components, nice set of
handbuilt wheels would be the ticket.

Handbuilt wheels eh? Maybe they could be used for special occasions.
For the moment, I want to put a couple of thousand miles on the bike
as standard... I've had a poor run of luck with wheels in the past,
and would rather get used to the bike before risking anything that
dear.

Thanks for the comments!

James.

James said:

Handbuilt wheels eh? Maybe they could be used for special occasions.
For the moment, I want to put a couple of thousand miles on the bike
as standard... I've had a poor run of luck with wheels in the past,
and would rather get used to the bike before risking anything that
dear.

Thanks for the comments!

James.

'Handbuilt wheels', when compared to the 'wheels outta boxes', are
cheaper, more reliable, and really the 'standard', not the exception,
when it comes to having a well designed set that works everyday.

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

James said:

Handbuilt wheels eh? Maybe they could be used for special occasions.
For the moment, I want to put a couple of thousand miles on the bike
as standard... I've had a poor run of luck with wheels in the past,
and would rather get used to the bike before risking anything that
dear.

Thanks for the comments!

James.

'Handbuilt wheels', when compared to the 'wheels outta boxes', are
cheaper, more reliable, and really the 'standard', not the exception,
when it comes to having a well designed set that works everyday.

Handbuilt wheels? Sorry, I must have misunderstood. I thought you
meant something specifically designed for one's particular weight,
type of bike, anticipated riding conditions or something... what do
you mean by handbuilt?

James said:

Quoted message said:

'Handbuilt wheels', when compared to the 'wheels outta boxes', are
cheaper, more reliable, and really the 'standard', not the exception,
when it comes to having a well designed set that works everyday.

Handbuilt wheels? Sorry, I must have misunderstood. I thought you
meant something specifically designed for one's particular weight,
type of bike, anticipated riding conditions or something... what do
you mean by handbuilt?

That is exactly what he meant. I think the cheaper part of it, is
compared to boutique wheels.

I have a set of wheels "handbuilt" by Peter. I supplied Shimano
DA-7700 hubs, Velocity Aerohead rims 28F 32R, and he built them up.
They now have 3300 problem free miles.

Life is Good!
Jeff

James said:

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

James said:

Handbuilt wheels eh? Maybe they could be used for special

occasions.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

For the moment, I want to put a couple of thousand miles on the

bike

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

as standard... I've had a poor run of luck with wheels in the

past,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and would rather get used to the bike before risking anything that
dear.

Thanks for the comments!

James.

'Handbuilt wheels', when compared to the 'wheels outta boxes', are
cheaper, more reliable, and really the 'standard', not the

exception,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

when it comes to having a well designed set that works everyday.

Handbuilt wheels? Sorry, I must have misunderstood. I thought you
meant something specifically designed for one's particular weight,
type of bike, anticipated riding conditions or something... what do
you mean by handbuilt?

I mean a set designed for one's particular weight, type of bike,
anticipated riding conditions..what hand buiilts are, custom wheels,
not more but less expensive than the multitude of crappy wheels outta
boxes that are $800++++

It's what we do, me and others.

On 20 May 2005 05:41:54 -0700, "Qui si parla Campagnolo"
<[email hidden]> wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

I mean a set designed for one's particular weight, type of bike,
anticipated riding conditions..what hand buiilts are, custom wheels,
not more but less expensive than the multitude of crappy wheels outta
boxes that are $800++++

It's what we do, me and others.

Gotcha. And it's something I'll certainly be considering when these
wheels have ran their course. The wheels currently on there seem fine
to me, there's no point in replacing them - besides, I'm a bit skint
having just bought a bike!

Jeff Starr said:

James said:

Quoted message said:

'Handbuilt wheels', when compared to the 'wheels outta boxes', are
cheaper, more reliable, and really the 'standard', not the exception,
when it comes to having a well designed set that works everyday.

Handbuilt wheels? Sorry, I must have misunderstood. I thought you
meant something specifically designed for one's particular weight,
type of bike, anticipated riding conditions or something... what do
you mean by handbuilt?

That is exactly what he meant. I think the cheaper part of it, is
compared to boutique wheels.

Well, that and that factory wheels almost universally suffer from bad
spoke breakage Right Quick, unless you do the second half of handbuilding
a wheel on them anyway. Factory wheels don't last, unless hand-trued and
tensioned by a good wheelbuilder.

Jasper

Jasper Janssen said:

Well, that and that factory wheels almost universally suffer from bad
spoke breakage Right Quick, unless you do the second half of handbuilding
a wheel on them anyway. Factory wheels don't last, unless hand-trued and
tensioned by a good wheelbuilder.

Then my Mavic Elites must be hand-built. I've abused them plenty over
the last year or so, and they're as true as the day I bought them.

--
bpo gallery at http://www4.tpgi.com.au/users/mvw1/bpo

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

I mean a set designed for one's particular weight, type of bike,
anticipated riding conditions..what hand buiilts are, custom wheels,
not more but less expensive than the multitude of crappy wheels outta
boxes that are $800++++

It's what we do, me and others.

But what about the marketing budget for the wheels? Don't you want to
pay for that? Oh, and for some really cool black spokes, too, and paint
or anodizing on the rim, except where you have to brake, 'cause that
adds value too. You guys are no fun and I can't get my buddies to say,
"hey, nicely built and well-engineered set of wheels you have there"
like I can get them to say, "wow, Kyrsiums, and cool overpriced Seven
frame too!".

Rob

Rob