This is the Bike

On 16/12/04 10:11 am, in article [email hidden],

Not Responding said:

I reckon I've found it. As discussed earlier I've decided I need my
first road bike but don't want anything too race-like. So here, is
what I'm looking at now:

http://www.tifosi-cycles.co.uk/frames/ck7.html

Looks very nice. And you won't get lambasted by your political colleagues
for the colour ;-)

Quoted message said:

Not knowing anything about Shimano vs Campag etc, what wheels and
finishing kit should I be thinking of?

Finishing kit.. the best you can afford. Good stuff doesn't wear out any
time soon and would last you a long time, especially if cared for.
105/Ultegra minimum from the shimano side, Not sure for campag, probably
centaur/chorus. Will you want a triple? If you want a compact double you'll
have to get that in addition.

Ob wheels. I remain unconvinced by the low spoke count wheels for general
purpose riding. Looking at the site, I'd propbably pick teh cheapest set
with a decent number of spokes, ie the mavic cosmos.

Looks really nice. We look forward to your first time trial report next year
;-)

...d

Not Responding said:

I reckon I've found it. As discussed earlier I've decided I need my
first road bike but don't want anything too race-like. So here, is
what I'm looking at now:

http://www.tifosi-cycles.co.uk/frames/ck7.html

Not knowing anything about Shimano vs Campag etc, what wheels and
finishing kit should I be thinking of?

The conventional handbuilt wheels are bound to be more practical and'll
save money which can be invested into better build & finishing kits.

Main practical difference between Shimano and Campag is the brake & gear
levers--they feel and work quite differently. Perhaps you could have a
look/feel at some in a bike shop to decide which you might prefer. Note.
Bar bags aren't practical with Shimano STI levers.

For Campag, simply get the most expensive groupset you can afford; there
is no "minimum", in my opinion. I strongly suggest a triple version if in
any doubt about what gear range you'll need.

~PB

Pete Biggs said:

Main practical difference between Shimano and Campag is the brake & gear
levers--they feel and work quite differently. Perhaps you could have a
look/feel at some in a bike shop to decide which you might prefer. Note.
Bar bags aren't practical with Shimano STI levers.

I use bar bags on my tourer, which has STI levers. I use the Klickfix
system with an extender. I've used both an Agu and a Karrimor bag with
no problems at all.

Colin

Colin Blackburn said:

Pete Biggs said:

Main practical difference between Shimano and Campag is the brake &
gear levers--they feel and work quite differently. Perhaps you
could have a look/feel at some in a bike shop to decide which you
might prefer. Note. Bar bags aren't practical with Shimano STI
levers.

I use bar bags on my tourer, which has STI levers. I use the Klickfix
system with an extender. I've used both an Agu and a Karrimor bag with
no problems at all.

Colin

Same here.I use a standard Ortlieb bar bag with Ultegra levers and no
problem at all.

Sam Salt

Not Responding said:

I reckon I've found it. As discussed earlier I've decided I need my
first road bike but don't want anything too race-like. So here, is
what I'm looking at now:

http://www.tifosi-cycles.co.uk/frames/ck7.html

Not knowing anything about Shimano vs Campag etc, what wheels and
finishing kit should I be thinking of?

Where are you buying it?

The most important thing is that the bike fits you. Unless you know a lot
about these things or get specialist advice you might end up buying a frame
that's not suitable for you. Go to a shop with a fitting jig.

I prefer Campag but only because the cables are tidier. I would avoid
Tiagra components because those on my wife's bike have got to look a bit
shabby.

I have Centaur and have no complaints.

--
Michael MacClancy

In article <[email hidden]>,

Not Responding said:

I reckon I've found it. As discussed earlier I've decided I need my
first road bike but don't want anything too race-like. So here, is
what I'm looking at now:

http://www.tifosi-cycles.co.uk/frames/ck7.html

Not knowing anything about Shimano vs Campag etc, what wheels and
finishing kit should I be thinking of?

I have a CK2 (maybe too race-like for you, but maybe worth a test
ride) with Shimano 105 bits, and know a couple of other CK2 owners
with Campag bits... None of us has any complaints so as Pete Biggs
said it's going to come down to personal preference. I'd second
what he said about considering a triple too, unless you want to
work hard on the hills.

If you're anywhere near, I can heartily recommend Mosquito Bikes
in Islington as an LBS to try them out in, they're also a tad cheaper
than the website you quoted... http://www.mosquito-bikes.co.uk/

They're a fairly small shop though and don't keep a lot of Tifosi
stuff in stock, so call ahead.

Pete.

in message <[email hidden]>, [Not

Responding (') said:

I reckon I've found it. As discussed earlier I've decided I need my
first road bike but don't want anything too race-like. So here, is
what I'm looking at now:

http://www.tifosi-cycles.co.uk/frames/ck7.html

Not knowing anything about Shimano vs Campag etc, what wheels and
finishing kit should I be thinking of?

The Veloce is a perfectly good groupset, and the bits are compatible
with the better Campag groupsets so if you did later want to upgrade it
would be easy. I don't understand why they're charging so much more for
the triple than the double. If you're on a budget I would think the
double would be a better buy, and if you're not I would tend to go for
the Centaur double rather than the Veloce triple (indeed _I_ definitely
would, since a Centaur double is exactly what I've got on my good road
bike). Chorus is nicer but by the time you get that high up the scale
you're definitely into the area of diminishing returns - it isn't
*that* much nicer. I would not pay more for Shimano 105 than for Campag
Veloce.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

'Victories are not solutions.'
;; John Hume, Northern Irish politician, on Radio Scotland 1/2/95
;; Nobel Peace Prize laureate 1998; few have deserved it so much

" [Not Responding] " <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I reckon I've found it. As discussed earlier I've decided I need my
first road bike but don't want anything too race-like. So here, is
what I'm looking at now:

http://www.tifosi-cycles.co.uk/frames/ck7.html

Not knowing anything about Shimano vs Campag etc, what wheels and
finishing kit should I be thinking of?

Generally Tifosi get good write-ups and are seen to be good value. As far as
I can make out the main functional difference is that the front changer for
Shimano moves to 3 fixed positions whilst the Campag one works on a
mini-ratchet system making it infinitely adjustable within it's total range.
If you're going for a triple changer the Campag set-up may well work better
for you. The other differences are in ergonomics and taste plus ability to
fit a barbag with campag due to concealed cables.

HTH
Julia

[Not Responding] <[email hidden]> wrote:
: I reckon I've found it. As discussed earlier I've decided I need my
: first road bike but don't want anything too race-like. So here, is
: what I'm looking at now:

: http://www.tifosi-cycles.co.uk/frames/ck7.html

I've got one of those frames for my winter bike. It's very good value
for the money.

--
Arthur Clune PGP/GPG Key: http://www.clune.org/pubkey.txt
It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness

David Martin said:

On 16/12/04 10:11 am, in article

[email hidden],

Quoted message said:

Ob wheels. I remain unconvinced by the low spoke count wheels
for general purpose riding.

For Audax/touring I'd definitely agree. A single broken spoke can leave
you completely stranded.

--
Dave...

Not Responding said:

I reckon I've found it. As discussed earlier I've decided I need my
first road bike but don't want anything too race-like. So here, is
what I'm looking at now:

http://www.tifosi-cycles.co.uk/frames/ck7.html

It looks a very nice bike. I was in Pearson's in Sutton the other day
and they were trying hard to interest me in their new audax bike, which
I have to admit did seem very nice. It's in the same sort of price
range - around £1000 - so it might be worth your taking a trip over
there to make a comparison.

--
Dave...

Pete Biggs said:

I strongly suggest a triple version if in any doubt about what
gear range you'll need.

I'll go along with that too, particularly bearing in mind NR's
post-crash arm weakness which could make climbing out of the saddle
difficult. It should give him some peace of mind knowing that he can
remain seated and wind his way up almost any hill.

--
Dave...

Michael MacClancy said:

Not Responding said:

I reckon I've found it. As discussed earlier I've decided I need my
first road bike but don't want anything too race-like. So here, is
what I'm looking at now:

http://www.tifosi-cycles.co.uk/frames/ck7.html

Not knowing anything about Shimano vs Campag etc, what wheels and
finishing kit should I be thinking of?

Where are you buying it?

Apparently there's a shop in Waterlooville (north of Portsmouth) that
does Tifosi. I'd expect them to be able to size a frame for me. The
alternative is to go a lot further afield for a formal fitting
session. Mosquito bikes charge £75 for this but while I see the value
for a custom frame I'm not so convinced it's needed when selecting
between XS,S,M,L,XL.

Quoted message said:

The most important thing is that the bike fits you. Unless you know a lot
about these things or get specialist advice you might end up buying a frame
that's not suitable for you. Go to a shop with a fitting jig.

I prefer Campag but only because the cables are tidier. I would avoid
Tiagra components because those on my wife's bike have got to look a bit
shabby.

I have Centaur and have no complaints.

A quick glance at the Campag site implies that triples aren't offered
in all their ranges. I'll probably go for the Veloce.

" [Not Responding] " <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Michael MacClancy said:

Not Responding said:

I reckon I've found it. As discussed earlier I've decided I need my
first road bike but don't want anything too race-like. So here, is
what I'm looking at now:

http://www.tifosi-cycles.co.uk/frames/ck7.html

Not knowing anything about Shimano vs Campag etc, what wheels and
finishing kit should I be thinking of?

Where are you buying it?

Apparently there's a shop in Waterlooville (north of Portsmouth) that
does Tifosi. I'd expect them to be able to size a frame for me. The
alternative is to go a lot further afield for a formal fitting
session. Mosquito bikes charge £75 for this but while I see the value
for a custom frame I'm not so convinced it's needed when selecting
between XS,S,M,L,XL.

Quoted message said:

The most important thing is that the bike fits you. Unless you know a lot
about these things or get specialist advice you might end up buying a
frame
that's not suitable for you. Go to a shop with a fitting jig.

I prefer Campag but only because the cables are tidier. I would avoid
Tiagra components because those on my wife's bike have got to look a bit
shabby.

I have Centaur and have no complaints.

A quick glance at the Campag site implies that triples aren't offered
in all their ranges. I'll probably go for the Veloce.

I take it that this is Scivyer Cycles? John has a good reputation locally,
it's probably worth talking to him about the whole package. That way you can
mix and match bits out of different groupsets, get the bars and saddle of
your choice and a pair of decent hand-built wheels. Additionally both veloce
and centaur do triple crankset (just checked) and you can get the cassette
and chain of your choice.

HTH
Julia

Not Responding said:

I reckon I've found it. As discussed earlier I've decided I need my
first road bike but don't want anything too race-like. So here, is
what I'm looking at now:

http://www.tifosi-cycles.co.uk/frames/ck7.html

Not knowing anything about Shimano vs Campag etc, what wheels and
finishing kit should I be thinking of?

I'd recommend Shimano groupset with downtube shifters. Less weight than
STi/Ergo. No handlebar/cable mess AT ALL. can be switched to friction
mode if needed to give un limited trimming, much cheaper and more reliable.
Oozes retro chic, shame about that sloping top tube though. 36 spoke
wheels only please

Not Responding said:

I reckon I've found it. As discussed earlier I've decided I need my
first road bike but don't want anything too race-like. So here, is
what I'm looking at now:

http://www.tifosi-cycles.co.uk/frames/ck7.html

Not knowing anything about Shimano vs Campag etc, what wheels and
finishing kit should I be thinking of?

The only thing I don't like about Tifosi is the name -- a bit silly
methinks. It's a nice bike all the same; I've seen one in GA Cycles in
Southampton. It's a nice shade of blue.

in message <[email hidden]>, JBB

(') said:

Generally Tifosi get good write-ups and are seen to be good value. As
far as I can make out the main functional difference is that the front
changer for Shimano moves to 3 fixed positions whilst the Campag one
works on a mini-ratchet system making it infinitely adjustable within
it's total range.

Not infinitely. It's stepped, but there are more steps so some degree of
trimming is possible. It's generally possible to trim so as to avoid
the chain rubbing in the front mech - but Campag front mechs have a
(replaceable) resin/PTFE insert in the cage to prevent chain rub
wearing the leading edge of the cage.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

[ This .sig subject to change without notice ]

in message <[email hidden]>, JBB

(') said:

" [Not Responding] " <[email hidden]> wrote in
message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

A quick glance at the Campag site implies that triples aren't offered
in all their ranges. I'll probably go for the Veloce.

I take it that this is Scivyer Cycles? John has a good reputation
locally, it's probably worth talking to him about the whole package.
That way you can mix and match bits out of different groupsets, get
the bars and saddle of your choice and a pair of decent hand-built
wheels. Additionally both veloce and centaur do triple crankset (just
checked) and you can get the cassette and chain of your choice.

It's also worth pointing out that the Centaur rear mech comes in three
cage lengths. I have the medium cage, which allows me up to 13-29 at
the back on a double. This seems to me a practical, more elegant, and
lighter alternative to a triple (although in practice I use a 13-26).

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; Woz: 'All the best people in life seem to like LINUX.'
;; <URL:http://www.woz.org/woz/cresponses/response03.html>

"Simon Brooke" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

in message <[email hidden]>, JBB

(') said:

Generally Tifosi get good write-ups and are seen to be good value. As
far as I can make out the main functional difference is that the front
changer for Shimano moves to 3 fixed positions whilst the Campag one
works on a mini-ratchet system making it infinitely adjustable within
it's total range.

Not infinitely. It's stepped, but there are more steps so some degree of
trimming is possible. It's generally possible to trim so as to avoid
the chain rubbing in the front mech - but Campag front mechs have a
(replaceable) resin/PTFE insert in the cage to prevent chain rub
wearing the leading edge of the cage.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

[ This .sig subject to change without notice ]

Ok it's not infinite, just my hyperbole showing! I would however say from
personal experience that with a Centaur set up I have always been able to
eliminate chain-rub bt adjuting the mech as required.

Julia