What Type Bike?

abcjonesy · 28-09-2009 10:40am #1

Hi,

I am currently thinking of taking up cycling. Main interests would be for fitness, with intent to sign up for a couple of road races (or aventure races/duatlons etc..) to keep motivated with training. I would also like to do some weekend away trips around ireland like a cycle from Dublin to Wexford and stay overnight so would have to carry some clothes etc...(this would be 2 - 3 weekedns a year). Is there a bike that would suit these interests bearing in mind if I enter road races it will be mainly just for taking part and fitness. Quickest times possible would not be top of the list.

Ideally I would like a road racer but I am not sure if you can attach a saddlebags temporarily.

I would probably buy a 2nd hand bike given it would be my first bike. Could someone recommend a type of bike and some models that would suit so I could start looking into this.

Thanks In advance.

shapez · 28-09-2009 10:48am

This really depends on your budget.

Off the top of my head...

Felt Z35
Focus Cayo
Cube Streamer
Specialized Allez/Roubaix
Fuji Roubaix

These would be a good starting point for a budget between 1k - 2k.

brian.mckeon · 28-09-2009 11:53am

Or you could go for something like a Giant FCR (Same frame as the Defy/OCR). This has flat bars. but my local bike shop converts it to drops and gives you the flat bars too. Space for mudguards, has rack eyelets for light touring. Quick enough for a novice duathlon, and strong enough for light touring.

Lumen · 28-09-2009 12:36pm

If you want to road race you must buy a drop bar road bike.

You then have two choices: one with rack mounts or one without.

Rack mounts are the most sensible option, but this limits your choice somewhat. If you go for a racing bike without rack mounts, you can find other solutions for light touring.

cdaly_ · 28-09-2009 2:02pm

brian.mckeon wrote: »

Or you could go for something like a Giant FCR (Same frame as the Defy/OCR). This has flat bars. but my local bike shop converts it to drops and gives you the flat bars too. Space for mudguards, has rack eyelets for light touring. Quick enough for a novice duathlon, and strong enough for light touring.

I have one of these as my commuter bike. Really like it. How much did the shop charge to convert to drops? Levers and shifters included?

tunney · 28-09-2009 2:04pm

You could try a Halfords bike. cheap as chips. And backed by chris boardman.

shapez · 28-09-2009 2:13pm

tunney wrote: »

You could try a Halfords bike. cheap as chips. And backed by chris boardman.

You mean a Boardman bike? Very good value bike with a SRAM groupset.

brian.mckeon · 28-09-2009 2:16pm

Hey CDALY. I did this to my own commuter bike a good few years ago. However, a guy who works with me got it done in the local shop for ~€80. A good price really for the shifters (sora), bars as labour. Think a new FD was included as well but I could be wrong.

abcjonesy · 29-09-2009 12:41pm

Lumen wrote: »

If you want to road race you must buy a drop bar road bike.

You then have two choices: one with rack mounts or one without.

Rack mounts are the most sensible option, but this limits your choice somewhat. If you go for a racing bike without rack mounts, you can find other solutions for light touring.

thanks everyboby for the advice.

Lumen: I might keep an eye out for one with rack mounts but the "other solution" seems fine for the ammount of touring I would do.

My Budget would be 400-500 buying a 2nd hand bike. Are there any specific models that are popular that I should keep an eye out for. I'm not in a major rush at the moment to get one so I've time to shop around. Also I need to figure out how to select a correct frame size. Is there a standard guideline I've seen few different things after googling.

thanks

Lumen · 29-09-2009 12:57pm

abcjonesy wrote: »

Also I need to figure out how to select a correct frame size. Is there a standard guideline I've seen few different things after googling.

I like this one.

abcjonesy · 29-09-2009 1:22pm

Lumen wrote: »

I like this one.

Thanks Lumen. I'll get into that after work.

Lumen · 29-09-2009 1:26pm

abcjonesy wrote: »

Thanks Lumen. I'll get into that after work.

Also, the most (only?) important measurement when choosing a road bike frame size is "effective horizontal top tube length".

abcjonesy · 30-09-2009 11:59am

Lumen wrote: »

Also, the most (only?) important measurement when choosing a road bike frame size is "effective horizontal top tube length".

Hi Lumen. I'm a little unsure trying to figure a frame size using that chart that you linked. If you get a minute could you have a look. My measurements are 6ft2" 34/35" Inseem 9.5/10 UK Shoe Size. thanks mate!

Lumen · 30-09-2009 3:58pm

abcjonesy wrote: »

Hi Lumen. I'm a little unsure trying to figure a frame size using that chart that you linked. If you get a minute could you have a look. My measurements are 6ft2" 34/35" Inseem 9.5/10 UK Shoe Size. thanks mate!

Probably a 58cm or 59cm using traditional road bike sizing. The "horizontal equivalent top tube length", would be somewhere around 570-580mm for you. It's all a bit guessy since there are personal factors (flexibility and core strength) which need to be considered.

Getting the reach right is what really matters, and that depends also on stem length and saddle setback. I tend to run a lot of setback (to ease the strain on my back), which means I have to use a short stem or smaller frame than my height would indicate. I am still searching for the perfect setup because my back is so weak.

It's best to have a pedal around on a few different size bikes and get a feel for what's comfortable, or get an experienced bike fitter to do it properly.

Or you could just decide on a bike and use the recommended height/inseam charts from the manufacturer.

abcjonesy · 30-09-2009 4:06pm

Thanks Lumen seems to be alot of variables alright I'll. I'll try out a few different bikes and do more research. Hopefully not too many more questions

blorg · 30-09-2009 4:16pm

That bike Lumen linked to is my good racer. The bag on the back like that does work well but you really need to keep the weight low- below 4kg I reckon including the bag (which is around 1kg with the mounting hardware.) So 3kg of stuff. Ideally less. You can put more stuff in a bar bag. If you put any more stuff in the back the back of the saddle gets worryingly wobbly. I used it for a cycle over the Pyrenees earlier in the month and a quick tour around Ireland last weekend and it worked well for these (4/5 days cycling.)

Many entry level race bikes have rack mounts and this is a better solution if you want to carry larger amounts of luggage. You can carry more but would still want to keep it relatively light on a race bike due to the tyre width and as the bike isn't really designed geometry-wise to have that amount of stuff on the back. I found it made the handling a bit funny when I had a rack on my Bowery which would be race bike geometry.

A touring bike is better for lots of luggage but it is really a very different beast to a race bike. You can carry a lot more on them but racing would be a push.

Regarding road racing I would suggest you start with triathlons/duathlons but if you want to actually mass start road race you need to join a cycling club and learn the ropes- it is quite technical in a bunch and there really is a minimum level required to stick with the bunch. Clubs have handicapped leagues that are an ideal introduction to this. If you do want to do this most clubs encourage new members over the winter.

Triathlon by contrast is an individual competition with no drafting and so it is perfectly compatible with all levels racing together, you can just go at your own pace.

What Type Bike?

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