Back In The Saddle

Johnners1878

After a week or so lurking and researching on here, I went in to my local bike shop, Trailblazers in Carrick-On-Shannon, to buy a Specialized Allez Sport, or possibly a Lapierre Audacio 400. I came out half an hour or so later having provisionally ordered a Forme Vitesse.

It hadn’t really registered on my radar in advance, but Gerry in the shop rates it highly for the money ( €1,100) and reckons an equivalent quality Trek or Giant would cost closer to €1,500.
It has a carbon fork & seat post, Shimano 105 components, and looks well put together – smooth welded, and understated black & white livery. Feels pretty light to me too. There’s a decent review of the first Vitesse on Bike Radar here and there seems to have been a few tweaks and improvements to the 2011 model.

I haven’t had a test ride yet, but they’re setting up a 56” on Tuesday which I’ll take a quick run on – I’ll probably need a 58”, but it should give me a good feel for the bike. If anyone has any personal experience, I’d love to hear about it.

I’m 45, and it’s been 20 years since I’ve cycled seriously, but I fancy the idea of doing some veteran racing next season – can anyone recommend a club in Sligo/Leitrim/North Roscommon? I’ve done two 30km spins on my 10 year old Scott Atacama hybrid since I got the Lidl bike computer on Thursday and have averaged 25kmph so I reckon I can squeeze a bit more out of a decent road bike with a bit of proper training.

Anyway, thanks to all on here who take the time to offer advice, expertise and opinions, it’s really helpful for people like me who have been out of the game for a long time.

ednwireland

as far as clubs go see these guys
http://www.innisfreewheelers.com/

reilig

Leitrim Village have a cycling club. Enquire with Gerry in Trail balzers. I think that they are involved in the club!!

Johnners1878

Thanks for the pointers - I'll check those out. Not too many Forme riders on here yet it seems. I suppose as a relatively new brand it'll take a while to build market share against the big boys like Trek, Giant & Specialized.