Got my new bike :)

mel.b

So I've upgraded from this...



to this...



Scott Contessa Speedster 25 (small)

All the pics I had seen of it, it looked like it was glossy, so it was a surprise tonight to see that it is actually a matt finish ( I test rode the Contessa 35 as they didn't have the 25 in stock) I really like it as it's a bit more subtle in colour than I thought it would be (due to the matt finish). This pic gives you an idea...



I'm actually a bit petrified of riding it...seems so small and has such skinny wheels:eek: Hopefully though this gorgeous weather will hold and I will give it a go tomorrow night. I'll get proper pedals and shoes once I have gotten used to riding it. Thought it would be a bit much to start with.
Also I hope to god I have the front quick release done up properly...the guy at the shop showed me how to get the wheel off to put it in the car but didn't show me how to put it back on and close it up. The lever has 'closed' showing now, so i think that's right:o

So what else do I need to get now?
- floor pump
- can i get a pump to go in the saddle bag? The bike shop have attached a larger pump onto the frame and it looks ugly so I'd like to get rid of it ASAP
- multitool
- spare tubes

Any recommendations on good brands?

So excited

meercat

woohoooo



thats a beauty
enjoy

Fixed Gear Home Skillet

All sounds good. I carry a Park multi tool with chainbreaker and love it. On my road bike I carry in my bag, two tubes, a patch kit and my multi tool. I also have a pump attached to my water bottle cage. If the pump is a hassle for you get a c02 system you can carry in your bag as well. Sweet whip, cheers!

yop

Well wear and safe cycling.

Great satisfaction in throwing the leg over a new ride OF A BIKE!

shamrock55

congrats thats a nice bike could i ask what you paid for it??

TopCat01

That's a real beaut, you won't know yourself on it. Well wear!

Bigus

Can't wait to see a comparison report ,speed/comfort/ practicality good luck with it

Wheely GR8

Lovely bike ,just in time for the bright evenings ahead

mel.b

shamrock55 wrote: »

congrats thats a nice bike could i ask what you paid for it??

Thanks E1099 with the bits and bobs thrown in.

V Eight

Nice bike love the colour.

Get clipless pedals! You'll get much more enjoyment out of the bike that way.

mel.b

Bigus wrote: »

Can't wait to see a comparison report ,speed/comfort/ practicality good luck with it

I already can't believe how light it is in comparision to my hybrid.

V Eight wrote: »

Nice bike love the colour.

Get clipless pedals! You'll get much more enjoyment out of the bike that way.

Will be doing...probably next month.

Mycroft H

Mudguards, must have in Ireland.

Raceblades if you dont have the eyelets for proper ones.

Joey Joe-Joe Jr

Very nice machine mel! Happy travelling. ;-)

coastwatch

Nice bike, you'll have a lot of fun with that and I'd say you'll be cycling a lot more.

mel.b wrote: »

So what else do I need to get now?
- floor pump
- can i get a pump to go in the saddle bag? The bike shop have attached a larger pump onto the frame and it looks ugly so I'd like to get rid of it ASAP
- multitool
- spare tubes

Any recommendations on good brands?

So excited

Floor Pump- Yes, easier to use and less effort required than a minipump.
Minipumps are really just to get you home. You can get smaller than the one in the photo, but you wont get one small enough to fit in your saddle bag.
Brands: Topeak, Blackburn, Lezyne, Park are all good, I'm sure there are more.

Multitool - Yes, one with allen keys and screwdrivers to start with, again, these are just to get you home.

Spare Tubes -Yes, always bring one

The list of accessories is never-ending, but you'll definitely need,
Tyre Levers
Puncture Repair kit (or Glueless Patch kit)

I think a bike computer is a great accessory, just to keep track of you're Kms and speed.

Have fun with it.

QueensGael

Love the new rothar!

If the pump is bothering you on the bike, just stick it in the back pocket of your jersey.

Best of luck with it!

T954

Nice bike!

Chain breaker, multitool, spoke key, Co2 and spare tubes, floor pump, clipless pedals and water bottles...I think thats about it....well wear enjoy

cdaly_

coastwatch wrote: »

Minipumps are really just to get you home. You can get smaller than the one in the photo, but you wont get one small enough to fit in your saddle bag.
Brands: Topeak, Blackburn, Lezyne, Park are all good, I'm sure there are more.

I carry a small minipump which tucks in beside the bottle cage. But I rely on the CO2 canisters and inflator which fit in the saddle bag.

Wheely GR8

I notice the camelbak bottles are 12 euro in halfords ,well worth investing in them.

seamus

coastwatch wrote: »

You can get smaller than the one in the photo, but you wont get one small enough to fit in your saddle bag.

My one fits in my saddlebag.
But then I really only use it for inflating before using the CO2 canister. If have really bad day and get a third puncture, it'll give me 80psi to get me home.

dubmess

A note on the front wheel.

Make sure the skewer is sufficiently tight. Unlock the lever side and screw the other side in towards the fork, there should be a bit of pressure needed to close the lever side firmly, then you'll know the front wheel is secure. If it's not done up tightly the wheel could shift in the dropouts when you hit a pothole or bump.

Happy trails, you won't know yourself. Prepare to be hooked.

coastwatch

seamus wrote: »

My one fits in my saddlebag.

Sounds good, small pump, big bag or both?

Al Wright

...the guy at the shop showed me how to get the wheel off to put it in the car but didn't show me how to put it back on and close it up. The lever has 'closed' showing now, so i think that's right....

he probably didn't show you the brake release either; there's a lever on the brake caliper (at the cable connection), it allows the brake caliper to open wider to allow the wheel removal without deflating the tyre. When you refit the wheel check that it is returned to normal position. ( there's no great risk as brakes still work but with reduced travel, it becomes apparent later as pads wear)

Jawgap

Sweet bike - hopefully you'll have many enjoyable kilometres on it.

I wouldn't bother with the CO2 cartridges - get a good mini-pump and one of these (NoTubes Presta-Shraeder Valve Adapter).

you might also consider taking the frame pump off and fitting a second bottle cage - even if you don't need the second bottle for water /liquids you could always use an old bottle to carry bits of kit.

aside from that, a couple of spare tubes, a multi-tool and tyre levers are really all you need. Some pumps have hollow handles for carrying a couple of patches for emergency repairs.

Aside from that, the only other thing i have wrapped in clingfilm in the handle of my pump is a 20 euro note for emergencies - 'proper' emergencies, not the "I-don't-have-enough-cash-with-me-for-a-slice-of-cake" emergencies:)

Good luck

Caroline_ie

Hope to see it in a race now! Enjoy

mp31

Congratulations on yer new bike... looks brilliant.

If you don't already have one, get a good base layer to wear under the jersey ... and perhaps a hig viz jacket

Caroline_ie

mp31 wrote: »

perhaps a hig viz jacket

NO! Don't do that!

SomeFool

mel.b wrote: »

So what else do I need to get now?

a winter bike is a must have

mel.b

BX 19 wrote: »

Mudguards, must have in Ireland.

Raceblades if you dont have the eyelets for proper ones.

Was wondering about mudguards. Looking at my bike, I don't appear to have eyelets, so will look into raceblades

Al Wright wrote: »

...the guy at the shop showed me how to get the wheel off to put it in the car but didn't show me how to put it back on and close it up. The lever has 'closed' showing now, so i think that's right....

he probably didn't show you the brake release either; there's a lever on the brake caliper (at the cable connection), it allows the brake caliper to open wider to allow the wheel removal without deflating the tyre. When you refit the wheel check that it is returned to normal position. ( there's no great risk as brakes still work but with reduced travel, it becomes apparent later as pads wear)

He did show me the brake release, however I there is a big distance between the brake and the rim - I needed to push the brake lever in all the way for the brake to catch. In comparision, the rear brake lever only needed to pushed about 1/4 way. I don't know if it was like this in the shop or it is something I did trying to put the wheel back on, but I think I need to take it back in to be readjusted? Also on the subject of brakes, the front brake is on my left hand side and the rear brake is on the right. Every other bike I have had has had them around the other way. Which is 'standard' and is it possible to get them swapped over?

mp31 wrote: »

Congratulations on yer new bike... looks brilliant.

If you don't already have one, get a good base layer to wear under the jersey ... and perhaps a hig viz jacket

Caroline_ie wrote: »

NO! Don't do that!

LOL - I need to get a jacket. There is one I like that comes in a nice aqua colour and a bright yellow. Would like the aqua one, but am thinking the yellow is better to be seen


So i took the bike for a very quick test spin around the neighbourhood. It felt lovely and smooth in comparision and the skinny wheels weren't as scary as I thought! The handlebars and positions is going to take some getting used to. I had my hands on/around the hoods and it was quite sore between my thumb index finger, but after looking at some pictures, I'm not sure if I had my hands right, so I will take more notice tomorrow. Also with my hands on the hoods I could only reach the top part of the brake lever which meant I couldnt push it in far enough for the brakes to catch. When your hands on the hoods, do you have to move your hands to use the brakes?

I also need to get some leg warmers...my tights are not warm enough I can't wear my tracksuit pants on top of them anymore. Have the tyre levers and spare tube, so will be adding the rest to my shopping list!

mp31

mel.b wrote: »

Was wondering about mudguards. Looking at my bike, I don't appear to have eyelets, so will look into raceblades

Check these out... http://road.cc/content/review/50952-sks-raceblade-long-mudguards

Wishbone Ash

Beautiful bike Mel.

You should upgrade your lock. Don't use the one on your hybrid but get a high quality short U lock with a cable to secure the quick release front wheel.

Joey Joe-Joe Jr

Were you on the Long Mile Road today around 12:30? I caught a glimpse of a girl on a bike that looked similar to yours.

mel.b

Joey Joe-Joe Jr wrote: »

Were you on the Long Mile Road today around 12:30? I caught a glimpse of a girl on a bike that looked similar to yours.

Nope not me. Where is long mile rd?

mel.b

Just back from my first spin I choose a route that was basically flat and not a lot of traffic just so i could get used to the bike.

Pros
- I'm already faster:D Average speed today was 20.28km/hr...woohooo first time i have managed to break the 20km/hr mark. The closest i had come previously was 19.25km/hr and that was in Aug last year after having been riding for 4months. To go out and do that today with a ride last week plus a couole of turbo sessions the only things i have done since Oct makes me feel delighted.

- it's so light...getting it in and out of the car is so easy now.

- it looks good

Cons
- i'm still completely paranoid about the front wheel quick release wondering if i have done it up properly and tight enough. I know that i will overcome this with practice and confidence in the bike and in what i am doing

- was worried about going over every little stone initally for fear of getting a puncture. I need to spend some time at home learning to change a tube. I've been shown but that's it.

- i'm making the bike wobble every time i move my hands....good thing no one was next to me! I presume this will come with practice and wheni don't need to change hand posiion so often, which leads me to my biggest con...

- hands....sore hands even minutes after getting on the bike my hands were sore. Predominatly between the thumb and index finger, but also on the palm of my hand. It feels like there is a lot of weight being put on my hands and i couldn't leave them in any one position for more than a couple of minutes. By the time i finished the ride and took off my gloves i could barely move my thumb on my right hand. I might start a seperate thread about hand positions.

Once i get my hands sorted i can tell this is going to be a lot of fun:cool:

TopCat01

Good stuff Mel. Good news is that those cons will fade with time.

Regarding the quick release, once you tighten it, lift up the front of the bike with one hand, and give a little downward thump to the wheel with the other hand. If its loose, it will drop out. Simple enough check.

Joey Joe-Joe Jr

mel.b wrote: »

Nope not me. Where is long mile rd?

Ah okay, it was a bit of a long shot, just saw a new looking white road bike and thought maybe. :-)
Long Mile Road runs from the Naas Road in towards Crumlin through Drimnagh.

Wishbone Ash

mel.b wrote: »

was worried about going over every little stone initally for fear of getting a puncture

Get a track pump and check the pressures daily - keep at about 120psi to reduce the chance of punctures.

- hands....sore hands even minutes after getting on the bike my hands were sore. Predominatly between the thumb and index finger, but also on the palm of my hand. It feels like there is a lot of weight being put on my hands and i couldn't leave them in any one position for more than a couple of minutes.

That's a normal feature when coming from a hybrid to a road bike as you have to take more weight on your hands/arms. It will go away and you'll find that your arms will strengthen a bit over time.

(I hired out a city bike while abroad recently and after doing 85kms my wrists were killing me as I'm not used to that higher and wider position.)

Beasty

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Get a track pump and check the pressures daily - keep at about 120psi to reduce the chance of punctures.

Lighter riders really don't need to run at such high pressures, and there's a balance to be had - drop it to 100-110psi and the ride will be more comfortable, and the grip will be better particularly in slippery winter conditions

(having said that, I'm far from light, and run my tyres ar 120psi year round)

Sr. Assumpta

mel.b wrote: »

- hands....sore hands even minutes after getting on the bike my hands were sore. Predominatly between the thumb and index finger, but also on the palm of my hand. It feels like there is a lot of weight being put on my hands and i couldn't leave them in any one position for more than a couple of minutes. By the time i finished the ride and took off my gloves i could barely move my thumb on my right hand. I might start a seperate thread about hand positions.

Once i get my hands sorted i can tell this is going to be a lot of fun:cool:

mel.b, make a concious effort not to have your arms rigid; try to keep a bend in your elbows (think about having "light arms"). Less weight/pressure through your hands and arms is more weight/power through your legs, thus, increased efficiency and, (hopefully) less pain in your hands.

mel.b

I got a track pump today so that is sorted. I'm not a light rider either (105kg) so should I pump them to 120 or lower?

cdaly_

I'm around 95kg and I run at 100psi. Try lower to start with. If they're too soft you'll start getting pinch flats.

Wishbone Ash

mel.b wrote: »

I got a track pump today so that is sorted. I'm not a light rider either (105kg) so should I pump them to 120 or lower?

I'd say you should be at 120. I'm 85kgs and run at 120. If you find the ride too hard you could chance 110 on the front as it is generally less prone to punctures.

Bigus

I've being thinking of trading up to a road bike for the last few months,Well mel.b you encouraged me to go out and buy this yesterday:D,

Also have with my trek hybrid, which i'm hanging on to.

RT 57 with SRAM force and Mavic wheels in white and blue full carbon frame




I also got myself my first ever proper cycling shoes to go with look pedals,this morning, put up about 50km already, some difference between this and the hybrid when you combine everything. Big bonus using the shoes cleats and pedals.

Last time i bought a racer was 30 years ago(I still have it hanging up in the shed)Dawes Mirage . I was looking out for a second hand one but depreciation seems to be very small on Carbon bikes at the moment even allowing for the winter. Good deal @ 1650 methinks all things considered fully built collected from the shop. Instant gratification and no time to change my mind. Very pleased I am

Feel confident enough on this to maybe join a few spins in the near future !

jonathondoe

Bigus wrote: »

I've being thinking of trading up to a road bike for the last few months,Well mel.b you encouraged me to go out and buy this yesterday:D,

Also have with my trek hybrid, which i'm hanging on to.

RT 57 with SRAM force and Mavic wheels in white and blue full carbon frame




I also got myself my first ever proper cycling shoes to go with look pedals,this morning, put up about 50km already, some difference between this and the hybrid when you combine everything. Big bonus using the shoes cleats and pedals.

Last time i bought a racer was 30 years ago(I still have it hanging up in the shed)Dawes Mirage . I was looking out for a second hand one but depreciation seems to be very small on Carbon bikes at the moment even allowing for the winter. Good deal @ 1650 methinks all things considered fully built collected from the shop. Instant gratification and no time to change my mind. Very pleased I am

Feel confident enough on this to maybe join a few spins in the near future !

Nice piece of kit
There must be something in the air
Just got my new bike ordered yesterday
http://www.cube.eu/en/road/pro-comp/agree-gtc-pro/
Can't wait til it's ready for collection!!

byebye

jonathondoe wrote: »

Nice piece of kit
There must be something in the air
Just got my new bike ordered yesterday
http://www.cube.eu/en/road/pro-comp/agree-gtc-pro/
Can't wait til it's ready for collection!!

Really nice bike! where did you buy?

jonathondoe

byebye wrote: »

jonathondoe wrote: »

Nice piece of kit
There must be something in the air
Just got my new bike ordered yesterday
http://www.cube.eu/en/road/pro-comp/agree-gtc-pro/
Can't wait til it's ready for collection!!

Really nice bike! where did you buy?

Cyclesuperstore. I been waiting for the gtc for a while but finding hard to source and all shops now telling me mid April now so I splashed the extra and went for pro. It's a really nice looking bike.....all about appearances!
Good set of lungs and legs next on shopping list

mel.b

Bigus wrote: »

I've being thinking of trading up to a road bike for the last few months,Well mel.b you encouraged me to go out and buy this yesterday:D,





I also got myself my first ever proper cycling shoes to go with look pedals,this morning, put up about 50km already, some difference between this and the hybrid when you combine everything. Big bonus using the shoes cleats and pedals.


Feel confident enough on this to maybe join a few spins in the near future !

Very nice bike bigus I love being an enabler It is such a difference isn't it...so glad I did it and sounds like you are too

Bigus

Can't beat a bit of positive news in the current times,

I always liked enablers, solutions not problems the way to go

Wicklow and Wexford here we come.

And Jon ,How much for the Cube pro ? if its no to rude to ask ?

jonathondoe

Bigus wrote: »

Can't beat a bit of positive news in the current times,

I always liked enablers, solutions not problems the way to go

Wicklow and Wexford here we come.

And Jon ,How much for the Cube pro ? if its no to rude to ask ?

No worries bigus
The cube came in at 1747. Decent price (I think!) for good piece kit
I being looking for carbon for a while and my amateur research pointed me that direction(using bike to work aswell) so got nice bike for decent cash when take that into equation

Bigus

Very nice looking bike for the money Jon well wear with it. Similar money to my own , how much would these yokes with this spec have been 18 months ago ?

Late 2's ?