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bike jargon-advice for newbee

  • 24-08-2012 6:23pm
    #1
    paddlepop
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 141 ✭✭


    Can someone help me out of things to look for in a road racer, in terms of spec.

    My budget is about 600euro. I dont qualify for the BTW scheme. so money is tight.

    I like the look of the Felt Z95, the Trek Alpha 1.5 and the bianchi via nerone. What i dont understand is:
    Groupsets-what does this mean. from what i can gather 105 is pretty good?
    Am i right saying that Tiagra is better than Sora. Is sora very bad? the Felt z95 is Sora but for a newbee like me, do i need the better components? I am doing sprint Triathlons.
    Compact crankset? This is good for climbing up hills? I am in wicklow so hills are the norm and god i hate them. Anything to get me up and over is good.

    for someone who might be only cycling once a week about 50-60kms, do i need the fancy smancy stuff? i also looked at the Careera Virtuoso only cause the price is good.:p


Comments

  • #2
    Hmmzis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,004 ✭✭✭Hmmzis


    paddlepop wrote: »
    Can someone help me out of things to look for in a road racer, in terms of spec.

    My budget is about 600euro. I dont qualify for the BTW scheme. so money is tight.

    I like the look of the Felt Z95, the Trek Alpha 1.5 and the bianchi via nerone. What i dont understand is:
    Groupsets-what does this mean. from what i can gather 105 is pretty good?
    Am i right saying that Tiagra is better than Sora. Is sora very bad? the Felt z95 is Sora but for a newbee like me, do i need the better components? I am doing sprint Triathlons.
    Compact crankset? This is good for climbing up hills? I am in wicklow so hills are the norm and god i hate them. Anything to get me up and over is good.

    for someone who might be only cycling once a week about 50-60kms, do i need the fancy smancy stuff? i also looked at the Careera Virtuoso only cause the price is good.:p

    Both the Felt and the Trek are decent enough bikes. Tiagra is better than Sora. With Tiagra you can shift both ways from hoods and drops. With Sora it's impossible to shift down when in the drops (unles you have some uncaningly long thumbs with an extra joint in them).

    For your budget you could get something nice second hand but you might have to factor in some extra money for new tyres and the odd bit that might be worn. In the adverts sites you could get something with 105 or the previous generation of Ultegra for your budget.

    As for if you need it, probably no, but speaking from experience - the nicer the bike and the better it feels the more you will want to use it and that eventually will make you faster.


  • #3
    Roger Hassenforder
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,555 ✭✭✭Roger Hassenforder


    you're probably better off going second hand if the shekels are few.
    Sora is grand starting off, Tiagra preferable, 105 even more so.
    compact with 11-28 cassette (the bit with the gears) would be plenty, no point getting a triple, they wont let you into T1 with a granny ring (i could be wrong on that bit)

    stick up a few links on the bikes you're interested in.


  • #4
    paddlepop
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 141 ✭✭paddlepop


    This is the one i have my eye on:
    FELT Z95
    Z95

    A Superlite aluminum frame featuring both internal and external butting plus additional shaping gives the Z95 a zippy ride feel. A UHC Performance carbon fiber fork adds some vibration-damping ride compliance, and the endurance-oriented geometry helps you stay fresh for the final sprint. And with a dependable Micro.shift shifters and performance oriented components, you’ll have confident shifting and braking no matter the conditions.
    • Frame:
      Felt Endurance Road custom 7005 superlight butted smooth welded aluminum, machined threaded BB shell, external cable routing, forged aluminum dropouts & replaceable rear derailleur hanger
    • Fork:
      Felt UHC Performance carbon fiber fork, aluminum steerer tube, crown, & forged dropouts
    • Drivetrain:
      Micro.shift integrated shifters & front derailleur, Shimano Tiagra rear derailleur, FSA Tempo Compact 50/34T crankset, SunRace chain & 11-28T cassette
    • Components:
      Dual pivot brakes w/ stainless hardware, Felt VS 6061 aluminum bar, Felt SL 6061 aluminum 3D forged stem, Felt SL 6061 aluminum seatpost, Felt VS+ road saddle
    • Wheelset:
      Alex R500 rims, Felt hubs, Stainless steel spokes w/ brass nipples 2) Gloss white
    • Sizes:
      700c x 51cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 61cm
    • Weight:
      21.77lbs/9.90kg
    But then i also heard that having a carbon seat post is nice on the ole bum, so now i think i might go for a bike with that.... I have decided to at least go for Tiagra if not 105 or Ultegra if i can afford a second hand one.


    The Bianchi is still a lovely bike, but the SOra is putting me off. Are groupsets easy to upgrade? or is it just better to get a bike with the right groupset first?


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