The best road bike on crappy roads?

rob180

Hi all,
After 12+yrs of not owning a bike. I finally decided to get a road bike. But the roads around here are pretty bad.Iam thinking of getting a Giant Defy 3, so is there any wheels or tyre combo i should be getting to tackle these roads? or are the standard wheel and tyres are sufficient. Thanks

DirkVoodoo

Carbon frame and 25mm tyres.

An aluminium frame will give a slightly harsher ride. You can smooth the bumps out with things like a carbon fork, carbon seatpost, etc. as well as the right choice of saddle for you.

Don't neglect the basics: a good pair of gloves and shorts.

Seaneh

Wooden frame

rob180

Carbon frames are way too expensive for me at the moment. Think the Defy 3 has composite forks. Haven't cycled in yrs so don't know if the wheel would buckle if i ever hit an all too common pot hole.

DirkVoodoo

rob180 wrote: »

Carbon frames are way too expensive for me at the moment. Think the Defy 3 has composite forks. Haven't cycled in yrs so don't know if the wheel would buckle if i ever hit an all too common pot hole.

Yeah, a good pair of eyes and quick reflexes are needed on Irish roads.

cassette50

I used the Defy 3 on harsh roads- I never found it uncomfortable.

Seaneh

For comfort on a budget, steel is the way to go.

Something like the Ribble Reynolds 525 with the new Tiagra for €865 here or the new nine speed SORA groupset for €783.84 here.

Both those prices include full mudgaurds and the bike has eyelets for a pannier rack so perfect for commuting in Ireland.

High Nellie

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Carbon frame and 25mm tyres.

An aluminium frame will give a slightly harsher ride. You can smooth the bumps out with things like a carbon fork, carbon seatpost, etc. as well as the right choice of saddle for you.

Don't neglect the basics: a good pair of gloves and shorts.

'Carbon frame' makes no sense. There are hard carbon frames that will transmitt all that bad road up through your pelvis and more relaxed frames. 25 mm tyres at no more than 100lbs will help though.
If your budget is tight and you are not looking for great performance, then an old Reynolds-tubed frame with a relaxed geomotery might suit. I use one of these all winter with mudguards and said 25mms.

rob180

cassette50 wrote: »

I used the Defy 3 on harsh roads- I never found it uncomfortable.

So you think the standard rims and tyre are good enough on rough roads? Thanks, just need so assurances before i commit to buy the Defy 3.

Seaneh

Wasn't the Defy the Bikeradar bike of the year?

I'd say it'd be grand on crap roads.

cassette50

rob180 wrote: »

So you think the standard rims and tyre are good enough on rough roads? Thanks, just need so assurances before i commit to buy the Defy 3.

Yeah..I found the stock wheels and tyres to be fairly reliable. Never really had any issues with them.

DirkVoodoo

High Nellie wrote: »

There are hard carbon frames that will transmitt all that bad road up through your pelvis and more relaxed frames.

With all due respect, "Hard carbon frame" makes even less sense.

Seweryn

Seaneh wrote: »

Wooden frame

Agree. I tested one last year and for bad roads there is no better option than a wooden frame bike. Nothing comes even close to it.

Zippe

Seaneh wrote: »

Wooden frame

I "wood" like to try one :-) woodelo is the company making them,I wounder what there wheels will look like if they make them,

Zip,

Seaneh

Zippe wrote: »

I "wood" like to try one :-) woodelo is the company making them,I wounder what there wheels will look like if they make them,

Zip,

I think they are using an Italian company who build wooden rims on their demo bikes. Aleast, I think I remember reading that on their facebook page...

feck sake lads

Seaneh wrote: »

For comfort on a budget, steel is the way to go.

Something like the Ribble Reynolds 525 with the new Tiagra for €865 here or the new nine speed SORA groupset for €783.84 here.

Both those prices include full mudgaurds and the bike has eyelets for a pannier rack so perfect for commuting in Ireland.

that ribble bike is well worth a closer look would be going with a compct chainset. great find.:cool:

minterno

I have a defy 3 2010 going for close to 3 yrs now and they're well able for the back roads,I also have a Trek Madone 4.5 and aside from the slicker 105 shifting i find very little of a difference between the carbon and alu frame,I have got much better times though on the carbon though but comfort wise i cant tell much if any difference,regards

Seweryn

Zippe wrote: »

I "wood" like to try one :-) woodelo is the company making them,I wounder what there wheels will look like if they make them,

Zip,

Hi,

You are not too far from Connemara Zip AFAIR, are you? You can try one there at the Tour de Conamara in May.

BofaDeezNuhtz

Seaneh wrote: »

Wooden frame

Chartsengrafs

The Defy will be grand but the stock tyres are NOT good. I would strongly suggest upgrading them (and possibly getting 25mm tyres as Dirk suggested). Other than that they are very solid bikes, good luck with whatever you choose.

Zippe

Seweryn wrote: »

Hi,

You are not too far from Connemara Zip AFAIR, are you? You can try one there at the Tour de Conamara in May.

It's not far from me,I'll be out there so I'll try one out just to see what there like,

Zippe

You won't go wrong with the defy,great bike,I'd say 90%+ of us had one at some stage,