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Advice on road bike

  • 04-01-2014 10:39PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 898 ✭✭✭


    Hey guys,

    I started cycling nearly 1.5 years ago, helped me to lose a good but of weight and now looking to move into a road bike to see if it's for me or not.

    I started on a mountain bike and then used the btw scheme for a felt hybrid bike which hasn't failed me. My usual cycle is to and from work, approximate 10kmls each way, templeogue to sandyford but looking to go out at weekends and in the evenings for some longer spins when the weather picks up.

    Looking at this: http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_888023_langId_-1_categoryId_212536

    I know there are better bikes out there but I want to spend as little as possible first time around as I'm not sure if a road bike will be for me.

    Reviews seem pretty ok for what it is. I've seen a few threads on here about the carrera Tdf which is 1xx more expensive, should I spend more or just start with this?

    Any opinions/advice/tips/alternatives?

    Thanks in advance


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 358 ✭✭Rambling Man


    OREGATO wrote: »
    Hey guys,

    I started cycling nearly 1.5 years ago, helped me to lose a good but of weight and now looking to move into a road bike to see if it's for me or not.

    I started on a mountain bike and then used the btw scheme for a felt hybrid bike which hasn't failed me. My usual cycle is to and from work, approximate 10kmls each way, templeogue to sandyford but looking to go out at weekends and in the evenings for some longer spins when the weather picks up.

    Looking at this: http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_888023_langId_-1_categoryId_212536

    I know there are better bikes out there but I want to spend as little as possible first time around as I'm not sure if a road bike will be for me.

    Reviews seem pretty ok for what it is. I've seen a few threads on here about the carrera Tdf which is 1xx more expensive, should I spend more or just start with this?

    Any opinions/advice/tips/alternatives?

    Thanks in advance

    Second hand, for example (but not exclusively, adverts.ie) In a similar position myself. Will buy s/h entry level road bike over next few months. Some good forum threads here if you search. Good luck.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13 sakdolan


    Hi Oregato,

    I had to make the same call just over a year ago and I stumbled across a UK page reviewing bikes. I went with the Carrera TDF myself - its a fine bike (as is the Zelos by all accounts) but like you say, you have to pay within your budget and I genuinely don't think there's much in it. Were they any help in Halfords or have you been in yet?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 898 ✭✭✭OREGATO


    I've been in in the past and found them hit and miss, hopefully be able to talk to someone knowledgeable when I go. If not, I'll probably try a different halfords as there are a few close by.

    Would prefer to buy new this time around for convenience tbh as it saves the hassle of trying to find one that is the right size , close by etc.

    How do you find the Tdf?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 898 ✭✭✭OREGATO


    Another question I have is in relation to my commute, I tend to use bike lanes where I can, normally involves mounting or coming down off curbs (2/2.5 inches max) will this be possible on a road bike or is it best to stick with a hybrid?

    Some of the surfaces aren't the best so I'm unsure now after doing some reading as to if a road bike is suitable at all for most of my needs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,614 ✭✭✭BadCharlie


    Have a read of this
    http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057002662/1/#post85734382

    Might be of some help.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 859 ✭✭✭StevieGriff


    OREGATO wrote: »
    Another question I have is in relation to my commute, I tend to use bike lanes where I can, normally involves mounting or coming down off curbs (2/2.5 inches max) will this be possible on a road bike or is it best to stick with a hybrid?

    Some of the surfaces aren't the best so I'm unsure now after doing some reading as to if a road bike is suitable at all for most of my needs.

    Still possible by all means, just have to be careful. Just learn to do front and back wheel lifts and that'll pretty much stop all impact on the bike.
    Or do a Cav and bunny hop the whole thing :p


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 898 ✭✭✭OREGATO


    I see the post I made was wiped after the site went down on Sunday so i'll just give an update.

    @BadCharlie - that was actually one of the posts that made me decide on the Carrera. It was informative and I had a thorough read before posting up this thread.

    I ended up purchasing the bike in the end. Carrera Zelos and so far, I've managed to rack up over 60k in the last 3 days.

    So far, I'm really enjoying it, a lot more than my hybrid actually but that could just be because it's new and shiny. Braved the wet and wind over the last few days and got a few spins on it to get used to the handle bars, my hands and elbows are a bit sore but overall, I think I'm enjoying it.

    One thing I'm finding is that the gears may be a bit limiting? For going up hills, it's fine, I can drop down to a lower enough gear that will allow me to get up the hill without too much fuss, but on the way down, I find that even in top gear, the resistance isn't strong enough to allow me to push harder to gain more speed (if that makes sense?) It might be a good thing for now as I won't end up crashing at 50+ km/h.

    Apart from that, the bike does feel really solid, compared to my Felt hybrid that is possibly twice the price if not more, it rides just as well if not better but then again, both are aimed at different purposes.

    One question I have is around upgrading parts on this bike - is it worthwhile over time? I'm just thinking more in line with the gears, maybe changing to a different set to give me more gear options - how much would I have to spend and is it a case where these budget bikes aren't really worth upgrading? Would I have to change the wheels as well as the gear sets (apologies for my terminology if I'm wrong)

    Another question. The main reason I started into the cycling was for weight loss (I have dropped 4+ stone and maintaining that weight over the past 1.5 years through cycling/jogging and a proper diet) With what I've read, it would appear that the effort required on a road bike would be less than what is needed on a hybrid/MTB. So with that in mind, anyone be able to comment as to how true this is and how big an impact there would be to calories burned?
    I know it's down to cadence and how far you push it but would I see a lot less calorie burn from using a road bike for the daily commute instead of the hybrid using the same amount of effort? I.e. If I burn 300 cals on the hybrid for the 10 kilometre commute, on a road bike, I would possibly only burn 250 etc?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,308 ✭✭✭quozl


    You would only have to replace the rear cassette or the rear freewheel - depending on which your bike has. I can't see it mentioned in the specs and a 14 smallest cog is often on a freewheel.

    I guess something like 30e to get your local bike shop to supply and fit it for you.

    A 12-28 would mean a top-speed 1/7th faster than a 14-28 at the same cadence. It would have to mean larger gaps between cogs though - so bigger jumps in effort when changing gears.

    As to the calories thing - I'd guess you'd burn slightly more calories on the hybrid but you can have a quicker more comfortable commute and put that time into something more valuable. Or make your commute route longer. I'd be optimistic that having a road bike will encourage you to up the time you spend cycling and on a per minute basis it's not going to burn any less calories than a hybrid as you can just put the same effort in and go faster :)

    Enjoy the road bike :)

    [edit] Oh yeah, join a club if you there's one nearby. Great motivation, sociable, fun and most clubs will have people of your standard. The bigger clubs will have numerous people of your standard. And your standard will improve rapidly.[/edit]


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 898 ✭✭✭OREGATO


    Thanksf or the reply quozl,

    I was talking to orders and they seemed to suggest that I'd need to replace the cassette, possibly the change and the gear levers - I assume, if just swapping the cassette, I'd be getting the same number of gears but just with different sizes to offer more speeds?

    You're right, I tend to hate this time of the day as the thoughts of cycling home have started to become a chore, but I'm half tempted to take a detour on the way home :)

    A club is definitely something I'm going to consider, any that you or anyone would recommend around south Dublin? (Templeogue/Tallaght?)

    Also, in terms of average speeds etc, what is considered to be the norm? I don't think I'm quite as fast as regulary riders, but is, say an average of 24/24 km/h alright to begin with in a club? Or should I get working solo on my speed before I start looking into clubs?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,308 ✭✭✭quozl


    I don't see why you'd need to replace anything more than the cassette or freewheel - whichever it is.

    Going from a 14-28 to a 12-28 would mean a possible 2 extra links hanging loose in the chain when you shift to small chainring at the front and smallest cog at the back. I doubt that you have a derailleur that can handle a 14-28 but can't take a 12-28 so I really doubt that'll be a problem.

    Change gear levers? I can't even come up with an unlikely reason why that would be necessary! Assuming you stick to the same speed cassette/freewheel on the back. IE don't stick a 10 speed cassette on the back and expect it to work but I doubt you were planning on that.

    Orwell Wheelers are in Dundrum which is fairly near to Templeogue. You're more than fast enough for them/us. We've got a beginners group that is specifically aimed to get people used to group riding and it would be going slower than 24 kph. Maybe 21 or 22 with nobody dropped and everybody waiting for the slowest at the top of any inclines. Each white group has 2 leaders assigned every week.

    The distance might be the only thing you'd find tough. I think the white group is doing 60km spins but with the slow pace and group moral support, if you can do 30 comfortably then I'd be confident enough of 60 especially as there'd be a break for coffee/cake in a cafe somewhere.


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