Road bike research done - decision to be made - experienced input requested!!

BenEadir

Hi all,

I'm taking up road cycling to replace the 5/10k running I used to do until my left knee gave way two months ago. At 46, 183cm and 95kg my Doctor has said it's time to get out of my trainers and onto a bike so I'm embracing the opportunity and looking forward to it. My intention is to get a bike which will allow me to do two early morning rides per week of +/- 60 minutes from April to Sept and one long Sunday morning ride of 2/3 hours once I build up some endurance plus the odd group ride (sportive?) and if all goes well I might do my local GAA clubs Malin to Mizen fund raising cycle in a years time.

I'm the kind of person who makes committed decisions i.e. I think about it, do my homework and commit so I'm not looking for an entry level bike to see if I like it. I know I like cycling and I know I like/need to train to stay healthy so I want a bike which will do what I need it to do and last me at least 3-4 years.

I used the frame size calculator on http://www.ebicycles.com/bicycle-tools/frame-sizer which recommended a 57 inch frame but I'll try different sizes for fit and take advice when buying.

Having done my research I've shortlisted the following options:-

LBS:- (I can take advantage of the bike to work scheme so a €1,000 bike will cost me €480 net)

The Cube Peloton Pro for €1,099 including free lifetime servicing - http://www.cube.eu/en/bikes/road-race/peloton/peloton-pro/


Halfords:-
Boardman Road Team Carbon for €1,055 after the current 10% discount - http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-team-carbon-bike-2014. This bike gets a full 5 star review on Bike Radar http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-boardman-team-carbon-14-48284/

Decatalon:-
I'll be driving to France in 4 weeks so could pick up a B'Twin Triban 500 for €550 http://www.decathlon.fr/velo-route-triban-500-id_8306944.html which also gets a 5 star review on Bike Radar http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-btwin-triban-5-black-14-48520/ but that €550 would be tax paid money so unless it's technically a better bike than the LBS or Halfords bikes I don't think it makes economic sense as I'm getting a €1,000 bike for under €500 via the bike to work scheme from the LBS/Halfords.

Used:- Forme Vitesse http://www.adverts.ie/road-bikes/forme-vitesse-road-bike/5795443 - I really like this bike, it has carbon forks, great components and received an excellent review from Bike Radar http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-forme-vitesse-11-43327/ Buying this bike used only makes sense if I can get it for around €400 or €450 as for a net spend of +/- €500 I can get a new €1,000 bike with full warranty and lifetime servicing in the case of the Cube Peloton Pro from my LBS.

When all is said and done I think it boils down to a straight choice between the carbon fibre framed Boardman from Halfords and the Cube Peloton Pro from my LBS. I really want to support my LBS (I use them for my wife and kids bikes etc) and I value the benefit of having them to service the bike etc but I also want to get the best bike possible and the carbon fibre framed Boardman seems to adhere to the "get the best frame you can afford" rule of thumb I have seen in so many articles I've read.

If the LBS had both the Cube Peloton Pro for €1,100 and the Boardman Road Team Carbon for €1,055 I honestly think there would be no decision to be made, I would get (what my research indicates is) the better bike for €50 less so why should I not go ahead and get it from Halfords?

Writing this post has been cathartic!!

Thoughts anyone?

Ben

fat bloke

Have you gone back to your lbs with an "I'm gonna buy this Boardman unless you can convince me otherwise" ultimatum?

BenEadir

fat bloke wrote: »

Have you gone back to your lbs with an "I'm gonna buy this Boardman unless you can convince me otherwise" ultimatum?

Nah, I don't like putting guns to peoples heads like that but I will go into them and see what their best price on the Cube is but given I'm taking advantage of the B2W scheme price isn't actually the main issue. Even if they dropped the price €100 to €1,000 I would still have to choose between paying a net €480 for the Cube or a net €530 for the Boardman and my view is the Boardman is more than €50 better than the Cube but I'm open to correction on that!!!

Ben

hof1982

Hi Ben,

I purchased just over 18 months ago on the BTW scheme also. I think you are taking the right approach in terms of looking to go carbon especially if you intend on keeping the bike for a number of years. In my case I ended up buying a Cube Agree GTC carbon. It came in over the budget at 1400 but had a god spec with 105 groupset. The advice I was given as a novice was to try and get carbon if possible and that was the decision I made on the basis of not wanting to end up looking for an upgrade in 12-18 months time. Ultimately, for the sake of a couple of hundred extra I got a bike that I will be happy with for a number of years with a reasonable spec. Have to say I have no regrets and have had no issues with the bike to date.

Just my own experience but I am sure you will get a lot of good advice from the more experienced experts on here.

hof

Lumen

I wouldn't put too much credence in BikeRadar reviews.

57cm is a big bike for a 183cm rider. I'm that height and I ride a 56 in off-the-peg bikes.

You probably don't need a triple chainset, a compact will do. You're short for your weight but that'll change pretty quickly. I'd start with a wide-range cassette and a compact and then change to a narrower range cassette when you're fitter and lighter.

For €1100 you could get an 11sp setup from Canyon:
http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3333
..or with Shimano for another 100:
http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3193#tab-reiter2

...although this depends on your employer dealing with the marginal extra hassle of dealing with non-Irish VAT.

I ride a 11sp setup with a compact chainset and a 12-29 cassette and it'll go up walls.

rollingscone

The boardman is a nice bike for the money. I have a soft spot for Cube though and odds are the lifetime service from your LBS will be worth more than any service deal from Halfords.

BenEadir

hof1982 wrote: »

I think you are taking the right approach in terms of looking to go carbon especially if you intend on keeping the bike for a number of years.

Thanks HoF, It's good to hear I'm on the right track.

Ben

mcgratheoin

Lumen wrote: »

...although this depends on your employer dealing with the marginal extra hassle of dealing with non-Irish VAT.

For my BTW purchase, I picked the bike I wanted off the website and somebody in payroll/hr then paid the invoice. I'm pretty sure that Canyon are set up for Irish VAT - there's an Irish VAT number included on the invoice they sent me. If your company is amenable to it, the process with Canyon is as follows.

1. Select your bike on the website and click through the usual "add to cart" options until you get to checkout.
2. When it asks for a name and address - use your company's name and address (include your own name as well) - this will mean that they are the party invoiced for the bike and they have all the documentation needed.
3. Select your payment option - either a company credit card or bank transfer
4. Bring the invoice to your friendly payroll person who will transfer the money to Canyon (or give you the company credit card details) and deduct the first €1K from your gross salary and the remainder (if any) from your net

BenEadir

Lumen wrote: »

57cm is a big bike for a 183cm rider. I'm that height and I ride a 56 in off-the-peg bikes.

In fairness the recommendation also said to consider 56cm which I'm expecting will actually be the best size for me.

Lumen wrote: »

You're short for your weight but that'll change pretty quickly.

I've never been told I'm a fat ba$tard in such a polite manner ever before. You are a gentleman Sir

Lumen wrote: »

For €1100 you could get an 11sp setup from Canyon:
http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3333
..or with Shimano for another 100:
http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3193#tab-reiter2

...although this depends on your employer dealing with the marginal extra hassle of dealing with non-Irish VAT.

I am my own employer i.e. I have a small Ltd company so having had a brief top executive meeting with myself I've decided to do whatever it takes to get the best bike at the best price possible!!!

Lumen wrote: »

I ride a 11sp setup with a compact chainset and a 12-29 cassette and it'll go up walls.

That sounds like a perfect setup for me as I'll be doing Stillorgan - Enniskerry and other parts of Wicklow etc

Ben

not yet

My Tu'pence worth is Cube are fantasic bikes.

The service and back up from Halfords can be ropey, I've also read a good alu bike is better then low end carbon. The lifetime service with cube could be worth 100s euro in the long run...

Either way you go enjoy.

BoardsMember

How does the free lifetime servicing work on the Cube? I have checked their site and can't see anything on it. Is that something your LBS gives if you buy from them?

Seaneh

BoardsMember wrote: »

How does the free lifetime servicing work on the Cube? I have checked their site and can't see anything on it. Is that something your LBS gives if you buy from them?

I'd say it's the shop he's buying from offering the free lifetime servicing.

machiavellianme

Cube seems a good deal. What shop are you getting the lifetime service from?

BenEadir

Seaneh wrote: »

I'd say it's the shop he's buying from offering the free lifetime servicing.

Spot on. I just called into them and they were superb to deal with. Told them I had basically narrowed my search down to the Boardman Road Team Carbon and the Cube Peloton Pro they offer. The guy I dealt with was very open, he said the Boardman is a very competitively priced bike and suggested I try both his Cube Peloton Pro and the Boardman from Halfords before making up my mind. He did explain that they offered free lifetime servicing and that meant what it said on the tin i.e. I'll only ever have to pay for parts if needed and they will support me throughout. He didn't bad mouth Halfords service whatsoever (I hate people who try and sell by talking down the competition rather than emphasising their own strengths) and invited me to come back when I had a couple of hours to try out a couple of different bikes and sizes of bike to make sure the Peloton Pro is indeed the right bike for me.

I'm now leaning heavily towards the LBS as I feel overall, taking the lifetime free servicing and local support into consideration, the Cube Peloton Pro package offers better value for money than a a better frame from a non local supermarket type supplier who from previous experience and online feedback are very unlikely to provide anything like the support the LBS can give me. Add to that the fact that bringing the bike to Halfords requires putting the bike rack on the car and driving 10 minutes there and back whereas the LBS is a 5 minute walk or 90 second cycle!!!

Ben

BenEadir

machiavellianme wrote: »

Cube seems a good deal. What shop are you getting the lifetime service from?

http://www.fitzcycles.ie/c/220/cube-road-bikes

Ben

Bloggsie

BenThere wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm taking up road cycling to replace the 5/10k running I used to do until my left knee gave way two months ago. At 46, 183cm and 95kg my Doctor has said it's time to get out of my trainers and onto a bike so I'm embracing the opportunity and looking forward to it. My intention is to get a bike which will allow me to do two early morning rides per week of +/- 60 minutes from April to Sept and one long Sunday morning ride of 2/3 hours once I build up some endurance plus the odd group ride (sportive?) and if all goes well I might do my local GAA clubs Malin to Mizen fund raising cycle in a years time.

I'm the kind of person who makes committed decisions i.e. I think about it, do my homework and commit so I'm not looking for an entry level bike to see if I like it. I know I like cycling and I know I like/need to train to stay healthy so I want a bike which will do what I need it to do and last me at least 3-4 years.

I used the frame size calculator on http://www.ebicycles.com/bicycle-tools/frame-sizer which recommended a 57 inch frame but I'll try different sizes for fit and take advice when buying.

Having done my research I've shortlisted the following options:-

LBS:- (I can take advantage of the bike to work scheme so a €1,000 bike will cost me €480 net)

The Cube Peloton Pro for €1,099 including free lifetime servicing - http://www.cube.eu/en/bikes/road-race/peloton/peloton-pro/


Halfords:-
Boardman Road Team Carbon for €1,055 after the current 10% discount - http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-team-carbon-bike-2014. This bike gets a full 5 star review on Bike Radar http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-boardman-team-carbon-14-48284/

Decatalon:-
I'll be driving to France in 4 weeks so could pick up a B'Twin Triban 500 for €550 http://www.decathlon.fr/velo-route-triban-500-id_8306944.html which also gets a 5 star review on Bike Radar http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-btwin-triban-5-black-14-48520/ but that €550 would be tax paid money so unless it's technically a better bike than the LBS or Halfords bikes I don't think it makes economic sense as I'm getting a €1,000 bike for under €500 via the bike to work scheme from the LBS/Halfords.

Used:- Forme Vitesse http://www.adverts.ie/road-bikes/forme-vitesse-road-bike/5795443 - I really like this bike, it has carbon forks, great components and received an excellent review from Bike Radar http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-forme-vitesse-11-43327/ Buying this bike used only makes sense if I can get it for around €400 or €450 as for a net spend of +/- €500 I can get a new €1,000 bike with full warranty and lifetime servicing in the case of the Cube Peloton Pro from my LBS.

When all is said and done I think it boils down to a straight choice between the carbon fibre framed Boardman from Halfords and the Cube Peloton Pro from my LBS. I really want to support my LBS (I use them for my wife and kids bikes etc) and I value the benefit of having them to service the bike etc but I also want to get the best bike possible and the carbon fibre framed Boardman seems to adhere to the "get the best frame you can afford" rule of thumb I have seen in so many articles I've read.

If the LBS had both the Cube Peloton Pro for €1,100 and the Boardman Road Team Carbon for €1,055 I honestly think there would be no decision to be made, I would get (what my research indicates is) the better bike for €50 less so why should I not go ahead and get it from Halfords?

Writing this post has been cathartic!!

Thoughts anyone?

Ben

Ben, my tuupence worth.

LBS is the way to go, you seem to already have a relationship there with the bikes for your family, if you go to them with a big spend they know you will be back for service,/parts & a possible upgrade with your & your family bikes over time. I wouldnt knock halfords or any big chain but a good LBS is worth its weigth in gold espically if you have done your homework they will only add to your well of knowledge. I have spoken to some colleagues who used the BTW scheme from non LBS & they felt that they were just a number, in, out, next!

Good luck with what ever choice you make and happy trails.

WillyFXP

BenThere wrote: »

He didn't bad mouth Halfords service whatsoever

He didn't need to, they do a great job of that for themselves, at least the Galway store does, bloody appalling service in there.

stecleary

Surprised nobody has asked yet but what group set is on the bikes?
To me that's the deciding factor. No point buying a mix and match group set thrown together with end of line parts for the sake of a "better" frame when the first sign of an issue leaves you facing a long wait for the shop to source parts that could end up being costly to your pocket and your training.
A little too much thought is going into just the frame

xebec

BenThere wrote: »

http://www.fitzcycles.ie/c/220/cube-road-bikes

Ben

The guys in Fitzcycles are an absolute pleasure to deal with. Since moving into the area ~9 months ago, myself and my better half have dealt with them several times, the advice they've given and the products they've sold us have been spot on.

Have been looking for a road bike myself after getting the bug with a hybrid and the Cube Peleton range are currently at the top of my list...

BenEadir

stecleary wrote: »

Surprised nobody has asked yet but what group set is on the bikes?
To me that's the deciding factor. No point buying a mix and match group set thrown together with end of line parts for the sake of a "better" frame when the first sign of an issue leaves you facing a long wait for the shop to source parts that could end up being costly to your pocket and your training.
A little too much thought is going into just the frame

The Boardman is a mix of Tiagra and 105 gearing with Tiagra shifters and Tektro R540 brakes. The Cube is all 105 gearing with Tiagra shifters and Shimano Shimano BR-R561 which I would probabaly upgrade straight away as they don't get very good reviews e.g. http://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/cube-peloton-race-review-923.html which says "All components except the brake calipers were from Shimano’s 105 groupset, allowing us to place another pronounced tick in the ‘value for money’ box. The only corner cut by Cube in speccing this machine is in the calipers, which are Shimano BR-R561. Sadly, this was noticeable. In dry conditions, they operated with barely more subtly than an on-off switch and in the wet suffered from a lack of stopping power that was sometimes alarming (on one occasion, failing to slow us as we headed inexorably towards an oncoming car on a downhill section of narrow country road)."

Ben

darkvalley

I have the Cube peleton race 2013 with those brakes on it. I've done around 5000km with it, including through the winter, and have had no issue at all with them. They stop me fine every time, wet or dry. That said I have no experience with anything else, but no complaints here.
My experience with a cube bike overall has been very good.

BenEadir

Hi all,

Just a quick update to say thanks for all the input.

I went ahead and purchased a 60cm (= 56cm seat tube) Cube Peleton Pro http://www.cube.eu/en/bikes/road-race/peloton/peloton-pro/ from the guys in http://www.fitzcycles.ie who have been very patient and helpful.

I took both the 58 and 60 for spins and having been on nothing other than a great big old 1992 Peugeot MTB (which weighs about 20KG and feels like a tank but is so easy to cruise around on) the 60 felt better but it will certainly take a lot of getting used to. I felt like I was on top of some sort of giddy racehorse I was just about able to control. I know after a few decent spins I'll settle down and get used to the bike and I can then tweak the setup. I also know I'm in for some serious pain in my ar$e as I get used to the serrated knife which passes for a saddle!!!

So from this purchased in 1992 and used for commuting in London and leisure/family cycling ever since returning to Ireland in 1995



to this 22 years and about 12KG heavier later!!



What have I done!!!! :eek:

Ben
PS Perhaps I should start the most pathetic training log ever.

T-Maxx

Congrats on the bike.

Now the shopping spree really kicks off!:D

BenEadir

T-Maxx wrote: »

Congrats on the bike.

Now the shopping spree really kicks off!:D

I know!! for sure I'll be investing ina good pair of padded shorts. After only 20 minutes on the bikes my ar$e is sore!!

I'm really looking forward to getting into it now. I hope to start off with some easy 10km spins (St Laurences church Stillorgan -> up the Upper Kilmacud Road to Kilmacud Luas -> down Benildus Road (the "new" road) to Stillorgan Luas -> Sandyford Luas -> up Leopardstown Road to Whites Cross -> Down to Brewery Road -> into the park by the reservoir and home near St Raphaelas School) 3-4 mornings a week (which until two months ago I used to run in about 55 minutes!) over the next few weeks just to get used to the bike and maybe find a 15km spin for the first few weekends and then take it from there.

The bike should be delivered to the shop on Monday so hopefully Tuesday morning I'll literally be on my bike!!

Ben

Cee-Jay-Cee

Congrats on the new purchase. The first thing I'd do is buy a set of front &rear 105/Ultegra spec cartridge brake pads as the R561 brake blocks are woeful in all conditions.

BenEadir

CJC999 wrote: »

Congrats on the new purchase. The first thing I'd do is buy a set of front &rear 105/Ultegra spec cartridge brake pads as the R561 brake blocks are woeful in all conditions.

Are they expensive? I didn't haggle much with the lads as I know I'm going to get my moneys worth out of the lifetime free servicing so perhaps I should twist their arms for some 105/Ultegra cartridges as you suggest?

Ben

not yet

Max out your credit card on some nice shoes, pedals, shorts, jersey's,jackets, more shoes and perhaps another bike...

BenEadir

not yet wrote: »

Max out your credit card on some nice shoes, pedals, shorts, jersey's,jackets, more shoes and perhaps another bike...

Is there an AA type group for people who cash in their kids education fund for a new set of pedals???

not yet

BenThere wrote: »

Is there an AA type group for people who cash in their kids education fund for a new set of pedals???

I had a wander around cyclesuperstore last week and If I won the lotto I'd run amock in there.

Bigus

Start heading out to enniskerry and back you don't have to get there or even 1/4 way there for a few weeks, motorist are well used to cyclists all the way, plus I recommend some trendier high vis stuff, it's a great help to get motorist attentive from front and rear.

Good luck with the cycling

BenEadir

Bigus wrote: »

Start heading out to enniskerry and back you don't have to get there or even 1/4 way there for a few weeks, motorist are well used to cyclists all the way, plus I recommend some trendier high vis stuff, it's a great help to get motorist attentive from front and rear.

Good luck with the cycling

Thanks Bigus, Enniskerry is a 28km round trip and definitely on my agenda but not until I get comfortable riding around the area I'm familiar with and get comfortable doing a couple of the 10km loops I used to run.

Ben

Cee-Jay-Cee

BenThere wrote: »

Are they expensive? I didn't haggle much with the lads as I know I'm going to get my moneys worth out of the lifetime free servicing so perhaps I should twist their arms for some 105/Ultegra cartridges as you suggest?

Ben

No they're around €20 so get them to throw them for luck.

Did you get much off the asking price?

BenEadir

CJC999 wrote: »

Did you get much off the asking price?

No, I'm using the bike to work scheme so they're going to throw on a few accessories (bottle holder etc) and give me a discount on anything else I want.

I didn't want to beat them up over €50/€100 as I'm definitely going to get my moneys worth out of them on the free lifetime service. I have my current bike for the last 22 years!!!!

Ben

lissard

First purchase should be decent shorts and then a pair of shoes and clipless pedals. Bet you'll be up to 28km in no time at all - road bikes are so much faster than a mountain bike. 15km around Stillorgan won't take any more than 30 minutes.

Bloggsie

BenThere wrote: »

I know!! for sure I'll be investing ina good pair of padded shorts. After only 20 minutes on the bikes my ar$e is sore!!

I'm really looking forward to getting into it now. I hope to start off with some easy 10km spins (St Laurences church Stillorgan -> up the Upper Kilmacud Road to Kilmacud Luas -> down Benildus Road (the "new" road) to Stillorgan Luas -> Sandyford Luas -> up Leopardstown Road to Whites Cross -> Down to Brewery Road -> into the park by the reservoir and home near St Raphaelas School) 3-4 mornings a week (which until two months ago I used to run in about 55 minutes!) over the next few weeks just to get used to the bike and maybe find a 15km spin for the first few weekends and then take it from there.

The bike should be delivered to the shop on Monday so hopefully Tuesday morning I'll literally be on my bike!!

Ben

Can I recomend that you stay off the cycle track on the N11 as much as possible, the quality of the surface is C**p & there is to many junctions & ped crossings. I tried it once & I was only getting going when I'd have to slow/stop. Im orginally from just down the road in Williamstown & I know the route you mention, once your set & feel up to it, I would recomend heading inland into wicklow through stepaside etc, some great hills to test you! Enjoy.

hof1982

BenThere wrote: »

No, I'm using the bike to work scheme so they're going to throw on a few accessories (bottle holder etc) and give me a discount on anything else I want.

I didn't want to beat them up over €50/€100 as I'm definitely going to get my moneys worth out of them on the free lifetime service. I have my current bike for the last 22 years!!!!

Ben

Ben, Congrats on the purchase and well ware, looks a lovely bike. Don't be surprised if you end up adding a couple of hundred onto the purchase price in terms of accessories! Clipless pedals, shorts, jersey, pump, repair kit, helmet, glasses, bike computer - it all adds up. A great time to be starting off too with weather at the moment.

BenEadir

Bloggsie wrote: »

Can I recomend that you stay off the cycle track on the N11 as much as possible, the quality of the surface is C**p & there is to many junctions & ped crossings. I tried it once & I was only getting going when I'd have to slow/stop. Im orginally from just down the road in Williamstown & I know the route you mention, once your set & feel up to it, I would recomend heading inland into wicklow through stepaside etc, some great hills to test you! Enjoy.

Good advice indeed. It is absolutely my intention to head inland towards Enniskerry and possibly (if I ever feel confident enough) to maybe head up past Taylors Three Rock/Stackstown Golf Cub etc and see how I get on. (Given the bike comes with a triple I might as well find somewhere to use the Granny ring!!)

The main route I'm looking at around Stillorgan/Dundrum/Sandyford only uses the N11 from Whites Cross to Brewery Road which is all downhill and only 800m which shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Ben

BenEadir

hof1982 wrote: »

Ben, Congrats on the purchase and well ware, looks a lovely bike. Don't be surprised if you end up adding a couple of hundred onto the purchase price in terms of accessories! Clipless pedals, shorts, jersey, pump, repair kit, helmet, glasses, bike computer - it all adds up. A great time to be starting off too with weather at the moment.

Thanks Hof, I'm looking forward to it. I've been off all exercise since damaging my knee preparing for the Samsung 10k over two months ago and I'm going stir crazy doing nothing not to mention putting on a few extra KG's I don't need. I never thought I'd actually miss exercising but I do. Can't wait to get out and work up a sweat.

I must say the test bike felt so weird compared to my trusty old MTB. The wheels felt like the blades of an ice skate and the geometry of the front fork and how large I felt on the bike (relative to what I'm used to) made me feel like the steering was very twitchy but again I know this is something I'll adjust to fairly quickly and the reason I intend to stay local on familiar roads with a lot of cycle lanes on them for the first few weeks.

I also know I'm going to need all the stuff you mentioned. I'll probably get some shorts and a top from the shop but I'll wait a few weeks to get cleats.

I'm actually heading to France (and will be brining the new bike) for a family holiday in 3 weeks time so I'll probably pick up a lot of stuff in Decathalon. They have a great range of cycling products.

Once I get back from France I'll invest in cleats as I'll only be training thereafter whereas in France I'll be both out training for an hour or so most mornings plus leisurely family jaunts to the beach/shops etc. which wouldn't be cleat friendly.

I'm probably opening a whole new discussion with this question but how should I choose which cleats to go with? There appears to be a lot of different designs. A friend of mine recommended I get Speedplay Zero cleats??

Ben

hof1982

Ben,

I have the Shimano SPD cleats (think they are the lower end of the range costing about €55) and these are fine - I did try these on a bike in the shop prior to purchasing. They will take a bit of getting used to no matter which ones you go with - start off in the back garden clipping in/out before going on the road with them.

Jabel

CJC999 wrote: »

Congrats on the new purchase. The first thing I'd do is buy a set of front &rear 105/Ultegra spec cartridge brake pads as the R561 brake blocks are woeful in all conditions.

+1 on that, I had those very brakes on my Peleton Race and they're not great in my opinion especially in the wet

BenEadir

hof1982 wrote: »

Ben,

I have the Shimano SPD cleats (think they are the lower end of the range costing about €55) and these are fine

They sound perfect Hof and more than suitable for what I need. Cheers.

Ben

BenEadir

lissard wrote: »

First purchase should be decent shorts and then a pair of shoes and clipless pedals. Bet you'll be up to 28km in no time at all - road bikes are so much faster than a mountain bike. 15km around Stillorgan won't take any more than 30 minutes.

Hi Lissard and others on this Thread who kindly helped me choose my bike. I ordered the Cube Peloton Pro and finally picked it up today, there was a fcuk up by Cube who originally sent the LBS the wrong bike so it took a bit longer to get than I'd have liked but C'est la vie.

I bought a pair of pro-gel shorts and within an hour or so I was out on the road. I did a loop of Leopardstown Roundabout -> through Westwood -> across the M50 to Carrickmines Retail Park -> up the Glenamuck Road -> onto the Enniskerry Road and into Enniskerry village where I stopped for a couple of minutes to check all was still holding together with the bike and then back again. 22km in total in bang on 60 minutes. I wasn't really pushing very hard as I was trying to get used to the bike and in particular the gear change and brakes. It was a perfect evening and a lovely spin with a couple of mildly challenging rises along the way (I won't embarrass myself by calling them climbs!!) which I quite enjoyed and man did I enjoy the thrilling (terrifying at times) downhill sections.

I'm sure as I get more confident and comfortable on the bike that my speed and technique will improve but I feel like I'm off to a flyer and enjoyed the spin way more than I expected which is great.

I'm sure my ar$e will be sore in the morning and I'll probably end up with cramp in my calf muscles during the night but what the hell, it's definitely worth it. My only regret is not investing in a bike 10 years ago!!

I now need to get a load of necessary accessories (more shorts, clip on pedals and shoes, a saddle bag with spare tube, multi tool etc) and perhaps a bike computer so I can track my trips etc. I'm off to France next week so will be shopping for stuff in Decathlon. If anyone has any recommendation on what I should be getting please let me know.

Thanks again guys, I do really appreciate the encouragement you've all given me.

Ben

WillyFXP

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/r540-spd-sl-road-pedals-oe--ec050917#features
great price on these atm. These pedals are also very easy to use with just runners on as well, although I wouldn't recommend it in wet weather.

Bigus

Good first run,

my personal recommendation is to stay away from computers ,times and figures,

there's loads too see and listen to,and dare I say even stop for in the the wickla hills. ( and I don't mean stop to check Facebook )

The amount of people out chasing times / segments and listening to headphones while out in nature, consequently missing the wonder of the natural environment just staggers me nowadays ,

Anyway they'll cop on eventually I suppose, if the batteries ever run out.

Oldlegs

BenThere wrote: »

I'm actually heading to France (and will be brining the new bike) for a family holiday in 3 weeks time so I'll probably pick up a lot of stuff in Decathalon. They have a great range of cycling products.


Ben

Congrats on the new bike.
I have bought a fair bit of sports gear in Decathlon - but on the cycling front I felt it was a poor 'investment'
Keep your eye out on Wiggle or Chain reaction for decent cycling shorts and top. Get arm-warmers and a gillet. (while also getting pedals and shoes).

Next up would be a decent winter jacket (best money you will spend, if you are out on a cold, dampy winter's morning) and bib-tights.

Multiple gloves, glasses, helmets etc. are bought real-time in any shop or online whenever a not-to-be-missed investment comes up :P

Oh yeah - what about your winter training/commuter bike, and your hard-tail mtb for Ticknock trails ....

Look what you have started ....

Bloggsie

I agree with your sentiment that I should have bought a bike 10 years ago, I stopped playing soccer & did nothing really in my early 30's, a year ago I started & since then I have felt like kicking myself up the a**e for not doing it sooner. lidl have a great multi tool & gloves at the moment, lower end shoes too, shorts & tops also.
I have the strava app on my fone for times etc, I have a bike computer but i havent put it on yet, i'll put it on for the king of greystones in a couple of weeks time, Id rather not be chasing my tail, im stuck in an office 5 days a week, to get out on the road is my happy place!.

Happy trails.
Bloggsie.

ZiabR

Congrats on the new bike! Good choice, it will serve you well.

Can I ask though. I am I right in saying you are only 183cm and you are on a 60cm frame? That seems awful big for someone of your height. Did they measure you and that was the best fit?

BenEadir

logik wrote: »

Congrats on the new bike! Good choice, it will serve you well.

Can I ask though. I am I right in saying you are only 183cm and you are on a 60cm frame? That seems awful big for someone of your height. Did they measure you and that was the best fit?

Cube have their own way of describing the measurement of their frames. If you scroll down to the geometry section of
http://www.cube.eu/en/bikes/road-race/peloton/peloton-pro and click on the 60cm option you'll see that the seat tube (which is usually referenced for frame size) is actually 56cm. In Cube parlance I have a 60cm bike, from the rest of the worlds perspective and if anyone asks me I have a 56cm bike.

And yes, the lads in http://www.fitzcycles.ie measured me up and sent me out on test rides etc. I know I've only been out for one ride on it but I'm already feeling very comfortable and much more confident on it than I was expecting to be after just an hour given I'm coming off a 22 year old 30KG steel frame Peugeot MTB I've pottered around on mostly on family holidays with the exception of a few years commuting in London from 1992 to 1995.

From this



to this is like going from horse drawn cart to a Porsche 911



Ben

ZiabR

Ah ok, good to know. Lovely bike. You must not know yourself on it compared to the old bike!

xebec

BenThere wrote: »

Cube have their own way of describing the measurement of their frames. If you scroll down to the geometry section of
http://www.cube.eu/en/bikes/road-race/peloton/peloton-pro and click on the 60cm option you'll see that the seat tube (which is usually referenced for frame size) is actually 56cm. In Cube parlance I have a 60cm bike, from the rest of the worlds perspective and if anyone asks me I have a 56cm bike.

And yes, the lads in http://www.fitzcycles.ie measured me up and sent me out on test rides etc. I know I've only been out for one ride on it but I'm already feeling very comfortable and much more confident on it than I was expecting to be after just an hour given I'm coming off a 22 year old 30KG steel frame Peugeot MTB I've pottered around on mostly on family holidays with the exception of a few years commuting in London from 1992 to 1995.

Same experience as myself with the Cube frame size, at 170cm they said I'd be typically a 50cm frame which equates to between a 53cm and 56cm in the Cube. After test riding the bike I went with the 53cm. It was actually this thread that pushed me on to get the bike ordered, had been thinking about it for a couple of months, picked it up last Friday and delighted!

BenThere, I live in the Stillorgan area as well so if you want a buddy for a few rides when you get back send me a PM.

BenEadir

logik wrote: »

Ah ok, good to know. Lovely bike. You must not know yourself on it compared to the old bike!

That's for sure. The hardest thing to get used to (apart from the overall giddiness of the bike compared to the rock solid MTB) are the gear changes using the brake levers. I was spinning along yesterday and half the time I ended up going down to low gears when flying down a hill instead of up the gears which is quite disconcerting and frightening as I lost a good bit of control trying to spin the crank at a million RPM's in 1st gear instead of 10th

I'm sure after a few spins it will come naturally but for now not only am I getting the up/down wrong from time to time but I'm also shifting in a very clunky manner, not slick at all. I'm sure it's not the fault of the Tiagra shifters and 105 gearset.

I guess I just need more practice

Ben