I'm confused, talk to me like I'm an idiot!

pconn062

So, I'm looking to buy my first road bike. I think I am going to go for this one, as I have heard good things about it.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/cube-peloton-triple-road-bike-2015/rp-prod127980

Now the issue is, I am a runner and know nothing about bikes! I am only ever going to cycle once or twice a week as running is my main priority but I am completely lost with a lot of the jargon when it comes to bikes. So please forgive the following silly questions!

Is this a reasonable bike for the money?

What the hell does "Cassette: Shimano 8-Speed, 12-32" mean? I know it something to do with gears, but haven't the foggiest what it means?

In relation to the last questions, how many gears does that bike actually have, and is it important?

"Weight: 9.85kg", is that good? How important is weight in a bike?

Forks: CUBE CSL Race Carbon, Tapered. This is really silly, but I don't know what forks are! Is the fact that they are carbon a good thing?

Thanks in advance for the help and sorry for the dumb questions.

Wishbone Ash

Cassette - 8 speed 12/32 - the collection of sprockets at the rear , 8 gears in this case - the largest having 32 teeth, the smallest 12 teeth. Bike has 24 gears in total 8 rear x3 front rings.

Forks are the two arms holding the front wheel to the frame. Carbon forks are more forgiving than metal ones.

omri

pconn062 wrote: »

So, I'm looking to buy my first road bike. I think I am going to go for this one, as I have heard good things about it.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/cube-peloton-triple-road-bike-2015/rp-prod127980

Now the issue is, I am a runner and know nothing about bikes! I am only ever going to cycle once or twice a week as running is my main priority but I am completely lost with a lot of the jargon when it comes to bikes. So please forgive the following silly questions!

Is this a reasonable bike for the money?

What the hell does "Cassette: Shimano 8-Speed, 12-32" mean? I know it something to do with gears, but haven't the foggiest what it means?

In relation to the last questions, how many gears does that bike actually have, and is it important?

"Weight: 9.85kg", is that good? How important is weight in a bike?

Forks: CUBE CSL Race Carbon, Tapered. This is really silly, but I don't know what forks are! Is the fact that they are carbon a good thing?

Thanks in advance for the help and sorry for the dumb questions.

I'd say tell us your budget then go to the shops see what size and what models they offer. Any entry level bike will do as long as you have will to use it. Forks are these strange looking objects you use for spaghetti

pconn062

Thanks guys, I definitely recognise that type of fork!

Regarding budget, I only have in the region of €600. I was willing to stretch to €650 for the Cube as I've heard good things about it. I realise that is not a lot for a road bike but as I said, as much as I enjoy cycling it will be playing second fiddle to running so can't justify spending big money on a bike I will only do 30-50 mile a week on.

Lusk_Doyle

pconn062 wrote: »

Thanks guys, I definitely recognise that type of fork!

Regarding budget, I only have in the region of €600. I was willing to stretch to €650 for the Cube as I've heard good things about it. I realise that is not a lot for a road bike but as I said, as much as I enjoy cycling it will be playing second fiddle to running so can't justify spending big money on a bike I will only do 30-50 mile a week on.

That amount is plenty for someone who is just getting started. You won't recognise the difference that a bit more money would make at your level (not meant in any way to be condescending).

pconn062

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

That amount is plenty for someone who is just getting started. You won't recognise the difference that a bit more money would make at your level (not meant in any way to be condescending).

Don't worry, no offense taken! It's a bad sign when you run more miles a week than you cycle!

Lusk_Doyle

pconn062 wrote: »

Don't worry, no offense taken! It's a bad sign when you run more miles a week than you cycle!

Guilty of that myself lately too!

Wanderer78

right errr emm idiot! heres the deal......

just in the process of buying a cube myself. its looking good. id say you wont go far wrong but the lads here will set yea straight. best of luck with your purchase and enjoy the road

aquinn

Watching you pconn 😆
I got a Cannondale recently and would class that as more of a road bike as it's a hybrid. Cube looks great but with lightness you can sway easily with heavy traffic if windy. My racer does so just to warn you.
Can you get bike to work scheme? Mine cost same as what you are looking at.
Also if in Dublin would highly recommend 360 cycles in Clontarf.

adrian522

Hi P, I was in the same position as yourself earlier this year and I ended up getting a Giant Defy from the cycle superstore and have been perfectly happy with it.

Will you get a chance to try the bike for size before ordering it? If not it may be worthwhile bringing it somewhere local to get it adjusted properly for you.

I went with the compact rather than the triple as wouldn't really need that many gears.

Don't think you can go wrong with the cube, seems to have a good reputation.

Wanderer78

highly recommend fitzcycles in dublin folks. lads are really helpful

Shep_Dog

pconn062 wrote: »

Thanks guys, I definitely recognise that type of fork!

Regarding budget, I only have in the region of €600. I was willing to stretch to €650 for the Cube as I've heard good things about it. I realise that is not a lot for a road bike but as I said, as much as I enjoy cycling it will be playing second fiddle to running so can't justify spending big money on a bike I will only do 30-50 mile a week on.

That's got a triple chainset and quite low-ratio gears, more of an Alpine sportif set-up than a general fitness bike. The 30x32 gear would get you up a wall. Triple chainsets can give chain alignment problems on some chainwheel/sprocket selections. Doubles are more popular. It's a slightly peculiar setup but could be fun all the same.

Cheaper lightweight road bikes can be good value if you look after them and ride carefully, but if you're a big lad and the roads are rough near you, the wear & tear might show quickly on it.

pconn062

Shep_Dog wrote: »

That's got a triple chainset and quite low-ratio gears, more of an Alpine sportif set-up than a general fitness bike. The 30x32 gear would get you up a wall. Triple chainsets can give chain alignment problems on some chainwheel/sprocket selections. Doubles are more popular. It's a slightly peculiar setup but could be fun all the same.

Cheaper lightweight road bikes can be good value if you look after them and ride carefully, but if you're a big lad and the roads are rough near you, the wear & tear might show quickly on it.

Thanks a lot for the advice everyone, I'm going to be getting fitted alright. Friend of mine is organising a sizing, would like to get it right at the start as I don't intend on upgrading!

Shep-dog, thanks for the advice. Won't be putting big mileage into the bike and will look after it, I'm only 66kg so hopefully weight won't be a big thing regards wear and tear.

ted1

Are you working? Could you avail of the bike to work scheme?

pconn062

ted1 wrote: »

Are you working? Could you avail of the bike to work scheme?

I am working, but only part-time at the minute as I am finishing my studies. Definitely must look into the BTW scheme, thanks.

Wanderer78

pconn062 wrote: »

I am working, but only part-time at the minute as I am finishing my studies. Definitely must look into the BTW scheme, thanks.

maybe you could ask a friend or family member would they also like to purchase a bike on the bike to work scheme, preferably on the higher rate of tax!;)

longshanks

<snip>

Mod voice: no advertising here. There is a Cycling Adverts section in this forum if you want to sell your bike.

irlirishkev

I bought this same bike a few months back as my first road bike. Bought it for my 20mile round trip to work and back. First thing I noticed after changing from my cheap mountain bike, was how light and fast it is. I don't know anything about gear ratios either, but the low gears are very easy, and the high gears are pretty darn fast.

No regrets re the bike. Took me a while to get used to the new riding position, but that would have been the case with any road bike.

Go for it.

pconn062

longshanks wrote: »

I have a cube peloton rfr. Never had any problems with it. It's the model from maybe 3yrs ago, size 56 frame. It has a mix of ultegra and 105 gears and brakes. I'm only selling it because I upgraded to a full carbon bike so it's not being used.
€450 and it's yours.

Thanks longshanks, I have been told a 56 is maybe too big for me (I'm quite short!), but if not I'll definitely keep it in mind.

longshanks

No worries chief, might keep it as a winter bike.

nc19

pconn062 wrote:

...... I'm only 66kg.......

Thinly veiled 'I'm a skinny so and so' thread!!!!

Lol

What not go for a hybrid instead of a road bike. More comfy and forgiving on our bad roads....

pconn062

nc19 wrote: »

Thinly veiled 'I'm a skinny so and so' thread!!!!

Lol

What not go for a hybrid instead of a road bike. More comfy and forgiving on our bad roads....

Ha believe me it's not a boast, I've got that scrawny, skinny runner look going on, not good!

Must look up hybrids, don't know too much about them. Have my eye on maybe doing a few duathlons next year, so thought a road bike would be handy for them.

Brian?

pconn062 wrote: »

Ha believe me it's not a boast, I've got that scrawny, skinny runner look going on, not good!

Must look up hybrids, don't know too much about them. Have my eye on maybe doing a few duathlons next year, so thought a road bike would be handy for them.

Avoid hybrids. You've the build of a cyclist, embrace the road bike and enjoy flying by fat men like me on hills.

Wishbone Ash

pconn062 wrote: »

..Must look up hybrids, don't know too much about them...

Regarding hybrids, just bear in mind that, if you end up joining a club or cycling with a group, hybrids are often not permitted (for safety reasons). Many who buy hybrids end up regretting it and getting a road bike.

day walker101

Wanderer78 wrote: »

highly recommend fitzcycles in dublin folks. lads are really helpful

Great guys, got my bikes serviced there for years. Moved house recently though so not as easy to get to.

CramCycle

What height are you?

pconn062

CramCycle wrote: »

What height are you?

Sorry for delay, I'm 5'10.

CramCycle

pconn062 wrote: »

Sorry for delay, I'm 5'10.

The bike is great value and has the same frame as the higher up versions so is ripe for upgrade if you get the bug.

Cubes are sized small so I would recommend a 58cm, I am just north of 6foot and typically take a 58cm (but a 56cm is also comfy) in most nikes but on cubes I need at least a 60cm

CramCycle

Also ignore the rubbish about triples having unusual chainlines or set ups. They are great if you start upping the distance and the climbing. and there is no real penalty to having one.

pconn062

CramCycle wrote: »

The bike is great value and has the same frame as the higher up versions so is ripe for upgrade if you get the bug.

Cubes are sized small so I would recommend a 58cm, I am just north of 6foot and typically take a 58cm (but a 56cm is also comfy) in most nikes but on cubes I need at least a 60cm

Oh wow, really, that big? I got measured for a bike recently and was told a 53 frame would fit me, but I've also heard Cube sizings are a bit funny. I was going to order today, I'm confused now!

Wishbone Ash

pconn062 wrote: »

Oh wow, really, that big? I got measured for a bike recently and was told a 53 frame would fit me...

A 53? That doesn't sound right if you're 5'10". I'm 5'11" and usually go for a 56 (although I've never had a Cube).

CramCycle

pconn062 wrote: »

Oh wow, really, that big? I got measured for a bike recently and was told a 53 frame would fit me, but I've also heard Cube sizings are a bit funny. I was going to order today, I'm confused now!

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

A 53? That doesn't sound right if you're 5'10". I'm 5'11" and usually go for a 56 (although I've never had a Cube).

A 56 in most bikes would be a 58cm in a cube AFAIK. You might get away with a 56cm but thats my understanding of Cube sizing. Might be worth buying from a shop although I realise Cubes sell out in most LBSs quite quickly.

nc19

Wishbone Ash wrote:

Regarding hybrids, just bear in mind that, if you end up joining a club or cycling with a group, hybrids are often not permitted (for safety reasons).

Why so?

cjt156

Flat handle bars can easily hook a drop-bar in a close group scenario. So safest to have everyone on drops.

ted1

cjt156 wrote: »

Flat handle bars can easily hook a drop-bar in a close group scenario. So safest to have everyone on drops.

don't get me started on flat bars in bike racks. destroys handle bars tape...

YeahOK

pconn062 wrote: »

Thanks longshanks, I have been told a 56 is maybe too big for me (I'm quite short!), but if not I'll definitely keep it in mind.

I have a Cube and same story, their sizing is slightly different. I'm a full size bigger in a Cube than most other bikes. Go for the Cube, you won't regret it....

CramCycle

Could you get a day trip upto Belfast and try the bike in person?

brocbrocach

CramCycle wrote: »

A 56 in most bikes would be a 58cm in a cube AFAIK. You might get away with a 56cm but thats my understanding of Cube sizing. Might be worth buying from a shop although I realise Cubes sell out in most LBSs quite quickly.

Yup I'm 5'7 and have a 53cm Cube that's about perfect for me.

pconn062

Thanks for all the help guys, I think the best thing to do is try and find a shop and try the bike before buying to get the right fit. Don't want to spend a lot of money on a wrong sized bike, and then have to send it back.