First timer

stackerman

Hello all

Looking for a bit of advice from those who know more on da bikes then me, which is most.
Background first, to put things in perspective lol
I'm a long time rugby, gaa player who was (hint there) dedicated and committed to the last at a decent level. I loved every bit of it, and especially the comradeship, slagging, training and competition.

The body has now given up
I now can't play either without being that "dirty" auld lad, as pace has gone.
I've tried over 35's soccer . . . . Not for me, my ears hurt
And running . . . . My everything hurts :eek:

So the hunt for a sport/exercise and social interest has led me here.

I know a few "bikers" and the scene has grabbed my attention for quite a while now.
Each and every one of them (same age bracket) bought alu bikes and soon upgraded to carbon, once they got bitten, at an obvious cost.
My thoughts are that I need something to give me a fix ! Once I'm hooked though, my character is weak and I will upgrade lol

So with all this in mind, I've been on the lookout for a "cheap" decent carbon bike which can be upgraded slowly at a later date (if the bug bites), but will not send me into depression if it doesn't. I have however set a goal, and signed up for the Ring of Kerry.

So . . . .
What do the wise ones make of this bike/deal ?

https://www.merlincycles.com/sensa-giulia-ultegra-6800-road-bike-2015-ltd-edition-74098.html

I've honestly been looking/mooching for a good few mths, and this is well researched by my standards. I live on the edge of the Dublin/Wicklow mountains and so need a bike which is suitable for lots of hills, as well as the flats below me.

I would really appreciate any feedback you may have, oh wise ones.

PS
It's Christmas Eve, wine has been consumed and I'm oh so close to pulling the trigger

07Lapierre

That's a nice bike and is ideal for what your looking for...BUT have you test ridden it? Are you sure you have selected the correct size?

If it's your first road bike, is recommend you drop into your LBS and test ride a few bikes first.

stackerman

I've tried quite a few in some local stores, and been sized for 54/55 (5' 10") in a Giant for example. This bike can be returned if wrong size, which I'm confident it's not, but obviously at a cost. I figure once bought at the 55 it can be fitted/adjusted to suit if slightly off.

I could be way off though.

Bristolscale7

Nice bike. Bike shops often treat first timers roughly when it comes to sizing and fit. Most will measure seat height and send you off. You want to make sure the shop sizes the stem and handlebars as well as the crankspedals and knee position. I went with my friend who is 6'3" to a shop for his first bike. They tried to send him off with 172.5mm cranks. Bad form.

stackerman

Size option states 55 "sloping", what exactly does the sloping refer to ?

Sorry for naive question, but ultimately that's why I'm here

The Flying Vet

Was in same position as yourself a few years ago. Committed gaa man, decent level just getting too slow and the wrong side of 35. Took up cycling as a replacement sport really...am a fanatic now!!
Graduated to sportives, then longer ones and as the competitive juices started to flow tried A4 racing this year. As my brother said best buzz since playing championship football! I would have to agree. Guarantee you'll be racing within 18months! Good luck

stackerman

Well that's the hope

It's been the hardest part of getting old for me. I really have to find a replacement, before the wife leaves me !

Thanks for the feedback guys

Wishbone Ash

stackerman wrote: »

Size option states 55 "sloping", what exactly does the sloping refer to ?

Sorry for naive question, but ultimately that's why I'm here

Traditional bikes had a horizontal top bar (crossbar) and it was measured horizontally. Many bikes now, including the one you have linked, have sloping top bars and I presume the 55cm refers to the sloped length of the bar. (The horizontal length would be fractionally longer).

PS - it's a beautiful bike and of a high standard for a 'starter' bike.

stackerman

So would that mean that the 55 sizing on another bike (eg giant) would not necessarily be suitable for this bike.
I'm aware of the risks, just trying to minimise same.
Just can't seem to find a similar, or close, deal in a LBS

Wishbone Ash

stackerman wrote: »

So would that mean that the 55 sizing on another bike (eg giant) would not necessarily be suitable for this bike...

I don't know about the sizing of those particular brands but I do know that (like shoes) the 'same size' can be different between makes. You have a bit of scope with saddle position, stem etc, to adjust for small differences.

H.E. Pennypacker

Focus on stack and reach. The reach of a medium sized Giant Defy is significantly shorter than the one you linked to. I'm the same height as you and the bike you linked to would be too big for me. Fitting a stem shorter than 90mm to achieve a fit is not a great approach.

Wishbone Ash

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

.... (The horizontal length would be fractionally longer).

I'm confusing myself now (drink/tiredness). The horizontal length would be fractionally shorter!

martyc5674

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I'm confusing myself now (drink/tiredness). The horizontal length would be fractionally shorter!

No...you were right the first time.
The seat tube slopes away from head tube as you go higher..you have to go higher to go horizontal.
Marty.

martyc5674

stackerman wrote: »

I've tried quite a few in some local stores, and been sized for 54/55 (5' 10") in a Giant for example. This bike can be returned if wrong size, which I'm confident it's not, but obviously at a cost. I figure once bought at the 55 it can be fitted/adjusted to suit if slightly off.

I could be way off though.

I can't speak for giant but what you can do to compare one brand with another is compare virtual horizontal.

It's B2 in this geometry chart for the bike you linked.

https://www.merlincycles.com/resources/files/giulia_geo-2015.jpg

As was said earlier a short stem is not ideal.

Marty.

benneca1

if you want to know about sizing google sheldon brown frame sizing you will get the right answer to where the numbers come from. If you want a bike that fits go to a bike shop that you trust. Very hard to get a good fit without trying out the bike. After riding for a while and tweaking once you have a fit thats good write down all the numbers, saddle to bb center, seat post centre to center of bars etc youll have it fon next time

Jim Stynes

Similar to yourself only younger, 31 now. I got a back operation a couple years ago and I haven't been able to play gaelic to the level I was at before. I can't bend properly to pick up the ball now ffs. Took up the bike to keep in shape and I am hooked this past 3 years. It's a great sport and bloody tough!! Saying that I would give it all up to play Gaelic properly again. I don't think anything will ever fully replace the feeling of playing Gaelic with you family and mates. I am still heavily involved in the gaelic club and hope to play a bit of B football this year for a bit of craic.

I started cycling by going out with a few mates, did a few sportives, then joined a club. The club was the biggest thing that brought me on and it's great craic with the lads. I have been cycling in France and Tenerife as well. You will get a lot of enjoyment out of it once you get into it.

My first bike was £300 off a mate, did over 3000 mile on that bike and then upgraded to a carbon.

crosstownk

While there are great offers from online retailers, don't dismiss your local bike shop.

You can get fitted up more precisely, take a test spin and, most importantly, you can return for your first free adjustment service and avail of warranty repairs.

stackerman

Thanks all for taking the time to post, much appreciated

I'm an awful man for a good deal, but I guess y'all saying that best to buy from LBS, esp for first bike. Only problem is there is a good 500/600 euro of a difference for that sort of a bike, which is too big a stretch for me.

Will pop into a few LBS's and chat to the staff.

Any recommendations around the Naas, west Dublin area ?

Thanks again, and hope you all enjoyed Christmas

cython

stackerman wrote: »

Thanks all for taking the time to post, much appreciated

I'm an awful man for a good deal, but I guess y'all saying that best to buy from LBS, esp for first bike. Only problem is there is a good 500/600 euro of a difference for that sort of a bike, which is too big a stretch for me.

Will pop into a few LBS's and chat to the staff.

Any recommendations around the Naas, west Dublin area ?

Thanks again, and hope you all enjoyed Christmas

Bikeology in Naas, they're up around Monread area.

stackerman

cython wrote: »

Bikeology in Naas, they're up around Monread area.

Actually called in a few times, but they were busy both times so didn't get to chat much at all. Not a great time to be fair, run up to Christmas.

Will try again in the new year.

Good stock of Orbeas, which seem a good bike and not crazy money as Spanish so not being killed by $ or £.

Anyone have a KTM or thoughts on them ?
I like the look, and am drawn a bit as I used to own a KTM motorbike (loved it).

H.E. Pennypacker

stackerman wrote: »

Any recommendations around the Naas, west Dublin area ?

I see that Bikeology has already been recommended so I'll add Cahill Cycles in their new premises on the Monread Road. There's also McLoughlins Cycles (Fuji, Trek, Giant & Cube I think) in Newbridge and O' Callaghan's also in Newbridge (Cannondale & other brands I can't remember)

stackerman

Thanks again all for your thoughts opinions.
I've dropped into a few shops and these are the results for full carbon

Stevens Izoard 105 €1799, €1999 with ultegra (too much for me)

KTM Revelator 3300 €1599

Or again the Sensa Giulia ultegra @ €1485

I've sized and checked the comparisons and a 55cm on the KTM and Sensa is very similar to the Stevens 56 I tried.

The Sensa still seems a good buy at that price, but online.
The KTM is LBS, well not too local, but near enough. So prob better option

Any thoughts on the above or similar bikes I should consider ?
Thanks in advance

Jim Stynes

Is this your first bike? A lot of money to spend on your first bike I reckon.

padyjoe

Jim Stynes wrote: »

Is this your first bike? A lot of money to spend on your first bike I reckon.

:-) Is my spidey sense telling me midlife crisis kicking in? :-) Then the bike must be carbon and that's the only option!! I'm in the same age bracket, wait, I have carbon too! Not much though, just the forks, rest is alu. First bike, more than happy with, keeps me motivated. What the OP should keep in mind to leave some money for accessories and improvement but if money is not issue, it doesn't apply. Best of luck with your first one!

Jim Stynes

Some cracking second hand options out there too. Get a mate who cycles to look out for you. Get a decent aluminium bike and wait until the summer or next year before upgrading to a carbon. The alu bike will automatically become your winter bike then. Then spend the rest of the money on pedals, shoes, helmet, clothes etc. Could easily spend £1k on the accessories alone! Or maybe the OP has the money and can afford the things I can't haha

stackerman

padyjoe wrote: »

:-) Is my spidey sense telling me midlife crisis kicking in? :-) !

:D:D

That did make me laugh, uneasily lol

So this is where I'm coming from. I've done some leisure cycling, cheep mountain bikes, before and enjoyed it. Never progressed beyond that due to GAA, Rugby and family. Now time allows, and body demands something with less impact etc.
I've toyed around with the idea a long time, and have been throwing €40/50 odd aside each week for a good number of mths now. So have a decent stash. Each and every lad I've talked to has told me the same old story as to purchasing Ali bike no 1, and then heading out within a year in search of a carbon bike no 2. All I'm looking to do is skip that expenditure and get a decent carbon framed bike, which I can upgrade at a later date should I wish to. It seems to me that there are far more lining up to buy secondhand carbon as opposed to alu bikes, should I decide its not for me (slim chance I'd say).
Seems that there are some good deals around at the mo, and just trying to time my purchase to take advantage of that.
Open to any further musings any of you may have on the subject, even if in the form of slagging or abuse

stackerman

So a wee bit of an update

It seems that family have seen some of my notes and measurements, and they have all chipped in (unknown to me) and purchased one of said bikes for a combined Christmas and birthday present from them all.
Bike was supposed to be here for my birthday, but has been delayed. They talked to a bike buddy and went with a measurement I had with the bike, and confirmed that it can be exchanged if the wrong size, although I'm confident of the sizing I had noted on the bikes.
So now the exciting bit, I've to wait for said bike to arrive and see which one it is, as they are refusing to tell me which one.

I feel like a kid at Christmas
Very lucky boy I know

Thanks again for all your thoughts and feedback !

stackerman

New wheels have landed, been assembled and taken for a reasonable spin

My arse is going to take a while to adjust !!!

Lovely ride, and a truly fantastic gift from the family.
Best present ever

Once again, thanks for your guidance and advice.

daragh_

Very nice indeed.

Mercian Pro

Well wear (or whatever the appropriate cycling term is).

A couple of things you might consider (using some of the stash!)

Get a professional bike fit. I went to Aidan Hammond and can strongly recommend him but there are probably others who are also independent of bike shops.

If you hope to get out much on the bike over the next few months, get a good set of mudguards. I recently fitted these http://www.sks-germany.com/en/products/raceblade-long-black/ and they work really well at protecting you, the bike and anyone you are cycling with.

stackerman

daragh_ wrote: »

Very nice indeed.

Thanks lad

Serious value, down nearly €800 from list on Merlin, perfect timing for once.

stackerman

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Get a professional bike fit. I went to Aidan Hammond and can strongly recommend him but there are probably others who are also independent of bike shops.

Thanks, kind of have it in my mind to do that alright. But will leave it for a while until I get a good few kms under my belt, and get familiar with the bike.

Have the bare essentials for now, and will take time to see what if anything I need afterwards. Right now, I'm going to concentrate on breaking in my Arse lol
SLOWLY !

As for mudguards. . . . . . . .
Probably after I get my first soaking

gambeta_fc

That's a generous family you have there, any chance they'd be interested in opening up a slot for adoption

Best of luck with the new bike.

jon1981

stackerman wrote: »

Thanks, kind of have it in my mind to do that alright. But will leave it for a while until I get a good few kms under my belt, and get familiar with the bike.

Have the bare essentials for now, and will take time to see what if anything I need afterwards. Right now, I'm going to concentrate on breaking in my Arse lol
SLOWLY !

As for mudguards. . . . . . . .
Probably after I get my first soaking

Decent set of padded bibshorts should see you right and take pressure off the arse.

diomed

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Get a professional bike fit. I went to Aidan Hammond and can strongly recommend him but there are probably others who are also independent of bike shops.

I was going to recommend Aidan Hammond, Kilmacanogue also (Bikefitting). When I went I already owned four bikes). He made some changes - longer stem and he recommended a laid-back seat post which I bought later and fitted. I brought along two bikes to the fitting.
Just seeing yourself on video before the bike changes and after the bike changes and you can see you look more like a cyclist in the after video. I was tucked up and needed to be more stretched out on the bike.
Stay off the roads until they are frost/ice free. The lower roads will do for a few months.