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New 'Fast' bike

  • 10-06-2021 1:02pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25


    I currently have a 4 year old £1000 bike (aluminium frame, carbon forks, ultegra groupset), which I like. Every now and then I think of upgrading.

    I have a gift voucher for £1000 and so went along to my local bike shop on Saturday to see what was on offer. I was immediately steered towards a 4.5k thing of beauty, with the promise of being easily able to maintain speeds of 27+ mph with little effort (direct quote was 'you wonder why the pros are so fast? It's their bikes, once you hit 27/28mph it so easy to maintain'!).

    When I said my budget was nowhere near 4.5k, I was shown a Giant TCR 3 Disc - 2.1k, full carbon, I must say it was a beautiful looking machine.

    Anyway, my question is to those who have gone from a 1k bike to a 2k carbon, do you find a significant difference in average speed between the two?
    (Please, no posts about losing weight and you'll go faster, or get fitter and you'll go faster..).

    Is it worth the spend?

    I tend to go on more leisurely spins of 100+k (have never raced and never will) but every so often I challenge myself to a 10 mile TT to boost the ego and try and beat my personal best, and going fast is fun, so a lighter and better equipped bike might be worth it.


    Any thoughts would be appreciated.


«1

Comments

  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 14,723 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dcully


    I didn't find much of a difference in speed to be honest but the carbon did mitigate humps and bumps a bit better but only really noticeable on long spins.

    At the end of the day you still have to pedal it but a new bike is nice.
    Lots to keep in mind geometry, components etc.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,873 ✭✭✭✭dahat


    Giant TCR 3 Disc - 2.1k, full carbon - showing as Tiagra groupset for that price, christ above.

    As Dcully said no matter what the bike your legs will be the same. Buy the best bike you can afford is the advice i'll give you.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,971 ✭✭✭fat bloke


    In my experience, a good aero bike definitely increases your speed over an appropriate course. I mean aerodynamics is definitely a thing, its not a pseudo-science. But I'm talking about 0.5 or 1kph increases, not "instant pro, just add water". :). But neither can you ride roughshod over the importance of light weight and light weight and aero is an expensive combination. The one thing that's absolutely sure is that disc brakes will absolutely not make you any faster.

    Anyway, it's always nice to go shopping. If it was me I'd buy an absolute superbike second hand and use my 1000 euro voucher for a fup-off set of wheels.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,036 ✭✭✭BailMeOut


    for speed, it's never the bike and always the engine!

    I'd spend the money on new wheels, tyres and a professional fitting!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,573 ✭✭✭✭ednwireland


    I like the whooshing sound my 50mm carbon wheels make.
    am I faster err no age and weight are putting paid to that.
    although my di2 synapse is a lot more comfortable then my 2010 focus cayo was (both carbon)


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  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,887 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    what Weepsie said.

    but this quote:
    a_shed wrote: »
    with the promise of being easily able to maintain speeds of 27+ mph with little effort (direct quote was 'you wonder why the pros are so fast? It's their bikes, once you hit 27/28mph it so easy to maintain'!).
    did they say kph or mph?
    either way, it's curious; it's easy enough with a modicum of fitness to maintain 27km/h, and is well below what pros would manage; but maintaining 27mph is a *whole* different ballgame. it's over 43km/h, and maintaining that on any bike is not easy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25 a_shed


    yip - miles per hour !!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 99 ✭✭Dexif


    Probably depends also on whether you're spending alot of time in the hills. I ride a Ti bike which is fantastic but alot heavier than carbon. I recently had a loan of a carbon bike which was about 2kg lighter and was knocking about 5 - 10% off times on hill segments. Not much difference on the flat though as it wasn't aero...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25 a_shed


    I like the whooshing sound my 50mm carbon wheels make.
    am I faster err no age and weight are putting paid to that.
    although my di2 synapse is a lot more comfortable then my 2010 focus cayo was (both carbon)

    Can I ask what wheels you have?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 987 ✭✭✭nicksnikita


    BailMeOut wrote: »
    for speed, it's never the bike and always the engine!

    I'd spend the money on new wheels, tyres and a professional fitting!

    100% agree.
    Aluminium frame, Ultegra group, good wheels and tyres >>> carbon frame, basic wheels, Tiagra group.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,971 ✭✭✭fat bloke


    a_shed wrote: »
    I currently have a 4 year old £1000 bike (aluminium frame, carbon forks, ultegra groupset), which I like.


    The ol bike inflation is pretty scary.

    4 years later here's how much ultegra aluminium costs... :eek:


    https://www.clarkesofcavan.ie/shop/cycling/cannondale-caad13-disc-ultegra-road-bike-2020/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,573 ✭✭✭✭ednwireland


    a_shed wrote: »
    Can I ask what wheels you have?

    i broke a spoke on the fulcrum 6 db's that came with the bike but i had decided to do a summer upgrade for my birthday anyway, i was balking at the prices of a full carbon wheelset until i found a scratched set of bontrager aeolus 5 tlr for 750 euro on mantel.com (i couldnt find mark on them).

    i just got some spokes for the fulcrum wheels (from italy) so will repair and hopefully use those in the winter
    fat bloke wrote: »
    The ol bike inflation is pretty scary.

    4 years later here's how much ultegra aluminium costs... :eek:

    i hear that my 2019 cannondale synapse di2 cost 2.8k at the start of 2020


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,556 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    fat bloke wrote: »
    The ol bike inflation is pretty scary.

    4 years later here's how much ultegra aluminium costs... :eek:
    CAAD's were always expensive for AL though? iirc from when I brought my TCR (early 2018) that they were ball park the same price as similar spec'd carbon. You can get carbon ultegra from the likes of Cube for less than that CAAD.

    Anyway OP, i'd shop around a bit first before making any decision.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,300 ✭✭✭CantGetNoSleep


    fat bloke wrote: »
    The ol bike inflation is pretty scary.

    4 years later here's how much ultegra aluminium costs... :eek:


    https://www.clarkesofcavan.ie/shop/cycling/cannondale-caad13-disc-ultegra-road-bike-2020/
    Crazy, I bought a 105 Synapse (carbon + hydraulic disk) for 1199 in 2018.

    OP - I wouldn't spend that much without really considering what you want out of the upgrade. I have a bike with an rrp of 4899, and there is little difference to the much cheaper bike above


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 275 ✭✭Dow99


    a_shed wrote: »
    yip - miles per hour !!

    Forget the bike,, You will need a peloton and an 7 man lead out train.
    25mph = 40km/p. The pros dont even ride at those speeds on their own


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,368 ✭✭✭Daroxtar


    fat bloke wrote: »
    The ol bike inflation is pretty scary.

    4 years later here's how much ultegra aluminium costs... :eek:


    https://www.clarkesofcavan.ie/shop/cycling/cannondale-caad13-disc-ultegra-road-bike-2020/
    I bought my Wilier Cento 1SR (at the time only the Zero7 ranked higher in the Wilier hierarchy) full Ultegra for €2700.
    Equivalent bike now is over €5k


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,873 ✭✭✭✭dahat


    Bought a disc braked Merida Reacto (new model) this year for a shade over 3k. In these days I thought it was priced well for the spec plus the stock wheel set is way better than I espected.

    The new Merida models are worth looking if you are buying.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 298 ✭✭this.lad


    Last August I went from a €650 Defy 5, to a 3.5k TCR Advanced.

    Am I faster? Yes

    Is it the bike? I don't know.

    The defy is 8 speed, gearing is gappy, and maybe the components etc weren't high quality.

    I find the new bike fits me better, even though I thought I was okay on the old one, when I get back on it now I feel really awkward.

    I think part of the improvement is the fact that I trained indoors over the winter as the bike has a power meter. But I was already doing better last autumn.

    Another part is definitely that I love the bike, and can't stay if it and really want to push it out. I rode it into work and home yesterday. I picked up 4 prs and a KOM, I have never had a KOM before.

    I want to go out now where I was getting fed up on the other one.

    So in summary, I don't think a bike, alone, will necessarily make you faster but if it gets you out more - go for it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 315 ✭✭strmin


    fat bloke wrote: »
    The ol bike inflation is pretty scary.

    4 years later here's how much ultegra aluminium costs... :eek:


    https://www.clarkesofcavan.ie/shop/cycling/cannondale-caad13-disc-ultegra-road-bike-2020/

    It has disc brakes, so it's worth it. That's the best marketing trick bike industry has come up with in the very long time.
    Few years ago everybody talked about light weight, now it's only disk brakes that matters.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 876 ✭✭✭byrnem31


    I went from a €1k bike, alliminium cube nuroad with tiagra to a €2.25k giant-defy-advanced 2 2020 with 105. The difference is night and day.

    The defy is better in every way. I would splash out a little bit more and aim for 105. The tiagra I had was 10 speed and didn't like the spread on the gears. With 11 on the 105, I find it much better to cycle with. Plus 105 is bombproof and is more than enough for anyone not racing.

    The tcr is a more an aggressive riding position. Look at endurance bikes too, ie, defy, cube attain gtc sl etc.

    Because I have a carbon bike which now has a set of hunt carbons wheels that looks the business, I love going out on it. I'm getting into the cycling big time now and I'm doing a 100klm ride tomorrow and next week.

    So go for it, buy something decent now.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 251 ✭✭ciara1052


    byrnem31 wrote: »
    I went from a €1k bike, alliminium cube nuroad with tiagra to a €2.25k giant-defy-advanced 2 2020 with 105. The difference is night and day.

    The defy is better in every way. I would splash out a little bit more and aim for 105. The tiagra I had was 10 speed and didn't like the spread on the gears. With 11 on the 105, I find it much better to cycle with. Plus 105 is bombproof and is more than enough for anyone not racing.

    The tcr is a more an aggressive riding position. Look at endurance bikes too, ie, defy, cube attain gtc sl etc.

    Because I have a carbon bike which now has a set of hunt carbons wheels that looks the business, I love going out on it. I'm getting into the cycling big time now and I'm doing a 100klm ride tomorrow and next week.

    So go for it, buy something decent now.

    Not the OP but I'm in the exact same position you were in (... being forced to upgrade due to issues with my old 1k 'entry level' bike). No interest in racing but I like going out for longer rides at the weekends. I've been trying to justify spending a bit more and getting a bike fit this time. Glad to hear it was worth it!


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,887 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    ciara1052 wrote: »
    (... being forced to upgrade due to issues with my old 1k 'entry level' bike)
    repairs that are not economically justifiable? or sizing?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,992 ✭✭✭Plastik


    Pinkbike did an article recently on 2021 vs 2011 mtb prices, which I thought was interesting and revealing. https://www.pinkbike.com/news/throwback-thursday-how-much-have-mountain-bike-prices-changed-in-the-past-10-years.html

    It would be interesting to see a similar one done on road prices at some stage. Road is in a strange place for the past few years though. Standards have been changing so quickly that it's hard to do any sort of true comparison.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,887 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    GCN had a short bit about bike inflation on the GCN weekly show recently - it's as much a talking point to prompt people to respond though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 876 ✭✭✭byrnem31


    ciara1052 wrote: »
    Not the OP but I'm in the exact same position you were in (... being forced to upgrade due to issues with my old 1k 'entry level' bike). No interest in racing but I like going out for longer rides at the weekends. I've been trying to justify spending a bit more and getting a bike fit this time. Glad to hear it was worth it!

    You will cycle more the better bike you have. That's my experience.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,887 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    regarding prices - in the january sales during the euro/punt changeover, i bought a bike in cycleways (assembled in house) for IRL£1000 (reduced from IRL£1400 i think).
    terry dolan aluminium frame, 9 speed 105, gipiemme tecno 024 wheels.
    according to the CSO inflation calculator, inflation in ireland has risen 30% since then, which would place that bike at just shy of €1700 now.
    which still seems ballpark for a decent alu bike with 105?
    just checked - a giant contend SL is €1,429.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,185 ✭✭✭G1032


    fat bloke wrote: »
    The ol bike inflation is pretty scary.

    4 years later here's how much ultegra aluminium costs... :eek:


    https://www.clarkesofcavan.ie/shop/cycling/cannondale-caad13-disc-ultegra-road-bike-2020/

    This is incredible

    I bought a CAAD12 in Feb 2019. 105 was €1580. Ultegra would have been an extra €600

    So a 2019 CAAD12 Ultegra was €2180 v €3542.40 for the CAAD13 today.
    That's a 62% price increase in 2 years.
    Insane

    Don't know what I'm gonna do when I need a new bike. Looking more and more like I'll be buying a frame and transferring the groupset.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,924 ✭✭✭Large bottle small glass


    G1032 wrote: »
    Don't know what I'm gonna do when I need a new bike. Looking more and more like I'll be buying a frame and transferring the groupset.

    It'll calm down again, it is not just bikes where price have gone mental.

    Try buying machinery, vintage cars, new and used cars, property; prices are insane in many instances. I would assume (but I don't know) art and the likes also.

    Shimano groupset shortages (sold at a higher price) and also a lower output for bike manufacturers means they have to more profit per bike to survive.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,556 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    There has to be an element of supply and demand, too? Also, BTW increase...


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,558 ✭✭✭at1withmyself


    regarding prices - in the january sales during the euro/punt changeover, i bought a bike in cycleways (assembled in house) for IRL£1000 (reduced from IRL£1400 i think).
    terry dolan aluminium frame, 9 speed 105, gipiemme tecno 024 wheels.
    according to the CSO inflation calculator, inflation in ireland has risen 30% since then, which would place that bike at just shy of €1700 now.
    which still seems ballpark for a decent alu bike with 105?
    just checked - a giant contend SL is €1,429.

    That giant thought was under 1200 in 2020 model so inflation in last year is through the roof


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,873 ✭✭✭✭dahat


    It'll calm down again, it is not just bikes where price have gone mental.

    Try buying machinery, vintage cars, new and used cars, property; prices are insane in many instances. I would assume (but I don't know) art and the likes also.

    Shimano groupset shortages (sold at a higher price) and also a lower output for bike manufacturers means they have to more profit per bike to survive.

    Brexit was a huge influence coming after the Covid crisis. My job deals with worldwide supply chain and you wouldn’t believe the shortages of the most random items.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,887 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    That giant thought was under 1200 in 2020 model so inflation in last year is through the roof
    under €1200 last year is cheaper than the pre-sale price i'd have paid for mine in 2002 - without even adjusting for inflation.
    granted, there are some differences in spec level, but the price difference doesn't seem to be outrageous.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 251 ✭✭ciara1052


    repairs that are not economically justifiable? or sizing?

    I brought it to two shops who told me it wouldn't be worth repairing (I will say I've got 4/5 years of cycling out of it. I went in with one issue and was told I'd also have to replace a load of other components too. I think it was a case of it costing >400e all together and the bike isn't worth that anymore?).


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,887 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    €400 is a lot to spend on a bike. what did they say needed replacing?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,655 ✭✭✭Wildly Boaring


    ciara1052 wrote: »
    I brought it to two shops who told me it wouldn't be worth repairing (I will say I've got 4/5 years of cycling out of it. I went in with one issue and was told I'd also have to replace a load of other components too. I think it was a case of it costing >400e all together and the bike isn't worth that anymore?).

    Is it broken?
    The age is immaterial.
    What's wrong with it?

    Also €400 to sort out a bike might seem a lot on a cheaper bike. But the bike should be sorted after the spend. Might do another 5 years with minimal outlay


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  • Posts: 15,661 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    400???? That would buy a full group set replacement shifters, cranks, derailleurs and all for a Claris/Sora level bike plus labour????????

    https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/shimano-sora-3000-9-speed-double-groupset/ No way all that needs replacing. You'd be getting money's worth for 400 if it did.

    EDIT: Maybe the rims are complete toast which is a cost in itself that might make the sums add up.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 251 ✭✭ciara1052


    Is it broken?
    The age is immaterial.
    What's wrong with it?

    Also €400 to sort out a bike might seem a lot on a cheaper bike. But the bike should be sorted after the spend. Might do another 5 years with minimal outlay

    €400 is a lot to spend on a bike. what did they say needed replacing?
    400???? That would buy a full group set replacement shifters, cranks, derailleurs and all for a Claris/Sora level bike plus labour????????

    https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/shimano-sora-3000-9-speed-double-groupset/ No way all that needs replacing. You'd be getting money's worth for 400 if it did.

    EDIT: Maybe the rims are complete toast which is a cost in itself that might make the sums add up.

    I'm not mechanically minded (so apologies if I'm not referring to the correct parts!) but the rear bearing is completely gone (it went mid cycle around 2 months ago - so when the chain rotates the tyre no longer turns?) and when I brought it in they also said I'd need a new front tyre too (the spokes have become a little bit rusty...don't know if that in itself is an issue?), new chain and also that the groupset would need to be replaced (maybe not immediately but very soon by the sounds of it?).

    I went to a second shop who gave me a similar cost estimate so didn't really question the work required. It does seem like now is not the time to be getting a new bike (seems like stock is quite low coming into summer) so maybe it is worth getting the repairs done?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,971 ✭✭✭fat bloke


    New wheels, tyres, tubes chain and cassette and a good service with new cables etc. Sure that could easily add up to 400 quid. No need for it to mean writing the bike off though. These are all parts that wear and wear out and can and should be replaced.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 876 ✭✭✭byrnem31


    Stick another 400 to your repair money and don't bother getting it repaired. Get something like that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 823 ✭✭✭The chan chan man


    The amount of aul lads I see out on expensive carbon bikes to save half a kg....and the 4 stone belly hanging out of the lycra. Save the money on an expensive frame if you’re not in top shape! LOL


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,558 ✭✭✭at1withmyself


    byrnem31 wrote: »
    Stick another 400 to your repair money and don't bother getting it repaired. Get something like that.

    Eh, that's 1100 no? that would be 700 on top of the 400€ repairs?

    Also your back in the same boat again of a bike needing parts to be replaced as its second hand???


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,558 ✭✭✭at1withmyself


    The amount of aul lads I see out on expensive carbon bikes to save half a kg....and the 4 stone belly hanging out of the lycra. Save the money on an expensive frame if you’re not in top shape! LOL

    I can never understand these type of posts, why can't people just enjoy things and if someone carrying a bit of weight wants to cycle a nice bike then why the LOL's

    Just go out and enjoy the ride, never mind what other people cycle!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,366 ✭✭✭DaveyDave


    The amount of aul lads I see out on expensive carbon bikes to save half a kg....and the 4 stone belly hanging out of the lycra. Save the money on an expensive frame if you’re not in top shape! LOL

    It's still an upgrade regardless of rider weight though. Just because the rider is overweight doesn't mean there isn't an advantage with a carbon frame, better components etc.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,164 ✭✭✭rolling boh


    The amount of aul lads I see out on expensive carbon bikes to save half a kg....and the 4 stone belly hanging out of the lycra. Save the money on an expensive frame if you’re not in top shape! LOL

    See no harm in guys cycling even if they are a bit overweight lots of people have a few grand to spend on a hobby sure a basic enough bike would be enough for a lot of guys out cycling but they have the money so fair play if they want to splash out .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 876 ✭✭✭byrnem31


    Eh, that's 1100 no? that would be 700 on top of the 400€ repairs?

    Also your back in the same boat again of a bike needing parts to be replaced as its second hand???


    Offer him 800 and see what he says. The bike is meant to be in good nick so might not need anything for a while.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,310 ✭✭✭07Lapierre


    See no harm in guys cycling even if they are a bit overweight lots of people have a few grand to spend on a hobby sure a basic enough bike would be enough for a lot of guys out cycling but they have the money so fair play if they want to splash out .

    In my view it’s a good thing. Better than buying a cheap BSO, not being comfortable on it, not using it and eventually not doing anything.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,887 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    it's a strawman to suggest that overweight guys are buying light bikes because they need the extra 0.5kg weight saving. if someone is 4 stone overweight, they know they're 4 stone overweight but they just went out and bought themselves a nice bike.
    my brother in law could have bought a nice bike for the price of the headlights he paid for, for his car. which he didn't *need*, he just wanted nicer headlights.


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 41,234 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    The amount of aul lads I see out on expensive carbon bikes to save half a kg....and the 4 stone belly hanging out of the lycra. Save the money on an expensive frame if you’re not in top shape! LOL
    So fu**ing what! It's their money to spend on whatever they want.
    Fat shaming an overweight person who is out exercising is a prickish thing to do to be honest!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 876 ✭✭✭byrnem31


    A fat person may be on an expensive bike. But that's the very reason they are on it. To lose weight. It's like judging a fat person out jogging.

    Last year someone commented my defy advanced 2 2020 must be faster cause I have a lighter wallet after buying it. You get them everywhere.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 298 ✭✭this.lad


    byrnem31 wrote: »
    A fat person may be on an expensive bike. But that's the very reason they are on it. To lose weight. It's like judging a fat person out jogging.

    Last year someone commented my defy advanced 2 2020 must be faster cause I have a lighter wallet after buying it. You get them everywhere.

    It's okay, they compensate by having a lighter brain


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