I'm starting to get really unsure now!Straight bars/drop bars

GT_TDI_150 · 14-05-2011 07:24AM #1

Ok,

I have my bike('Eurotrek Bullet' a 54cm straight bar 'racer') picked, the docket ready to to be put through as a order ...

but now I'm starting to doubt whether I should go for a normal 'racer'.

Is there 'good racers' available for below €500? Is the butterfly gear system as good as the system incorporated in the brakes?

I've submitted my paperwork in work for the cyclescheme for €650, but I want to get the Helmet/Shorts/Lock/Speedo(not the bugdgie-smuggling type:D)/footpump/bottle holder/punc. repair gear and the bike all for that price.

Thanks

Beasty · 14-05-2011 07:51AM

Bike and safety equipment only under the BTW scheme - can't get shorts and speedo (although the other items you mention should qualify based on the Revenue Guidance)

You will not get a (new) "good racer" for under €500. You need to be nearer the €1k limit to get anything decent, although most around here would recommend drops over straight bars

murph226 · 14-05-2011 11:05AM

Drop bars all the way!

I used the whole ctw budget on the bike and picked up the rest of the gear later bit by bit.

Looking back now I'm sorry I didn't do more research and put money towards the bike with the ctw money and get a canyon online.

Remember you can only use the ctw scheme once every 5 years, might aswell make the most of it.

coolbeans · 14-05-2011 11:46AM

I think I responded to one of your threads regarding new bike and as then I said drops for various good reasons I can't be bothered typing up on a phone. Get drops. I was right then as I and others will be now.

Dord · 14-05-2011 03:22PM

I started with a straight bar "racer" last year (Giant Rapid 3) but recently had it converted to dropbar. It was such a difference. I found the drops more comfortable and just generally looked better.

I'd say go for a dropbar bike.

Tonyandthewhale · 14-05-2011 03:24PM

No, butterfly shifters are not as good as integrated shifters. I haven't heard anything good about them.

GT_TDI_150 · 14-05-2011 06:55PM

Ok,

I was in 2 minds on whether to get a flat bar or drop bar racer.
Then I decided to get a straight bar racer but was told by the shop hand to come back and finalise the deal with the shop owner. When I went back yesterday, the price had gone up by €50 to cover the cut the cycleschem crowd take from the bikeshop for the sale?!?!

I was furious that they are going about it this way, so went aroud to some other shops today to start my search all over again.

In the end I decided on .... a Scott Speedster S55 (example)

what ya think?

Lemag · 14-05-2011 06:58PM

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GT_TDI_150 · 14-05-2011 07:00PM

Lemag wrote: »

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

why not

CheGuedara · 14-05-2011 07:02PM

Yes. Over a straight barred anything - Definitely.

Lemag · 14-05-2011 07:08PM

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

why not

You were seeking reassurance so I thought 'why not?'. It looks nice, btw. Enjoy!

GT_TDI_150 · 14-05-2011 07:09PM

Lemag wrote: »

You were seeking reassurance so I thought 'why not?'. It looks nice, btw. Enjoy!

you b@st@rd

, my heart dropped!

Lemag · 14-05-2011 07:12PM

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

you b@st@rd , my heart dropped!

You're damn right I am;) That's the exact reaction I was hoping for - score!

Black Bloc · 14-05-2011 07:58PM

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

Ok,

I was in 2 minds on whether to get a flat bar or drop bar racer.
Then I decided to get a straight bar racer but was told by the shop hand to come back and finalise the deal with the shop owner. When I went back yesterday, the price had gone up by €50 to cover the cut the cycleschem crowd take from the bikeshop for the sale?!?!

I was furious that they are going about it this way, so went aroud to some other shops today to start my search all over again.

In the end I decided on .... a Scott Speedster S55 (example)

what ya think?

If you want a Scott hybrid why not the Sportster? If you want a Scott road bike the Speedster 55 is too low an entry point IMHO if you plan on cycling with it for a few years. Some of the other Speedsters with Tiagra or Ultegra would be a better bet for long term use - the lower the 'S' number the better the equipment as far as I recall - my two cents as a Scoot Sportster owner.

Lumen · 14-05-2011 08:04PM

Black Bloc wrote: »

If you want a Scott hybrid why not the Sportster? If you want a Scott road bike the Speedster 55 is too low an entry point IMHO if you plan on cycling with it for a few years. Some of the other Speedsters with Tiagra or Ultegra would be a better bet for long term use - the lower the 'S' number the better the equipment as far as I recall - my two cents as a Scoot Sportster owner.

Ah, come on. Sora is surely fine for an entry-level bike. Recommending Ultegra on a first road bike is a bit nuts.

If the bugs catches the Scott can get demoted to winter trainer or commuter.

Black Bloc · 14-05-2011 08:06PM

Lumen wrote: »

Ah, come on. Sora is surely fine for an entry-level bike. Recommending Ultegra on a first road bike is a bit nuts.

If the bugs catches the Scott can get demoted to winter trainer or commuter.

I did mention 'long term'.

Side Show Bob · 14-05-2011 08:31PM

Dord wrote: »

I started with a straight bar "racer" last year (Giant Rapid 3) but recently had it converted to dropbar. It was such a difference. I found the drops more comfortable and just generally looked better.

I'd say go for a dropbar bike.

Did you also change the crankset or what shifters did you use to make it an 8 speed triple,

cdaly_ · 14-05-2011 09:14PM

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

Then I decided to get a straight bar racer but was told by the shop hand to come back and finalise the deal with the shop owner. When I went back yesterday, the price had gone up by €50 to cover the cut the cycleschem crowd take from the bikeshop for the sale?!?!

See if your employer will pay direct rather than using one of the brokers. The scheme is so easy to administer and it's little more than a scam the 'service' being offered by the bike to work 'brokers'.

ktz84 · 14-05-2011 11:04PM

What's the major difference between a drop bar bike and flat bar bike? It's the shape of the bars and the levers. The bars are nothing to do with the groupset so that leaves the levers. Sora levers - crud. Hated them from the moment I first used them until I got shot. I have small hands and they were so hard to use (near impossible actually). I'm sure they are great if you get on with them but I didn't and for that reason I would say that anyone thinking of using them needs to test ride with them to ensure that they can use them. Just my experience.

blorg · 15-05-2011 03:06AM

Sora is absolutely fine and very reliable. It actually has adjustable reach for the small-handed, there is a small screw that moves the levers closer to the bars.

petethedrummer · 15-05-2011 03:55AM

blorg wrote: »

Sora is absolutely fine and very reliable.

One thing I've always been curious about; this thumb button feature of Sora right...... this is a feature of the top of the range Campagnolo stuff isn't it? Or am I missing something vital here?

ktz84 · 15-05-2011 07:35AM

blorg wrote: »

Sora is absolutely fine and very reliable. It actually has adjustable reach for the small-handed, there is a small screw that moves the levers closer to the bars.

Let's be clear I'm talking about reach to the button shift. I just really struggled to reach it. I don't see how you could adjust for it however you know more about bikes than I ever will so I will defer to your better knowledge. If it existed I completely missed it and no one online could offer me a solution. Now this was 3-4 years ago so perhaps things have changed.

I can see I was unclear because I mentioned levers in my original post. What I was meaning by that was the whole brake and shift procedure which included the gear shifting and not just the brake levers.

GT_TDI_150 · 16-05-2011 08:56PM

Another question.

I'm obviously getting pedals with the bike and cant afford the 'fancy ones' with the fitting shoes, but was wondering would people recommend I get a set with 'straps' to get use to having my feet 'tied in' or would a plain 'open' pedal be just as good?

16-05-2011 09:35PM

petethedrummer wrote: »

One thing I've always been curious about; this thumb button feature of Sora right...... this is a feature of the top of the range Campagnolo stuff isn't it? Or am I missing something vital here?

Ah yes but when Campagnolo do it it is crafted on top of an alpine pass by a team of beautiful naked Italian virgins using Mario Cippolini's hair grease as a long lasting and weather resistant lubricant.

Whereas Shimano is made by Japanese people, and as we all know, Japanese people have no souls.

ThisRegard · 16-05-2011 10:34PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Whereas Shimano is made by Japanese people, and as we all know, Japanese people have no souls.

Not completely, don't they licence stuff to be made in even more soul less asian countries.

Lumen · 16-05-2011 10:39PM

ThisRegard wrote: »

Not completely, don't they licence stuff to be made in even more soul less asian countries.

Taiwan? Can't be Korea, cos they have a really big seoul.

ThisRegard · 16-05-2011 10:40PM

Actually, give me that thanks back, that was bloody awful.

Dord · 16-05-2011 10:42PM

Lumen wrote: »

Taiwan? Can't be Korea, cos they have a really big seoul.

Don't give up your day job!

dave.obrien · 16-05-2011 10:46PM

petethedrummer wrote: »

One thing I've always been curious about; this thumb button feature of Sora right...... this is a feature of the top of the range Campagnolo stuff isn't it? Or am I missing something vital here?

Yep, Shimano have there lever placed in a different location to Campagnolo, meaning that the thumb shifter is impossible to get to from the drops and rubs on your thumb when on the hoods. Whereas Campagnolo's is positioned for easy drop access and causes no rubbing.

Plus, as mentioned, Campagnolo was made by Goddesses, while Shimano has no soul... Who doesn't love a mountain topped, virgin made piece of Italian engineering?!

Also, Sora is a good enough to start on. The pedals with shoes would make more of a difference to a beginner, but you have your budget, so toe straps is an understandable way to start. When/if the time comes to get clipless shoes and pedals (and it is a HUGE improvement), it's probably a good idea to start out with Shimano SPD mountain bike pedals, as they are easier to use because of dual sided entry, and the shoes can be walked in more comfortably than road shoes, making them more convenient for commuting and the like, while still securing your foot well and offering you the pedal advantage of being attached. The bike looks nice, congratulations!

GT_TDI_150 · 17-05-2011 06:03AM

It's nice of ye all to answer q's on my thread, any chance of an answer on my q aswell?!:rolleyes:

Sound like:D

17-05-2011 07:56AM

GT_TDI_150 wrote: »

It's nice of ye all to answer q's on my thread, any chance of an answer on my q aswell?!:rolleyes:

Sound like:D

Drop bars all the way. More hand positions (important for comfort on longer rides), and you can get into a more aero position (good when there's a headwind).

500 would be about the lowest you could pay. Might have to stretch the budget a little bit.

I'm starting to get really unsure now!Straight bars/drop bars

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