cube agree gtc pro questions (vs tcr 2)

Ironlungs · 11-04-2014 08:11PM

Ok so, one week in. I am loving the bike, it is as smooth as butter, 105 is taking some getting used to as I am used to flat bar thumb shifting, but I love the subtle gearing at the back, the front is harder to get used to, as the switch is so extreme.

I actually got used to the saddle as I just pegged it around the estate during the week, but the new gel flow arrived so I threw it on. It didn't offer any extra comfort, in fact it seems to put pressure on the sit bones. It's not major though, as the big issue is adapting to a road position after two years of hybrid cycling. I think the extra padding on the gel flow has raised me by about 5mm, which may be contributing to any discomfort, I may need to lower the seat tube a tad.

My hands have been the biggest issue, at first I found myself locking my elbows, trying to replicate the hybrid upright position. I have had sore hands. Having read up on it, I am now making absolutely sure to keep a bend in my elbows which helps enormously. Still, I find myself changing my hand position regularly to keep them comfortable. The bars are a good 2 inches below the saddle, as the cube head tube is just 145mm (defy for example is 165 in an 'M', which is a massive difference). I am wondering if I need to raise the bars a bit. That is open for discussion.

What is very encouraging is the fact that I had zero back pain or discomfort - my back was very stable and comfortable. I say this as I had serious lumbar injury (disc torn and another bulging) just over a year ago. Putting strain on my back was the big fear as I moved to road biking.

Performance wise, I loved the feel of spinning along. I find that the hybrid makes me prone to mashing (although I have improved my technique over time), the road bike makes me spin, as as my position is so fixed and the gearing is much more subtle. It is also lighter and more responsive. I was about 2kph faster on my 24km trip today, which was my first proper spin, and that knocked a good 4 mins off this season's time on that spin. Encouraging, given that as I get more comfy on the bike, I feel I will improve.

Anyway, so far so good! Any tips on getting the hands more comfortable?

New2bike · 11-04-2014 09:55PM

Glad to hear you are getting on well with the new bike the hand thing should sort itself out after a week or 2 it's like starting weight lifting for the first time, you are straining muscles you don't ordinarily use and end up in agony but after a while they get used to it same thing here the hands are stretching over the hoods and take a little time to adapt.
I'm not so lucky with my GTC Race as warned on here the Easton wheels are rattling like an earthquake and sounds like every spoke is ready to pop the Ultegra is awesome though and a great step up from the Sora I have been useing for the past couple of years.

ucd.1985 · 11-04-2014 11:47PM

Pics please

Cee-Jay-Cee · 12-04-2014 01:12AM

Ironlungs wrote: »

I actually got used to the saddle as I just pegged it around the estate during the week, but the new gel flow arrived so I threw it on. It didn't offer any extra comfort, in fact it seems to put pressure on the sit bones. I

That's where it's supposed to put pressure otherwise your putting pressure on your perineum and that will cause even more discomfort and numbness. Your sit bones will get used to being used and you won't notice it after a few weeks so stick it out

Ironlungs · 12-04-2014 12:29PM

I take your point on the saddle. In the pic above, it is with the original saddle. Is it normal to feel stretched at the top of the hamstrings and the top of the calfs? Wondering if I need to get used to that or lower the saddle a smidge. The wheels seem good - early days of course, but my route is across some fairly nobbly roads and I had no worries.

Ironlungs · 12-04-2014 07:49PM

Pic didn't upload! Anyway, good run today, hamstrings and calfs better today, hands and saddle less of an issue. Took 6 mins off this season's best on a 34km loop.

Had one mis-hap - tried to unclip as I came through a village - wouldn't come out. Then my left foot came unclipped later and wouldn't go back in. I didn't stop obviously. When I got home, the clip was in the pedal. Guess I need to tighten them regularly. Was a job to get it out, I had to take pedal apart and I'm not thrilled with how tightly I got the screws putting it back together. We'll see how it pans out.

I also had my first close pass - a car overtook and turned left in one movement in an incredibly dangerous manouvre. It was extremely close, my first such incident in 2 years of cycling.

Ironlungs · 12-04-2014 09:31PM

ucd.1985 wrote: »

Pics please

Edit - pic not loading. Sorry!

New2bike · 12-04-2014 09:39PM

New2bike · 12-04-2014 09:40PM

Ironlungs wrote: »

Edit - pic not loading. Sorry!

Hey Iron lungs just go on to something like photo bucket and upload your pics there then use the image link to post them direct here

slotts · 13-04-2014 09:20AM

New2bike wrote: »

Glad to hear you are getting on well with the new bike the hand thing should sort itself out after a week or 2 it's like starting weight lifting for the first time, you are straining muscles you don't ordinarily use and end up in agony but after a while they get used to it same thing here the hands are stretching over the hoods and take a little time to adapt.
I'm not so lucky with my GTC Race as warned on here the Easton wheels are rattling like an earthquake and sounds like every spoke is ready to pop the Ultegra is awesome though and a great step up from the Sora I have been useing for the past couple of years.

Very common problem from what I hear. They will pop

voodoochile · 25-10-2014 01:15PM

Ironlungs wrote: »

Ok so, one week in. I am loving the bike, it is as smooth as butter, 105 is taking some getting used to as I am used to flat bar thumb shifting, but I love the subtle gearing at the back, the front is harder to get used to, as the switch is so extreme.

I actually got used to the saddle as I just pegged it around the estate during the week, but the new gel flow arrived so I threw it on. It didn't offer any extra comfort, in fact it seems to put pressure on the sit bones. It's not major though, as the big issue is adapting to a road position after two years of hybrid cycling. I think the extra padding on the gel flow has raised me by about 5mm, which may be contributing to any discomfort, I may need to lower the seat tube a tad.

My hands have been the biggest issue, at first I found myself locking my elbows, trying to replicate the hybrid upright position. I have had sore hands. Having read up on it, I am now making absolutely sure to keep a bend in my elbows which helps enormously. Still, I find myself changing my hand position regularly to keep them comfortable. The bars are a good 2 inches below the saddle, as the cube head tube is just 145mm (defy for example is 165 in an 'M', which is a massive difference). I am wondering if I need to raise the bars a bit. That is open for discussion.

What is very encouraging is the fact that I had zero back pain or discomfort - my back was very stable and comfortable. I say this as I had serious lumbar injury (disc torn and another bulging) just over a year ago.Putting strain on my back was the big fear as I moved to road biking.

Performance wise, I loved the feel of spinning along. I find that the hybrid makes me prone to mashing (although I have improved my technique over time), the road bike makes me spin, as as my position is so fixed and the gearing is much more subtle. It is also lighter and more responsive. I was about 2kph faster on my 24km trip today, which was my first proper spin, and that knocked a good 4 mins off this season's time on that spin. Encouraging, given that as I get more comfy on the bike, I feel I will improve.

Anyway, so far so good! Any tips on getting the hands more comfortable?

Sorry to dig up an old(ish) thread but I'm considering this bike and I also had a similar injury earlier this year. I've only been a mountain biker before so I was wondering how the comfort levels stand up after some months of use?

Also - one of the pics shows Ultegra components - I thought these came with a full 105 groupset?

jamesd · 25-10-2014 03:56PM

Pro or race I think came with integra.
I've a bad back and hip and have a 2012 agree and love it after I got a proper fitting.

cube agree gtc pro questions (vs tcr 2)

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