Bike/Martin

Re: Bike/Martin

Simon Neuhoff — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:50:24 GMT

For now will stick to the hardtail - doesn't seem to hold me back too much ;-)

Re: Bike/Martin

Richard Fox — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:01:59 GMT

I know Simon - were just a bunch of jesters

Yes I love my HT - a great bike for the winter as its so simple and easy / cheep to keep running - I can't wait to do the BM3D on teh Felt :)

Re: Bike/Martin

Simon Neuhoff — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:46:46 GMT

Also just joking Richard! I have a do-it-all hardtail (Cotic Soul) for trail centre/Alpine/racing use (swap out the wheels for lighter ones when appropriate) and the SS rigid is for local short blasts in the woods - really refreshing to ride old familiar trails on the rigid bike and of course being SS it is maintenance free - once you get the chain tension right at least!

I don't have a full suss bike currently - 99% of the time I don't miss it but there is the odd occasion - like last year's Cape Epic! when I think it would be great.

My current favourite though is my Cotic X cyclocross bike (yes there is a theme developing here!) which is incredibly fun. I really wish I'd bought a 'cross bike sooner.

Re: Bike/Martin

Richard Fox — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:07:07 GMT

Martin - I was joking - I mean the bike wants to go faster then I can ride it ;) - try doing an 8 hour XC race on it on hard packed trails.

Simon - you may have a point but once you have ridden her you wont go back :) - its too hilly in Dartmoor for me to ride a Rigid SS - my knees would have been replaced by now!

The edict is my marathon bike for this year - up the hills d.t. to the suspension design it eliminates bob but on the flat trails its as plush as you like - I used to do down hilling on my Spesh Demo 8 (but got too old) and appreciate the rear suspension - my winter / play bike is my Kinesis XCPro3 but even with the carbon rear end is takes its toll after a few hours - My Five is now built into my ultimate trail bike with droppy seatpost :)

http://www.cyclistno1.co.uk/features/racing/sixsixone-gravity-enduro-eastridge.htm

http://www.cyclistno1.co.uk/blog/bontrager-twentyfour-12.htm

Re: Bike/Martin

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:51:09 GMT

[quote user="Richard Fox"]

My new Bike fully built - she's like a bullet (I am not though, I get left behind on the trails )

[/quote]

Very nice bike, Felt carbon monocoque Seriously though: do you really need rear suspension on trails?, that maybe one reason you're being left behind - too much power loss in the suspension system. Lock out the suspension and swap those knobblies for some semi-slicks for dry weather then you'll really fly.

Re: Bike/Martin

Simon Neuhoff — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:52:48 GMT

[quote user="Richard Fox"]

My new Bike fully built - she's like a bullet (I am not though, I get left behind on the trails )

[/quote]

Now I'm sure that's a lovely bike Richard but it is a bit complicated isn't it - what with all that suspension and gears and malarkey. And carbon? It'll never catch on ;-)

What you need is something a little more like this:

Re: Bike/Martin

Simon Neuhoff — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:38:03 GMT

Glad you are enjoying it! That's far and away the most important thing.

Re: Bike/Martin

Dagmar Steele — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:18:30 GMT

Maybe I owe you an update...

I'm enjoying the new bike and myself very much! I even managed to cycle the 20km to and 20km from work without serious muscle aches afterwards, so it seems my fitness isn't just as bad as I thought (left the dog at home and did each tour in an hour). Dog is loving it as most lunch breaks we now ride on wood paths where she can roam free, but doesn't like to follow me on the lead on tarmac as I'm a bit faster now (she's like a b.... anchor sometimes :-)

So, thanks all for firing me up, hope I'll keep enjoying it and getting around to do bigger trips when the kids get more independent. At least I now do all my tasks in my hometown by bike

Re: Bike/Martin

Richard Fox — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:58:51 GMT

My new Bike fully built - she's like a bullet (I am not though, I get left behind on the trails )

Re: Bike/Martin

Anthony Todd — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:08:49 GMT

[quote user="Malcolm Ness"]loud and fast - so I don't really fit in here!!)[/quote]

Aw, I dunno?

Re: Bike/Martin

Richard Fox — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:46:12 GMT

[quote user="Simon Neuhoff"]Got to say the image of men striding around in jodhpurs with riding crops is far more offputting to me than lycra ;-) But each to his own![/quote]

+1 - Bob - feel free to start your own thread on horses? However unlike you I can resist posting about bikes

Re: Bike/Martin

Simon Neuhoff — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:35:43 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]

Men and Lycra conjure up images too horrendous to contemplate. A bit like the jean-like jodhpurs in our tack room dating back to the days when I was a lot fitter and riding most days!

Horse is gone and so is my waistline!!

[/quote]

Got to say the image of men striding around in jodhpurs with riding crops is far more offputting to me than lycra ;-) But each to his own!

Re: Bike/Martin

Bob Russell — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:55:39 GMT

Men and Lycra conjure up images too horrendous to contemplate. A bit like the jean-like jodhpurs in our tack room dating back to the days when I was a lot fitter and riding most days!

Re: Bike/Martin

Malcolm Ness — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:48:45 GMT

This thread is just like Top Gear but without the smell of petrol.

(My bike is a Triumph Street Triple. Bright red, 675cc, loud and fast - so I don't really fit in here!!)

Re: Bike/Martin

Richard Fox — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:04:51 GMT

Thank you - yes I am very made up with my new bike - its a long termer frame for a bike magazine I write for: www.cyclistno1.co.uk :)

Re: Bike/Martin

Dagmar Steele — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:42:26 GMT

[quote user="Neil Wheadon"]

Finally your children are 9 and 12. I've seen a lot of children put off by heavy '£90' bikes. Islabikes are superb, expensive yes, but if you get a second hand one will sell for almost the same price 3 years later. They are like hens teeth to find second hand but even buying new at £350 and selling 3 years later at £200-250, means approx £50/year for childhood cycling pleasure. James our eldest (14) is doing a 106km Audax with me this W/E on his Islabike and he's enjoy it as the bike he has is light and fast http://www.islabikes.co.uk/

Have fun

Neil

PS You don't know of a chateau or complex in Northern Germany that can accomodate 46 people do you (10 famiies) as I need one for a CTC family tour in 2013?

[/quote]

Hi Neill,

thanks, sounds very encouraging! I think I will enjoy it for quite a while, only two more days and I can pick it up... The kids have very nice bikes and enjoy riding them, they are much faster than me anyway :-) (don't know the make, but they were about 400 Euros each)

Re the venue: How posh do you want it? I happen to know an old watermill in the countryside that can easily accomodate that amount of people. They are very friendly and do speak English, but they are not posh at all. It's rather local bio food, very yummy! than fine-dining and most of the rooms are doubles or family rather than single rooms. But it's situated in a very nice area away from major cities. I go there on a regular basis for music workshops, but I know you can rent the whole thing for family festivities. web adress: www.Proitzer-Muehle.de

If you think you might like this, give Heike a call and give her my best!

Re: Bike/Martin

Neil Wheadon — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 09:35:18 GMT

Hi Dagmar

Returning to the question. The bike looks a good choice. Price determines a lot and spending about 750 euros will buy a bike that will last and more importantly be a joy to cycle compared to a bike costing what I would pay for a derailler

The weight is 13.5kg which is about the same weight as my bespoke Mercian Tourer that goes all over the world, so getting up the hills won't be an issue. The gearing is 27, so assume you've got a triple on the front and 9 on the back. I have this too and the issues with chain breakage with a narrow chain are reduced these days (10 speed chains are more flaky) If you are having trouble getting up hills, count the teeth on the freewheel on the back. I'd expect 32. Combined with a 24 on the front, should mean you will climb walls. The brakes are hydrolic disc which are looking like standard kit these days. The groupset is Shimano, but then again isn't everything? The Deore type you have is the mid range and for your cycling is perfectly adequate. The tyres are Schwalbe, again a good choice.

My best advice for anyone buying a bike is Spend as much as you can afford, Buy last years bike, cycling has gone like anything else these days, fashion is everything, for some being seen on last years bike is a no-no, for others it's bargain time. Finally get a good frame that fits, Cannondale for example have a lifetime guarentee. You will wear out the components so can always upgrade as needed.

Have fun

Neil

PS You don't know of a chateau or complex in Northern Germany that can accomodate 46 people do you (10 famiies) as I need one for a CTC family tour in 2013?

Re: Bike/Martin

Simon Neuhoff — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 09:19:04 GMT

Doing the Etape! ;-) Acte II, in the Pyrenees. But on MUCH cheaper wheels!

Re: Bike/Martin

Anthony Todd — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 21:46:46 GMT

First, get these wheels: [Pure bike-porn]

http://www.madfiber.com/tubular-ceramic-road-wheels-article

Then do the etape.

So my son tells me, and if you're really keen you could spin whilst consulting.

But, as he says "Ha! tell them that cycling is about enduring mild discomfort for long periods of time...!"

Re: Bike/Martin

karen jones — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 18:39:02 GMT

Just downloaded Obsessive Compulsive Cycling Disorder' by Dave Barter from Amazon for my kindle (77p) I think it sounds like the ideal book for you obsessive cyclists. Watched lots of men in lycra this weekend on Eurosport. strade bianchi. Paris -Nice , racing across Italy form sea to sea ( I have a cycling obsessed husband). .

working this weekend so stuck at home when not lambing the ever lasting supply of sheep that have bothered me all weekend

Re: Bike/Martin

Simon Neuhoff — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:15:26 GMT

[quote user="Julian Earl"]

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

[quote user="Robin Grimmer"]

[OK Martin - what bikes do you have?

[/quote]

Massi Cendra Scandium frame with carbon fork, Campagnolo 11 speed carbon Record, Campagnolo Neutron Ultra wheels (at present) with a few trick bits weighs 7kg (race and Sunday best bike).

Thorn Cyclosportif Reynolds 725 conical steel custom build frame, Campagnolo 11 speed carbon Chorus, DT Swiss handbuilt wheels (training/audax/touring bike)

Focus Cross-Pro, Shimano Dura-Ace, Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels (cyclo-cross bike)

Kinesis Aluminium framed hard tail (branded as Popcorn Wizzard by LBS), Shimano XTR, DT Swiss wheels, Rockshox Judy front forks (MTB)

Dahon-Kalkhoff folding bike (nothing special)

+ a lot of spare wheels and other bits and pieces.

[/quote]

I like this game!

I'm not quite as ancient slightly more youthful than Martin but I have the same condition. Raced for years, on-road, off-road, sportives, etc., etc. The shed contains:

Trek Madone, carbon, merely 10sp Dura Ace. Sportives are the thing now.

Dolan carbon road racing with Ultegra.

Ribble winter bike with odd looking things on the wheels... oh, yes, I remember, I think they're called mudguards.

753 TT bike, HED wheels, getting destroyed by being on the turbo.

Orange Vitamin T for afore-mentioned cross and MTB racing. Largely gathering dust nowadays. Rockshox Judy forks going off in the cupboard - no point making it too easy.

Mavic Helium wheels and many other assorted parts going spare.

[/quote]

I'll take that Vitamin T off your hands ;-)

Re: Bike/Martin

Julian Earl — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:44:21 GMT

[quote user="Richard Fox"]

I am a MTBer but doing a fair few road miles of late - however I have just acquired my new MTB frame :)

[/quote]

That is gorgeous. I feel a little bit jealous. Mind you, n+1 did somebody say?

Re: Bike/Martin

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:35:25 GMT

seems to me you might be a tiny ickle bit proud of your new bike frame - bless!

Re: Bike/Martin

Richard Fox — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:40:20 GMT

I am a MTBer but doing a fair few road miles of late - however I have just acquired my new MTB frame :)

Re: Bike/Martin

Julian Earl — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:06:10 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

[quote user="Robin Grimmer"]

[OK Martin - what bikes do you have?

[/quote]

Massi Cendra Scandium frame with carbon fork, Campagnolo 11 speed carbon Record, Campagnolo Neutron Ultra wheels (at present) with a few trick bits weighs 7kg (race and Sunday best bike).

Thorn Cyclosportif Reynolds 725 conical steel custom build frame, Campagnolo 11 speed carbon Chorus, DT Swiss handbuilt wheels (training/audax/touring bike)

Focus Cross-Pro, Shimano Dura-Ace, Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels (cyclo-cross bike)

Kinesis Aluminium framed hard tail (branded as Popcorn Wizzard by LBS), Shimano XTR, DT Swiss wheels, Rockshox Judy front forks (MTB)

Dahon-Kalkhoff folding bike (nothing special)

+ a lot of spare wheels and other bits and pieces.

[/quote]

I like this game!

I'm not quite as ancient slightly more youthful than Martin but I have the same condition. Raced for years, on-road, off-road, sportives, etc., etc. The shed contains:

Trek Madone, carbon, merely 10sp Dura Ace. Sportives are the thing now.

Dolan carbon road racing with Ultegra.

Ribble winter bike with odd looking things on the wheels... oh, yes, I remember, I think they're called mudguards.

753 TT bike, HED wheels, getting destroyed by being on the turbo.

Orange Vitamin T for afore-mentioned cross and MTB racing. Largely gathering dust nowadays. Rockshox Judy forks going off in the cupboard - no point making it too easy.

Mavic Helium wheels and many other assorted parts going spare.