- 30,053
- Thailand
I bought a 2 year old model (brand new still) for 300quid to avoid paying 900 for the 2012 version of the same bike. That's not feeble, it's sensible.
The biking thread
- Thread starter Bram Turismo
- 4,902 comments
- 271,915 views
I bought a 2 year old model (brand new still) for 300quid to avoid paying 900 for the 2012 version of the same bike. That's not feeble, it's sensible.
- 7,517
- Connecticut
- Cowboys965
And I'll be buying a $169 GMC bike. 
My bike was £250 from Halfords and I'm riding with guys who have £3K+ carbon bikes, they're not arsed and I'm not that bothered although I am starting to wonder how much more fun and easier the rides would be on something lighter with more bounce.
The bike looks really good mate, before you posted the Felt up I'd not considered them but they seem to be a bit of a bargain and look like some thought has gone into the frame design...lose the spoke reflectors though even if they are a pretty good safety feature. Saying that lights are more use anyway, RSP Astrum rear lights are brilliant and cheap...choosing front lights is a huge topic so ask when you need some and I'll send you some links.
Also finding it hard work is to be expected to begin with but it gets easier once your legs gets used to working again and then you can really start to push yourself. Assuming your new phone has GPS, download and start using Strava as it will be a good motivation and performance measurement tool. Also also don't forget to stretch, see here and here although I only ever do thighs and calves.
Liking the purple CheersMate 👍
- 5,677
- United Kingdom
- Dragonistic
I've already ordered my lights after some research (forgot the name already though but I may consider upgrading to a stronger front light come winter, but I don't plan on riding at night round here because that's just suicide) but they're on back order so I'll lose the reflectors when I put those on or when I do the bikes first mini-service in the next few days, I'm in a white jacket when I ride so I'm fairly hard to miss on the green background of the hedges when on road round here 
.
Yes my phone has GPS, tis an S3 (in red which means it's better duh), I already plan on tracking myself more robustly once I'm getting a little further and I have a case for the phone to go in because it's too beautiful to ruin within first week. I'm heading off to Birmingham on Saturday which may involve plenty of walking so I'm going to do another short ride or nothing this evening, back on it come Sunday though if I get home before dark.
. Yes my phone has GPS, tis an S3 (in red which means it's better duh), I already plan on tracking myself more robustly once I'm getting a little further and I have a case for the phone to go in because it's too beautiful to ruin within first week
. I'm heading off to Birmingham on Saturday which may involve plenty of walking so I'm going to do another short ride or nothing this evening, back on it come Sunday though if I get home before dark.
- 5,494
- Melbourne, Living the dream
- Aldo_GTP
I'm in a white jacket when I ride so I'm fairly hard to miss on the green background of the hedges when on road round here
I think I spotted you earlier.
- 5,677
- United Kingdom
- Dragonistic
How dare you?! He could probably way outpace me...
ExigeEvan
Premium
- 17,192
I ride a £270 Carrera TdF road bike, and I don't even own a pro team kit
- 30,053
- Thailand
I've given up commuting by bike, after 3 years, since I've been back from London. I'm not sure why because I've always enjoyed it, just haven't had the feel for riding to work.
I still ride on my days off as the bike is my main mode of transport and I like the exercise it offers. I think I'll be doing more long rides of 80km+ as opposed to the 30km trek to work.
I still ride on my days off as the bike is my main mode of transport and I like the exercise it offers. I think I'll be doing more long rides of 80km+ as opposed to the 30km trek to work.
- 6,008
- Finland
- 3,679
- Warwick Uni
- lbsf1 GTP_lbsf1
- obsmu (my brothers acount)
Nice to see some fellow bikers here 👍
This is my Specialized SX Trail version 0.8 (I took the photo march 2011)
OMG that bike is amazing, that looks so awesome, I can't really see anything you could improve on it.
Mine has arrived finally, I took it out briefly today but will be out on a longer ride tommorow.
- 5,677
- United Kingdom
- Dragonistic
I don't think it's that far, I came in with no knowledge and thought the Felt products were quality though there were many being discounted which brought them in to my range and some doubt for me in case there was a reason why. I just researched components, it looked good and I like the fact I'm unlikely to see many others. Because I'm clearly a hipster at heart
.Couldn't be more pleased to be honest, also I didn't realised I'd actually spend a relatively large sum compared to others. Everytime I checked in I kept seeing full suspension bikes or the aforementioned brands never even occured to me they could be older models and so on (I know nothing of road bikes at all).
Errrm...it's not my bike...hang on you know it is....errr...vandals put it on...that's it, definitely vandals.
Pretty much what Dragonistic said in that I thought they were a decent proper brand I just didn't realise they were a bargain compared to the supermarket/Halfords brands. I'm certainly checking them out now when people ask for recommendations.
As it was my birthday at the weekend bike bling is in order
New 50mm stem and T-shirt off the missus
Plus cash from the family to buy a Renthal Fatbar (780mm wide / 38mm rise)
- 151
- NRW
Sweet handlebar, I love Renthal!
The c.guide is awesome as well (maybe a bit overpriced, but it works perfect).
The c.guide is awesome as well (maybe a bit overpriced, but it works perfect).
I had Renthal bars on my motorbike and a few
Offs proved how strong they were...plus they look kewl
Also they're made fairly close to where I live and very close to where I work so it's supporting a local business. The Bionicon chain guide really is a stupid price for what it is but I'm yet to hear from someone who regrets buying one so at least it'll work.
Offs proved how strong they were...plus they look kewl
Also they're made fairly close to where I live and very close to where I work so it's supporting a local business. The Bionicon chain guide really is a stupid price for what it is but I'm yet to hear from someone who regrets buying one so at least it'll work.
boiltheocean
Premium
- 7,756
- Samoa
That guide looks really neat, I bet it's rather quiet too. Also good choice on the stem, just make sure to tighten it super evenly, mine slipped not long after fitting (on a DH track though) so I took a little more time to go over it with OCD like precision and I've not had any problems since.
And if you mount it upside down it acts as a laser sight to mow down roadies with pinpoint accuracy 👍
Edit: But yeah awesome prezzies!
I've got my superawesomesauce lights for that
Cheers 👍
Also how is your Avid Elixir brake doing? I have no end of trouble with mine
Both callipers have got a sticky piston so constantly drag on the discs, I managed to get air in the rear one trying to cure it by cleaning it and moving the piston in and out so spent an hour last night bleeding the bugger.I'll report back on the guide, hopefully it and the bars will be delivered quick so I can get it all set up and tested before the Coed y Brenin 60km endurance in a week and a half :bricking it: Cheers for the heads up on the stem and thanks for recommending it, I'll make sure I use the torque wrench 👍
Lol
- 3,534
- London
I got new bar tape today as the one I got from wiggle was cotton and its not very cushiony (if thats even a word). I got this from a bike shop but I dont know what the strips are for on the right?? Also any tips on wrapping handlebar tape? Do you stretch it while wrapping?
And heres a quick snap of the ride today.
And heres a quick snap of the ride today.
- 5,677
- United Kingdom
- Dragonistic
The weather continues to be kind to me, after a weekend away in Birminghamland I've managed to get out and avoid the rain every day, I've continued to progress further and further up the climb I'm using to train on and I've decided my target is to make it across the border (and back though that's the easy and extremely fast part) within the month. Service the bike for the first time come weekend and I'll make my first proper attempt as I'll finally have the time to do it.
- 5,494
- Melbourne, Living the dream
- Aldo_GTP
I've got my superawesomesauce lights for that
Cheers 👍
Also how is your Avid Elixir brake doing? I have no end of trouble with mine
That's for frying them to death after you've buzzed their back wheel to make them crash 👍
The brake still feels alright. Had about a month where it dragged but just cause I was too lazy to realign it. There was one point where I pushed the pistons in then it went reeeeeeeeally spongy but that sorted itself out. Harsh having to bleed it again
- 6,131
- London
- SomaEightyFour
- MrVerloc
The strips are for the clamps behind the brake hood (you'll see them once you peel back the rubber). I personally don't use them since I prefer doing a figure 8 around them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7KwGCDWlUk&feature=related
I find that stretching the tape as you wrap helps it cling to the bars better.
- 3,534
- London
Oh wow great vid you found 👍 thanks for the advice!
PSA: Where The Trail Ends free movie premier steam for 24 hours only
This is 2 1/2 hours long as it includes the "red carpet" show from Vegas before the movie itself, not watched it yet but judging by the clips I've seen it should be pretty amazing...err I mean gnarly dude.
This is 2 1/2 hours long as it includes the "red carpet" show from Vegas before the movie itself, not watched it yet but judging by the clips I've seen it should be pretty amazing...err I mean gnarly dude.
- 241
- sp0_0kie
- 5,677
- United Kingdom
- Dragonistic
I caught a good chunk of it, skipped ahead straight to the action. Some extremely impressive riding but I equally found the riders themselves early on to be equally annoying
. I think they just reminded me of a few people I've known over the years.I made my first run for the border on Saturday, am pleased to report I made 1) over the highest peak I've been trying to climb since day 1 (picture(s) to come) and 2) made it to the border though I did stop twice to hydrate, take a quick photo and grab my phone to navigate thanks to GPS. I was more pleased though that I wasn't ready to pass out upon completion, and infact I Felt great (yeah I'm gonna keep doing that lame pun) I had to descend back to get home before my girlfriend came over which was my only reason to turn back for a rather speedy return journey to help me practice my technical abilities a bit more, body position and so on.
I think for the future if I can get the time I'll do the same, take breaks on route rather then try to hard on the way up, but I'll just keep going further and further between breaks and total distance as there's barely a break on the climb.
Edit:
Starting point is somewhere down the bottom of this hill, still feels like Everest to me but soon it shall become a mere molehill.
Found myself on the wrong side of this valley I wanted to be across also, fortunately I found a good point to cross without dipping too low.
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Sounds like you're making the most of the new bike and pushing yourself mate :tup: You'll soon notice an improvement especially as you're doing the biggest hills you can, riding hard uphill is a surefire way to make you strong and fast. I've just had a look at Strava segments and other peoples rides around Oswestry and you really are spoilt there, very jelly!
Not sure if I've pointed you to it before but have a look at this post for very good quality riding guides[/url] especially the book.
My 60km endurance event is this Saturday and it's going to be even muddier and harder going after the month worth of rain we've had this week. I'm looking forward to it but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't apprehensive. I'm hoping to do it in about 5 hours although it'll likely be closer to 6
:tup: You'll soon notice an improvement especially as you're doing the biggest hills you can, riding hard uphill is a surefire way to make you strong and fast. I've just had a look at Strava segments and other peoples rides around Oswestry and you really are spoilt there, very jelly! Not sure if I've pointed you to it before but have a look at this post for very good quality riding guides[/url] especially the book.
My 60km endurance event is this Saturday and it's going to be even muddier and harder going after the month worth of rain we've had this week. I'm looking forward to it but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't apprehensive. I'm hoping to do it in about 5 hours although it'll likely be closer to 6
