The biking thread

[Shaun]

I don't know if I'll sell the old stuff off mate. Could come in handy if I have a big off and break some bits to help me get up and running quickly again.
Honestly I don't think I would get much for the parts anyway, I'll sniff around ebay and see what they go for.

Yea, I don't get the local distributors at all. I probably waited around 3-4 days longer for a massive saving. Some people must be buying the stuff though.

 

[W3H5]

I love the clean look of the front end, Shaun. I just had a look at my hoods and it seems the break lines run under the tape but the shifter cables are pointed inward meaning they won't tuck away so easily.

I'm putting my bike on a plane to Thailand in a few months when I move there. It's pretty much the only possession I have to take other than a few electronics. Has anyone any experience of shipping a bike? I'll commit murder if they damage my machine.

Also, should I upgrade what I have or buy a new bike? I don't want 2 bikes really and I love my Giant but it could do with some upgrades being an entry level racer, only for a proper SRAM (or similar) kit I could buy half a new bike! Decisions, decisions!

The wife gets a car, I get a motorcycle. Not really a fair split, is it? So I could consider getting a moped (for carrying larger items; groceries) instead of a proper bike and then spunk the extra on building a road-shredding racer.

 

[Shaun]

I love the clean look of the front end, Shaun. I just had a look at my hoods and it seems the break lines run under the tape but the shifter cables are pointed inward meaning they won't tuck away so easily.

Thanks, yep same as my older stuff with the shifter cables coming out the side. Not possible to run the cables under the tape.

I'm putting my bike on a plane to Thailand in a few months when I move there. It's pretty much the only possession I have to take other than a few electronics. Has anyone any experience of shipping a bike? I'll commit murder if they damage my machine.

Talk to your LBS, pretty sure they will be able to box it up correctly for you.
Also ask Evan. I know when he rode across Aus he bought the bike over here but I'm not sure if he took it home with him or sold it before he left.

Also, should I upgrade what I have or buy a new bike? I don't want 2 bikes really and I love my Giant but it could do with some upgrades being an entry level racer, only for a proper SRAM (or similar) kit I could buy half a new bike! Decisions, decisions!

Tough call, if you are going to get a new bike don't bother taking it to Thailand with you, just buy when you get there.
As for upgrades it gets to a point where frame wise it's not worth going any higher/expensive group set wise. I ridden most current Shimano gear and the next level up from mine (Ultegra) isn't a lot dearer and honestly if I was riding it blindfolded I probably couldn't tell a huge difference.
Step up again to Dura Ace, mechanical or electronic and the price difference is huge as is the performance. When tuned properly everything works perfectly. Having said that it would be pointless putting Dura Ace on my bike.

From what I've read on the forums to notice a big difference you are best to skip one groupset and go to the next one. In your case (yours is Tiagra isn't it?) a jump to Ultegra and you will notice a big difference. Some other guys say though that 105 holds it's own against Ultegra no problems so you may even notice a good difference going up one step.
Pretty much the same for SRAM and Campagnolo skip a group for the biggest difference.

The wife gets a car, I get a motorcycle. Not really a fair split, is it? So I could consider getting a moped (for carrying larger items; groceries) instead of a proper bike and then spunk the extra on building a road-shredding racer.

Nope not fair at all.
Anything short of a full carbon frameset with Dura Ace and you're selling yourself short.

 

[W3H5]

I know my bike guy has boxes all over which he usually throws out. I also know he won't mind boxing it up for me. That's that then.

I can't bare to part with my Giant since it's become like an extension of me. Most of the parts are entry level racing bits and it does have the Tiagra set on it which is fine for a commuter bike, which is what it is at the end of the day;my run-around. Upgrading anything on it wouldn't necessarily be for performance improvements since most of that comes from fitness, but for bragging rights and looks (I can allow a little bit of vanity into my lifestyle).

If I was to get a new bike it would be a full DIY build from scratch. If it takes me 6 months to get it on the road that's fine. I would most likely go for a ten-speed TT frame bike an utilise the excellent public transport service (going up) and mountain roads ( coming down) of northern Thailand. I would be built for speed and nothing else.

Something like this:

 

[Shaun]

Upgrading anything on it wouldn't necessarily be for performance improvements since most of that comes from fitness, but for bragging rights and looks (I can allow a little bit of vanity into my lifestyle).

Hit the nail right on the head here.
The man pedaling is still the most important part.

Personally I think having two bikes is a good idea.
If I had something really top end it would only come out on the weekends when the weather was fine and I knew I wouldn't be getting off it even to nick into the shops. From your point of view Shem as you commute with your bike it's the perfect solution.

Slowly save up and buy it piece by piece at your own leisure and even when it's built use you current bike for the majority of the time and bring out the weapon for pure enjoyment.

 

[DustDriver]

Talking about 2 bikes:
http://2x2cycles.com/product/motorcycle-bicycle-rack/

A motorcycle bicycle rack

Maybe a good idea for Shems trip when he runs out of gas

 

[W3H5]

That's extreme!

Two bikes...mmmmm. I've lots of time to dwell on that idea.

 

[Shaun]

Awesome. 👍

And don't put thoughts into Shem's mind.

 

[ExigeEvan]

I'm putting my bike on a plane to Thailand in a few months when I move there. It's pretty much the only possession I have to take other than a few electronics. Has anyone any experience of shipping a bike? I'll commit murder if they damage my machine.

Having unpacked my fair share of bikes (Tesco), re-packing my buddies (I didn't keep mine) wasn't too difficult but it's really a gamble on of it survives unharmed. We met a couple that shipped a tandom all over the place and had mixed experience.

You'll need a box as big as airline standards will allow, some have strict limits (or secondary shipping). Packing foam (not the rubbish thin stuff you may use on crockery) and tape is essential for the frame to protect the paint, bubble wrap is useless. I'd half deflate tyres, though I'm less sure of road bike tyres, as it stops popping due to pressure drop but still offers protection to rim. Front wheel off, cables all loosened. Rear wheel on, chain slack. Handle bars off too. Padals off, cranks on and taped to frame. Foam around your cassette if you can.

There's quite a few tutorials on line, but I suggest you take your time assembling the materials and most helpful tip is clean your bike first!

 

[W3H5]

I think I'm going to get the whole thing wrapped in good foam to protect it and will speak to the airline about oversized luggage. I don't mind paying extra for the weight as it's a featherweights.

Today I had my fist commute in several months, but not my first ride. Since moving I'm only 8km from work but all of it is up hill (400m) on the way there. Coming home should be fun though.

I didn't reset my computer so I'm not sure what time I clocked but by my watch I estimate 25-30 minutes.

Quiet roads, pretty good condition, good weather today but I forgot my lock so my bike is currently parked in the loo.

I also got to test my Camelbak which replaced the drinks bottle. I must say I'm very happy with it.

 

[Gdog96]

So, after leaving my bike out for nearly the entire winter, I have cleaned it up and did a few things.

I added a new gear cable as the other one refused to move through the housing so it wouldn't change gears at all, just waiting for the new wire to settle in so I can make finer adjustements.

I also changed the wire on the front brake, as well as spray painting the rims green to go with the colour scheme of the rest of the bike.

Here's a before and after pic:


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Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I have added some parts to the bike to make it my own:
Green headset spacers and grip ends
DMR V8 acid green pedals
Green rims
Avid Elixir 1 hydraulic rear brake.
San marco white seat

Thats about it.

Oh yeah its a Kona Shred 2009

 

[Shaun]

So the rain stopped long enough over the weekend that allowed me to get out for around 110km in between some showers to test the new gear.

First impressions:

Rear Derailleur: Holy smooth gear changes batman. The first few times I shifted just to keep a constant cadence I had to look down and check that it had actually shifted. I wouldn't say is shifts a lot quicker than my old gear but the smoothness is fantastic.
Weather permitting and another 100km's or so and I should have it dialed in just how I want it.

Shifters: The most expensive part and reason I upgraded.
Couldn't be happier. The indexing is fantastic on them, they are more comfortable and the braking performance is a huge step up. After a few light braking tests I thought I had them sussed out. Approaching a corner at reasonable speed I grabbed the brakes only to realise I had to speed up again before the corner. I imagine it would be a bit like when a touring car driver tests a F1 car for the first time. Oh and no cables to look at.

Chain and Cassette: Hard to tell with this one but if Shimano's blurb is to believed all the 5700 105 parts are made to run with one another for optimal shifting and smoothness. No complaints on that front from me.
I did however use a SRAM removable link on the chain instead of the Shimano press fit pin just to make easier removal of the chain for cleaning.

Front Derailleur: It turned up on Friday and thought I may as well install it even though my old derailleur worked well with the new gear. I was surprised to find this part to be the hardest to setup well. As the gap for where the chain runs through is narrower (to shift quicker I think) it took a fair bit of fiddling to setup so there was no chain rub unless you cross chain really badly. This is where the trim on the shifters comes into play, once setup correctly and with use of the trim you could cross chain to the maximum without chain rub if one so desired.
Anyway it swaps to and from both chain-rings way quicker and smoother than the old derailleur so I'm happy I decided to use it.


So overall I couldn't be happier really with the money I outlaid to the end results.
Now, I wonder if 105 chain-rings would help.

 

[W3H5]

For more power all around the stroke they have elliptical chain rings available. I think they're for racing more than just riding but could be worth investigation.

 

[Fazerfan]

I use my bike mostly for going to places. Sometimes i tend to go to a ride with my bro. My bike is Specialized P.2 Cr-mo 09:

I replaced the grips to NS Martin slim grips which are purple.

 

[alpacaflip]

Oh yeah its a Kona Shred 2009

Nice bike.

I use my bike mostly for going to places. Sometimes i tend to go to a ride with my bro. My bike is Specialized P.2 Cr-mo 09

Ahhh get that bike on some jumps haha. I wish I had a dirt jumper.

Picture of my 2006 Hoffman Disrupter next to a Black Market Killswitch at my local pump track I help at. We recently had a jam at the track, and there were filmers so I'll put a video up when it's done.

 

[W3H5]

I was BMXing before I got into road bikes, from age 11-16. I rode pretty much everywhere on the thing as it was superb fun. It's hard to find pics of it since I think GT made only a limited run but it was [by their description] a mirco-frame, lightweight off road BMX which I stuck some street tyres on and made use of every obstacle known to road-kind.

Ah, image:

GT Dyno NFX.

Unrelated, anyone have any views on pedal cars [quadircycle]? I'm thinking of building one when I get to Thailand and incorporating some electric motors to help with acceleration.

Something like...

but with the form and shape of this...

...mad from bicycle parts and lightweight plastics & ally.

 

[terminator363]

Am I getting ripped off?

I want to buy a bike (almost identical to the one in the picture, only in a little worse condition). It's being sold at $400. The wheels on the one I want to buy are pretty beat up.

 

[DustDriver]

I was BMXing before I got into road bikes, from age 11-16. I rode pretty much everywhere on the thing as it was superb fun. It's hard to find pics of it since I think GT made only a limited run but it was [by their description] a mirco-frame, lightweight off road BMX which I stuck some street tyres on and made use of every obstacle known to road-kind.

Ah, image:

GT Dyno NFX.

Unrelated, anyone have any views on pedal cars [quadircycle]? I'm thinking of building one when I get to Thailand and incorporating some electric motors to help with acceleration.

Something like...

but with the form and shape of this...

...mad from bicycle parts and lightweight plastics & ally.

Would be hard to get a good cycling position when using the shape of the bottom vehicle I think.
And keep the weight low and the wheels narrow to limit roll resistance. An electric engine can offset the added roll resistance of slightly wider tires though.

Narrow tires make it look stupid though, like the pic below.

 

[mp10]

Kona Shred 2009

Nice 👍 Liking the look of that bike.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Shem, I think a recumbent reverse-trike would be a great set up.

 

[Bram Turismo]

For more power all around the stroke they have elliptical chain rings available. I think they're for racing more than just riding but could be worth investigation.

They aren't comfortable at all when riding for hours. It's a chain ring purely for TT'ing. You have to feel comfortable producing through one in the first place. There aren't many pro cyclists using it because they just do not feel comfortable with it.

For riding I'd stay to just stay away from them. Unless you're a pro looking for that last bit of performance, there's no point to it.

 

[terminator363]

So is that Miele worth $400? I was going to ride it tomorrow but I shouldn't if it's over priced.

It was a piece of 🤬 nevermind.

Anyways, I gave up on Vintage bikes (already), so I went to a different store and tried these bikes and fell in love with all of them:

'13 Apollo Volare:

'13 Specialized Allez Compact:

'13 Fuji Sportif 1.5 C:

Each bike had weird traits, The Apollo was super touchy and stiff (which I liked) and the handle bars were really weird so I couldn't reach the brakes when I had my hands on the drop bars, the Specialized had the hardest seat in the world which in turn flattened my ass, the Fuji rode really soft - almost too soft, I felt I was in a really weird seating position too on it. Any other similar recommendations? From those above which ones would you guys chose?

 

[Bram Turismo]

The saddles on road racers are always going to be hard. You'll get used to it. Just go with whatever feels the most comfortable, it's priority #1 when buying a new bike.

 

[terminator363]

The other two were fine it was just the Specialized.

 

[W3H5]

Can you take them for a spin before you but? Don't worry about the seats, you'll develop an iron ass anyway, and you can always change the seat.

Do you know what parts they each have?

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

Out of those three, the Allez is the obvious choice. Even though this bike has a very basic spec, the frame will be great quality (Specialized are known for this). If you have a good chassis, you have a solid base and can upgrade other parts as needed, not that you need much more than what this bike offers if you are just starting out.

Also check out the Cannondale CAAD8 2300, Scott Speedster 60 and the Trek 1.1.

 

[W3H5]

I would have said go for the Specialized since I'm a bit bias towards them after using their products, which are fantastic quality.

 

[Shaun]

Having looked at the specs of all three I'll also say to go for the Specialized.
I'll also add what has been said previously also.

1. Get what feels most comfortable to you.
2. Don't worry about the saddle on the Specialized, your arse will soon be rock hard anyway. Just don't forget some good quality padded riding shorts.
3. As all three have lower spec gear on them you may want to upgrade later and as Marina said Specialized are good frames that would allow for this.

Which brings me to this.
Do you have to buy new?

To get an idea have a look on ebay, the price of bikes takes a huge dive once ridden and for the same price you will get something better and with higher spec gear on it.
If you go this route just take your time and always try before you buy. Sizing is very important to be comfortable. Bikes pop up all the time that have hardly been ridden because the guy who bought it thought he would enjoy cycling but didn't. As an example I picked up mine with around 150km's (still had the protective plastic on the cranks ) on it for about 40% of retail price. Just be patient and something will pop up.

Good luck and nice to see another road cyclist here. 👍

 

[Aldo]

I get to go to Whistler in a couple of weeks. Anyone jelly?
I'll be sure to put up some vids of me bailing with my shiny new GoPro strapped to me!

 

[W3H5]

I get to go to Whistler in a couple of weeks. Anyone jelly?

Not me. I like my bones to stay in one piece.

Isn't Whistler in Canada, eh, buddy? I searched it and came up with British Columbia.