Will I notice a difference?
redddraggon
Posts: 10,862
Will I notice much going from a pretty heavy, stiff, cheap Halfords Aluminium bike to my new light carbon bike? It's a lot lighter, got higher and lower gearing, 8spd -> 10spd, carbon fork compared to steel.
I still haven't got around to riding my new bike, but still getting out a lot on the old bike - and the old bike just keeps feeling better every time I go out.
Should I expect something magical on for my first ride on a carbon bike? (Or not?)
I still haven't got around to riding my new bike, but still getting out a lot on the old bike - and the old bike just keeps feeling better every time I go out.
Should I expect something magical on for my first ride on a carbon bike? (Or not?)
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Comments
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What are you waiting for? I couldn't stand looking at a new bike and not riding it.
Be like me. When I get a new bike the old one pretty much becomes something
I see just hanging in the basement.
Dennis Noward0 -
You'll notice for a week or so, and then you soon forget.
Its quite a jump from my heavy fixy to my Carbon race bike, but it soon becomes second nature.0 -
dennisn wrote:What are you waiting for?
It's sitting about 25miles away, in my "work flat". Currently at my (parent's) home babysitting the dog for a week while they are away.
It's a shame I've not got the new bike, it's been like summer here, but I decided when I was coming home that February in North Wales wasn't going to give me good enough weather to get to use it, so I brought my old bike.0 -
I got a carbon road bike last month and my poor old faithful mtb has stood unloved in the garage ever since. The difference between the two is enormous. I just can't see myself riding my old bike again.
The weather is good this weekend, take your new bike out for a spin!_______________________
FCN : 40 -
Nope, no difference at all. May even feel slower actually. You'll probably average 4 to 5mph slower for the first few months until your fitness/strength improves to make up the difference. But don't despair though, you'll get that speed back with proper training.
Sorry, bad day.
Hypocrisy is only a bad thing in other people.0 -
i ride my old alu 'dale during the week on my commute and i can still tell the difference every time i get on my waterford after 8 months - it feels amazing in comparison.
its worth having a hack bike just so you can really appreciate your good bike.pm0 -
Its all about the sound, Red! You'll hear that hollow hum from the carbon frame and know you're in a new league!
Bet you're pssed that you didn't take your new bike back with you! What a bummer!0 -
Get out on the carbon bike and you'll very soon forget about that alu starter machine. There will be no comparison believe me.0
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I got out yesterday on my carbon bike for the first time in ages after riding the winter bike for recent months. First time on my new wheels too. Yes, I noticed a difference, it felt so much tighter and itching to climb the hills. In fact, the first time I attacked a hill, I could feel an upwards pull which almost made me wonder for a moment if I was going to do a wheelie! On the flat it felt that bit smoother too. And the ride was faster as well, by an average of 1mph over a 15 mile route (not as much faster as I'd been hoping...must train harder!)
But yes, I'll say you should expect to feel a difference. But as cougie says, you'll soon get used to it (which doesn't mean its stopped riding better, just means you've habituated).
Hope you get to ride it soon0 -
I had never riden a carbon frame and had a trek bike a few years back - I used to love it and think it was the dogs bollocks.. I then sat on my moms Dolan Excalibur and I was gobsmacked - so much so that I decided to get back into cycling as the feeling from the Carbon frame was amazing..
One thing I cant seem to find an answer for is this. Is it worth using my carbon bike in bad weather? I only have the one bike and love riding and would like to ride to work every day.. would anyone else do the same if I am using decent mudguards etc? I have a real good cleaning regime and one thing I do really enjoy is making sure that my bike is spotless and clean and all nuts and bolts etc get tightened after every ride.
sorry for the thread hijack but this has been in the back of my mind since I got the new bike..
adios
doobz
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I'm glad I wasn't on the bike yesterday, someone had decided to take a horse with diarrhea out on most of my route. Every 5metres or so, there was the sloppy stuff, and it was difficult to avoid without recklessly weaving everywhere.
Thankfully I've got some mudguards on my old bike.0 -
Doobz wrote:I had never riden a carbon frame and had a trek bike a few years back - I used to love it and think it was the dogs bollocks.. I then sat on my moms Dolan Excalibur and I was gobsmacked - so much so that I decided to get back into cycling as the feeling from the Carbon frame was amazing..
One thing I cant seem to find an answer for is this. Is it worth using my carbon bike in bad weather? I only have the one bike and love riding and would like to ride to work every day.. would anyone else do the same if I am using decent mudguards etc? I have a real good cleaning regime and one thing I do really enjoy is making sure that my bike is spotless and clean and all nuts and bolts etc get tightened after every ride.
sorry for the thread hijack but this has been in the back of my mind since I got the new bike..
adios
doobz
Im of the opinion if you have a decent bike then use it. Ive got a carbon frame and use it what ever the weather, Im the same as you Doobz, I keep it clean to the point of polishing the frame with Mirr to protect it. It makes me laugh how we'll not use a bike costing a couple of grand if the roads a bit damp yet think nothing of driving a car worth 10 times that in the worst weather the elements can throw at us.0 -
Well, when i went on mine, i couldn't help but grin the whole time. Stupidly unfit from a couple of months of no cycling, and ended up doing 75miles, intended doing 30 to get back home at a decent time, but only realised after 37miles-ish how far i'd gone!
Next night, went out on the winter bike, in a 7mile commute, i'd got off and checked that the tyres weren't flat 3 times. :roll: Just wasn't anywhere near as nimble, agile or quick to accelerate.0 -
I'm in the same position as red. I'm on a heavy Pinarello Angilru for the winter with all the lights etc whilst building my carbon ride for the summer. As uninspiring as the Pinarello is I'm hoping lugging a lardy ride around for the winter will benefit me come the summer and cannot wait to feel the carbon ride once again!
Roll on summer!
Gats0 -
TheGreatGatsby wrote:I'm in the same position as red. I'm on a heavy Pinarello Angilru for the winter with all the lights etc whilst building my carbon ride for the summer. As uninspiring as the Pinarello is I'm hoping lugging a lardy ride around for the winter will benefit me come the summer and cannot wait to feel the carbon ride once again!
Roll on summer!
Gats
Doesn't the angliru have a carbon fork and carbon seatstays?0 -
yeah it does but its still pretty heavy although they go someway to dampening the ride. Still not as comfy as a full carbon though.
Gats0
