So this is the modern world that I've heard about

TheHatter

Just been for a test ride on my new bike. Whilst nothing exotic by this forums standards its a world away from my old (now winter) bike. I've gone from 7sp down tube gears on an steel frame to a Deda Alu frame with carbon forks and 9sp ergo's and mirage/veloce bits. And the difference is Stunning!

I've only just been up and down the road to check its all working for tomorrows debut ride and its blown me away.

I've been building it for nearly a year as finances allowed me to buy new parts - some are very nearly new bargains from ebay. Maybe its not the most economical way of getting a bike but it satisfies that need to buy something every few weeks and the stealth approach meant my wife didnt notice until it was too late! Its also nice to know that I can say I built it.

But what I really want to know is if i went that bit further and now bought a full carbon, Centaur equipped bike would the jump in the cycling experience from my new machine be just as great?

pedylan

Hey hold up, you haven't even been out on your new bike yet. The enjoyment brought about by the improved weight, handling and ease operation will last a few months.

As you "upgrade" the increments become smaller anyway and certainly the return per £ invested diminishes.

So just enjoy - especially as you built it.

Here's to a good Satuday - but I'll have all the winter kit on!

Random Vince

TheHatter wrote:

Just been for a test ride on my new bike. Whilst nothing exotic by this forums standards its a world away from my old (now winter) bike. I've gone from 7sp down tube gears on an steel frame to a Deda Alu frame with carbon forks and 9sp ergo's and mirage/veloce bits. And the difference is Stunning!

trator! :P

and to think i felt guilty for going from 5 speed down tube to 8speed down tube on a steel frame


hope you have a good ride tomorrow

TheHatter

cheers for the good wishes - I had to wait until today (sunday) to get out as I was ill on Friday night and th ride was great. It was also my first time with a compact chainset which made a huge difference and despite some significant climbs my knees aren;t hating me this evening.
And I ;m not really a traitor as I'm contemplating coverting my steel bike to run single speed to prolong its life.

Richrd2205

Glad that you are enjoying your new bike & that you had a good ride today!

I found the move from Mirage to Centaur a revelation, but, as stated above: enjoy your new bike & have some fun before thinking about another; and diminishing returns will mean to get the same jump in performance, you need to spend a lot more. TBH, it doesnae matter what other folk think or ride, if you're enjoying it, than that probably says you've got the right bike!

TheHatter

Richrd2205 wrote:

Glad that you are enjoying your new bike & that you had a good ride today!

I found the move from Mirage to Centaur a revelation, but, as stated above: enjoy your new bike & have some fun before thinking about another; and diminishing returns will mean to get the same jump in performance, you need to spend a lot more. TBH, it doesnae matter what other folk think or ride, if you're enjoying it, than that probably says you've got the right bike!

Thanks for the sentiment Richrd - I went out on the old steel bike today and will stay on that until the weather picks up again, that way I'll hopefully get that new bike feeling again when I get back on the best bike.
I must admit its very easy to get caught up in all the shiny new bike bits and forget what cycling is really about - just enjoying riding.
Cheers for reminding me to keep perspective.