Sorry Im going.......To the DARK side

gb155

Right I need help.....I know...not like that......

I have always commuted on a MTB because I thought that 700c wheels would hold my lard arse, No I have the Scott Sub Classic I know they can (and to be fair people have been telling me that too) I rode the Scott for 200 miles in 4 days (Commute and Blackpool ride) and im used to avoiding potholes and litfiting for some sections etc...Now I want to move to the darkside and get a full road bike.

My budget is limited to £500..MAYBE £550.....I will need something with 32/36 spokes and ideally a triple, I only used the Granny on the Scott twice but its better safe than sorry.

So PLEASE, Waddya think will do for me ?

roger_merriman

I'd of thought most would be fine, i'm sure your aware but on the off chance your not, the hybrids granny will be fair bit lower geared than a roadie, ie 26t granny to a 11-30 cassette compared to 30t granny to 12-25/27 etc.

but certinaly being over geared is a common issue.

oscarbudgie

£550......isn't that the price of the entry level Boardman? No one under 60 needs a triple in this country.

gb155

roger merriman wrote:

I'd of thought most would be fine, i'm sure your aware but on the off chance your not, the hybrids granny will be fair bit lower geared than a roadie, ie 26t granny to a 11-30 cassette compared to 30t granny to 12-25/27 etc.

but certinaly being over geared is a common issue.

Cheers for that, When I had to use the granny ring I was 28/11 so had space to move, but thanks for the warning, It wasnt something I had actually thought about.

gb155

oscarbudgie wrote:

£550......isn't that the price of the entry level Boardman? No one under 60 needs a triple in this country.

I could only find a S/S at that price ?

I need a triple at 22 stone and living up a few hills

Kieran_Burns

*cough* Tricross *cough*


If you really want to come over to the Dark Side... :twisted:

gb155

Kieran_Burns wrote:

*cough* Tricross *cough*


If you really want to come over to the Dark Side... :twisted:

Do they come with a hood?

Jamey

Tricross is a great bike for big guys like us but it's out of the price range, unfortunately.

Mettan

Get one GB - and sell the rear wheel that comes with the bike, on Ebay - get a Handbuilt rear wheel. Paul Hewitt or Harry Rowlands will sort you out. Congrats on the weightloss, riding and blog etc - good to see. A few Sportives coming up next year maybe ?

symo

Pop over to the Stockport Decathalon,

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/sport-road-bikes-3963881/

Carbon seat stays, triple chainset, anything else you need sir?

gabriel959

Amazing Gaz, well done, you are going to end up selling your other bikes I reckon!

Giant Defy 3 and Specialized Allez 27 are bang on your budget. Both will serve you well too.

You can get a pair of Quest Comos for £60 and they are virtually indestructible.

gb155

Jamey wrote:

Tricross is a great bike for big guys like us but it's out of the price range, unfortunately.

Could maybe consider second hand

oscarbudgie

symo wrote:

Pop over to the Stockport Decathalon,

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/sport-road-bikes-3963881/

Carbon seat stays, triple chainset, anything else you need sir?

That looks like a pretty good deal, b'Twin seem to come out well on reviews too

gb155

Mettan wrote:

Get one GB - and sell the rear wheel that comes with the bike, on Ebay - get a Handbuilt rear wheel. Paul Hewitt or Harry Rowlands will sort you out. Congrats on the weightloss, riding and blog etc - good to see. A few Sportives coming up next year maybe ?

Expensive ?

Thanks, No idea what a Sportives is, too scared to google LOL

gb155

symo wrote:

Pop over to the Stockport Decathalon,

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/sport-road-bikes-3963881/

Carbon seat stays, triple chainset, anything else you need sir?

Just gives a list of bikes, you talking about the Sport 2?

EssexSuffolk

If you wait a few more months, some of the 2009 models will begin to get discounted. If not, you could do a lot worse than a Giant:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... 428/32463/

I've got the Defy 2, and it's a lovely bike. Others to look at include the Specialized Allez and Trek 1.2. As with any bike, I'd say trying a few out is crucial, the gemoetry differs a lot between brands/models etc.

Hope that helps!

symo

Yes indeed got some good reviews in 220 magazine

gb155

gabriel959 wrote:

Amazing Gaz, well done, you are going to end up selling your other bikes I reckon!

Giant Defy 3 and Specialized Allez 27 are bang on your budget. Both will serve you well too.

You can get a pair of Quest Comos for £60 and they are virtually indestructible.

Thanks for all the info man, Much appreciated.

gabriel959

Problem with the Tricross is that is not a Road Bike as I see it but hey each to their own.

I don't own one or have even ridden on one but I wouldn't exchange the exhilarating feeling of riding a road bike for anything - the way you can lay down power and transfer it to speed is unsurpassed by MTB or Hybrids.

PS: I am a roadie so I am biased!

tardington

Why would anyone put flat bars on a tricross??

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Custom-Specialize ... 1|294%3A50

gb155

tardington wrote:

Why would anyone put flat bars on a tricross??

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Custom-Specialize ... 1|294%3A50

LOL thats too funny

Must have full road B I K E

tardington

A Giant Defy 4?
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 155c002912

And spend the difference on clippy pedals and shoes!

gb155

tardington wrote:

A Giant Defy 4?
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 155c002912

And spend the difference on clippy pedals and shoes!

Hummmm ticks most boxes but isnt it a double ?

roger_merriman

gb155 wrote:

tardington wrote:

A Giant Defy 4?
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 155c002912

And spend the difference on clippy pedals and shoes!

Hummmm ticks most boxes but isnt it a double ?

a double will give very close to the same range of gearing as a triple, you gain/ loose about a one gear shift down

gb155

roger merriman wrote:

gb155 wrote:

tardington wrote:

A Giant Defy 4?
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 155c002912

And spend the difference on clippy pedals and shoes!

Hummmm ticks most boxes but isnt it a double ?

a double will give very close to the same range of gearing as a triple, you gain/ loose about a one gear shift down

Forgive me then but, what on earth is the point ?

oscarbudgie

gb155 wrote:

roger merriman wrote:

gb155 wrote:

tardington wrote:

A Giant Defy 4?
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 155c002912

And spend the difference on clippy pedals and shoes!

Hummmm ticks most boxes but isnt it a double ?

a double will give very close to the same range of gearing as a triple, you gain/ loose about a one gear shift down

Forgive me then but, what on earth is the point ?

Not much - its not a double though its a compact which gives you best of both worlds without the extra weight of a triple.

Aidy

I'd have thought you'd have issues finding a stock road bike with 32/26 wheels.

Perhaps have a word with an LBS or two? Or hunt around the classifieds, with the intention of swapping the wheels.
I'd also be inclined to give Ribble's bike builder a go - except the only web browser I can make it work with is the one on my phone.

gb155

oscarbudgie wrote:

gb155 wrote:

roger merriman wrote:

gb155 wrote:

tardington wrote:

A Giant Defy 4?
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 155c002912

And spend the difference on clippy pedals and shoes!

Hummmm ticks most boxes but isnt it a double ?

a double will give very close to the same range of gearing as a triple, you gain/ loose about a one gear shift down

Forgive me then but, what on earth is the point ?

Not much - its not a double though its a compact which gives you best of both worlds without the extra weight of a triple.

cheers

gb155

Aidy wrote:

I'd have thought you'd have issues finding a stock road bike with 32/26 wheels.

Perhaps have a word with an LBS or two? Or hunt around the classifieds, with the intention of swapping the wheels.
I'd also be inclined to give Ribble's bike builder a go - except the only web browser I can make it work with is the one on my phone.

seen quite a few with 32's tbh

fossyant

Wow...you've been bitten big time.

GB155 means 32 or 36 spoked rims....

Aidy

gb155 wrote:

seen quite a few with 32's tbh

Oh right, 32 or 36 spoke wheels, rather than 32 front/36 rear.