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

gb155
gb155 Posts: 2,048
edited July 2009 in Commuting chat
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 ?
On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

http://39stonecyclist.com
Now the hard work starts.
«13

Comments

  • roger_merriman
    roger_merriman Posts: 6,165
    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
    oscarbudgie Posts: 850
    £550......isn't that the price of the entry level Boardman? No one under 60 needs a triple in this country.
    Cannondale Supersix / CAAD9 / Boardman 9.0 / Benotto 3000
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    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.
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    £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 :D
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    *cough* Tricross *cough*


    If you really want to come over to the Dark Side... :twisted:
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    *cough* Tricross *cough*


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

    Do they come with a hood?
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • Jamey
    Jamey Posts: 2,152
    Tricross is a great bike for big guys like us but it's out of the price range, unfortunately.
  • Mettan
    Mettan Posts: 2,103
    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
    symo Posts: 1,743
    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?
    +++++++++++++++++++++
    we are the proud, the few, Descendents.

    Panama - finally putting a nail in the economic theory of the trickle down effect.
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    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.
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    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
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • oscarbudgie
    oscarbudgie Posts: 850
    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
    Cannondale Supersix / CAAD9 / Boardman 9.0 / Benotto 3000
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    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
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    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?
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • EssexSuffolk
    EssexSuffolk Posts: 112
    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
    symo Posts: 1,743
    Yes indeed got some good reviews in 220 magazine
    +++++++++++++++++++++
    we are the proud, the few, Descendents.

    Panama - finally putting a nail in the economic theory of the trickle down effect.
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    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.
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    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! :D
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
  • tardington
    tardington Posts: 1,379
    Why would anyone put flat bars on a tricross??

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Custom-Specialize ... 1|294%3A50
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    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
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • tardington
    tardington Posts: 1,379
    A Giant Defy 4?
    http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 155c002912

    And spend the difference on clippy pedals and shoes!
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    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 ?
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • roger_merriman
    roger_merriman Posts: 6,165
    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
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    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 ?
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • oscarbudgie
    oscarbudgie Posts: 850
    gb155 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.
    Cannondale Supersix / CAAD9 / Boardman 9.0 / Benotto 3000
  • Aidy
    Aidy Posts: 2,015
    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
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    gb155 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 :D
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    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
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • fossyant
    fossyant Posts: 2,549
    Wow...you've been bitten big time.

    GB155 means 32 or 36 spoked rims....
  • Aidy
    Aidy Posts: 2,015
    gb155 wrote:
    seen quite a few with 32's tbh

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