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

Mettan

The Surosa looks fine Gaz - its got a HT2 50/34 (which is competent) and a 25 on at the mo - if you find the 25 a bit tough when going up + 6 % etc switch it to a 27 and see how you get on. Regards the Surosa rear wheel, if its not up to it, simply sell on Ebay and order a 32 spoke 9 speed hubbed handbuilt wheel - plenty of options there. The frame and forks are adequate, as is the bars and stem, and Sora front/rear is adequate - And by the looks of it, its got the new Sora 9-speed STI shifters (which contain an easy thumb shifter for going to higher gears - when on the hoods). When you get used to it, you'll find the road bike easier to go further on - and that means more weight loss and fitness (hopefully).

gabriel959

There is another bike that might be worth considering – although it might be a bit too bling for where you live

http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/images/sco ... 9-1000.jpg

Scott Speedster
Hydroformed 7005 Alloy Double Butted frame with integrated headtube
Scott ADDICT Carbon/Alloy 1 1/8 Fork
Shimano Sora 24 Shifters
Scott Comp Brakes
Truvativ Isoflow 30/42/52 Crankset
Scott Team Oversize Anatomic Handlebars and Stem
Scott Alloy 31.6mm Seatpost
Scott Comp Hubs with Alex Race 24 Aero Profile rims
Hutchinson tyres
Scott Road Pro Saddle

gb155

gabriel959 wrote:

There is another bike that might be worth considering – although it might be a bit too bling for where you live

http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/images/sco ... 9-1000.jpg

Scott Speedster
Hydroformed 7005 Alloy Double Butted frame with integrated headtube
Scott ADDICT Carbon/Alloy 1 1/8 Fork
Shimano Sora 24 Shifters
Scott Comp Brakes
Truvativ Isoflow 30/42/52 Crankset
Scott Team Oversize Anatomic Handlebars and Stem
Scott Alloy 31.6mm Seatpost
Scott Comp Hubs with Alex Race 24 Aero Profile rims
Hutchinson tyres
Scott Road Pro Saddle

NOW THAT is NICE !!!!

Not sure it would last 2 mins where I work though, Saw a guy on a Surosa tonight, looks nice in an understated way, like the blue Ribbles, Im 99% sure its a Surosa for me

biondino

Gaz, I know this may be stating the obvious, but do get the retailer to confirm explicitly that the bike you buy will easily cope with a chap of your weight. If there are elements they would recommend you change - stronger wheels, for example - it might be best to spec them BEFORE you buy so they can make changes, ideally for minimal cost, and sell you a bike that's ready to ride.

I would definitely get a rear cassette with a 27 sprocket rather than 25. I'm less than 13 stone but I use my 27 more often than I'd like to admit!

biondino

Also I'm not a fan of the Scott look but that might be the nicest one I've seen!

roger_merriman

biondino wrote:

Gaz, I know this may be stating the obvious, but do get the retailer to confirm explicitly that the bike you buy will easily cope with a chap of your weight. If there are elements they would recommend you change - stronger wheels, for example - it might be best to spec them BEFORE you buy so they can make changes, ideally for minimal cost, and sell you a bike that's ready to ride.

I would definitely get a rear cassette with a 27 sprocket rather than 25. I'm less than 13 stone but I use my 27 more often than I'd like to admit!

yup days your tired, or *that* last hill on the way back after day in the saddle etc.

gb155

biondino wrote:

Gaz, I know this may be stating the obvious, but do get the retailer to confirm explicitly that the bike you buy will easily cope with a chap of your weight. If there are elements they would recommend you change - stronger wheels, for example - it might be best to spec them BEFORE you buy so they can make changes, ideally for minimal cost, and sell you a bike that's ready to ride.

I would definitely get a rear cassette with a 27 sprocket rather than 25. I'm less than 13 stone but I use my 27 more often than I'd like to admit!

Cheers Bio, I emailed Surosa last week and gave them my weght etc and they confirmed that they now use stronger wheels and that the bike will be fine for me, but to ensure I have a good track pump to avoid impact punctures,

Will deffo look into a 27 too, Should have the funds in place in a week or so, after seeing a surosa last night im sure thats what I will go for now as they have confirmed my weight will be ok (in email) and they are nice (but not flashy) looking bikes.

That Scott is stilll one hell of a sexy machine though

gabriel959

You can always call Epic and see what they say about weight and stuff. Epic Cycles is one of the best (if not the best) bike retailer in the country apparently!

cjcp

+1 to that. I've spoken to Chris there on the phone a few times and had exchanges with him by email (about a truly fabulous SS they had a couple of years ago). Very polite and very helpful.