Thread to tell everyone what bargains you've spotted!

spasypaddy

Veronese68 wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

YIMan wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

Merlin have Di2 (Ultegra) for £699 which is the cheapest I've seen

Just looked - £1199....? Earlier mispricing?

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/r ... AL,42TXU,1

Hope that link works - it comes from the email they sent me and still shows £699 on the site (it's the upgrade kit rather than a complete groupset BTW)

Now at £474 but without cables and batteries. What's the point as presumably someone upgrading to Di2 would need cables and betteries. Listed at £499 but an extra £25 off at checkout makes it £474.

cos some people forget how expensive the cables are and think its a bargain!

The cables are around £260 and the battery and charger is another £100 or so.

Wrath Rob

Veronese68 wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

YIMan wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

Merlin have Di2 (Ultegra) for £699 which is the cheapest I've seen

Just looked - £1199....? Earlier mispricing?

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/r ... AL,42TXU,1

Hope that link works - it comes from the email they sent me and still shows £699 on the site (it's the upgrade kit rather than a complete groupset BTW)

Now at £474 but without cables and batteries. What's the point as presumably someone upgrading to Di2 would need cables and batteries. Listed at £499 but an extra £25 off at checkout makes it £474.

~£150 for the cable set plus £50 for the battery takes this to £700. Still cheaper than the £850 that Bike-Discount are asking for which includes the cables.

spasypaddy

Wrath Rob wrote:

~£150 for the cable set plus £50 for the battery takes this to £700. Still cheaper than the £850 that Bike-Discount are asking for which includes the cables.

you need two sets of cables (approx figures):
to the battery and mechs - £190
to the handlebars - £80

Then you need
Battery: £60
Charger: £60

= £390 on top of the £499

Which takes it to - £899

Which makes it cheaper by £150 to buy it from merlin as a complete upgrade kit or alternatively spend the extra £100 for new chainset, chain, brakes and cassette for the whole groupset

bigmat

spasypaddy wrote:

Wrath Rob wrote:

~£150 for the cable set plus £50 for the battery takes this to £700. Still cheaper than the £850 that Bike-Discount are asking for which includes the cables.

you need two sets of cables (approx figures):
to the battery and mechs - £190
to the handlebars - £80

Then you need
Battery: £60
Charger: £60

= £390 on top of the £499

Which takes it to - £899

Which makes it cheaper by £150 to buy it from merlin as a complete upgrade kit or alternatively spend the extra £100 for new chainset, chain, brakes and cassette for the whole groupset

I'm starting to see why Shimano are so keen to push this! Is it just me, or does anybody else find the concept of having to go out and buy a battery for their bike a bit sad?

spasypaddy

BigMat wrote:

I'm starting to see why Shimano are so keen to push this! Is it just me, or does anybody else find the concept of having to go out and buy a battery for their bike a bit sad?

its no more expensive than running a cable gear system, in fact it will work out cheaper in the long run (IMO).

its also going to be put on my winter bike before my summer bike.

TheStone

BigMat wrote:

I'm starting to see why Shimano are so keen to push this! Is it just me, or does anybody else find the concept of having to go out and buy a battery for their bike a bit sad?

I thought that, but now I realise at some stage we have to move forward.
Might give it a couple of generations first. Presume the 11 speed (!) electronic is next. Wireless must be along soon.

meanredspider

BigMat wrote:

or does anybody else find the concept of having to go out and buy a battery for their bike a bit sad?

What - like the ones MOST of us use in our lights? Or in our Garmins? Of course you don't have to and the fact that you need to charge it only about 4 times a year means that you'll hardly remember you've got it.

bigmat

I can see the benefits sure, I guess I'm just in two minds about it, somehow doesn't feel right from an ideological point of view. Also agree that if that's the way things are going, the sooner its wireless with concealed batteries the better!

dodgy

TheStone wrote:

Wireless must be along soon.

Not sure how they'd overcome battery needs for that, one battery each in shifters, front and rear mech, control box.

spasypaddy

dodgy wrote:

TheStone wrote:

Wireless must be along soon.

Not sure how they'd overcome battery needs for that, one battery each in shifters, front and rear mech, control box.

wires from battery to mechs, and then a small battery for the two shifters. wireless from the shifters to the mechs.

of 3 batteries... one for each STI and one for the mechs

dhope

TheStone wrote:

BigMat wrote:

I'm starting to see why Shimano are so keen to push this! Is it just me, or does anybody else find the concept of having to go out and buy a battery for their bike a bit sad?

I thought that, but now I realise at some stage we have to move forward.
Might give it a couple of generations first. Presume the 11 speed (!) electronic is next. Wireless must be along soon.

I look forward to the early versions of wireless having poor security. Halfway down Millbank and you mysteriously find yourself shifting into the granny ring as someone goes past, smirking.

rolf_f

BigMat wrote:

Is it just me, or does anybody else find the concept of having to go out and buy a battery for their bike a bit sad?

Oh, if people want to turn their bicycles into mopeds then let them!

Actually, what depresses me about it is not the batteries so much (though I agree that there is something wrong about it) but the inherent built in obsolescence of the whole thing. It's effectively the same thing as cameras - whilst I do like digital cameras, the objects themselves are just depressing disposable tat whereas film cameras were enjoyable objects in their own right.

meanredspider

Rolf F wrote:

Actually, what depresses me about it is not the batteries so much (though I agree that there is something wrong about it) but the inherent built in obsolescence of the whole thing. It's effectively the same thing as cameras - whilst I do like digital cameras, the objects themselves are just depressing disposable tat whereas film cameras were enjoyable objects in their own right.

I'm not sure I understand this. My Canon EOS 35mm is every bit as obsolete as a digital camera.

I can't see, though, why my Di2 should become obsolete. The battery can be recharged an absurd number of times. Parts will become as hard to get eventually but they do for plenty of conventional cable systems. I'm not sure what the difference is?

rolf_f

meanredspider wrote:

I'm not sure I understand this. My Canon EOS 35mm is every bit as obsolete as a digital camera.

I can't see, though, why my Di2 should become obsolete. The battery can be recharged an absurd number of times. Parts will become as hard to get eventually but they do for plenty of conventional cable systems. I'm not sure what the difference is?

My old Minolta conventional camera would probably have done me for life. Digital cameras seem to last five years and either die on their own because they are pretty crappy really or just become outdone by the technology (which itself is getting a bit silly now - pixel counts are getting to the stage where all they do is use up space).

But as for Di2 - the problem is that the standards are changing all the time and it's hard to see them remaining supported for long. I have a 30 year old Raleigh and it is quite easy to keep it running. I'm not so sure that there will be many people running a bike with 2012 Di2 in 2042. It might be tough in 2017. I hope I'm wrong though but the complete wiring non compatibility between the Dura Ace and Ultegra systems is a very clear indication of how Shimano at least intend to play it.

There's enough disposable technology standards that I've been unable to avoid - my bikes aren't going the same way!

meanredspider

I have colleagues that can't get parts for 10 year old group sets. As cassettes wear out or mechs get damaged, you can't get parts from them. You're right that the wiring standard has changed but, in effect, that's no different moving from 8, 9, 10, 11 speed. It's actually moved to the Ultegra system wiring standard so there should be several years of continuity. There's absolutely no reason to suggest it will become obsolete any earlier than any other groupset. It's very different from digital cameras where the performance specs have been rapidly changing.

veronese68

I think built in obsolescence is definitely an issue with a lot of things. With regards to 8,9,10 and now 11 speed groupsets one question I've not seen answered is, are the chains getting weaker? Surely as they get thinner they are getting weaker.

walkingbootweather

BigMat wrote:

spasypaddy wrote:

Wrath Rob wrote:

~£150 for the cable set plus £50 for the battery takes this to £700. Still cheaper than the £850 that Bike-Discount are asking for which includes the cables.

you need two sets of cables (approx figures):
to the battery and mechs - £190
to the handlebars - £80

Then you need
Battery: £60
Charger: £60

= £390 on top of the £499

Which takes it to - £899

Which makes it cheaper by £150 to buy it from merlin as a complete upgrade kit or alternatively spend the extra £100 for new chainset, chain, brakes and cassette for the whole groupset

I'm starting to see why Shimano are so keen to push this! Is it just me, or does anybody else find the concept of having to go out and buy a battery for their bike a bit sad?

I'm with BigMat on this but then I'm old fashioned (analogue watch, DE safety razor, fountain pen old).
How on earth can these prices for cables, battery and charger be justified? What's to stop third party copies - will we be getting spares from Deal Extreme in the near future? How long before thieving barstewards start targeting these items?

meanredspider

I can't say with the charger. The "cables" include more than just wires - the charge indicator/setting switch and the main hub. And the battery is also a little more than just a battery - it's the waterproof holder and it's reasonably sophisticated. The battery too lasts several months and a huge number of recharge cycles.

rolf_f

meanredspider wrote:

I have colleagues that can't get parts for 10 year old group sets. As cassettes wear out or mechs get damaged, you can't get parts from them. You're right that the wiring standard has changed but, in effect, that's no different moving from 8, 9, 10, 11 speed. It's actually moved to the Ultegra system wiring standard so there should be several years of continuity. There's absolutely no reason to suggest it will become obsolete any earlier than any other groupset. It's very different from digital cameras where the performance specs have been rapidly changing.

Fair points - in some respects, electronic groupsets are accelerating a process that has already started. But they are certainly accelerating it.

For example, my 1990 Dawes was originally fitted with a Sachs rear mech. I have since replaced it with a Suntour XCE mech but I could equally have used a Shimano XT mech. I can't get parts for these mechs but I know that any 7 speed compatible, long cage rear mech will do the job. The cables on that bike are the same ones as for the 10 year older Raleigh. I think the thing is, as long as a component remains standard for some time, then that component will be used on many bikes and therefore remain worth supplying. A brake cable is a good example of this. If Shimano keep changing their electronic shift cables all the time, then the chances are that you'll far more likely need to replace the entire system when it goes wrong (which it will because all electronic gadgetry seems to be designed to have a short and relatively unserviceable life).

And don't count on Shimano making the Ultegra wiring obsolete almost as quickly as they made the Dura Ace wiring. Shimano seem to be like Apple - the obsolesence is probably planned right from day one (ie marketing driven rather than technologically driven). You can bet that before the Dura Ace wiring was released, they had the Ultegra working perfectly.

ShutUpLegs

Any chance of keeping this thread back on topic? I like Di2 FWIW

rolf_f

ShutUpLegs wrote:

Any chance of keeping this thread back on topic? I like Di2 FWIW

Well post a bargain you've found then rather than continuing the digression

PS - nobodies said they don't like Di2!

Edit - tell you what, I'll post a bargain!

Kask K50 Hi Tech for £36 at Chain Reaction. Might be cheaper in the morning! Currently in the carbon scheme (below) in both medium and large.

pangolin

I almost bought one at the weekend Rolf. Still £36 though. None of the pricedrop stuff seems to actually drop!

tailwindhome

pangolin wrote:

I almost bought one at the weekend Rolf. Still £36 though. None of the pricedrop stuff seems to actually drop!

IIRC the final drop was on Friday (18th)

Some great shoe bargains at CRC if you're a size 36 or 37.

rolf_f

TailWindHome wrote:

pangolin wrote:

I almost bought one at the weekend Rolf. Still £36 though. None of the pricedrop stuff seems to actually drop!

IIRC the final drop was on Friday (18th)

Some great shoe bargains at CRC if you're a size 36 or 37.

Almost worth cutting your toes off for!

All the K50s gone now but there are still some non-price drop ones for another fiver though mysteriously no photos.
Looking forward to getting the new lid. The Mojito in white, silver and black matches the Look, the new lid will match the Ribble Gran Fondo. Infact, the effect will be really smart apart from the thing between the Ribble and the helmet

meanredspider

prb007 wrote:

For anyone who may have been living under a rock wrt 'which lights to buy for commuting' these...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cree-XML-XM-L ... 2ec3e8e2c6
are now only £27 :shock:

Mine turned up last Friday and they are fine. I don't think there's any way on earth they're a true 1600 lumen but they are bright. I got them for off-road excursions as I think that they are too bright for road use (especially when there's snow about). I think the flashing mode would drive me insane too :shock: :shock: :shock:

porlyworly

Ditto meanredspider, mine turned up last week and was pleasantly surprised with the look and feel of the packaging and contents of the box, higher quality than the usual chinese stuff from dealextreme. Took my lad out in the snow on his sledge when I got in on Friday and he took the torch so we could see, outrageously bright!

keyser__soze

Cervelo S2 2012 frameset for a penny under a grand: http://thetristore.com/product/cervelo- ... -frameset/

mroli

Same @ De Ver cycles too: http://shop.devercycles.co.uk/product/6 ... 2_frameset

walkingbootweather

Some cheapish inner tubes. Especially if you want 50 of the suckers.

Bear in mind you will need to pay postage on orders under £15.

They do have cheap mudguards too

Wrath Rob

Planet X Turbo Bargain here