Bike tests in the real world

pottssteve

Yo!

I guess that many readers envy Frankie Andreu and Marcel Wurst as they test-ride the latest 6 thousand pound dream bike around the forests of Europe and America. Well stuff that, I can’t afford 6K for a bike, so here’s my review of my own, more modest machine. I would invite other readers to review their bikes here for a more realistic appraisal. If the editorial staff of Procycling is interested, I’m looking for a job.

Specialized Tricross Sport (2009)

I picked up the bike at my local bike shop. After parting with the money they ordered it and 5 weeks later it arrived from the U.S. on a container ship, I guess. At first sight I was unimpressed. Compared to the more expensive bikes on offer the Tricross was certainly cheaper. There was only one thing to do; try it out on the roads of Hong Kong.

Looks: In the city the Tricross turns heads for much the same reason as John Merrick or Susan Boyle. However, the sh!t-brown and black colour scheme ensures you blend into the countryside making it an ideal getaway vehicle for rural burglary and post office robberies.

Handling: The relaxed geometry and 10kg+ weight of the bike make for handling best described as agricultural. It would be equally at home in a muddy cyclocross event or pulling a plough. However, if I were nodding off whilst riding on the flat the well known fork braking judder made for a much more exciting, even terrifying descent.

Equipment: After changing my bib shorts I looked more closely at the finishing kit. The Tiagra triple drive chain is reassuringly able to cope with the hilly Hong Kong terrain; being a fat lump means it’s nice to have granny along for the ride. The satisfying 1930’s style “clunk” ensures you’re aware of all gear changes. The wheels, though heavy, are equally reassuring over the rough Hong Kong pot holes. Apart from cockroaches, it’s believed that Alexrims will be the only things to survive a thermonuclear explosion. The cantilever brakes worked exceptionally well until it started raining or when I was on a slope, when they didn’t work at all.

Extras: The Tricross frame can be fitted with 3 bottle cages, making an ideal choice for alcoholics out shopping. Front and rear mudguard and pannier attachments mean the only items not supplied are a beard and sandals.

Overall: 8/10
+ve: A dependable ride, and great value for money.
-ve: Front forks as stable as the Afghan government.

Crapaud

Excellent! 10/10

pottssteve wrote:

... Looks: In the city the Tricross turns heads for much the same reason as John Merrick or Susan Boyle. However, the sh!t-brown and black colour scheme ensures you blend into the countryside making it an ideal getaway vehicle for rural burglary and post office robberies. ...

Pretty much my reaction when I looked at one in the LBS. Then I saw one on a group ride: sexy matt black frame and fully kitted out with rack, panniers and mudguards. Lovely. (I'd upgrade from Tiagra ASAP, though.)

blackpanther

note made re robbery

church

APIII

Brilliant. I think Procycling should give you a job. A far more entertaining read than the usual reviews.

pottssteve

Thanks for the feedback so far. But no reviews. Come on Pinarello Dogma owners, let's hear YOUR reviews...

greasedscotsman

pottssteve wrote:

Thanks for the feedback so far. But no reviews. Come on Pinarello Dogma owners, let's hear YOUR reviews...

Good stuff. Not sure I want to read any reviews from Dogma owners, they'll just go on about how amazing they are!

pottssteve

Come on then 'scotsman, review your ride.....

greasedscotsman

OK, I have a Dogma and it's freeekin' amazing!

Seriously though, I like your review and thought about doing one for my new Kona HK, not sure I can do it now though as I'm in the office and really should be doing some work...

pottssteve

OK, I can wait...!

bigbelly

Ha ha ha... brilliant review. Perhaps you can take the Tricross to the New Territories or a scenic review of Lantau Island?
I am now inspired to write up my bikes and commutes in the same worthy fashion.

pottssteve

bigbelly wrote:

Ha ha ha... brilliant review. Perhaps you can take the Tricross to the New Territories or a scenic review of Lantau Island?
I am now inspired to write up my bikes and commutes in the same worthy fashion.

Thanks! I actually live in the New Territories, so I've got a few scenic routes. I await your review...

Cressers

Bike tests should be more long-term with updates at three, six, twelve, eighteen, twenty-four and thirty-six month intervals to update how the componenets have (or more likely havn't) lasted.

pottssteve

Cressers wrote:

Bike tests should be more long-term with updates at three, six, twelve, eighteen, twenty-four and thirty-six month intervals to update how the componenets have (or more likely havn't) lasted.

True. I began my review on 26th December 2008 when the bike arrived. I'm pleased to report that nothing's fallen off it yet (me included)........

shouldbeinbed

you've set the bar too high for the rest of us to follow.

greasedscotsman

pottssteve wrote:

Cressers wrote:

Bike tests should be more long-term with updates at three, six, twelve, eighteen, twenty-four and thirty-six month intervals to update how the componenets have (or more likely havn't) lasted.

True. I began my review on 26th December 2008 when the bike arrived. I'm pleased to report that nothing's fallen off it yet (me included)........

So which bike should I do a review of? My Kona HK which I've had about 2 months, Spesh Tarmac SL which I got in '07 or my Dave Lloyd Concept 90 which I got in '97?

pottssteve

greasedscotsman wrote:

pottssteve wrote:

Cressers wrote:

Bike tests should be more long-term with updates at three, six, twelve, eighteen, twenty-four and thirty-six month intervals to update how the componenets have (or more likely havn't) lasted.

True. I began my review on 26th December 2008 when the bike arrived. I'm pleased to report that nothing's fallen off it yet (me included)........

So which bike should I do a review of? My Kona HK which I've had about 2 months, Spesh Tarmac SL which I got in '07 or my Dave Lloyd Concept 90 which I got in '97?

The Tarmac, please, as I've seen these in the LBS and thought they looked good. Also, I can't get Kona or Dave Lloyd (?!) here. Concentrate on real life concerns and adventures such as whether chicks wolf whistle you, if it fits in your garage etc. - you know, useful stuff.

Steve

Crapaud

Thorn Audax MKII


The buying process: A five minute phonecall to SJS with my physical dimensions, leg length, arm length, hat size, gap between the ears, which side I dress to and details of my life savings and less than 24 hours later a large box is delivered to work.

Looks: Any new bike looks shiney and sexy and wants to be ridden, and so it is with the Thorn. Only slowly does it dawn that the baked enamel paintwork and Thorn logo is pretty unexciting and bland, presumably to ensure a good nights sleep after a long day in the saddle. The number of spacers* on the steer looks decidedly odd, as does the Zefal HP pump, which appears to be sphincter puckeringly close to the spokes of the back wheel, that runs down the back stay. All the extra accessories give the impression of being designed for obessive compulsives who want to be prepared anything, including the apocalypse. Overall the bike gives the impression of a quality piece of precision equipment.

Handling: From the moment of taking the bike out of the box the only thing needing done is to attach the pedals. SJS, without ever having met me, have set the bike up ergonomically perfectly. In tests it's been impossible to sit on my scrotum or trap 'wee Crapaud' between my thigh and saddle.

Despite its steel tubing the Audax is light and responsive making it a bit twitchy at first, causing onlookers to think that I'm about to have a fit. The relaxed geometry, the flexibility of a steel frame and 28 mm tyres make a lengthy ride comfortable and a joy to do, leaving the rider to take in the scenery and scan for mobile road hazards like goats, foxes, tortoises etc.

Testing: Being designed for distance, the only way to really test the bike out is to cross a continent. The varied terrain of a daily 100 mile trek across Canada was chosen.

Gearing: In 2,000 miles training and 4,700 miles proper testing the Ultegra triple drivechain proved flawless. The 12 - 27 cassette and 28 tooth combo gave piece of mind on the steepest (2 km on Kicking Horse Pass at 14%) and longest (33 km up Roger's Pass)climbs and ensured that the legs kept turning on the few occassions when approaching a bonk. Changing is smooth and quiet, made even quieter using wax lube, and didn't require any fettling of any sort; nil, nada zip, nothing. Move along, nothing to see here.

Wheels: The original, Sun(?) rims and tyre, Panaracer, were tested to destruction; both wore out naturally. 36 spokes meant a robust and reliable wheel that never went out of true. The only punctrure was when was when the tyre was worn through to the inner layers. These wheels would survive on the moon.

Saddle: After the initial breaking in of my arse by the Selle Rolls saddle, it's remained free of any pimples, boils, supurating sores, aches or pains without the use of salves, unguents or potions. The Selle Rolls is recomended by the NHS and proctologists the world over.

Accessories: The Thorn has braze-ons for everything except lazer canons and cattle catcher / snow plough attachments! 3 bottle cages are perfect for long stretches in the middle of nowhere and this arrangement failed only during a heatwave (40 deg, C), travelling through forest wildfires. (lack of foresight there SJS)

Aside from enamel painwork* that chips and flakes when you look at it too hard, the Thorn Audax 853 is perfectly designed for what it's required to do.

9/10

+ves:

You can bore people titless waxing lyrical about its perfection. You can 'vent' robustly and use violence without judicial censure when folk point out the number of spacers (because it's perfect)

-ves:

You can bore people titless waxing lyrical about its perfection. The feckin' enamel paintwork.

*Both have been corrected in the MKIII

greasedscotsman

pottssteve wrote:

The Tarmac, please, as I've seen these in the LBS and thought they looked good.

OK, hope this will do?

'07 Spesh Tarmac SL



So GS, nice lookin' bike, where did you get it from?

The good people at Climb on Bikes sorted it out for me, bought it as a frame and then selected Dura Ace groupset, Kysrium ES wheels, Ritchey bars and stem topped off with a nice Fizik Arione saddle. I was going to build it up myself, but they offered to sort it all out for me, so I replied with "Okey-dokey".

Is that a triple chainset you've got there?

Well spotted, yes it is. I wanted the bike for riding on the mountains and after several years of dragging my "ample" frame over many cols on a standard chainset I decided to accept that I'm not Robert Millar despite the KOM jersey and get a triple. One of the best things I've ever bought!

Nevermind all this nonsense, how does it ride?

Stiff n' fast!

But isn't the front of a Tarmac as soft as mushy peas?

Well yes and no. There is alot of flex in the front end, the fork feels fine, more the handlebars might be the issue. But it feels very much like the Giant TCR Advanced I had before the Tarmac. And after about 1o mintues of riding, you've forgotten about it.

I see from your photo, you've tested it on cobbles, how did that go?

Yes, the first trip I took it on was a week's holiday to see and ride Flanders and Roubaix. Apart from one puncture, no problems at all. The idea was to swap the Kysriums for some open pros for the Roubaix bit as the cobbles are much worse, but I forgot to take the tool to swap over the cassette, so had to ride the Kysriums and as I said, no problems and I'm not the lightest rider in the world either!

And what about in the mountains, do you feel a berk in your KOM jersey riding such a nice bike so slowly?

No.

Has anything broken, failed or just anything else you'd like to change?

The only thing I've had a problem with is the seatpost slipping. Just used some of that carbon grease stuff and it's been fine. Other than that, I'm not keen on the rear brake cable routing. I usually run my back brake to the right hand lever, but the front cable guide is on the right hand side off the top tube. I'd like it either on the left hand side to make the cable run easier or in the centre of the top tube so you can run the cable to either side (if that makes sense).

And finally, what's your score out of 10?

I'm gonna have to go for an 8/10.

Like a stiffer front end (who wouldn't) and some better cable routing, but that's it really. It's a good bike and I'm not looking at replacing it for a while.

pottssteve

Crapaud, 'scotsman,

Thanks for the reviews; certainly an air of realism about them, rather than being told, again, how faultless Dura Ace shifting is. Mind you, I'm not sure whether knowing about "Little Crapaud" or your "stiffer front end" isn't a bit too realistic!

Having written one review I found it quite difficult, so I can see why the ones that appear in magazines tend to repeat themselves. However, I would prefer a bit of "real world" information.

Anyone else fancy a stab, especially if you have a Dogma?!

greasedscotsman

Oops forgot to mention the faultless Dura Ace shifting

But I would like to see more people write reviews of their rides, what I'd particulaly like to know is...

-why you bought it
-what have you done on it
-what would you change

pottssteve

Agreed!

pottssteve

Here's one for the Dogma, as nobody else posted one...

Saturday. I was supposed to pick up the new Pinarello Dogma today. However, I awoke to the sound of a Chinook helicopter, piloted by Bradley Wiggins, landing in my back garden. Imagine my surprise when out jumped 8 of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders and that hot chick from the Assos adverts who made me scrambled eggs on toast for breakfast. A crane then arrived and hoisted a crate made of solid gold out of the Chinook and lowered it onto the lawn. Pinarello certainly have excellent customer service.

Frame: Quality all the way, as you'd expect from Pinarello. The asymmetrical frame was actually lighter than air and had to be tied to a drainpipe to stop the bike floating away. Pinarello says they use Dali's original drawings in the fork design.

Equipment: My Dogma came supplied with the latest incarnation of the electronic shifters - the D3i. The most advanced on the market it responds to the rider's brainwaves and so you can change gear just by thinking about it. The drive chain is made of pure platinum and must be lubricated using angel's tears.

Ride quality: Makes Chitty Chitty bang Bang look like a 30 year old Citroen. The tyres float about 2 inches off the road surface, eliminating friction and punctures.

Verdict: The Pinarello's not cheap. My basic spec model comes in at 75 thousand pounds without pedals. However, if you're looking for a bike that says, "I've just signed a huge deal with a pro racing team" then it's worth considering.

whyamihere

Cannondale R1000 Caad 4



I bought the frame and fork from another member on here, and built it up to my own spec. So, how is it?

Frame
For the musically inclined, this bike is fantastic. The gigantic thin-walled aluminium tubes mean that anything hitting the frame will make a loud ting. This is something that will happen often, as the gear cables run so close to the down tube. This is the only bike I've owned which gives an experience like riding with a jazz drummer slung beneath you.

Equipment
The Campagnolo shifting is, as usual, quick. In fact, shifts using the thumb levers are so quick that the mechs make a sound like a gunshot when they're brought to a stop. I live in Birmingham, and the sound of my shifting has been known to start gang wars behind me. The right hand brake lever rattles against the shift lever as well, adding even more to the musical calibre of this bike. Then there is the usual Camapgnolo freehub sound, complemented by the intermittent rub of the brake pads as the spokes in the G3 laced front wheel come loose. Again. (The front wheel has since been replaced for a normally laced Campagnolo Proton).
With standard pads, the brakes were excellent until you pulled the levers, but since changing them to Kool Stop Salmons, they actually stop the bike. The saddle is an excellent anti-theft device, as it appears to instantly bruise the testicles of anyone other than me.

Handling
The frame is, really, a bit small for me, so I'm running a 130mm stem (not shown in the picture). This makes the handling rather, well, slow. Getting the bike to change direction requires submission to an approval committee at least 3 weeks before you actually wish to make the turn, in triplicate. The process is sometimes delayed by rampant bureaucracy, or maybe the bike simply goes on strike, preferring to carry on in what is essentially a straight line. Descending, then, is good fun. On the flat, the low position and comfortable drops makes high speeds very attainable, until you come to a corner. Uphill, the 8kg weight and pathetic legs of the rider means the bike will never win any races, but it can just about hold its own against old ladies on shopping bikes.

Looks
Well, drivers can never claim to have not seen me...

Overall
Much as I complain about it, I love the damn thing. Still considering a carbon lovely to replace it though...

7/10.

Buckled_Rims

These reviews are by far much better then the professional journalists :shock:

Mmm....some peoples jobs ain't safe in my opinion

Crapaud

Whyamihere, that isn't a bike - it's mobile timpani.

Jez mon

Giant Bowery review


That's an odd bike, it's got no wheels

Yep sorry the picture is kind of out of date, I'll list the changes I have made from the standard spec

Charge slice handlebars which have now been cut down radically, I found I wasn't using the bull horn bits as they were too wide for me, so I got rid of them.

Dia Compe goldfiner brake lever, got it to go with above handlebars

Charge Bucket Saddle, Nice and cheap, but comfortable at least for the very short rides I do on this bike.

Some Joker has covered it with newspaper mate

Yep, that was me, it's my campus bike and gets left outside year round, so I want to make it as undesirable to chavy scum as possible, next question!

Where did ya get it from

Pearsons cycles (online), it was a painless process and was sent to me very quickly, full marks to them.

How does it ride?

To borrow a professional reviewer's phrase "like a budget road bike without the gears". It genuinely has an uninspiring ride which does not make you want to sprint for every traffic sign, hit every apex on a sweeping descent and generally ride for miles. This bike whispers, lets just turn round here, don't bother going the scenic route back, go home put your feet up and watch TV.

So it's crap?

Nope, it's just not great, I can't imagine ever getting up on a Sunday morning and thinking lets go for a ride on the Bowery. The handling is too slow and the BB is too low...

What??

Yep sorry forgot to mention that in my general appraisal of the riding, it's far too easy to get pedal strike on this bike, the BB needs raising or the cranks need shortening (or a combination of both)

Is there anything else you forgot

Nope, overall it's a fine bike to ride short distances on but not much more...

rob_spedding

I might just steal these for the Our Rides section of the 'Plus...

greasedscotsman

pottssteve wrote:

Equipment: My Dogma came supplied with the latest incarnation of the electronic shifters - the D3i. The most advanced on the market it responds to the rider's brainwaves and so you can change gear just by thinking about it..

Is that like in the Clint Eastwood film Firefox, where he has to think in Russian to activate the planes weapons? Only you here you have to think in Japanese? Not sure it would work for me, I'd end up in bottom gear all the time as I'm constantly thinking "I wish I was in a lower gear". In fact, I'm thinking it now and I'm sitting on the sofa

Stone Glider

This is a thread that has a resonance with me, thanks to the reference to "real world". I don't know much about that but I did order a "custom" bike a while ago.

I turned up at the shop and got the full fitting experience. The proprietor took one look at me and saw a big, fat, old bloke. He said "a sixty should do, what do you want on it?" One of the problems with being old but new to cycling is people imagine I might know something.... So I said "whatever you think", notice how I dodged that one? "Right it should be ready next Tuesday week. I'll ring you."

I turned up at the shop and there it was ....(I did make one decision, blue not red).... it was blue and big. "Want to try it?" No pedals or shoes, more money changed hands; off I wobbled into the traffic. I found I couldn't steer it, nor turn the pedals, nor change the gears, nor stop. A little later I limped back, thanked them very much, put it into the back of the car and drove home.

Twentyeight months and thousands of miles later, I have a friend for life. Steady and true, not lightweight with Reynolds 531 tubing, triple Tiagra chainset and 700x28 wheels, a compliant day-long companion.

Anonymous

Scott Speedster S50, 2006 model.

I love this bike, the way you love a jumper that is old and goes out of shape after 1 wear from clean, you can't bear to be parted. I got the 56cm S50 because I was after the S60 which has alloy forks and a better colour scheme (Bismarck Grey) but was swayed by the fact that the shop had an S60, was in the white/black/yellow scheme, still favoured by HTC-Columbia and was in stock and £59 more expensive. This bike was way ahead of its time in 2006.

Ride.

The ride seems very high. Bumpy and a bit clanky. I put this down to the fact the BB is a bit loose and the gears have a bit of play in them and also I have never changed the chain. I know 4 years and 1000's of miles are not ideal but I plan to get my moneys worth. The gears work in tune with bio-rythms, or telekenesis, only thing is its tuned into someone other than me, lots of backwards and forwards and chain scrapey noises.

Equipment.

Full Shimano Sora, 24 speed, Suntour triple on the front.
Charge spoon saddle which Wiggle sent to me by mistake but is smashing.
Scott traditional bars and stem, wrapped in manky off-white bar tape that refuses to get clean, even after a showering of domestos, the tape just glugged it down.
Upgrades.

I have now got shimano R500 wheels front and back after the Alex wheels fell apart after 3 months. These are good, with the added benefit of the back wheel being a bit tight and not spinning up so well, makes a useful training aid.
I have also got an old Dura-ace front mech, after the original seized up. This is easily the most expensive part on the bike, which is like the opposite of having an old coat hanger as an aerial on a Ferrari. As are the conti GP4000 tyres with 2 tyre boots holding the tubes in front and rear.
Carbon forks on the front, they hold the front wheel nicely and creak when going round corners.

Overall.

This is the comfy chair your girlfriend wants to get rid of after you move in together.
I love this bike, you don't see enough of them, after a nuke blast, this would survive along with the cockroaches and Keith Richards. It will take you up and down competently, doesn't mind being toppled over, can go fast on the flat with a tailwind and make you love your summer bike, like a salad dodgers love of pie.

pottssteve

This is more like it! Soon we'll have reviewed just about anything there is to do. Anyone with a Storck?!

Mr Spedding, I emailed you about a job!