Bike for rowing training

citrus_

Hi guys,

Im interested in buying a bike as a means of training for rowing.

As its being used for training, Im not so fussed about it being particularly light weight or anything fancy like that, I more just want it to be comfortable for up to 100km rides.

I went into my nearest evans, and was recommended (and tried out) a Cannondale CAAD8, the cheapest one with a Sora groupset. Is this a good choice in your opinion?

My budget is up to around the £700 mark, I could stretch a little, but would rather spend the extra money on a set of clipless pedals and shoes.

Thanks for any advice in advance

One Man And His Bike

Obvious question out of the way time.

Rowing machine?

Phil_D

Can you get one of those exercise bikes where the handlebars go forward and back and somehow modify it so it goes on the road?

verloren

You can get a used Concept2 rower for that much (they're built tough, so no problem getting a used one), and while cycling is a wonderful activity, the rowing machine will be better training for rowing.

citrus_

Yes I know rowing machines are obviously better training, but I train 10 times a week and Im looking to buy a bike to use for cross training.

Especially for the long distance stuff, do you have any idea how boring it is sitting on a rowing machine for 2 hours?

Im still planning to keep up my regular training, just put in two medium/long bike rides in per week.

verloren

My longest row is 3.75 hours (for a very slow marathon), so yes, I do

re-cycles

How about a hand cycle? Surely that'd be more beneficial?

mattshrops

re-cycles wrote:

How about a hand cycle? Surely that'd be more beneficial?

is that what theyre calling it these days :shock:

springtide9

Cycling will help with your fitness. I use the C2 for helping with the cycling!

Take a look at:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/b ... 1000-29719

Lots of reviews on BR. Might also be worth looking for a last years 'discounted' model. The last bike was around £700. It is also important to make sure you get the right size.

weapons

I think cycling will help no end. I am a former club rower, now racing on the bike and doing an equivalent volume of training on the bike as I did as a rower so c.12hrs or so per week. I still do a cross training session per week on the C2 and my erg splits are better for longer pieces than when I specifically trained as a rower, as the legs are stronger. That said, i am a lot slower in my sculling boat than I used to be....

Omar Little

Is it not the case that Team GB does alot of training on bikes during the off season? There were a few members (not just the older guys like James Cracknell etc) at the Etape Caledonia last year and they were pretty fast.

The CAAD8 will be a good bike, if you look around you might be able to get last years mid range version with tiagra (one up from sora) for about £700.

weapons

Omar Little wrote:

Is it not the case that Team GB does alot of training on bikes during the off season? There were a few members (not just the older guys like James Cracknell etc) at the Etape Caledonia last year and they were pretty fast.

The CAAD8 will be a good bike, if you look around you might be able to get last years mid range version with tiagra (one up from sora) for about £700.

Yes, GB rowing does having cycling training camps:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/annabelverno ... _camp.html

citrus_

Thanks for all the replies!

Im set on getting a bike, I know it will be good for me, thanks to all the people agreeing!

I am interested in last years models, the price of a CAAD 8 2010 was what got me interested in it in the first place, but Im quite big (6 foot 5 ish) and they dont seem to have many large frames left.

mattshrops

you might find you get bored with that silly messing about in a boat malarkey

step into the light citrus step into the light... 8)

pbt150

Citrus - I take it you're not a lightweight if you're 6ft 5! At a guess you're ~95kg? The bike you listed is a really good entry level setup and it sounds like you're getting a decent deal. The one thing to look out for really is the wheels - look for a higher spoke count, or put a couple of hundred quid aside to get a strong pair built for you if you have any problems with the stock ones.

pbt150

...or buy a row-bike...

http://www.rowbike.com/

mattshrops

pbt150 wrote:

...or buy a row-bike...

http://www.rowbike.com/

wow thats road rash waiting to happen :shock:

citrus_

mattshrops wrote:

you might find you get bored with that silly messing about in a boat malarkey

step into the light citrus step into the light... 8)

Haha we'll see how I get on!

pbt150 wrote:

I take it you're not a lightweight

No, I am quite big, all be it not quite 95kg.

Does this mean anything though or will I be fine on most bikes? Upgrading the wheels is something that seems quite a good idea from reading this and other forums.

Nerrep

As an ex 95kg rower, and a current 95kg fatty, I've been fine on the cheap, paired spoke wheels that came with my bike -- I wouldn't worry about it; just enjoy not being on the ergo!

stevec205gti

I've heard a lot of people complain about the Sora shifters, and I was less than impressed with them on my brother in laws bike. If you're planning to do a lot of miles see if you can stretch to getting a bike with at least the Tiagra shifters without the nasty thumb shifter. Don't be put off thumb shifters in general - the Campagnolo ones are very comfy to use, just the Sora ones are poor

citrus_

If I upgrade to a Tiagra fitted bike though, thats a couple hundred pounds more to spend which is money that I would rather spend on shoes and pedals or to upgrade the wheels.

Does that not sound like a better idea?

pbt150

citrus wrote:

If I upgrade to a Tiagra fitted bike though, thats a couple hundred pounds more to spend which is money that I would rather spend on shoes and pedals or to upgrade the wheels.

Does that not sound like a better idea?

I've been using Sora for years. If you get it set up properly it works really well, so unless you can get a great deal on a bike with Tiagra I wouldn't bother with the upgrade.

IMO you'd be better off with proper shoes/pedals/shorts (don't cycle long distances in your rowing lycra, padded shorts are much better) than a slightly more expensive groupset that essentially does the same job.

stevec205gti

It's completely your decision, all I'm commenting on is that most people don't like the Sora shift - if you're happy with it then go ahead and get it. Though I would say getting a Tiagra equiped machine is not a massive hike up, just looking around the Evans site comes up with this for a little more

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/ ... e-ec020907

Just trying to help out - hope you get a bike you really enjoy riding