My bike plan - please comment

Calpol

I am new to cycling. The last eight years since the birth of my children have rocketed past with me seemingly working, being dad and playing too much World of Warcraft. However I made a concious effort this summer to improve my fitness. I think it was turning 40 that worried me sufficiently!

I dug out my old bike which I bought in 1998 and made it road worthy with new tyres and a bit of a clean and set out riding this thing. I am slowly getting into it (just in time for the dark nights). I have invested in some SPD pedals and shoes and seem to be coping with them ok.

The bike is a Peugeot. It was about £500 when I bought it and is a Richard Virenque edition with Reynolds 553 tube, Shimano RSX gears. I think its a 7 groupset with two chain rings. I don't have anything to compare it with but it seems to ride ok. A bit twitchy but I guess thats the nature of the beast. The rear wheel has a slight buckle which could probably be trued. IMy thoughts were to ride it until next spring to see if I keep the bug and then look to get something a bit better. I guess my question is - will I notice much of a difference if I say buy a new bike c£500 or will it just be a bit shinier and make me feel a bit trendier?. At the moment I am riding about 70-100 miles a week but given the dark nights this will probably reduce over the winter to weekend runs and the odd bit of MTB.

Also would it be possible to put a triple on the bike with the current STi levers. I do feel that some steeper hills are a bit of a struggle at the present time.

Tonymufc

Calpol, not sure about being able to fit a triple. Ask yourself would a new bike make you any fitter/stronger/faster. The answer is no. The more you ride the more gains you will make. Once you've become that bit fitter and dropped a few pounds (I'm only assuming that you need to drop a few pounds) things like power etc will increase and so will speed. Speaking only for myself, I buy new bikes because I want that particular brand/model, its new and shiny and a bit bling. I suppose its a bit of vanity. Sounds like you have got a nice bit of retro kit on your hands there. Might be worth investing a bit of cash in it and persevere with it for the time being.

esspeebee

To fit a triple chainset, you'll need a front shifter, and probably new derailleur, to match. Far simpler (and cheaper) would be to replace it with a compact double -- still only two chainrings, but typically 50/34 rather than 53/39. That'll give you lower gears without needing to replace anything else.

For the other question, I'd say you're quite right to ride it for a while first. That'll give you a better idea of what you actually want from a bike, and how much money you think it's worth spending. £500 will get you a perfectly reasonable new road bike, but whether it'll really be any better for you than your current one depends on what sort of riding you find yourself doing. An old-school steel frame will probably be a more comfortable ride than modern entry-level aluminium alloys, but less stiff and so less good for going particularly fast. From the sounds of things, that makes the steel bike better for you right now; whether the same is true next year you'll have to wait and find out.

ex-pat scot

A couple of points.

Don't remember there being a 553 tubing - 653 or 531 usually. Either would be fine.

Wouldn't go triple. Compact double will give you the range with 34-50 rings. For the moment you wouldn't need anything else (apart from BB).

I would get used to riding on your existing bike for a while yet. Perhaps have a look in the winter sales, but new doesn't mean "faster", just "shinier".

surreyxc

Seems like you doing some good miles on your current rig. At some point though I would say it is worth investing in a new bike. I often have friends who dig out average bikes and need them serviced. The trouble is when you tally up the cost of a new drive train, tyres, headset etc it comes to at least a hundred pounds and easily over that, okay not as much as £500, but for £500 you get a new bike. If you have budget of £500 get one off Gumtree or Ebay, then you could get a bike with only a few miles on the clock. Cheaper bikes really suffer in the winter commute. It is different story if you have a classic frame then it worth looking after. Don't forget you could get a bike through bike to work scheme, which means your cash could get you a shiny new £800 for only £500, a Boardman or Planet-x would be great.

merak

I'm not sure how good the Peugeot Virenque was originally but if it was £500 it would have been decent. I doubt that you'd go hugely faster on a modern bike. I have a good steel bike of the same age or maybe a few years older and it is no more than 0.5mph or so slower than my current road bike (that ciost five times as much) over a reasonable distance. It weighs about 4lbs more, but it's more comfortable, and I ride it quite a bit. So it's all down to whether you want a shiny new bike - in terms of speedn and comfort your Peugeot should be just fine for a while. As for gearing, +1 for fitting a compact; but you don't say wat cassette you have - perhaps you can get one with a bigger range.

cougie

I'd say ride it through the winter and maybe start saving. If you get the bug - then theres more dosh to spend. If you dont - then no harm.

Cant see its worth getting a triple for it if you're thinking of a new bike anyway. Maybe look at a compact for the new bike - in the meantime - just man up with the double.

Monty Dog

Sounds like you'd be better getting some more miles under your belt and let your current bike suffer the ravages of winter and then use your knowledge and experience to make a more informed assessment of your needs come next spring - by which time you'll have lost a few pounds, and perhaps gained a few more £££. A cheap compact chainset would be the easiest way to give you a bigger range of gears without spending a lot.

thiscocks

sounds like you already have a good bike, no need to spend 500 on something else just because it is newer. It would be much better and more fun to just upgrade bits on your current bike when you feel the need, ie spend what you would have on a new bike on some nice handbuilt wheels- much better investment.

Regarding chain rings, I guess you can count the front ones which are probably 53/39. If so then I wouldnt bother with looking into a tripple or a compact, just look at maybe getting a different cassette on the back (plent of info in the sticky sections on gear replacement).

Monty Dog

I actually wouldn't get drawn into upgrading your present bike - you could end up spending hundreds and it'll still be a relatively heavy steel-framed Peugeot of no intrinsic value. You might be able to fit a bigger cassette - 28 tooth maximum otherwise you'll also need a new rear mech - the combined cost of which would be more than a cheap chainset.

elPedro666

Echoing all the good advice above, it sounds like your current bike is a good quality tool

A bike of that age is probably running 42/52, a compact with a 34t would definitely ease the strain on your knees!

If you do want to spend on it, some nice light wheels (as mentioned above) and tyres will do wonders, as will simply changing the cables & brake blocks (you'd be amazed how this can spruce up the feel of a bike).

Great to hear you're enjoying riding again!

Modern saddles aren't a bad idea either, depending how you're getting on... :oops:

Calpol

Great advice folks. Many thanks for taking the time to reply. I will check out a compact that may help me until I "man up" a bit. Good steer on the wheels - sounds like something else for me to research. I think I will also look into a new saddle. Some fettling could be in order. cheers again

elPedro666

For any older bits, that might be odd sizes for instance, try this bunch:
retrobike.co.uk
Very friendly lot

unixnerd

Keep it and buy a new bike in the spring. Use it as a winter bike to save your nice new bike when it's raining and fit some mudguards (you can get versions that don't need mounting tabs if needed). It's a good bike, enjoy it. Don't get a triple, once you're a bit fitter you won't need it.

Frank the tank

unixnerd wrote:

Keep it and buy a new bike in the spring. Use it as a winter bike to save your nice new bike when it's raining and fit some mudguards (you can get versions that don't need mounting tabs if needed). It's a good bike, enjoy it. Don't get a triple, once you're a bit fitter you won't need it.

Like wot he sez.

I'd get some mudguards for the winter unless you really enjoy having a wet @rse.