Frames?

DMcgr

I'm new to cycling and people always say its all about the frame but what makes a frame good or bad? What should I be looking for?

Thanks

ugo.santalucia

It's all marketing hype, you only need one of your size which is not overly expensive and excessively racey in geometry.
Good, bad, depends what you want to do with it... some say a 900 grams carbon frame is good, I say it's bad as when you go off it crumbles into pieces at great expense

JamesB

Depends on what you realistically want to use frame for, what`s your budget and would you want mudguard clearances ?

Most important of all is that frame suits purpose you intend it for and is comfortable. Farmes if really stiff transmit power well but are less comfortable; if you have a very `soft` frame you`ll have extra comfort but lose power transmission, especially uphills or sprinting.

Probably avoid cheap carbon fibre, Al or steel woudl give a nice frame to start out on.
Don`t worry too much about weight within raeson, unless you`re racing 1 or or even 2 lb extra on frame will not be too bad, good wheels would make differences more noticeable than a slightly heavier frame

DMcgr

Thanks for the feedback you two, basically I'm using it for most purposes, I'm trying to regain fitness, I enjoy being on my bike, I'm planning a tour some time next year and if I feelim capable I'll maybe try out a race or two so choosing a bike for me is a pretty hard task.

I've been looking at this bike http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=75534 the spec seems to be what I'm looking for and I can always upgrade but my main worry was the frame what do you guys think?

ugo.santalucia

DMcgr wrote:

Thanks for the feedback you two, basically I'm using it for most purposes, I'm trying to regain fitness, I enjoy being on my bike, I'm planning a tour some time next year and if I feelim capable I'll maybe try out a race or two so choosing a bike for me is a pretty hard task.

I've been looking at this bike http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=75534 the spec seems to be what I'm looking for and I can always upgrade but my main worry was the frame what do you guys think?

OK, but it has no touring capability, meaning you cannot fit a rack for panniers on it (unless by touring you mean someone is carrying your luggage).
If you want a do it all, I like the Salsa Casseroll rather a lot... it does absolutely everything and looks quite stilish
Surly pacer is another do it all bike... reliable steed for everything
By races, I suppose you mean sportives...

DMcgr

I didn't realise that you couldn't put luggage on the back thanks for that, does the bike you mentioned have a cheaper range around the £650 range? I still have most of the cycling gear to purchase and that would stretch my budget to far, looks like I have some more searching to do haaa

DavidJB

ugo.santalucia wrote:

It's all marketing hype, you only need one of your size which is not overly expensive and excessively racey in geometry.
Good, bad, depends what you want to do with it... some say a 900 grams carbon frame is good, I say it's bad as when you go off it crumbles into pieces at great expense

Absolute rubbish.

I've had multiple high speed crashes in a carbon frame and it's never once broken. (now tempting fate).

ugo.santalucia

DMcgr wrote:

I didn't realise that you couldn't put luggage on the back thanks for that, does the bike you mentioned have a cheaper range around the £650 range? I still have most of the cycling gear to purchase and that would stretch my budget to far, looks like I have some more searching to do haaa

I am sure you can look out for deals yourself... I just wanted to give you an idea of the kind of do-it-all bike would suit your needs.