Budget Blown and Buying these 2 bikes

TerryCTR

Still a very modest budget compared to a lot of you guys on here but went to a decent bike shop over Halfords today and the staff were really good taking the time to find the correct frame size/setup (Halfords were way out from what they told me). Even better they let us out on the bikes for a quick test ride - that was us sold.

I'm going for the Specialized Allez Sport



And the other half chose a Specialized Dolce EQ



Roll on next weeks when we will collect and have the first ride home (6-8 miles)

sloppyschleckonds

Enjoy, make sure its a flat ride home.

TerryCTR

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Enjoy, make sure its a flat ride home.

Thanks mate, and I agree that would be my main concern just now but the route we have to go is predominately flat with just one hill climb at the end so it should be ok. We can always catch the train at various points on the way if comes to it :oops:

Colinthecop

Good choice. 8)

TerryCTR

Thanks, at first she was looking at the dolce sport EQ but I couldn't have her bike being more expensive

TerryCTR

That's us back from the collecting the bikes, took about an hour maybe slightly less to cycle the 7 miles so plenty to work on. Managed to dodge the rain and after a big hill climb I stopped at the top to wait on her and just avoided throwing up when the sweats kicked in :oops:

DiscoBoy

TerryCTR wrote:

That's us back from the collecting the bikes, took about an hour maybe slightly less to cycle the 7 miles so plenty to work on. Managed to dodge the rain and after a big hill climb I stopped at the top to wait on her and just avoided throwing up when the sweats kicked in :oops:

It never gets easier, you just go faster

alex222

DiscoBoy wrote:

TerryCTR wrote:

That's us back from the collecting the bikes, took about an hour maybe slightly less to cycle the 7 miles so plenty to work on. Managed to dodge the rain and after a big hill climb I stopped at the top to wait on her and just avoided throwing up when the sweats kicked in :oops:

It never gets easier, you just go faster

Wise words

TerryCTR

I'm sure I'll find that out over time, still very enjoyable and glad I've got started on the road bike

rickeverett

That reminds me - i left my washing out !

lawrences

TerryCTR wrote:

Thanks, at first she was looking at the dolce sport EQ but I couldn't have her bike being more expensive

You just threw away the best excuse for being slower than her that you're ever going to get.

TerryCTR

don't worry I already threw in how she has easier gearing for hill climbing (not even sure that's correct but she bought it) so that should cover any defeat

DiscoBoy

TerryCTR wrote:

don't worry I already threw in how she has easier gearing for hill climbing (not even sure that's correct but she bought it) so that should cover any defeat

If she has the gearing in the picture, then she does (by quite a long way).

TerryCTR

Yes she has the same bike I linked and 24 gears (3x8)

Do I have the edge on the flats though?

DiscoBoy

Your highest gear is probably the same (50x11).

Your lowest is probably 34x25, whereas hers is probably 30x32.

Edit:

Actually, you have 12-27 on the back, so your lowest is 34x27 and highest is 50x12.

TerryCTR

I'm not even sure what that means :oops: but all I'm seeing is a lower multiple for her bike which would make the hill climb that bit easier. I suppose it will keep her motivated and out on the bike rather than finding it too difficult