Any road cyclists here? : Buying a new performance road bike

RSV_Ecosse · May 17, 2008

Hi,

Looking for advice on a new road bike.

Our Fire & Rescue Service has just introduced the "Cycle To Work Scheme" and I'm going to take advantage of it.

I used to cycle to my work about 10 years ago, was a round trip of about 22miles. Really enjoyed it and thought that it would grabbing a road bike under the scheme might be both useful and also a bit of a break from my usual gym training which consists of Concept II rowing and mild weights.

So I'm looking for some advice on buying a roadbike.

To some, for myself as a "newbie" to road bikes, the choices of bike I have been looking at may appear to be a bit "over the top" but I'm thinking that since it's through the scheme, why not push the boat out somewhat and go for something a bit more expensive?.

Mate who is also a firefighter, has just got one of these through the scheme:-

http://www.awcycles.co.uk/brands/Bianchi/1885_Hydro_Carbon_-_Veloce,_2008/11903/index.aspx

Good choice?. He's a bit of a mountain bike freak and owns a Titus, but this is his first foray into road biking. He says the Bianchi is a cracking bit of kit and loves it to bits.

Thoughts?.

Had a look at some of the Trek Madone stuff through a couple of catalogues that a local dealer had sent to the fire station after we enquired, but it seems a bit expensive.

This is going to probably be a daft question, but again, as a "newbie", what is the difference between a "Performance Road" bike and a "Time Trial/Triathlon" bike?.

I'm looking to spend ( through the Cycle to Work Scheme and the financial assistance they provide via it ) , approx £1k.

Thanks.

shady59 · May 17, 2008

:confused where does the engine go

RSV_Ecosse · May 17, 2008

MSmilleR said:
:confused where does the engine go

I am the engine.

shady59 · May 17, 2008

RSV_Ecosse said:
I am the engine.

Thats ****, wheres the fun in that :roll

RSV_Ecosse · May 17, 2008

Looking for something different to up my fitness training m8.

Rowing machine really gets boring after a few years. I can't run on a regular basis because of a knee injury after a big bike "get-off" in 1990, so a low impact alternative is what I am looking for.

I'm getting too old for the kickboxing lark now as well, so limit that a lot although the bagwork and skipping training I still enjoy.

Just looking for an alternative or two. :thumbup

richtee0 · May 17, 2008

hi i've not cycled for about 20 years but some things must be the same.

don't buy a bike off the net unless you've tried the same model for size 1st.

bianchi have always made top class frames with a good reputation.

time trial bikes were always a bit specialized and a bit twitchy to ride.

shady59 · May 17, 2008

i'm just bored, and know nothing about push bikes, try tai chi less impact same disciplines(ish) there:devious just messing good luck!

little1uk · May 17, 2008

I ve got a Marin mountain bike, buy the frame the add what ya want on it, i bought it 10 years ago at a cost of around £900, its all aluminium and lightweight alloy wheels and fancy **** like that, its a light as fcuk and one day ill ride it :biggrin:biggrin

RSV_Ecosse · May 17, 2008

little1uk said:
I ve got a Marin mountain bike, buy the frame the add what ya want on it, i bought it 10 years ago at a cost of around £900, its all aluminium and lightweight alloy wheels and fancy **** like that, its a light as fcuk and one day ill ride it :biggrin:biggrin

Ta. Thought about going down the complete custom route, but I don't know enough about the sport to do so.

I just found this though at a local dealer to me......Ducati made by Bianchi:-

http://www.macdonaldcycles.com/acatalog/Dahon.html

Top one at £1099. Will be calling them on monday to ask about availability!!! :thumbup

MSmilleR said:
i'm just bored, and know nothing about push bikes, try tai chi less impact same disciplines(ish) there:devious just messing good luck!

Tried Tai Chi a year or so ago m8, it's quite relaxing.

Tail end of last year, went on an intensive Krav Maga course.

Got ten bells of **** kicked out of me, but learned a huge amount. My kickboxing skills were relevant, but to be honest, there's not a thing to come close to Krav Maga. Really dirty and underhand, but by god, does it work!!!. :biggrin

little1uk · May 17, 2008

Mate dont get that.. its DUCATI... it will breakdown :thumbup:thumbup

If you go the custom route mate and talk to a reputable bike builder he will tell you what you need for your requirments, if your not intending to do serious events they will slightly down grade stuff like bearings and wheels, makes it more affordable and more suited to its intended use :thumbup:thumbup

supertedlover · May 18, 2008

Have a giant ocr3 road bike with carbon forks and a specialized rockhopper hydraulic, you dont need to spend that sort of wedge mate to get a good bike but the bianchi is good and looks awesome.

rsv1000punk · May 18, 2008

i used to race mountain bikes years ago before i discovered beer you wont go wrong with the bianchi

J77 · May 18, 2008

just buy yourself wii fit,, that`ll cost you 70 sterlings and the money you save could go towards beer, curry and some carbon goodies for the `proper` bike ;-)

RSV_Ecosse · May 18, 2008

I can't really fit any more carbon goodies to my Mille, there's no room!!!!:nana

J77 · May 18, 2008

I race MTB`s for ages and when the last foot and mouth hit the lake district in a BIG way, most of us MTB riders bought road bikes to train on, I had a cannondale which was very good and a couple of guys had the Bianchi`s, fantastic thing to ride. Man hol covers and white lines are scarey as fook in the wet though.
The one thing I will say is that you don`t need all the bells and whistles. Rear mech`s will soon bugger up on the road and very expensive to replace. The bike you are looking at has a full campag group set I think,, a good £500 worth, keep it washed out and lubed and it`ll last.

Guess you`ll be shaving your legs Lance Armstrong stylee then??:devious:devious:thumbup

Badday · May 18, 2008

Been racing bikes for a few years now (no seriously enough to shave my legs mind.....)

Differences between tri & Road bikes can be subtle but generally the main differences are bike geometry & the handle bars (tri bars are the ones the allow you to lean forward in an aerodynamic position). They can be quite similar.

I got the bike below a couple of years back (earlier model) and have been really happy, but it was between the SCOTT & Bianchi when I choose. My advice would be to go to a good racing bike shop (bike lab down south is good, loads similar shops about though). They should measure you up & give you sound advice. Something you need when you are spending 1k on a bike missing an engine!

(ok, feel like a geek now.....)

crashtd · May 18, 2008

supertedlover said:
Have a giant ocr3 road bike with carbon forks and a specialized rockhopper hydraulic, you dont need to spend that sort of wedge mate to get a good bike but the bianchi is good and looks awesome.

:stupid
one of the best bang for the buck bikes. Bianchi makes nice bikes, but there's a definite premium for the name, and bikes like Giant can easily rival it in specs and build quality.

i've been rolling this Kona for that past 4 years, love it to death. The weather just got nice here, so now its time to get my *** back into shape.

my advice would be to get a bike with the best components you can afford, Shimano 105 and up would be a good place to start. Campi can get expensive quick.

-:banana

Davcruz1 · May 20, 2008

I ride road and MTB also. I love it, fun and interesting way to get or stay in shape and with fuel prices what they are recently (in the USA at least) bikes can be a great way to commute.

Now here is my opinion. The Bianchi you are looking at is a nice ride, it would be considered and enthusiast level race bike. Aluminum main frame with CF rear and CF forks, nice Campy component level and a name that is a century plus old. However, if I was looking for a bike to commute on I would only consider that style bike if the commute was mainly fast rural roads.

If you are commuting in a city or town area and this bike is really only to be used for commuting I would be looking for a flat bar road bike, this type of bike will have braze on mounts for panniers or a rack and will seat you a bit more upright, it will also be a far more supple ride and will have a tiny bit larger tires.

This KHS is an example of what I am referring to, this is an entry level bike, you can do much better, although KHS makes a great frame, I ride a KHS Flight 900 roadie.

carpe diem · May 20, 2008

crashtd said:
:stupid
one of the best bang for the buck bikes. Bianchi makes nice bikes, but there's a definite premium for the name, and bikes like Giant can easily rival it in specs and build quality.

i've been rolling this Kona for that past 4 years, love it to death. The weather just got nice here, so now its time to get my *** back into shape.

my advice would be to get a bike with the best components you can afford, Shimano 105 and up would be a good place to start. Campi can get expensive quick.

-:banana

Holy sh*t crashtd, i would need a few more spokes if i was to sit my fat *** on that bike:biggrin

Davcruz1 · May 20, 2008

My current bikes:

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Any road cyclists here? : Buying a new performance road bike

RSV_Ecosse

shady59

RSV_Ecosse

shady59

RSV_Ecosse

richtee0

shady59

little1uk

RSV_Ecosse

little1uk

supertedlover

rsv1000punk

J77

RSV_Ecosse

J77

Badday

crashtd

Davcruz1

carpe diem

Davcruz1

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