The Cycling Thread

I never thought I would spend that sort of money on a bike (peanuts compared to you lot I know) so I want to make sure it is right...

This looks ok too!http://www.wiggle.co.uk/focus-cayo-1...paign=products

[maviczap]

The Boardman gets my vote, as its all Ritchey & SRAM

The others seem to have cut costs using wheels by manufacturers I don't recognise

The Planet X looks ugly with those white STi lever hoods, but thats an easy fix

But thee's not much between them

If you register your credit card your going to pay for it with Quidco, you'll get another 3% cashback at Halfords

But try again at Ribble because I know the Sportive is a good bike too

The ribble does look nice (aesthetically), but I simply get lost in the options list!

Not sure what lever hoods are, but when on the Planet x site I spec'd a red bike, blue bar tape, red tyres and blue lever hoods...

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by krhall

The ribble does look nice (aesthetically), but I simply get lost in the options list!

Phone them. My friend wasnt sure what size he wanted, so he rang them and they took his order and sorted out what he wanted over the phone. He said they were really helpful.

[Luckypants]

Try the special edition bikes tab, rather than the bike builder tab on Ribble's website - there are a lot less choices on there and seems to be made up of kit they are overstocked on, this keeps the prices down. The Gran Fondo is a superb machine (I'm biased) and is ideal for club runs/longer rides and would not be out of place in a race. The Sportive is more upright again and is meant for comfort on longer rides. The other bikes are more focused on speed, so I didn't look at them and know little about them.

At the £1K price point, you seem to have the major players in your sights. The Planet-X bikes look to be excellent value, but IME SRAM is not as reliable as Shimano/Campag, hence why I went with Ribble (but my experience is from MTB world)

[fizzwheel]

Been for my bike fit. The Look I was after is a good fit for me. So I have placed my order, bike shop is busy so cant build it up till next Wednesday so hoping to pick it up next week some times.

Went for 105 in the end, didnt go for carbon bars, but have gone for a wheel upgrade over what I had, dont look as bling, but match the bike better.

Cost was less than I thought and I think I might have wangled a good discount as its a 2009 frame, got just over a £1000 off the retail price.

Happy days

[Luckypants]

Woo! Every cloud has a silver lining Hope you love the Look and have many happy miles on her.

[fizzwheel]

Me to.

I've had a letter from the Solicitor looking after my claim so thats progressing along nicely to.

I'm looking for a wee bit of advice.
I went for a 35 mile cycle yesterday (longest I've ever done in one day) and today my knee is pretty sore. (left knee only).

I think my seat may be 1 or 2mm too low, but it's so slight. I was wondering whether there is something that may be in my technique that could be causing the issue.

Any advice welcome

thanks

[maviczap]

Few things to consider first Dave.

What kind of shoes were you wearing, trainers or proper cycling shoes.

Clipless or toe clips

The way I've set my saddle height is to measure my inside leg (in cm) to the floor in socks and then times by 0.885

so for my inseam my saddle height is 75.5cm from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the saddle following the line of the seat tube.

Everyone has their preferred method of working out their saddle height, but this worked for me.

If you're pushing a big gear that will make you knee hurt, so spin a smaller gear rather than push a gear thats too big. Its the most common thing I see when I pass cyclists

If one knee hurts, then maybe its not as strong as the other leg. Perhaps one leg is slightly longer than the other. My right is shorther than the left.

Get the saddle height set to the correct height first, its the most fundamental position on the bike.