The Cycling Thread

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Jackie_Black

They look amazing!! I can always rely on this site to find me cooler things to spend money on. I wanted to go on the cycle to work scheme though and my employer will only deal with edinburgh cycles so i'm limited to what I can buy if I choose that route.

I read the bikeradar review and it does sound like a good bike to use as a base for upgrades. I've currently got a specialised allez and I quite like it but even with different bits on it, its still a little too focussed. The furthest I can ride it is about 60 miles and then I have to stop as my bike gets too tight.

That's a pity, as Ribble do the 'Cycle Scheme'

I have to stop as my bike gets too tight Don't understand this?

I meant to say my back, sorry.

I've noticed ribble do 0% and classic tick so maybe I'll take a look at one. Is the ribble sportive 7005 the kind of thing I should be looking at?

[maviczap]

Yes, its an Alu frame, similar as the Giant your were interested in. They're a more relaxed geometry for longer days in the saddle, slightly slower steering than a race frame. But you or I wouldn't notice this

If you buy Alu frame get a carbon seat post, as most Alu frames do give a harsher ride than steel frames. The carbon seat post takes the buzz out of the road.

Full carbon is the best IMHO, if you can afford it. But lifespan of a carbon frame can be less than a steel or alu frame.

A good compromise is an Alu frame with carbon forks & carbon seat stays

Originally Posted by Jackie_Black

I meant to say my back, sorry.

I've noticed ribble do 0% and classic tick so maybe I'll take a look at one. Is the ribble sportive 7005 the kind of thing I should be looking at?

I was looking at a 7005 myself but ended up with a Felt F95 and very happy I am with it too, I'm nor sufficenetly expreienced anough to give you a definitive view but theres plenty on here who can point you in the right direction, this is what I got recently
http://www.feltbicycles.com/Internat...eries/F95.aspx

That's really nice too, are these companies british too? I quite like the curved ribble bike, looks great. When i spec them up though they come to 2100 QUid!! and for some reason it won't give me the total weight on the bike builder.
What are SRAM groupsets like? and am i right in thinking 34-50 on the front and 11-28 on the back will give me the most flexibility?

[maviczap]

Ribble are UK based, but source most of their frames in the Far East I think. Some of their frames are made in house. Give them a call and ask them.

Most carbon frames from every manufacturer are made in Taiwan, even the top end ones.

Felt are American, but again most of their stuff will be produced in the Far East

No experience of Sram, its good stuff, but their shifters work in a weird way compared to Shimano or Camag. But you'd get used to it

And those ratio's will be fine for your part of the world

They do a sportive carbon for under a grand!! Thats amazing, are carbon bikes for dry sunny days only (like a ducati) or could I use one for 3 seasons (except winter)?

[maviczap]

Well Fizz uses his Look with mudguards, so all year if you want.

For a grand a carbon bike is better than alu.

I've got an alu Ralieigh 7005 with mudguards for winter work, carbon seatpost & forks, its comfy. But not stiff or particularly harsh.

I have a Litespeed alu with full carbon forks and carbon seatstays, bit harsh over bumpy stuff, kicks in the tail for some reason, but on the smooth stuff its fast and handles well.

But when I jump on my Wilier Carbon its all day comfy, but also stiff, accelerates well, handles great. The best bike I've had so far

[maviczap]

Luckypants has got a Ribble Gran Fondo, its a great looking bike, I haven't ridden it, but he's very impressed with it.

I wouldn't hesitate in buying one.

A lot of the carbon frame are made in the same factory in Taiwan, just the moulds are different for each manufacturer. Even beautiful Colnago's are made in Taiwan these days, mostly to keep the cost down for production frames, but they do have the expertise to do this now.

Well this really has given me food for thought now. I was all set to get a giant defy but now it turns out I can get a carbon framed sportive for the same money. It looks like the bike will weigh under 19lbs too! Why is carbon more comfortable then is it because it naturally flexs more than aluminium.