The Cycling Thread

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by EssexDave

Out of interest, anyone planning on the London to Southend this year? (Or any other rides for that matter)

I can't remember all the Sportives that are on my weekends off

But 2 are the Suffolk Sunrise & Suffolk Coastal events, there is one more I think.

Other than that I would like to climb the Ventoux this year or go back to the Alps or Pyrenee's to do some of the climbs I haven't done yet. But its no further than thinking about it, as I'm already busy in May, June & July with other stuff

Originally Posted by maviczap

What ever you do, the heart of a good bike is the frame and wheels, everything else can be upgraded if need be.

So the Van Nich would be a good choice, Ti doesn't corrode, is comfy and should last a lifetime

To be honest I always come back to the Van Nick, every single time. I think its the one. Plus I can get it on 0% over 3 years, so I may as well. Only problem now is frame size. I'm 6'2" so i'm torn between the 58 and the 60. I think a 60 will be better as the seat will be a little lower and the bike should feel even more comfy. Decisions, decisions.

[fizzwheel]

The only way you'll know is to try both frames and see how they feel or if the shop do it, get bike fit.

As I understand it and certainly in my experience, its better to go small i.e. the 58 in your case and you can tweak it up, whereas theres not alot you can do if the frame is to big.

You wont be disappointed with the VN, but I have a mate who has a VN Euro's and one of the Ribble Carbon Frames. He rates them both, but I get the impression and he has said as much that he was left feeling underwhelmed by the VN, but it was never something he could put his finger on.

IMO with the Ribble you get alot of bang for your buck, dont rule it out.

[maviczap]

Yes, but don't forget that the top tube will be that bit longer on the 60, which might mean that you could be too stretched out, which could give you neck pain and discomfort on a long ride.

But if you're spending that much money, then your LBS should give you proper advice about the correct size for you.

But I agree you don't want a too smaller frame and be supporting all your weight on your arms because your seatpost is extended way above the handlebars.

[maviczap]

Oh yes, can someone tell me where my special Shimano crank cap tool is?

The one tool I can never find when I want to

Think i'll get edinburgh cycles to get both sizes in and ride them both, it is a lot of cash and i have an 80mm stem on my large specialized allez which is a 58 I think, so a long reach could be problematic.

[pookie]

i used my needle nose pliers opened out to undo the crank cap

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Jackie_Black

Think i'll get edinburgh cycles to get both sizes in and ride them both, it is a lot of cash and i have an 80mm stem on my large specialized allez which is a 58 I think, so a long reach could be problematic.

Yes, an 80mm stem is quite a short stem, but at least Edinburgh cycles should be experienced enough to get it right?

Although a proper bike fit might pay dividends before buying. They'll stick you on a bike jig and work out your sizing.

There's a few dealers that do this, noteably Specialized dealers, although I'm not sure if you have to take your own bike?

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by pookie

i used my needle nose pliers opened out to undo the crank cap

Yep, could have done that, but difficult to do up properly with pliers.

Originally Posted by maviczap

Yes, an 80mm stem is quite a short stem, but at least Edinburgh cycles should be experienced enough to get it right?

Although a proper bike fit might pay dividends before buying. They'll stick you on a bike jig and work out your sizing.

There's a few dealers that do this, noteably Specialized dealers, although I'm not sure if you have to take your own bike?

In my experience edinburgh cycles don't offer much of a bike fitting service. They will happily sell you pretty much anything. I have a friend who owns a bike shop and I use them as my LBS and they can do fittings but they only sell Giants and modas which are a funny size. I could get a decent deal on a carbon Giant but I know nothing about them and wanted a something a little more bespoke than a specialised or a giant.