Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
- unc.si.
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
Not that in touch these days tbh, but looking at Specialised Allez, Giant Defy 3's or Cannondale CAAD8's would give you a feel for what's out there. Canyon are good VFM, as are Cube, although they might start a bit higher up the chain.
Shimano have a new groupset out as well below Sora, but not sure what it's called or how good it is. Presumably a step up from 2300, which in itself isn't a bad groupset. If you look up the above bikes it should give you an idea of what you get. Generally a lower spec groupset on a good frame (ie one of the above frames) is better than a higher groupset on a lower end frame - most of the above bikes will have different variants with different groupsets. If they sell a bike with higher end components, then the same frame with lower end kit will still be a good bike, if that makes sense.
Shimano have a new groupset out as well below Sora, but not sure what it's called or how good it is. Presumably a step up from 2300, which in itself isn't a bad groupset. If you look up the above bikes it should give you an idea of what you get. Generally a lower spec groupset on a good frame (ie one of the above frames) is better than a higher groupset on a lower end frame - most of the above bikes will have different variants with different groupsets. If they sell a bike with higher end components, then the same frame with lower end kit will still be a good bike, if that makes sense.
- Knulpuk
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
I found this one somewhere in between. It has Sora gears and you mentioned Cube.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube ... prod116088" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Any opinions welcome
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube ... prod116088" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Any opinions welcome
- unc.si.
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
Looks like a pretty decent bike for the cash tbh.
One of my mates rides cube road and MTB's - he reckons you have to go up a size from your normal size so if you're caught between 2 sizes probably go for the slightly larger one, assuming all Cube's come up small.
One of my mates rides cube road and MTB's - he reckons you have to go up a size from your normal size so if you're caught between 2 sizes probably go for the slightly larger one, assuming all Cube's come up small.
- Knulpuk
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
Aha that's helpful as I am right in the middle at 5 10 ish.
- Neath boy
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
One of my bikes is a Cube and it has served me well.
They are well built and you have decent enough spec for that money.
Regarding size I am also 5ft 10 and my Cube is a 56 so spot on.
They are well built and you have decent enough spec for that money.
Regarding size I am also 5ft 10 and my Cube is a 56 so spot on.
- Knulpuk
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
Looks like might be a winner, do these come with clackers for the spokes and a horn?
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
If you ask Richt nicely he will send you his old stabilisersKnulpuk wrote:Looks like might be a winner, do these come with clackers for the spokes and a horn?
- Knulpuk
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
2 more questions if I may - the 2013 in 56cm is largely out f stock.
Could someone please explain the difference between a compact and a triple.
and finally is this:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube ... prod111954" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
a worthwhile "upgrade" - I have adopted a £600 budget this fits just and is in stick at 56cm
many thanks
Could someone please explain the difference between a compact and a triple.
and finally is this:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube ... prod111954" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
a worthwhile "upgrade" - I have adopted a £600 budget this fits just and is in stick at 56cm
many thanks
- Moist von Lipwig
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
scroll down to road chainsetsKnulpuk wrote: Could someone please explain the difference between a compact and a triple.
http://guides.wiggle.co.uk/chainsets-buying-guide/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Knulpuk
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
Sorry I should have been a bit more specific for someone starting out are there any to avoid / chose or is it all much of a muchness unless you are heading up Alp D'uez.
- Neath boy
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
Don't bother with a triple-you won't need it. The range on a compact isn't far off and compact would be lighter and easier to maintain.
As top whether the upgrade is worth it I would say yes as it is Tiagra groupset, better tyres etc. PM me if you have any specific queries as I have a Cube myself.
As top whether the upgrade is worth it I would say yes as it is Tiagra groupset, better tyres etc. PM me if you have any specific queries as I have a Cube myself.
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
http://road.cc/content/news/102778-vide ... nt-ventoux" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;Knulpuk wrote:Sorry I should have been a bit more specific for someone starting out are there any to avoid / chose or is it all much of a muchness unless you are heading up Alp D'uez.
- Knulpuk
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
Neathboy PM sent - what's the consensus on pedals it looks like the bike does not have any! - its like buying a tv without a plug on it.
What a racket.
What a racket.
- blahblah
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
I was going to post in reply to your £600 budget, but thought better of it.....
You will need as a minimum (these are very vague prices, but will give you an idea):
Helmet £40
Pedals £25
Shoes £50+ (Shimano come up small so go a size bigger.)
Shorts £30
Top £20
Gloves £5-10
(The above are available a lot cheaper in Sports Direct, but a helmet is important....)
Track Pump (it stands on the ground and gets tires to higher pressures which avoid punctures and make it a lot easier to pedal) £20
Tool kit for rides and bag £x - I got one from Aldi for £6
Water bottle holder £5
Water bottle £5
Small pump £15
That is just for one ride on a warm day (where you can not walk back with a flat tyre etc), so you may need another top and shorts.
For colder\wetter days
Arm Warmers £20 (These are one of the best inventions known to man.)
Leg warmers £20 or long shorts\tights £35
Rain Jacket thing £25
Warm Jersey thing £35
Lights: £20
- murf
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
Depends how seriously you want to take it!
I've never used cleated cycling shoes in my life. Always just used standard pedals, toe straps and trainers.
Are helmets really £40?? Been a while since I bought one but having seen some nasty mountain bike crashes and knowing how crap car drivers are I'd always recommend one (remember finding a crack in my mate's helmet after we stuck him in the back of an ambulance with just an arm injury...).
Padded shorts, yes, other clothing no??
I've never used cleated cycling shoes in my life. Always just used standard pedals, toe straps and trainers.
Are helmets really £40?? Been a while since I bought one but having seen some nasty mountain bike crashes and knowing how crap car drivers are I'd always recommend one (remember finding a crack in my mate's helmet after we stuck him in the back of an ambulance with just an arm injury...).
Padded shorts, yes, other clothing no??
- blahblah
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
They are vague prices.. but I doubt a sensible helmet is much under £30, not that I have looked at any of the figures they are just vague memories etc....
It is probably better to have those figures in mind, than think that £600 on a bike will be the end of the costs?
It is probably better to have those figures in mind, than think that £600 on a bike will be the end of the costs?
- Knulpuk
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
Aha but I have a lot of those things from my MTB days
Helmet, lights, pump, bottle thing, padded shorts, little tool thing.
Lidl look really good for clothing and things but for now T shirt it is.
I will start of with Flat pedals and see how I go.
Gloves are for girls.
Helmet, lights, pump, bottle thing, padded shorts, little tool thing.
Lidl look really good for clothing and things but for now T shirt it is.
I will start of with Flat pedals and see how I go.
Gloves are for girls.
- Moist von Lipwig
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
saw this advertised today if you've not bought.
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/159678/pr ... iatewindow" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/159678/pr ... iatewindow" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Knulpuk
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
Thanks all - I have taken the plunge with - thanks Neathboy too. I popped into my local bike shop and confirmed that 56cm was indeed spot on so bought one of these babies.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube ... lsrc=aw.ds" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Got a good deal too at £599, I believe.
So next week am on holiday so going to give it a go. Bought flats for now.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube ... lsrc=aw.ds" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Got a good deal too at £599, I believe.
So next week am on holiday so going to give it a go. Bought flats for now.
- Neath boy
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
Enjoy riding it mate.
- unc.si.
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
Nice bike
Have fun and stay rubber side down.
Have fun and stay rubber side down.
- jpk
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
Replace the handlebars with cowhorns and paint it black and it would be skill
- blahblah
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
But how do I get tan-lines on my handsKnulpuk wrote: Gloves are for girls.
- unc.si.
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
@Knulpuk - Full finger gloves are OK if temperature is below zero.blahblah wrote:But how do I get tan-lines on my handsKnulpuk wrote: Gloves are for girls.
Track mitts are cool though. I feel odd riding without them, even when it's 28 degrees. Just feels like I've forgotten something.
@blah - I never really get tan lines on my hands. I've got some awesome ones on my arms at the moment though after a couple of nice weekends cycling in Belgium and Wales
- Knulpuk
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
So, an update. Bike arrived all safe and sound I assembled it and promptly took it to my local bike store to make sure I had not messed up too bad, and soon learned I had. 30 mins later the handle bars were where they should be (I thought it felt a it odd.) The pedal which I nearly double threaded was fixed up and I was good to go. He did complement me on fitting the cup holder thing well but I think he was taking the mickey a bit.
Gears have moved on a bit and I have grasped the mechanics but not a feel for where I am in the range. No handy number to tell me. The handle bar tape is white - that's just silly.
I would put myself in the Boris Becker athletic scale - once a coiled spring of an athelete but now a little out of practice. Yesterday I set a 20km route and set off. Found i pretty hard going to start - 10km I was drafting the ebay advert to off-load the madness I had acquired - it after a while it seemed a constant slog. But there was fantastic views over the Meon Valley which should ave alerted me to the obvious, and then proceeded to pretty much freewheel the 10km home.
The constant slog then was a prolonged uphill start - better to start with that than have it on the way home. So tomorrow going to do the route again and have found a few extensions should I feel up for it. Roads seem to be in pretty shocking condition - pot holes par for the course. Bit of camaraderie with other cyclists - I felt a bit of a fraud. I did overtake a par of mountain bikers.
Incidently I am reading Tim Moore's "geronimo" the tale of the 1914 Giro. Ridden on shale paths and bone shaking bikes. These are stage lengths:
Stage Date Course Distance
1 24 May Milan to Cuneo 420 km (261 mi)
2 26 May Cuneo to Lucca 340.5 km (212 mi)
3 28 May Lucca to Rome 430 km (267 mi)
4 30 May Rome to Avellino 365.4 km (227 mi)
5 1 June Avellino to Bari 328.7 km (204 mi)
6 3 June Bari to L'Aquila 428 km (266 mi)
7 5 June L'Aquila to Lugo 429.1 km (267 mi)
8 7 June Lugo to Milan 420.3 km (261 mi)
Total 3,162 km (1,965 mi)
Some stages took 24 hours to complete. That made me buckle down a bit.
Gears have moved on a bit and I have grasped the mechanics but not a feel for where I am in the range. No handy number to tell me. The handle bar tape is white - that's just silly.
I would put myself in the Boris Becker athletic scale - once a coiled spring of an athelete but now a little out of practice. Yesterday I set a 20km route and set off. Found i pretty hard going to start - 10km I was drafting the ebay advert to off-load the madness I had acquired - it after a while it seemed a constant slog. But there was fantastic views over the Meon Valley which should ave alerted me to the obvious, and then proceeded to pretty much freewheel the 10km home.
The constant slog then was a prolonged uphill start - better to start with that than have it on the way home. So tomorrow going to do the route again and have found a few extensions should I feel up for it. Roads seem to be in pretty shocking condition - pot holes par for the course. Bit of camaraderie with other cyclists - I felt a bit of a fraud. I did overtake a par of mountain bikers.
Incidently I am reading Tim Moore's "geronimo" the tale of the 1914 Giro. Ridden on shale paths and bone shaking bikes. These are stage lengths:
Stage Date Course Distance
1 24 May Milan to Cuneo 420 km (261 mi)
2 26 May Cuneo to Lucca 340.5 km (212 mi)
3 28 May Lucca to Rome 430 km (267 mi)
4 30 May Rome to Avellino 365.4 km (227 mi)
5 1 June Avellino to Bari 328.7 km (204 mi)
6 3 June Bari to L'Aquila 428 km (266 mi)
7 5 June L'Aquila to Lugo 429.1 km (267 mi)
8 7 June Lugo to Milan 420.3 km (261 mi)
Total 3,162 km (1,965 mi)
Some stages took 24 hours to complete. That made me buckle down a bit.
- blahblah
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
Get some proper pedals
- Moist von Lipwig
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
Knulpuk, now you're on the road you just have to memorise this. You may be stopped at any moment to be questioned on it.
- unc.si.
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
rule 5 is the only one that counts
- unc.si.
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
@knulpuk. I hate starting off with a hill. Takes me about half an hour to warm up properly. There's one near me that I hardly notice when I'm warmed up but when I start off up it straight from my house it has me puffing like an old bloke.
- Knulpuk
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Re: Looking for a Good Bike for a bit more than £150
It was still pretty hard again and my bottom hurts a bit. Tomorrow a slightly extended route, but, I am looking forward to it. Not as much as the beer that got pulled within 3 seconds of getting in - yes that's wrong but I had earned it - yes that's wrong too.
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