Road cycling

Herr-Berbunch · 09-18-11, 12:59 PM

Any of you subsim guys ride a road bike, which used to be called a racer 20-odd years ago. I'm in the market for a new one and am confused by the wild array of options, basically I'm now down to either a Specialized Allez Double 18 (2011 model), or a Giant Defy 5 (2012). Both seem to be the basic for those brands, but better equiped than anything else for the price (£550).

Any advice from those with knowledge, as opposed to Google, would be gratefully appreciated. More difficult finding this stuff out compared to PC parts - is there a bike equivalent of TomsHardware?

Thanks, in advance,

H-B

09-18-11, 01:36 PM

I live in town for the moment, one requirement is mudguards.
Thats as far as it goes for choosing a bike.

Herr-Berbunch · 09-18-11, 02:17 PM

Sorted already, Crud now do decent set for road bikes.

Jimbuna · 09-18-11, 02:22 PM

Don't get one with only 6 gears.....the last one I had got pinched whilst in my view whilst I was living in Holland and my mate gave chase but his 6 geared bike was no match for the 18 my bike had

Sailor Steve · 09-18-11, 11:05 PM

Mine only has seven and could be faster but I get by. Today I actually did the deed and rode 8-1/2 miles to band practice. Made it okay, and luckily got a ride home.

But this isn't helping poor HB make a decision.

Hottentot · 09-19-11, 12:17 AM

It's not the bike, it's the man.

Well, at least that's what I used to say years ago when I cycled all the time. Never raced, but could have if I wanted to.
Can't say what the hottest trend on the market is these days, but I'd recommend taking it easy. If you are not going to take part in races, then look for durability first. Take the bike that will get you from there to there, even if it means that it will go a little slower. Walking with a broken ride is still slowers than riding any bike.

I'd pay attention in the size of the frame, so that it's big enough for you. Then also how easy the bike to maintain, because you are going to do that often. Trust me, the 1,000 screws and bolts wonder might be the dream of a fine tuner who never actually rides, but a nightmare for anybody else.

If you have a chance, test each candidate. Take the one that feels good to you. Since you are going to spend a lot time together, you'd better like each other.

nikimcbee · 09-19-11, 04:42 PM

Mountain bike here.

Sailor Steve · 09-19-11, 08:36 PM

@ Dan D: How hard is it to get going from a standing start, or to climb hills? I'm not sure I could even get something like that to move. Mine is geared a little low overall, but even then I can't currently keep up the pace for long in high gear. Maybe after a few months riding I'll get better.

Dan D · 09-20-11, 05:09 AM

I'd say, it feels like 5th gear+ in the beginning, Steve. No hills here that I would call painful for the legs.

@undergeared
"A little too low", I know that feeling. My other bike which I use for a weeklong bicycle trips has 7 gears and it feels just right in 6-7th gear with luggage at average 21 km/h, but without luggage, some gears seem to be missing. At 25+ km/h you start feeling like a hamster because of the high pedal frequency. That is where my idea for a second bike for 25+ km/h speed originated. Other option would have been to buy a new bike with more gears.

@fitness
Steve, sure you could. If you are feeling unfit right now, and I am certain, that you are just being polite again by putting your light under a bushel, keep in mind, that like it is with all sports, with a bit of regular sport you feel an improved fitness almost immediately after only a short period of time. You could do some long rides, 4-5 hours, at least long enough so that you get that calm and relaxed feeling.

Skybird · 09-20-11, 06:51 AM

No bike for me anymore without a good trailer and ergonomic (quick to handle) tow-coupling (like Weber). Got myself a flatbed, with a separate, big, weather-proof, solid-walled chest. Doubled the everyday-usability-value of my bike. 2x2 beer crates of up to 80 kg (no fun to cycle, though...

), bars of 1,70 m in length, and even smaller furniture like chairs and a small table have been successfully fixed on it , and transported.

Herr-Berbunch · 09-20-11, 07:25 AM

Thanks for the suggestion, Dan D, but I'd like a new bike - and I'm edging toward the Giant. It'd be through a cycle to work scheme, and for goods costing just under £600 I'd pay a net price of ~£368 (if my calculations so far are correct, and as long as HM Revenue & Customs don't change their part of the bargain like they did recently!). There is also the fuel and vehicle wear and tear to take into account, but that may be counter-acted by bike-related costs.

My old bike, an 8-year-old hybrid I'd keep for ferrying my little girl around on.

Now, if Sky could cycle alongside with his bar, that'd be a great commute!

Herr-Berbunch · 06-12-12, 10:15 AM

The roads here are far from perfect. The best (pothole-free) roads I've ever travelled on have to be Italy's, the worst Kosovo -one pothole towards Pristina had a fridge in it!

Betonov · 06-12-12, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

the worst Kosovo -one pothole towards Pristina had a fridge in it!

Got to love the Balkans

Herr-Berbunch · 06-12-12, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betonov

Got to love the Balkans

I did. If it wasn't for the shooting, the mines (actually our own cluster-munitions

although I'm sure there were some others), and the standoffishness with the Russians over the airfield (damn you Americans delaying our race!), it would've been even better.

I'm glad I wasn't there in summer though, give me the winter there anytime.

Egan · 06-12-12, 01:06 PM

My dad would love this thread. A few weeks ago he and his friend (both 62) cycled from Land's End (the most southerly point of England) to John o Groats (the most northerly part of Scotland,) - a distance of just about 1000 miles. He's mental for cycling. He's like a kid when the Tour is on TV..

They're thinking about either doing the length of Ireland next year, or the French Atlantic coast to the Med.

Don't know what sort of bike he used - he has several now - but as he himself admits, it's all kit, and which of us isn't mad for kit, whatever our hobby is? It's a guy thing.

09-18-11, 12:59 PM	#1
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	Road cycling Any of you subsim guys ride a road bike, which used to be called a racer 20-odd years ago. I'm in the market for a new one and am confused by the wild array of options, basically I'm now down to either a Specialized Allez Double 18 (2011 model), or a Giant Defy 5 (2012). Both seem to be the basic for those brands, but better equiped than anything else for the price (£550). Any advice from those with knowledge, as opposed to Google, would be gratefully appreciated. More difficult finding this stuff out compared to PC parts - is there a bike equivalent of TomsHardware? Thanks, in advance, H-B __________________

09-18-11, 02:17 PM	#3
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	Sorted already, Crud now do decent set for road bikes. __________________

09-18-11, 02:22 PM	#4
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,630 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Don't get one with only 6 gears.....the last one I had got pinched whilst in my view whilst I was living in Holland and my mate gave chase but his 6 geared bike was no match for the 18 my bike had __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

09-18-11, 11:05 PM	#5
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Mine only has seven and could be faster but I get by. Today I actually did the deed and rode 8-1/2 miles to band practice. Made it okay, and luckily got a ride home. But this isn't helping poor HB make a decision. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

09-19-11, 12:17 AM	#6
Hottentot Sea Lord Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: My private socialist utopia of Finland Posts: 1,918 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	It's not the bike, it's the man. Well, at least that's what I used to say years ago when I cycled all the time. Never raced, but could have if I wanted to. Can't say what the hottest trend on the market is these days, but I'd recommend taking it easy. If you are not going to take part in races, then look for durability first. Take the bike that will get you from there to there, even if it means that it will go a little slower. Walking with a broken ride is still slowers than riding any bike. I'd pay attention in the size of the frame, so that it's big enough for you. Then also how easy the bike to maintain, because you are going to do that often. Trust me, the 1,000 screws and bolts wonder might be the dream of a fine tuner who never actually rides, but a nightmare for anybody else. If you have a chance, test each candidate. Take the one that feels good to you. Since you are going to spend a lot time together, you'd better like each other. __________________ Хотели как лучше, а получилось как всегда.

09-18-11, 01:36 PM	#2
Tribesman Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	I live in town for the moment, one requirement is mudguards. Thats as far as it goes for choosing a bike.

09-19-11, 04:42 PM	#7
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Mountain bike here. __________________

09-19-11, 08:36 PM	#8
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	@ Dan D: How hard is it to get going from a standing start, or to climb hills? I'm not sure I could even get something like that to move. Mine is geared a little low overall, but even then I can't currently keep up the pace for long in high gear. Maybe after a few months riding I'll get better. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

09-20-11, 05:09 AM	#9
Dan D Grey Wolf Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: 9th Flotilla Posts: 839 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'd say, it feels like 5th gear+ in the beginning, Steve. No hills here that I would call painful for the legs. @undergeared "A little too low", I know that feeling. My other bike which I use for a weeklong bicycle trips has 7 gears and it feels just right in 6-7th gear with luggage at average 21 km/h, but without luggage, some gears seem to be missing. At 25+ km/h you start feeling like a hamster because of the high pedal frequency. That is where my idea for a second bike for 25+ km/h speed originated. Other option would have been to buy a new bike with more gears. @fitness Steve, sure you could. If you are feeling unfit right now, and I am certain, that you are just being polite again by putting your light under a bushel, keep in mind, that like it is with all sports, with a bit of regular sport you feel an improved fitness almost immediately after only a short period of time. You could do some long rides, 4-5 hours, at least long enough so that you get that calm and relaxed feeling. __________________

09-20-11, 06:51 AM	#10
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,655 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	No bike for me anymore without a good trailer and ergonomic (quick to handle) tow-coupling (like Weber). Got myself a flatbed, with a separate, big, weather-proof, solid-walled chest. Doubled the everyday-usability-value of my bike. 2x2 beer crates of up to 80 kg (no fun to cycle, though...), bars of 1,70 m in length, and even smaller furniture like chairs and a small table have been successfully fixed on it , and transported. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

09-20-11, 07:25 AM	#11
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the suggestion, Dan D, but I'd like a new bike - and I'm edging toward the Giant. It'd be through a cycle to work scheme, and for goods costing just under £600 I'd pay a net price of ~£368 (if my calculations so far are correct, and as long as HM Revenue & Customs don't change their part of the bargain like they did recently!). There is also the fuel and vehicle wear and tear to take into account, but that may be counter-acted by bike-related costs. My old bike, an 8-year-old hybrid I'd keep for ferrying my little girl around on. Now, if Sky could cycle alongside with his bar, that'd be a great commute! __________________

06-12-12, 10:15 AM	#12
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	The roads here are far from perfect. The best (pothole-free) roads I've ever travelled on have to be Italy's, the worst Kosovo -one pothole towards Pristina had a fridge in it! __________________

06-12-12, 01:06 PM	#15
Egan Admiral Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 2,020 Downloads: 15 Uploads: 0	My dad would love this thread. A few weeks ago he and his friend (both 62) cycled from Land's End (the most southerly point of England) to John o Groats (the most northerly part of Scotland,) - a distance of just about 1000 miles. He's mental for cycling. He's like a kid when the Tour is on TV.. They're thinking about either doing the length of Ireland next year, or the French Atlantic coast to the Med. Don't know what sort of bike he used - he has several now - but as he himself admits, it's all kit, and which of us isn't mad for kit, whatever our hobby is? It's a guy thing.