jimstroma Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Anyone looking to buy a bike, should check if there work has a Cycle to work scheme. Lots of works have great schemes available Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armchair Bob Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Far easier than replacing car discs!dead easy. Cool. I had heard nightmares about the brake piston jamming shut when you took it apart to replace pads / discs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armchair Bob Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Am 16-1/2 stone so would make little difference You might want te extra braking power then I'm 14 stone and when you add change of work clothes, lunch, tools, any other kit, my bike is easily carrying 16 stones. There is one road in particular that slightly better brakes would be an advantage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bzzzz Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Cool. I had heard nightmares about the brake piston jamming shut when you took it apart to replace pads / discs... Hmm, maybe if you are daft enough to pull the brake lever when you've taken the pads out!? they're not difficult to separate if you do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacWalka Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Hmm, maybe if you are daft enough to pull the brake lever when you've taken the pads out!? they're not difficult to separate if you do. yep just use a credit card to Jimmy them open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bzzzz Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 What about a B'Twin from Decathlon? Better alloy and Shimano 105 groupset, compared to Tiagra on the Calibre. Cheaper also. http://www.decathlon.co.uk/alur-700-road-bike-id_8290145.html Looks interesting, one concern I have about road bikes is the possibility of buckling the wheels, the roads in Embra are awful, what's fowks experiences? they a little sturdier these days? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajin Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Highly unlikely to buckle a wheel unless you are going up and down mountains. Potholes might result in a pinch flat, though, if you don't inflate your tyres properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynnyboy Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Highly unlikely to buckle a wheel unless you are going up and down mountains. Potholes might result in a pinch flat, though, if you don't inflate your tyres properly. Depends what you are looking for but a cyclecross gives a nice balanced between being able to take the knocks such as described. Not much time lost as they are built as a road bike but with endurance and impact capability. I've got a forme cx sport 2014 and its a beaut. Plus stick a pair of slicks on it and it's a road bike even without it competes with most road bikes being only 1-2 kg heavier than some of the best on the market. But they are also year round bikes. Some amazing deals just now on all bikes as has been said previously as the new 2015 stick comes in. I'd also recommend the cycle to work scheme as it saves you hundreds of pounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auchinyell Sox Change Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 I wouldn't go on a bike as I'm never in enough of a hurry to weave in and out of traffic,jump red lights,be a road user then a pedestrian and every other bad habit that goes on to risk my life then moan about it when something goes wrong. you might get some exercise when nipping out to pick up the daily mail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandydunn Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 you might get some exercise when nipping out to pick up the daily mail I send the kids out for my papers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FurryBoots Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 The Focus is just an example of the deals on 2014 bikes that are available at this time of year. It really is a great time to buy, as 2015 bikes are out, Christmas is over and the weather's rubbish, so there are plenty deals to be had. If you haven't set your heart on either of the two, shop around and see if you can pick up a full carbon bike for around the same price as the two you picked out. Try before you buy, though, and buy from a local shop also, if possible. If you've got your heart set on one of the two above, though, it really is down to brakes. Disk brakes on road bikes are a relatively new thing but are becoming more popular. They're better than rim brakes, but I can't think of a situation where rim brakes have let me down. If brakes aren't a factor for you, just pick the bike that looks the nicest. Think I've settled on the Cannondale...........cheers for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FurryBoots Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 Anyone looking to buy a bike, should check if there work has a Cycle to work scheme. Lots of works have great schemes available Yep that's what I'm doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainwull Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 (edited) Looks interesting, one concern I have about road bikes is the possibility of buckling the wheels, the roads in Embra are awful, what's fowks experiences? they a little sturdier these days?Watch out for the tram lines. Fallen off on more than one occasion after the front wheel got caught in the line. I see some folk advising buying a carbon bike. I've a Carbon Trek Domane, its terrific but in my opinion only suitable for Summer use. My Aluminium framed Ridley Fenix was less than half the price and every bit as good with the bonus of being suitable to use all year round. Edited January 14, 2015 by captainwull Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auchinyell Sox Change Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Watch out for the tram lines. Fallen off on more than one occasion after the front wheel got caught in the line. I see some folk advising buying a carbon bike. I've a Carbon Trek Domane, its terrific but in my opinion only suitable for Summer use. My Aluminium framed Ridley Fenix was less than half the price and every bit as good with the bonus of being suitable to use all year round. huge difference though with carbon frame is power in = power out ; agree on summer use have got a hybrid bike for work commute - in Calgary this is only 6mths of year - some folk go with fat tyre bikes in winter and layer up / ski glasses etc - i went a few times last winter on my mtb with studded front tyre ; -10 being my cut off, still not that pleasant the hybrid is an older version of this ; and i think it's great - crank bros egg beater pedals http://www.mec.ca/product/5035-890/mec-desire-bicycle-unisex/ road bike from 2 years back is one below - it looks like this has now been discontinued ; decent spec and my first road bike since raleigh arena...... spent a few minutes looking for the gear lever on the down tube quite lucky having this store close to office ; kind of millets/halberds/tiso etc all rolled into one last bike in Scotland was a Saracen mtb no suspension, but great for day to day stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bzzzz Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 (edited) Woo hoo!started new job at start of month & company does the cycle to work thingy!now I know what I'm doing with my weekend! Edited January 16, 2015 by Bzzzz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldo Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 (edited) I got a felt f95 off merlin cycles via UK hot deals for 365. Same spec of specialized is 700. Decent bike, tho only been out on it a few times so far. Also got a specialized crosstrail which is a nice hybrid edging toward mountain bike. Recommend for general use. Edited January 16, 2015 by Coldo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bzzzz Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Not made my mind up yet but leaning towards this fella... http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/specialized-diverge-sport-a1-15?bct=browse%2fbicycles%2froad-bikes Not found a reasonably priced carbon framed road bike with disc brakes yet so think this is the best of the price range... sounds as though it has been designed to be pretty sturdy which suits me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thplinth Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Not made my mind up yet but leaning towards this fella... http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/specialized-diverge-sport-a1-15?bct=browse%2fbicycles%2froad-bikes Not found a reasonably priced carbon framed road bike with disc brakes yet so think this is the best of the price range... sounds as though it has been designed to be pretty sturdy which suits me. I find specialized a little pricey for the spec you get but they usually produce a very pretty bicycle frame to look at, nice lines... If I was going to buy one of these CX bikes I'd maybe have a look at this one, more expensive but better equipped and only 9.5kg (That is the other thing about Specialized I don't like, they never tell you how much it weighs, or at least I can never find it in their technical spec data.) 5 Stars from What Cycle (whoever they are). http://www.boardmanbikes.com/cx/cxr90.html And if you want a super light road award winning bike no need to go carbon - 7.9kg http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/sls90.html Bit more spendy and with your track record I'd get it well insured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParisInAKilt Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Thinking of buying a road bike for when I'm home for 3 months in April. How cheap can I go for a decent bike that won't in danger my handsome face? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bzzzz Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 I find specialized a little pricey for the spec you get but they usually produce a very pretty bicycle frame to look at, nice lines... If I was going to buy one of these CX bikes I'd maybe have a look at this one, more expensive but better equipped and only 9.5kg (That is the other thing about Specialized I don't like, they never tell you how much it weighs, or at least I can never find it in their technical spec data.) 5 Stars from What Cycle (whoever they are). http://www.boardmanbikes.com/cx/cxr90.html And if you want a super light road award winning bike no need to go carbon - 7.9kg http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/sls90.html Bit more spendy and with your track record I'd get it well insured. Lol, aye, insurance is a must! The boardmans, decent spec but don't like the look of them. Am a bit partial to a Specialized mtbs (as are the jakey scumbags that seem to follow me around with bolt cutters) hence my liking for the brand, also as you say, really nice lookin bikes. Getting it on the Cycle to work scheme so tax free. Think when you take that into consideration the Diverge Sport fella looks a decent buy. It's got decent reviews etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bzzzz Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Gone for this one.. http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/specialized-diverge-sport-a1-15?bct=browse%2fbicycles%2froad-bikes Took one for a test ride the night,braw and pretty fast. Cannae wait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynnyboy Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Gone for this one.. http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/specialized-diverge-sport-a1-15?bct=browse%2fbicycles%2froad-bikes Took one for a test ride the night,braw and pretty fast. Cannae wait! Really interested in the road bikes that can handle canal tracks etc. Thats why I went for a cyclecross but thinking I should've waited for this generation of bike. Looks a belter and well priced. Have you riden a cyclocross and if so how does this compare?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bzzzz Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 Really interested in the road bikes that can handle canal tracks etc. Thats why I went for a cyclecross but thinking I should've waited for this generation of bike. Looks a belter and well priced. Have you riden a cyclocross and if so how does this compare?? I didnt,this was closest i got,was tempted away from a conventional road bike by this one as is pretty sturdy option halfway in between, was worried about ending up spending fortunes fixing buckled wheels etc as conventional road bikes are a wee bit more fragile than I think I could cope with, been used to using mtb's so thought I needed to learn how to ride a lighter road style bike before going the whole hog on a carbon framed etc etc fancy thing. There was a v interesting canondale but I'm too impatient to wait till end of April for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McTeeko Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I didnt,this was closest i got,was tempted away from a conventional road bike by this one as is pretty sturdy option halfway in between, was worried about ending up spending fortunes fixing buckled wheels etc as conventional road bikes are a wee bit more fragile than I think I could cope with, been used to using mtb's so thought I needed to learn how to ride a lighter road style bike before going the whole hog on a carbon framed etc etc fancy thing. There was a v interesting canondale but I'm too impatient to wait till end of April for it! Almost exactly the same scenario as myself! Ridden a MTB for almost 20 years, bought a road bike but was forever getting punctues as I was just too used to throwing the MTB about. Just two weeks ago I picked up a new Boardman cyclocross. Love it! Great on roads and handles cycle paths/tracks easily. I'm doing John O'Groats to Coldstream in June on it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynnyboy Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I didnt,this was closest i got,was tempted away from a conventional road bike by this one as is pretty sturdy option halfway in between, was worried about ending up spending fortunes fixing buckled wheels etc as conventional road bikes are a wee bit more fragile than I think I could cope with, been used to using mtb's so thought I needed to learn how to ride a lighter road style bike before going the whole hog on a carbon framed etc etc fancy thing. There was a v interesting canondale but I'm too impatient to wait till end of April for it! To be honest I think the spec between the cyclocross and the sturdy road bikes are almost exactly the same. I've loved my cyclecross and it commutes and goes off road brilliantly. The bike you have chosen seems to have all the spec but be more catered for road riding and the occasion off road stint. I'm jealous man! You've made a fine choice. I wish this bad boy was available in September when I got mine as it's definitely the way ahead! Happy and safe riding mate!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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