Considering a Road Bike?

[Elybazza61]

Being in Spain you want a nice Orbea Orca

 

[mick1836]

Had a bit of a set back / re-think this morning, road 8½ miles to a nearby cycle store in Almoradi called Bicicosta ( rubbish web site ) http://www.bicicosta.com/ where they confirmed that they hire out cycles even carbon framed ones not to expensive €10 per day gets cheaper the longer you hire, so far so good, I then decide to ride a short distance to the next town called Algorfa for a coffee, during this short journey I was happily peddling along at a steady 17mph when suddenly a chap on a recumbent bike overtook me and effortlessly pulled away, I watched as he approached a cross roads controlled by traffic lights curious on what he'd do when stopped and how he's again start off but the lights remained at green and he disappeared up quite a steep hill still looking quite effortlessly I'm sure it must have been electrically assisted?

So now do I add a recumbent bike to by list?

 

[jim55]

No, unless you've got a beard and wear sandles , get a good Orbea and b cool

 

[Johnno260]

I have a hybrid and I will say if you want to do long distances they become uncomfortable at around the 15-20 mile mark.

I normally take a break around that point as my wrist/hands have bad pins and needles due to the limited hand positions, I can from a fitness point of view carry on but my hands a taking a pounding.

I am looking to get a 2nd bike with drop bars to help me, just need a good wife convincer! lol

My advise would be to try a bike with drops if you really want to hit the roads.

 

[vickster]

Have you tried ergo grips and bar ends? Plus decent gloves and ensuring the set up is right so you aren't putting too much weight on your hands?

 

[Johnno260]

Have you tried ergo grips and bar ends? Plus decent gloves and ensuring the set up is right so you aren't putting too much weight on your hands?

Ergo grips I am 100% getting, bar ends I am still debating what ones, I had started a bar ends question in the mechanical forums, I think I am leaning towards longer bar ends (125mm+) for as many hand positions are possible, Ergon GP5 type grip is my favoured choice.

Also I think I need to rotate my levers round a little, I think they're at the wrong angle as I need to pull my wrist back to use them so I don't keep my arm/wrist inline.

My frame is quite light for a hybrid, more suited to road than off-road I would never consider taking it off road to be honest, I like the bike and I need to make it more comfortable until my road bike kitty is full.

 

[NickTB]

Have you tried ergo grips and bar ends? Plus decent gloves and ensuring the set up is right so you aren't putting too much weight on your hands?

Definitely go for the grips and bar ends. I just did London to Brighton (The furthest I've ridden) on a Marin hybrid and had no wrist pain whatsoever. I also invested in some decent padded gloves. As far as the bike is concerned mine is lighter than my previous Caadx having carbon forks and seat stays. I love the thing to bits add that to having a back injury I wouldn't consider a road bike now

 

[GuyBoden]

Brian Rouke's bike shop is in Stafford, one of the best framee buildering in the countrry.

Had a bit of a set back / re-think this morning, road 8½ miles to a nearby cycle store in Almoradi called Bicicosta ( rubbish web site ) http://www.bicicosta.com/ where they confirmed that they hire out cycles even carbon framed ones not to expensive €10 per day gets cheaper the longer you hire, so far so good, I then decide to ride a short distance to the next town called Algorfa for a coffee, during this short journey I was happily peddling along at a steady 17mph when suddenly a chap on a recumbent bike overtook me and effortlessly pulled away, I watched as he approached a cross roads controlled by traffic lights curious on what he'd do when stopped and how he's again start off but the lights remained at green and he disappeared up quite a steep hill still looking quite effortlessly I'm sure it must have been electrically assisted?

So now do I add a recumbent bike to by list?

If you're in Staffordshire, why not try Brian Rourke's bike shop in Stoke, a famous frame and bike builder.

http://www.brianrourke.co.uk/rourke-framesets/i70

 

[User16625]

It had been some 47 years before in April 2014 having lost 8½ stone

that I took up cycling on a Raleigh Hybrid

to further loose weight as well as enjoy the great out doors.

In July 2015 after a bit of pressure to upgrade from my sons I purchased a Cube AMS 130 Pro which I currently own,regularly ride and enjoy, in fact from that date to 1st Sept 2016 I've done 2,868 miles.

Part of the equipment I carry is a Cateye computer and iphone with Map My Ride App.

I'm now considering of either replacing or adding a carbon road bike to the Cube stable?

I'm hoping to find a dealer who can rent me a road bike to compair but as I ride my Cube I constantly think

, "What difference will I notice?" Will it be that obvious?

I can obviously carry my iphone and app but will I need a speedometer to help in the assessment?

Thanks for any advice offered.

I find there is a massive difference between riding my MTB and riding my road bike on the road. You will certainly feel at least some difference. You will be a bit quicker, altho the bumps you will feel more due to lack of suspension and thinner tyres.


BTW, where did you get those smilies from? They are not on the list of in the reply options.

 

[mick1836]

BTW, where did you get those smilies from? They are not on the list of in the reply options.

Hi Stig, do a Google search typing in for example Fat Smiley, click on images, click on an image you like,then right click on the image and copy 'Copy Image Location' then come back to your posting and at the top select Image and paste what you have copied, hope that helps?

 

[mick1836]

Have just ordered a 2017 Cube Agree C:62 SL but what should I carry out on a ride and how?

On my Cube MTB I have a small bag on the top tube in which I carry my iphone and a bit of cash. On the seat post I have one of these carriers

on which I have this bag

in which I carry a puncture out fit, cable lock, and two multi tools similar to this

My reasons for this size of bag out here in Spain as its getting towards winter the mornings, believe it or not can be quite cold but after a few hours warms up considerably so what do you do with your top layers of clothing?

What do others carry on their ride and how?

 

[nickyboy]

Have just ordered a 2017 Cube Agree C:62 SL but what should I carry out on a ride and how?

On my Cube MTB I have a small bag on the top tube in which I carry my iphone and a bit of cash. On the seat post I have one of these carriers

on which I have this bag

in which I carry a puncture out fit, cable lock, and two multi tools similar to this

My reasons for this size of bag out here in Spain as its getting towards winter the mornings, believe it or not can be quite cold but after a few hours warms up considerably so what do you do with your top layers of clothing?

What do others carry on their ride and how?

Seems a bit overkill. We all have different ideas of what constitutes "essentials" for a bike ride but mine are as follows:

Spare innertube
Tyre lever
Multitool
Tyre boot (actually a piece of old tyre)
Pump
Waterproof
Phone
Money
Keys

The innertube, tyre lever, multitool and tyre boot squeeze into one of those little "wedge" bags that sit under the back of the saddle. Pump attaches to the frame. Waterproof, phone, money, keys all go in the back pockets of my cycling jersey. Should be no problem starting off for you wearing a jacket and then stuff it in your jersey pocket when it warms up

 

[mick1836]

Seems a bit overkill. We all have different ideas of what constitutes "essentials" for a bike ride but mine are as follows:

Spare innertube
Tyre lever
Multitool
Tyre boot (actually a piece of old tyre)
Pump
Waterproof
Phone
Money
Keys

The innertube, tyre lever, multitool and tyre boot squeeze into one of those little "wedge" bags that sit under the back of the saddle. Pump attaches to the frame. Waterproof, phone, money, keys all go in the back pockets of my cycling jersey. Should be no problem starting off for you wearing a jacket and then stuff it in your jersey pocket when it warms up

Hi Nickyboy, thanks for your reply, your list of what to carry is very similar to mine, obviously with the 'new' Cube being carbon clamping any carrier to the carbon seat post is a defiantly No No so I've ordered on of these saddle bags

 

[steveindenmark]

Mick, I have tied all sorts of carrying devices on lots of bikes but by far the best for my 18km commute is the Apidura rear bag. Its on my carbon Koga roadbike and is always on it. It takes seconds to remove and is totally water tight. A super bit of kit used by most of the Transcontinental riders.

Before you buy an all out road bike, it may be worth you looking at Adventure bikes. A more sat up position, bigger tyres, but still much racier than what you are used to.

 

[Racing roadkill]

I've got a mixture of aluminium alloy Carbon forked road bikes, and full Carbon. The full Carbon bike is an absolute joy to ride, after the alloy / Carbon numbers. I have to make sure I swap around the bikes, or I find I get complacent about the full Carbon bike's difference.