PedallingNowhereSlowly
Senior Member
Thinking out loud here. Comments welcome.
On the fleet I have:
The Ridgeback, I've had a long time. I think the frame is a bit small for me. Can't say it's been comfortable. I seem to break it as often as I ride it. Until it last broke, I was using it for trailer towing and for any trip that meant leaving a bike locked up for any length of time.
The Wilier, I bought when I got back into regular cycling, late last summer. I rode it, fixed what was wrong with it (wheels/chain/cassette), and then switched to the Ridgeback when winter came.
I really enjoy the CGR. I'm fast on it. It's comfortable. I could ride it all day, day after day. I bought it with the intention of using it year-round and also using it for the majority of my riding. But then I discovered chain waxing and the thing has really only been used for long weekend rides. It has been kept clean and babied. And I don't mind that.
The Trek District I use regularly for my 'faux commute'. I use it just to get exercise. I can just jump on it and go, more or less. It's nice relaxed riding. It's on the heavy side. It's a bit slow. But it's comfortable for shorter rides and I couldn't look further from the stereotypical MAMIL riding it, which I think attracts less unwanted attention in this backwater.
The Hardrock I use on canal paths and trails. And sometimes for the 'faux commute'. It's not getting much use at the moment, but I suspect I'll be back on the trails with it soon.
The Langster was a cheap impulse buy. Might be my default choice for trips where I have to leave a bike locked up for a stint, at least on dry days - if it proves to be comfortable enough. No provision for rack or mudguards limit its practicality. Needs a bit more work before I can ride it/try it out. I used to really enjoy riding fixed (Pearson Hanzo and Spesh Tricross Single) and got on with it quite well.
Recently, I've started riding the Wilier again to see how I get on with it now I have some fitness (and flexibility) back. I've fitted some race blades, as I planning on using it has a winter hack. But having taken myself out for a few rides on it, I've concluded that I really don't like it. I'm too cramped on it, with the short reach and lowish cockpit. And I'm also quite slow on it and I don't climb very well on it, even though it's got half decent tyres and it's fairly light at under 9kg, equipped.
Previously, I was thinking of replacing the Ridgeback with a touring bike - something with a triple so as to have a good wide range of gears to cater for trailer towing/hauling. And a good stack height to be comfortable for long distance rides where pace doesn't really matter. And a long wheel base with plenty of trail for stability.
But now, with continuing to find the Wilier uncomfortable - especially so after clocking up a good number of miles on the CGR - I'm thinking that has to go too.
Given that I find the CGR Ti so comfortable, I'm contemplating snagging a CGR Alu whilst they are on sale and before they Ribble phase them out in favour of their new All Road bike. It will be a little high geared for touring/towing - so some changes will be needed there. There are currently two builds available - one with Tiagra and one with mechanical 105. See here.
Temptation is to go for the Tiagra build, subject to what I can do to get some twiddly gears on it.
Anyone to chip in with their 2p?
On the fleet I have:
- 1995 Ridgeback Adventure
- 2015 Wilier Tiestrina Montegreppa
- Ribble CGR Ti with Ultegra
- Trek District 4
- 2013 Spesh Hardrock
- 2013 Spesh Langster
The Ridgeback, I've had a long time. I think the frame is a bit small for me. Can't say it's been comfortable. I seem to break it as often as I ride it. Until it last broke, I was using it for trailer towing and for any trip that meant leaving a bike locked up for any length of time.
The Wilier, I bought when I got back into regular cycling, late last summer. I rode it, fixed what was wrong with it (wheels/chain/cassette), and then switched to the Ridgeback when winter came.
I really enjoy the CGR. I'm fast on it. It's comfortable. I could ride it all day, day after day. I bought it with the intention of using it year-round and also using it for the majority of my riding. But then I discovered chain waxing and the thing has really only been used for long weekend rides. It has been kept clean and babied. And I don't mind that.
The Trek District I use regularly for my 'faux commute'. I use it just to get exercise. I can just jump on it and go, more or less. It's nice relaxed riding. It's on the heavy side. It's a bit slow. But it's comfortable for shorter rides and I couldn't look further from the stereotypical MAMIL riding it, which I think attracts less unwanted attention in this backwater.
The Hardrock I use on canal paths and trails. And sometimes for the 'faux commute'. It's not getting much use at the moment, but I suspect I'll be back on the trails with it soon.
The Langster was a cheap impulse buy. Might be my default choice for trips where I have to leave a bike locked up for a stint, at least on dry days - if it proves to be comfortable enough. No provision for rack or mudguards limit its practicality. Needs a bit more work before I can ride it/try it out. I used to really enjoy riding fixed (Pearson Hanzo and Spesh Tricross Single) and got on with it quite well.
Recently, I've started riding the Wilier again to see how I get on with it now I have some fitness (and flexibility) back. I've fitted some race blades, as I planning on using it has a winter hack. But having taken myself out for a few rides on it, I've concluded that I really don't like it. I'm too cramped on it, with the short reach and lowish cockpit. And I'm also quite slow on it and I don't climb very well on it, even though it's got half decent tyres and it's fairly light at under 9kg, equipped.
Previously, I was thinking of replacing the Ridgeback with a touring bike - something with a triple so as to have a good wide range of gears to cater for trailer towing/hauling. And a good stack height to be comfortable for long distance rides where pace doesn't really matter. And a long wheel base with plenty of trail for stability.
But now, with continuing to find the Wilier uncomfortable - especially so after clocking up a good number of miles on the CGR - I'm thinking that has to go too.
Given that I find the CGR Ti so comfortable, I'm contemplating snagging a CGR Alu whilst they are on sale and before they Ribble phase them out in favour of their new All Road bike. It will be a little high geared for touring/towing - so some changes will be needed there. There are currently two builds available - one with Tiagra and one with mechanical 105. See here.
Temptation is to go for the Tiagra build, subject to what I can do to get some twiddly gears on it.
Anyone to chip in with their 2p?
