Do I need carbon?

[Mothyman]

..he's gonna get the Alu...he's gonna say how great it is...then we wont hear from him for a while......

just kidding Paul..sleep tight

 

[ianrauk]

I dillied and dallied over the Carbon Roubaix for weeks and weeks. I finally went and bought one a couple of weeks ago and is probrably one of the best decisions I have ever made. see here http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=34683

I looked at other bikes but my head was always with the Roubaix. If I had bought another bike it would be going round and round my head "why didn't I?", or "I wish I had" etc..

If you want a carbon (or whatever else takes your fancy), then go get one... you will just regret if you don't.

hey Paul....I am watching with interest and feeling your stress...I have the same dilemma as you and have been contemplating for 3 weeks now... I'm hoping you go for the carbon...then I can convince my wife I..shall be making the right decision

i like the Roubaix

 

[mickle]

Then of course there's this;
http://www.calfeedesign.com/bamboo.htm

 

[Mothyman]

what happened Paul...carbon, alu, Ti...or still circling the prey?

 

[Paulq]

Honest answer is niothing yet as I just haven't had the chance to go in the shop since last time.

I read Sheldon's article with interest (thanks to the poster by the way) and having done so I really feel that alu would be my best option for now as it will at least enable me to aim at shedding pounds off me!!

Am going back on Monday so will let you know what happens....hopefully I'll own a brand new bike!!

Cheers

Paul

 

[Wigsie]

Good luck Paul,

In all honesty whether you choose carbon or an Alu/carbon mix you will be over the moon. Just dont test ride the carbon! I have a few mates with carbon bikes and I refuse to have a go as I love my Allez (carbon forks seat post and stays) and I dont want to really experience something much nicer untill I can afford to buy one.

If you do seriously wish for carbon then go for it though as the last thing you want to do is wish you had pushed the boat out and regret your decision.

Good luck monday.

 

[Garz]

Let us know how it goes Paul!

 

[Wigsie]

Did you do it Paul?

 

[Paulq]

Did you do it Paul?

You know what - I didn't. The reason was that, yesterday, I went riding again on my existing bike which is a Hybrid and actually quite a nice bike if nothing special. Instead of the regular 6 or 7 miles I do a few times a week I decided to push it yesterday and ended up doing around 13 miles.

When I got home I was absolutely buggered (metaphorically) and I just don't think that I am anywhere near fit enough to even warrant getting on a road bike. I am 5 feet 11 and weigh 16st 7 lbs and boy could I tell yesterday.

So I figured that to be realistic, I need to lose at least 1.5 stones in weight and, when I have done that, I will reward myself with a new bike which I can use to some of its potential.

That's a big target for me and, right now, I just don't know if I will ever reach it although I know I WANT to.

I feel quite deflated today to be honest - I had kinda set my heart on the new bike and had somehow concluded that I'd do it justice. I guess I have to start all over again which is hard but I recognise I need to do it. Realise that this is a cycling forum not a weight loss support group so I'll shut up except to say I'd be interested to hear similar experiences of training regimes to enable that kind of reduction?

Cheers for all the support guys I really appreciate it. I WILL have a road bike soon.

Paul

 

[Mothyman]

you'll do it mate

 

[Bigtwin]

Just a matter of TIme...

 

[Chrisz]

Paul, buy the bike anyway and then don't let yourself ride it until you reach your target weight - great motivation

I do similar over the winter months - I ride my hack and don't let myself ride my nice bike until I can reach a target speed for my rides - I really find it helps to keep me motivated and working hard

 

[Wigsie]

Chris has a point! if its there and you are itching to ride it then you are more likely to lose the tub.

I did the opposite to you however. I bought a fancy (well not full carbon but 1K is enough for me) on a road bike and I was (still am really) in no shape to really get the best out of the bloody thing. Having said that it is immense to ride and head and shoulders above anything I have ridden in the past, as aresult I actually want to ride it more (and actually do).

I find I go further, faster and for longer with my viagra road bike than with any others I have used in the past, basically because I enjoy it so much. This in turn will get me back to my fighting weight in a shorter period, but dont let me twist your arm, just my experience

 

[yello]

Paul, if you want the bike then get it! You'll do it justice by simply riding and enjoying it. There's no rule that says you have to be a Cavendish wannabe to ride a road bike. The best way to loose a bit of weight is to be motivated to do so. If the new bike does that then it's money well spent!

You could always meet yourself in the middle (so to speak!); that is, set yourself a target of say a 1/2 stone. If you can loose that then treat yourself to the bike!

 

[Paulq]

Paul, if you want the bike then get it! You'll do it justice by simply riding and enjoying it. There's no rule that says you have to be a Cavendish wannabe to ride a road bike. The best way to loose a bit of weight is to be motivated to do so. If the new bike does that then it's money well spent!

You could always meet yourself in the middle (so to speak!); that is, set yourself a target of say a 1/2 stone. If you can loose that then treat yourself to the bike!

That's exactly how I am thinking.

I think I have to make it a 'reward' purchase as I know how my head works. Otherwise I'll end up riding it a couple of times, getting fatigued/injured, and will then get demotivated to the point where it will become shed furniture.

I reckon I'll spend 50 quid on a decent HRM (any recommendations on one for training most welcome??) and go for low intensity distance rides 3 - 4 times a week until I start to see an improvement then re-visit the road bike scenario.

I do know that once I have cracked the routine of riding regularly again I'll getthe bug and actually wonder how I ever coped without it. As it stands I find it too easy to say 'I'm tired' or 'weather looks dodgy' after my daily 120 mile commute rather than getting home and getting on the bike. When I do I always feel great afterwards and am really glad I did - it's the whole motivation package that I want to overcome and I'll only do that once I see improvements starting to happen.

Tonight - I AM going riding!!

Cheers

Paul