Does the top of the range make any difference?

[Chrisz]

If you get something that is as 'top-end' or as expensive as you can possibly afford you always have the pleasure and satisfaction of knowing that you have the best piece of kit you can possibly get

The downside is that once all your bike is top-end you realise it's you and not the bike that is slow


Having said that, I have just put my rather nice summer bike away and dug out my winter hack - the same commute to/from work (20 miles each way) now takes me a couple of minutes more, the top speed is around 3mph lower and yet my heart rate/effort is still pretty much the same - so, yes, in my opinion having better kit DOES make a difference.

I always try much harder when I'm out and about on the summer ride - on the winter hack I can put my slowness down to the extra clothing, cold, wet weather, heavier bike, fatter tyres (25 vs 23mm) etc.

 

[BentMikey]

Same as my SWorks in the spare bedroom.


Riding a 16lb bike is justification for any other cyclist to try for a scalp.

Before taking 16lb bike out, warm up properly, correctly inflate your quadriceps and deflate your abdominal paunch.

Hehehee! If I had a nice SWorks, I'd try to hang it in the lounge, not the spare bedroom, if SWMBO would let me.

By the way, an aerobelly (tm) is considered an advantage on recumbents, as are beards and drinking plenty of real ale. Mind, neither Arallsop nor myself match that, I think.