First road bike

[sleaver]

Well, after a lot of very helpful advice in my Thinking of getting a bike.........again thread, or placed on order for an Allez Elite on Saturday and I picked it up tonight and here it is (sorry about the picture quality).

Spent a small fortune on other stuff as well and I was going to get clip less pedals but I wouldn't have put them on straight away and so it saved a bit of money but probably for only just a couple of weeks.

So as long as I can leave work on time and it's not chucking it down, tomorrow should be my first ride. I just got to convice myself that riding on roads isn't as scary as it sounds

Anyway, thanks for all the advice so far and I'm sure I will be back for more soon

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Snap! I have the same bike, is a great ride.

 

[Milzy]

Amazing for a first bike this is like my mates 3rd bike.

 

[themosquitoking]

Riding on roads isn't that scary, just remember not to get too close to the kerb and to make clear signals and check over your shoulder before making anything other than an emergency move and you'll be fine. Against natural instincts, and only in my experience, the busier the road/bigger the town the better off you are as it's more likely the drivers will be used to or expecting cyclists. I always get passed the closest when i venture out into the sticks.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Glad to see you have now taken delivery of the beast.

Looks very nice.

Be good to hear your progress in the Nebies Progress Thread.

Take it easy out there & enjoy your Tiagra!

 

[Andrew_P]

great stuff, next step hook up your forerunner, sign up to Strava and get on down to do this segment :-)

http://app.strava.com/segments/3751992

 

[sleaver]

Amazing for a first bike this is like my mates 3rd bike.

I didn't want to spend that much but due to circumstances, this is going to have to last me a while. So I thought I would get something that would last over something that I would want to upgrade.

I always get passed the closest when i venture out into the sticks.

Hmm, I live in the sticks(ish). Well, there are more wide country roads where I'm planning on going. There is a cycle lane on one road so I'll start there

great stuff, next step hook up your forerunner, sign up to Strava and get on down to do this segment :-)

http://app.strava.com/segments/3751992

I'm already on Strava but only through running at the moment. Unfortunately I can't do that segment as it starts in my privacy zone so what about this one?

http://app.strava.com/segments/3149063

 

[deadpool7]

Very nice! I tried a Specialized Allez Sport, but ultimately chose to go with the Trek 1.5 when I got my first road bike.

Congrats and let us know how your first ride goes!

 

[MaxInc]

Hmm, I live in the sticks(ish). Well, there are more wide country roads where I'm planning on going. There is a cycle lane on one road so I'll start there

Beautiful bike, congrats and many happy miles!

Best to start slowly, take time to get used to the bike's handling, especially at slow speed and practice brakeing to allow the pads to bed in properly.

 

[Easytigers]

It'll bring you many happy days!!! Won't be too long until you go clipless...best thing I ever did!

 

[BSRU]

I was nervous when I changed to a road bike as it felt twitchy, now I realise the bike is not twitchy just responsive and a joy to ride.

Riding on the roads is not scary, you could try reading Cyclecraft it will give you some useful pointers on riding on the road.

 

[Grant Fondo]

Nice wheels sleaver! would definitely recommend some 'proper' pedals, Shimano SPD's start at £20 ish, shoes £40 and up, otherwise its like driving a Ferrari in wellies!

 

[sleaver]

Nice wheels sleaver! would definitely recommend some 'proper' pedals, Shimano SPD's start at £20 ish, shoes £40 and up, otherwise its like driving a Ferrari in wellies!

I was going to get them yesterday but Evan's wanted £40 and it was already getting quite expensive so I left them. Got home and found them on Wiggle for £20 so I might have them sooner than I think

Is there any difference between these?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-r540-spd-sl-sport-pedals/
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/r540-spd-sl-road-pedals-ec006321

Does the PD in the name mean anything as it's in one but not the other?

 

[Grant Fondo]

They are the same pedals - my LBS has them full price, I bought the 105 version from Chainreaction for £34 about 2 weeks ago, but had R540's on my old specialized allez, do the same job but 105's little bit lighter. I've also had the Ultegra pedals, and they all seem to work the same... my advice would be get the 105's but don't pay Evans prices!

 

[AndyRM]

my advice would be get the 105's but don't pay Evans prices!

Seconded, though it's worth noting that Evans will price-match anything provided you show credible proof of the cheaper price.