Hello! .. and any ridgeback owners out there?

[007]

Hi there, long time lurker - first time poster.

I have been inspired from watching the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France and went out and bought myself a Ridgeback Velocity - primarily for fitness. My previous bike was a heavy, steel 15 year old GT mountain bike. The Ridgeback feels lighter and all together faster in comparison - I am enjoying cycling again.

I would love a road bike - but the hybrid setup is kinder due to the condition of the roads around here, and some of the gravel, rocky paths I need to navigate to get onto cycle path would cause chaos to a roadie.

All is going extremely well - I am putting in about 70 miles a week at present. I live in a fairly hilly area, so my fitness is coming on leaps and bounds.

A couple of questions....

1) I would like a cycle computer - I don't know what to go for though - is wireless or wired the way forward? Technology in bikes has moved on a lot since my time.

2) When I am going up hills (only when going up hills) - I can hear a 'clanking' noise coming from my handlebars - I have been through all the headset and bolts surrounding the bars. All are tight, but there is still a noise - there is a fair bit of play - i.e., they can move about a bit some pressure - they are not loose - but just quite 'flimsy' I guess. Any ideas what this could be? it is especially bad when I am up off the saddle, attacking a hill.

Thx for reading....

 

[2Loose]

A wireless computer is a few quid more, but doesn't have unsightly wires wound from your handlebars, down the fork leg to the sensor in the spokes.
Because of this it is also far easy to swap from bike to bike, but may occasionally suffer from erroneous radio signals - I once got to 738mph while stood waiting for a railway crossing to raise

. This is rare though.

I found the most useful function of any computers that I have had to be Average mph over a distance. From that I could gauge if the regular commute was faster or slower than last time.

As for the clanking noise, from what you describe it maybe a loose headset. Hold the front brake on and rock the bike forward and backwards a little while stationary to check if the play is there. Whatever it is, your LBS (local bike shop) or dealer should fix it if the bike is new and in warranty.

 

[- Baz -]

Hi, and welcome to the forum! I have had a Ridgeback Equipt Speed for about a month since I started my commute to Manchester (14 miles round trip) so about the same distance a week as you. I chose it based mainly on price/performance and checked it out at Evans in Manchester before buying. Came in a humungous box that took me half an hour to cut up into pieces...

Very happy with the bike - it's almost performed flawlessly from day one. The only problem was a loose headset, which I suspect is the same problem as you're having. Easily fixed. If in doubt, take it down to your local LBS. It shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes to tighten it up.

YMMV, but the supplied Shimano chain has also proved to be poor and has stretched to the point of needing replacement within just four weeks, and that's without any major hills on my commute. Just swapped it for a KMC and quick link. Might be worth keeping an eye on chain wear.

I just need a Brooks B17 and I'll be

Got a cycle computer from Sainsbury's would you believe for six quid. Not wireless, but does the job. If you're in the market for one with bells and whistles, check out the big online retailers. Personally, after the initial 'How fast am I going?' and finding out the mileage and average times for my commute, I'm now finding it a bit pointless and a distraction and will probably take it off. Glad I didn't splash out on an expensive one...

 

[Muddyfox]

Hi and welcome to the Forum

I have a Ridgeback Panorama and love it .. as for computers i used to have a specialized (wired) computer on my MTB as i dont seem to get on with wireless for some reason ? i now use a Garmin Edge 205 which is brilliant but pricey if you only use it as a computer, although i do still have a VDO A+8 in the drawer somewhere still in its box

Simon

 

[007]

Thanks guys. I bought the bike from Evans last month - it's going in for a free service this weekend. I was not impressed with how the bike was put together - so will give them another chance to rectify it. There is a few nuts and bolts around the headset - I have tightened them all - there are a few bolts which I am nervous about going too tight on. So, i will ask their advice.

Interestingly, there is a bolt underneath the handlebars which I have tightened and the noise has went down a lot - I am on the right track, but don't want to max it as I am scared of 'threading' it. Will let you know how I get on.

Good to hear there are some ridgeback owners out there. I took a run into Glasgow a few weekends ago, and spotted a guy with a similar flat bar ridgeback road bike - he had extremely skinny road wheels on and was absolutely flying down the road - swooping through traffic and so on - I am not quite there with the confidence to do that again yet, but it was good to see.

One month one - the observations are:

1) I have SPD road shoes - i have got the saddle up as high as possible to feel the benefit of these - a low saddle height resulted in some knee pain
2) Continental Sport Contact - tyres could mean an end to p*nctures? I keep them at 80psi - they have been absolutely solid so far (touch wood)
3) Acceleration - this is where it comes into it's own - its easy to get some speed as early as possible.

Cons

1) Uphill clicking noise - hopefully to be alleviated soon.
2) Hand position - may invest in a pair of stems to give a bit of variety.
3) Gears - the odd noisy or 'ugly' gear change has been noted so far - I am sure the service will fix this?
4) No way of judging speed - really I just want to hammer the miles and go as fast as possibile. I will go wireless, if only for the novelty value!

The crazy world of bikes - I went upto Decathlon to buy some cycling clothes - and felt the weight of BTwin Sport3 road bike - there is nothing to it, and what a spec! Do I need another though?

 

[- Baz -]

Good to hear your thoughts on the bike...

...

One month one - the observations are:

1) I have SPD road shoes - i have got the saddle up as high as possible to feel the benefit of these - a low saddle height resulted in some knee pain
2) Continental Sport Contact - tyres could mean an end to p*nctures? I keep them at 80psi - they have been absolutely solid so far (touch wood)
3) Acceleration - this is where it comes into it's own - its easy to get some speed as early as possible

I just use flat soled trainers and have the seat quite low! Very happy with the Continentals, though they do seem to need pumping up every week...

Watch out for potholes! Bane of my life, though I am getting a 'map' of the worst ones. The roads around Manchester are dire

Cons

1) Uphill clicking noise - hopefully to be alleviated soon.

Interesting. Let us know if you find out what this is...

2) Hand position - may invest in a pair of stems to give a bit of variety.

Good idea

3) Gears - the odd noisy or 'ugly' gear change has been noted so far - I am sure the service will fix this?

Could be just you getting used to changing gear. I've noticed that changes are a LOT smoother after some practice (don't mean to sound patronising!)

4) No way of judging speed - really I just want to hammer the miles and go as fast as possibile. I will go wireless, if only for the novelty value!

This may wear off! After a while you'll be able to judge your speed without a computer. I've got rid of mine. I wouldn't spend too much money - but it's your money, of course)

The crazy world of bikes - I went upto Decathlon to buy some cycling clothes - and felt the weight of BTwin Sport3 road bike - there is nothing to it, and what a spec! Do I need another though?

Yes!

 

[007]

Baz, thanks for the feedback. The gearing - hmm, you might be right - it could partially be me and just getting used to the bike. I have a trigger on my left which has 3 choices and the right with 8 erm, choices. I was in on the left trigger on the 3rd 'section' - then at the start of a big downhill, accidentally went to '1' - the chain promptly fell off. I was new to it at the time, a newbie mistake I guess.

I find that to get out of '1' - sometimes I need to tease it (Ed: Tease it???) into '3' - before it settles into '2'. However' I rarely use '1' - unless faced by a mega climb. Hope this makes sense!? The shifting in the big cogs is a bit temperamental, is what I am trying to say, I think. Probably a servicing 'thing'?

Changing gears - I think I am doing OK - I try to avoid the 'extremes' - as it can sound a bit 'grind-ey' - i.e. left at 3 and right at 8.

Re: the road bike - many people are naturally into heavy looking full suspension mountain bikes- I am more into sleek, light road bikes - with drop bars.

I am looking at several (a fit of madness) - Decathlon Sport 3, Carerrra Vanquish, Orbea's, Trek 1.2 - etc etc - would these be a major, major difference to the ridgeback? The ridgeback does have it's uses - i,e gravel track, rocky sections of path and so on. But would a road bike with carbon forks be more comfortable for longer 'blasts' on the road?

Really I am just looking for justification to splash out again!!!!

 

[HLaB]

A couple of questions....

1) I would like a cycle computer - I don't know what to go for though - is wireless or wired the way forward? Technology in bikes has moved on a lot since my time.

2) When I am going up hills (only when going up hills) - I can hear a 'clanking' noise coming from my handlebars - I have been through all the headset and bolts surrounding the bars. All are tight, but there is still a noise - there is a fair bit of play - i.e., they can move about a bit some pressure - they are not loose - but just quite 'flimsy' I guess. Any ideas what this could be? it is especially bad when I am up off the saddle, attacking a hill.

Thx for reading....

Hi I'm a Ridgeback velocity owner too and it has been a very robust bike, its lasted over 7000 miles without having anything major done; new pads/ cables/ chains/ cassettes occasionally and I decided out of choice to replace the suspension seat post with a fixed one and use spd pedals other than that its unmodified. Amazingly it still has its original tyres and they've only p'tured once (when they were sub 100 mile old IIRC). I keep on saying I'll put new narrower tyres on it to improve its performance when the old ones wear out but they haven't. Its a bit heavy and wide tyred compared to my other bikes but I really like the way that it feels/handles especially in traffic.

1) I've got a raleigh echo wireless computer fitted to mine mainly because thats what I had available. With wireless you occasionally suffer from interference but IMO its not a problem and I prefer not having wires to get snagged etc.

2) The adjustable head set on mine was very noisy too when standing up to climb hills, when it was in for its first service I got the shop to look at it. They applied copper grease and subsequently I've also greased it and its been a lot quieter. Latterally I've lowered the angle of my bars and liberally applied grease too the wedge (for want of a better word) and its a lot quieter still. I think it was the little wedge that was causing the creak. I may change it one day for a fixed stem but given the last results I'm in no hurry too.

 

[- Baz -]

..I find that to get out of '1' - sometimes I need to tease it (Ed: Tease it???) into '3' - before it settles into '2'. However' I rarely use '1' - unless faced by a mega climb. Hope this makes sense!? The shifting in the big cogs is a bit temperamental, is what I am trying to say, I think. Probably a servicing 'thing'?

Changing gears - I think I am doing OK - I try to avoid the 'extremes' - as it can sound a bit 'grind-ey' - i.e. left at 3 and right at 8.
...

I found shifting the front derailleur smoothly to be more difficult than the rear and took longer to master, mainly because the shift lever has a slightly longer travel. You shouldn't have to 'tease' the gears though. The Shimano shifters are excellent. I'd suggest the derailleur needs adjusting slightly. Check out 'Bicycletutor.com' for vids on how to do this.

A decent road bike is a different beast from a hybrid. Everything's designed to convert energy into forward motion - and the price reflects this. On a hybrid the components are a trade-off between speed and comfort - ie frame/forks/wheels/tyres. Someone likened a road bike to a Ferrari, and a hybrid to a Golf GTI. Personally, I'm happy with the hybrid - it's fast enough and comfy enough for my commute which is the reason I bought it.

Sounds to me that you won't be happy unless you're trying to break the sound barrier on a bike.

Suggest you take your time looking at lots of bikes/reviews/components before shelling out your hard earned. The choice is staggering. Good luck!

 

[007]

HLAB - it's good to see there are so many Rigeback Velocit-eers out there.- and also great (in a macabre way) to hear you've had the same headset issue as me. I was out tonight for a loop of 18.2 miles around the hills of North Ayrshire (my neck of the woods) - the road surfaces are - to put it mildly - absolute crepe. The bike is definetaly due a service, it goes in on Saturday, I have a few things for them to look at - gearing and headsets.

All in all, I like the bike - I paid 330 quid for it, so not expecting the earth from it. Just something to pound the miles. It's all going well so far...

I am going upto Decathlon in Glasgow on Saturday, and will pick up a wireless computer - and also look at the unashamed hardcore bike porn on offer. Namely the Sport3.

Baz - the Ferrari/GTi comparison is pretty much spot on. In reality I will probably calm down a bit and 'settle' on the Velocity, I"m still getting to know it. Unless there are amazing sales on - perhaps in January or later on I may upgrade to a roadie. I don't have the confidence with bikes to get involved in the world of eBay used section yet.

I actually have a road bike in the garage, which I bought several years ago, it's a cheapo which seems to have a direct line to the puncture fairy. I will upgrade the wheels on it and 'kevlar the tyres' and try out the difference for a while. I need to cool my jets a bit LOL...