New to CycleChat? Make your first post here and say HELLO :)

[Rinkeydinkeyrider]

Hello.
I am looking for some helpful advise and thoughts on buying a new bike.
i wouldn't say i was new to cycling i have an old Dawes giro that i paid 75 pounds for about 8 years ago as i needed a road bike to complete a challenge i had been set, (cycle from Suffolk to Paris) not wanting to shy away from this challenge and look silly in front of friends i said, Yes of course, A nice intro into road cycling i thing, although parts of my body were not in agreance. a quick stop to buy cycle shorts with padding after the first day. Anyway a few less ridiculous rides later I feel the need for a new bike. I am looking at Ribbles sportive 7005 (an alloy frame) and the sportive racing Di2 carbon frame. My question is, can anyone give advise or help on choosing between the two? having never ridden a carbon bike, how are they in comparison? I am looking to put the ultegra group set on which i believe to be good and a pair of fulcrum wheels, i think this should make for a good bike on either frame?
Hope this wasn't too much for first post? Sorry..

Hi there...just read your post...yup, carbon bikes are a new experience for me too. I test rode a few in my LBS (local bike shop) - Wow! - they just seem to want to go by themselves! I loved them - just can't get my head round buying a bike where the frame could crack/shatter so easily (but that may be the earlier ones).
I would get a carbon in your position...such a long ride to do, but look to get a warranty/insurance with these bikes...(or get second hand, but that's a risk, which offsets the new price).
Also, if you get a new carbon, take a look at the Orro Gold - £2,000 - with a 5 year warranty, that's the one I keep returning to drool over...researching these beasts on the internet takes forever...Try Evans - I think they do test rides by appointment (be prepared to leave your credit card with them to cover costs).
Hope this helps...!

 

[crosby68]

Hi all

 

[Hippy]

Thanks
I've had a look at the Orro gold this eve as you mentioned it, yes very nice, As i set myself a budget of a £1000 which has already crept its way up to £1500 I think I have to be careful no to get carried away as it would be very easy to do so. I work away from home but will be home next week so will certainly go and try a few if poss at my local bike shops. I think i have settled on a ribble sportive racing, with what i think is a reasonable speck taking it to a total of about £1450, this is if after trying a carbon i like them and worked out exact size i need.

 

[Pedro Rocha]

OK so... hello!!

Hope to have some fun exchanging some cycling tips in this forum!

Best,

P.

 

[munrobagger48]

Hello,

So you've signed-up, got your user account, now all you need to do is get posting .... ah, um, er, What do I say?

Well, it's dead easy - just say Hello and tell us a little bit about yourself and whereabouts you're from (so we can invite you along to rides!!)

Believe me, once you get that first post under your belt you'll be off!

My name's Shaun by the way, and I own and operate CycleChat.

If you need any help or advice on using the forums, or want to ask a question but don't want to do it publicly - just send me a PM (private message).

Hope you enjoy, and welcome to CycleChat

Cheers,
Shaun

Hi everyone, I am a more mature newbie, wrong side of 60, pretty fit for my age. I am retired and enjoying it, using my time to cycle, sports climb and walk (in Scotland when the weather is reasonable lol).

 

[SteveF]

Hi All, just creeping into my 50's and am a recreational cyclist (jogging is beginning to take a bit of a toll on the joints!).

I have a Specialized Cross Trail and a Saracen Road Bike, I am probably going to replace the Saracen this year and am also pondering getting a touring bike ( am quite taken with the Kona Sutra), assuming I can sell my motor bike, which will fund it all

 

[Captain Slackbladder]

Hi all, been reading for a while so decided to join up. I'm pretty much a daily commuter and weekend rider. Currently riding a Giant Roam Hybrid and Allez Elite Roadie

 

[Lilliburlero]

Hi all, been reading for a while so decided to join up. I'm pretty much a daily commuter and weekend rider. Currently riding a Giant Roam Hybrid and Allez Elite Roadie

Wibble

 

[Kiwi Paddy]

Gidday... New Zealand based casual cycle tourer here. Wanting to tap into a bit of local knowledge for cycling England and Scotland...

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Hi and to everyone who has joined recently. Hope you like it round here.

@Kiwi Paddy; ask and I'm sure there will be plenty of people to help. The touring and expedition section would be a good place to post questions.

 

[pnar]

Hello from Uxbridge!

 

[edwards88]

Hi, I cycle every day with a fused ankle which can be a challenge.. (I actually posted my first post in the Health thread)... anyone else cycling with this problem?

Cheers, Sam

 

[GM56]

Hi Shaun, Thanks for accepting me into the forum. I have just returned to cycling after a sabbatical of a few years doing other stuff. I am riding an old MTB for leisure purposes but need to buy something lighter for the C2C next month (Whitehaven-Tynemouth). Lots of talk about hybrids due to the nature of the terrain I'll be covering. Budget is around £700 and am looking for something fairly fast but sturdy and with disc brakes. Have done a bit of research and quite like the Ridgeback Flight 2. Any thoughts?

 

[ISAAC_J]

Hello!

Great site. I really enjoy riding my bike up and down the local hills of rural brittany, France.

 

[peterbeard]

Hi all, looking for a bit of advice, I'm getting a little on the large side and have decided to try and cycle to work and the occasional day out with my lads. I need a decent starter mtb and have narrowed my search to muddy fox san diego 29er or falcon radon 29er or falcon ravage 27.5. The budget is alittle tight. Ive started on my old cbr urban hybrid 26" which I find uncomfortable and ruining the experience for me, the leg travel seems a little short for me I am 6ft tall and around 18st. I'll mainly be cycling on canal path around 6 miles and hopefully be able to do some lighter off road stuff with my boys once I gain more confidence. I would greatly appreciate any feedback on these bikes or any others you may be able to suggest.
Kind regards peter