Well, first of all, the Gain comes with Mavic wheels. Mavic have looked at the disparity between TLR wheel manufacturers and tyre makers. They have (and have requested for world standards to be utilised using their specifications) produced a set of wheels and tyres that fit as easily as standard rims and tyre's. So no problem in cold weather trying to fit tight tyres onto rims. Should you puncture with TLR's they will in the majority of situations seal the leal with the injected sealent. On the odd occasion the cut won't seal? You can still use a standard inner tube in the tyre. Because TLR's can and should be run at a lower pressure, they not only make for a more smoother ride, it also reduces the risk of puncturing.
Orbea Gain
- Thread starter youngoldbloke
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Southernguns
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Ah that makes sense. Thank you. The more I read about the Gain the more I am liking the sound of it! I am thinking it should be perfect for my needs . Thank you for all your help !!
Happy to be of assist. One last point. If you're thinking of going down the 11 speed route don't forget? With the assist, myself and others have found you can ride using a couple of higher gears. So, there's the possibility you could find yourself under geared? Especially with increased fitness and weight loss.
Southernguns
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That is good to know. Would the D30 / M30 cope okay with canal paths, bridleways and gravel tracks? I would like to occasionally ride these (say 80% road and 20% "off road"), although this isn't a game changer.
That's one of it's strengths. With the ability to take such a wide tyre and clearence, yes is the answer.
Southernguns
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Perfect.. Thank you once again. I just need to decide between D30 and M30 taking into account all the advice from yourself and Scaleyback. Your help has been very much appreciated.
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youngoldbloke
The older I get, the faster I used to be ...
Isn't it possible to fit mudguards to the carbon frame version?
Scaleyback
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To the best of my knowledge, no and max tyre size on the carbon frames is 28mm. The Ribble sLE carbon has the same drawbacks.
As you have stated a preference for mudguards that would rule out the carbon frames.
As stated above I wouldn't consider the M30 suitable for " canal paths, bridleways and gravel tracks? " The D31 is the gravel bike version of the D30. (I have the D30) However if you are reluctant to go for the SRAM 1 x 11 setup (as I was) the D30 has the proven (to me) Shimano 105 r7000 11 speed groupset.
I ride my D30 down the occasional canal towpath, bridleway etc and the bike and tyres (see below) manage nicely. On bad surfaces (mud) you may need a tyre with more tread.
The D31 has the Schwalbe G-ONE Allround, 40-622, Black, Folding gravel tyres as standard. (actual size38c) these are brilliant tyres I have fitted them on my D30.
so now I have the equivalent of the Gain D31 gravel bike but with the tried and tested Shimano 105 groupset. No other differences.
Incidentally the D30 came with the Hutchinson Fusion 5 All SeasonTLR 700x28 I have changed many tyres in my 'cycling life' but I found these the worst ever to
remove/replace. In desperation I cut them off in the end ! I cannot imagine trying to repair a puncture roadside.
If you go for the D30 and upgrade to wider tyres and mudguards I found the aforementioned Schwalbe G-ONE Allround, 40-622 a little too large (on the front wheel only) I had my SKS full length mudguards fitted by the Gain retailers mechanic. It wasn't until I got it home and rode it over bad surfaces that I discovered
that vibration caused the metal mudguard stay to touch the tyre and create an annoying 'zizzz' sound. I tried adjusting the front guard but never cured it.
Final solution I purchased a Schwalbe G-ONE Allround 35-622 tyre. The small extra clearance between mudguard stay and tyre stopped this.
There are other suitable gravel tyres of course maybe a set of 32c ?
There is talk (some on this thread) about the extra ride comfort of carbon frames. Not all carbon frames are equal, there are carbon frames that will remove
the fillings from your teeth. I'm not saying that the Orbea Gain carbon frame is one of these, I don't know but I doubt it.
If you want 'ride comfort' why not achieve it by fitting bigger tyres as opposed to a carbon frame.
Ok, most of this is rehashing previous comments in this thread (many by me) I hope this sort of summary helps.
Roy
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Southernguns
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Hi Roy. Thank you again for your help. I did look at the Ribble SLe and discounted it as I wanted something that I could use on rougher tracks. I thought the Ribble CGR ALe would be perfect but they are as rare as hens teeth at the moment. This led me to the Orbea Gain.
I think you have indicated earlier in the thread about the effects of a bikes weight on hill climbing. My research indicates that it is not as much as one would think. Admittedly racers and mountain enthusiasts, where cyclists climb for many miles, would need to consider this, but not so much for me. Like you said, I am better off losing a few kg myself. Aerodynamics have a greater effect on speed, apparently, so the only real reason to go for the carbon frame would be comfort and better wheels. However, my cycling ability probably doesn't warrant spending £700 more for the carbon bike with the better wheels, as tempting as the M30 is. With all this in mind then, the D30 is probably the bike I will go for with wider tyres for comfort. So I will probably take your advice and fit either 32c or 38c tyres to allow for the odd "off road" adventure. As soon as my back recovers again, so that I can get back on a bike I will order one. Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later and I can let you all know how I am getting on with it. Thank you muchly for the advice and help. Happy cycling!
I think you have indicated earlier in the thread about the effects of a bikes weight on hill climbing. My research indicates that it is not as much as one would think. Admittedly racers and mountain enthusiasts, where cyclists climb for many miles, would need to consider this, but not so much for me. Like you said, I am better off losing a few kg myself. Aerodynamics have a greater effect on speed, apparently, so the only real reason to go for the carbon frame would be comfort and better wheels. However, my cycling ability probably doesn't warrant spending £700 more for the carbon bike with the better wheels, as tempting as the M30 is. With all this in mind then, the D30 is probably the bike I will go for with wider tyres for comfort. So I will probably take your advice and fit either 32c or 38c tyres to allow for the odd "off road" adventure. As soon as my back recovers again, so that I can get back on a bike I will order one. Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later and I can let you all know how I am getting on with it. Thank you muchly for the advice and help. Happy cycling!
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youngoldbloke
The older I get, the faster I used to be ...
The CGR AL e 105 certainly looks like a contender. Maybe by the time you are ready to buy there will be a few more available. BTW I'm using 28mm Continental GP4000SIIs on my Gain (they measure 32mm in reality) with no problems and they cope well with the rougher roads.
Southernguns
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That's good to know. do they roll nicely on the road as well?
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youngoldbloke
The older I get, the faster I used to be ...
Yes, very well. Very light too. If I was doing much rougher stuff than the odd towpath or similar I'd fit something a bit more substantial. I'm quite light too at 62kg.
Southernguns
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Okay, that is very helpful thank you. I see from the thread that you are enjoying the Gain which is great to see. Do you still ride non epowered bikes as well?
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youngoldbloke
The older I get, the faster I used to be ...
I have 4 conventional bikes gathering dust - an early '90s Peugeot 525 Reynolds steel, a Ribble 7005SL Alloy, Campag equipped. A 'Triggers Broom' Rapide RL3 framed bike (originally a Ribble 'Blue') winter bike, Tiagra, and a Rose Xeon, Ultegra carbon. Unfortunately I've developed peripheral arterial disease (apologies if I've said all this before) - the blood supply to both legs has become severely restricted, now I can only walk a couple of hundred yards before cramping pains begin to set in, and similar pain after 2 - 3 miles on a non-assisted bike forces me to stop. Surgery is possible but potentially complex and risky - loss of limb at worst, so put off until unavoidable. So for now, it's the Gain only - it's enabled me to ride reasonable distances and to take part in club rides again.
Southernguns
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Wow, sorry to hear that! Full credit to you for getting back out there and riding still - I take my hat off to you. It sounds like the Gain is the perfect solution for you and it is fantastic that there is the technology out there to allow you to do this. My injuries are much less serious than yours, I have a repeating ruptured disc in the spine (the only real cure is an operation which I am nervous about as it is so close to the spinal cord) and ligament and muscle damage in the lower back and pelvis. Interestingly, when fit I am able to run at a reasonable pace without worry, but increase the speed and it plays up and then I have to take 5-6 months out. So just over a year ago I decided to cross train, run less but use a bike to maintain the fitness for my running races thinking this would help. The only problem is I find that I am unable to put power through the pedals. Not really too much of an issue on the flat as I can spin along at a reasonable speed, but as soon as I come to a hill I am only able to spin up them and I get left way behind, or if on my own get frustrated. The gearing on my Trek doesn't help much either! Hence my thinking of the Gain. Also, I like to heart rate train, and I found on my current bike that my heart rate was often going higher than I wanted. The Gain should help to control this better. As it happens I am really enjoying the cycling and may even give up the running to enable me to cycle more - but only recreationally (I will never make a racer)
Out of interest, how do you rind the ride of the D30 compared to your other bikes? I have not ridden an alloy bike for years so am a little nervous that it will be a harsh ride. However, Scaley's and Storck's tyre suggestions have somewhat put my mind at rest.
