OP
OP
middleagecyclist
Call me MAC
- Location
- Prestwich, Manchester
Prestwich. Was thinking Bury.
Reborn cyclist needing club bike advice
- Thread starter middleagecyclist
- Start date
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Prestwich. Was thinking Bury.
YahudaMoon
Über Member
Sounds like a good idea. I use Wills Wheels in Stockport. His frames are nice. Not custom made frames though, I think they will be the same ish as the Surosa ones ? Hewitts sound a good idea as well
You can get a hand built custom frame for about £700 £800, plenty out there, though it may take you above your budget ?
YahudaMoon
Über Member
Oh Eddie Mcgraph do off the peg frames for custom builds in Urmston. Not been for years though.
Eddie McGrath Cycles
www.eddiemcgrathcycles.co.uk/ - CachedSimilarOriginally founded by Eddie McGrath in 1931, we are a family run business which has remained an integral part of the Urmston community for nearly 90 years. ...
BikesServicingContact UsMore results from eddiemcgrathcycles.co.uk »►rmstom
Eddie McGrath Cycles
www.eddiemcgrathcycles.co.uk/ - CachedSimilarOriginally founded by Eddie McGrath in 1931, we are a family run business which has remained an integral part of the Urmston community for nearly 90 years. ...
BikesServicingContact UsMore results from eddiemcgrathcycles.co.uk »►rmstom
OP
OP
middleagecyclist
Call me MAC
- Location
- Prestwich, Manchester
Has anyone used the 30 day test ride scheme from Wiggle...or bought a bike from Wiggle?
Should I even consider mail order?
Should I support my LBS?
Should I even consider mail order?
Should I support my LBS?
endoman
Senior Member
- Location
- Chesterfield
OP
OP
middleagecyclist
Call me MAC
- Location
- Prestwich, Manchester
Good to hear. Is it a Focus?
Still wonder if I should support my LBS even though I will happily use Wiggle for other things. It's the aftersales which I think I would miss most going mail order.
endoman
Senior Member
- Location
- Chesterfield
Yep, a Focus,
I'm testing the aftersales as my computer has gone back to them for replacement today,
OP
OP
middleagecyclist
Call me MAC
- Location
- Prestwich, Manchester
Just ordered a Focus Cayo 2.0 Ultegra compact from Wiggle to try out!
Internet or LBS ...
Defenders of the local bicycle shop say that online shopping can in no way rival the experience of entering a bike shop, being ignored by a staff of professionals, and paying a premium to cover their salaries. Advocates of internet buying say that buying online frees them from the constraints of being able to handle products and actually knowing what they're getting before it arrives six days later in a mangled box missing half its hardware. But regardless of whether you prefer good advice, bad advice, or no advice, brick-and-mortar and click-and-order will doubtless maintain their adversarial relationship for as long as there is crap to peddle.
Defenders of the local bicycle shop say that online shopping can in no way rival the experience of entering a bike shop, being ignored by a staff of professionals, and paying a premium to cover their salaries. Advocates of internet buying say that buying online frees them from the constraints of being able to handle products and actually knowing what they're getting before it arrives six days later in a mangled box missing half its hardware. But regardless of whether you prefer good advice, bad advice, or no advice, brick-and-mortar and click-and-order will doubtless maintain their adversarial relationship for as long as there is crap to peddle.
OP
OP
middleagecyclist
Call me MAC
- Location
- Prestwich, Manchester
It's almost poetry! I think you need to work on the ending a little though.
How about this?
Internet or LBS ...regardless whether you prefer good advice, bad advice, carbon or metal; brick-and-mortar and click-and-order will be adversaries as long as there's crap to peddle.
brockers
Senior Member
- Location
- hollowed out volcano
very good!
OP
OP
middleagecyclist
Call me MAC
- Location
- Prestwich, Manchester
Well Wiggle have lived up to their normal, great reputation. The bike was delivered on Saturday - two days earlier than expected. It came well packed but was ready assembled bar putting the handlebars on and adding some pedals. It looks great and tips the scales at 8.4 kg. I had one short ride on Sunday evening to set up my position and then did a few miles tonight.
The last time I had a road bike was as a teenager - 24 years ago. I am familiar with dual position "safety" brake levers and gear change levers on the downtube. Getting used to combined gear and brake levers on the drop bars and using SPD pedals is ensuring I am taking it quite cautiously at the moment. They brakes/shifters are very slick in action (Shimano Ultegra) but just don't feel second nature yet.
I am finding the drop position OK but am used to being more upright so know this will feel strange for the moment. Some reviewers say the bike has a 'race' rather than the slightly more relaxed 'sportive' geometry. I have no comparison to make at the moment but know if all the bikes I try are similar to this I will be using the hoods and tops for most road riding and keeping the drops for when really needed.
Anyway, onto tonights ride. I followed a route I am familiar with which includes a longish incline (the A56 through Whitefield). The bike handled the road surface really well. It delivered good feedback and the steering is very responsive. The carbon frame really damps down the crap that passes for roads around here - I generally try and avoid potholes, drain covers, etc but some just have to be ridden across. I expected to be shaken to bits and was amazed not to be.
On the climb up the road on my tourer/commuter (Santos Travelmaster 2.6 Alu) I normally settle in at 8-9 mph at the steeper start and then manage 11 mph on the longer section as the angle lessens. I was concious not go for "hell for leather" and then try and compare speeds, so I kept some in reserve if needed and settled into a comfortable cadence. The bike felt quicker but the speedo confirmed it as sailed up the steep section at 12-13 mph and the faster section at 14-15 mph. Going downill was more comparable to the Travelmaster at 22-25 mph, which is not a surprise really.
I am hoping to get a ride of 20 miles or so at the weekend if the weather stays nice. This will really give me more of an idea if I am going to find it comfortable and a definite possible for the road bike I will finally get. As it is at the moment I really like it though.
The last time I had a road bike was as a teenager - 24 years ago. I am familiar with dual position "safety" brake levers and gear change levers on the downtube. Getting used to combined gear and brake levers on the drop bars and using SPD pedals is ensuring I am taking it quite cautiously at the moment. They brakes/shifters are very slick in action (Shimano Ultegra) but just don't feel second nature yet.
I am finding the drop position OK but am used to being more upright so know this will feel strange for the moment. Some reviewers say the bike has a 'race' rather than the slightly more relaxed 'sportive' geometry. I have no comparison to make at the moment but know if all the bikes I try are similar to this I will be using the hoods and tops for most road riding and keeping the drops for when really needed.
Anyway, onto tonights ride. I followed a route I am familiar with which includes a longish incline (the A56 through Whitefield). The bike handled the road surface really well. It delivered good feedback and the steering is very responsive. The carbon frame really damps down the crap that passes for roads around here - I generally try and avoid potholes, drain covers, etc but some just have to be ridden across. I expected to be shaken to bits and was amazed not to be.
On the climb up the road on my tourer/commuter (Santos Travelmaster 2.6 Alu) I normally settle in at 8-9 mph at the steeper start and then manage 11 mph on the longer section as the angle lessens. I was concious not go for "hell for leather" and then try and compare speeds, so I kept some in reserve if needed and settled into a comfortable cadence. The bike felt quicker but the speedo confirmed it as sailed up the steep section at 12-13 mph and the faster section at 14-15 mph. Going downill was more comparable to the Travelmaster at 22-25 mph, which is not a surprise really.
I am hoping to get a ride of 20 miles or so at the weekend if the weather stays nice. This will really give me more of an idea if I am going to find it comfortable and a definite possible for the road bike I will finally get. As it is at the moment I really like it though.