Show us your.......newbie progress! [4 Sep 2012 - 4 Oct 2014]

[morrisman]

So the sun started shining so went out for a 26.5 mile ride, mostly flatish so averaged best ever 13.5mph. Feeling really chuffed til I relaised it was only slightly better than the winner of the London Marathon and he didn't have a bike

 

[stevey]

Ok guys i need your advice slight change of plan i have been given the go-ahead to go and get my road bike tomorrow (much deliberation) its prob between these two your advice would be invaluable

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/focus-culebro-5-compact-road-bike-id73305.html

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Raleigh-Revenio-1-2013-Road-Bike_60752.htm#Tab_ProdDetailInfoReviews

Many thanks

 

[SWSteve]

Ok guys i need your advice slight change of plan i have been given the go-ahead to go and get my road bike tomorrow (much deliberation) its prob between these two your advice would be invaluable

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/focus-culebro-5-compact-road-bike-id73305.html

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Raleigh-Revenio-1-2013-Road-Bike_60752.htm#Tab_ProdDetailInfoReviews

Many thanks

What are the specs of the groupset? The focus also has red bits

 

[Mo1959]

Ok guys i need your advice slight change of plan i have been given the go-ahead to go and get my road bike tomorrow (much deliberation) its prob between these two your advice would be invaluable

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/focus-culebro-5-compact-road-bike-id73305.html

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Raleigh-Revenio-1-2013-Road-Bike_60752.htm#Tab_ProdDetailInfoReviews

Many thanks

Focus if it was me. Better range of gears if you intend to head for the hills. Plus point for the Raleigh is a carbon fork mind you.........sorry not much help

 

[JackyH]

Hi guys and girls, got my first bike in 20 years yesterday, an ariel specialized sport and to say I loved it is an understatement...after half an hour it was like I'd never been away, didn't time it but clocked up 12k (7.46)m. No bum pain yet, quads feeling it, as I thought they would!! I'm going to get a little bike computer on Monday...any tips please?

 

[stevey]

What are the specs of the groupset? The focus also has red bits

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=59972&categoryID=8382 all i can find steve

http://www.focus-bikes.com/int/en/b...1/subcategory/road/model/culebro-50-27-g.html

Hope this helps.

 

[stevey]

Off out for a ride clear my head... BRB

 

[MaxInc]

Focus has a better groupset, Sora vs 2300 and it looks much cooler IMO

 

[AndyPeace]

Ok guys i need your advice slight change of plan i have been given the go-ahead to go and get my road bike tomorrow (much deliberation) its prob between these two your advice would be invaluable

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/focus-culebro-5-compact-road-bike-id73305.html

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Raleigh-Revenio-1-2013-Road-Bike_60752.htm#Tab_ProdDetailInfoReviews

Many thanks

The Focus has a slighlty better groupset ( crank/gears) being Sora, the Raliegh is 2300 both are respectable and good for the job, I suspect the 2300 is just less finished.. . Other stuff I'd factor in, is the Focus has a 2 year frame warranty and the Raleigh has 5yrs -(check with your dealer!). Both have compact double chainsets (low gearing of 50/34 up front), but the focus has a bigger range on the rear gears. From looks the Raliegh has a more relaxed frame geometry, suggesting it would offer more comfort.
If it were me and I had to choose cold, the Raliegh. Did you say you could test ride it?

 

[Mo1959]

............or just to confuse you even more, I see Tredz do the Forme Longcliffe 3 at £769. Maybe over budget? I have the female version and really like it.

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Forme-Longcliffe-3-2013-Road-Bike_62980.htm

 

[stevey]

The Focus has a slighlty better groupset ( crank/gears) being Sora, the Raliegh is 2300 both are respectable and good for the job, I suspect the 2300 is just less finished.. . Other stuff I'd factor in, is the Focus has a 2 year frame warranty and the Raleigh has 5yrs -(check with your dealer!). Both have compact double chainsets (low gearing of 50/34 up front), but the focus has a bigger range on the rear gears. From looks the Raliegh has a more relaxed frame geometry, suggesting it would offer more comfort.
If it were me and I had to choose cold, the Raliegh. Did you say you could test ride it?

Yeah going up tomorrow morning to test both could be in there a while

 

[stevey]

............or just to confuse you even more, I see Tredz do the Forme Longcliffe 3 at £769. Maybe over budget? I have the female version and really like it.

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Forme-Longcliffe-3-2013-Road-Bike_62980.htm

Nice bike Mo over budget though £600 Max.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Hi guys and girls, got my first bike in 20 years yesterday, an ariel specialized sport and to say I loved it is an understatement...after half an hour it was like I'd never been away, didn't time it but clocked up 12k (7.46)m. No bum pain yet, quads feeling it, as I thought they would!! I'm going to get a little bike computer on Monday...any tips please?

Hi Jacky and .

Sounds like you've made a decent start. Keep it up.

Regulars on here will know that saddle height is a bit of a bee in my bonnet. Get it right and riding is a whole lot easier. Here (LINK) is the advice I gave to another new member recently.

 

[SWSteve]

My Secteur has a more relaxed frame, and I find it very comfortable, and my speeds aren't too shabby either.
I would like to try a real 'racer' though, just to see if I like how it feels

 

[SWSteve]

Hi guys and girls, got my first bike in 20 years yesterday, an ariel specialized sport and to say I loved it is an understatement...after half an hour it was like I'd never been away, didn't time it but clocked up 12k (7.46)m. No bum pain yet, quads feeling it, as I thought they would!! I'm going to get a little bike computer on Monday...any tips please?

Tip #1 - use the bike