What racing bike to buy! Please give your opinion :)

[tsddave]

Ok thanks to all in helping me make my decision here.

Today I bought the Cannondale caad 8, got a better price deal and also got 2 sets of tires

The extra set are a pair of red "Continental Ultra Sport" if they ride as well as they look then they will be very nice!

Heres a picture of it taken in the area where I bought it by the previous owner

 

[smokeysmoo]

Heres a picture of it taken in the area where I bought it by the previous owner
[attachment=4976:mycannondale caad 8.jpg]

Yeah, happy days. That looks absolutely stunning, and the bike looks damned fine too

I'd be tempted to stay were you bought it and ride it around there

 

[Dayvo]

Nice looking bike! Don't like the look of them hills, though. Is that what awaits me over there?

 

[tsddave]

Thanks smookeysmoo

As for the location its not really so far from where I live but really most of Norway looks like that.
Check out my cycling videos (im not a pro by any means so excuse the camera shake!) at http://www.youtube.c...os?feature=mhee
I mostly make them for my family so they can see the beauty of Norway but they have some fans elsewhere also.


Thanks also Dayvo. Yup where I live in Norway is major mountainous!
But then you dont have to travel far from Oslo to see it.
Dont tell me you stick to the flats?

 

[Dayvo]

Dont tell me you stick to the flats?

Mate, I'm 6'1" and 105 kg! Don't mind hills, but not this kind of thing:

http://www.wayfaring.info/2009/07/22/trollstigen-road/

 

[tsddave]

Haha thats exactly my weight but im under 6 foot.


The[font="'trebuchet ms"] Trollstigen road you linked is a place I really would love to go but I think I would need to work on my fitness before cycling it....for sure.[/font]
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[font="'trebuchet ms"]I know I am going off topic here, so I hope you dont mind but...[/font]
[font="'trebuchet ms"]I do find the very mountainous areas I am surrounded by does somewhat restrict my cycling - its really hard to find a flat that lasts long enough to pick up great speed for long and thats just on my mountain bike, its gonna last even longer on my new race bike. After every ride if its just an hour or 5 hours long my legs are really not ready for another ride for 3-4 days. Sure ive only been cycling for 4 months but so far that hasnt changed.[/font]
[font="'trebuchet ms"]Currently I do 4-5 hours on a Sunday and 1 hour on a wednesday.[/font]
[font="'trebuchet ms"]Any thoughts? I would really love to train an extra 1 hour during the week but currently my legs are just saying no![/font]
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[/font]

 

[Dayvo]

I think you just need to build up the strength in your legs slowly, after all, four months isn't a long time in cycling terms.

Rest is also important, as is cadence (you don't want to grind - hard slow pedaling - up hills, but spin instead).

You'll soon get there.

 

[tsddave]

Cadence is an issue on my mountain bike for sure. I guess it will be better on this new light race bike.
I found on my mtb that I was often grinding up very steep hills and sometimes had to stop before the top (some go on for miles and miles) because my leg muscles were just going to jelly.

I know from doing weight training almost my whole life that rest is important hence why I am only training twice a week but I really yearn for that 3rd session!
I just hope we dont have a harsh winter this year so that I can keep road cycling for as long as possible.