Will my lovely road bike fall to bits if ...

[Geoff Crowther]

So, I've got my first, nice, shiny new road bike:

A 2013 Cube Peloton Pro Triple.

The question is, if I were to pootle down the Sett Valley Trail from Hayfield to New Mills with it or along the well-surfaced canal towpath twixt Whaley Bridge and New Mills ... will it self destruct? Of course, this is a question posed mainly at those familiar with these routes in north Derbyshire.

I ask, because these are both quiet, pleasant access routes to nice roads from my home in Hayfield. And no ... I don't expect to be rattling along at 20 mph plus. Again, I'm not used to a lightweight road bike yet and have no experience of capabilities.

Go easy on me folks.

I AM, however, gettin' along with it just fine on the roads, five days into ownership.

Oh ... and enough with the "helpful" comments re white handlebar tape . I already know, OK?
Cheers all,
Geoff

 

[John the Monkey]

No - it might not be an entirely pleasant experience though

It depends on what you mean by well surfaced - if it's gravel, the bike will probably feel a bit skittery as the high pressure tyres ping stones out from under them. I don't know your local routes, but the towpaths between Wheelock & Crewe are nicer on a fatter, lower pressure tyre. That said, I've ridden them on 23c Krylion carbons, and both bike and I survived (vowing not to try that again )

 

[KneesUp]

I've decided that road bikes are tougher than my rear end. If they can cope with the cobbles on Paris-Roubaix, they can cope with a well surfaced tow path, although I might be tempted to fit the widest tyres that will fit if it were a regular thing.

Give it a go - if you take it carefully and are prepared to turn back if it unexpectedly turns into off-roading you'll be fine.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Thanks for your input folks. All your advice makes sense. I particularly like your point about cobbles, kneesup. I was thinking along the same lines when you consider the average surface on quieter country lanes these days.

 

[Hacienda71]

I've been across fields and all sorts of crappy surfaces on mine and apart from additional dirt it isn't too bad.


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZmJtYaUTa0

 

[cosmicbike]

I think you'll be fine at 'touring' pace, though as has been suggested a set of 25c tyres may make it a tiny bit easier. Let us know though, as I am verging on an n+1 and mental battle between a CX or a Domane.

I like your white bar tape BTW. I also have white, and love it*

* I may just be saying that to make myself feel better, since I can't be bothered to change it to black

 

[helston90]

@Hacienda71 you beat me to uploading the vid.
The op- you/ the bike should be fine, take it steady and be prepared to take the easiest route on the path.
I 'rode home' with a MTB rider along an easy trail on mine- he happily flipped along at 15-20mph on his hard tail and I carefully nurtured my roadie along somewhere between walking speed and 10mph- all was fine.

 

[MikeG]

So, I've got my first, nice, shiny new road bike:

View attachment 45586 ........

Rule 26, Geoff

 

[NormanD]

If it's not carbon and doesn't get wet, it won't degrade into dust

 

[I like Skol]

will it self destruct? Of course, this is a question posed mainly at those familiar with these routes in north Derbyshire.

I know the area well. Don't be a fool, you are going to die, do you hear me? DIE!

I'll tell you what, I'm a generous guy. I'll take it off your hands for £50 and you had better go out and buy a full suss MTB. You won't get a better offer

 

[Cubist]

Just check your spoke tensions regularly. My Easton wheels went out of true about three times a month on Tarmac. Having said that I'm Clydesdale class and the Kirklees roads are a potholed nightmare. If you are light, and ride light, and kep checking, you should be OK. I have a side bet that the colour panels on your Ultremo tyres will delaminate within a fortnight.........

 

[Cubist]

I like the white bar tape. I even bought myself a " road bike only " pair of gloves because of it. It went grey in about 23 seconds

 

[Steady]

I'm still babying my road bike for the same reasons! However at the weekend I ended up taking it down a farmer pot holed graveled/dry mud track for a few hundred metres.

Tackled slowly the bike gave no suggestions of being upset.

The worst clanging sounds that came from the rear wheel was on road when I hit a pot hole under a bridge that casted shadow onto ground which hid it.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Rule 26, Geoff

Oh bu**er ... the shame.
Thanks SO much for pointing this out Mike.
I am humbled.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

I know the area well. Don't be a fool, you are going to die, do you hear me? DIE!

I'll tell you what, I'm a generous guy. I'll take it off your hands for £50 and you had better go out and buy a full suss MTB. You won't get a better offer

Fifty quid? ........ Done ... in yer dreams! I ALREADY HAVE a MTB.

PS VERY funny