Zwift Chat

[bobinski]

Here’s my thoughts, for what they’re worth.

It’s perfectly ok to develop a strong liking for a particular bike. So, if the Bianchi is your thing, then go for it.

When you get a liking for a bike like the Bianchi, then it tends to be because they are big well known brands, easy to find and investigate on the internet and available through the bigger dealers as well as LBS. My first ‘proper road bike was a Scott CR1 and it was between that and a Trek, which I got from Evans Cycles.

The problem was they did an absolutely crap job at fitting the bike to me and building it up, so I ended up at a LBS, who basically rebuilt it and it felt like a different bike, which it pretty much was.

So, lesson 1 is if you’re going to spend £6k, go to somebody you trust, who’s able to fit the bike to you and who you trust to do a good job when they build it up.

The alternative is to go to a smaller UK bike builder. That gives you a slightly more select design, or perhaps less ‘mass produced’ and can often be good value from a reputable bike builder. An example is Reilly Cycle Works in Brighton, whose main bike builder Mark Reilly used to work for Enigma Bikes at Hailsham. I don’t have a Reilly, but I do have an Enigma Titanium bike. They’re website is here: https://www.reillycycleworks.com/pages/about-us

But the choice is yours. There isn’t a right or wrong. It’s what excites you that counts. But whichever route you choose, getting a proper fit is important, not just to get the right fit but it covers the point Bob made that sorting out your type of riding is as important as the right fit.

Beyond that, I’d seriously consider an electronic group set. They’re absolutely not necessary, but once you’ve had one you’ll find it hard to go back. The shifting is precise, reliable and isn’t affected by cable stretch. When you say you’re not mechanically minded, that could be attractive.

Your final question is whether to go with disk brakes or rim brakes. Again, this may depend on what type of riding you’re going to do, as disks really come into their own on rainy days, but they also give nice, even and precise braking.

Anyhow, just a few extra things for you to consider.

Top post

Spoilt for choice in and around London if you went with a UK builder. A stock Mason fitted to you and your needs might be an option too. £5k with Etap. The new titanium frame is lovely.

 

[Whorty]

Here’s my thoughts, for what they’re worth.

It’s perfectly ok to develop a strong liking for a particular bike. So, if the Bianchi is your thing, then go for it.

When you get a liking for a bike like the Bianchi, then it tends to be because they are big well known brands, easy to find and investigate on the internet and available through the bigger dealers as well as LBS. My first ‘proper road bike was a Scott CR1 and it was between that and a Trek, which I got from Evans Cycles.

The problem was they did an absolutely crap job at fitting the bike to me and building it up, so I ended up at a LBS, who basically rebuilt it and it felt like a different bike, which it pretty much was.

So, lesson 1 is if you’re going to spend £6k, go to somebody you trust, who’s able to fit the bike to you and who you trust to do a good job when they build it up.

The alternative is to go to a smaller UK bike builder. That gives you a slightly more select design, or perhaps less ‘mass produced’ and can often be good value from a reputable bike builder. An example is Reilly Cycle Works in Brighton, whose main bike builder Mark Reilly used to work for Enigma Bikes at Hailsham. I don’t have a Reilly, but I do have an Enigma Titanium bike. They’re website is here: https://www.reillycycleworks.com/pages/about-us

But the choice is yours. There isn’t a right or wrong. It’s what excites you that counts. But whichever route you choose, getting a proper fit is important, not just to get the right fit but it covers the point Bob made that sorting out your type of riding is as important as the right fit.

Beyond that, I’d seriously consider an electronic group set. They’re absolutely not necessary, but once you’ve had one you’ll find it hard to go back. The shifting is precise, reliable and isn’t affected by cable stretch. When you say you’re not mechanically minded, that could be attractive.

Your final question is whether to go with disk brakes or rim brakes. Again, this may depend on what type of riding you’re going to do, as disks really come into their own on rainy days, but they also give nice, even and precise braking.

Anyhow, just a few extra things for you to consider.

I did consider Condor as they have nice looking bikes and do bike fit as part of the offering but I'm just so drawn to the look of the Bianchi. What I need to do is try to find a seller who can build it up for me I guess.

Some great advice there, thanks

 

[<Tommy>]

May as well add my two cents...

Buy the bike you like the look of most. I genuinely think I could just stop there but...

If it’s a one off purchase I’d look at classic frame shapes rather than flavour of the month. Flavour of the month is flavour of the month because it’s this month. Next month it starts to look dated. This is the case with all aero frames. and lots of big brand frames (Not all). It’s fine if you plan to replace it at some point but if it’s a ‘forever bike’ then you might regret it.
Along this principle I wouldn’t get a bike from the Giants or Specialized of this world. For what it’s worth I don’t personally think Bianchi falls into this category so much.

Don’t buy a complete bike would be my preference. Source the parts individually. If the gears whir and the wheels woosh then more the better! That being said sometimes deals on complete bikes come up that are hard to beat.

It really helps if you understand your body and what works for you so you don’t have to put too much trust in other people’s opinions. Bike fitters aren’t to be generally trusted as gospel speakers.

If you’re living in London and promise not to bore me to tears with weight loss stories you’re welcome to come over to my house and I’ll build it for you

 

[Whorty]

May as well add my two cents...

Buy the bike you like the look of most. I genuinely think I could just stop there but...

If it’s a one off purchase I’d look at classic frame shapes rather than flavour of the month. Flavour of the month is flavour of the month because it’s this month. Next month it starts to look dated. This is the case with all aero frames. and lots of big brand frames (Not all). It’s fine if you plan to replace it at some point but if it’s a ‘forever bike’ then you might regret it.
Along this principle I wouldn’t get a bike from the Giants or Specialized of this world. For what it’s worth I don’t personally think Bianchi falls into this category so much.

Don’t buy a complete bike would be my preference. Source the parts individually. If the gears whir and the wheels woosh then more the better! That being said sometimes deals on complete bikes come up that are hard to beat.

It really helps if you understand your body and what works for you so you don’t have to put too much trust in other people’s opinions. Bike fitters aren’t to be generally trusted as gospel speakers.

If you’re living in London and promise not to bore me to tears with weight loss stories you’re welcome to come over to my house and I’ll build it for you

This was a consideration, whether today's frames will look outdated in a year or two. This is why I did look at Condor as their frames do look more 'classic' (at least to my inexperienced eye). Just been back on their site and you can get a nice celeste green frame, so i could pretend it's a Bianchi This probably will be my 'forever' bike, at least so much as I wouldn't be looking to replace in the medium term for a newer model.

I may take up your offer when time comes (and I'm sure you and others are always up for a nose around bike shops ). i promise not to bore you with weight loss

 

[Whorty]

Signed up for the 4 o'clock stage 7 today if anyone fancies a 'pootle'. Won't be challenging yesterday's time, but hoping to give me a good 1:30 minutes training ride.

Will do another virtual ride tomorrow, again aiming for 90 mins. Then planning to get out IRW Monday on the SS (as I've only been outside once so far this year and maybe another ride before ToC is needed ). Resting Tuesday. 60 mins pootle Weds and Thursday, then rest Friday and Saturday to be good and fresh in Sunday Feck, I am so excited about the ride next weekend .... I really don't get out enough

Was pretty spot on with timing today - just over 1:31 mins for the re-run of stage 7. Struggled with chest more tonight; couldn't push very hard on the climb as kept hacking up gunk! Was at 50% reality but this had me spinning too much and hitting the lungs, so I stopped and reset to 100% and this helped me grind more and keep lungs out of the action. Legs did struggle a bit but in all, I was on my planned time so can't complain.

 

[theboxers]

I did consider Condor as they have nice looking bikes and do bike fit as part of the offering but I'm just so drawn to the look of the Bianchi. What I need to do is try to find a seller who can build it up for me I guess.

Some great advice there, thanks

Butlers of Croydon is a Bianchi dealer (in the truest sense of the word ). I came very close to buying an ARIA E-ROAD (stupidly light for what is is) and only didn't due to the lower stack height, I just couldn't get into the position even with a 30degree stem fitted .

My take would be this
Hydraulic Disk
Electronic gearing
Endurance / Gravel frameset

Even the 28-33mm tyres are very low rolling resistance now.

As said most CF bikes now come in at 8kg or less, even with disk brakes and electronic gears.

Rose bikes do a marathon road bike with Sram force axs etap 12spd for £3k approx.
https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/rose-te...?product_shape=Caribbean+blue/dark+blue/grey+

weighing 7.7 kg, may vary by up to +/- 5 % due to manufacturing tolerances, weight for shiny UD carbon/iron grey frame, size 57 cm, without pedals

 

[Nebulous]

I've been having problems with my knees when doing long distances, so I cut back on cycling particularly pushing hard.

Following a bike fit my knees are much better, so I gave stage 7 a go yesterday. 1.32 and pretty pleased with that, but it felt tough. I only have two weeks until my 600 audax, but I'll try to get at least one more stage on catch-up.

 

[IrishAl]

Im taking on stage7 at 9am if there are any other takers? Im not sure how the legs will be - i raced yesterday IRL and cramped up badly on a steep climb with 10km to go and ended up (second) last (of the finishers). That is my excuse in early.

 

[CXRAndy]

Froome got a KOM on Mt Teide route TF21, a 4 mile section-nearly, where he did it in 16 mins dead. I did it in 37 mins, but you can see my heart rate was in the 140's at the end of a week. Obviously I was taking it easy.

To put into context the group leader who lives in Tenerife and is bloody fast did it in 22.50

 

[<Tommy>]

Froome got a KOM on Mt Teide route TF21, a 4 mile section-nearly, where he did it in 16 mins dead. I did it in 37 mins, but you can see my heart rate was in the 140's at the end of a week. Obviously I was taking it easy.

To put into context the group leader who lives in Tenerife and is bloody fast did it in 22.50

When I think about it I think Froome has to be my favourite climber all time. I’ve never seen anyone accelerate the way he does. The fact he’s 6’3 or whatever too with that unique style.

 

[mjd1988]

When I think about it I think Froome has to be my favourite climber all time. I’ve never seen anyone accelerate the way he does. The fact he’s 6’3 or whatever too with that unique style.

That is not a good height for zwift

 

[Norry1]

Zwift officially makes you soft!!

I planned to do a decent IRL ride today but as I got ready, it started to rain. I took my helmet off and did a Zwift race instead.

Quite enjoyed it, the 10:10 3R Lady Liberty Hilly Race - 2 Laps (24.6km/15.3mi 412m)

Unfortunately, Zwift crashed as I clicked "OK" to come off the results screen so whilst Zwiftpower shows my results, it hasn't loaded to Strava and Zwift is not showing the details.

 

[Randyberlin]

Zwift officially makes you soft!!

I planned to do a decent IRL ride today but as I got ready, it started to rain. I took my helmet off and did a Zwift race instead.

Quite enjoyed it, the 10:10 3R Lady Liberty Hilly Race - 2 Laps (24.6km/15.3mi 412m)

Unfortunately, Zwift crashed as I clicked "OK" to come off the results screen so whilst Zwiftpower shows my results, it hasn't loaded to Strava and Zwift is not showing the details.

Or even better. Start a real world ride see the rain stop in a cafe called “ I want to ride my bike” drink a latte eat some treats and watch bicycle racing on TV surrounded by cycling memorial

 

[bridgy]

Or even better. Start a real world ride see the rain stop in a cafe called “ I want to ride my bike” drink a latte eat some treats and watch bicycle racing on TV surrounded by cycling memorial

Nice find Randy! Hope the tour is going well?

 

[kipster]

OK guys, really premature here as not ready to buy yet, but looking for bike advice. HID says I can get new bike whenever I want, but I'm going to hold off until probably new year and see if I can get a 2019 model when 2020 models are released - basically, we are looking to move back to London and I don't really want to get the new bike until we have sold here and have a move date.

Anyway ... I digress .....

Being doing bike porn for past few weeks. Some mega bikes out there but I'm finding it hard not to pin my desires on a Bianchi, specifically the OLTRE XR3. Depending how work goes over the next few months, and house sale, budget won't be an issue but I'd like to keep it below £6k if I can just because it feels extreme to go above that

I've looked at so many other brands including Boardman (love the look of the 9.8 Air), Look (some really nice bikes), FDJ Lapiere (probably spelled that wrong!), Trek (Emondo is lovely), Cannondale (who wouldn't like the SystemSix?) HID is really taken with the Bianchi and keeps asking me why I'd wanted the other bikes when the Bianchi are so nice .... so come on, help me out

@kipster - what do you like / not like about Bianchi?

Others - why did you choose your models over other bikes?

I don't want a bike too aggressive, but I do want relatively light, aero (I know, this can make it aggressive too), not too bothered by electronic groupset, as good mechanical will suit me fine.

It’s odd really, as I wasn’t too bothered about the make but wanted Campagnolo groupset because I like the thumb shifters. There were limited bikes I could go for that came with them out of the factory. At the time Bianchi did a level entry bike carbon bike that fit the bill. Once I had it, I discovered the uk owners club, and just liked it. Unfortauntely that one developed a crack in the frame at 4.5 years old, they replaced under warranty with a better frame. I wasn’t initially taken with the celeste colour, but I do now want my next one to be Celeste. The oltre xr3 is a good bike, the CV in the frame does make a difference. I’m also quite like the look of the new Sprint, but that doesn’t have CV. But you can get the disk version with SRAM force axs 12 speed for £4200. I’ve got the infinity cv (what Jumbo Visma race at Paris Roubaix) with campagnolo chorus group set, and love it. The bike is so comfy. Next one will be xr3 or xr4 depending on money. I’d quite like an electronic group set ideally sram.