Multitool.org Forum
Outdoor Section => The Outdoor and Survival Forum => Topic started by: Abstraction on May 04, 2010, 07:50:17 PM
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Hey guys, i've got £650 to spend on a new bike from evans (has to be evans unfortuanately - cycle to work scheme) and was looking at this (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/crosstrail-comp-2010-hybrid-bike-ec019784).
I've got 3 miles of footpaths and muddy roads followed by just under 9 miles on roads, a good fit do you think or should i look at something else? Not riden a bike for almost 10 years so not really clued up on technical specs!
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how about this, ive had a few cannondale's and all been great, nice spec on that for the price as well, :tu: only thin i would upgrade in the end is the brakes but they would do fine,
paul
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/trail-sl-5-2010-mountain-bike-ec020208
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pinnacle peak s are quite good i have to do a bit off off roading and cycle pathing to get to work
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how about this, ive had a few cannondale's and all been great, nice spec on that for the price as well, :tu: only thin i would upgrade in the end is the brakes but they would do fine,
paul
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/trail-sl-5-2010-mountain-bike-ec020208
Looks nice but the problem with that bike is the tyres and gearing are made for off road and i've been warned that i'll get really annoyed riding that those for too long on roads as they're just so slow and heavy with slower gearing than a hybrid like the specialized. I tried out a few of the canondale big boy series and didn't like the smaller tyres on those either, though a workmate has been pushing me towards cannondale as well so there must definitely be something good to the brand!
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pinnacle peak s are quite good i have to do a bit off off roading and cycle pathing to get to work
I was looking at this from pinnacle
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/borealis-40-2010-hybrid-bike-ec021936
But wasn't sure if it would handle the regular off road riding and whether i'd be comfortable riding it there. The peak i wasn't sure about for the same reasons as the cannondale, not sure how it would perform on the road!
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its alright one the road :) i ride the 1.0 to work each day which is ,mainly a cycle path but its still tarmac. its just not as quick as a road bike obviously, with the right tyre im sure it would be a great choice
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Hey guys, i've got £650 to spend on a new bike from evans (has to be evans unfortuanately - cycle to work scheme) and was looking at this (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/crosstrail-comp-2010-hybrid-bike-ec019784).
I've got 3 miles of footpaths and muddy roads followed by just under 9 miles on roads, a good fit do you think or should i look at something else? Not riden a bike for almost 10 years so not really clued up on technical specs!
Let's break this down and look at it this from a practical stand point:
3 miles of footpaths and muddy roads - this sounds almost like Paris-Roubaix.. or cyclocross. Footpaths and muddy roads do not require suspension. In fact, suspension would be just extra weight to pedal along. They also do not require big heavy knobby tires for much the same reason.
9 miles on roads - for the bulk of the trip you will want a true road bike. Three times as much distance on roads as off says it all to me. A mountain bike or mountain based "hybrid" bike would be a pain to ride for 3/4 of your trip. Buzzing knobby tires on pavement creating drag... low pressure rolling resistance... and the technical trail riding position making your butt hurt... suspension that isn't needed.. etc.
You need a bike that is 3/4 road bike and 1/4 cyclocross bike. You want something with 700 x 35 tires (possibly with a little bit of knobby), full fenders, a headlight, strong wheels (32-36 spokes 3 crossed on solid touring hubs), a triple chainring in case these foot paths have any climbs, and attachment points for a rack so you can carry your stuff.
Flat bars would be a good idea on the trail, and they would be fine on the road (not as aero as drop bars, but you needn't worry about that now). Disc brakes would be good too, but are not truly necessary. Full sized V brakes or proper canti brakes would be just fine.
In some cases, disc brakes can interfere with mounting fenders and racks, so keep that in mind.
The Pinnacle looks nice, but it has a few problems..
1) it has a carbon fork. This is rather silly for this sort of bike, and I wouldn't ride carbon up front on a commuter, especially one that sees some trails. Go with a steel fork.
2) Mini V brakes.. can't fit fenders under these. Not fenders worth having anyway, and not the sort of fenders one needs for a bike that is going to take you to work on "muddy roads".
Now... on to some bikes:
The Treks seem to be the best deals out there! And they should all have mounts for racks and fenders.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/71-fx-2010-hybrid-bike-ec016501
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/t30-2009-hybrid-bike-ec001494
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/73-fx-2010-hybrid-bike-ec016510
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/7500-2009-hybrid-bike-ec016516
And these Konas are hot.. but you may have the rack and fender issues... maybe. You'd have to look up reviews of these models online.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/dew-deluxe-2009-hybrid-bike-ec017270
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/dr-dew-2009-hybrid-bike-ec017272
And do remember that you will not want to spend the whole lot on the bike itself. You'll need a lot of accessories to go with it.
Helmet
Gloves
Pump (two actually.. one for the garage with a pressure gauge, and one for the bike itself so you aren't walking 6 miles home).
Spare tube
Rack
Fenders
headlight
Panniers (perhaps)
A better saddle (perhaps)
Better pedals (perhaps)
Water bottle
Patch kit
Bike multitool
red flashy light
bell (yes, you need one on a commuter bike. Get an "Incredibell")
cyclist's rain jacket (unlike a regular rain jacket, it covers your lower back.. which is exposed when leaning forward on a bike)
Hope this helps!
Go with a Trek and buy all the gear to go with it. You'll be happy and dry instead of broken down and soaked to the skin.
G.
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I'm with Glorn on this :)
How about one of these, then you've the best of both worlds :)
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/tricross-2010-cyclo-cross-bike-ec020084
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how about this, ive had a few cannondale's and all been great, nice spec on that for the price as well, :tu: only thin i would upgrade in the end is the brakes but they would do fine,
paul
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/trail-sl-5-2010-mountain-bike-ec020208
Looks nice but the problem with that bike is the tyres and gearing are made for off road and i've been warned that i'll get really annoyed riding that those for too long on roads as they're just so slow and heavy with slower gearing than a hybrid like the specialized. I tried out a few of the canondale big boy series and didn't like the smaller tyres on those either, though a workmate has been pushing me towards cannondale as well so there must definitely be something good to the brand!
the problem is i use a road bike for the roads and a mountain bike off road, But i use my MTB as much on roads as off, after all these years of cycling ive fiddled with gearing no end and TBh spinning a gear is ok and using the higher gears on a MTB on tarmac is ok, its when people use the very low gears on MTB that you over spin, but there are a lot of hybrids out there, for me though i would rather stick slicks on a MTB and possibly fit a bigger outer chainring ,
paul
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I've been recommended cyclo-cross bikes by someone else but i checked out this raleigh (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/raleigh/airlite-u6-x-cross-2009-road-bike-ec018988) when i was in the store and found the riding position and handlebars rather daunting, i just didn't seem to sit naturally compared to the hybrids i tried, although that's probably just where I'm not used to it. I've also been warned that i might find non-flat handlebars a bit tough to use off road given the fact i've not riden in yonks and when i did it was an old heavy mountain bike.
As for the budget, I should have said i had more left over for things like that :D I've got £850 total so roughly split it £650 for a bike and £200 for accessories like locks etc which I figure should be enough, and of course there's budget for a bike multi in there - what do you think my next thread was going to be about once i'd decided on a bike :tu:
Thanks a lot for the very informative post Glorn, much appreciated!! I've looked at all of the options there, but tbh as i don't have the first clue about individual components or brand names they seem pretty similar to me! I think that's probably what drew me to the Crosstrail, i could easily 'see' that the tires were meant for the best of both world, that it had lockable suspension so it could work on different surfaces and that going for the comp version would be a benefit with disc brakes, but away from that everything is pretty samey in the hybrid category!
The danger of course though is that i'll see things and assume they're an improvement when they're not though, like it seems i've done with the suspension. I assumed locking suspension would be a real boon on the bumpy parts of my journey but you're not the first person to say it's completely unnecessary weight! How much difference does the weight make though, compared to the different tyres for example? I don't tend to travel light (I carry a fairly bulky backpack with me) so doubt i'll be the fastest rider in the world regardless but is 3kg going to make a noticeable difference to my pace over 12 miles? I think i should add that the footpaths and muddy roads are in pretty poor shape, lots of potholes, nasty slops to them at moments and not what i'd look at and think it would be ideal for thin tires, but you're totally right about the majority of it being on road which is why i was sticking to looking at hybrid style bikes rather than mountain bikes.
I'll make sure to try some Trek bikes out when i go in on Tuesday though, see if i feel any of them :)
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:rofl: I think mike knows my cyclo cross love, i didnt think about this kind of bike as generally pretty specialized, but a great choice and the Raleigh looks spot on , the only thing you might find is it will have a harsh ride as alloy is very stiff and not a problem on a cyclo cross bike as ridden for lightness and ease of carry, but would be my first choice especial in Titanium :D but would cost a bomb :-\
paul
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I own aluminum, titanium, and steel frames... I have ridden them all extensively over the years.
I can honestly say that the "aluminum is harsh" tale is a bunch of hooey. So is the "ti is noodly" and the "steel fatigues and goes soft after a long time on the road".
A well made frame makes the most out of the material it was designed for. It depends on geometry, tubing diameter, tube wall thickness... etc...
And tires make or break a bikes "smoothness" more than anything else other than frame and fork geometry.
If it is designed properly, any frame material will "feel" just fine. The rest is all in one's head. The smoothest bike I have ever ridden was a Cannondale.
G.
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I own aluminum, titanium, and steel frames... I have ridden them all extensively over the years.
I can honestly say that the "aluminum is harsh" tale is a bunch of hooey. So is the "ti is noodly" and the "steel fatigues and goes soft after a long time on the road".
A well made frame makes the most out of the material it was designed for. It depends on geometry, tubing diameter, tube wall thickness... etc...
And tires make or break a bikes "smoothness" more than anything else other than frame and fork geometry.
If it is designed properly, any frame material will "feel" just fine. The rest is all in one's head. The smoothest bike I have ever ridden was a Cannondale.
G.
i liked steel as a touring bike as easy to fix in the middle of nowhere, ali and Ti being harder if not impossible to fix, ive found over these years that different material is good foe certain cycling, track racing i liked ali as very stiff for sprinting, i had carbon fiber but found at that time it stiff in the seat and back end and flexy in the bottom bracket,for mountain biking i had ali full suspension as stiffness not a issue , for bmx racing i pretty much always had 4130 as reliable, i used a few ali frames but was always waiting for them to crack, they didnt though,cheap ali frames i fing still tend to be heavy and stiff :-\ again you get what you pay for, i always found cannondales a great ride, but nothing compares to a few custom steel road and track bikes i rode in the early 90's.
ok Ti is out as cost to much and not needed,
steel is good if good quality , i found tange prestige great for MTB'ing
ali well 7005 is ok, 6061 is ok, there is so many ali frames around now there all pretty much alike but get a lot better with price, but yes a harsher ride,
for me its steel, :D plus last longer,
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On the potholes, suspension might be nice. But the best way to ride a commuter bike is to do all that you can to avoid technical terrain.
Why?
Well, you see... a commuter bike presumes you are on the way to work or on the way home. Therefore, you do not have the luxury of risking a break down due to riding anything remotely hardcore. This bike needs to be reliable before all else, and your riding needs to be quick and conservative. Turning your front wheel into a taco on the way to work because you rode a suspension equipped hybrid over a pothole is not in line with that mindset.
A commuter bike and the rider must be cautious and alert. You avoid obstacles that could injure you or damage your bike. You ride a bike that is the most practical for the trip that you can possibly find.
Save aggressive riding for the weekends when you can afford to break down because you took a proper MTB over some rocks.
Is a shock all that heavy? No, modern shocks in and of themselves are not that heavy. But... the weight is right up front, attached to your steerer. Even with a lock out, this is going to give you a sluggish front end on the road. Also, most suspension forks have fairly slack angles, whereas road forks are usually a bit more steep. Steeper equals quicker turning. Not so steep that you are all twitchy like a track bike, but steep enough that you can flick the bike hard left and avoid being crushed by a lorry, yeah?
The last thing I want on my bike on the road is sluggishness. I have enough of that in my person.
Big tires will help you cope with the trails. Like 700 x 38 if they will fit. And they do make tires that are make for road and trail. You might not find the perfect bike off the shelf. It will likely be a compromise, and you will change out the tires, seat, etc.
Yes, I do think you should avoid drop bars for now. Find a bike with a flat bar or mustache bars.
As for components... better to invest in the frame and wheels. Components can be changed out as they wear out. For you right now, anything from Shimano or Suntour or Diacompe or Tektro or SRAM will be fine. Bontrager, Ritchey, Aheadset (or Cane Creek), these are all good too.
This is a commuter bike, so exotic components are not what you want anyway. You want tough, durable, reliable, and cheap to replace. Most of the high end components are merely lighter. They use less material, and are often short lived. You want good components, not race kit.
Your frameset, wheels, and tires are where you really want to put your money.
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On the potholes, suspension might be nice. But the best way to ride a commuter bike is to do all that you can to avoid technical terrain.
Why?
Well, you see... a commuter bike presumes you are on the way to work or on the way home. Therefore, you do not have the luxury of risking a break down due to riding anything remotely hardcore. This bike needs to be reliable before all else, and your riding needs to be quick and conservative. Turning your front wheel into a taco on the way to work because you rode a suspension equipped hybrid over a pothole is not in line with that mindset.
A commuter bike and the rider must be cautious and alert. You avoid obstacles that could injure you or damage your bike. You ride a bike that is the most practical for the trip that you can possibly find.
Save aggressive riding for the weekends when you can afford to break down because you took a proper MTB over some rocks.
Is a shock all that heavy? No, modern shocks in and of themselves are not that heavy. But... the weight is right up front, attached to your steerer. Even with a lock out, this is going to give you a sluggish front end on the road. Also, most suspension forks have fairly slack angles, whereas road forks are usually a bit more steep. Steeper equals quicker turning. Not so steep that you are all twitchy like a track bike, but steep enough that you can flick the bike hard left and avoid being crushed by a lorry, yeah?
The last thing I want on my bike on the road is sluggishness. I have enough of that in my person.
Big tires will help you cope with the trails. Like 700 x 38 if they will fit. And they do make tires that are make for road and trail. You might not find the perfect bike off the shelf. It will likely be a compromise, and you will change out the tires, seat, etc.
Yes, I do think you should avoid drop bars for now. Find a bike with a flat bar or mustache bars.
As for components... better to invest in the frame and wheels. Components can be changed out as they wear out. For you right now, anything from Shimano or Suntour or Diacompe or Tektro or SRAM will be fine. Bontrager, Ritchey, Aheadset (or Cane Creek), these are all good too.
This is a commuter bike, so exotic components are not what you want anyway. You want tough, durable, reliable, and cheap to replace. Most of the high end components are merely lighter. They use less material, and are often short lived. You want good components, not race kit.
Your frameset, wheels, and tires are where you really want to put your money.
Great stuff :) So what is it about the suspension on this Trek (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/7500-2009-hybrid-bike-ec016516) you recommended that would make it more suitable than the crosstrial in terms of reliability? Though they are out of stock of that particular one though, as well as the 2010 version anyway >:(
Also this Kona (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/dew-deluxe-2009-hybrid-bike-ec017270) you mentioned has the same tires as the Crosstrail, so is the only advantage the fact it has no suspension and is therefore lighter or am i missing something?
So compared to the crosstrial would you say one of these
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/sirrus-elite-2010-hybrid-bike-ec020016
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/dew-deluxe-2010-hybrid-bike-ec021772
would be a better fit? Looking through the Trek options i can't really pick one that isn't discontinued and which really grabs my attention
I remember looking at this one (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/75-fx-2010-hybrid-bike-ec016514) in store and it was lovely, but the assistant said that riding it down a bumpy path every day would be folly, as it was really not designed for anything other than road use, and this one (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/7500-2010-hybrid-bike-ec020766) looks much better but like a lot of the treks is out of stock. Also the problem with Trek bikes is they are ship to store only and getting it home from london would be tricky, as I can't take the bike on national rail during rush hour which is the only time i'd be able to pick it up unless i took the day off work just to go get it.
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ok that trek is nice but ive never had any luck with that type of spoke pattern, i found they are stiff and break
both those Konas would be perfect,
that suspension on the treck is similiar to the headshock on cannondales but more basic i would give that a miss as wouldnt do much,
paul
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Honestly, I didn't notice that the one Trek had an integrated suspension fork. My mistake.
The other Trek you posted has a sort of radially laced wheel that would be murder on anything short of smooth pavement.
I LOVE the Kona. Absolutely love it. That is a red hot ride, and perfect for what you want to do, if...
And I bought my wife an older Sirrus that has been nothing but great. It would also be ideal, if...
If...
They both can accept full fenders. Ask the bike shop if they can install SKS brand or Planet Bike brand full fenders on it for you. And by "full" I mean they are not just a thing attached to your seat post. They hug the tires and are attached to the frame and fork.
If they can do that, then it looks like we have found you a bike.
The Kona would be my personal choice though.
Now you need a Timbuk II messenger bag for your stuff. Racks are notoriously difficult to mount to bikes with disc brakes.
G.
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Ah, the Sirrus has mini V brakes like my wife's. Not going to get fenders in there.
Ask the shop to put fenders on the Kona and ride happy!
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Ah, the Sirrus has mini V brakes like my wife's. Not going to get fenders in there.
Ask the shop to put fenders on the Kona and ride happy!
yeah i agree try and get everything done in the shop even things you might want changed, ive had pedals ,saddles,grips,tyres , all sorts changed before , and no proper everyday bike should have no mudguards :tu:
paul
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Ah, the Sirrus has mini V brakes like my wife's. Not going to get fenders in there.
Ask the shop to put fenders on the Kona and ride happy!
Cheers mate, i'll find a store that stocks them and see what i think to it :)
The problem with getting it fitted in store, is i don't think i can ??? I live well outside of London where all the Evans stores are, so home delivery is my only option and as i say, i won't be able to get the train into or out of london because they don't let you take bikes on rush hour trains which is the only time i'll be able to go in or out of london. I don't think they even sell specialized bikes in store, they're home delivery only, although i think you can buy the Kona there and then.
My plan was to pop down on tuesday and have a test ride of the bikes I'm looking at and if one seemed to fit the bill i'll order it online the next day with all associated accessories.
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Ah, the Sirrus has mini V brakes like my wife's. Not going to get fenders in there.
Ask the shop to put fenders on the Kona and ride happy!
Cheers mate, i'll find a store that stocks them and see what i think to it :)
The problem with getting it fitted in store, is i don't think i can ??? I live well outside of London where all the Evans stores are, so home delivery is my only option and as i say, i won't be able to get the train into or out of london because they don't let you take bikes on rush hour trains which is the only time i'll be able to go in or out of london. I don't think they even sell specialized bikes in store, they're home delivery only, although i think you can buy the Kona there and then.
My plan was to pop down on tuesday and have a test ride of the bikes I'm looking at and if one seemed to fit the bill i'll order it online the next day with all associated accessories.
can you not ask while checking it store, is it cheaper online as my brother did the same work scheme and got it cheaper from the shop, out of interest where abouts outside of London is it
paul
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Ah, the Sirrus has mini V brakes like my wife's. Not going to get fenders in there.
Ask the shop to put fenders on the Kona and ride happy!
Cheers mate, i'll find a store that stocks them and see what i think to it :)
The problem with getting it fitted in store, is i don't think i can ??? I live well outside of London where all the Evans stores are, so home delivery is my only option and as i say, i won't be able to get the train into or out of london because they don't let you take bikes on rush hour trains which is the only time i'll be able to go in or out of london. I don't think they even sell specialized bikes in store, they're home delivery only, although i think you can buy the Kona there and then.
My plan was to pop down on tuesday and have a test ride of the bikes I'm looking at and if one seemed to fit the bill i'll order it online the next day with all associated accessories.
can you not ask while checking it store, is it cheaper online as my brother did the same work scheme and got it cheaper from the shop, out of interest where abouts outside of London is it
paul
They're all over london, i had to go to three last time because they all have different stock, but while i might be able to get it in store if i found the right one i wouldn't be able to get it home on the train, that's the issue :(
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Ah, the Sirrus has mini V brakes like my wife's. Not going to get fenders in there.
Ask the shop to put fenders on the Kona and ride happy!
Cheers mate, i'll find a store that stocks them and see what i think to it :)
The problem with getting it fitted in store, is i don't think i can ??? I live well outside of London where all the Evans stores are, so home delivery is my only option and as i say, i won't be able to get the train into or out of london because they don't let you take bikes on rush hour trains which is the only time i'll be able to go in or out of london. I don't think they even sell specialized bikes in store, they're home delivery only, although i think you can buy the Kona there and then.
My plan was to pop down on tuesday and have a test ride of the bikes I'm looking at and if one seemed to fit the bill i'll order it online the next day with all associated accessories.
can you not ask while checking it store, is it cheaper online as my brother did the same work scheme and got it cheaper from the shop, out of interest where abouts outside of London is it
paul
They're all over london, i had to go to three last time because they all have different stock, but while i might be able to get it in store if i found the right one i wouldn't be able to get it home on the train, that's the issue :(
it annoys me as last year me and a group of friends do a regular ride around london on bmx bikes for children in need, i got the train from poole in dorset to waterloo, they gave me a ticket to get to epping but i wasnt aload on any trains :ahhh to say i was P'ed off, i got there in the end but had to ride most og london to the right train station, could someone not give you a lift or do you live far out of london, and yes i know its a pain ti drive around london :-\
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I live far from london unfortunately, my company is london based which is why we have the tie up with evans but i work in our offices well outside of it. I'll go in and see what they recommend I guess. I can call ahead and get them to bring in the two bikes i want to try for a £50 fully refundable deposit so might get my closest store to bring in the crosstrial and Kona Dew to see which one i prefere with a decent test ride.
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I live far from london unfortunately, my company is london based which is why we have the tie up with evans but i work in our offices well outside of it. I'll go in and see what they recommend I guess. I can call ahead and get them to bring in the two bikes i want to try for a £50 fully refundable deposit so might get my closest store to bring in the crosstrial and Kona Dew to see which one i prefere with a decent test ride.
yeah have a good look first, bikes are very personal things, i like drop bars as like to have more than one hand position and ive even had them on MTB's, but risers are good for general use and work,ive had 2 konas and both been great the last one i sold last year and i got it in 1995 , i would say my best bike ive ever had and regret selling it but had no choice, good luck and let us know how it goes :tu:
paul
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My mind may have been made up for me - phoned the store to make sure they had everything in stock i wanted on monday but they cant get the crosstrail in for at least a week and can't get the Kona in until tuesday, so i'm taking a trip down there tuesday to check out the Kona, if i like it i'll get it, otherwise i'll be confused :p
One thing which surprised me though is he recommended a 54cm frame. I'm only 5'7"-5'8" and the Kona sizing chart (http://www.evanscycles.com/product_document/file/be5/942/691/102/kona-bikes-sizing-chart.pdf) says i'd need 18"-19" so 45cm-48.2cm. Even given the footnote that Kona frames come up smaller than they claim (Notes:The Dew models have a compact frame size that come up 5cm smaller than stated. E.g. 56cm frame = 51cm) that's still really big! I was expecting the 49 or 52cm frames.
Hope he knows what he's talking about as otherwise i'll have wasted the trip into london to try a bike which is way too big!
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My mind may have been made up for me - phoned the store to make sure they had everything in stock i wanted on monday but they cant get the crosstrail in for at least a week and can't get the Kona in until tuesday, so i'm taking a trip down there tuesday to check out the Kona, if i like it i'll get it, otherwise i'll be confused :p
One thing which surprised me though is he recommended a 54cm frame. I'm only 5'7"-5'8" and the Kona sizing chart (http://www.evanscycles.com/product_document/file/be5/942/691/102/kona-bikes-sizing-chart.pdf) says i'd need 18"-19" so 45cm-48.2cm. Even given the footnote that Kona frames come up smaller than they claim (Notes:The Dew models have a compact frame size that come up 5cm smaller than stated. E.g. 56cm frame = 51cm) that's still really big! I was expecting the 49 or 52cm frames.
Hope he knows what he's talking about as otherwise i'll have wasted the trip into london to try a bike which is way too big!
yeah sounds to big mate, im 5ft9 on a road bike i use a 49cm frame mountain bike 17inch i prefer to run a high saddle and low front on a road bike, and on a MTB i like a low Top tube for obvious clearance :D
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What's your inseam?
I'd rather have a bike that is a tiny bit too big than one that is too small. Don't want to be all cramped up on a small bike. But I do agree that a 54 sounds too big for you.
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33" inseam, might call and ask him to get the smaller size in as well, it's another £50 deposit but i don't want to get there and find its the wrong size. It's the last bike they have in 54cm so i assume the other sizes are going pretty fast as well.
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this is what the charts say
road bike
5'10" - 6'1" 31.5" - 33" 58 - 60 cm
mountain bike
5'11" - 6'2" 31" - 33" 19 to 21 inches
all sounds big to me, but a personal thing again, ive found i like a longer seat post and a longer stem, but then my MTB has a 15inch frame and with its 100mm forks on is still pretty high, and my road bike is 49cm and im about half a inch above the TT while straddling it,
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Cheers, unfortunartely they couldn't get a 52" in but the shop assistant said that nearly everyone prefers to go larger with the Dew series, which is why they have no 58,60 or 62 cm frames left. He said that for my height i 'might' prefer the 52" but its more than likely the 54 would be a better for me.
Looking forward to getting down there and trying it out, just gutted i have to wait until tuesday now rather than straight after work on monday. Going to try and get as much stuff thrown in to the deal as possible too. I may be saving £200 on the frame but that's no reason not to go for some extra freebies!
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Screw those Evan's smurfs for every penny mate >:D
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Screw those Evan's smurfs for every penny mate >:D
I'll give it my best shot :D I'll be spending £850 in total so if i don't walk away with £80 of freebies i'll be disappointed!
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Bought the Dr Dew :D Lovely bike, absolutely glides along smooth road and while i find i do feel every bump in the ground when the surface goes worse for wear it's not too bad. The only issue is I couldn't get full mudguards because of the combination of short frame and disk brakes so i got some strap on plastic ones which seem like they'll do a decent enough job. They said that they could force them on with a bodge job but said it would be better to go for something without issues. Also not sure about the seat - I don't know whether it's because I haven't riden for so long but dear god it's uncomfortable putting too much weight on it!
Got a pair of normal pedels put on it as it came with clip pedels which needed a special shoe, and my budget didn't cover them unfortunately. Spent the entire £250 leftover no problem, despite getting a decent pair of bar ends, the replacement pedels and a cheapo cable lock thrown in free and the £70 Abus X Granite 54 plus Lock half price :o
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That's a good result I'd say mate :tu:
Any piccies yet? :pok: :pok:
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haha, not yet :D will take some tomorrow though, it's locked away in the garage for now!
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Wonderful! Congratulations!
33" inseam says to me that you can ride a larger frame than your height would suggest. I still think a 54 is a tad big, but... if the Dew runs a little large..
You said it is comfortable aside from the seat, so it sounds like it worked out well then.
Speaking of the seat, give it time. You need to toughen up the tissue around your ischial tuberosities. Riding some nice easy roads frequently over the next few weeks will get you there if you keep at it. If after that, the seat is still terribly uncomfortable, then swap it out. But don't make the mistake of buying a wider seat or one with more padding or gel. I could explain it, but... the great Sheldon Brown (God rest his soul) has already done a better job:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html
I'd suggest his site to you for general reading. The man was a bicycle genius and a cycling guru if you are not familiar with his articles. Worthwhile reading for anyone planning to ride a bike.
Now, about those bumpy roads... As you ride more and more, you'll learn how to "fly". That one I cannot explain, and Sheldon hasn't broached that at all, but most regular cyclists know the feeling. You sort of learn to float. And it has a bit to do with speed. Mountain bikers who rode (or ride) hard tails know what I mean. You'll get there.
Try this book for a great (and easy) read:
The Immortal Class: Bike Messengers and the Cult of Human Power
by Travis Hugh Culley
And yes, pictures of your new ride, please!
G.
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Here you are - some bike porn :D (and yes, i know i need to do some gardening :P)
It does feel like an awful mission to get on and off the bike, hardly feels very graceful, but i don't know if that's because the bike is actually too big for me (though the guy in evans never suggested it might be despite lowering the saddle really far down) or if again I'm just not used to getting on and off the bike and am embarrassingly inflexible. When i stand astride of it the horizontal bar is just touching my jeans, but when i actually finally get riding it's fine.
(http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/6870/imag0053r.th.jpg) (http://img269.imageshack.us/i/imag0053r.jpg/)
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(http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/9940/imag0052v.th.jpg) (http://img85.imageshack.us/i/imag0052v.jpg/)
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The sizing sounds about right. I'm 5'9" and ride a 54-56cm in road bikes and 17-19" in MTB. I usually prefer a smaller frame, so I generally ride 54cm and 17". However, the top tube is usually shorter than I like in those sizes.
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Just went through sheldon browns site and he said the saddle should be positioned so that you're just sitting on it when the pedels are at the bottom of their motion, so i was riding it with the saddle still too high i think as i when i'm sat on the saddle i can only get the peddle to about 160 degrees (im glad evans notice that sort of thing) so i think perhaps too much of my weight was on the saddle at all time and i wasnt very well positioned. The only issue is where i've got the reflector, rear light and rear mudguard all strapped to the seat post i can't actually lower the saddle enough so that it's in the correct position :( Either going to have to take the rear mudguard off and do without, or take the reflector off which I'm not sure is legal.
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Yep reflectors are a legal requirement mate :-\
Hopefully you'll adapt to it before too much longer mate, as the bike certainly looks the part :tu:
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Yep reflectors are a legal requirement mate :-\
Hopefully you'll adapt to it before too much longer mate, as the bike certainly looks the part :tu:
my front one fell off i have what the reflector attached too left on but the shiny bit fell off :rofl: i normally have a light on though and i think it counts as one ???
and looks like a lovely bike mate :tu:
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GREEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love it!!!! Congrats on the new wheels. :tu:
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that looks spot on mate, as for reflectors there the first thin i take off, my cycling shoes have reflective backs on them ans i use lights at night, but there are benefits of them, looks set up nice, get the position right and you can rife it all day long :tu:
paul
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yeah it's lovely isn't it :D Although my arse is still pretty bruised from what was a reletively short ride! went for a run yesterday anyway so wasn't in any state to ride but hoping i'll be fine to ride tomorrow, the weather looks awesome and got a 10 mile trip i'd ordinarily take the bus for but would love to just jump on this for :)
cheers for everyone's advice, really is appreciated. i'll always have the rear red LED's with me or on my bike so might eithe take the reflector off and get rid, or see if i can fix it to the mudguard in some way.
Have no idea how to remove the mudguard though, the shop fitted it for me and short of cutting it off it's a complete mystery as to how i remove it - frustrating considering it's meant to be quick release!!
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the rar mudguard should be held tight with a pinch type affair, loosen it remove the seat post and slide it off :tu:
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It's one of these (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sks/xtra-dry-rear-mudguard-ec004908?query=sks) so it's meant to be quick and easy to take off but I'm obviously missing something! I'll go play around with the seat post and see if i can figure out how the 'clever powerstop closure' works when it's off the bike!
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It's one of these (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sks/xtra-dry-rear-mudguard-ec004908?query=sks) so it's meant to be quick and easy to take off but I'm obviously missing something! I'll go play around with the seat post and see if i can figure out how the 'clever powerstop closure' works when it's off the bike!
ive never seen that one before, ive got one of the old crud catcher ones but i generally dont use one on my MTB that often, i have full mud guards on my road bike, looks like it will do the job of keeping mud of your back :tu:
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Still no idea how to get it off once i removed the seat, but I've taken off the reflector so i can move the LED light (this one (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cateye/ld-610-rear-light-ec011592?query=cateye))up a bit and flatten out the mudguard so that they're both more effective and so the mudguard is less high profile (as it stood the angle of the mudguard blocked the view of the LED from behind). I'm going to try and fix the red reflector either to the mudguard or to the seat itself purely for legal reasons but if i can't get it securely mounted i won't lose any sleep as imho they are of minimal use compared to a decent back LED anyway.
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Still no idea how to get it off once i removed the seat, but I've taken off the reflector so i can move the LED light (this one (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cateye/ld-610-rear-light-ec011592?query=cateye))up a bit and flatten out the mudguard so that they're both more effective and so the mudguard is less high profile (as it stood the angle of the mudguard blocked the view of the LED from behind). I'm going to try and fix the red reflector either to the mudguard or to the seat itself purely for legal reasons but if i can't get it securely mounted i won't lose any sleep as imho they are of minimal use compared to a decent back LED anyway.
your led light should have a reflector built in so i wouldnt worry about them, ive never had reflectors on any of my bikes and ive been riding for over 30 years and never been pulled up on it, as long as you have lights there is no problem .
paul
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Cool, I'll ignore it then and stick with the lights :D Not planning on doing any night time riding for a while anyway, the evenings are long enough i won't have to till autumn. Cheers mate!
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Cool, I'll ignore it then and stick with the lights :D Not planning on doing any night time riding for a while anyway, the evenings are long enough i won't have to till autumn. Cheers mate!
:tu: no probs mate glad to help. happy cycling
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Whew, I'm glad i got those bar ends! Just went for a 6 mile ride as a warm up to my 9 mile commute starting next week and damn it was harder than i imagined! I'm a pretty fit guy nowadays, i run 6-10 miles at least once every week and hit the weights every other day so i figured riding 6 miles at a brisk pace would be a walk in the park, but the workout on my hands and forearms for those 20 minutes was pretty brutal! Found myself switching to the bar ends pretty regularly and even so I can barely type now! Legs are tired but fine, but I'm just shocked at how much harder than i remembered that was, i guess it's just a completely different exercise to what I'm used to but that bodes well for keeping me fit and healthy at least! Just hope it doesn't take too long for me to be able to get the ride in and then still be able to do some weights later in the day!
I'll say it again though - it really is a lovely bike :D the gears seemed perfectly placed to step up or down to what i wanted next and the speed was easy to get and maintain :D Feels very rigid going over bumps and potholes in the road mind, but I'm guessing that as i get more used to riding I'll fly over those without noticing. Seat is perfectly positioned now I've nudged it down a jot as well and aside from the bruising left over from the other day the saddle felt fine :) Really looking forward to getting this commute in daily, although i can see myself getting dangerously addicted to going fast! Those downhill stretches were far too much fun and far too short :P
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Whew, I'm glad i got those bar ends! Just went for a 6 mile ride as a warm up to my 9 mile commute starting next week and damn it was harder than i imagined! I'm a pretty fit guy nowadays, i run 6-10 miles at least once every week and hit the weights every other day so i figured riding 6 miles at a brisk pace would be a walk in the park, but the workout on my hands and forearms for those 20 minutes was pretty brutal! Found myself switching to the bar ends pretty regularly and even so I can barely type now! Legs are tired but fine, but I'm just shocked at how much harder than i remembered that was, i guess it's just a completely different exercise to what I'm used to but that bodes well for keeping me fit and healthy at least! Just hope it doesn't take too long for me to be able to get the ride in and then still be able to do some weights later in the day!
I'll say it again though - it really is a lovely bike :D the gears seemed perfectly placed to step up or down to what i wanted next and the speed was easy to get and maintain :D Feels very rigid going over bumps and potholes in the road mind, but I'm guessing that as i get more used to riding I'll fly over those without noticing. Seat is perfectly positioned now I've nudged it down a jot as well and aside from the bruising left over from the other day the saddle felt fine :) Really looking forward to getting this commute in daily, although i can see myself getting dangerously addicted to going fast! Those downhill stretches were far too much fun and far too short :P
sounds spot on mate, because i suffer with hand ache i prefer drop bars for more positions for you hands, and i flat bars on MTB's i always used bar ends, there great for a extra position and leverage out of the saddle while climbing, im glad its all working out for you, the bike will evolve as you go along :tu:
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Just went through sheldon browns site and he said the saddle should be positioned so that you're just sitting on it when the pedels are at the bottom of their motion, so i was riding it with the saddle still too high i think as i when i'm sat on the saddle i can only get the peddle to about 160 degrees (im glad evans notice that sort of thing) so i think perhaps too much of my weight was on the saddle at all time and i wasnt very well positioned. The only issue is where i've got the reflector, rear light and rear mudguard all strapped to the seat post i can't actually lower the saddle enough so that it's in the correct position :( Either going to have to take the rear mudguard off and do without, or take the reflector off which I'm not sure is legal.
Your leg should be just slightly bent at the bottom position of the pedal, and not fully extended. Can you take a quick measurement and tell me how far out of the frame your seat post is? Just measure from the top tub of the frame to the bottom of the saddle... thanks.
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Took two measurements in case i was going for the wrong thing - It's currently 3.5" from the vertical tube on the frame, 6" from the horizontal tube. I also remeasured my inseam as i was going from memory earlier and it's closer to 31" - a fair bit shorter than i remembered!!
Diagram in case i've got it wrong.
(http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/5756/dewmeasure.png)
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That's not bad... Does the bike feel long to you? I mean, do you feel stretched out when grabbing the handle bars?
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Nope, it feels good once I'm riding it and i can keep an upright position while comfortably gripping the handlebars. I think it was just where i had the seat fractionally higher while riding it home it was just that little too much - i couldn't support myself properly on the peddles on the down stroke so had too much weight on the saddle, and had to shift to either side as i was pedaling which wouldn't have helped either! It's much better from that perspective now that I've nudged the seat down an inch or so; I'm still making a meal of getting on and off of it but I think that's purely down to my inflexibility!!
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Again a very personal thing riding positions ,i like my heels higher than most ,although a tad lower on my MTB , i prefer a shorter stem but it depends on your TT length and your reach, as ive got older and have a neck injurie from 2 years ago ive gone a little higher at the front end, i also like my saddle back on its rails, you will get there eddy mercx fiddled with his riding position on a day to day basis he was obsessed with it i was like this back in the days when i raced my saddly always felt to low , your get there in the end :tu:
paul
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Nope, it feels good once I'm riding it and i can keep an upright position while comfortably gripping the handlebars. I think it was just where i had the seat fractionally higher while riding it home it was just that little too much - i couldn't support myself properly on the peddles on the down stroke so had too much weight on the saddle, and had to shift to either side as i was pedaling which wouldn't have helped either!
Yep, it sounds like you have it fitting you well now. :tu: If you ever notice your hips tilting up and down on each side, your saddle is too high.
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Nope, it feels good once I'm riding it and i can keep an upright position while comfortably gripping the handlebars. I think it was just where i had the seat fractionally higher while riding it home it was just that little too much - i couldn't support myself properly on the peddles on the down stroke so had too much weight on the saddle, and had to shift to either side as i was pedaling which wouldn't have helped either!
Yep, it sounds like you have it fitting you well now. :tu: If you ever notice your hips tilting up and down on each side, your saddle is too high.
Oh yeah, pay attention to that. Major uncomfortable ouchie if your hips start tilting while pedaling...
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is the biking still going well?
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Yeah it's going well cheers :) My bum has already got acclimatized to riding so just my legs which get knackered now which is the way i want it! Had a bit of a shock when i rode into london via the train the other day and attempted to navigate my way to a shop i needed to get to - riding in london is hellish! Getting anywhere requires a lot of recklessness and getting anywhere without being hit requires equal amounts of luck! I was absolutely petrfied and won't be doing that again!
My normal countryside route is rantastic though :) I've learnt that trying to go at 18mph the entire 10 miles is a bit much at this point but i've still been keeping a nice pace up and really enjoying the early morning pump! The journey back isn't quite as much fun where i'm getting home shattered but i'll get used to it and it saves me geting home, changing, plodding about warming up and then running for an hour!
Few people at work have complimented me on the bike too, they were impressed by its set up! Only worry for me is i'm moving home very soon to a house without a garage, so i'm not sure where i'll be able to safely store the bike. It's rented so I won't be allowed to put an anchor point in and it's not the biggest place to my girlfriend will put her foot down about keeping it stored inside. It's a bit of a conundrum! I'm only down the road from where i am now and I've got some friends who will be able to lock it up in their garage for the short term but it's definately going to require a creative solution!
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+1 on the London cycling :D It's a bit hairy isn't it :o
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+1 on the London cycling :D It's a bit hairy isn't it :o
Massive understatement but yeah :-p I had no idea which lane I wanted most of the time and when I found out the chances of the cars letting me in were roughly on par with the odds of juggling a collection of chainsaws and walking away with only s fleshwound!
When I wasn't dodging traffic I tended to find myself in endless one way systems which took me in every direction but the way I wanted to go. I can only conclude that London roads have been designed as a solution to over population - if the cars don't get. you then you'll die of exhaustion,lost after being misdirected to the opposite side of the city.
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when i rode around london streets for many years i cut my bars very narrow so i could get through little gaps, but it is full on, a bit of a buzz, well was when i was younger :D glad your still enjoying you r new wheels :tu:
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Finally getting the hang of London after a few trips in :D Now i actually know the route i can relax a lot more and just concentrate on the other nutters on the road - just worrying about the road rather than road+route is a massive improvement! Bum has finally got 'broken in' now as well (perhaps i could use a better choice of words there :P) so will be sticking with this saddle!
Been struggling with back pain this week though and i'm not sure if it's related to the bike or not. when i'm riding there's absolutely no pain at all but the rest of the time, particularly sitting down for long stretches, I've got a really dull but quite painful ache along my mid-right back which is incredibly uncomfortable! Ibuprophene+paracetamol doesn't seem to be doing the job and its been going on for over a week now, doc just said to rest it. Not sure if i should give the riding a break to see if that helps or if that would just be a case of adding 1+1 and jumping to conclusions, i mean it doesn't feel uncomfortable when i'm on the bike so i's a bit weird!
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Finally getting the hang of London after a few trips in :D Now i actually know the route i can relax a lot more and just concentrate on the other nutters on the road - just worrying about the road rather than road+route is a massive improvement! Bum has finally got 'broken in' now as well (perhaps i could use a better choice of words there :P) so will be sticking with this saddle!
Been struggling with back pain this week though and i'm not sure if it's related to the bike or not. when i'm riding there's absolutely no pain at all but the rest of the time, particularly sitting down for long stretches, I've got a really dull but quite painful ache along my mid-right back which is incredibly uncomfortable! Ibuprophene+paracetamol doesn't seem to be doing the job and its been going on for over a week now, doc just said to rest it. Not sure if i should give the riding a break to see if that helps or if that would just be a case of adding 1+1 and jumping to conclusions, i mean it doesn't feel uncomfortable when i'm on the bike so i's a bit weird!
i suffer with back problems due to a back injurie many years ago, i did try a suspension seat post for a while to take the shock out of the road/bumps etc, helped a bit, im sure you will get use to it in the end and your back will adjust, it might just be the sudden change to riding a bike, :-\
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Are you properly warming up/down mate ???
I've never had to do it, but I know lot's of other people do.
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Finally getting the hang of London after a few trips in :D Now i actually know the route i can relax a lot more and just concentrate on the other nutters on the road - just worrying about the road rather than road+route is a massive improvement! Bum has finally got 'broken in' now as well (perhaps i could use a better choice of words there :P) so will be sticking with this saddle!
Been struggling with back pain this week though and i'm not sure if it's related to the bike or not. when i'm riding there's absolutely no pain at all but the rest of the time, particularly sitting down for long stretches, I've got a really dull but quite painful ache along my mid-right back which is incredibly uncomfortable! Ibuprophene+paracetamol doesn't seem to be doing the job and its been going on for over a week now, doc just said to rest it. Not sure if i should give the riding a break to see if that helps or if that would just be a case of adding 1+1 and jumping to conclusions, i mean it doesn't feel uncomfortable when i'm on the bike so i's a bit weird!
i suffer with back problems due to a back injurie many years ago, i did try a suspension seat post for a while to take the shock out of the road/bumps etc, helped a bit, im sure you will get use to it in the end and your back will adjust, it might just be the sudden change to riding a bike, :-\
Yeah i'll sit out and see if it gets better i guess, not working till monday now so will see how the weekend goes but it's getting annoying now. Just can't see how it's directly related to riding the bike though, it's too off to one side so he pressures on my back just don't add up to this kind of back pain in my mind.
Are you properly warming up/down mate ???
I've never had to do it, but I know lot's of other people do.
Nope, no warming up at all, i tend to start off slow enough i really shouldn't need to, as i'll never jump off into a full on sprint. I'll warm up if i'm going for a run but cycling is so low impack it shouldnt be needed. IThat said I'm regularly stretching my back this week anyway so it should be even less of an issue.
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Hi Abstraction,
Glad to hear you are liking the new wheels. With regard to your back pain, is it in your middle back on the right side? Did you get properly fitted to the bike, meaning you aren't reaching too far or anything? I've had to fiddle with my bike a lot because of my back problems right now. I hope it feels better soon. I know it's kind of hard, but when you're riding try to adjust your position frequently, sit up straighter occasionally, arch and round out your back a little bit, and let go with one hand every now and then...that seems to work for me. :)
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Cheers, i went to the doctors about my back and he sent me in for an x-ray. Even after that he had no idea what was causing the back pain but its good i got it done as apparently the x-ray did show that i've had an infected lung for a 'considerable amount of time' and he was shocked i'd not noticed any problems with it ??? i occasionally got a sharp pain in my chest but assumed it was indigestion :P
On penicillin for the lung and he also put me on anti-inflammatory painkillers for the back and told me to lay off the exercise. Now not ridden for about two weeks and i *think* it's improving though it's not very fast! So frustrating though as the weather has been amazing and i really really want to ride again! Got another x-ray and a blood test this week and then i'm due to go back for a check up.
I'm pretty sure my riding position is ok, the pain is indeed under the right shoulder blade and runs down the lats/traps on that side. I don't think i'm leaning too far as it's a short framed bike and i 'feel' fine riding it now i've moved the saddle but it's hard to tell really. As i say i can't directly attribute the pain to anything in particular as it just sort of appeared one day, but riding is the only new thing i've introduced to my routine recently. Though i'm starting to think i should have listened to those who told me to get a rack as when i commute in i do carry a fair bit of weight in my backpack. It's a good, well fitted, pack and has never caused me any problems walking with it before but everything i could rule out would be helpful. Can't afford to buy/get a rack fitted (i've head disc brakes make it a pain) at the moment though.
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How about a bar bag?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/c/cycle/7/Bags_-_Handlebar/
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That's bad news Abstraction - hope you feel better soon mate :)
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How about a bar bag?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/c/cycle/7/Bags_-_Handlebar/
I might look at getting one but i currently take a 33L rucksack with me and don't think i'll be able to cut things down enough to fit in a bar bag :( even the biggest one on wiggle (Ortlieb Ultimate 5 Classic Large) is only 9L capacity.
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How about a bar bag?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/c/cycle/7/Bags_-_Handlebar/
I might look at getting one but i currently take a 33L rucksack with me and don't think i'll be able to cut things down enough to fit in a bar bag :( even the biggest one on wiggle (Ortlieb Ultimate 5 Classic Large) is only 9L capacity.
how about something like this, i use a rack on the back of my audax daily rider with 1 pannier that was one of my front panniers,mine is big enough to fit my work shoes in a few magazines a tool kit, oh and a lock, plus no wait on your poor back, :tu:
rack that fits to your seat post,
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ETC-CHROME-QUICK-RELEASE-PANNIER-RACK-BIKE-CYCLE-RACK-/310209733996?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Sports_Leisure_Cycling_Bags_Panniers_SR&hash=item4839f0e56c
some good panniers,
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/pair-black-karrimor-bike-panniers-/120577401211?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Sports_Leisure_Cycling_Bags_Panniers_SR&hash=item1c12f9217b
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how about something like this, i use a rack on the back of my audax daily rider with 1 pannier that was one of my front panniers,mine is big enough to fit my work shoes in a few magazines a tool kit, oh and a lock, plus no wait on your poor back, :tu:
rack that fits to your seat post,
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ETC-CHROME-QUICK-RELEASE-PANNIER-RACK-BIKE-CYCLE-RACK-/310209733996?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Sports_Leisure_Cycling_Bags_Panniers_SR&hash=item4839f0e56c
some good panniers,
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/pair-black-karrimor-bike-panniers-/120577401211?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Sports_Leisure_Cycling_Bags_Panniers_SR&hash=item1c12f9217b
Are those types of racks reliable? I've got mounting points for a full rack on the Dr Dew so if a properly mounted one designed to fit disc brakes was worth waiting a month till i could afford to get one i'd do that otherwise that does look like a cheap option :) Won't be able to ride for at least a week or two anyway and then i'm off to scotland so now i've accepted the fact i'm going to have to be idle for a little while there's no desperate rush.
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how about something like this, i use a rack on the back of my audax daily rider with 1 pannier that was one of my front panniers,mine is big enough to fit my work shoes in a few magazines a tool kit, oh and a lock, plus no wait on your poor back, :tu:
rack that fits to your seat post,
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ETC-CHROME-QUICK-RELEASE-PANNIER-RACK-BIKE-CYCLE-RACK-/310209733996?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Sports_Leisure_Cycling_Bags_Panniers_SR&hash=item4839f0e56c
some good panniers,
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/pair-black-karrimor-bike-panniers-/120577401211?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Sports_Leisure_Cycling_Bags_Panniers_SR&hash=item1c12f9217b
Are those types of racks reliable? I've got mounting points for a full rack on the Dr Dew so if a properly mounted one designed to fit disc brakes was worth waiting a month till i could afford to get one i'd do that otherwise that does look like a cheap option :) Won't be able to ride for at least a week or two anyway and then i'm off to scotland so now i've accepted the fact i'm going to have to be idle for a little while there's no desperate rush.
ive not tried one but seen a few MTB'ers using them over the years with no problems, ive got rear rack mounts on my MTB but ive tried one of my spare racks and it dont fit over the disc brake caliper :-\
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This (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/topeak/super-tourist-dx-f-disc-rack-ec008130#reviews) is the cheapest option designed for disc brakes I've seen so far, which i could get next month but then I'll still need the panniers - the karrimor ones you linked to on ebay look a bargain if the price stays low but they're local pick up only from Nottingham which is no good for me unfortunately :( There are other cheapish options on ebay but they're all unbraded so given the new ones on wiggle and evans are £50+ i assume they're not the sort of quality which is going to last!
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This (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/topeak/super-tourist-dx-f-disc-rack-ec008130#reviews) is the cheapest option designed for disc brakes I've seen so far, which i could get next month but then I'll still need the panniers - the karrimor ones you linked to on ebay look a bargain if the price stays low but they're local pick up only from Nottingham which is no good for me unfortunately :( There are other cheapish options on ebay but they're all unbraded so given the new ones on wiggle and evans are £50+ i assume they're not the sort of quality which is going to last!
that is similar to mine in the shed :think: but it doesnt fit, i would rather try in store before i brought it :tu:
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Yeah i've got a free 6 week tune up from evans coming up anyway so when i take the bike in i might ask what they have :)
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Yeah i've got a free 6 week tune up from evans coming up anyway so when i take the bike in i might ask what they have :)
:tu: looking again at that pic of the rack there seems to be a little extra bit where the bolt goes in, that would work on most racks as i thought that myself, but if you had a fair bit of weight on the rack it would bent the bolt, :-\
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All the rack's that clip to your seat post are pretty lame when it comes to weight limits :-\
My old Topeak one was only rated to 6kg, and it cost about £40 for the rack alone :(
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alright, sounds like checking in evans is the best bet then :) it'll be pricier than wiggle but at least i'll be able to check there and then that it will actually fit!
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Just jot down your option's then Wiggle-it :D
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First off, I've been away from the thread, so...
Congrats on the bike! Looks great!
Second... I have a Topeak rack on my touring bike, and it is very good for the price. Looks very much like the one you linked above. So I'd advise you to go for it.
And I agree that seatpost racks are rather poor performers. Skip that option.
G.
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I wonder if the back pain is related to the lung infection?
That whole "pain transference" thing?
The biking has you taking big breaths and all... lungs expanding... shows up in the back as pain.
If rest doesn't kick it, try lowering your stem a bit or raising your seat slightly. This will put a bit more weight on your arms and off your bottom. Or the opposite for that matter. You never know. My new bikes always need the seat raised slightly at least twice after the initial fit. And I tend to lower the bars as well.
I can tell you one thing that always made me smile even on the most grueling, rainy, cold, miserable ride home:
"This still beats sitting in traffic."
Cars are coffins. There's your new mantra.
:tu:
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I wonder if the back pain is related to the lung infection?
That whole "pain transference" thing?
The biking has you taking big breaths and all... lungs expanding... shows up in the back as pain.
If rest doesn't kick it, try lowering your stem a bit or raising your seat slightly. This will put a bit more weight on your arms and off your bottom. Or the opposite for that matter. You never know. My new bikes always need the seat raised slightly at least twice after the initial fit. And I tend to lower the bars as well.
I can tell you one thing that always made me smile even on the most grueling, rainy, cold, miserable ride home:
"This still beats sitting in traffic."
Cars are coffins. There's your new mantra.
:tu:
Couldn't agree more mate :tu:
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I wonder if the back pain is related to the lung infection?
That whole "pain transference" thing?
The biking has you taking big breaths and all... lungs expanding... shows up in the back as pain.
If rest doesn't kick it, try lowering your stem a bit or raising your seat slightly. This will put a bit more weight on your arms and off your bottom. Or the opposite for that matter. You never know. My new bikes always need the seat raised slightly at least twice after the initial fit. And I tend to lower the bars as well.
I can tell you one thing that always made me smile even on the most grueling, rainy, cold, miserable ride home:
"This still beats sitting in traffic."
Cars are coffins. There's your new mantra.
:tu:
I'm due to go into Evans next week and will definitely give the topeak rack a look [:)]
I'm pretty sure that the two problems (back and lung) are separate as I swim at least once a week and run at least twice a week, so if my lung was giving me any real problems i'd have noticed it well before now - the doctor says the scarring which showed up suggests i've been 'suffering' from it for a while now. I've also just finished a weeks course of penicillin which should have cleared the lung up no problem, and yet the back ache is still there :(
I've got a trip to do tomorrow which i really really don't want to have to use the train for so am thinking of just riding and seeing how the back copes, fed up of having a bike i can't ride and it's not been getting worse/better without riding!
As for cars being coffins i totally agree anyway, i don't drive and have no plans on taking it up! My girlfriend drives and when im going out with her she'll occassionally drive but i walk+public transport everywhere. The plan now is to cycle everywhere though!
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Good man :tu:
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Well my holiday in the Cairngorms completely fixed my back - who would have thought hiking up hill with a heavy ass bag for 7 days would fix a back! Been riding to work all week and loving it :) Not had a chance to take the bike into Evans though so will try and fit it in next future sometime. Moving next week mind so no idea when that will be!
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Well my holiday in the Cairngorms completely fixed my back - who would have thought hiking up hill with a heavy ass bag for 7 days would fix a back! Been riding to work all week and loving it :) Not had a chance to take the bike into Evans though so will try and fit it in next future sometime. Moving next week mind so no idea when that will be!
Glad you got your back sorted, funny rucksacks have the opposite effect on me :D , and the bike sounds like its doing its job well :tu:
paul
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Glad to hear it mate :tu: