Numpty IM Bike Thread

[Deleted User]

:-)

night plummy

this one is my bike with a slightly different paint job and ultegra gears

[Deleted User]

Mate, stop being a girly wuss and buy an Equinox 11. You know you want to.

[Deleted User]

can i just throw a spanner in your works and totally mess you up!
I tend not to go for ready built bikeshey limit the choices you have to size.
My point is there are five variables in bike size. The first frame size ok everybody gets that.Then you get wheel size 650 700, the latter goes well with most tyres clincher you put a tube in as opposed to tublar verything is sewn up in one asy to handle package change them you just rip them off the rim, rim needs to be treated with glue so it doesnt ome off when your riding (these are more expensive than clinchers nd need special rims). Next thing is the length of the handle stem how long you want it epends on how long your torso and arms are. , angles etc. Another size matter is handlebar width or a racing bike should be the same width as your shoulders so you can breath easily.Next one is crank lengh,normally 170 mm other choices 172.5 and 175 is lengh is dependent on how long your legs are and the pedals shoes you are going ot use eveything is dependent on the geometry of the frame. Imnot going to go into groupsets and wheel choice. Its more fun to pick all the bits you want to use on your bike have fun ;-)

candy ollier

i wouldn't waste money on an equinox 11, they are crap

re getting a bike in bits, fine if you know what you want but for a complete novice i'd get one fitted and made to order from a good bike shop.

candy ollier

the trek 1000 looks good plum if you make sure they fit it properly. check that the bike fit data agrees to the stem length etc, don't let them fob you off with one they had round the back all ready.

pebble have you really got a WSD bike? i'd laugh if it wasn't for the fact that you'd snap me like a twig the next time you saw me.

Sezz

I know you need a road bike for IM, but was speaking to friend last night who is doing London Tri and she says for sprint and Olympic distance tri's you can use a MTB.

Is that right, I thought you could only use road bikes in all tri's?

miles to go

I've seen MTB's at all the sprints I've done. I think someone said that they dont allow them in IM because they would be too slow.

oxymoron

Hah! And now you are in here looking at bikes!! You are so obviously coming to germany sezz!!!

Sezz

Not on a MTB, I'm not!!

Unless you'd like to lend me the money to buy a road bike.

:-D

[Deleted User]

i've got a crossroads specialised elite i.e. a hybrid, which will no doubt offend all you tri types. could i use that for shorter tris? don't want to buy a road bike yet as have only just got this one.

[Deleted User]

although I must say the crossroads dolce looks pretty

oxymoron

Debster yes you could use it for shorter tris. I got beaten by a bloke on a mtb with knobbly tyres at blenheim tri. But I am rubbish on a bike!

Sezz- I thought you had sold your body?! Many bike shops do 0% finance and a £300-£400 bike would do you. Or maybe second hand?

[Deleted User]

marvellous, although was looking forward to shopping for another bike. sure there's lots of other things i can buy. gotta buy a pump today. that's my priority

Avalaf

Having been looking at bikes yesterday for a reasonable chunk of the day I have to say the 06 giant at £1099 with a composite frame and 105 groupset/reasonable wheels(some confusion as to wether its the £120 shimanos or the £250 ones) looks like quite a nice bike for the cash.

IMHO and unknowledgeable opinion(i.e. much of it is based on colour) the specialised dolce looked a bit like an old Raliegh racer from 20 years ago.

Avalaf

I'd also not turn my nose up at the Trek 1000, I can't tell that much difference between my 1000 and my Madone 5.9 cheapo build.

oxymoron

thats a good point, no one should forget that by far the most important things after bike fit, is colour and sexiness of the bike. Everything else is just too boring to care about.

[Deleted User]

i guess, cos I am very short avalaf, the specialized dolce is appealing because it does a women specific design. It's very hard to find bikes to fit me. even with a 15" frame I am quite stretched out so size has to be the biggest priority. But it always is in my book!

Plum

I know trek do a womens frame coz i was having the pi$$ taken out of me last night for trying to get one........

Avalaf

Trek do WSD too and the 1000 comes as a WSD. I'm pretty sure Giant frames are worth looking at as a girly too, it was girly bikes I was looking at yesterday.

For the record I was with a girly friend.

Avalaf

You can also pick up the Trek 1500 WSD in 9speed Ultegra for £975 if your lucky and they have your size. It's only reduced because the 10 speed cassette came out half way through the year. You an check it out on the "Womens bike for a grand" thread.

Avalaf

Another point to note on £500 bikes is that they will cost you £600 before you've left the shop.

You will need clip in pedals £40, Shoes £30+ and tri bars £30+

Pebble 2

Ok, I give in, I thought Plum was a girl, sorry! But I'd still go for the Trek 1000 except not the WSD!!!!

Pebble 2

Regarding the pedals etc, the last two bikes I've bought, part of the deal included, pedals, bottle cages and 0% finance.

Sezz

Oxy, I tried but you didn't offer enough! ;-)


I have a lovely appt with mortgage advisor next week. Seriously, money is an issue for me so i will do some homework and see what budget is like but I really don't think it's going to happen. Have just bought a new car too!

oxymoron

I didnt know there was a secret reserve price!
:-(

Its certainly not a cheap hobby, but it can be done for a lot less than some people spend. But obviously you know your own situation better than anyone else. Good luck with your mortgage person anyway.

Plum

Travelling tool kit ?

spare tube or tubes or repair kit?
waht tools, tyre levers? spanners? mig welder?

What are the bare necesities for the long ride

oxymoron

spare tube, multi tool and tyre levers. Plus probably a mobile phone and some cash.

Sezz

LOL Plum - mig welder!

Sezz

Because I already have to add 5 grand on to my mortgage to buy the feckin freehold. :-(