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Chat => Sports, Hobbies & Motors => Topic started by: Tongy on November 25, 2007, 16:55:49 PM

Title: Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: Tongy on November 25, 2007, 16:55:49 PM
Im after a new bike that I could use in triathlons. Essentially something light and fast, anyone got any ideas on what brand/budget etc I should be looking at.

I used to cycle ALOT as a teenager... my legs are still big due to that... but a little out of shape. Could anyone tell me if 56 miles is attainable with a years worth of training?

Cheers
Tongy
Title: Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: red on November 26, 2007, 07:34:46 AM
well, i would reccomend anything without toeclips. i bought an old 60s racer in pristine condition and i keep getting murdered at traffic lights because i cant get my feet in the toeclips and the traffic light is 3 feet away so i cant lean up against it.
Title: Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: M3ta7h3ad on November 26, 2007, 09:13:01 AM
if hes competing in triathalons then he will require at the very least toeclips... preferably SPDs.

Id probably go for a ribble. theyre reasonably priced, and look the biz :) www.ribblecycles.co.uk I think is their website.

56 miles is piss. :)

My first ever commute on my bike was 25 miles. That was on the hoof, no training whatsoever, yes I had a sore arse after it, and yes I was crawling at one point, but a month later I did it with ease.
Title: Re:Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: soopahfly on November 26, 2007, 09:34:58 AM
Get a Claud Butler, or a Saracen
http://www.evanscycles.com/dept.jsp?dept_id=1033&subdept_id=4088
http://www.evanscycles.com/dept.jsp?dept_id=1033&subdept_id=4095

If you get a ribble, your paying for the name and its going to be sh*te.
If your not spending a lot, avoid the eliteist roadbike brands.
Title: Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: Tongy on November 26, 2007, 14:13:46 PM
OK, great. Toeclips are no problem. How about those Aerobars?

Well, my aim is to do a 1.2 mile swim then a 56 mile bike followed by a 13.1 mile run, so Ill need something lightwieght and fast that is as aerodyniamic as possible... and since I am funding this privately cost will be an issue!

Cheers
Tongy

Title: Re:Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: funkychicken9000 on November 26, 2007, 23:54:02 PM
Those CBs and saracens are utter toss.  £450 for a half-sora groupset with £17 brakes?   I paid about that for my ribble and it sh*ts all over them :)

First things first, make sure you get a bike that fits.  Get measured if you have to.  Then settle on your budget.  £500 gets you an alloy frame with a decent groupset (tiagra/mirage) and ok wheels, £1k gets you something pretty special (http://www.planet-x-bikes.com/triathlon/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=335).  But then I know a guy who does iron man tris on a 1960s rusty sh*theap, so you dont have to spend a fortune.

Budget for pedals & some proper shoes too.
Title: Re:Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: Serious on November 27, 2007, 02:33:32 AM
56 miles on a bike should be easy enough after a year, using a bike will build muscle strength and endurance rather than bulk though. If you want muscles go down the gym.

That said a mix of both is worthwhile.
Title: Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: BigSoy on November 27, 2007, 07:42:10 AM
Quote from: TongyOK, great. Toeclips are no problem. How about those Aerobars?

Well, my aim is to do a 1.2 mile swim then a 56 mile bike followed by a 13.1 mile run, so Ill need something lightwieght and fast that is as aerodyniamic as possible... and since I am funding this privately cost will be an issue!

Cheers
Tongy


Quote from: Serious56 miles on a bike should be easy enough after a year, using a bike will build muscle strength and endurance rather than bulk though. If you want muscles go down the gym.

That said a mix of both is worthwhile.

Build muscle for a triathlon?  :roll:
Title: Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: red on November 27, 2007, 08:19:09 AM
Heh.
Title: Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: Tongy on November 27, 2007, 14:02:48 PM
Quote from: BigSoy
Quote from: TongyOK, great. Toeclips are no problem. How about those Aerobars?

Well, my aim is to do a 1.2 mile swim then a 56 mile bike followed by a 13.1 mile run, so Ill need something lightwieght and fast that is as aerodyniamic as possible... and since I am funding this privately cost will be an issue!

Cheers
Tongy


Quote from: Serious56 miles on a bike should be easy enough after a year, using a bike will build muscle strength and endurance rather than bulk though. If you want muscles go down the gym.

That said a mix of both is worthwhile.

Build muscle for a triathlon?  :roll:

Well, I hope that my legs are strong enough, but I just think that they arent conditioned to it... as long as I do my training I should be ok. I want a decent bike, nothing fancy but solid and light. Ill be needing a few addons but I can get them at a later date.

Swimming will be my problem I think but I will be putting in the time this coming summer to hopefully make that ok., and besides, thats another forum :D

Cheers
Tongy
Title: Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: M3ta7h3ad on November 27, 2007, 14:44:38 PM
swimming will make you insanely fit.

Cycling... youll do 56 miles in your sleep after 3 months in the saddle. Hardest part is getting used to sitting on a saddle for a few hours.

On a road bike, and doing a good speed youre looking at less than 3 hours to do those miles. I used to take about 4.5 or so to do similar amounts, because im a slow bastard, and im not riding a roadbike but a hybrid.
Title: Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: Tongy on November 27, 2007, 14:53:48 PM
Quote from: M3ta7h3adswimming will make you insanely fit.

Cycling... youll do 56 miles in your sleep after 3 months in the saddle. Hardest part is getting used to sitting on a saddle for a few hours.

On a road bike, and doing a good speed youre looking at less than 3 hours to do those miles. I used to take about 4.5 or so to do similar amounts, because im a slow bastard, and im not riding a roadbike but a hybrid.

Well its the doing a half-marathon after the 56 miles Im worried about :D

I am not going to be mega fast but I want it to not be the limiting factor. If I get into this sport in a big way I can get a carbon framed doobrey as and when (and get a sponsor to pick up the tab!).

Cheers
Tongy
Title: Re:Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: soopahfly on November 27, 2007, 16:41:43 PM
The frame on those equivalent priced Ribbles are wank, Ive worked for a frame builder and know this to be true.  Claud butler are a respected brand in racing circles, not so in the MTB section.  They are designed to be a good frame to build upon.
Title: Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: M3ta7h3ad on November 27, 2007, 20:17:55 PM
Quote from: Tongy
Quote from: M3ta7h3adswimming will make you insanely fit.

Cycling... youll do 56 miles in your sleep after 3 months in the saddle. Hardest part is getting used to sitting on a saddle for a few hours.

On a road bike, and doing a good speed youre looking at less than 3 hours to do those miles. I used to take about 4.5 or so to do similar amounts, because im a slow bastard, and im not riding a roadbike but a hybrid.

Well its the doing a half-marathon after the 56 miles Im worried about :D

I am not going to be mega fast but I want it to not be the limiting factor. If I get into this sport in a big way I can get a carbon framed doobrey as and when (and get a sponsor to pick up the tab!).

Cheers
Tongy

Id gladly attempt an imperial century on a bike... but running, hell no! :D
Title: Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: Serious on November 28, 2007, 04:39:20 AM
Quote from: BigSoy
Quote from: TongyOK, great. Toeclips are no problem. How about those Aerobars?

Well, my aim is to do a 1.2 mile swim then a 56 mile bike followed by a 13.1 mile run, so Ill need something lightwieght and fast that is as aerodyniamic as possible... and since I am funding this privately cost will be an issue!

Cheers
Tongy


Quote from: Serious56 miles on a bike should be easy enough after a year, using a bike will build muscle strength and endurance rather than bulk though. If you want muscles go down the gym.

That said a mix of both is worthwhile.

Build muscle for a triathlon?  :roll:

You missed the little if in the middle. Fastest way to build muscle bulk.
Title: Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: BigSoy on November 28, 2007, 07:44:06 AM
Quote from: Serious
Quote from: BigSoy
Quote from: TongyOK, great. Toeclips are no problem. How about those Aerobars?

Well, my aim is to do a 1.2 mile swim then a 56 mile bike followed by a 13.1 mile run, so Ill need something lightwieght and fast that is as aerodyniamic as possible... and since I am funding this privately cost will be an issue!

Cheers
Tongy


Quote from: Serious56 miles on a bike should be easy enough after a year, using a bike will build muscle strength and endurance rather than bulk though. If you want muscles go down the gym.

That said a mix of both is worthwhile.

Build muscle for a triathlon?  :roll:

You missed the little if in the middle. Fastest way to build muscle bulk.

eh? I have no idea what youre on about now  :?
Title: Re:Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: Serious on November 28, 2007, 23:48:46 PM
Actually neither have I now, lets drop it  :?
Title: Re:Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: Walrusbonzo on December 31, 2007, 14:17:07 PM
Im contemplating getting a road bike as well, what you lot think of this?

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=60915

£400 is my absolute tops.
Title: Re:Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: soopahfly on January 14, 2008, 16:41:45 PM
I personally hate dawes bikes.
Much prefer this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25457
Title: Racing (road) bike for a Novice
Post by: Sara on January 30, 2008, 17:02:46 PM
Hi ho, can I join in?

Will be moving workplaces soon to one which is 6 or so miles away, up and down hills - instead of just 1.5mi away with a gentlish slope down towards work.

Im thinking a road bike with be a better fit for this than my current (and frankly rather heavy) hybrid, but I havent the foggiest what to look out for.

Tips?