Newbie road bike advice

Bicycle related chatter & discussion
Chris 249
Posts: 12
Joined: 10 Aug 2009, 08:34

Postby Chris 249 » 10 Aug 2009, 09:04

Hi all

I had my first ride with DHBC a bit over a week ago, and had a great time. Problem is, I think I'm now addicted and need another bike.

To try to give some context; I've spent a fair bit of time on bikes but last Sunday was my first group ride. I started with the slowies then merged with the middies at the hill before the Kingsway. Apart from a lack of experience with bunch riding (which lead to problems like a hard chase to catch back up around Loftus, because I had been sitting behind a group that got dropped) I felt quite comfortable with the pace, and rolled off another 20ks after the cafe.

I was using the 2002/3 Cervelo P2K that I just got at a bargain price for high-speed commuting. I love it to death, but obviously as a TT bike it's got issues for group riding and is no good for crits/road races even in D grade. It's also a bit problematic in terms of replacement gear for a commuter - some *&^%$#@ smashed the fork when it was outside work and the only one left in Oz is currently slowly coming back from Darwin.

So I'm now looking for a road bike, for fun racing, group rides and a some commutes. Problem is, my "real" sports (sailing and windsurfing) are even more costly than cycling, so I can only afford a cheapie.

Would something like a Vivente Como be reasonable for BHBC Middies and things like the Crit on Sunday? I would plan on keeping an eye out for second-hand component to upgrade to later. I think the weight of the Como is about 10kg, which is similar to the P2K. My concern is not with ease of shifting etc, but with the safety-related stuff like frame and fork integrity. I'm keeping the Cervelo for fun solo rides, commutes and TTs.

The alternative plan was to fix up my brother's early '90s chro-mo road bike (it was an okay machine for its day, with second or third tier gruppo) but I forgot that his legs are 3" longer than mine, which could be awkward!

Thanks for any feedback, and for being such a welcoming bunch.

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Adrian E
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Joined: 07 Mar 2007, 13:15
Location: Newtown

Postby Adrian E » 10 Aug 2009, 13:12

I think Chris Rissel rides one of those Vivente's but he upgraded to TWE wheels. I think its a 105 groupset and alloy frame which is certainly fine for racing at Heffron.[/code]

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Toff
Posts: 1215
Joined: 20 Sep 2007, 14:34
Location: Stanmore

Postby Toff » 10 Aug 2009, 13:49

All those bikes are fine for training and racing.

timyone
Posts: 4380
Joined: 22 Nov 2006, 20:29

Postby timyone » 10 Aug 2009, 21:55

i have absolutely no idea about bikes :D well maybe a few of the slightly more expensive ones, but would have thought that a time trial bike would do the job, if we can do it on fixies. But yeah :D just saying hi :D
you may meet me one day, im one of the cruisier riders, im dreaming of getting a bike with strreamers or some thing like that for waterfall :)

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NOOG
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Joined: 14 Jul 2008, 20:55
Location: Leichhardt

Postby NOOG » 10 Aug 2009, 22:18

im one of the cruisier riders :)
Says he who'll ride to waterfall in the morning, getting back just in time to race B-grade at Heffron and then head off on a "training ride" to LaPerouse :wink:

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geoff m
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Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 20:41

Postby geoff m » 10 Aug 2009, 22:37

Hello Chris,

I rode with you just off the back of the middies on the paceline back to the servo station.

I'm worlds worst when it comes to technical knowledge of equipment, and I know others may have strong views on this, but I believe you can't go too wrong with a Shimano 105 groupset fitted bike at Cell Bikes Stanmore. Just make sure you get fitted properly. I think you will get it for about $1300.

This should last you for 2 to 3 years including moderate racing.

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Toff
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Joined: 20 Sep 2007, 14:34
Location: Stanmore

Postby Toff » 11 Aug 2009, 06:59

Or better yet, buy a bike from one of the bikeshops that supports the club, rather than Cell Bikes. They all provide excellent bikes across all price points.

- Stanmore Cycles
- Burwood Cycles
- Ashfield Cycles
- Peter Bundy Cycles
- Cycle Fit Centre
- Mick Mazza's

I would expect at least a basic discount from any of these shops if you say you are from DHBC. Cell won't give you the time day.

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fenn_paddler
Posts: 154
Joined: 28 Mar 2007, 08:30
Location: Petersham

Postby fenn_paddler » 11 Aug 2009, 08:22

Or better yet, buy a bike from one of the bikeshops that supports the club, rather than Cell Bikes. They all provide excellent bikes across all price points.

- Stanmore Cycles
- Burwood Cycles
- Ashfield Cycles
- Peter Bundy Cycles
- Cycle Fit Centre
- Mick Mazza's

I would expect at least a basic discount from any of these shops if you say you are from DHBC. Cell won't give you the time day.
I'd have to agree with this.

I've bought a few bits and pieces from Cycleworld Burwood this year and they've given me a great discount for DHBC membership each time I've shopped there.

That other place seems to fit a niche between your Big-W bike section and the more specialised type of bicycle shop.

Cheers,
Alan W

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geoff m
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Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 20:41

Postby geoff m » 11 Aug 2009, 22:28

That's good advice.

If these bike shops offer good discounts for being DHBC members or friends, and if they do support us (which they do), then yes I agree we should shop there first, rather than the suggestion I made. I take that back.

Chris, you might give two or three a call (I know Peter Bundy's and Cycleworld have actively provided funding to some of our track events) and the other shops are local and have been involved with the club to various degrees over the years - the owner of Ashfield Cycles came out for a ride with Slowies the other day and may become a regular.

Tell them you are part of DHBC, and get a quote on an alloy frame with Shimano 105 Groupset. If you can get something between $1400 to $1600 you are probably doing well.

timyone
Posts: 4380
Joined: 22 Nov 2006, 20:29

Postby timyone » 12 Aug 2009, 09:13

i have had great dealings with Bundy, Burwood, Ashfield, and Stanmore. And would recomend any of them. Bundy Has done some great deals, and Burwood have gone past the call of duty from what ive seen, i like alot of the Ashfield staff though too :D

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Trouty
Posts: 1214
Joined: 09 May 2007, 13:23

Postby Trouty » 12 Aug 2009, 10:15

Says he who'll ride to waterfall in the morning, getting back just in time to race B-grade at Heffron and then head off on a "training ride" to LaPerouse :wink:
I hardly think Timmy doing 700km in a week classifies him as a cruiser.

Rainbow
Posts: 321
Joined: 29 Nov 2008, 12:22
Location: Marrickville

Postby Rainbow » 12 Aug 2009, 19:27

Hello Chris and welcome. All of the bike shops that Toff listed give DHBC members discounts, have old ties to DHBC and also have some DHBC members working in them!!!

Now people please correct me if I get any of the following information muddled up:

Peter Bundy is an official sponsor of ours. Gives great discounts.

John Michelle, owner of Ashfield Cycles did ride with us the other week. Gives great discounts for members and used to ride for DHBC in the 60's! (and I work there)

Bob at Stanmore Cycles is ex-DHBC too and used to be on the committee. Takes care of DHBC riders.

Steve Hogg of Cyclefit Centre is well known for his kooky bike-fitting concepts and has many fans in the club. Geoff Semon works there.

Mick Mazza is a DHBC supporter and I have infact seen some great pictures of him on a tandem back-in-the-day.

It's fabulous that there is alot of DHBC history in our midst!

Support your local bike shops and enjoy the process of finding your perfect bike!

Chris 249
Posts: 12
Joined: 10 Aug 2009, 08:34

Postby Chris 249 » 13 Aug 2009, 07:18

Thanks for all the great advice, guys.

I ended up with an absolutely pristine Vivente Como at a great price from Len (great guy btw) from the Australian Cycling Forum. He has just upgraded and sold the Como through the ACF to ensure that it would go to an enthusiast rather than an Ebay trasher.

It's fascinating to step from the TT bike to a road bike and see how enormous the difference in speed and handling is. At the back of my mind was the thought that at my level the differences would not be noticeable, but the road bike certainly feels slower and is definitely easier to handle.


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