Ar*e for elbow! « CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum

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Ar*e for elbow!

(24 posts)

Started 5 years ago by Bikecheat
Latest reply from Bikecheat

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Bikecheat
Member

Hi,
I'm a fairly new member who is newish to cycling. I've enjoyed reading the forum and appreciate the input others have made- I've learned a lot.

I've always had a bike but dabbled in mountain biking and messing around, never seriously or with any talent. Last September I realised I could commute to work from Dalgety Bay to Edinburgh. It appealed to me for a number of reasons - get my exercise (which I love) instead of sitting (if I'm lucky) on a train. Save money, see things and feel great.

My work gave me a trial of an e-bike and asked me to arrange for everyone to have a trial for a few days. No-one was interested so I used it for the whole three weeks. After which I ordered my own electric bike. The appeal was that I could get to work in under an hour, moderate exercise and don't need to be rigid on finishing time as it's down to me.

I've been using it since late September and have had some issues but I've gone through the winter and I'm hooked.I've found it relaxing mentally and enjoy speaking to other riders along the way. Met so many nice people and enjoyed the odd 'race'.

However, I've had a number of problems with the bike - lost a week in December due to it going back to manufacturer for repair, and it's due in next week for a new control unit. The chain is overdue for change and skips when really pressing on.

I've recently felt that I could maybe manage without electric assistance.

This week I took my old Specialized Hard Rock sport MTB (on hybrid tyres) and set off on my commute. I managed it and loved it. OK it took me an extra 10 minutes each way and I needed a shower when I got to work but I can do it!

So I think I want a road bike for my commute. But I've never had one, never used clip in pedals (don't like the thought of being tied into a bike!) or hunkered down on low bars.. I'd be interested in your thoughts on a bike that would suit my commute- do what I need without being too hardcore race if that makes sense? Budget is £1000. Don't tell Mrs about this please. :-)

Thanks
Ian

Posted 5 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

:) no immediate suggestions (others will know better than me), but reading that made me smile.

Posted 5 years ago #
Trixie
Member

Also no suggestions but high five from another e-bike to bike-bike convert!

Posted 5 years ago #
chdot
Admin

You know there are CCEers who live nearby...

Posted 5 years ago #
Edinburgh Cycle Training
Member

Inspiring story Bikecheat, chapeau!

There's really no right answer here. You'll get a nice steed for £1000.

Off the top of my head, Boardman's and Ribble's look very good VFM. On the other hand you'd get slighty lower spec, but a bigger name (Specialized, Bianchi, Canondale etc)

Go look at bike, sit on them, pick one you love the look of and are comfortable on!

Posted 5 years ago #
chdot
Admin

“never used clip in pedals (don't like the thought of being tied into a bike!)”

You don’t have to use them, though people who do may be able to persuade you that they are a good idea.

“So I think I want a road bike for my commute. But I've never had one”

Generally translates as ‘lighter and faster than a mountain bike”.

Normally also means quite thin tyres and drop handlebars.

There is the halfway measure previously know as hybrids, but now called all sorts of things including gravel bikes.

Basically not quite so skinny tyres and often straight handlebars.

This sort of thing (and the dropped bar variants) is popular on CCE -

https://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bike/croix-de-fer-10-flat-bar

Someone might offer you a test ride.

Posted 5 years ago #
chdot
Admin

“Secondly, In 2001 we created the flat bar road bike. Yes, Ridgeback was the first commercially available bike of this type. Originally named Genesis, this new breed of fast commuter sports bike was definitely one of the last significant developments in cycle genres.”

https://www.bikebiz.com/ridgeback-picks-its-five-key-bikes-over-30-years/amp/

Not sure how well the last bit of that will hold up, but Toby Howes’ influence on the UK bike industry over, roughly, the last 40 years is significant.

I’m sure the “we” signifies a small team, but in the early days of Ridgeback the design and spec was mostly down to him.

Posted 5 years ago #
gembo
Member

@bikecheat, good for you.

No huge advantage being clipped in on a commute if lots of stops and starts.

Drop bars give more positions. Tuck position good for descents, means you don't need to pedal. Getting down in the drops into the wind also helps. The flat bar fast bikes ChDot mentions are good, also specialized Sirrus similar.

Croix de fer excellent though sometimes tyres too wide. Ths range there has some biks under a grand. Other gravel bikes also do the same thing, ie cope with Edinburgh pot holes, cope with some paths and off road sections. I would go with this sort of thing for your long commute. Can also do weekend road trips

Giant tend to have best VFM in a straight road bike.

Rucksack better for aero but I sweat big so panniers for me. My old spesh Tricross still churning out the miles. Gravel bike with mountain bike gearing (ie granny cog) but road ish frame geometry. I did the Etape on it by changing tyred from Schwalbe marathon plus to Gatorskins and taking the rack off.

Posted 5 years ago #
Bikecheat
Member

Thanks to you all for the warm welcome and all the information. Lots to think about and I look forward to researching this more and perhaps opening my mind regarding pedals etc!

Looks like rain tomorrow so I will take some time to read and learn.

Ian

Posted 5 years ago #
I were right about that saddle
Member

@Bikecheat

Great post. Thank you.

Like everyone says, try as many bikes, borrow as many bikes as you can. Keep an open mind and have fun!

Posted 5 years ago #
twinspark
Member

You'll know the road surfaces having already done the journey numerous times. On the e-Bike and your MTB with hybrid tyres however, you've probably been fairly immune to the surface imperfections. I had an MTB set up similarily and it was great. Even the Brompton, despite its small wheels has a fair bit of volume in its tyres and of course a bit of suspension.

I did get an aluminium framed and forked hybrid which runs on 700x28 tyres (maximum that will fit with mudguards) - huge mistake. On anything bar smooth surfaces the road buzz means you lose sensation in your fingers.

The bikes people are recommending above all come with wider tyres (700x35) and I'd stick with those recommendations to maintain your comfort levels.

Posted 5 years ago #
Greenroofer
Member

I'd vote that a trip to Decathlon is worth it too. Some of their road bikes are outstanding value, and come with all the holes you need to make a good commuter (mudguards + rack). I have a previous model Triban 540 and loved it. https://road.cc/content/tech-news/249644-decathlon-rolls-out-new-disc-braked-triban-rc-500-and-triban-rc-520-bikes

*Edited to add that I like disc brakes because they just work and because they don't wear out your rims.

Posted 5 years ago #
gembo
Member

Higher end decathlon good. Frames sometimes look a bit chunky. Disc brakes make sense for commutes

Posted 5 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

Yup. I was tempted to say Decathlon too. especially for an entry bike, then you can figure out what you like.

Posted 5 years ago #
Bikecheat
Member

Thanks all. Still looking and thinking. All useful information for me, and enjoying your forum.

Ian

Posted 5 years ago #
gembo
Member

Not sure decathlon do Bike To Work? @bikecheat are you looking at that?

Posted 5 years ago #
bill
Member

@Bikecheat

Nice that you got into it!

I am a recent convert to drop bars and I really like them now. It took me a few weeks to get use to them: stretching arms, leaning forward and indicating turns with quite centre of gravity. Even after the test ride I wasn't quite convinced. Mind you, two months in and I still haven't use the actual drop position.
I especially like the way of turning, because it feels like the whole body leads the bike the way I want to go rather then just the arms turning the handle bars.

I don't use clip in pedals as I heard most people fall off when they first get them (and I don't want to fall off). But I have toe clips (fitted by the shop for the test ride) and I use them. I treat them as a way of perhaps moving to clip ins later on.

I got this bike: https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-arkose-3-2018-womens-adventure-road-bike-EV306250

The tyres are wider then on a road bike. I fitted Marathon Plus Tour tyres to avoid punctures (at least for a few months).

I enjoy riding the bike so much now that I quite often extend my route by a few (or tens) of km.

What sort of terrain and surface is your commute on?

Posted 5 years ago #
Greenroofer
Member

@bill I remember that stretching arms thing with my first dropped bars. When I got the bike I had to put a really short stem on it as I couldn't reach the bars without sore shoulders. Over the course of few months I put on progressively longer stems until I'm now back with the one it came with.

Interestingly now I occasionally find myself resting my forearms across the bars as if I had tri-bars on. I suspect as time passes one begins to uncurl and the relevant bits of the body loosen and stretch.

Posted 5 years ago #
gembo
Member

@greenroofer, maybe you also grew longer and taller?

Posted 5 years ago #
Bikecheat
Member

Hi, thanks for the further responses and information. Interesting to read others experiences. I used the bike to work scheme for my ebike only 8 months ago (and am still paying it off) . You can simply imagine how my search for a new bike now has been viewed at home!. Terrain varies between smooth tarmac and rough as can be potholes of the A8 from section of Haymarket to join the Roseburn path. Appreciate the advice on tyre sizes, thanks.

Posted 5 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

Am sure those at home will appreciate the benefits to your health and wellbeing that come from the cycle :)

Others can advise on the tyre size, but I'd strongly recommend Marathon Plus tyres so as to avoid punctures, unless you're confident in your skills.

Posted 5 years ago #
claire3000006
Member

As mentioned above, being clipped in won't necessarily make much difference for your commute but there's definitely a benefit if you fancy longer cycles (and they really help on hills)!

If you are nervous (I was) then I'd recommend these type of pedals, adjusted to the loosest setting. Easy to clip in/out and you can still get some purchase before clipped in when setting off at lights. Having clips on both sides makes it much easier too.

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m424-spd-pedals/

Posted 5 years ago #
paddyirish
Member

@Bikecheat,

A fellow Dalgety Bay Commuter here- welcome and good luck with your choice.

A few thoughts
1) Second all those who suggest marathon pluses for the commute- may not win you any races, but should be pretty bomb-proof puncture wise
2)Also comments on mudguards which will protect the bike and you from the worst of Scottish weather
3) Don't know if you are aware of Dalmeny Estate and Cramond Prom as alternative routes- if you have a spare 10-15 mins extra you can explore one of these. Dalmeny especially is quiet and beautiful- if you follow the coast it may affect your choice of bike.
4) I have a Croix de Fer- won't win any speed prizes, but is supremely comfortable and will ride on more than just roads.
5) I don't clip in. Again I won't be fast, but will be comfortable (spot the common theme), and can also walk anywhere off the bike without clicking.

Posted 5 years ago #
Bikecheat
Member

Hi all,
Sorry for not updating this but life's been busy unfortunately.

I met with forum member Iain McR who had a bike for me to look at. Turned out it was exactly what I needed and was kitted out perfectly with Marathon plus tyres, mud guards and rack. Was nice to meet a forum member and get a bike which does indeed fit the bill. I've used it for my commute and it is coming in quicker than the mountain bike (obviously) and I like the position - it feels easier and more effective in putting the power down through the pedals but I certainly couldn't manage to use it every day. Now got my eBike back from repair so I have a choice.

The bike I picked up is a GT grade. I got some Shimano pedals which are flat one side, an clip the other. After a couple of wet days I can see the attraction of being clipped in. I also got a shorter stem, but not sure I really needed it. Anyway, I look forward to some better weather when I'll get to know the bike better and enjoy! Thanks all for your very helpful responses, and of course to Iain.

Ian

Posted 5 years ago #

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Ar*e for elbow!

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