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skatefreak
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PostPosted: 15:52 - 21 Apr 2016    Post subject: Ok first bike? Reply with quote

Software muppet, 4 years in the chair is killing me!
Am thinking about cycling to work along this route (Long way round, A1198 is horrendous).
12.5 miles each way.
Am happy on trails offroad and do 6-7 mile trails without much trouble so figure if I ease into it I should be okay Smile

Am currently scouring Gumtree and the like for a second hand bike as budget is pretty minimal however stumbled across
this bike and was wondering is it is terrible?

Its being sold on some bigger sites for £299 so thought it might be worth a punt Smile

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Best regards

-Jvr
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 18:37 - 21 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

You're near cambridge.

Buy second hand. The place is literally full of overprivilaged little shits with more money than sense and is overrun with bicycles.

There must be a steady stream of high-end stolen second hand bikes on gumtree, ebay etc.

There will also be multiple bicycle recycling centres/charities.

What you're looking at paying is going to get you a new bottom-end, heavy bike-shaped object with cheap parts.

I'd rather have a mid-range bike from the 80's in reasonable condition.

Especially if you can cope with gear shifts on the downtubes.

Look reynolds 531 framed racer for £160. Give it a new chain and a good service and you're away. If it turns out to be shit, convert it into a single speed, put coloured tyres on and flog it to one of the afore-mentioned over-privilaged chinless-wonders for three times what you paid.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Claud-Butler-531c-reynolds-mavic-cxp-10-wheels-road-racing-bicycle-/282003830891?hash=item41a8bcf86b:g:aTUAAOSw2GlXD1Nm

EDIT: It's a bit of a gate mind, you'd need long legs, but you get the idea.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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G
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PostPosted: 09:55 - 22 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd echo Stink Wheel's second hand advice.

I got a 2012 Giant Defy 2 for £170 or so that was in very good nick on ebay.

20 speed with fairly light aluminum frame (now adorned with panniers etc so less so).
Original RRP was £1k I think and for a similar spec now, wouldn't pay much less.

Had a look at some of the cheap end bikes like the above and wouldn't go near them compared to what else is available.

You normally get cycle fitness quite quickly - just a case of setting the right pace.
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Pjay
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PostPosted: 10:14 - 22 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

for £150 I would buy a nice used Hybrid. They are the perfect commuter. In Cambridge you will always have a constant flow of used bikes to choose from.

Look at:
Specialized Sirrus
Whyte (you might struggle at £150)
Trek (loads of choice)

Things to look for to get a steal at or around £150
Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Decent high end tyres (shwalbe/continental)
Groupset porn (some bikes, especially specialized have high end groupsets) You can sometimes get real bargains from those rich kids selling their daddy bought Sirrus elite/Pro at standard Sirrus prices, so look good and you can save a mint.

There's obviously loads more, but these will all be decent bikes when new.
They will last you much longer than a cheap new bike and need less looking after.
Steer clear of anything Halfords, yes even carrera/boardman. It's not that they aren't ok but they are over priced, there are much better bikes out there at the same monies.

If you need advice on a particular bike, drop me a message and I will help as much as I can.
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skatefreak
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PostPosted: 11:17 - 22 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Am willing to be patient to find something good for the money.
Cannot help but find myself drooling over the likes of this though...

Am almost tempted but it would have to be good value (aka re-sell able for about the same monies (assuming I don't bork it etc lol)).
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Pjay
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PostPosted: 11:56 - 22 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah that's a nice bike, in that price range you can also find some decent Bianchi and Specialized Allez.
Look for Veloce groupset on the Bianchi and Tiagra on the Specialized.
Wait and you can get them.
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Fin
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PostPosted: 23:30 - 22 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

again, don't buy the new bike, buy something second hand, I take it you know bikes having done mtb trails? a quick browse on a crc will let you know what components are good or bad etc and you can stick with the same brands.
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skatefreak
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PostPosted: 11:40 - 23 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Am going to see This tomorrow morning...

Cheap as chips which is ideal incase I find I hate it (I will give it a few weeks though to be fair).

The only thing maying me Errr is the add is 10 days old and the bike is still available, its a 24 inch frame (I'm 5'11, may be a little bit of a stretch) and the bike seems to be an older make/model however for my purposes its just going to be hammered as a commuter.

Any thoughts would be very much appreciated!

Best regards.

Ps, its pweedy :p
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 13:01 - 23 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

That looks like a bicycle and for that price, it's hard to see how you'd go wrong.

At your previous budget, you could still throw another £100 of parts at it if they're worn. And for that kind of bike, you'd pick up tyres, cables, pads, a chain and a casette for under £100.

The bar tape looks grim but that's a cheap job. It has clip-in pedals so you're going to either need cleated shoes or a set of flats. Proper racer seat. You WILL need padded shorts if you want to do any distance on it.

It's a tall seat-tube but the headstock and top tube look fairly normal so it'll probably be ok if you drop the seat. Not too much of a reach forwards. The only way to find out will be to go and sit on it. The geometry is pretty relaxed sdo it should be a comfy enough bike to beat about on.

I'm not sure what the groupset is. Probably a bottom-end shimano job. It'll work, if you find it skipping, it probably just needs a new chain and cassette. Also totally upgradeable if you're enjoying it. Also the "modern" setup with brifters.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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Pjay
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PostPosted: 15:56 - 23 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's a nice bike at that price.
Buy it and tidy it up as Stinkwheel said.
The only thing that would put me off it if both the wheels and frame were dinged.

That kind of bike would last you much better than a £200 new bike.
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Fin
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PostPosted: 21:07 - 23 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wouldn't go for it, obrbea are a Spanish company, the bikes they make are okay and better than most shit in the UK but I wouldn't consider them good. I'm sure the bike will do you fine but there are better deals do be had. can see that bike costing £300 new 7 years ago.
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Pjay
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PostPosted: 10:49 - 24 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fin wrote:
I wouldn't go for it, obrbea are a Spanish company, the bikes they make are okay and better than most shit in the UK but I wouldn't consider them good. I'm sure the bike will do you fine but there are better deals do be had. can see that bike costing £300 new 7 years ago.


It has a half decent set of mavic wheels on it. The frame geometry looks fine and its £80. As long as it rides in a straight line, it will continue to do so for a good while. Of course you can get better, but you have to spend a whole lot more than this.
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skatefreak
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PostPosted: 08:40 - 25 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Update.
Well I did gone done buy it for 80 buckeroos.
Its a steel frame/forks(a little rust in small patches) however the frame still seems very very light (to me).
The chap I bought it off is about my height and I jumped on and it fits perfectly Very Happy

Yesterday morning I rode the route on a mountain bike (cut slightly short as the mises came along to), 22 miles, 2h 20 round trip (on a Giant 27.5).

Tires look good, all the bearings seems good and only one cable is starting to break up so will replace that other wise it looks great!

Its going to rain for the next 6 days so I will get the rust rubbed down and spray over it, look for some mud guards/a cable, some grip wrap (whatever that is?) and try get the tires off/on so if/when I'm confronted with it by the road side I know what I'm dealing with Very Happy

Muchos gracious everyone, if only for convincing me to wait a couple of days!

I know this isn't a super lightweight race machine but its cheap, solid and I can get a good feel for commuting on it without spending a fortune Very Happy

I hope to frequent this dark corner of the forum a little more often :p

Best regards

-Jvr
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 09:30 - 25 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

skatefreak wrote:
some grip wrap (whatever that is?)


Bar tape.

The squishy black stuff is cork tape (also available in other colours). Or you get synthetic stuff which is less comfy but less likely to go soggy in the wet. Or cloth tape and shellac if you're feeling hipster.

Lots of videos on youtube on how to do it neatly.

I like the adhesive-backed cork stuff with built-in gel. You can also put seperate gel pads on the top part of the bar or double up the tape there if you're doing a lot of bumpy stuff.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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skatefreak
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PostPosted: 09:52 - 25 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Superb.
I was looking into it online (admittedly ebay Embarassed), you can get some pretty cheap stuff on there...
Would this be worth considering or would it just result in regret?

Edit: Stuff.
Apparently sticky backed tape is the way to go?
And 'wrap sober' is another top tip lol Laughing
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Pjay
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PostPosted: 11:18 - 25 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hope you enjoy the bike, it looks like it will last forever, steel tubes are pretty bulletproof so dont worry about the odd rust spot, I've seen bike left in fields for 20 years get a shot blast and powder coat and look superb for it.

Remember, it's a cheap bike so dont go throwing money at it, just ride and enjoy and go through the consumables.

Bar tape replacing is quite an enjoyable experience, there is a knack to it, but the good news is, you can practice and practice, as even the sticky backed stuff can be peeled off and on again. As mentioned by Stinky, watch a few vids on how to do it, they will give you tips on keeping it clean around the shifters/brakes. You might even want to look at getting some gel pads to put under, they are worth their weight in saffron.
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 13:01 - 25 Apr 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

If I was going for maximum comfort, I'd be rocking gel-filled cork tape.

Here:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BBB-RaceRibbon-Gel-Bar-Tape-Various-Colours-/121934749241?var=&hash=item1c63e09e39:m:mAePuZ5boGYNY34vLuTYosQ

And consider adding couple of cinelli gel pads:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cinelli-AVS-Bar-Gel-Cushion-Kit-Gel-Pads-For-Bicycle-Handlebar-Tape-Pair-/131500278491?hash=item1e9e0702db:g:EocAAOSwqu9VQnEZ

This is, in fact, what I do.

If I was going for cheap. I'd go for standard cork tape.

Couple of good places for bike parts are planet x and chain reaction cycles
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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skatefreak
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PostPosted: 11:31 - 03 May 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Righty!
So,
First ride into work on the road bike!
12.5 miles, 80 mins Embarassed

It was a lot harder than on the mountain bike but that was probably because I can't get to the easier (higher?) gears on the back cassette as the cable collapsed and left me with the 3 hardest gears Rolling Eyes

Facing the longest incline I spent 10 minutes buggering about with it to eventually get some of the higher gears Laughing

Will get a new cable this arvo!

This has shown rather dramatically that gear ratio's available makes a huge difference and therefore I was wondering if I could change the rear cassette for something like this or this for example, without changing the shiftier on the bars/mechanism at the back?
Are components like these universal or will I have to match up parts or just man up and stick with 6 at the rear until I get used to it?

I'm a very green on components but rather keen Very Happy
So tempted to put disk brakes on there but not worth it I dont think...

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Best regards
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 15:55 - 03 May 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

What do you have now?

As a general rule, you can swap like with like for casettes. So 7-speed will swap onto 7-speed. 9-speed onto 9-speed and so-on. Unless you are getting to extremes of size. A basic road mech might well struggle with a megarange cassette like the first one you posted.

Do try it with the standard gearing though. They aren't usually all that steep when you can get them.

The other way would be to fit a smaller chainring to lower the overall ratio whicle keeping the gear spacing.

EDIT: 6-speed is probably spin-on rather than cassette.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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skatefreak
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PostPosted: 15:37 - 04 May 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

I noticed on the ride home,
it looks like the gear changing mechanism for the front gears may actually be for 3 gears instead of the 2 on the bike currently.

I will have a closer look at the bike and see if there is any way to add a smaller gear on the front.

If so that should improve things all round Very Happy

I will alternate between driving/riding each day as I'm still suffering a bit today.
I wasn't trying particularly hard to get home quickly but the ride itself did seem a little harder than on the mtb and it did shave a clean 10 minutes off the journey commute (new fastest mile 3:34 and top speed 26.5mph though Laughing )...

It will take a little time to get used to the position though Neutral

Much appreciation for the advice Stink Thumbs Up
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 16:07 - 04 May 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

skatefreak wrote:

I wasn't trying particularly hard to get home quickly but the ride itself did seem a little harder than on the mtb and it did shave a clean 10 minutes off the journey commute (new fastest mile 3:34 and top speed 26.5mph though Laughing )...


"It doesn't get easier, it only gets faster."
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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Pjay
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PostPosted: 16:42 - 04 May 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

skatefreak wrote:
I noticed on the ride home,
it looks like the gear changing mechanism for the front gears may actually be for 3 gears instead of the 2 on the bike currently.

I will have a closer look at the bike and see if there is any way to add a smaller gear on the front.


There will be a philips head screw on the mechanism to limit the travel of the derailleur, maybe you just need to screw one in to stop it moving too far in/out.
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skatefreak
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PostPosted: 10:08 - 05 May 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Changed the gear cable on the back last night and now have all 6 gears back working smoothly Smile

Upon further investigation the front is defiantly only for 2 gears and just needed adjustment so it wouldn't sit .5 clicks down (giving the impression it would accommodate a 3'rd gear).

Am going in on the road bike on Friday.

Hopefully it will be a bit easier as I'll be able to use the higher gears going uphill...

Weather really is great for it at the moment Very Happy
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Minty
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PostPosted: 10:15 - 05 May 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

As Stink says, it doesn't get easier you just become quicker. I have ridden consistently to work for 8 years and still sweat like a mofo. You WILL be a whole world quicker than your MTB times within a month. You will also get into your commute routine of where to save energy and where you will need to get out of your seat and pump the legs a bit.
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UnknownStuntm...
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PostPosted: 13:04 - 05 May 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Minty wrote:
As Stink says, it doesn't get easier you just become quicker. I have ridden consistently to work for 8 years and still sweat like a mofo. You WILL be a whole world quicker than your MTB times within a month. You will also get into your commute routine of where to save energy and where you will need to get out of your seat and pump the legs a bit.

I remember my first go on a proper road bike after a lifetime on MTBs. I honestly thought it was like cheating, was soooooo fast.
Now, I can tell if I've put the effort in over winter, by how fast I climb the local 'wall' hill. And it's perverse, but I enjoy the climbs more than the descents now.
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