The Pro Road Cycling Thread

[g180aj]

Thanks gents, they seem to have some great looking bikes cheap with good kit on them.

 

[Shands]

Revenge for Bertie today, have that Astana, they get no sympathy from me. Chapeau Gilbert as well, attacking so far out.

Yep, it definitely had the feel of 'Ok lads, if that's how you want it we'll play by your rules then', which thankfully makes for great viewing for us! Strange tactics in the chase group mind you, Aru is clearly struggling and looks ripe for being cracked, and yet Katusha (and to a lesser extent) seemed to want to work with and for Astana rather than attacking them, very puzzling. More mountains tomorrow, should be fun!

 

[Paul Lake's Left Knee]

Yep, it definitely had the feel of 'Ok lads, if that's how you want it we'll play by your rules then', which thankfully makes for great viewing for us! Strange tactics in the chase group mind you, Aru is clearly struggling and looks ripe for being cracked, and yet Katusha (and to a lesser extent) seemed to want to work with and for Astana rather than attacking them, very puzzling. More mountains tomorrow, should be fun!

I was surprised by that, i'd think that Astana wouldnt have many friends in the peloton but Katusha did seem to be working with them. Cant see anyone catching Bertie, he's clearly feeling great to do what he did today.

Going to try and clear my afternoon, test match and the Giro, perfect warm up for later in the summer of the Ashes and le tour.

 

[Shands]

Contador cracking on Finestre! This race really does have everything :)

 

[Big mals fedora]

Hi guys, I'm fairly new to cycling, been a bit of a fairweather cyclist for the past 3 years. Ive been going to the gym recently getting back in shape (many thanks to all in the 'how to bulk up' thread!), & have started to get back into cycling a bit more as part of my fitness regime. I have a 3 yr old Giant Defy, & have been thinking of upgrading it to a carbon road bike. I'll have a budget of about £1200, & wondered if any of you more knowledgeable cyclist could recom

 

[urmston]

Hi guys, I'm fairly new to cycling, been a bit of a fairweather cyclist for the past 3 years. Ive been going to the gym recently getting back in shape (many thanks to all in the 'how to bulk up' thread!), & have started to get back into cycling a bit more as part of my fitness regime. I have a 3 yr old Giant Defy, & have been thinking of upgrading it to a carbon road bike. I'll have a budget of about £1200, & wondered if any of you more knowledgeable cyclist could recom

Giant Defys are very good bikes. Unless you are racing, are very fit and don't have another kilogram of fat to shift I wouldn't bother with a new bike. You could spend £1200 and not notice any significant difference at all.

 

[g180aj]

Hi guys, I'm fairly new to cycling, been a bit of a fairweather cyclist for the past 3 years. Ive been going to the gym recently getting back in shape (many thanks to all in the 'how to bulk up' thread!), & have started to get back into cycling a bit more as part of my fitness regime. I have a 3 yr old Giant Defy, & have been thinking of upgrading it to a carbon road bike. I'll have a budget of about £1200, & wondered if any of you more knowledgeable cyclist could recom

If you are serious about getting a new Carbon Road bike i'd take a serious look at ribble, they have a few new carbon road bikes under there special edition bikes the prorace running Shimano 105/ultegra or Sram Rival/force is good for around a £1000 -1200 now with internal cable routing also, i'd recommend the aero 883 under the bike builder for maybe a little more as this is what I want and you can buy over 10 months interest free also.

 

[Big mals fedora]

If you are serious about getting a new Carbon Road bike i'd take a serious look at ribble, they have a few new carbon road bikes under there special edition bikes the prorace running Shimano 105/ultegra or Sram Rival/force is good for around a £1000 -1200 now with internal cable routing also, i'd recommend the aero 883 under the bike builder for maybe a little more as this is what I want and you can buy over 10 months interest free also.

If you are serious about getting a new Carbon Road bike i'd take a serious look at ribble, they have a few new carbon road bikes under there special edition bikes the prorace running Shimano 105/ultegra or Sram Rival/force is good for around a £1000 -1200 now with internal cable routing also, i'd recommend the aero 883 under the bike builder for maybe a little more as this is what I want and you can buy over 10 months interest free also.

Thanks for your replies guys.i f I stayed with my current bike would I benefit from any new components etc? I may come across as a bit thick but I've never really been sure of the mechanics of a bike, I really appreciate any advice to help me improve

 

[discopop]

If you are looking to upgrade the most bang for buck is a new set of wheels, I would presume you are still on the stock wheel from when you originally bought the bike? lots of good factory sets out there for around £275.00 - £350.00 you would be amazed the difference they make, Groupset (not sure what you have) but unless you take a huge jump up its not worth the return on investment and even then I wouldn't bother.

New Bike wise Planet X are doing some proper good deals at the moment, full carbon frame, godd finishing kit and very good groupset I have seen two different bikes bought by my mates they look the dog's and they are currently wiping the floor customer service wise compared to Ribble. Cycling is the biggest black hole known to man finance wise.

Good luck

 

[Big mals fedora]

Thanks discopop, my trouble is I'm not well up on bike mechanic jargon. I've had a look a Planet X site, but I'm unsure what I should & shouldnt upgrade. I'm going to call into a couple of bike stores this weekend for a chat. I'm thinking of calling in at Evans near the Trafford centre, anyone had any experience of dealing with them??