Cycling: fitness, racing or leisure rides..

[gadj1976]

Thanks Booney. That's very good advice actually. I'm inclined to either go this one, or the Orbea (and save myself some dough which I can use on the tool kit etc) given the information I've been provided.

That reminds me actually. When I went to the shop I asked about hybrids versus road, pedal clips vs none, caliper vs disc brakes and the guy said that 'to start with, go for the basics, then if need be, work up to it'. When I quizzed him about people telling me about pedal clips, he said 'for riding up steep inclines and more 'power riding' they are very useful, but for recreational riding (which I'm doing) just use the normal ones'. He did say that the benefit of having pedal clips is 'significant'. He did say that the 'significant' benefit is on steep inclines. The flatter the road, the lesser significance they have, but did say even on the flat they are 'better than marginal' benefit.

Cheers again all, it's been very beneficial going in there knowing what questions to ask.

I'll let you know which way I go.

[gadj1976]

Right, so I went back to Megabike in Rundle St and I'm hooked on the Orbea. I think I'll sign up on Monday. To make things MUCH more clear for me, my bus ran to it's own schedule again and I had to wait another 20 minutes for the next one.

THanks everyone, I'll keep you updated with my schedule. The plan being that I want to get to the stage where 15km is do-able by the time the new year rolls around.

[Dutchy]

Got a tow bar on my car now and wondering if anyone has any recommendations on bike racks they use that attach to a tow bar?

Probably looking at transporting 3 bikes max

[MatteeG]

Well pretty happy with tonight.. Got caught up in a crash and had to drop my bike and stumble over the mess of carbon.. Then clip back in and Then bust my ass to catch back up.. And finish 6th overall.. Was fast out there tonight.. 35mins, 24.7km at 39.9km/h average... I am shattered...

Gday p_s did you have a look at any of the racing at Williamstown on the weekend?

I've read this thread as a bit of interest as I have a mate who is pretty into his cycling- didnt realise how far he'd got until his mug was in the Advertiser on Saturday. He rides with Lightsview! Apparently the team came second in the time trials to SASI.

[mickey]

Whos ya mate mattee?? I was the same when the ISC team was in the paper the other week and there is a bloke i played footy with...

[MatteeG]

Whos ya mate mattee?? I was the same when the ISC team was in the paper the other week and there is a bloke i played footy with...

Steve Kavanagh mate- went to school with him.

[pig_skin]

Well pretty happy with tonight.. Got caught up in a crash and had to drop my bike and stumble over the mess of carbon.. Then clip back in and Then bust my ass to catch back up.. And finish 6th overall.. Was fast out there tonight.. 35mins, 24.7km at 39.9km/h average... I am shattered...

Gday p_s did you have a look at any of the racing at Williamstown on the weekend?

I've read this thread as a bit of interest as I have a mate who is pretty into his cycling- didnt realise how far he'd got until his mug was in the Advertiser on Saturday. He rides with Lightsview! Apparently the team came second in the time trials to SASI.

nah i didnt get up there on the weekend, was pretty busy around the city with some things working out footy for next year. i do enjoy watching that team crit racing though, very interesting and faaaaaaast.
cant wiogeback into racing though, this couple of weeks off with no crit racing is killing me... all this hard training im doing and dont get to put it in practice for another week or so..
i was pretty happy last night though, did my quickest time up windy point. from the lights at the bottom to the bus stop at the top in 10min 32sec... was blowing a bit coasting into blackwood....

[pig_skin]

wiogeback = think my keyboard stuffed up... "wait to get back"

[nuggety goodness]

Right, so I went back to Megabike in Rundle St and I'm hooked on the Orbea. I think I'll sign up on Monday. To make things MUCH more clear for me, my bus ran to it's own schedule again and I had to wait another 20 minutes for the next one.

THanks everyone, I'll keep you updated with my schedule. The plan being that I want to get to the stage where 15km is do-able by the time the new year rolls around.

gadj, I've just started an almost identical ride (redwood park to prospect 16Kms) and I'm just using a mates piece of crap hybrid with crappedy crap gears, it's quite frustrating actually and I'm now considering my options for s new pushie so your questions have assisted me immensely!

I've never really ridden over any distance before but I'm really enjoying it. My wife already said I'm addicted after 3 days (or maybe she called me something else and I misheard her...)

please keep the updates coming so I can get some more insight...

[nuggety goodness]

So a thought just hit me...

I'm going to the states for Christmas with the outlaws. Would it be cheaper for me to buy a bike over there and ship it home than to buy one here? Anyone know?

[gadj1976]

Right, so I went back to Megabike in Rundle St and I'm hooked on the Orbea. I think I'll sign up on Monday. To make things MUCH more clear for me, my bus ran to it's own schedule again and I had to wait another 20 minutes for the next one.

THanks everyone, I'll keep you updated with my schedule. The plan being that I want to get to the stage where 15km is do-able by the time the new year rolls around.

gadj, I've just started an almost identical ride (redwood park to prospect 16Kms) and I'm just using a mates piece of crap hybrid with crappedy crap gears, it's quite frustrating actually and I'm now considering my options for s new pushie so your questions have assisted me immensely!

I've never really ridden over any distance before but I'm really enjoying it. My wife already said I'm addicted after 3 days (or maybe she called me something else and I misheard her...)

please keep the updates coming so I can get some more insight...

Hey Nuggety, glad to be of assistance in my niaveity!

I got another level of complexity given to me today when I went to Super Elliots and saw that the Giant Cross City 2 was down to 899. Still leaning toward the Orbea but have to rethink it seriously.

I tried to ride to work on my heap of junk, circa 1996, with buckled wheels, garbage brakes and rusted everythings. I didn't make it!

I'll keep you posted when I get the new wheels NG.

[mickey]

Do the 2 bikes have the same rubbing gear. ie, same series brakes, gears etc?

[gadj1976]

Do the 2 bikes have the same rubbing gear. ie, same series brakes, gears etc?

Mickey, here are the three bikes I'm looking at:

Orbea - http://www.orbea.com/au-us/bicis/modelos/carpe_h30/#presentacion
Specialized - http://specialized.com/au/gb/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?arc=2011&spid=53257
Good write up on the Cross City 2 - http://www.ivanhoecycles.com.au/bikes/flat-bar-road-bike/giant-cross-city-2/prod_134.html

The Orbea is $849, the Specialized is $999, the Cross City is $899.

[pig_skin]

So a thought just hit me...

I'm going to the states for Christmas with the outlaws. Would it be cheaper for me to buy a bike over there and ship it home than to buy one here? Anyone know?

um i reckon it would be.. i had a quick search on the specialized bike....
http://bikeam.com/product/12specialized ... 0580-1.htm this is the sirrus 2012 model. and nearly $200 cheaper especially if the exchange rate is good...
also did a quick search on shipping and i reckon you might get it back for about $50... or depending on who you are flying with you might be able to put it in oversized baggage... for little or no charge.. i was able to take a few snowboards back in oversized and it didnt cost anything, so you may be lucky...

[mickey]

Patrick Yonker previews the Tour Down Under community ride in the Adelaide* magazine in today paper... looks like hell... can't wait

Basically haven't ridden since Amys ride, went out last night on the 16km circuit I have mapped from my place, down Hanson road, right onto Torrens, left onto Woodville, left onto Port. Then left at the brewery corner past clipsal up the hill and then left at Torrens... fly down the hill in the biggest gear praying for green lights and no trains.

Turn right into Days road turn left at the golf course and I'm home.

35 minutes best time yet.... thought is struggle, especially seeing been off the bike for 10 days and the first half the ride was a headwind

[Dutchy]

Went for my first ride since Amy's last night, nice 24kms, felt good at the end but the first 10kms I was in all sorts, the body had got used to not being on the bike!

[Dutchy]

75kms this morning, down the veloway to McLaren Vale, then Willunga, turned right and went to Aldinga, Moana, Pt Noarlunga the Lonsdale Hwy back to Majors Rd and then Flaggy. Didnt have a break, buggered but need to do more of these ride in prep for the TDU which isnt far away.

[nuggety goodness]

Dropped in at Standish on Nth East rd yesterday on the way home, someone tell me about Apollo bikes, any good?

[pig_skin]

Dropped in at Standish on Nth East rd yesterday on the way home, someone tell me about Apollo bikes, any good?

NO..........

[Dutchy]

Went for a light ride last night, thought Id try Bains Rd at Woodcroft for the first time as a nice easy climb, god was I wrong! I did have heavy legs but geez I struggled to get up, much sharper gradients in parts than Chandlers Hill or Main Rd...