All things "bicycle".....

[truckermde]

Thanks - its actually not the Cannondale Carbon....it's the Cannondale Synapse Tiagra 6.

I should mention...I don't really know how often I will be riding with others. I like to ride on my own a lot so the whole "keeping up" thing would be a challenge only some of the time. I think I will ride on my own for the first few weeks to get used to it and get my "bike legs" and then start riding with my buds....THEN, if I feel good about it, I might start getting into some Group rides.

Everyone at the various shops I've visited have told me that 2015 Tiagra level bike are good for what I am planning. But it sounds like at a difference of only $50, I may want to go with the Defy simply for the 105 level components? Thoughts on that?

All in all, I think either will get me on the road and riding and I have already started on changes to my diet and around 200lbs is my goal weight.

I have asthma too and fairly well controlled but definitely agitated by exercise (is that why I am almost 250lbs? haha).

Anyway, thanks for the info and advice man....very much appreciated. I just want to make sure I WANT to ride once I spend almost 2 Large on the bike and accessories.

Yes. Spend the xtra dosh on the better componentry.

And listen to Brian; he's steering you in the right direction.

 

[Brians Evil Twin]

Tiagra is the budget stuff. Get the 105, that's the bottom-line good stuff. You won't notice a difference right away, but the 105 will last the life of the bike, the Tiagra is disposable.

From your description, I'd go with the local shop. You're likely to get more consistent service there - big stores have high employee turnover and the expertise varies widely.

So: Shimano 105, Cannondale, local shop, that's my vote.

Oh, and don't scrimp on a helmet.. Ask me how I know...

 

[warprider]

OK so I am getting into Road Bikes and I am going to buy one. I'm a novice and want to buy entry level ($800-$1000). The more research I do, the more I realize going entry level may turn me away from cycling as I may not be able to "keep up" with my friends who have better bikes.

So I keep going a bit higher...but I am worried...what if I don't love it as much as I think I will? Did I just waste an extra $300-$400 on nothing? Or will spending that money help me love it as much as I think I will?

I'm torn...most people at the shops are telling me that i'll need to spend $1800 all in (pedals, shoes, shorts, accessories) to really give myself the best chance to fall in love with it. I should note that they have also given me the lower end options. I actually don't feel like they are giving me a hard sell so I am more inclined to believe them.

Thoughts?

Ridiculous.

Look at it like buying/investing in music gear. Did you buy a '59 LP & full stack as your first set-up?

Nothing I would like more than to sell you the 10k bike hanging in my store, but $800-$1000 will get you a great bike. A good bike for YOU is one YOU will ride initially.

Lots of good advice given already, especially the decent frame fork that you can upgrade all the components/ wheelset later.

Sure on that 56cm frame for 6' rider? That seems awfully cramped on paper. I trust what you say, & the other shops. Just inquiring. I had a customer come in a few weeks ago on a nice 55cm Look. I sold him a 58cm Cannondale, the size he should have been on all along. Now we're putting a 140 stem on the Look just to get it in the ballpark of his Cannondale just so he has a spare bike in town.

Good luck. & let us know how it goes.

 

[Shred Astaire]

Well that creates a problem....the Giant is the one with the 105 level stuff.....the Cannondale has the Tiagra.

If I want to go local, I need to go with the Tiagra (unless I want to spend more and "customize" it and I just don't have the budget for that...

On a side note, at the chain store, the sales guy is my wife's uncle who has been in bikes for 40+ years and I do trust him.

 

[Shred Astaire]

Ridiculous.

Look at it like buying/investing in music gear. Did you buy a '59 LP & full stack as your first set-up?

Nothing I would like more than to sell you the 10k bike hanging in my store, but $800-$1000 will get you a great bike. A good bike for YOU is one YOU will ride initially.

Lots of good advice given already, especially the decent frame fork that you can upgrade all the components/ wheelset later.

Sure on that 56cm frame for 6' rider? That seems awfully cramped on paper. I trust what you say, & the other shops. Just inquiring. I had a customer come in a few weeks ago on a nice 55cm Look. I sold him a 58cm Cannondale, the size he should have been on all along. Now we're putting a 140 stem on the Look just to get it in the ballpark of his Cannondale just so he has a spare bike in town.

Good luck. & let us know how it goes.

Thanks...I tried both 58's and 56's on multiple brands and all of the sales folks agreed that I should be on a 56. The 58 felt large for me while test riding so I tend to agree with them (not that I know anything about it all haha).

It appears I am right on the cusp and sometimes leg/torso length make a difference there?

 

[Brians Evil Twin]

Height is just a ballpark - inseam has more to do with it. You do need to be able to stand flat-footed over the bar without it interfering with your "undercarriage".

Re the 105, if your wife's uncle can take care of you, that may tip the scales.

 

[warprider]

Excellent points all. The sizing sounds right then. Everybody's build is different & there bike will reflect that. I'm 6'2 & ride a 60cm frame with a 130 stem. All arms & legs.

If you can get the 105 components, I'd not hesitate. If you take to it, they'll last a good long while & are better quality.

Shoes with clip less pedals will be your next step. I'd get a pair shorts with a good chamois in them straight away though. You'll regret it when your junk area is not happy with your new found choice of exercise.

 

[PraXis]

those bikes have 3 piece cranks so its a simple fix. the only thing is to get a replacement you're probably going have to get an after market crank arm (it will probably be a hassle to find a matching replacement). just check the spindle splines/size, and crank arm length.

Here's a dumb question.. do I buy the left and right side crank arms and then two new pedals, or should I just buy the left crank arm?

I think I need a cheap bike stand.

 

[Shred Astaire]

K, I think I am going for the Giant Defy 1 with 105 from the chain store through my wife's uncle. Now the accessories will add up. hahahaha oh man what am I getting myself into?!

 

[Donal]

My new ride I got a few weeks ago, have already fallen twice not being used to the pedal/shoe locks (Need to get SH56 for my shoes and not the SH51s that I got with it).

 

[sk8rat]

Here's a dumb question.. do I buy the left and right side crank arms and then two new pedals, or should I just buy the left crank arm?

I think I need a cheap bike stand.

you should remove both pedals first to see if both crank arm threads are stripped. if one of the pedals is cross threaded, both might be. typically when they are cross threaded they move in an egg shape instead of circular.

you can buy two replacements if you want a matching set but its not really necessary if they are the same length.

 

[Shred Astaire]

Ok dudes....bought the Giant Defy 1 road bike yesterday but it was raining cats and dogs. I gave it a quick 15 min test ride today after the set up and it feels nice, but HO-LY CHIT I am out of shape. I'm sweating buckets (mind you, it is 82 degrees F) and breathing heavy.

This will be good for me. I'm down for some pain!

 

[Brians Evil Twin]

So Shred, butt sore yet?

And Who, that was quite the deal. Now you only have to build up three bikes around them.

I see that some of the ascents on Dante's have sections above 21 degrees. That will be a challenge.

 

[fett]

I used to ride an old Trek. I bought a Univega Range Rover SE 6 years ago because it prolly cost $20. 5 kids showed up at my mobile home looking to use my air pump. 4 of the kids had bikes. They were looking for a bike for the odd kid out. I pulled the Univega out of the yard. It needed a little help. You know the drill. Anyway, the chain was hung up. I can't spell derailer. I would not give up. I got the chain threaded and it works. However, the seat post is beyond stuck. I have oiled it; pounded on it; used channel locks and a pipe wrench. It ain't moving. What's the fix? I am going to get my Trek on the road again. I like working on bikes.

 

[fett]

Fett, the you're not going to like the answer.

But you're a pretty resourceful guy. You might get this fixed.

14 Ways to Unstick a Seatpost

Only go this route if you have tons of time, and really need to save the frame.....

The Experimental Runner: The Straight Goods on Removing a Stuck Seatpost

I think, I know.

 

[Brians Evil Twin]

Holy. Sh!t.

Endurance sports -- Images from a crash-marred Stage 3 at the Tour de France

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSBpytkX1tA[/ame]

 

[PeteK]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJbHd9ygDag[/ame]

Different wreck from a few years ago, but notice the guy in the background flip into a fence post and come to a dead stop!

 

[Brians Evil Twin]

Different wreck from a few years ago, but notice the guy in the background flip into a fence post and come to a dead stop!

Whoever was driving that car should be banned from the Tour for life.

 

[b3john]

I can't get a vine to embed here on MLP...

http://vine.co/v/enbUhAa6D5I

When I first saw the clip, right at the end I thought it was Cancellara doing that last flip, turns out it was his custom yellow bike.

 

[truckermde]

That was so gnarly! They were blazing! I'll bet there was noticeable skin left on the road...