rudi-h Posted May 27, 2021 Share On 5/26/2021 at 9:30 AM, Matu said: Hi guys/girls Been riding MTB for 3-4 years and its been great fun, sometimes the MTB group feels too lazy to drive to new locations an we opt for a road ride at our nearest coffee shop instead. I have been enjoying the road rides and would like to start looking at my first road bike. I have a few (stupid) questions... So I have a soft tail MTB: can i expect a huge difference in speed/drag/power/etc. ? i assume yes, but is it really that tangible? Yes - you will likely be 15%-20% faster on a road bike will the road bike feel like an enema to ride? No. It's a hard ride but not uncomfortable. Going to be scolded for this, but I run 28mm tyres @ 5 bar for comfort. works a charm is it a road sin to have time atac pedals? (so i can wear the same shoe/cleat af MTB) I've never owned a set of road pedals. nobody looks at your cleats when you drop them on a climb. Should i focus more on a good frame or a good group set? given the same price (new or used), i.e. should i go for a aluminum frame/carbon fork and 105/ultegra or full carbon frame with sora/Tiagra? Groupset is overrated. Get a good frame on a used bike scenario, how have 5 year old bikes fared against time? have the same group set changed dramatically over the last 5 years? Road bikes haven't changed much in terms of geometry etc. some improvements in stiffness etc., but a good road bike 10 years ago is still a good road bike today. not so much with MTB are disk brakes the way to go? (i have very limited experience with the performance and feel of rim brakes) Disc brakes if you're buying new is tubeless a must? (wouldn't dare ride a mtb with tubes for instance) Nope, tubeless hasn't gone full main stream yet with road bikes, most guys are on tubes. Think that's it! Thanks in advance! Matu Matu 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matu Posted June 1, 2021 Share Hi guys, Thanks for your input! I came right yesterday on my first road bike. 2016 Silverback Strela Comp, nice condition, Sora group set, nearly new Conti tires, think its a descent start for 5k ???? Now, stupid question about fitting, i am 175cm height and 80cm inseam, the recommended size for me is 54cm, the bike is a 54cm. The seat as you see in the pic is where i fit +-, the handle bars seem high as compared to all the cool/epic/pro pics I see on the interwebs (where the seat seems to be 10cm higher than the bars). Ill try take an other pic with me on it. Am i being stupid? who cares? is it because of the angled stem? bike too big for me? should I shut up and go ride? Thanks! Edited June 1, 2021 by Matu Pure Savage and peetwindhoek 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT1 Posted June 1, 2021 Share 34 minutes ago, Matu said: Hi guys, Thanks for your input! I came right yesterday on my first road bike. 2016 Silverback Strela Comp, nice condition, Sora group set, nearly new Conti tires, think its a descent start for 5k ???? Now, stupid question about fitting, i am 175cm height and 80cm inseam, the recommended size for me is 54cm, the bike is a 54cm. The seat as you see in the pic is where i fit +-, the handle bars seem high as compared to all the cool/epic/pro pics I see on the interwebs (where the seat seems to be 10cm higher than the bars). Ill try take an other pic with me on it. Am i being stupid? who cares? is it because of the angled stem? bike too big for me? should I shut up and go ride? Thanks! Nice bike, buddy. What's the measurement from the centre of the BB to the top middle of the saddle? Nevermind too much about the height of the bars, make sure their height and reach offers you comfort and control. Edited June 1, 2021 by TNT1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matu Posted June 1, 2021 Share 2 minutes ago, TNT1 said: Nice bike, buddy. What's the measurement from the centre of the crank to the top middle of the saddle? Nevermind too much about the height of the bars, make sure their height and reach offers you comfort and control. Thanks! very amped! centre of the crank to top of the seat frame tube is 54cm, middle if the crank to saddle is +-70cm. reach and control will be tested on my next ride, hope i have both ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fork-it Posted June 1, 2021 Share 2 hours ago, Matu said: Hi guys, Thanks for your input! I came right yesterday on my first road bike. 2016 Silverback Strela Comp, nice condition, Sora group set, nearly new Conti tires, think its a descent start for 5k ???? Now, stupid question about fitting, i am 175cm height and 80cm inseam, the recommended size for me is 54cm, the bike is a 54cm. The seat as you see in the pic is where i fit +-, the handle bars seem high as compared to all the cool/epic/pro pics I see on the interwebs (where the seat seems to be 10cm higher than the bars). Ill try take an other pic with me on it. Am i being stupid? who cares? is it because of the angled stem? bike too big for me? should I shut up and go ride? Thanks! Very nice! Wishing you many happy rides (and no flats). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matu Posted June 1, 2021 Share 12 minutes ago, Fork-it said: Very nice! Wishing you many happy rides (and no flats). appreciated! now to buy some spare tubes! Fork-it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT1 Posted June 1, 2021 Share 1 hour ago, Matu said: middle if the crank to saddle is +-70cm. Seems about right Quote Place your heel on the pedal and pedal backwards to reach the six o'clock position. Your knee should be completely straight. If your knee is still bent you need to increase the height, adjusting in small increments each time, and if your heel loses contact with the pedal then you need to lower the saddle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy Posted June 1, 2021 Share 1 hour ago, TNT1 said: Nevermind too much about the height of the bars, make sure their height and reach offers you comfort and control. This is true, but you can do two things to get the more "pro" aero position, but ONLY do it if you don't compromise comfort and control. 1) you can remove one or more of the spacers under your stem and put them on top. No need to cut the steerer. 2) you can flip your stem around and have it more neutral and not pointing upwards. Do this in any event. TNT1 and ChrisF 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT1 Posted June 1, 2021 Share 3 minutes ago, eddy said: This is true, but you can do two things to get the more "pro" aero position, but ONLY do it if you don't compromise comfort and control. 1) you can remove one or more of the spacers under your stem and put them on top. No need to cut the steerer. 2) you can flip your stem around and have it more neutral and not pointing upwards. Do this in any event. This is good advice for the noob. Me I run everything slammed, cut steerer and long-ish stem at 0degrees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbr Posted June 1, 2021 Share On 5/26/2021 at 9:30 AM, Matu said: like to start looking at my first road bike. I have a few (stupid) questions... So I have a soft tail MTB: can i expect a huge difference in speed/drag/power/etc. ? i assume yes, but is it really that tangible? Yes, but if you go for a good bike, otherwise if you go for a heavy aluminium bike but your MTB is a top of the range superlight bike with dual lockout etc, you won't feel much of a difference will the road bike feel like an enema to ride? If you go for 25 to 28mm tyres at the back, and tubeless, it will definitely make the ride more comfortable. is it a road sin to have time atac pedals? (so i can wear the same shoe/cleat af MTB) I see plenty of guys riding with MTB pedals, once you're on the bike we can't see what pedals you're riding, and who cares It's just that they are heavy compared to normal road pedals. Should i focus more on a good frame or a good group set? given the same price (new or used), i.e. should i go for a aluminum frame/carbon fork and 105/ultegra or full carbon frame with sora/Tiagra? on a used bike scenario, how have 5 year old bikes fared against time? have the same group set changed dramatically over the last 5 years? are disk brakes the way to go? (i have very limited experience with the performance and feel of rim brakes) NO NO NO and.... NO. Don't chose your bike depending on what brakes it has. I would decide depending on the frame weight & stiffness, if it has carbon wheels or not then the groupset, then only the brakes. Actually even the saddle matters more than the brakes is tubeless a must? (wouldn't dare ride a mtb with tubes for instance) Not a must, definitely not, still very few people use it for some reason. I've been tubeless since I bought my Giant, went back to tubes for 300km, had 3 punctures, not going back to tubes ever again. It does give a more plush/soft feel compared to the tubes because of the lower pressures, but I almost never have to stop for a flat. Edited June 1, 2021 by Jbr looks like I came a bit late to the party :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT1 Posted June 1, 2021 Share 1 minute ago, Jbr said: Dude, he's already bought a bike... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbr Posted June 1, 2021 Share yes I edited my post already TNT1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kranswurm Posted June 1, 2021 Share 3 hours ago, Matu said: Hi guys, Thanks for your input! I came right yesterday on my first road bike. 2016 Silverback Strela Comp, nice condition, Sora group set, nearly new Conti tires, think its a descent start for 5k ???? Now, stupid question about fitting, i am 175cm height and 80cm inseam, the recommended size for me is 54cm, the bike is a 54cm. The seat as you see in the pic is where i fit +-, the handle bars seem high as compared to all the cool/epic/pro pics I see on the interwebs (where the seat seems to be 10cm higher than the bars). Ill try take an other pic with me on it. Am i being stupid? who cares? is it because of the angled stem? bike too big for me? should I shut up and go ride? Thanks! I think you have made an excellent buy.Perfect. Ride it for a while with the stem and bars like that until you are comfy and confident.Maybe then swap the stem around and give it a try.Might be more comfortable.I am not comfy sitting upright.Always feel my back is arched and loss of control Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matu Posted June 1, 2021 Share 1 hour ago, eddy said: This is true, but you can do two things to get the more "pro" aero position, but ONLY do it if you don't compromise comfort and control. 1) you can remove one or more of the spacers under your stem and put them on top. No need to cut the steerer. 2) you can flip your stem around and have it more neutral and not pointing upwards. Do this in any event. Flipping the stem around is so obvious!!! Magic!! Just tried it, rode a block around the house, more control/connection to the steering. Thanks for this! 36 minutes ago, Kranswurm said: I think you have made an excellent buy.Perfect. Ride it for a while with the stem and bars like that until you are comfy and confident.Maybe then swap the stem around and give it a try.Might be more comfortable.I am not comfy sitting upright.Always feel my back is arched and loss of control Thanks, decided to go cheap to appreciate the bike growth! comfort I'll be able to measure overtime, need to do a proper ride! Edited June 1, 2021 by Matu Spelling ChrisF 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kranswurm Posted June 1, 2021 Share 1 hour ago, Matu said: Flipping the stem around is so obvious!!! Magic!! Just tried it, rode a block around the house, more control/connection to the steering. Thanks for this! Thanks, decided to go cheap to appreciate the bike growth! comfort I'll be able to measure overtime, need to do a proper ride! Well done That will make all the difference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peetwindhoek Posted June 1, 2021 Share 5 hours ago, Matu said: Hi guys, Thanks for your input! I came right yesterday on my first road bike. 2016 Silverback Strela Comp, nice condition, Sora group set, nearly new Conti tires, think its a descent start for 5k ???? Now, stupid question about fitting, i am 175cm height and 80cm inseam, the recommended size for me is 54cm, the bike is a 54cm. The seat as you see in the pic is where i fit +-, the handle bars seem high as compared to all the cool/epic/pro pics I see on the interwebs (where the seat seems to be 10cm higher than the bars). Ill try take an other pic with me on it. Am i being stupid? who cares? is it because of the angled stem? bike too big for me? should I shut up and go ride? Thanks! Can this be followed with a "kiekie" with your steed on your couch? Preferably with slammed stem ???? Edit: Congrats and many happy puncture free miles! Edited June 1, 2021 by peetwindhoek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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