MORE BIKE QUESTIONS

[Slave]

Basically, I have been looking at the Raleigh frames and all the different models available.

 

Now, I am more foncused than ever. All this stuff about compact frames, group sets, wheelsets and headsets.

 

Other than the latest technology, what exactly is a 105 groupset?

 

What makes this the "thing to have"?

 

Then there are an astounding array of rims to choose from and it just makes me wonder. Choice is great when you know what it does for you and there is some way to tell the difference.

 

I was looking at a Raleigh RC2000 and comparing it to the RC3000. Other than the obvious price diffs, the wheels are slightly different because the 3000 has less spokes. That is (IMHO) scary. I am not a small fella so I like the idea that there are more spokes to distribute my weight and offer a degree of structural rigidity to the wheels.

 

Are less spokes really better?

 

Why?

 

What are the other websites where one can check out the bikes around (Yeah, this will make me even more confused).

 

 

[Spinnekop]

Basically' date=' I have been looking at the Raleigh frames and all the different models available.

 

Now, I am more foncused than ever. All this stuff about compact frames, group sets, wheelsets and headsets.

All part of the learning curve.......

 

Other than the latest technology, what exactly is a 105 groupset?

It is one of many Shimano models........

Shimano has the following groupsets (From bad to worse....)

Dure Ace (Light, very expensive, pro racers)

Ultegra (Heavier, avg-expensive, wannabe Vets)

105 (Jo avg guy)

Tiagra / Viagra / Sora / Ihavenocluewhattheycalled (Bottom groupsets)

I think the 105 groupset for a beginner is MORE than enough

 

What makes this the "thing to have"?

Good avg starting groupset.  It looks good, good functionality.

 

Then there are an astounding array of rims to choose from and it just makes me wonder. Choice is great when you know what it does for you and there is some way to tell the difference.

Unfortunately only experience will help you here..........ask around....

 

I was looking at a Raleigh RC2000 and comparing it to the RC3000. Other than the obvious price diffs, the wheels are slightly different because the 3000 has less spokes. That is (IMHO) scary. I am not a small fella so I like the idea that there are more spokes to distribute my weight and offer a degree of structural rigidity to the wheels.

 

Are less spokes really better?

Not always.........it doesn't mean that it is not good though....Campagnolo's wheelsets all have the G3 spoking on their rear wheels and I have yet to brake a spoke in 5 years!!!  Even when I went into a car the spokes were still intact......bent but none broke!

 

Why?

It looks cool....

Mostly weight saving.......

 

What are the other websites where one can check out the bikes around (Yeah, this will make me even more confused).

What make and we can point you to the manufacturer's webpage........

 

 

[/quote']

[Slave]

Thanks Spinnekop.

 

That explains a lot. This thing about weight smokkels my kop. Like the dudes at the cycle challenge a few years back tried to interest me in plastic tyre levers. Why? I asked. Weight dude, save weight.

 

I weigh like close to the 100 kilo mark. I swear 10 or 20 grams will make no difference to me at all.

 

Even bike frames, some are 1 or 2 kilos lighter. On my body mass, that is nothing and if I get fit enough to drag my own weight around as well as that of the bike, it's all in the training. If we were talking 10 20 kilos, big diffs. Small amounts, it's just BS.

 

Looks are not all that important and the more spokes I have, the easier I can repair my own buckled wheels when I fall. That's my take on it anyway.

 

The learning curve is great, but there are just so many different bikes, fram designs, groupsets, headsets and other sets that I need to know more about all this junk so I can make a better decision.

 

Perhaps I should stick to knitting.

[Wannabe]

 Spidy, thehub of old has somewhat returned, and my confidence in it has been repaired. Nice, concise and accurate answers to a newby's questions. No derogitory remarks or anything else. WELL DONE!!!!

[AuctionLamb]

 

 Spidy' date=' thehub of old has somewhat returned, and my confidence in it has been repaired. Nice, concise and accurate answers to a newby's questions. No derogitory remarks or anything else. WELL DONE!!!![/quote']

 

give it time...the comments will come sooner than you think!

 

[Old school]

2008 Schwinn Circuit - R2900

PM me

FEATURES

Schwinn N'Litened Aluminum Frame & N'Gauged Cro-Moly Fork

Shimano 2200 Drivetrain & Shifters' date=' Truvativ Iso-Flow Cranks

Alloy 32h Hubs & Double-Wall Rims, Schwalbe Lugano Sport 23c Tires

Road Tuned 31.8 Alloy Handlebar & Stem

http://www.schwinnbike.com/SchwinnFiles/ProductImages/478_311_S8CIR_255_1.jpg

[/quote']

[AndreZA]

Thanks Spinnekop.

 

Like the dudes at the cycle challenge a few years back tried to interest me in plastic tyre levers. Why? I asked. Weight dude' date=' save weight.

 

[/quote']

 

Now that you will have to get. Alu or steel will damage your rims or atleast scratch it.

 

 

 

[Spinnekop]

Thanks Spinnekop.

 

That explains a lot. This thing about weight smokkels my kop. Like the dudes at the cycle challenge a few years back tried to interest me in plastic tyre levers. Why? I asked. Weight dude' date=' save weight.

 

I weigh like close to the 100 kilo mark. I swear 10 or 20 grams will make no difference to me at all.

Maybe not to you but to the guy dieting his butt of, having body weight of 0.1%, a 10g here and there makes all the difference. 

Roadies are such a bunch of pansies.....

 

Even bike frames, some are 1 or 2 kilos lighter. On my body mass, that is nothing and if I get fit enough to drag my own weight around as well as that of the bike, it's all in the training. If we were talking 10 20 kilos, big diffs. Small amounts, it's just BS.

Well.....go ride a 12kg road bike up a hill and then climb on Scalpel's (ILLEGAL) 5.5kg bike and ride the same hill......

 

But yes....in general....saving 10g and having a 100kg body to drag around, just does not make any sense!!!!

 

Looks are not all that important and the more spokes I have, the easier I can repair my own buckled wheels when I fall. That's my take on it anyway.

VERY TRUE!!!

and the less expensive the spokes are!!!!

 

Normal double butted stainless spokes......works!!!!

R1 each and as you say, can be fitted by yourself! 

 

But again....to the racing snakes the weight and the aerodynamics make a difference.....

 

The learning curve is great, but there are just so many different bikes, fram designs, groupsets, headsets and other sets that I need to know more about all this junk so I can make a better decision.

It's not that difficult.......

 

Frame designs:

Normal - No sloping of the top tube

Compact - Top tube slopes down - weight reduction, stiffer frame (Except for Raleigh...........their compact frames are actually HEAVY!!  )

Groupsets:

Campagnolo - Can't go wrong with ANY of their ranges / models

Shimano - Ultegra or 105

Headsets:

Internal - bearings are inside the frame

External - bearings are....in cups outside the frame....

 

Perhaps I should stick to knitting.

 

I prefer fishing......less hassles on the fingers....

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[keith]

Slave2Love just hang around here on the hub for a while and do a lot of reading and use the search box on the bottom left of the homepage- it'll clear up a ton of stuff! Other than that save lots of money and prepare yourself for the cycling addiction!!! "The only stupid question was the one not asked".

[IanJ]

SlaveToLove, have you only been looking on Websites? Maybe pop in to some of the cycle shops and ask their salesman to show you the range of bikes with different groupsets and wheels and ask him to justify the differences to you. Probably better to go to one of the bigger stores with a larger selection of bikes.

At the end of the day a lot comes down to personal preference but any entry level bike with at least Shimano 105 components will last you for sometime (at least until you are ready to upgrade to the latest and greatest carbon fibre racing snake machine ).

Good luck and once you think you have the made the decision post your thoughts here for feedback before you take the plunge.

 

[keith]

Yeah IanJ is right- a bike picture on a website can look awesome, but on the floor at your LBS (Local Bike Shop) it can look very different. And you'll see things on the bike that you won't see on a website from a side on picture. Weight might not be an issue for you now, but climb a baie long hill or do a 100km race with a heavy bike and you'll really appreciate a light one when you upgrade! Trust me- I know from personal experience!!!

[Red Zone]

And go to a few bike shops, many will just punt one or two brands and knock the rest.

 

 

[Slave]

 

I prefer fishing......less hassles on the fingers....

 

Much easier on the fingers, but the smell man, the smell.

 

My main objective is simple.

 

(I did my 1st 94.7 several years ago in 3.35. Then I got really soft and lazy and went into last years challenge hopelessly unfit, undertrained and really stoopid and managed a 4.40 (4 hours 40 min)) It was a much tougher course but the whole thing was really painful.

 

I have not enetered this years 94.7 for a number of reasons (one of which is simple economics), but my thinking is, do a good deal of training and riding, build a good foundation and aim at a sub 3 hr challenge next year.

 

To do that I need to be enjoying my cycling and I need a half-way decent bike.

 

Moderate technology should suffice and do the job without going overboard. If I can get down a hill at 60 instead of 50 or do 45 on a flat instead of 35, and can go into a corner a fair bit faster, then this should be an achievable objective.

 

This is the plan, now I just need to get to grips with the technology to work it all out.

 

I looked at the Cannondale and Giant websites yesterday and everyone seems to have their own jargon to add to my new dictionary.

 

Considering that I can not afford ultra tech, the top of the range competition cycles are out. Do I go for an endurance bike or a sport bike (as defined by Cannondale) or do I just go and get a Raleigh? The only frame choice raleigh have are compact (according to the web site).

 

How will this effect me on a long ride such as the 94.7? Bear in mind, I am 1.9 m tall and weigh in at 95 to 100kg.

 

A size 60 frame has been recommended (or a large in todays terminology).

 

What would be a reasonable, middle of the road bike for me to consider.

 

Mercx. I like the look of the bike you have on offer and I am considering the purchase, but don't wait for me if you get another offer.

 

I am trying to get the ducks in a row before I make the final decision. It has taken a good deal of five years to get here. (Some of those was when the bike just collected dust).

[slowpoke]

slave2love, as the others have been said - go around to a number of shops and actually look at the bikes. test ride them as well. being tall doesn't meant you can't ride a compact frame - you might just find that the compact frame suits you better,

 

as ianj says, once youve looked around and think you've mad ea decision, ask us again with all the details and we can help minimise the chances of you being ripped off

[Mackem]

Once you decide on a bike - spend the 350 odd ronds and get a bike fit - to make sure that you are set up correctly on the bike. Irrespective of how good the bike - if you are not set up correctly, you will suffer!

[Slave]

 go around to a number of shops and actually look at the bikes.

 

Thanks slowpoke. Been there' date=' done that. I am always looking at bikes when I see them on the road, and when I go to bike shops. The mind boggles at all the different models and they all look good.

 

test ride them as well.

  Would love to go and test ride a few bikes to get an idea. Kyalami Cycles are very worried about the wear on the tires if I take a bike for a test. Which bike shops are willing to offer this facility and run the risk that I might end up buying the bike somewhere else?

 

- you might just find that the compact frame suits you better' date=' [/quote'] Based on pricing and looks, the Raleigh seems to be a reasonable bike. The proof will be in the comfort of the bike and I will want to test one sooner rather than later.

 

 

as ianj says' date=' once youve looked around and think you've mad ea decision, ask us again with all the details and we can help minimise the chances of you being ripped off

[/quote']

 

Thanks for all the help and advice. I am learning fast and I value the time y'all have taken to help me with my dilemma.