Back On The Road

[Xiorell]

GOTS ME NEW BIKE!

After my old one got written off. I've ended up with a Raleigh Airlite 100, by no means the sportiest most amazing thing out there, but I think it's lovely!

Riding with dropbars (old one had flats) is odd but a bit of time will sort that, it's lighter than the old thing too, with thinner tires (from 38s down to 25s)
Gonna take out my lovely new black and white ride tomorrow on one of my 20+ mile loops to try and get the measure of it better (having only done 4miles on it so far).

It's soooooo pretty !

 

[Hydra]

Is this your first dropped-bar bike, Xiorell? I suspect you'll be pleasantly suprised!

I think after your 20mile ride you'll have fallen in love. Enjoy!

 

[Xiorell]

Is this your first dropped-bar bike, Xiorell? I suspect you'll be pleasantly suprised!

I think after your 20mile ride you'll have fallen in love. Enjoy!

Indeed it is my first dropped bar.
On the short "test ride" I've had, it's certainly different... more twitchy, and climbing feels a bit odd.... so I am not sure if I should go on my loop in the UP direction to get some good practice there, or the DOWN direction so I can get a nice 6ish miles of descent, being all low profile on the drops lol.

Couple of parts I plan to upgrade as and when I find a bargain (was planning this before I even paid for it), tiagra or better shifters, 105 breaks maybe, but I think I came away with a bike that's going to give me what I want for a long time

I'm one of you racing types now! hehe

 

[Moss]

Lets see it then! A nice photo of the new beast would be good. Welcome to the Dark Side.

 

[Xiorell]

I think I will put a pic up a bit later
I didn't go on a big loop today my chest is still a bit beat up from my accident so, just an 8ish mile job.
Definately faster.... well, I dunno if it's "faster" or just takes less to get it up to speed. Came down a hill I normally reach the bottom doing about 33-35, today I got half way down the hill, glanced the trip comp and it was reading 41mph! (I did re-calibrate for new tire size so I'm assuming it's as accurate as it was before)

 

[Xiorell]

Here it is

 

[apollo179]

Looks nice , i was expecting something like the usual normal raleigh but that is altogether more flashier (in a good way).
If you dont go faster on that then you must be unfit.

 

[Kiwiavenger]

i like!! i did see last years (?) airlite 400 in gardiner haskins in white with lime green decals, looked lovely, i am tempted with one of those as my next bike.

 

[HLaB]

Looks good Xiorell For me my first road bike took getting used to but down the line it was more than worth it. You've probably heard this before but if you are wanting to upgrade down the line probably the most bang to buck place to start is the wheels and tyres.

 

[Xiorell]

You've probably heard this before but if you are wanting to upgrade down the line probably the most bang to buck place to start is the wheels and tyres.

I had thought of that but it seems decent, light(ish) wheels cost hundreds?! Then again I don't know where the current ones tip the scales.
Certainly want to put at least Tiagra level shifters on there or better, maybe 105s if I can find a bargain. Other than that I'm not to fussed for now

 

[Xiorell]

I f***ing love this bike

 

[cyberknight]

Nice bike , flip that stem

TBH to change the shifters to tiagra / 105 you are going to have to change a lot of the drivetrain , as well as the wheels you are looking at a fair amount of cash.You could be looking at more than the bike cost in the 1st place.

I would keep it as it is and enjoy your entry into road bikes and then further down the line look out for a sale bargain and thne sell the airlite to help fund the upgrade .

 

[HLaB]

I f***ing love this bike

 

[Rob500]

Nice tiles.
That bike's a cracker too.

 

[baldycyclist]

nice and compact; are you a short bod or is the seat too far forwards?
Lots of room for mudguards if you need em
You got it all computered up ready
Keep us in touch with the progress

I agree with the advice over tyres and wheels - in the distant future!!