First road bike

[Cyclone1]

Was the Pelotons ride better or worse than the other 3?

 

[annirak]

@annirak looks like you are on the hunt with similar budget to mine. Though I'm not after any mudgards or rack mounts I too want to make sure I can get the best frame.

From what I have so far learnt, @SteCenturion is right about that and it's just a question of picking up a bike that feels most comfortable and meets your requirements. I have road 4 different road bikes so far and apart from cube peloton, all of them (giant defy, trek 1.2, forme longcliffe) felt quite the same. So perhaps will have to choose going by colour of the frame. In your case, you might have actually bit easier decision to make with rack/mudgards.

Or, in my case, the fact that I really like internally routed cables!

 

[SteCenturion]

Or, in my case, the fact that I really like internally routed cables!

Cube Peloton Race has internal routing too & it's a cracker but beyond budget at £999

 

[Slawek]

Was the Pelotons ride better or worse than the other 3?

Peloton was least comfortable. I could not put a finger on what was not right but the moment I reached for the bar and started pedaling it just did not feel right. I mean I could easily ride the bike but I doubt I would be enjoying it. With Forme and Defy I felt like I belong there while riding. I do wonder whether it could be that the saddle at the other two was more comfortable? I don't know but Peleton is out of the race for me.

 

[Slawek]

Or, in my case, the fact that I really like internally routed cables!

Yes, that is rather nice touch.

 

[Cyclone1]

Good write up and just goes to show that regardless how good a bike is, it may not suit everyone. I was the same with the Defy, yet I know it is an excellent bike.

 

[Cyclist33]

Secteurs can take a rack; mine does.

If you've tried a Roubaix then they're basically the same except one is carbon the other aluminium.

er and one has rack mounts the other doesnt!

 

[annirak]

In the end, I picked up a Vitus Razor. I couldn't argue with the price. Sure, I wanted a better group set, but this is my first road bike and a few long rides will help me decide what really matters to me.

 

[SteCenturion]

Good on yer @annirak

Be sure to let us all know how it performs, when you have given it a good testing etc as there doesn't seem to be many Vitus owners here & might prove an interesting option for others later down the line.

Enjoy your new bike.

 

[Cyclist33]

Looks like quite a good bike that. I had an Elita chain set once it was quite good and stiff. Nice brand, good spec, enjoy!

 

[annirak]

Good on yer @annirak

Be sure to let us all know how it performs, when you have given it a good testing etc as there doesn't seem to be many Vitus owners here & might prove an interesting option for others later down the line.

Enjoy your new bike.

Initial impressions: It's nice that they send a tool kit with the bike. A decent pedal wrench, a multitool, and a handful of hex wrenches.
The stock pedals are nothing to write home about. They're resin, the reflectors slide out of them too easily and they don't have holes for toe clips.
So far, I have no complaints about the Shimano Claris drivetrain except that the front shifter is a little stickier than I would like.

I would be posting a little more detail, but I got a puncture about 10 minutes into my first long ride. Oddly, the puncture was in the side of the tube. Couldn't spot anything in the tyre, so I'm not sure what happened.

So I have a replacement list, but it's not horribly long: replace the tyres for something more puncture resistant, replace the pedals for ones with, or that can support, toe clips, or for clipless pedals. Still not sure on that one.

 

[SteCenturion]

Initial impressions: It's nice that they send a tool kit with the bike. A decent pedal wrench, a multitool, and a handful of hex wrenches.
The stock pedals are nothing to write home about. They're resin, the reflectors slide out of them too easily and they don't have holes for toe clips.
So far, I have no complaints about the Shimano Claris drivetrain except that the front shifter is a little stickier than I would like.

I would be posting a little more detail, but I got a puncture about 10 minutes into my first long ride. Oddly, the puncture was in the side of the tube. Couldn't spot anything in the tyre, so I'm not sure what happened.

So I have a replacement list, but it's not horribly long: replace the tyres for something more puncture resistant, replace the pedals for ones with, or that can support, toe clips, or for clipless pedals. Still not sure on that one.

Pinch flat it sounds like to me that one.

A shallow pothole or crack in the road would do it, tyre gets compressed against it & Bobs your Uncle, you've got a pinch flat.

Got 2 sets of boxed new pedals going up for sale, not cheap - cheap, but a fair bit less than best retail.

Look Keo Max 2 (white/black decals) & time RXS Racer (white/red decals) if you get stuck, both sets never fitted & both clipless.

Struggling to learn how to upload them from a phone or would post em up now.

 

[annirak]

I think it might make sense for me to get either dual-use pedals or more casual shoes. My commute isn't very far, about 3 miles, so I'd ideally like not to have to change shoes for my commute. I'm fine with having to change shoes for long rides.

The dual use pedals (flat on one side, clip-in on the other) would work, but so would either mountain bike shoes or city cycling shoes. My limited understanding of road shoes is that they're not really for walking in.

 

[vickster]

Yes go for spd. Not sure dual spd sl pedals exist anyhow

 

[SteCenturion]

I think it might make sense for me to get either dual-use pedals or more casual shoes. My commute isn't very far, about 3 miles, so I'd ideally like not to have to change shoes for my commute. I'm fine with having to change shoes for long rides.

The dual use pedals (flat on one side, clip-in on the other) would work, but so would either mountain bike shoes or city cycling shoes. My limited understanding of road shoes is that they're not really for walking in.

Absolutely not for walking in, Cafe stops only & your suggestion is far more comfortable for the commutes you do.