Hello Forum - started commuting = new interest in biking

[Rickshaw Phil]

I have read that the supplied tyres are poop.

Quite possibly. Fitting cheap tyres is one way that they manage to bring the bike in at such a low cost.

Been recommended Continental GP 4 season but at £55 a pair that's a significant proportion of the bike cost. Worth it? Assume they are likely to fit any upgraded bike I bought?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_946933_langId_-1_categoryId_242553#tab1

I'm no expert on road bike tyres, but have found Continental and Schwalbe tyres to be good. Generally I think this is one of the areas where it is worth spending the money as decent tyres can make a big difference on a bike. However, I don't know whether I'd spend quite that much on an entry level bike.

Perhaps try the standard ones, see what they are like and have a look at what is available before comitting?

Others will no doubt be along to advise shortly.

 

[biggs682]

I'm Trowbridge (nr Bath) so your a bit far - thanks for the offer though!

anytime

 

[da_murphster]

New members don't have access to classified until you have made a certain amount of posts.
So get posting and they will soon open up to you.

Ah, I would have thought you would want max interest in classifieds!?

Potentially in the lookout for a decent seat.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Ah, I would have thought you would want max interest in classifieds!?

Potentially in the lookout for a decent seat.

It's because the forum has had a bit of trouble with spammers in the past. You only need about 3 more posts before it unlocks.

 

[ianrauk]

Ah, I would have thought you would want max interest in classifieds!?

Potentially in the lookout for a decent seat.

Doesn't take many more posts for you to gain access.
The classifieds is a trusted service for our members to sell to other members.

 

[da_murphster]

It's because the forum has had a bit of trouble with spammers in the past. You only need about 3 more posts before it unlocks.

I'm sorry I couldn't hear you - how many posts was that??

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I'm sorry I couldn't hear you - how many posts was that??

Oh, just a couple.

 

[da_murphster]

So to gauge opinion - I'm a bit concerned that I'm going to be chasing the weakest link on this TDF - reading around there are 'internet whines' about the handle bar tape, tyres, gear ratios brakes, seat etc.

Am I going to end up spending more on this to make it adequate than I would have done buying a Triban 5 in the first place?

Tyres and seat I can cope with as I could use them on any future upgrade I buy, but I'm not keen on splashing out on much else. To reiterate this is a daily commuter - not a time challenge bike. My route is hilly but not that hilly - I never use the easiest sprocket on my MTB at the mo.

 

[da_murphster]

my current steed!! £350 in 2007 - embarrassingly never really been off road but used as commuter with forks locked - done a fair few miles in it!

GT Avalanche 2.0 Disc 2006 Mountain Bike

Frame: GT Triple triangle design 6061 butted aluminium with pressure formed downtube zero stack headtube and disc compatible – Forks: RST Omega T6 Hydraulic fork magnesium lowers preload adjust 80-120mm of travel with lock out and travel adjust – Gears: Shimano M-330 front derailleur and Deore rear – Shifters: Shimano ST-EF32 – Chainset: Truvativ 5-D with power spline – Brakes: Tektro Apulia forged disc brakes – Wheels: Alloy quick release disc hubs – Tyres: Tioga factory extreme front and factory XC rear – Bars: Aluminium riser bars – Stem: GT ATB threadless – Saddle: WTB speed V – Seat Post: GT aluminium

Running on Continental Sport Contact MTB Mountain Bike / Road Tyre Rigid 26 x 1.6 - which I have had repeated problems with the front tyre wearing through on the sidewall - had about 4 replacements now.

Tell me this replacement is going to be better!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Welcome to CC!
Post a picture of the new bike when you reach a decision

 

[da_murphster]

Wondering if I have done the right thing ordering this TDF - will it be adequate to get me by until I know more about exactly what bike I want?

Part of my problem is that my old bike is not cutting it (as a minimum I reckon it needs a full service and replacement chain and cables etc) - keen to get something sorted quickly but don't want to spend hundreds of £££ to find out I have bought the 'wrong' bike.

I'm not really sure even what type of bike I need - lightweight race style, winter trainer style, road hybrid or even a cyclocross - if I go for the TDF I was thinking I can use it until I know what I want and sell it at minimal loss?

Sizing wise - again no idea and its not easy for me to escape to somewhere with decent range of bikes for me to try - I went to Halfords and sat on their boardmans - reckon i need a large (55cm frame?)

So is my 'use the TDF until I know exactly what I want' plan sound?

Or is it a truely cheapo bike that is not up to the daily commute and will cause me a world of hassle?

 

[Linford]

Welcome to the madhouse.

Translated = most here are committed (or should be)

Road bikes require much more attention to setting them up just for you. A couple of mm on the seat height, on its position backwards and forwards on its rails, Seat height adjustment needs to be set so your heel is on the pedal when sat on it.

You may also need to swap out the stem if you find the reach to the hoods is too close, or too much of a stretch.

Until you have done this, you won't feel a big benefit to swapping to a roadie, but you will be impressed when you have done it.

Welcome to the site anyway

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Wondering if I have done the right thing ordering this TDF - will it be adequate to get me by until I know more about exactly what bike I want?

Part of my problem is that my old bike is not cutting it (as a minimum I reckon it needs a full service and replacement chain and cables etc) - keen to get something sorted quickly but don't want to spend hundreds of £££ to find out I have bought the 'wrong' bike.

I'm not really sure even what type of bike I need - lightweight race style, winter trainer style, road hybrid or even a cyclocross - if I go for the TDF I was thinking I can use it until I know what I want and sell it at minimal loss?

Sizing wise - again no idea and its not easy for me to escape to somewhere with decent range of bikes for me to try - I went to Halfords and sat on their boardmans - reckon i need a large (55cm frame?)

So is my 'use the TDF until I know exactly what I want' plan sound?

Or is it a truely cheapo bike that is not up to the daily commute and will cause me a world of hassle?

As a starter bike the TDF seems to be liked by those who have them. Have a look at some of the comments in this thread.

If it's worrying you that you'll have to upgrade too many bits for it to be worthwhile, have a look at the Triban 5 you mentioned earlier. This would give you a lighter bike with a carbon fibre fork and a 27 speed Sora drivetrain giving more in the way of hill climbing gears.

The current Triban 5 is an upgraded version of last year's red Triban 3, which was extremely well liked and a couple of magazines rated it the best bike under £500. This would probably be a better bike to upgrade at a later date if you wished.

It might also be worth asking the question in either the beginners section or in the "Bikes - What Bike" section of the site as you'll get responses from people more knowledgable about it all than me.