Help

[Kevin Alexander]

Hi Guys

Got a dilemma, I had a bike stolen and the insurance have paid up so I have £2500 in my bank but no bike.

I am indecisive as to what to buy, will I buy an expensive bike like a Oltre XR1 from Evans £2170 and a power meter or do I buy a cheaper bike and buy upgrades, wheels, bars, power meter etc.

Put so many bikes in my basket and then took them out cause I wanted to go more/less expensive.

What would you guys do or get?

I use it mainly for commuting to work and weekend rides.

 

[martint235]

What do you need a power meter for is my first question? Do you really need to know how much of your commute is spent in the red zone?

 

[Kevin Alexander]

Ideally I would like to train to power and be able to pace myself rather than average speed as I tend to take different routes to work and at the weekend so if I can monitor my power I can learn more about my individual ability.

 

[ColinJ]

Buy a cheapish bike for the commute and take your time deciding what to spend the other £2k+ on?

 

[Kevin Alexander]

No space for 2 bikes mate, small shed that only fits my bike and my daughters. Garden isnt that big either so the option of a bigger shed isnt possible.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Train-to-power is a very serious commitment and only for the super dedicated who already train to a strict program of periodisaton and HR. If you are not already training to heart rate, I think you won't persist with training to power. Training-to-power for weekend rides and commuting has no purpose. It means that you and your goals and not the traffic, your mates, the traffic lights, the chat, the café stop, the punctures, the weather, the other route or anything else dictates the pace, distance and intensity. It is over the top.

 

[Kevin Alexander]

Train-to-power is a very serious commitment and only for the super dedicated who already train to a strict program of periodisaton and HR. If you are not already training to heart rate, I think you won't persist with training to power. Training-to-power for weekend rides and commuting has no purpose. It means that you and your goals and not the traffic, your mates, the traffic lights, the chat, the café stop, the punctures, the weather, the other route or anything else dictates the pace, distance and intensity. It is over the top.

Would you advise to skip the power meter as I only ever ride solo?

I do know that a PM is a luxury item and quite expensive so if I could spend the £600 elsewhere I would probably do that.

At the moment I am sitting on the verge of buying a Oltre XR1 £1800 and maybe adding some wheels to it but cant make up my mind.

 

[ColinJ]

No space for 2 bikes mate, small shed that only fits my bike and my daughters. Garden isnt that big either so the option of a bigger shed isnt possible.

Was that where the other bike got stolen from? If so, I'd be reluctant to put an expensive bike in there in case the toerags come back for a second helping! (Apparently some thieves wait for the insurance to cough up and return after that to nick bike #2.) Certainly beef up security to the MAX!

 

[Kevin Alexander]

Hi Colin, yes but it wont be put back in there for the forseeable future as its going to be in doors much to the disgust of my partner.
I am looking at alternative storage options and locks.

 

[martint235]

Don't take this the wrong way but how good are you? How good are you likely to get? And do you really want to commute on a £2k bike? Why not get a decent £1k bike and buy your partner's forgiveness for keeping your bike in the house with a holiday?

 

[Kevin Alexander]

I dont ride a bike to be good as I dont have anyone to compare against, I cycle for a hobby and health/fitness. And its not money that ive won, its insurance money for bike equipment ive bought and lost due to theft. Now I have a lump sum im wondering if I should use it for an expensive bike like the Oltre or go for a 1k bike and add updates.

 

[ColinJ]

I think it is generally much better value for money to buy what you want ready-fitted if you can find a suitable bike. I have seen some nice bikes and wondered how they can be sold for so little, given how much it would cost me to build an identical one. The fact is that I can't get the frame/forks, wheels, groupset etc. as cheaply as a manufacturer can.

 

[vickster]

Buy the bike you really want. You'll regret it otherwise

If buying from Evans do your homework as they'll match a bunch of other retailers' prices if cheaper

Maybe keep some money aside for the extra security and the inevitable rise in insurance premium

 

[mattobrien]

I bought one of these and you'd get change from your £2,500

I love the bike and would whole heartily recommend it.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Would you advise to skip the power meter as I only ever ride solo?

I do know that a PM is a luxury item and quite expensive so if I could spend the £600 elsewhere I would probably do that.

At the moment I am sitting on the verge of buying a Oltre XR1 £1800 and maybe adding some wheels to it but cant make up my mind.

I really thought I have already made my case. But, it is your money.