Husband is buying me a new bike!!

[vickster]

What do fat birds have, they are in Norfolk? Or paulscycles? Cannondale dealer and cube

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p4671/CUBE-AGREE-GTC-COMPACT-2013
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5219/CANNONDALE-SUPERSIX-TIAGRA-2013

 

[SteCenturion]

Hubster suggested this
Looks v sexy but I would need a test ride.

Hard to beat the spec of the Planet X for the cash & it's a good call.

CRC have a 2013 Cube Agree GTC Pro carbon on sale (size 56 only) £979 in black/white/red, being a Cube it will measure approx 54.5 as standard top tube so would probably be good for 5ft 8" lass like yourself.

Good spec & good price.

I did some research recently into Giant bikes as I fancied a TCR (couldn't get it near my budget).

Giant's 'Composite' range uses it's lowest spec carbon, T600 (Torayca) & in a magazine group test the frame measured quite heavy.

I would imagine the weight difference between the Composite & your aluminium Defy being smaller than you would think.

I don't know if you want a womens specific frame but if so Giant & Scott probably rule the roost here.
Maybe someone knows better.

If you want quick but 'fairly relaxed' geometry then Giant's Avail or Liv might be the just the job.

Other options might be Ribble Gran Fondo, Cube Agree, Trek Domane, Specialized Roubaix.

One of the others might through up some interesting options.

Like the Orbea too.

 

[PlymSlimCyclist]

Are there any adoption plans in your future? If so, can I put my name forward?

Whatever you go for, I hope you enjoy the ride, and may it bring many fantastic rides

 

[Saluki]

Hard to beat the spec of the Planet X for the cash & it's a good call.

CRC have a 2013 Cube Agree GTC Pro carbon on sale (size 56 only) £979 in black/white/red, being a Cube it will measure approx 54.5 as standard top tube so would probably be good for 5ft 8" lass like yourself.

Good spec & good price.

I like that a lot, would need to find one to test ride before getting in touch with CRC to buy though. I've bookmarked the page.

After riding that Defy composite and getting back on my bike, I definitely prefer my Defy. The composite was not much lighter, as you said. Not enough to make a real difference to me anyway. I was actually really disappointed with it, now I think about it. I was just expecting it to be better somehow.

 

[vickster]

What size defy do you ride, any adjustments? 54cm men's bike will be pretty big for a 5'8 female. I'm 5'10 and ride 54s but need a shorter stem and narrower bars. I am definitely not petite!

I linked a cube before at Paul's, albeit a lower spec. The alu defy is a very good bike, if looking for a massive difference you may struggle

 

[SteCenturion]

What size defy do you ride, any adjustments? 54cm men's bike will be pretty big for a 5'8 female. I'm 5'10 and ride 54s but need a shorter stem and narrower bars. I am definitely not petite!

I linked a cube before at Paul's, albeit a lower spec. The alu defy is a very good bike, if looking for a massive difference you may struggle

Hi both of you.

Had a look at the comments/reviews of some guys on CRC & there is a guy there of 5ft 11" who bought a 56 Cube but this is extreme (he does mention a very odd body shape) even still, this is a whole size too small.

A 56 would give a 54 Cube & with a mans bike, as vickster quite rightly says, a swop of stem & bars does the trick.

I would go one further & suggest that a shorter stem & narrower bars is 'almost' mandatory due to our inherent differences.

There is a 'rule of thumb' that bar width correlates to chest size, so a 42" chested man would ride 42" bars but this is over simplistic.

I use 3T bars which (italian) measure 2" smaller than stamped due to the way they measure, so I have 44" & some 46" bars but I am not Arnie "I'll be back" Schwarzenegga.

I digress.

Anyway, a good Alu bar can be had for £30 - £40 & stem £20 - £30.

3T ergonova Pro is a great, comfortable Alu bar available in size 38" = 36" or 40" = 38".

3T Arx Pro stem great quality too.

 

[Saluki]

What do fat birds have, they are in Norfolk? Or paulscycles? Cannondale dealer and cube

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p4671/CUBE-AGREE-GTC-COMPACT-2013
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5219/CANNONDALE-SUPERSIX-TIAGRA-2013

We were definitely planning on a look in Paul's, they are just 12 miles up the road and very nice people.
I think my scales are on the fritz. According to them, I have put on a stone since last tuesday and I know that's not right!!

 

[Saluki]

What size defy do you ride, any adjustments? 54cm men's bike will be pretty big for a 5'8 female. I'm 5'10 and ride 54s but need a shorter stem and narrower bars. I am definitely not petite!

I linked a cube before at Paul's, albeit a lower spec. The alu defy is a very good bike, if looking for a massive difference you may struggle

I ride a Medium Defy with your old bars and I am about to put a shorter stem on. I did put a shorter stem on but hubster nicked it for his bike as he was getting backache (charming) so I am getting a new shorter stem today for it. I'll get Defy new brake blocks too as I hadn't realised how pants the braking is at the moment, until I rode that composite Defy which stopped as soon as I touched the brakes - It actually stopped when I told it to and I found myself stationary 20' early for a junction

I have wide shoulders and a short back. I tried an Avail which was suprisingly nice but they only make, in Carbon, an Avail 1 (£1600) or an Avail 3 which although in budget, I can only test ride a Alu one as they haven't got CF Avails in stock at present.

I am not in a hurry to buy a new bike, although given this opportunity I probably should be , but its a big purchase. I am also saving my own money so if I come across a bike that's a little over budget I can top up the rest myself. My Defy 3, with its upgrades to Tiagra, Aksium wheels and narrower bars etc is a great bike. I could ride it for another few years or more, but the lure of N+1 is there and I am a cyclist after all..

 

[Saluki]

Been into Norwich today and had a look at Cycles UK where I was steered towards a Cannondale, which looked OK but it was Alu and I was after Carbon. Apart from the 105s it was Alu with CF forks. I have that now so its not an upgrade really. Obviously I'd have to change the saddle, stem and bars too, which is not a big expense but I do need to add the money into the equation.
We then went off to Pedal Revolution where I was shown 2 more Alu bikes. What part of Carbon Fibre do cycle shops not hear do you think? They were Focus bikes. The lady then showed me a CF Focus with 105s but it was in black and grey again. Right price but I'm not going to bother with a test ride due to the colour. The bike only comes in 'thousand wash grey'. Its the same colour as old knickers (not my knickers you understand)
Call me fussy but there are a lot of bikes out there and I really wanted a bike that I would be seen out on in daylight. With the summer coming, the night riding opportunities are limited.

 

[vickster]

I am wholly with you on the black and grey nastiness

A couple of options not in black...? Around budget...(ish)

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/giant-avail-composite-3-2014.html

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/trek-madone-3.5-c-2013.html

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/trek-madone-3.5-c-2013.html

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/67629/Orbea_Orca_B_Dama_M70_2014_Womens_Bike

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/images/prod_66200.jpg

http://www.actionbikes.co.uk/look-566-white-black-105-2013.html

http://www.actionbikes.co.uk/eastway-r2.0-carbon-road-bike-black-orange.html

http://www.actionbikes.co.uk/trek-madone-3.1-c-h3-2013.html

http://www.actionbikes.co.uk/trek-domane-4.3-t-wsd-2013.html (this one is lovely )

 

[Saluki]

Are there any adoption plans in your future? If so, can I put my name forward?

Whatever you go for, I hope you enjoy the ride, and may it bring many fantastic rides

Adoption might be difficult as our spare room is where we keep our guitars, amps and our baby business stuff. I think social services might be sniffy if 'your room' was the couch to be shared with 2 JRTs and a greyhound

Thinking of moving your way later this year. I shall start a thread, when we are able to move, to discover the places to avoid in various towns.

 

[Saluki]

I am wholly with you on the black and grey nastiness

A couple of options not in black...? Around budget...(ish)

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/giant-avail-composite-3-2014.html

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/trek-madone-3.5-c-2013.html

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/trek-madone-3.5-c-2013.html

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/67629/Orbea_Orca_B_Dama_M70_2014_Womens_Bike

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/images/prod_66200.jpg

http://www.actionbikes.co.uk/look-566-white-black-105-2013.html

http://www.actionbikes.co.uk/eastway-r2.0-carbon-road-bike-black-orange.html

http://www.actionbikes.co.uk/trek-madone-3.1-c-h3-2013.html

http://www.actionbikes.co.uk/trek-domane-4.3-t-wsd-2013.html (this one is lovely )

Thank you. I had forgotten about Pedalon and their podium points. I'll have a good old trunk after guitar practice.
I rather like http://www.actionbikes.co.uk/eastway-r2.0-carbon-road-bike-black-orange.html

I have been having a look at http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/r...-equipped?part=SE14GRANFONDO105&sub=conf_SERC
Also http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPRIVLDY/planet-x-pro-carbon-sram-rival-womens-road-bike
and http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXRT58WOM/planet-x-rt-58-shimano-ultegra-6800-womens

 

[PlymSlimCyclist]

Adoption might be difficult as our spare room is where we keep our guitars, amps and our baby business stuff. I think social services might be sniffy if 'your room' was the couch to be shared with 2 JRTs and a greyhound

Thinking of moving your way later this year. I shall start a thread, when we are able to move, to discover the places to avoid in various towns.

Damn. Nevermind, the guitars and amps need their own home.

Let me know nearer the time, and I'll do my best to help out where I can. I don't currently drive, so can't drive you guys around, but can give some advice.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I am 5'8" (maybe a tiny touch less nowadays) and a bit too fat for my liking. What do you think chaps & chapesses.

I think you look fab, I like curves!

Oh, hang on...

GC

 

[Saluki]

Damn. Nevermind, the guitars and amps need their own home.

Let me know nearer the time, and I'll do my best to help out where I can. I don't currently drive, so can't drive you guys around, but can give some advice.

We drive You point out the sights and we'll get the lunch.