If I gave you £1000...

[walker]

Thanks for helping me out.

Ok I have taken a look at this

http://www.planet-x-bikes.com/triat...pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=335

I have a few nob questions if I may:

1) What is 'Ultegra' and why is it good?
2) Will a carbon frame hold a 17 stone bloke on a bumpy road?
3) How do I know what size/spec to order if I went for this bike? It just says XL which means little to me.
4) Is planet X a good name in the cycling world (i have never heard of them)?
5) Do carbon frames last as long as an aluminium one?
6) Looking at the spec on this bike, which items (if any) do you feel I may need/want to upgrade soon after purchase?

Ta.

I thought I might take a trip to this not so local BS

http://www.gbcycles.co.uk/eshop.asp?wci=dbpage&wce=cycles01

as they seem to have the bianchi, spesh and planet x

Also,

for someone with 3000 posts on a cycling forum and not know the first thing about bikes is rather Poor BTFB

 

[summerdays]

I thought you were giving me the £1000 pounds .... and there was me thinking how generous you were.

I know nothing ... so I can't help you ... but I'm prepared to admire your bike when you get it.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

I thought you were giving me the £1000 pounds .... and there was me thinking how generous you were.

I know nothing ... so I can't help you ... but I'm prepared to admire your bike when you get it.

i'll show you mine if you show me yours…

 

[summerdays]

i'll show you mine if you show me yours…

Is that behind the bike shed?

 

[Trillian]

from my various calls to on-one and planet X they are very helpful over the phone, i got talked through the sizing for my inbred taking into account type of riding, what i planned to fit to it, my preferences with stand over height etc.

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

I may head off to Croydon soonish...here is an email reply that made me feel these guys might know what they are doing:

Honestly, at your height and weight you need to stay clear of lower priced carbon bikes. Though you can get a lower end model for your budget, the ride wouldn't be as stable as an Ali or Ti frame.

Bianchi is an option, £950 for the C2C Via Nirone Ultegra. If you had £1500 I could recommend the Specialized Roubaix. We carry Trek at our other store which is only a mile away.

We are a specialist shop, we are very good at fitting people, but don't like taking guesses over email. If you did visit us you would not be disappointed.

Stephen
Mail Order
Geoffrey Butler Cycles
15 South End
Croydon
CR0 1BE
www.gbcycles.co.uk
020 8688 5094

-----Original Message-----
From: BTFB
Sent: 11 June 2008 15:54
To: mailorder@gbcycles.co.uk
Subject: pre Sale help please

Hi,
I want to get a new roadbike and would like some advice before I take the plunge. I am new to road riding, (although I have been riding a dawes galaxy tourer every day for a year now). I like the look of the Bianchi bikes, but some freinds have also pointed me in the direction of Specialized, Planet x and possibly Trek 1.7 and focus Cayo...so as you can imagine I am now totally confused. I want the bike to fit well from the off, it needs to be able to carry my 17 stone ( I was 22 last year hence the galaxy lol!) I am 6'4" tall...my galaxy is a 64cm frame. I want to make sure that I get the right fit frame and reach etc. I will be riding this on long day rides as well as shorter 30-40 mile loops, but i will probably never race it.

I have a max of £1000 cash burning a hole in my pocket and i want the best bike i can get for that. I am keen to avoid expensive upgrades on bikes with inferior parts ( my dawes had a bad saddle and rubbish pedals for example).

I am concerned about a carbon frame carrying my weight(???)...I looked at the planet x at £999 full ultegra ad. I have a thing about white frames...so the Bianchi C2C Via nirone looked cool to me.

...anyway , look what would you suggest? Also what size frame and if I visit the shop (it's a long way) will you be able to fit a bike to me properly (not just by eye like the last lbs did)?? ..Also what about test rides?

...any info appreciated

Ta

 

[Aperitif]

Go for it big boy - I can see you in a full Campagnolo team kit to accompany your new bike - try not to get a Bianchi in that rotten green colour tho'
Gezza - of this parish (see photogallery) has a Roubaix 'expert'...seems like a decent bike, curvy - interesting.
But you need to get to Croydon quick smart - the readers are waiting for the next episode!!!
Good luck.

 

[Cathryn]

I thought you were giving me the £1000 pounds .... and there was me thinking how generous you were.

I know nothing ... so I can't help you ... but I'm prepared to admire your bike when you get it.

Hahaha...I was thinking the same thing. I do know that I have an ultegra groupset but had no idea it was so good...feeling slightly bashful about how long it took me to get up the mountains if my bike is so well equipped

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Planet X ?? ??

Isn't that the one Astronomers have been searching for for generations?

 

[John the Monkey]

BTFB - there's a letter from a larger gentleman in this month's C plus asking about suitable frames - I'll see if I can dig out the mag for you.

 

[SamNichols]

It's because of your weight that I recommended Ti, I have to say. I always thought that Van Nics were a bit cheaper than that, but that's my own fault for not doing the homework.

If I were you, then I wouldn't worry about the step up from 105 to ultegra too much, they're both excellent systems, although ultegra is a bit lighter.

How about trying a custom steel bike from Paul Hewitt or someone?

 

[redjedi]

try not to get a Bianchi in that rotten green colour tho'

OI !!!! I'm not having that.

Bianchis should always have some Celeste (that's what it's called, not "that rotten green colour"), just as Ferraris should only ever be in Red, and Mercs in silver.

Just don't get a plain black bike......Yawn!

I had my heart set on a Bianchi when I was buying my bike last year. Not one so-called saleman could change my mind. I still just stand and stare at her with affection, you won't regret it.

 

[redjedi]

Just had a quick look on Evans and they have an 1885 frame in Celeste/white with Campy for £999

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=87028

Now I what a new bike, but can't afford it.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

Just don't get a plain black bike......Yawn!

OI!!! I'm not having that

You leave my Spesh Allez alone!! It does have nice blue tires now... does that make it any less boring?

 

[simonali]

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.SPECIALIZED-Roubaix-Elite-2008-Road-Bike_12389.htm

£200 off?