Incompetent bike buyer advice needed Please

[Leodis]

How big are you - a 44cm bar is pretty wide? Most men's bikes, even big ones, come with a 42cm - have you been measured? Guy at Giant Twickenham said Laurence Dallaglio needed a 46cm, but he's not exactly narrow of shoulder!

Its because they are measured outside to outside, some makes like ITM measure inside to inside, well thats what the fitting things says

 

[vickster]

Ok if you're sure

 

[Leodis]

Ok if you're sure

Thats what it says on the Ribble website but would call before ordering. So much cash, thinking of just dropping to the Evo Naked and sticking some decent kit on it to save £150, its only for weekends but I have read (on the dreaded t'interweb) that frame, wheels and then group order should be the correct order to buy?

 

[vickster]

You should be able to find a good carbon bike off the peg for that money, especially with the new models coming out

What do Spa in harrogate have for example if you want more custom, or are they more steel touring types?

 

[Judderz]

Right.. I need some help on deciding which bike to order. The technical details are below, I am not an addict to Ribble bike builder but have visited it well over 100 times in the last month, in fact I am still on it now.

Help, I just want my first road bike for weekend riding, the odd summer commute and longer rides.

Frame
Ribble Sportive Bianco Carbon Road Frame M (52cm C to Top)
Blah blah blah

Price excluding Pedals:£1,458.65
Pedals:Shimano Clipless Spd-SL 5700 105 Pedals Silver

or...

Frame
Ribble R872 Carbon Road Frame 48cm C to top
Blah blah blah

Price excluding Pedals:£1,633.65
Pedals:Shimano Clipless Spd-SL 5700 105 Pedals Black

Please help, I don't want to order and then end up with a totally different bike next year.

Or http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-sh...es/sensa-lombardia-custom-road-bike-2013.html

 

[gbb]

Its because they are measured outside to outside, some makes like ITM measure inside to inside, well thats what the fitting things says

It caught me out, and with hindsight, maybe even Ribble. I was aware of the sizing, ordered accordingly, but my bars werent in stock so they upgraded mine to carbon jobbies, which made me happy.....till shortly after i felt the bars werent as wide as i felt they should be. Ive never checked it out buti will bet the replacements are measured differently to the originals. Its no big deal, I ride it fine, just occasionally wished they were a tad wider.

 

[Saluki]

I ride 54cm frames, just had my bars swapped to a 38cm after developing tendonitis in my thumb caused most likely by rolling wrists in when on the hoods. I am female but not exactly small at nearly 5'10 and on the chunky side!

That's really interesting. My wrists have been aching with my bars. I might look at narrower ones. I'm having hubby's tiagra shifters of his old roadie anyway so it would be a good time to swap the bars too.

 

[Leodis]

After much fighting in my head about when the wife will say what I can afford, I have dropped the Stealth. Here are my final two at roughly the same price.

Your thoughts and I must owe you all a pint or two.

 

[vickster]

I

That's really interesting. My wrists have been aching with my bars. I might look at narrower ones. I'm having hubby's tiagra shifters of his old roadie anyway so it would be a good time to swap the bars too.

I've got some spare 40cm bars. Get some good padded tape too. If you can cope with black tape (bleurgh) specialized phat meant to be good

 

[Saluki]

I
I've got some spare 40cm bars. Get some good padded tape too. If you can cope with black tape (bleurgh) specialized phat meant to be good

Which bit of width do I measure on my bars to see what size they are. I measured from outside edge to outside edge just in front of the hoods and its 44cm which seems v wide to me.
If I have any money left over from our enforced car buying (ours smokes like the Vatican and rumbles a lot) I would be most interested, especially if I am measuring the right bit.
I have fizik tape on at the mo. It went on at the end of June and its awesome.

 

[Thomk]

Ultegra is what you need
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/moser-bikes-111-ultegra-2013/

 

[ianrauk]

Which bit of width do I measure on my bars to see what size they are. I measured from outside edge to outside edge just in front of the hoods and its 44cm which seems v wide to me.
If I have any money left over from our enforced car buying (ours smokes like the Vatican and rumbles a lot) I would be most interested, especially if I am measuring the right bit.
I have fizik tape on at the mo. It went on at the end of June and its awesome.

You measure from the centre top of the hoods to centre.

 

[vickster]

Which bit of width do I measure on my bars to see what size they are. I measured from outside edge to outside edge just in front of the hoods and its 44cm which seems v wide to me.
If I have any money left over from our enforced car buying (ours smokes like the Vatican and rumbles a lot) I would be most interested, especially if I am measuring the right bit.
I have fizik tape on at the mo. It went on at the end of June and its awesome.

Tenner delivered, 40cm from centre of hole to centre of hole. Black, are branded Giant (as they came off my Giant )

 

[Saluki]

Tenner delivered, 40cm from centre of hole to centre of hole. Black, are branded Giant (as they came off my Giant )

Have been and measured and they are 2cm narrower than my Giant bars so that's good. Can you hang on until Friday/Saturday as I am waiting for a cheque to clear - Bain of my life are cheques but as a small business, I have to accept them really as my 'old dears' don't like money in the house and don't bank on the interweb.
Do you do paypal? or direct transfer? either or if you could PM me your details.

 

[vickster]

No rush. Bank transfer good, don't really like paypal Won't be able to post until Monday anyhoo