Lapierre Sensium 100l womens road bike

[Sellyb]

I am struggling with the compact chain sets, as it is very hilly around my area, and doesn't feel good for the knees, so I am trying to find a lighter bike with a triple chanset. I looked at the Trek Madone 4.5T, but it still seems quite weighty. Does anyone know if the Lapierre bikes are a good bike? I am looking to cycle up hill rather than walk,( which I seem to be doing a lot of since moving from a mountain bike to a road bike), and hope to do endurance so would really like comfort combined with speed.

 

[sheddy]

review from bikeradar - http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-lapierre-sensium-100-44713

 

[Sellyb]

Thank you for that. I did see that, and wasn't sure it sounded great, but then is that an expert feel which I may not even notice?

 

[e-rider]

are the hills steeper than 25%? If not, a compact should be plenty - just do more training! Try a 11-28T cassette too.

 

[e-rider]

As they're not too far from you, I'd recommend you go and talk to Future Cycles in Lewes; I got my Orbea road bike from them last year and I'm very happy with it. I specified a triple chainset so I'd have help with hills, which I'm not very good at. When the bike arrived from Spain it mistakenly had a compact double, which I did try but I couldn't get on with it. The weight difference is very small and I prefer to have the extra gear options (but I think I'm quite a lot older than you ).

you specified a triple chainset, but it arrived with a compact - and you are recommending this company??? This was no mistake; they clearly just ignored your request.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

...This was no mistake; they clearly just ignored your request.

Why do you say that?

 

[theclaud]

are the hills steeper than 25%? If not, a compact should be plenty - just do more training!

Very helpful...

 

[e-rider]

Very helpful...

if she has a compact chainset it's likely she has a low gear of 34x28
for road use this is already very low to the point that you are almost not moving unless you exceed 90 rpm
unless the hills are steep, or the bike is loaded with 15 kg of panniers, there must be very little need for even lower gears

 

[e-rider]

What a little ray of sunshine you are! It was a mistake, we all make them sometimes (or maybe you don't?). The shop was very embarrassed that it had happened and when they fitted the triple I got a free upgrade. No lasting damage done, and yes I recommend the bike very highly.

I'm sure that the bike is great, I'm not doubting that. My concern was that you were recommending the shop.

 

[theclaud]

if she has a compact chainset it's likely she has a low gear of 34x28
for road use this is already very low to the point that you are almost not moving unless you exceed 90 rpm
unless the hills are steep, or the bike is loaded with 15 kg of panniers, there must be very little need for even lower gears

She already has a compact, and says she is struggling with it. She wants a triple. TMN has a triple, and seems happy about it. People are different. Triples are available for them as wants 'em, whether others happen to think they "need" them or not.

 

[theclaud]

I'm sure that the bike is great, I'm not doubting that. My concern was that you were recommending the shop.

Because they put right their mistake with good grace. What's not to like?

 

[oldfatfool]

if she has a compact chainset it's likely she has a low gear of 34x28
for road use this is already very low to the point that you are almost not moving unless you exceed 90 rpm
unless the hills are steep, or the bike is loaded with 15 kg of panniers, there must be very little need for even lower gears

What is your definition of steep, just out of interest?

 

[e-rider]

What is your definition of steep, just out of interest?

I already stated this in a previous post for this thread - 25%

 

[e-rider]

It wasn't the shop's mistake. For whatever reason the manufacturer in Spain dragged their heels and then sent the bike with the wrong chainset but hey, nobody died. I do recommend the shop, because they've always dealt with me with good humour and fairness, and most importantly without the merest hint of the offhand sexism that often arises in bike shops. You know the kind of thing: 'Of course, a compact double is the only thing to have on a road bike, you just need to train a bit harder dear.'

I actually can't stand compact chainsets - I see no need for a 34T chainring - I can climb hardknott pass in my 39t inner ring standard chianset.

 

[potsy]

I actually can't stand compact chainsets - I see no need for a 34T chainring - I can climb hardknott pass in my 39t inner ring standard chianset.