New to CycleChat? - Come and say Hello

[Rosie]

Yup - I'm afraid its the siren call of the road bike.... My hybrid has indeed served me well but its clunky and, and here is an *excellent* reason for a new bike, I get RSI pain in my hands/ wrists - surely drops are an absolute necessity?! Plus, you know, road bike=dead shiny, innit?

 

[HobbesChoice]

Do you have your eye on any specific road bike Rosie?

 

[Rosie]

Mmmm - yes and no. I did have my shortlist down to 2 but then balked at the large sum of money involved and then got into a protracted debate with myself along the lines of "there's no point in spending a bit less on a bike that you don't like as much" vs. "that's a ridiculous sum of money you wil never again be able to leave the bike outside Sainsbury's on the way home plus who do you think you are anyway, you don't need a bike that good"..... Meh.

Aaaaanyway, the bikes in question are the Kinesis Racelight and the Condor Fratello (not true roadies, going for the sexy-light-touring-but-still-awesome category - an underused definition I feel!).

What about you HB? You got your beady eyes on something?

R
x

 

[HobbesChoice]

So again, typical female brain with the contradictions?

I like the look of the Kinesis more than the Condor, but both do look like nice bikes.

I've got my eye on a Focus Cayo triple! It's expensive but I don't leave my bike alone anyway. I bought an incredibly cheap fold up for shopping so I can shove it in the trolley. I live in a dodgy part of Essex so best to be on the safe side. When I cycle to work I have an area for the bike too, so it's as safe as it can be.

 

[Norm]

Hello, been commuting since March 09 but only just discovered cycle chat.

Sailor and based in Southampton. Can't see what you are on from that pic, looks wet, though.

I've a very old Laser which I used to use on the Solent, although recent sailing has been in a 59er (how much fun is that!) from Hayling. My old man just bought a place in Cowes although his boat is considerably larger and less fun than any dinghy I know.

Mmmm - yes and no. I did have my shortlist down to 2 but then balked at the large sum of money involved

It's not that ridiculous an amount. If you use it to get to work, spending £4 a day is a grand a year and you get all the benefits and fun.

 

[Rosie]

The Focus Cayo does look fairly tasty HC - I think it looks a mighty fine beastie. I'm currently favouring the Kinesis too, but I do live in Sarf Landan so it would mean a bit of a change in the way I treat my bike.... Currently can leave not-at-all-tasty hybrid outside the shops etc. without any worry at all - a nice new shiny bike would have to be taken straight home so I could leave it safe and sound and then go back to the supermarket... Perhaps not a bad thing, might force me to be slightly more organised at any rate! Work isn't a problem as I can bring the bike in.... Mmm... maybe I should get around to that test ride I keep meaning to book...

Norm - cheers for the words of wisdom. I crown thee King of Justification.

R
xx

 

[panpipe]

Hi all I'm new too! Been commuting for a grand total of two weeks, from Waterloo Station to work in Clerkenwell. Bit of an "all the gear" situation at the moment though; I've only got the one bike so thought it should be a good one - so I'm wobbling around on a nice shiny Trek roadie getting overtaken by people with baskets on the front! I'm not that confident on the London roads yet either but I suppose that'll come with practise...

 

[HobbesChoice]

Hi all I'm new too! Been commuting for a grand total of two weeks, from Waterloo Station to work in Clerkenwell. Bit of an "all the gear" situation at the moment though; I've only got the one bike so thought it should be a good one - so I'm wobbling around on a nice shiny Trek roadie getting overtaken by people with baskets on the front! I'm not that confident on the London roads yet either but I suppose that'll come with practise...

Welcome Panpipe. A colleague of mine has a Trek roadie and he flies on it! You'll get there on the speed, that'll come in time.

Have you thought of going for some cycle training? I did that when I first started out and it's made me an assertive cyclist as opposed to one who borrowed the road. It's amazing how much better you ride when you're given permission to do so!

Here's a link in case you're interested http://www.cycletraining.co.uk/

How many miles are you doing each way each day?

 

[Norm]

Norm - cheers for the words of wisdom. I crown thee King of Justification.

Ooo, blimey! Thanks you! Most people just call me "fecking accountant".

 

[gf1959]

I've posted a few questions in the know-how section and always had excellent advice,saved me taking the the bike to the lbs so well done one and all. Nice people,glad i joined.

 

[panpipe]

Hobbes - I've signed up for some training through Transport for London, just waiting for them to get back to me. I'm still in the stage of getting off and using the zebra crossing rather than turning right at the moment - and don't ask me to take my hands off the handlebars - so anything I can get will be a great help. I'll have a look at your link too.

It's only a mile and 3/4 each way between the station and work! I'm going to try and get out more at the weekends too to get my money's worth out of the bike!

 

[ComedyPilot]

Hello all, been on the forum a year or so, thought now might be a good time to stop writing junk and introduce myself.

 

[bonj2]

go on then

 

[ComedyPilot]

Hello all, been on the forum a year or so, thought now might be a good time to stop writing junk and introduce myself.

go on then

Which one; stop writing junk as you want the franchise, or to say hello?

 

[hackbike 666]

Meow.