Newbie looking at these bikes...

[Brantel]

Get yourself something nice and light for those "Deliverance" getaways!

Actually that movie was intended to represent northern Georgia and was filmed in Georgia, North and South Carolina...

 

[Nibor]

Her bike is an entry level model with low end Shimano components...nothing like the 105 set so that may be the problem with hers.

What bike do you have and I will take a look..

Thanks!

You can achieve some quite usable low gears wiith a compact double and a decent wide cassette I have an 11-34 tiagra cassette which woulf give you a 700c gear in bottom/bottom

 

[Brantel]

You can achieve some quite usable low gears wiith a compact double and a decent wide cassette I have an 11-34 tiagra cassette which woulf give you a 700c gear in bottom/bottom

Seems most of the standard offerings in this class have 50/34 compact double with a 11 speed 11-32 cassette.

 

[Nibor]

Not a bad combo for all but the steepest hills

 

[Brantel]

A sorta LBS offered this bike which seems to meet the original intent of what I am trying to purchase:

http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/sportif-13-disc2#

The price he quoted was much better value than the other 2 I have been looking at. I don't know anything about Fuji bikes. Anyone care to comment that knows about them?

 

[jefmcg]

I'd call Fuji bikes a budget brand. Not Walmart** budget, but a good, bike-shop budget brand. It's sold exclusively by one chain in the UK, you see them out on the roads and they seem to be quite decent bikes. I doubt you'd go wrong with a fuji.


** see, I can speak USAsian

 

[Nibor]

They are generally well regarded but not an aspirational brand you will probably find the frame is made in the same factory as the others lo. The disc brakes will be great on the descents.

 

[Yorksman]

Not big on trail riding since in this area that usually means you are either walking up and just coasting down or something similar. My goal is low impact outdoor aerobic exercise that I can maintain long term.

I am in a similar position to yourself though somewhat older. However, I have a mountain bike for something slightly more strenuous and a touring bike for surfaced roads or tracks. I didn't get a road bike because I am prone for bouts of getting a bad back and need an more upright position. For me, the more upright the better, the opposite of many road bikes. If you want to do it long term, comfort is a big part of the decision making process.

 

[Brantel]

Well I just put a deposit down on this bike:



The specs look great for a newbie and I like the looks of the bike. Getting a Shimano 105 groupset was important to me as the more I read about road cycling, the more I assume that is the gold standard in this class of bike.

I plan to use these pedals:



Looking forward to getting the bike and getting out on the road!

 

[Nibor]

105 where it matters for 769 quid bargain

 

[Brantel]

105 where it matters for 769 quid bargain

Actual out the door price was 691 pounds (if I got that conversion correct) and that included the USA state sales tax! I think it was an awesome bargain for this class of bike with the 105 setup!

 

[Nibor]

Definitely

 

[Venod]

I plan to use these pedals:

Don't know if you have used clip in pedal's before, but you might find double sided SPD's more user friendly, I have used the ones you have selected as well as other single sided pedals,I now use double sided on all my bikes.

 

[Brantel]

Don't know if you have used clip in pedal's before, but you might find double sided SPD's more user friendly, I have used the ones you have selected as well as other single sided pedals,I now use double sided on all my bikes.

Never.... One of the reasons these came recommended to me by a long time cyclist friend. We will see how it goes.... I won't be against switching down the road if these are too much of a pain for the benefits of being dual purpose.

People seem to either love them or hate them. Amazon has hundreds of very favorable reviews. Time will tell for me.

 

[cyberknight]

The pedals like that are great if you plan to ride sometimes with normal shoes, i have similar on my MTB /CX bike i use for winter commutes and riding with the family .