vickster
Legendary Member
You want a double chainring though? 🤷♀️
Which new bike?
- Thread starter Sloth
- Start date
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You want a double chainring though? 🤷♀️
OP
OP
Sloth
Senior Member
We’ll, not necessarily.
I’m still on the fence about whether a single front chain ring is a good idea for me, even with 12 gears?
There seem to be pros and cons thus my including the Boardman in my list.
For context, I’m also wondering if there are any other 1x12 bikes out from other brands?
OP
OP
Sloth
Senior Member
I'm not set on them, just not eliminating them.
Was just broadening my options a little to include1x12 bikes, as I do like the idea of simpler gear changing (being a novice and a fan of low hassle riding).
I'm trying a S/M Merida speeder 400 on Tuesday, as it's now arrived at the bike shop and will be assembled by then.
I'll be interested in the 'finish' of the Merida vs the Giant Fastroad SL1, as I found the welds on the Giant to be quiet rough TBH?
Also, if the stem is a little higher as is alledged, and therefore more upright/relaxed than the M Giant I sat on last week, which was a little more 'aggressive' than I'd ideally like, although hard to tell without actually riding it I suppose.
I'll let you know.
Look at bikecalc. It's a gearing calculator. You get put in all the details re wheel size, how many chainrings, cassette, then choose from speed at certain cadence, or cadence at certain speed, gear inches-my favourite to work out gear range. This way you can compare all sorts of different setups to see if they will be suitable.
It's very accurate too, I worked out my top speed and lowest speed at certain cadence, it was spot on. I hit 53mph at 145rpm and could cycle at 4mph uphill at 80rpm
It's very accurate too, I worked out my top speed and lowest speed at certain cadence, it was spot on. I hit 53mph at 145rpm and could cycle at 4mph uphill at 80rpm
Grant Fondo
Guru
- Location
- Cheshire
My local shop has carbon Sirrus on offer .. FACT 9r frames are good, I bought the gravel version with that frame and well pleased. They also knocked £100 of sale price so you worth a haggle. X series has single chainset.
https://www.thebikefactory.co.uk/sh...-lilac-satin-black-reflective-4732688/option/
OP
OP
Sloth
Senior Member
Thanks but sadly I find Specialized a little too expensive for why you get?
I mean nearly £1,600 for a Sora group set?
The 5 or X5 are decent spec but below that it seems to drop considerably.
I appreciate its a carbon frame, but really I’d not really notice much benefit from that at my level and mileage.
Kingfisher101
Über Member
Are you sure they are made in China? I thought the majority of bike frames were made in Taiwan.I thought Meirda were made by the same compnay that made Specialized frames?
vickster
Legendary Member
It’s £1200 not £1600 though. It’ll be lighter than alu, good for hills.
not sure on the colour though, a bit wishy washy!
StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
Merida owns its own factories. It does indeed manufacture frames for Specialized, it's a 49% shareholder in that firm.
Grant Fondo
Guru
- Location
- Cheshire
Yeah, I get that but even with Sora it will be a better riding experience. Just a 'leftfield' idea at a decent price
OP
OP
Sloth
Senior Member
I tried the Merida Speeder 400 (S/M) today (sat on not riden).
To be honest, I really liked the look and overall feel of build quality of the bike. If anything it looked and felt better quality than the Giant Fastroad SL1.
I'm being offered a good deal, with 10% off for Blue Light Card and a free change over from the Tektro M275 hydraulic brakes to Shimano MT200's. (Is this actually an upgrade or not)
Trouble is that there are a couple of things holding me back.
1/ The frame is a S/M (they don't do a S) and feels like is really good geometry for me, a little more relaxed and upright than the Giant Fastroad. However, the there is a small fly in the ointment, the top tube is a little too close to the old family jewels for my liking! Don't get me wrong, it's not painfull, but it is very obviously pressing a little. This is at the lowest part of the tube, with my bum in danger of being intimate with the front of the seat. Although the top tube angle doesn't rise much, it would be more noticable if I straddle the tube further forward. I can touch the ground with flat feet without pain, but I do notice some slight pressure on the nuts.
Based on common theory, there should be around an inch or so between the old undercarriage and the top tube. There isn't.
Otherwise, the bike is a great size. The overall size and reach etc. feel just right. Just the top tube is a little high.
How important is this? Am I right in being concerned about this?
2/ There are fittings for a front mudguard but only the type that goes under the forks and covers a large part of the tyre, the more 'traditional' mud guards if you will. These will (IMO) spoil the sporty look of the bike so I don't want them. I want the type that fits under the diagonal down tube, however there are no fixing points underneath the downtube to secure this, unlike my old MTB. I know this is a silly and fairly unimportant thing, but I do need guards but also want to maintain a nice, minimal and sleek look. I don't want to use cable ties to fit something on (that would look bodged and makeshift IMO) but perhaps there are guards that have an elastic type fitting that would look a little more professional and less of an improvisation?
Not a deal killer but an issue I'd appreciate advice on?
Overall, I'd like to buy the bike, as it did feel and look a better build than the Giant, but my main concern is the top tube sitting a little close to my undercarriage. More so than the Giant, which even in a M, had more nut space from the top tube, even though the Giant was not as good a geometry for me in practically every other way.
Otherwise, it's a case of trying something else, perhaps the Giant Fastroad SL1 in a S or M, (the M had a little more room between my jewels and the top tube), although it also felt a little too stretched out/down for me vs the Merida. A lot more pressure felt on my hands.
A bit more space from the top tube and it would have been a no brainer.
Advice and recommendations appreciated.
Thanks
To be honest, I really liked the look and overall feel of build quality of the bike. If anything it looked and felt better quality than the Giant Fastroad SL1.
I'm being offered a good deal, with 10% off for Blue Light Card and a free change over from the Tektro M275 hydraulic brakes to Shimano MT200's. (Is this actually an upgrade or not)
Trouble is that there are a couple of things holding me back.
1/ The frame is a S/M (they don't do a S) and feels like is really good geometry for me, a little more relaxed and upright than the Giant Fastroad. However, the there is a small fly in the ointment, the top tube is a little too close to the old family jewels for my liking! Don't get me wrong, it's not painfull, but it is very obviously pressing a little. This is at the lowest part of the tube, with my bum in danger of being intimate with the front of the seat. Although the top tube angle doesn't rise much, it would be more noticable if I straddle the tube further forward. I can touch the ground with flat feet without pain, but I do notice some slight pressure on the nuts.
Based on common theory, there should be around an inch or so between the old undercarriage and the top tube. There isn't.
Otherwise, the bike is a great size. The overall size and reach etc. feel just right. Just the top tube is a little high.
How important is this? Am I right in being concerned about this?
2/ There are fittings for a front mudguard but only the type that goes under the forks and covers a large part of the tyre, the more 'traditional' mud guards if you will. These will (IMO) spoil the sporty look of the bike so I don't want them. I want the type that fits under the diagonal down tube, however there are no fixing points underneath the downtube to secure this, unlike my old MTB. I know this is a silly and fairly unimportant thing, but I do need guards but also want to maintain a nice, minimal and sleek look. I don't want to use cable ties to fit something on (that would look bodged and makeshift IMO) but perhaps there are guards that have an elastic type fitting that would look a little more professional and less of an improvisation?
Not a deal killer but an issue I'd appreciate advice on?
Overall, I'd like to buy the bike, as it did feel and look a better build than the Giant, but my main concern is the top tube sitting a little close to my undercarriage. More so than the Giant, which even in a M, had more nut space from the top tube, even though the Giant was not as good a geometry for me in practically every other way.
Otherwise, it's a case of trying something else, perhaps the Giant Fastroad SL1 in a S or M, (the M had a little more room between my jewels and the top tube), although it also felt a little too stretched out/down for me vs the Merida. A lot more pressure felt on my hands.
A bit more space from the top tube and it would have been a no brainer.
Advice and recommendations appreciated.
Thanks
Last edited:
Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
I’d buy the Merida and a tight pair of Y fronts. Sleek guards don’t usually keep the muck off.
vickster
Legendary Member
Why are you straddling the top tube long enough to notice such things?
What are you wearing to cycle? Normal trousers or padded cycling shorts?
Proper mudguards won’t spoil the look of the bike (well certainly not compared to some of those plasticky things for mountain bikes!)
What are you wearing to cycle? Normal trousers or padded cycling shorts?
Proper mudguards won’t spoil the look of the bike (well certainly not compared to some of those plasticky things for mountain bikes!)
OP
OP
Sloth
Senior Member
I am tempted, I really am, I just want to make sure I don't regret it when I have to stop suddenly, go to place my feet on the ground and crush my nuts!
I'd obviously wear padded cycling shorts, but I straddled the bike with my chinos pulled up tight, like Simon Cowell
Don't worry, it's not a fetish, it's what the LBS asked me to do to check the sizing, and what I understood to be common practice?
I wasn't really on it for that long, but I did keep getting off and then getting back on etc. Mainly becuase I was unsure if the fit was a little 'tight' or not. The guy in the shop suggested that it was OK, and that Merida Speeders don't angle down as much as the sizes (in this case S/M) are designed to suit a larger range of sizes per frame size. Doesn't make sense to me TBH, surely the top tube sloping down a little more toward the seat would not hurt, even for taller riders?
Due dilligence when spending around £1,000 I'd say.
.