Hi all! Newbie to Road Cycling

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Hi there,

My name is Adam and I have always wanted a road bike for fitness but have never quite taken the dive. I have previously owned mountain bikes and BMX's but have always been attracted to all of the little things that add up to the whole road bike experience. I have also been a keen tour de france watcher for the past couple of years and have read a couple Lance Armstrong books which are truly inspiring. So now i have finally taken the plunge..

After much research I put a deposit on a brand new 2007 Giant Ocr C3 which I am extremely excited about. As I am most probably not going to race it, I concluded that a full Tiagra running gear should be sufficient for my needs, plus the fact that a full Carbon frame is simply sex on wheels!! I am primarily going to use the bike for fitness training to lose some weight but I would like to get into group rides too.

Can anyone recommend some good starting gear such as shoes, clothes, helmets, computers etc?

Anyway I just wanted to say hi to everyone and I'm sure that ill be posting on here again once I get my bike and have another 100 thousand questions..

Cheers,

Adam

....it never ends...get out I tell you....save yourself...get OUT while...you....still...can!! ;):)
The truest words EVER to come from existence........only 6 days ago I bought my 3rd bike in 4 years.......It'll keep ya broke....get ya deposit back & never ever look at any bike forums......oops to late the disease is already in ya head.
Edit. The Bike comes with R540 SPD SL road pedals so unless you swap them for a pedal you can use with ordinary shoes you will need road shoes from the start.
Bike shorts [lycra with padding] is the next essential bit of gear.
I can't live without my bike computer.......mate it never stops, but don't let it stop you :)

haha thanks guys, i certainly have been infected very quickly, its already all im thinking about!! You dont think that I should be getting any better than this for a first bike do you??? It is still a pretty expensive ride..

Good choice for a first bike, you should enjoy it.

Each of the topics you have asked have complex answers, especially as we know very little about you. We have different opinions and different tastes, you ultimately need to determine for yourself what you want.

shoes
Get ones that fit your feet well and don't move around. The ones with the stiffer soles will transmit your energy more efficiently to the pedals. Typically they last 4 years of constant use, so they aren't as expensive as the sticker price would lead you to think.

clothes
Lycra is much more confortable than wearing cotton, such as a t-shirt. The shorts have pads in them which means that the friction point is between the pad and the seat, rather than between your bum and the seat. Often when a rider finds the seat unconfortable, the problem is actually the shorts. There is a wide range in quality of the shorts, some demand quality and some aren't so fussed. Also there is two basic designs of shorts, one being with elastic around the wasit and the other has a bib that goes over the shoulders, removing the elastic. Most riders prefer bibs, I'm not one of them. BTW, don't wear undies under the shorts, they are designed to be worn without them.

helmets
There is almost no difference in the saftey of bike helmets in Australia. Make sure it fits your head well, doesn't move around and is confortable. Met seems to be the most popular brand at the moment and there are great helmets from all of the major manufacturers. If you don't know what to do for a helmet, pick up a $20 one from kmart and then get a better one in 6 months when you know what you want.

computers
Depends entirely on what you want. Very basic just gives you your speed and they go all the way up to ones that record and analyse just about anything you can think of and then you can upload to your PC. Some riders don't use them at all.

etc?
Someone elses turn;
- Pedals
- Tyres
- Tubes
- Tool kit, spares, patches, bike pump
- Floor pump
- Toolbag
- Gloves
- Glasses
- Waterbottles and cages
- Socks
- Cold weather
- Tyre pressure
- Riding Skills
- Learn how to patch a tube
- Cleaning
- Food

All the best

haha thanks guys, i certainly have been infected very quickly, its already all im thinking about!! You dont think that I should be getting any better than this for a first bike do you??? It is still a pretty expensive ride..Adam, personally I think the bike is a good choice[component & price point] to start........down the track you'll discover if you reeaaallly love this caper, then you can make a more informed choice of bike. Technology is always improving. Use any left over money to equip yourself, a good set of tools as well.

MikeBytes - Thanks heaps for that post, its great to get some good information I can use. For computers, I like the Cateye Micro Wireless which can be had on ebay for 60-70 bucks. It seems to have a lot of features. Do you guys get much of your stuff off ebay as the bike shops seem to be pricey? Also I have been guaranteed some heavy discount from the shop im getting the bike from with the purchase of any accessories.
Thanks guys for all the other comments. As I said I am new to this so any advice is greatly appreciated.

cheers

Adam, personally I think the bike is a good choice[component & price point] to start........down the track you'll discover if you reeaaallly love this caper, then you can make a more informed choice of bike. Technology is always improving. Use any left over money to equip yourself, a good set of tools as well.Ok thanks mate, i have tried to get a bike that really appeals to me but also caters for the needs i have. I know tiagra is not the be and end all but it should serve me well.....I hope.

Or have I made a mistake? should I have gone with something 105 equiped for the same price. I just love the carbon frame :)

Alternatively hang out with a guy called Ozman, hes a minimalist/traditionalist both him and some 'classic' bloke will tell you about how you dont really even need even tires (or any other modern shit) cos 'back in the day' they rode around on the rims only cos they were 'hard' ;)

hahahahaYou idiot. Have you entered a race yet?:p

Alternatively hang out with a guy called Ozman, hes a minimalist/traditionalist both him and some 'classic' bloke will tell you about how you dont really even need even tires (or any other modern shit) cos 'back in the day' they rode around on the rims only cos they were 'hard' ;)

hahahaha

Hahahah I love people like that!! Reminds me of Monty Python. Thats Luxury!!!

Ok thanks mate, i have tried to get a bike that really appeals to me but also caters for the needs i have. I know tiagra is not the be and end all but it should serve me well.....I hope.

Or have I made a mistake? should I have gone with something 105 equiped for the same price. I just love the carbon frame :)....then you will wonder should I go ultegra......get your bike & ride & ride & ride......when bits wear out consider upgraded replacement parts :)

Edit. Beware of the seat post collar tightening screws. My experience is that there is a fine line between tight enough so it doesn't slip & over tight causing damage.[don't ask me how I know:o ] Ask your bike shop.

....then you will wonder should I go ultegra......get your bike & ride & ride & ride......when bits wear out consider upgraded replacement parts :)

Edit. Beware of the seat post collar tightening screws. My experience is that there is a fine line between tight enough so it doesn't slip & over tight causing damage.[don't ask me how I know:o ] Ask your bike shop.
Ok cheers mate, yeah i did think of it like that too. It really is never ending.. I just cant wait to get it and rack up some K's on it. thanks for the tips

Adelaide - brilliant! enjoy the rides down to and through mclaren vale and the wineries!!
most gear questions can be sorted by trawling through the 'cycling equipment' forum - some good info in there!
just make sure you get a good fitting with your new bike!
and enjoy it!

Hi there,

My name is Adam and I have always wanted a road bike for fitness but have never quite taken the dive...


Adam

Have you consider a frame that is a mix of aluminium and carbon so that you could get better componentry such as full 105?

In terms of equipment I reckon the minimum is:
Lycra shorts and jersey (see probikekit.com for some cheap deals)
Computer with cadence either wired or wireless
Lights if you are riding at night
Road shoes
Helmet
Pump
Two spare tubes
Multi-tool

Regards

James

"Lights" I missed one

Adam

Have you consider a frame that is a mix of aluminium and carbon so that you could get better componentry such as full 105?

In terms of equipment I reckon the minimum is:
Lycra shorts and jersey (see probikekit.com for some cheap deals)
Computer with cadence either wired or wireless
Lights if you are riding at night
Road shoes
Helmet
Pump
Two spare tubes
Multi-tool

Regards

James
yeah i have definately thought about it mate. Any suggestions for a specific bike that falls into that category?? I just havent found much that rivals the ocr c3 for value for money especially in a full carbon frame. Also take into account that i got it for $1900. So im all ears if there is anything around that mark that you think would be better.. cheers mate

yeah i have definately thought about it mate. Any suggestions for a specific bike that falls into that category?? I just havent found much that rivals the ocr c3 for value for money especially in a full carbon frame. Also take into account that i got it for $1900. So im all ears if there is anything around that mark that you think would be better.. cheers mate
I think you got a very good deal and you can always upgrade your componentry as it wears out! I can't think of anything in that price range.


James

I think you got a very good deal and you can always upgrade your componentry as it wears out! I can't think of anything in that price range.


James
Almost without exception, Giant offers the best value for any bike type.

Almost without exception, Giant offers the best value for any bike type.....probably true. One way they help to keep their costs down is by not increasing their chain stay length on the bigger sizes to suit tall ppl who ride with the seat a fair way back :) . How are you getting on with your rear wheels these days btw :)

thanks for all your comments guys, after researching bikes for the past few months i certainly cant find anything within $600 of the giant in carbon frame and good alround package. just have to pay it off now!!

Does anyone know what a good computer would be? I dont want to have to fork out in another 6 months for a better one so I might as well get something fairly decent now.... And where to buy them, i noticed ebay sells plenty well below bike shop prices...

How are you getting on with your rear wheels these days btw :)
Broke my first spoke in months yesterday at "Loop the Lake". That makes 5 broken spokes over 10 months on my latest rear wheel. Not too bad. I feel like I'm keeping up at present. Got myself a tensiometer and the drive side spokes are still in pretty even tension. Rim still perfectly true after each replacement.