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Post by lenodd on Feb 12, 2016 9:10:29 GMT
I'm going to do a bike to work scheme purchase in March/April and I think this fits the bill for my commuter/winter bike: www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/search-alloy-105-2016-adventure-road-bike-ec121299I was thinking the triban 540, but the cons are: no disc brakes, chainset will need upgrading, the frame seems on the small side even in XL and I cant get it on bike to work (long story but Decathlon arent on our list - its halfords and evans). I'm prepared to drop a grand on it - anything else I should be considering? (to add - I'm 6'3" and I'll be riding this all year round so I need something quite relaxed to ride with the ability to fix panniers/mudguards to it).
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Post by r0b1et on Feb 12, 2016 11:25:46 GMT
I assume at that price, hydraulic brakes are out, I hear they are MUCH MUCH better (never tried mechanical discs!).
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Post by lenodd on Feb 12, 2016 11:28:20 GMT
I assume at that price, hydraulic brakes are out, I hear they are MUCH MUCH better (never tried mechanical discs!). yes, I think so, Β£1K is the limit of what i get on the scheme.
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Post by chas on Feb 12, 2016 17:29:21 GMT
I assume at that price, hydraulic brakes are out, I hear they are MUCH MUCH better (never tried mechanical discs!). yes, I think so, Β£1K is the limit of what i get on the scheme. You should be able to top up the scheme though you won't get tax relief on the extra. The spyre brakes are supposedly the best mechanical ones. I think @davefy7 replaced the hydraulic ones on his tourer with these so might give a comparison
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2016 21:20:18 GMT
I have the TRP Spyke on my tourer. The MTB equivalent of the roadie Spyre. I never got to use the Shimano XT hydraulic brakes as they were taken off before I received the bike and handed to me in a bag. All I can say is the Spykes have been fantastic. Great stopping power and if you are hurtling down an alpine pass on a fully loaded tourer they bloody well need to be. They differ from other mechanical disc brakes as they are the first to have double action pistons rather than the normal set up of having one side fixed. This means that there is no brake rub.
I have ridden on MTB's with hydraulics and as far as can tell there is no difference between these top end mechanical disc brakes and the hydraulics. The guys at 18bikes in Derbyshire recommended them and they know their stuff. The Spykes were also on a list of the best new products for 2015 on the one the main cycling websites.
So yeah... a good bit of kit, easy to maintain/adjust and value for money.
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duplo
Peloton Rider
Posts: 206
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Post by duplo on Feb 13, 2016 1:39:03 GMT
I have TRP spyres on my CX bike. Whilst they are great they need careful set up and even at their best are no match for even basic set of decent hydraulics from shimano. That said they are a big step up from Rim brakes and are the best cable operated brakes I have ever used. The key thing about them is that the cam operates both pads rather than having one pad static and the other move like on some inferior brakes
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duplo
Peloton Rider
Posts: 206
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Post by duplo on Feb 13, 2016 1:46:20 GMT
I'm going to do a bike to work scheme purchase in March/April and I think this fits the bill for my commuter/winter bike: www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/search-alloy-105-2016-adventure-road-bike-ec121299I was thinking the triban 540, but the cons are: no disc brakes, chainset will need upgrading, the frame seems on the small side even in XL and I cant get it on bike to work (long story but Decathlon arent on our list - its halfords and evans). I'm prepared to drop a grand on it - anything else I should be considering? (to add - I'm 6'3" and I'll be riding this all year round so I need something quite relaxed to ride with the ability to fix panniers/mudguards to it). The Norco looks decent , good spec, wide range cassette, cx friendly 34 chainring but oddly paired with a 50 rather than a 46. It evens comes with a carbon seat post. The Schwalbe tyrago tyres are from the active line and are heavy and plasticy, but OK for commuting.
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Post by chas on Feb 13, 2016 10:17:48 GMT
I think 50 is a good choice as it isn't a cyclocross bike, for commuting it means you'll be using larger sprockets which won't wear as fast.
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duplo
Peloton Rider
Posts: 206
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Post by duplo on Feb 13, 2016 15:23:53 GMT
I think 50 is a good choice as it isn't a cyclocross bike, for commuting it means you'll be using larger sprockets which won't wear as fast. Yeah, I hadn't thought of that, if that's going to be the primary use
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Post by lenodd on Feb 13, 2016 19:57:08 GMT
I won't be using for cyclo-cross, this will be for commuting and winter riding so the gearing is perfect.
Are there any other things to consider? Boardmans aren't as well specced. Was thinking of the trek crossrip and the croix de fer too
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duplo
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Posts: 206
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Post by duplo on Feb 14, 2016 3:59:23 GMT
Considering your restrictions on stores I think you've made a good choice.
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Post by lenodd on Feb 18, 2016 16:11:43 GMT
I've spoken to the people doing the scheme and I have a list of shops to go to and unfortunately evans isnt one and the norco is only distributed by them.... so I can choose from - cycle surgery, action bikes, the giant shop, specialised shop and a few lBS. this is the favourite so far: www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/cyclo-cross/product/review-giant-revolt-1-14-48644/doesnt have 105 but has the handlebar brakes, decent discs, mounts for guards and the right kind of geometry, plus they'll do a set up and give me 3 years of servicing.
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Post by r0b1et on Feb 18, 2016 16:34:08 GMT
I've spoken to the people doing the scheme and I have a list of shops to go to and unfortunately evans isnt one and the norco is only distributed by them.... so I can choose from - cycle surgery, action bikes, the giant shop, specialised shop and a few lBS. this is the favourite so far: www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/cyclo-cross/product/review-giant-revolt-1-14-48644/doesnt have 105 but has the handlebar brakes, decent discs, mounts for guards and the right kind of geometry, plus they'll do a set up and give me 3 years of servicing. When they say they'll give you 3 years of servicing... given you won't own or buy the bike, what does that mean. Especially given this is the Halfrauds scheme, so has back outs for them at every juncture. I have the same scheme and came to conclusion the gain was about 1% at best, and was really just a get now pay later system, with a (admittedly small, but not 0) chance they decide they'll make more money keeping my bike (given they have nothing to do with my employment etc, they have no reason to treat me well).
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nysavant
Peloton Rider
There will be chaos, keep pedaling.
Posts: 123
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Post by nysavant on Feb 18, 2016 21:47:44 GMT
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Post by lenodd on Feb 18, 2016 22:31:22 GMT
I've spoken to the people doing the scheme and I have a list of shops to go to and unfortunately evans isnt one and the norco is only distributed by them.... so I can choose from - cycle surgery, action bikes, the giant shop, specialised shop and a few lBS. this is the favourite so far: www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/cyclo-cross/product/review-giant-revolt-1-14-48644/doesnt have 105 but has the handlebar brakes, decent discs, mounts for guards and the right kind of geometry, plus they'll do a set up and give me 3 years of servicing. When they say they'll give you 3 years of servicing... given you won't own or buy the bike, what does that mean. Especially given this is the Halfrauds scheme, so has back outs for them at every juncture. I have the same scheme and came to conclusion the gain was about 1% at best, and was really just a get now pay later system, with a (admittedly small, but not 0) chance they decide they'll make more money keeping my bike (given they have nothing to do with my employment etc, they have no reason to treat me well). It's the giant shop who do the servicing, not halfords
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