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Post by chas on Jul 12, 2017 22:14:17 GMT
Did you decide anything? I am also tempted by both but also the ribble cgr which takes wider tyres and has disk brakes. I currently commute 26 miles a day on a steel fixed gear (2005 fuji track) so the racey AF geometry is probably OK for me but I want gears for planned longer rides and liek the idea of wider tyres and disk brakes. Sadly the decathlon GF doesn't have much tyre clearance so maybe even a alu triban might suite me? The GF has plenty of clearance for road use, it comes with 28mm as standard and they're not close to the frame. What it lacks is proper mudguard eyes. Peter Lazarus has just posted this on the facebook group 1st road test of the new Ultra 520 Gran Fondo bike today. Only a short 15 miles to see how she felt. To resume: Comfortable, responsive, ideal geometry for my riding style. What I appreciated most was that within a few seconds and a couple or pedalling strokes it felt....how should I put it...right. Looking forward to some long miles in the saddle with this one. 30mm tyres, Antares r3 large saddle and full carbon forks seem to add a lot to the comfort. www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155492677071649&set=pcb.1503526659669419&type=3
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Post by chas on Jul 12, 2017 22:58:26 GMT
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kieren
Peloton Rider
Posts: 37
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Post by kieren on Jul 13, 2017 8:04:35 GMT
Thanks for linking that you. It's certainly something to consider. I do like the idea of disk brakes and wider tyres but my budget is limited to £1000. I think more around £800 do I have some change for accessories. With the £ is decline I hope prices don't increase.
Currently leaning towards the Ultra 900 AF at £800 and once I have some more pennies, upgrade the wheels to a set of DCR and 25/28c tubeless tyres.
I'll hopefully get down to the London decathlon store soon to try in person once the voucher arrives.
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Post by Scott M on Jul 13, 2017 10:08:03 GMT
Just looking at the differences between the latest model 540 and 900 AF. I know they have different frames, but in terms of components:
900 package is reported to be 0.5 kg lighter 900 has full 105. The 540 differs in that the brake calipers are non-series Tektro (also, they're long drop to allow for mudguards) 900 has Mavic tyres vs Hutchison on the 540 They have different saddles/seatposts, but both are B'Twin's own.
Do you get anything else for the extra £150 ?
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Post by jondxxx on Jul 13, 2017 17:19:00 GMT
Is there really much point in comparing components on such different bikes?
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kieren
Peloton Rider
Posts: 37
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Post by kieren on Jul 13, 2017 18:58:32 GMT
Yeah the geometry is different.
My concerns (which I can probably decide on a test ride) is if the more upright triban might suite me better for commuting along with the ability to take wider tyres.
That said, by current bike is a bit more race geometry still a little relaxed and might be similar to the 900.
On either bike I will probably upgrade the wheels so I can go tubeless. The plus with the 900 is the Mavics might be better for resale.
On paper, I have decided to go with the 900 - at least until I get to a store
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Post by william39 on Jul 13, 2017 19:07:25 GMT
Geometry can always be altered. If you want racier then go for a smaller size, fit a longer stem. If you want more relaxed then a bigger size with a shorter stem. As jondxxx says you are comparing apples with pears. Both good bikes but depends what you want to use it for.
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Post by chas on Jul 13, 2017 22:42:28 GMT
For the commute I'd be thinking Triban 520 with full mudguards as cheap to maintain (chains, cassettes) or wait for the 500afgf to save on rim wear (sora compact, cable disc, Aksiums). For pleasure at £800 I'd buy the Triban 560, took one out for a proper ride recently and loved it, heavier than my Ridley but so stiff I found I was going faster and the Tiagra works a treat. A colleague who bought a 720af (now 920af) last year rode it and said he preferred the 560.
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Post by Scott M on Jul 14, 2017 19:10:44 GMT
For the commute I'd be thinking Triban 520 with full mudguards as cheap to maintain (chains, cassettes) or wait for the 500afgf to save on rim wear (sora compact, cable disc, Aksiums). For pleasure at £800 I'd buy the Triban 560, took one out for a proper ride recently and loved it, heavier than my Ridley but so stiff I found I was going faster and the Tiagra works a treat. A colleague who bought a 720af (now 920af) last year rode it and said he preferred the 560. chas Is the 920af you mention still to be released? I can't keep up with the range names, but can only see a 920cf on the website (as well as 720 af and cf) I presume the 560 is intended to give customers an option versus the 900af (i.e. both priced the same) - the former is carbon with lower spec Tiagra, the latter alu with higher spec 105.
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kieren
Peloton Rider
Posts: 37
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Post by kieren on Jul 14, 2017 19:53:12 GMT
Thanks william39 & chas for the feedback.
I haven't seen anything on the 50afgf so thank for the insider tip.
I don't know much about bikes. Here is a little bit about the kind of rider I am. (Perhaps something for a new thread?)
I bought my fuji in 2005 and enjoyed riding ever since with 42x16 gearing (69 gear inches). For commuting in London that seems perfect for me and can get up (and down) most hills.
I tend to be most comfortable about a cadence of 100 which is about 20mph with a not too taxing range of 18-24mph on the commute. As the bike is fixed and I can't coast, I never really go much faster than 30mph over my 13 mile commute.
My first crash in 12 years was a big one. Bike is fine but due to a head injury, I am banned from driving and cycling as a precaution for 6 months (as judgement can be impaired, increased risk of seizure etc). In terms of actual recovery, I feel back to 100% now but will adhere to Drs orders for the remaining 2 months.
Without meaning to sound boastful, I self rate my road craft high. I have been driving for 20 years in mostly cars but also HGV and motorcycles. What I don't rate so highly is my bike skill. I think it is good, perhaps better than most commuters I see but in my view, not at an adequate level when comparing to more skilled riders (like club riders). My slow speed control used to be better but has declined as I aged. I can practice that in the park though. I am more concerned about high speed control especially when moving to a freewheel bike. Once I am allowed to ride again, I plan to seek instruction from a local club and perhaps a velodrome session to hopefully improve skill and confidence at speed.
For the commute, I have secure bike storage, a locker & shower at work so don't need to carry anything except phone, ID and door keys. I appreciate mud guards on my Brompton but change in and out of cycling gear so can tolerate rain form all angles on the commute. I also have some clip on mudguard laying about.
I want a geared bike because I like the idea of cycling a bit further. I have a friend 70 miles away and think cycling there might be enjoyable. Perhaps further if I do enjoy it.
I like idea of disk brakes but am not convinced I need them.
Coming from a steel bike with flex, I wonder if aluminium but be a lot more uncomfortable. For that reason the carbon does appeal. A test ride will no doubt establish that.
I don't race but perhaps would with a suitable bike. I enter running races and enjoy that.
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Post by chas on Jul 14, 2017 23:08:22 GMT
For the commute I'd be thinking Triban 520 with full mudguards as cheap to maintain (chains, cassettes) or wait for the 500afgf to save on rim wear (sora compact, cable disc, Aksiums). For pleasure at £800 I'd buy the Triban 560, took one out for a proper ride recently and loved it, heavier than my Ridley but so stiff I found I was going faster and the Tiagra works a treat. A colleague who bought a 720af (now 920af) last year rode it and said he preferred the 560. chas Is the 920af you mention still to be released? I can't keep up with the range names, but can only see a 920cf on the website (as well as 720 af and cf) I presume the 560 is intended to give customers an option versus the 900af (i.e. both priced the same) - the former is carbon with lower spec Tiagra, the latter alu with higher spec 105. The 720af is last years and should be the 920af this year, identical in every way. The 560 is a UK specific model intended for those after a carbon frame bike at a budget price. Personally I think the it would make more sense for the 540 to have the Tiagra and 'aero' wheels and the 560 105 and aksiums at a higher price.
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Post by chas on Jul 15, 2017 0:00:43 GMT
Thanks william39 & chas for the feedback. I haven't seen anything on the 50afgf so thank for the insider tip. I don't know much about bikes. Here is a little bit about the kind of rider I am. (Perhaps something for a new thread?) I bought my fuji in 2005 and enjoyed riding ever since with 42x16 gearing (69 gear inches). For commuting in London that seems perfect for me and can get up (and down) most hills. I tend to be most comfortable about a cadence of 100 which is about 20mph with a not too taxing range of 18-24mph on the commute. As the bike is fixed and I can't coast, I never really go much faster than 30mph over my 13 mile commute. My first crash in 12 years was a big one. Bike is fine but due to a head injury, I am banned from driving and cycling as a precaution for 6 months (as judgement can be impaired, increased risk of seizure etc). In terms of actual recovery, I feel back to 100% now but will adhere to Drs orders for the remaining 2 months. Without meaning to sound boastful, I self rate my road craft high. I have been driving for 20 years in mostly cars but also HGV and motorcycles. What I don't rate so highly is my bike skill. I think it is good, perhaps better than most commuters I see but in my view, not at an adequate level when comparing to more skilled riders (like club riders). My slow speed control used to be better but has declined as I aged. I can practice that in the park though. I am more concerned about high speed control especially when moving to a freewheel bike. Once I am allowed to ride again, I plan to seek instruction from a local club and perhaps a velodrome session to hopefully improve skill and confidence at speed. For the commute, I have secure bike storage, a locker & shower at work so don't need to carry anything except phone, ID and door keys. I appreciate mud guards on my Brompton but change in and out of cycling gear so can tolerate rain form all angles on the commute. I also have some clip on mudguard laying about. I want a geared bike because I like the idea of cycling a bit further. I have a friend 70 miles away and think cycling there might be enjoyable. Perhaps further if I do enjoy it. I like idea of disk brakes but am not convinced I need them. Coming from a steel bike with flex, I wonder if aluminium but be a lot more uncomfortable. For that reason the carbon does appeal. A test ride will no doubt establish that. I don't race but perhaps would with a suitable bike. I enter running races and enjoy that. If you have managed your commute on fixed for 12 years I salute you and suggest you already have the ideal bike for that. The simplicity of the bike has saved you a fortune in parts and hours of work. Modern deraillieur systems have sacrificed longevity for light weight and slick shifting and particularly in the winter months can take a lot of work to keep clean and in good order. You have also been able to do a lot of braking without wearing out your rims, which I would say is the major advantage of disc brakes. In your situation I would be looking for a nice 'summer' bike to broaden your horizons, join club runs (much harder on fixed as you have a different natural pace) give racing a try, and maybe commute just in good weather. Your idea that you're going from a flexy steel bike to a stiff alloy or comfy carbon one is simplistic and misguided. The materials themselves may have some of those properties but it's how the frame is designed and the amount of and way the material is used that determines how it feels. Wheels and especially tyres can have more effect on comfort. Track frames are designed to be stiff, not comfortable and aren't particularly light. Either the 560cf or 900af would suit your needs well, I think I'd go for the 560, but if tyre size is important to you there's slightly more clearance with the direct mount brakes of the 900. The geometry and sizing is different as well, so It's worth trying both to see which suits your proportions best.
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kieren
Peloton Rider
Posts: 37
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Post by kieren on Jul 15, 2017 13:02:39 GMT
Thanks for clarify some points chas especially around frame materials. I was leaning away from the 560cf but you have now placed it back in contention. The 12 years has been off & on with the last 2 being the longest (26 mile round trip) commute. However, the fuji has been great with virtually zero maintenance apart from upgrading the wheels to a set from DCR wheels and of course tyres and a dab of oil now and again. I want gears so I can go further and take in longer hills. I admit, commuting is going to be over 90% of my riding but feel a geared bike will give me that extra range flexibility. The braking is one thing I wonder about. When instructed on driving cars and motorbikes, I was taught to brake through the gears and use the pedal to signal and to stop, thus reducing wear and tear. That carried over on the fixie and even though I had rim brakes, they got minimal use and I still have the stock brake pads. I plan to spend about £360 on the new wheels so hope they don't wear out too fast as I think I will be dragging the brakes a lot more for slight speed control. That is more of a curiosity for me than a concern though. I have a Brompron ML3 in the cupboard but cant justify having 2 big bikes. As much as I love the fuji, it will have to go to make space for a new bike. I will try to leave it a work for a bit if I can get away with that. Limitations of the fuji, as you noted, are natural pace. Being fixed - 80-110 rpm is happy place. Slower or faster particularly slower is not comfortable for long so I miss out a bit on group rides with friends. 23c tyres on the fuji were uncomfortable but 25c were a massive improvement. I think 25 is probably all I may ever need but do like the option of 28c just to see how much more comfortable that might be given the huge change from 23 (@110psi) - 25 (@95 - 100psi) in my opinion. I can't ride at the moment so commute but train which costs over £200 a month! Thats a holiday. Cycling saves me a ton of money and keeps the belly at bay. I don't mind a bit of rain but tend to skip the days when there are deep puddles as I can't see what is in them (pot hole, half a brick, etc). I just found out my closest decalthon (Surry Quays, London) is open until 9PM which is great. Weekends are a challenge at the moment so I should be able to get down there after work for some hands on with the 560cf and 900af. -- completely off topic, if i had the space, the cheapest Btwin Triban 100 looks amazing for a do it all hack but sadly 1 big bike & the brompton are the limit for this small flat.
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