Cycling UK Forum

Hi everyone, so after a few months of using this bike, I've decide that it may not be the best suited to touring. I'm hoping to trade it in to my local shop for a Giant Defy 1 or similar. I'm gonna get plenty use from a road bike over the summer and autumn.
Although I'm only getting a trade in value of €900, €1300 new.!!!
Am I crazy???
My plan is then to buy something more suited to touring later this year.


I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my wobbly bog brush using hovercraft full of eels

Thanks everyone for the information so far. I'm living here in the west of Ireland, so I don't think there is any where close to me who have the specialized equipment to measure up for a saddle. So I might try peoples suggestions and try a few types before I buy. If I'm in the UK over the next few months I might visit a store that has the specialized saddle fitting equipment.
BTW, has anyone tried the Brooks England Cambium C15 Carved Saddle?

Cheers guys, yea I've heard of how good the brooks saddle is, so it may be worth checking out. Where I live there is only a littke bike shop with a limited stock, so that probably wouldn't be an option.

Hi everyone, so after a few months of use with my Focus Mares AX disc Commuter, I'm considering changing the saddle. Its not the most comfortable, so I'm looking for peoples advice and suggestions before I buy a new one. I do understand that one type saddle is suitable for everyone and that what works for one person may not work for others. I'm just hoping to be pointed in the right direction.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards Padraic.

Hi all, there is the great Western Greenway, starting in Westport and finished in Achill Island, its around 50Km, great scenery and its a closed path from traffic.

Hi all, I've used an app on my Iphone for most of my travelling over the past few years, its called citymaps2go. Just down load the map of the region you are visiting before you go and it works via GPS. I've used it while touring in Holland and its great at finding street addresses shops etc. I have not used it for long distance navigation, so I dont know how it affects the phones battery life, but its great for short city navigation and reassurance out in the country.

Cheers for the advice everyone, from everyone's feedback and my own experience I'm gonna get one for sure.

My wife and myself visited the Keukenhof on our second tour of Holland, its very touristy but worth a visit for a few hours early in the morning before the large crowds visit. Nice place to bring a picnic. We were lucky that a lovely lady who worked at the Keukenhof brought us on a cycle around the local Tulip fields and by chance we stumbled upon a witch's themed cafe in the woods, some pancakes and beer to keep us going!!!
We were staying in B&B's which we sourced through Vriened Op De Fiets.

Are you cycling through Holland or just planning to visit the Tulip fields when there? Its pretty easy to hire a bike from a local bike shop, usually 7-9 Euro a day.

If you need any more information just ask.

Regards Padraic.

Hi all, I understand what you guys mean, the tougher the training the bigger the benefit for me. Yea then in the summer I can fit proper road tyres and win races!!!!

Hi all, I think I'll try the Schwalbe One Folding Road Tire, they sound pretty good.

rfryer wrote:If you're using the bike for training, why change tyres? The ones you've got will make you work harder (train better), while reducing the chance of you wasting your time changing punctures.

I did think of this, you are right I would have to work harder for sure, but don't want to make it any harder than it is to keep up with the group!!!

I'll give it a go and report back, if I run in to bother I can get my local bike shop to adjust the derailleur.

531colin wrote:

Padraic wrote:.............. how feasible is it to carry a spare tyre and tube? ..........

Don't carry a spare tyre, just some strong fabric tape to go inside the tyre if you get a big cut.

Good advice, I suppose when training and taking part in sportive's, keeping the weight down is important.

Thanks guys for the very useful information. I have setup the calipers, so I'll see how I get on on a cycle over the weekend. I will bring the required tools with me, just on the chance I'll need to adjust them.
But I'm happy so far that I'm getting the hang of them.

Thanks everyone for the advice and suggestions, I'll order on soon, but its hard to know which model to choose??