Cycling UK Forum

mattsccm wrote: ↑3 May 2021, 1:20pm Gear range. If however you need such . A 36 low isn't that high really, it's just higher than many people are used to if they are not super fit or don't want to push things.

Exaclty what you said. You explained it nicely.

And here's also what I think: you become a better cyclist and overall athlete when you push things, when you work hard to make the uncomfortable feel comfortable.

Replacing chainsets in order to make life easier to me just sounds like a way to limit/slow progress and stay a mediocre cyclist for longer.

keyboardmonkey wrote: ↑28 Apr 2021, 9:08pm

Scottish.cyclist.lad wrote: ↑26 Apr 2021, 1:14pm ... the TCR comes with a 52-36 at the front...

If it's not too late I would recommend a conversation with your bike shop to see if they are able to swap out the chainset for a compact version at the point of sale. Admittedly it was before Covid, but I had a chat with the Giant dealer near me and he was happy to do that at no extra cost. It didn't happen in the end, but FWIW a 52/36 chainset on a bike would be a deal breaker for me.

and why would I want to do that?

Paulatic wrote: ↑26 Apr 2021, 4:38pm I’d agree I think a Giant would give better value. Why have you ruled out the Defy as it comes with a compact and has similar angles and dimensions within millimetres.
I hope the choice isn’t just because the bike shop has a TCR they want rid of.

Nah, the bike fitter said bikes like the defy would be "overly relaxed" and based on my body, flexibility and cycling objectives, there would be no need for me to get a super relaxed bike such as the defy (or the cannondale synapse...another we tried). I could get a good and comfy position on more aggressive bikes, hence the tcr.

Plus, the bike fit was done by an independent company so they're not suggesting a particular brand/model because they've got one kicking about.

Thanks all.

I've decided to go with the Giant. I was already leaning towards the TCR because of specs, price, heritage, warranty and availability.

Additionally, I've learnt today the BMC is not going to be available until at least December 2021 and it's not even 100% sure I'd get one.

This made my choice much much easier.

Paulatic wrote: ↑26 Apr 2021, 2:23pm I certainly couldn’t even contemplate the Giant. 36x30 I’d have to do some walking

Yes 11-30 sounds hard

I would most certainly swap to an 11-32 as a standard, with an 11-34 to be used for more hilly events

I recently got a bike fit done on one of those stationary bikes where you can tweak pretty much everything in order to replicate the geometry of any bikes. Very fun and educational experience.

Anyhow, given my body and my cycling objectives, I got given a number of road bikes that would fit the bill, and the 2 that made it to the final stage are:

1) Giant TCR Advanced 2 Disc
2) BMC Roadmachine Four

They both look spectacular, they are similarly specced, the main difference is the TCR comes with a 52-36 at the front, while the BMC comes with a 50-34.

Here's the situation: the TCR is available now to a nearby lbs and is a bit cheaper. The BMC is more expensive and is out of stock (waiting from a stockist to understand how long it might be before he gets his hands on one of them...could be months). So everything would point towards the TCR.

Does any of you gentlemen have any experience with either bike? Anything that would make me reconsider my choice and wait longer to get my hands on the swiss beauty instead?

As always, thanks

TrevA wrote: ↑21 Apr 2021, 7:11pm ...and we sometimes cycle with the guy who runs the company...

Great, can you ask him to get rid of the awful rose in their logo?

Did some research, they look alright, although with some very questionable colour choices in some past models.

Hate the logo though so I'm afraid moda bikes end up on my no-no list

or, as I suggested, park tools does absolutely nothing and the oldies come up with their options. plenty of time in their hands by the way

horizon wrote: ↑20 Apr 2021, 3:47pm

Scottish.cyclist.lad wrote: ↑20 Apr 2021, 3:27pm

Cyril Haearn wrote: ↑19 Apr 2021, 9:30pm Is the music perhaps suitable for and welcomed by a younger audience than the likes of the us?

This.

I like the music and I find parktools' videos quite well done.

If old timers can's stand the music, here's an idea: a youtube channel about bike maintenance made for old folks, by old folks. No music and words printed in big letters on the screen

I think that's a bit unfair. What we are talking about here are exceptionally good instructional videos, spoiled for some by the IMV unnecessary background music. I might ask Park Tools if they have an "age" policy. What we "oldies" are a bit incredulous about is why the youngsters haven't worked out a way to switch the music off if you don't want it. After all, it isn't rocket science (or should that be mechanical engineering?).

Just like you think music spoils the videos, I'm sure there are just as many people (me, for example) who like the music and think it makes the videos better and more entertaining.

Cyril Haearn wrote: ↑19 Apr 2021, 9:30pm Is the music perhaps suitable for and welcomed by a younger audience than the likes of the us?

This.

I like the music and I find parktools' videos quite well done.

If old timers can's stand the music, here's an idea: a youtube channel about bike maintenance made for old folks, by old folks. No music and words printed in big letters on the screen

yes.

barely any information on their website. on instagram they do have photos of some pretty good looking bikes, but zero info about those bikes on their website.

I've found just a couple of reviews on bikeradar of some old models, and a handful of youtube videos. And yet the bikes seem to be pretty well specced and on the medium high end spectrum of price.

Seems so strange to find so little info.

Who knows anything about Moda bikes?

I don't recall ever seeing one on the road and the information I can find on the web are very very scarce. Not many youtube videos, almost non-existent web and social media presence.

I like the concept of fat lad at the back but their design choices are questionable more often than not. De gustibus though...

Tuvelo wrote: ↑6 Apr 2021, 10:49am

iandusud wrote: ↑5 Apr 2021, 2:44pm

Tuvelo wrote: ↑5 Apr 2021, 11:16am ... torture getting her tyres on and off because (like many) tubeless ready rims and tyres...
This is understandably limiting her enjoyment of riding, as she doesn't feel independent.
She's tried/trying various tyre mounting aids/jacks/toys,we're working on technique (including many of the excellent suggestions in this thread), so that isn't my question.
She's tried tubeless, didn't like it, she wants to remain tubed.
DT Swiss E1800 650 wheels, 20mm nominal internal, currently suffering with Shwalbe Pro One microskin tyres
She's not racing nor loaded touring, prefers 28mm tyres
Any advice on tyre choice gratefully accepted!

I run 28mm tubed GP5000s tyres (and previously 25mm GP4000s) on DT Swiss RR411 Tubeless rims and fit and remove them without levers.

Thanks for that, interesting, and it makes sense - even though I've only used them on non-tubeless rims I've always found them very easy-ons so probably an option worth trying

I currently have non tubeless GP5000 tyres on tubeless ready wheels and I can also remove them and put them back on in 3 minutes and without tyre levers. Go figure...