I think we're getting dangerously close to the point where someone asks "What's wrong with the Propel and do you really need another bike?"
Is that allowed on TZ?
I’m back on my summer bike, which is a 2016 Cervelo R3 with mechanical Ultegra, rim brakes, Fulcrum racing zero wheels, and 25mm Vittoria Corsa 2 tyres.
Mechanical shifting is simple enough to troubleshoot, and there are very few descents where I think Discs would be an advantage. It’s an endurance bike, not aero, but is still comfortable, and after 70 miles and 3500 ft of climbing today I’m not dead :)
At the end of the day, you have to be really strong to get an advantage from something better, and the key thing is to get out and enjoy the ride. And get a proper shop size it, and do the bike fit.
Dave
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Some great views and advice so many thanks all.
Funny though, someone said to me today what’s up with the Propel. Just fancy a change.
Cheers again chaps
Pitch
Unless you like sitting in the pain cave zone at 25mph plus for hours then why buy an aero focussed bike?
Fair enough if you race and are a wattage monster but my money would be on a bike that’s nice to ride with some nice wheels that are still aero (35-45 deep) but still easy to ride in cross winds.
And my heavily biased opinion is those big brands offerings are very dull, like cars they all look the same and somebody else has one just like it.
There’s loads of great bikes out there, they just aren’t sold in Evans.
Are we all in the TZUK cycling club on Strava too?
Anyone use tubulars? I ask as i have a spare set i wont use
Factor bikes in Norfolk might be a brand to consider / visit Pitch. As ridden (not very well) this season by Chris Froome!
https://factorbikes.com/factor-bikes-uk/
I did consider that but didn't want to give people any clues where a watch collector may live? It's bad enough I give them clues that I have bikes ...
I do use the privacy zones but as there are not many houses where I live it wouldn't be that hard to guess my house location.
The giant propel is a good bike, I had the advanced pro with ultegra DI2. I had issues with DI2 though as it would sometimes just not work for no reason (full charge), and then kick back into life a few miles further on. No obvious loose connections. Another friend had the 1st generation di2 and it never worked when it got wet.
In the end I sold the propel and bought an xr4 with mechanical dura-ace.
Anyway sorry OP, but there's such a great choice out there, depends on your budget, disc or rim brakes, etc....
Apologies in advance if this has already been shared but it made me chuckle!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jns9NHhzGeM
Nice afternoon for it. A bit breezy.
I'm currently in the process of building up a new bike that will hopefully suit me a bit better than the hateful GT Grade I've been suffering on the last few years.
Funds are rather tight at the moment so it's becoming an exercise in trying to make the pennies go further. The frame is a planet X pro carbon disc which I bought from them for less than half price due to a tiny scratch. Got some racing 5 wheels which someone had removed unused from a new bike. Currently searching for good used disc groupset "bits" if anyone has anything hiding in a drawer.
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Good luck with it.
If you aren't on BikeRadar or other similar forums, they might also be good places to scour the SC equivalents. I would imagine the sort of bits you're after come up pretty often.
Have two bags coming today. Apidura bolt on top tube bag and a Rapha handlebar bag for longer journeys. Will be nice not carrying a load of stuff in my pockets anymore -- going to stop using the seat bag to get my light higher up and more visible.
I’m in the middle of a similar project.
Well, I say “in the middle”, more like right at the start for about nine months now.
Got a Saracen carbon frame off eBay and had the bright idea of stripping it back to carbon and lacquering it. Third try now and I’m almost there.
(Top tip: don’t do this. Just don’t.)
Been sourcing parts for the rest of the build, some new in the sales, some eBay.
My goal is sub 8kg for sub £2.5k, with Sram Red AXS. Retail something like that would be ~£6-7k from what I can see, so I’ll be happy if I can achieve it.
It looks great, I went for a similar finish on much of my frame, though it wasn't painted to start with. I can't imagine the patience needed to sand one down, fair play to you.
If you don't typically use the seat tube bottle holder, this is a good place to store food / tools etc. I have one of these (the thing on the left):
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-flow...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
Just been told that the delays in shipping are all but resolved so my 2021 and 2022! Bikes are arriving shortly, So will have a spare Tarmac SL4 and SL6 going spare in 56cm if anyone needs a ride.
Oh and a Diverge which I have to say is a lot of fun
Not my exact bike but worst case I'm going to get something small which fits in a bottle cage and pop it down there - like the Lezeyne or Vittoria options. I'm trying not to due to dirt and grime but can't see what I'd ever use that spot for and doubt I'll want two bags on all the time.
Have you seen the new Levo ? They are knocking it out the park now with the electrics
Another good looker but you can so see the similarities as they are all made in the same grid square.
Such a shame we dont have a UK manufacturing plant for frames as bespoke (custom) builds would be a real winner in the market rather than having to have the manufacturers designs. I know this exists with top end frames but seeing it trickle down would be amazing albeit not great for the main manufacturers profits as often when you look at component parts of a bike you realise where the margins are
A win and a lose at the local bike shop this morning - well not quite local, its a 45 minute drive but they are good guys so I don't mind the trip.
Anyway, my out of true rear wheel was fixed in 5 minutes. WIN :-)
But the left DI2 shifter which died during an e-tube upgrade is completely karked. LOSE :-(
Although I've replaced these shifters I'm still pissed because this was part of a trickle down project to fit my winter bike with DI2