B*ll*cks, doesn't look good for me getting one then. I've not got my cycle scheme voucher through yet.

Ah well, it's more pleasant cycling in cooler weather.

In the spirit of forum good will, I'll hie myself up to North Wales and steal it from you.

You'd never get past my guard dog. Well I say dog, but I mean the g/f. You think Mrs Stan is badass?

Got a question about the bike setup but I think if another bike thread is started people are going to start getting miffed! The handlebars were turned upwards so it could fit into the box for transit. I've put them back in the down position, but I'm not sure if they're quite right. Is there a set way to determine the right angle, or is it just what feels best? The brakes seem to be a bit too far up for my hands to reach.

Best to have the bars so the brake hoods are level or just slightly pointing up. That should theb mean the drops are at a perfect angle and not horizontal.


This does depend on the brake levers being right. Basically you may nee to experiment, but having the hoods level is a good starting point.

Key point is that your saddle is level or has the nose pointing up slightly. You want to avoid the saddle pointing down as this throws your weight forward onto the bars. It will take a while for your body to adjust to any changes too.

Thanks Bockers tell me about it. My arms ache today. I did however get on the top ten on a Strava segment on my first go!




I think I'll be able to make it to number one with a couple of attempts. I can see this getting addictive!

I should have bought one when I looked the other week. I was going to go for the Triban 5 version purely because I don't want a red bike but they are out of stock as well

So, do I wait, or do I buy something else ? Maybe the Carrera tdf ?

The TDF got slated in the review of the Triban 3. A guy on one of the bike forums bought one, wasn't impressed at all and got a Triban 3 which he much preferred.

Has anyone used Aero Bars? Always fancied the look of them but no idea if they are useful outside of track cycling?

Aero bars? What like this you mean? I'm sure they're usefuil whatever sport you are doing

Haha I thought that was coming before I clicked the link!

I mean tings like these.

The carrera Virtuoso limited edition looks great I think and has a good review on Bike Radar. £350 at Halfords.



I will take 1st spot and be king of the prom!

Just for info: I checked and they have none of the Triban in Calais...!

Damnit, there must be some somewhere!

Shhh! Whisper it, but the Lakeside Decathlon store have a few in stock. Not all on the website, and one fewer than they had this morning...

(oddly, for a south London store, everyone has a French accent!)

These seem to be back in stock (in Stockport anyway) if anyone is interested. I have just ordered ond and it shall be delivered this week

I cannot begin to describe what an absolute bargain it is. I love this little red bike! Started getting all the little bits and bobs needed, I'll point out some bargains I've found too in case they come in handy:

Bottle cage (went for an elite custom race )
Bottle (Again an Elite Hygene)
Topeak race rocket pump (an absolute steal at that price and it's tiny)
Took the cateye LED lights from my MTB
Cateye Micro Wireless computer
Muddy Fox SPD shoes (I much prefer SPD to the Road bike equivalent shoes)
Topeak Aero wedge saddle bag


Still need to buy SPD pedals, some decent gloves, a multi-tool, Conti Gatorskins.

Good call with the Cateye Speedo.
I've tried three cheap supermarket ones and they've been awful. (1 Sainsbury's and 2 Lidl)
2 don't cope with moisture, and the third has some kind of reed switch sensor (it clicks) that can't cope with speeds over 25 mph.
It is frustrating to lose your odometer reading every couple of months.
By comparison I was given a Cateye Vectra by a friend that already had 29,000km on it. It has been out in all weathers etc. and there's been no problem with it at all.

You just can't beat cateye!

I guess I need some cycle shorts. I'll be wearing normal shorts over those though. I still think tight-fitting Lycra is best left to the wrestlers or fetishists

Sports Direct have some Muddy Fox Lycra shorts for a tenner with the incontinence pad sewn in and they seem to do the trick. You need something like Lycra so they move with your skin, otherwise they rub which doesn't work out if you're going any distance. Like you say proper shorts over the top would be needed if you're going to a wedding / formal dinner etc.

Woohoo! My bike arrived.

Then it went away again, to Welwyn Garden City, due to my impertinence in not being present when it arrived. Boo!

Incidentally, bought a pair of muddy fox shorts as described above. Anita wants me to cycle in those alone; I say I'll do that if she does the miniskirt and stockings...

What this thread needs is pictures

But seriously, cycling shorts must be worn without trollies or you will get some serious chaffing!

Edited for accuracy and sanity!

Your wish is my command. One of these two is Anita, and one is granddaughter. You get to work out which is which!

Woohoo. That's a *big* box it comes in!

Isn't it just! I managed to get it all in the bin though. The trick is to leave it outside in the rain to make the cardboard easier to fold. my first proper ride out today with my bro, 'just' 24 miles but I think I broke my balls. I hope I get used to the saddle! My bro couldn't believe my bike was £300, it's faster when coasting than his specialized secteur elite. My bike seems to be lighter too. Amazing!

Off to sit on some ice now. My poor gooch!

Just managed three miles to see if everything worked before I chopped the box up so Anita can abandon it on her last day at work (new job on Monday!)... it does feel a lot quicker than the GT Outpost, though.

The gear controls confused me for a while; never come across that concept before. And I think my feet are too big for the pedals.

But I like the little bell <ting!>

I need some toys: bike oil, pump, and water bottle at least. And a new speedo; I don't want to swap one between two bikes!

If you're on a toy frenzy one of these will ensure the ba***rds don't mow you down.
They're a fair bit cheaper now than I paid last Christmas, and bright enough to be very noticeable in daylight.

If you're going for a cheap cycle computer, don't go for wireless Neil. They tend to be analogue and susceptible to interference and spurious readings (one guy said the bike claimed to be travelling at 70mph )

I have had the Cateye velo wireless on 3 bikes, never an issue myself - never seen 70mph, but that could be me not the speedo

Cateye are a good make. I went for a strada (wired) because the wire has never bothered me

I have a quick clamp thingy for my Garmin 305, meaning I can swap it easily between bikes or a watch strap. As it's GPS there is no need for a sensor on the spoke.