Went out with my neighbour Jon for my first ride since London to Bruges, as other stuff (and a road bike that was in the bike shop) has got in the way. We did our usual loop but then tacked on a few extra miles and a couple of hills for fun.
The Edge said: 17.59 mi / 1:11 / 14.7 mph avg
The poor average is down to too much chat, not enough cycling!
Spent the afternoon taking down the UFOs in my hallway (am making my own LED/Halogen mix light fittings which are huge and hence have gained the nickname) ready for decorating and phase two of construction (making them work now we’ve decided we like them). Also fixed some broken bits on Jon’s wife’s A Class as Mercedes said she’d have to buy a whole new seat just because a plastic seat release lever has broken. Should have taken pictures as we fabricated a very smart replacement out of aluminium. I really do need a lathe and mill!
Also, a question… I’ve been thinking about getting my company registered with the cycle to work scheme (but without the £1000 limit!). Once that’s done, one option would be a new road bike with drops. But then I was thinking… my current bike is a very nice spec and is all road componentry (light aluminium frame, carbon forks/bars/seatpost, Ultegra cassette/hubs/mechs, 105 pedals & crankset, Mavic CXP33 rims, 700×25 tyres coz the roads round here are too shocking for 23s) except for flat bar brakes and shifters. Anyone see any logic why I couldn’t just put drops with Ultegra shifters/brake levers onto that? Would be a lot cheaper than a new road bike and means C2W would be free for a full-susser…
Finally, apologies to Gaz for the lack of pictures. I know he’ll complain but hey ho. He’s learning he needs to smile. I’m learning I need to take photos.
Road bikes (drop bar) generally have shorter top tubes that ‘flat bar’ bikes. Plus by the time you’ve brought shifter, cables and a new front mech you’ll have spent a fortune.
You “might” be better off buying a complete bike via the c2w scheme and using the parts off it and flogging the rest.
Thanks Red. Not sure why I need a new front mech? But without that I’d budgeted about £200 if I did the conversion myself (assuming I can get the Ultegra levers from Merlin for much cheapness, rather than pay “normal” prices). an Ultegra or Ultegra/105 road bike is going to be at least £1000.
Got the same problem with my MTB, it’s all XT with Reba SL forks and Mavic rims so a very good spec. But toying with the idea of a full-susser.
Maybe I should just get two new frames and move everything else across. Maybe I forget about peer pressure and just get out on my hardtail and “hybrid” more often. Decisions Decisions!
It can be done, I got quoted £300 to add drops, sti’s etc etc to my Scott, but as thats what it cost I didnt see the point and hunted down the new love of my life, my Ribble.
your right BTW RUBBISH topic without pictures…..NEXT !!!!!!
If you get the bike to work scheme, can I come and work for you? I asked about the HR people where I work and its not being considered at all.
Glad they love to push the green ethos all the time, at least to the general public anyway!
Don’t forget I work for you too – There’s a nice £6k roadie on Wiggle with my name on it.
I can’t believe how many people work for me. How come nothing seems to get done then?
Think I might just stick to the flat bars. Give that Gaz bloke something to take the p out of.
I would work for you but I refuse to work for anyone who rides a hybrid, sorry
but feel free to pick me up a carbon Ribble
I am going to buy myself a carbon Ribble just to piss you off…
but Ribble dont do carbon hybrids Guru