Cycling

[maddog]

Lads I bought a giant defy 5 last week and it was my  first day out yesterday. I thoroughly enjoyed it although I'm somewhat sore today. The only problem I had was the gears or shifting as the cycling buffs call it. Any good tips for gear changing or anywhere good online advice for me ??

What set up is it (triple or double on front?) and what are the gears, 2300, Sora ? Was the problem that the gears were not smooth or was it just getting used to the shifters was the issue ?

[maddog]

Lads - anyone with experience of CUBE bikes ? Am torn between these 2 bikes on the cycle to work scheme. Think the Bianchi is the nicer looking bike but the CUBE has 105 throughout and a better wheelset i think. Any other opinions on bikes in around the £1000-£1300 bracket ?

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/UniqueProductKey.ice?ProductID=CCUB0463KR&gclid=CMzJ24S2kbsCFUiN3godgQwA2w&gclsrc=aw.ds

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/impulso-105-compact-2013-road-bike-ec045154

[Last Man]

Lads - anyone with experience of CUBE bikes ? Am torn between these 2 bikes on the cycle to work scheme. Think the Bianchi is the nicer looking bike but the CUBE has 105 throughout and a better wheelset i think. Any other opinions on bikes in around the £1000-£1300 bracket ?

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/UniqueProductKey.ice?ProductID=CCUB0463KR&gclid=CMzJ24S2kbsCFUiN3godgQwA2w&gclsrc=aw.ds

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/impulso-105-compact-2013-road-bike-ec045154

I have a Bianchi Via Narone, a few years old but similar spec to this one. Decent bike except the wheels supplied were crap, had to bin them after a couple of months and buy a set of Mavics.

[maddog]

Lads - anyone with experience of CUBE bikes ? Am torn between these 2 bikes on the cycle to work scheme. Think the Bianchi is the nicer looking bike but the CUBE has 105 throughout and a better wheelset i think. Any other opinions on bikes in around the £1000-£1300 bracket ?

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/UniqueProductKey.ice?ProductID=CCUB0463KR&gclid=CMzJ24S2kbsCFUiN3godgQwA2w&gclsrc=aw.ds

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/impulso-105-compact-2013-road-bike-ec045154

I have a Bianchi Via Narone, a few years old but similar spec to this one. Decent bike except the wheels supplied were crap, had to bin them after a couple of months and buy a set of Mavics.

Were the wheels those reparto corse ones?


http://shop.epic-cycles.co.uk/2013-bianchi-reparto-corse-rx51-lite-wheels---campagnolo-204-p.asp

[JimStynes]

Lads, what are your opinions on ordering bikes from websites such as DHgate? load of lads from the local cycling club have ordered Chinerello Dogmas off this site. There are a load in the club who already have them. Is it too good to be true? Are they really made in the same factory etc? It is 1/4 of the price for one of the frames ffs

[bennydorano]

Any links? I suppose you're just cutting out middle men & a fancy paint job.

[LeoMc]

Any links? I suppose you're just cutting out middle men & a fancy paint job.

http://www.dhgate.com/product/black-blue-pinarello-dogma2-60-1-2012-aero/135563095.html#cps-12-5|null:8


they even do the fancy paint job.

[laoislad]

Any links? I suppose you're just cutting out middle men & a fancy paint job.

http://www.dhgate.com/product/black-blue-pinarello-dogma2-60-1-2012-aero/135563095.html#cps-12-5|null:8


they even do the fancy paint job.

Would there be customs and vat on that?

[bennydorano]

Just shows the profit margins on bikes if they can fire out frame & forks for that price. I'd be interested to speak to someone with one myself.

Edit- i've had loads of stuff from China & few bits from this crowd, never been caught for customs charges, but think they are liable - not sure tho.

[LeoMc]

Just shows the profit margins on bikes if they can fire out frame & forks for that price. I'd be interested to speak to someone with one myself.

Edit- i've had loads of stuff from China & few bits from this crowd, never been caught for customs charges, but think they are liable - not sure tho.

Good margins alright but your typical small local Bike shop won't have the volumes to survive on tighter margins.

[Last Man]

Lads - anyone with experience of CUBE bikes ? Am torn between these 2 bikes on the cycle to work scheme. Think the Bianchi is the nicer looking bike but the CUBE has 105 throughout and a better wheelset i think. Any other opinions on bikes in around the £1000-£1300 bracket ?

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/UniqueProductKey.ice?ProductID=CCUB0463KR&gclid=CMzJ24S2kbsCFUiN3godgQwA2w&gclsrc=aw.ds

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/impulso-105-compact-2013-road-bike-ec045154

I have a Bianchi Via Narone, a few years old but similar spec to this one. Decent bike except the wheels supplied were crap, had to bin them after a couple of months and buy a set of Mavics.

Were the wheels those reparto corse ones?


http://shop.epic-cycles.co.uk/2013-bianchi-reparto-corse-rx51-lite-wheels---campagnolo-204-p.asp

Yes, fancy looking but crap

[Last Man]

Just shows the profit margins on bikes if they can fire out frame & forks for that price. I'd be interested to speak to someone with one myself.

Edit- i've had loads of stuff from China & few bits from this crowd, never been caught for customs charges, but think they are liable - not sure tho.

Whoever the goods are delivered to is liable.

[JimStynes]

Well anyone get anything good off santa? I got a good bit of winter gear - gloves, socks, Team Saxo thermal Jersey and Bib tights (I'm now a full kit w**ker) and a few other bits a bobs.

I really want a new bike though, I've seen a lovely Cervelo from slane cycles in belfast but its too expensive ffs.

Also I have been using the sufferfest videos for the turbo, they're a great job. Nearly falling off the bike by the end of them!!

[johnneycool]

Question of this cycle to work scheme some employers are using?

Is the salary sacrifice taken out before the tax?

[imtommygunn]

Yes - comes out of gross pay which is where you see the benefit.