commuting to work (35Km a day)

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10speedsemiracer
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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby 10speedsemiracer » Tue Oct 23, 2018 11:47 am

Happyhunting wrote:Hi guys

Went to some bike shops on the weekend and they all recommend full 105 groupset

What do you guys reckon
anything else to consider?

I was thinking buying new - second hard seems to hard atm.

the point at the end of the days is its going to be a commuter bike doing between 25-40Km a day and I want it to give me 10 years or so (with regular service).
Hmm, I think the commonly held belief that 105 was the functionally effective starting point for groupsets is slightly outdated, although is nice to aim for. With Shimano's habit of trickle-down design, Tiagra has emerged as a viable option for the non-racer although personally I do like 105. The secondhand market needs a good eye and in your case, if someone you know is into cycling, that would be a valuable resource. The other concern buying secondhand is waiting for the right bike to show it's face.

Have you decided on a style of bike and the size required ?
Eg: Drop bar vs flat bar, Steel/Alloy/Carbon, rim brakes/disc brakes and are you wanting to fit guards/racks..?
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CKinnard
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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby CKinnard » Tue Oct 23, 2018 12:22 pm

HH

105 is good these days. for commuting you wouldn't get more value for money out of ultegra or dura ace.
I haven't tried tiagra in the last 3-4 years so don't know how durable or good it is.

what you want to be focusing on if you buy new, is

1. right gearing.
you'll probably want a compact chainring (50/34 teeth)
and a cassette with the large number of teeth possible 28 or higher.

2. capacity for wider tires.
most roadies won't take a tire wider than 28mm.
you may find over time a 32-38mm tire is more comfortable and safer on rough and wet surfaces.

3. right bike fit
the stem a new bike comes with may not be the right length for you. you want to ensure you get a quality bike fit when buying.

4. right saddle
new bikes don't have the best saddles, or the right design for your body.

5. pedals are not included in new bike purchase.
you want to decide whether you want to be able to walk around a bit in your riding shoes, in which case you would be better with a mountain bike pedal and shoes.

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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby Happyhunting » Tue Oct 23, 2018 12:57 pm

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/knoxfie ... 1197693595

how do you guys reckon for this bike

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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby 10speedsemiracer » Tue Oct 23, 2018 1:03 pm

Happyhunting wrote:https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/knoxfie ... 1197693595

how do you guys reckon for this bike
Is older than you would probably like, Shimano r540 wheels which can be difficult to find spares for, slightly aggressive geometry for a commuter bike and would probably struggle to get anything wider than a 25mm tyre in there (maybe even restricted to 23mm) and racks are probably a no-go.

Usually would like to see more spokes for something being used for commuting, but in view of the rider in this case being more compact this may not be an issue.
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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby Happyhunting » Tue Oct 23, 2018 1:05 pm

Happyhunting wrote:https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/knoxfie ... 1197693595

how do you guys reckon for this bike
also being 170cm .. is this suited for my height?

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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby 10speedsemiracer » Tue Oct 23, 2018 1:13 pm

Happyhunting wrote:
Happyhunting wrote:https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/knoxfie ... 1197693595

how do you guys reckon for this bike
also being 170cm .. is this suited for my height?
Hmm, I would think it's a fraction small at 51cm and would maybe be looking for a 53cm or thereabouts. That being said, it is easier to fit someone to a bike which is a fraction small than the reverse..

Actually, on thinking further, it probably would be about right size-wise although depends on the rider and wingspan/leg length vs torso. So if a 170cm rider is long-legged then a 53/54cm may be more appropriate.
Last edited by 10speedsemiracer on Tue Oct 23, 2018 1:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby 10speedsemiracer » Tue Oct 23, 2018 1:17 pm

Will you be looking to fit racks or guards ? And does it necessarily need to be a drop bar config?
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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby Happyhunting » Tue Oct 23, 2018 2:31 pm

Would like drop bar due to more speed.
racks am not sure about as yet

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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby 10speedsemiracer » Tue Oct 23, 2018 2:58 pm

Happyhunting wrote:Would like drop bar due to more speed.
racks am not sure about as yet
OK, that will affect the purchase to an extent.

As a starting point, this seems to be approximately the right size, and would be a nice speedy commuter if we could get some slightly bigger rubber in there. Good value introduction into cycle-commuting, as the likelihood is that if you continue with it, you'll probably be looking at higher-level upgrade-itis within 12 mths or so and this bike doesn't represent an excessive investment.

Image

The ad is here : https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/malvern ... 1198841692

Looking at the photos, and assuming there are 25mm tyres on there now I think we could probably squeeze some 28mm Maxxis ReFuse tyres in there (or something similar).
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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby Happyhunting » Tue Oct 23, 2018 3:19 pm

thanks

How much is this new?

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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby 10speedsemiracer » Tue Oct 23, 2018 3:34 pm

Happyhunting wrote:thanks

How much is this new?
Would have been over $1000 but is a few years old now, however that won't affect the functionality of the bike if the bits (specifically the shifters) are in good condition. I would recommend having the bike checked over, and personally I would replace all cables/cable housing, grease up the wheel hubs and headset, and probably swap the brake pads out for some SwissStop pads in readiness for Canterbury Rd.

(On that note, I found that avoiding Canterbury rd and coming thru the back streets of Blackburn South from Forest Hill was much better for my nerves and not being squished by Ventura buses. Would scoot down Bindy Street, across Blackburn Rd to Marama St (?) and then Sandgate Ave-Orchard Gve-Edinburgh Rd-Aberdeen Rd-Perth St which would then bring me out onto Middleborough rd sort of near the Bunnings and then along there to the trail).
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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby 10speedsemiracer » Tue Oct 23, 2018 4:39 pm

Having just read the ad again, I note it has 23c tyres so 28s may be a push (or squeeze) but should be able to get 25s in there without too much drama.
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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby Happyhunting » Tue Oct 23, 2018 9:25 pm


CKinnard
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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby CKinnard » Tue Oct 23, 2018 9:30 pm

Happyhunting wrote:https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GIANT-DEFY- ... 3217856614

hi guys
how do you like this bike?
triple chainrings are cr@p.
frame size too small

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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby 10speedsemiracer » Tue Oct 23, 2018 9:51 pm

Happyhunting wrote:https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GIANT-DEFY- ... 3217856614

hi guys
how do you like this bike?
As ckinnard has said, too small, and triples for road bikes are not ideal. Also it has 2.75 days to go and is already sitting at $355, so will probably go for too much currency.
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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby Happyhunting » Wed Oct 24, 2018 10:58 am

thanks guys

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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby Paddles » Wed Oct 24, 2018 12:16 pm

HH, check out all the entry level endurance road bike offerings from the big name brands. The market is almost perfectly competitive for this type of bike so they are specc'd very similar and priced very similar. Keep an eye on the second hand market for one of these bikes that is 1 to 3 years old and you will get the most savings and hopefully get a lightly used bike. There are very good bikes that are older, but you will need a skilled eye to make sure you don't buy something that needs a heap of coin spent on it.

All the entry level Shimano stuff is pretty good for what you're after, 105 is overkill but if you can get it on the right bike at the right price, take it. You should be able to get something really good for a price between $500 and $1000. And you should be able to get something brand new for around $1000 if you keep an eye out for specials. Remember your wish list always:
- carbon fork
- alloy frame
- room for 28mm tyres
- mounting points for racks/fenders
- Shimano gearset preferably at your price point
- Chainset is irrelevant at your price point

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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby kb » Wed Oct 24, 2018 1:14 pm

10speedsemiracer wrote:
Happyhunting wrote:
Happyhunting wrote:https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/knoxfie ... 1197693595

how do you guys reckon for this bike
also being 170cm .. is this suited for my height?
Hmm, I would think it's a fraction small at 51cm and would maybe be looking for a 53cm or thereabouts. That being said, it is easier to fit someone to a bike which is a fraction small than the reverse..

Actually, on thinking further, it probably would be about right size-wise although depends on the rider and wingspan/leg length vs torso. So if a 170cm rider is long-legged then a 53/54cm may be more appropriate.
At 1.68m and average flexibility, I find my 54cm CAAD10 a touch large but ok. My 51cm R3 disc felt just right but it really is pretty individual if you’re “between” sizes.
Edit: i’d call myself short backed, medium legged and long armed :-)
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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby 1Rowdy1 » Wed Oct 24, 2018 3:15 pm

"Roadworthy certificate", really? When did this become a "thing"

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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby 10speedsemiracer » Wed Oct 24, 2018 3:42 pm

1Rowdy1 wrote:
"Roadworthy certificate", really? When did this become a "thing"
My point exactly....koff, deceptive marketing crap, koff. And this one item on it's own would cause me to stay away from this muppet..
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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby 10speedsemiracer » Wed Oct 24, 2018 5:51 pm

Another possible for you HH, which is also another Avanti :

Image

ad is here : https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/montros ... 1196172418

came up as a similar ad below the original Avanti I'd linked. This looks like its had little to no use, and is acceptably priced however could probably be beaten down to $300-320, which leaves lots of currency for a tune up. I don't think it has 105 (possibly Sora) but it is at least one generation newer, possibly two. Think this may be a 2016 or even 2017 bike, and is well worth considering as a starting point, as when upgrade-itis kicks in, selling your original bike can often result in a significant loss if you started with a new bike.

This one appeals because is realtively new, simply specced with no nonsense Shimano r500 wheels (which aren't overly light but are quite durable), externally cabled shifting (just feels nicer) and a square taper bottom bracket (i.e. not PressFit) which is always a winner in my opinion. Alloy frame, and I think composite fork. Would be quite light and if serviced and tuned well would be a speedy little bike.
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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby Tim » Wed Oct 24, 2018 6:31 pm

10speedsemiracer wrote:
1Rowdy1 wrote:
"Roadworthy certificate", really? When did this become a "thing"
My point exactly....koff, deceptive marketing crap, koff. And this one item on it's own would cause me to stay away from this muppet..
That ad actually belongs to Alchemy Cycle Trader in Knoxfield, Vic.
https://www.alchemycycletrader.com.au/
They buy and sell second hand bikes. My brother sold an old Defy through them for quite a reasonable price.
The Roadworthy Certificate is a bit of a gimmick but not a bad idea I think, particularly for novice buyers. At least they know the bike won't fall apart on the first few rides.
My impression of the business is that they buy and sell bikes on commission at a fair price and ensure a "roadworthy" product.

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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby Ivanerrol » Wed Oct 24, 2018 9:40 pm

Cycling Deal in Dandenong South have these on special. $599.00

https://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/2017 ... ad-bi/R217

Full Shimano 10 speed 4700 groupset, Mavic rims. Continental tyres

You couldn't buy the individual components for that price.

Shimano 4700 is a very good set. Has the trickle down from 105 and Ultegra.

There's even a cheaper Sora equipped unit for less $399

https://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/2015 ... -bike/R317

Also. I've dealt with Alchemy in Wantirna. Sold a bike on consignment through them. Easy. Dropped the bike off, agreed on a sale price. Bike sold to someone interstate within a week. Money deposited in my account shortly after. They did all the cleaning up and servicing, foto ads and handled the finance.

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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby 10speedsemiracer » Wed Oct 24, 2018 10:30 pm

That Hasa Tiagra bike Ivanerrol linked is a very good deal.
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Re: commuting to work (35Km a day)

Postby RobertL » Thu Oct 25, 2018 12:09 pm

10speedsemiracer wrote:That Hasa Tiagra bike Ivanerrol linked is a very good deal.
I second that.

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