Not me. I’ve been out the game on the whole since summer 2023 due to various ‘health issues’ but hoping to get back into this year.
Got the classic Hell of the Ashdown next month to get into some sort of shape for, and then aiming to do the ‘chase the sun’ ride this year.
Before the break I was in my best condition, having just completed the Dragon Ride. Now I’m worried about the work it’s going to take to get back to that!
So after living with my Trek Madone SL7 Gen 8 since September I decided a couple of weeks ago I wasn't in love with it and was never likely to be....
Test rode a Pinarello X7 yesterday and there was a massive difference. Instantly felt like "my" bike.
Collecting this beauty tomorrow. Negotiated a virtual straight swap so haven't got the hassle of selling a high end bike privately and putting up with loads of time wasters and nonsense low ball offers.
The new Pinarellos look much better than the previous models. I found the older Dogmas ugly - these look a lot less hideous. Hope you enjoy it.
Similar position to you - I've had a Soloist for a year, but I'm nowhere near as comfortable on it as my old S5. So much so, in fact, that I've managed to get the exct same model S5 that I had before - right down to the colour 🤣
I'm going to sell the Soloist - anybody interested, let me know. Probably look for 5k for it
Must be a new bike disease going around as I just picked up a new S Works. Had been looking at the SL8 for ages and, by chance, a guy in my cycling club said he was selling his SL7, only about a year old with 5000km on it, for a fraction of the price and new Zipp wheels, so I took that instead. Only issue is has a SRAM groupset and I’ve only ever ridden Shimano, so interesting to see the difference.
So after living with my Trek Madone SL7 Gen 8 since September I decided a couple of weeks ago I wasn't in love with it and was never likely to be....
Test rode a Pinarello X7 yesterday and there was a massive difference. Instantly felt like "my" bike.
Collecting this beauty tomorrow. Negotiated a virtual straight swap so haven't got the hassle of selling a high end bike privately and putting up with loads of time wasters and nonsense low ball offers.
Interesting the chap who sold me the S Works did so to as he’d just taken collection of the new Dogma F. He has it in a gold / blackish paint scheme but looks lovely. Hope you enjoy it as much as he’s loving his!
Must be a new bike disease going around as I just picked up a new S Works. Had been looking at the SL8 for ages and, by chance, a guy in my cycling club said he was selling his SL7, only about a year old with 5000km on it, for a fraction of the price and new Zipp wheels, so I took that instead. Only issue is has a SRAM groupset and I’ve only ever ridden Shimano, so interesting to see the difference.
What SRAM groupset is it? Have only ridden Rival and my experience was that it was bit more clunky on the shifts than Shimano, the battery life wasn't as good (although they are interchangeable so in theory you can carry a spare) and most importantly for me, the parts wear quicker and are more expensive and less plentiful than Shimano.
On the upside I found the XDR freehub much smoother than most Shimano specific freehubs. I am told they are easier to survice as well.
Must be a new bike disease going around as I just picked up a new S Works. Had been looking at the SL8 for ages and, by chance, a guy in my cycling club said he was selling his SL7, only about a year old with 5000km on it, for a fraction of the price and new Zipp wheels, so I took that instead. Only issue is has a SRAM groupset and I’ve only ever ridden Shimano, so interesting to see the difference.
For a quick and succinct review of SRAM, always refer to Bauke Mollema's opinion...
Fortunately, or unfortunately, it was my wife riding. She asked to take is for a mellow, social ride with her friends, before deciding if she liked it enough to buy one for herself. Hit a pothole and then into an oncoming motorbike at around 38-40km/h, who pulled out on her (and was going the wrong way!) Think he just misjudged how quickly the group were moving. Miraculously, no broken bones, just lots of bumps and bruises
No insurance as crash happened in Vietnam. Fortunately it looks like SRAM will replace the wheels and Specialized will supply new frame at a discount. Could have been a whole lot worse!
Ooooh - didn't know Fulcrum had started ripping off Zipp! Might have to look at those, got to be more cost effective than the 2 grand Zipp want for em
These are a much better option than the Zipp version imo. They have a mini hook on the rim so are compatible with all tyres rather than Zipp's policy of only building hookless rims, which massively limits tyre choice.
All I would say is that the minimum tyre width is 30mm, so if you don't ride wide tyres these won't be for you.
Lots of the Spanish and Italian wholesalers have them with hefty discounts. UK stock is non-existant.
I got them from Bikeinn in Spain for £1700 including delivery and all import taxes.
Delivery took 8 days and is via Parcel Force once they hit the UK.
Ooooh - didn't know Fulcrum had started ripping off Zipp! Might have to look at those, got to be more cost effective than the 2 grand Zipp want for em
These are a much better option than the Zipp version imo. They have a mini hook on the rim so are compatible with all tyres rather than Zipp's policy of only building hookless rims, which massively limits tyre choice.
All I would say is that the minimum tyre width is 30mm, so if you don't ride wide tyres these won't be for you.
Lots of the Spanish and Italian wholesalers have them with hefty discounts. UK stock is non-existant.
I got them from Bikeinn in Spain for £1700 including delivery and all import taxes.
Delivery took 8 days and is via Parcel Force once they hit the UK.
Screws my crit bike - can only get a 25 on the back of the S5 cos of the old style TIGHT rear triangle. Shouldn't be an issue on the Tarmac I'm getting though
Conti GP5000s, them. Got them on my race bike - grip rivalled only by Vittoria Corsa, but don't cut up like they're made of tissue paper like Corsas do 😏
Conti GP5000s, them. Got them on my race bike - grip rivalled only by Vittoria Corsa, but don't cut up like they're made of tissue paper like Corsas do 😏
They are the AS (All Season) version. Standard GP5000s get shredded by London Roads very quickly.
Conti GP5000s, them. Got them on my race bike - grip rivalled only by Vittoria Corsa, but don't cut up like they're made of tissue paper like Corsas do 😏
They are the AS (All Season) version. Standard GP5000s get shredded by London Roads very quickly.
Thanks for that. I'm looking for a new set of tyres soon, would you recommend them ? I only ride socially around country lanes around Orpington area and would prioritise puncture resistance and grip of any need for speed etc. Also what type of inner tube would you recommend ? Thanks in advance for any recommendations , all advice gratefully received. Current tyres came with the bike and are now around 3 years old do thinking of upgrading.
Conti GP5000s, them. Got them on my race bike - grip rivalled only by Vittoria Corsa, but don't cut up like they're made of tissue paper like Corsas do 😏
They are the AS (All Season) version. Standard GP5000s get shredded by London Roads very quickly.
Thanks for that. I'm looking for a new set of tyres soon, would you recommend them ? I only ride socially around country lanes around Orpington area and would prioritise puncture resistance and grip of any need for speed etc. Also what type of inner tube would you recommend ? Thanks in advance for any recommendations , all advice gratefully received. Current tyres came with the bike and are now around 3 years old do thinking of upgrading.
Yes, I really like them. Good puncture resistance and they roll nicely. Inner Tubes I just buy in bulk from Decathlon. Never bothered with the expensive variations. If you do go for these, just make sure you get the AS version or you will be standing at the roadside fixing punctures regularly!
Conti GP5000s, them. Got them on my race bike - grip rivalled only by Vittoria Corsa, but don't cut up like they're made of tissue paper like Corsas do 😏
They are the AS (All Season) version. Standard GP5000s get shredded by London Roads very quickly.
Thanks for that. I'm looking for a new set of tyres soon, would you recommend them ? I only ride socially around country lanes around Orpington area and would prioritise puncture resistance and grip of any need for speed etc. Also what type of inner tube would you recommend ? Thanks in advance for any recommendations , all advice gratefully received. Current tyres came with the bike and are now around 3 years old do thinking of upgrading.
Yes, I really like them. Good puncture resistance and they roll nicely. Inner Tubes I just buy in bulk from Decathlon. Never bothered with the expensive variations. If you do go for these, just make sure you get the AS version or you will be standing at the roadside fixing punctures regularly!
Conti GP5000s, them. Got them on my race bike - grip rivalled only by Vittoria Corsa, but don't cut up like they're made of tissue paper like Corsas do 😏
They are the AS (All Season) version. Standard GP5000s get shredded by London Roads very quickly.
Thanks for that. I'm looking for a new set of tyres soon, would you recommend them ? I only ride socially around country lanes around Orpington area and would prioritise puncture resistance and grip of any need for speed etc. Also what type of inner tube would you recommend ? Thanks in advance for any recommendations , all advice gratefully received. Current tyres came with the bike and are now around 3 years old do thinking of upgrading.
Don't bother with expensive inner tubes - I sometimes use latex for crits, but the benefit is minimal, and they don't deal at all well with regular roads. For tubes, avoid Conti ones - they come with removable valve cores so you can put extenders on, but they are NEVER tight enough, and if you forget to tighten them first almost always result in the valve coming unscrewed after you've pumped the tube up
Conti GP5000s, them. Got them on my race bike - grip rivalled only by Vittoria Corsa, but don't cut up like they're made of tissue paper like Corsas do 😏
They are the AS (All Season) version. Standard GP5000s get shredded by London Roads very quickly.
Thanks for that. I'm looking for a new set of tyres soon, would you recommend them ? I only ride socially around country lanes around Orpington area and would prioritise puncture resistance and grip of any need for speed etc. Also what type of inner tube would you recommend ? Thanks in advance for any recommendations , all advice gratefully received. Current tyres came with the bike and are now around 3 years old do thinking of upgrading.
Don't bother with expensive inner tubes - I sometimes use latex for crits, but the benefit is minimal, and they don't deal at all well with regular roads. For tubes, avoid Conti ones - they come with removable valve cores so you can put extenders on, but they are NEVER tight enough, and if you forget to tighten them first almost always result in the valve coming unscrewed after you've pumped the tube up
Has anyone had any experience of the new generation of 3D printed saddles? Have read lots of good reviews and Fizik, Specialized and Selle Italia now each have one wide enough for my sit bones.
Would be interested in real world feedback before shelling out on one.
Conti GP5000s, them. Got them on my race bike - grip rivalled only by Vittoria Corsa, but don't cut up like they're made of tissue paper like Corsas do 😏
They are the AS (All Season) version. Standard GP5000s get shredded by London Roads very quickly.
Thanks for that. I'm looking for a new set of tyres soon, would you recommend them ? I only ride socially around country lanes around Orpington area and would prioritise puncture resistance and grip of any need for speed etc. Also what type of inner tube would you recommend ? Thanks in advance for any recommendations , all advice gratefully received. Current tyres came with the bike and are now around 3 years old do thinking of upgrading.
I'd say GP5000s sound a bit extravagant for the rides you're doing. If you have the money, great 👍, but if I were you, I'd go for the Continental Ultrasport 3. A third of the price yet a very good all rounder
Comments
Got the classic Hell of the Ashdown next month to get into some sort of shape for, and then aiming to do the ‘chase the sun’ ride this year.
Test rode a Pinarello X7 yesterday and there was a massive difference. Instantly felt like "my" bike.
Collecting this beauty tomorrow. Negotiated a virtual straight swap so haven't got the hassle of selling a high end bike privately and putting up with loads of time wasters and nonsense low ball offers.
Similar position to you - I've had a Soloist for a year, but I'm nowhere near as comfortable on it as my old S5. So much so, in fact, that I've managed to get the exct same model S5 that I had before - right down to the colour 🤣
I'm going to sell the Soloist - anybody interested, let me know. Probably look for 5k for it
On the upside I found the XDR freehub much smoother than most Shimano specific freehubs. I am told they are easier to survice as well.
More importantly I hope the bike came off worse and you are ok!
Love the new Pinarello so much that I treated her to some new wheels. Fulcrum Sharq.
All I would say is that the minimum tyre width is 30mm, so if you don't ride wide tyres these won't be for you.
Lots of the Spanish and Italian wholesalers have them with hefty discounts. UK stock is non-existant.
I got them from Bikeinn in Spain for £1700 including delivery and all import taxes.
Delivery took 8 days and is via Parcel Force once they hit the UK.
Thanks in advance for any recommendations , all advice gratefully received. Current tyres came with the bike and are now around 3 years old do thinking of upgrading.
Would be interested in real world feedback before shelling out on one.