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bobfish

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Posts posted by bobfish

  1. I apologise in advance if you know all of this already:

    It may be possible at your price point Bt10000 to get a mid-range folding bike. Perhaps second hand.

    Bear in mind that the maximum rated weight may be system [total] weight rather than rider weight. If you consider the usual triumvate of strong/lightweight/cheap wherein you can only pick two, I'd suggest you should er on the strength side and decide what you need more of from the other two. On the cheap scale, the top of the range Decathlon at Bt6000 is a good example: Decathlon have a good reputation for value, but note that while this bike has an alloy frame, the fork and low end components are steel. That gives strength, but lots of weight which may impinge on the portability and ride experience. And rust, plenty of rust.  At mid range, the usual suspects of Dahon and the family related company Tern have a great reputation. Tern's locking mechanism is very sound, but these will blow your budget when you add the better components. At the high end; Brompton/ Airnimal etc are high quality and with prices to match. 
    Your likely use should drive your decision as well; throwing into the boot[trunk] is a little different to commuting on the BTS, and you may get away with a minibike or something like a Montague. 

    It may be worth avoiding a sticker engineered bike like Lamborghini, Chevrolet, Jeep etc unless you know the original maker..... something like Hummer by Monague for example. Or Peugeot by ummm... Peugeot!
    I tested many bikes a few years back and almost bought a Montague as a travel bike. In the end though, I bought a Ritchey Breakaway as that suited my needs best.

    Good luck and enjoy your ride!

  2. Decathlon are on a bit of a roll at the moment with their new bike /[brand] offerings. The Rockrider/Triban/BTwin ranges may not set the world on fire, but always represent great value. And the new Van Rysel road bikes are getting great reviews.

     

    This AM100S Rockrider looks interesting. The previous version was pretty much considered a dog. The latest version looks to have been totally reworked by someone who actually rides "All Mountain"; short stem, wide bars and the head angle slackened to 66deg. Details are sketchy, but it looks like they've thankfully dropped the [silly for an AM anyway] remote suspension hoohaa and included a remote dropper post - that'll be the left bar lever the OP saw.

     

    The rear shock looks like a Manitou McLeod which I know zero about, but is probably okay. I think I'd look at rotating the shock 180deg to avoid pinched fingers when making adjustments on the fly. The Rockshox 35 RL apparently uses a basic version of the respected debonair spring, so is very likely the best fork at that price point. Rockshox/Fox vs Manitou? I used to love my old Manitou Dorado DH forks, but the company continued downhill[!] and into receivership. The resurrection by Hayes doesn't seem to have been a roaring success so far.

     

    The SRAM NX drivetrain might be agricultural compared to Shimano, but will keep working in the mud. Lastly, given the unsophisticated single pivot suspension set up, 29er is probably the way to go to help with rolling over obstacles.

     

    Overall, looks like a steal at that price point.

     

    Edit: I see the OP photo shows High Roller II tyres! Amazing.

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  3. I don't know of any better way to watch...

    Enough crashes already, but kudos to the teams for neutralising the dangerous wet and slippery downhill section.

    I'm all for spectacular racing, but maybe the UCI children will grow a pair and take some responsibility for rider safety.

    Meantime straight into the climbs today!

  4. Bianchi is of course classic, especially in the celeste colour. I'm such a tragic I went out of my way in Milan to hang out at their cafe and drool [messy while drinking espresso]. 

    I know nothing about Kaze. But a carbon frame vs the 6061 alloy Bianchi and the lighter wheelset can't be ignored.  

    If you want a climbing bike, choose the Kaze.

    If you want to look at your bike after the climb, shooting Insta while sipping a latte: you've just got to get the Bianchi!

    If these are your two choices, it may be heart over head. Or not!

  5. Yes, you should just buy what you prefer. 

    I own bikes with/without compact gearing. And bikes with/without disc brakes. Hence I have my own personal preference based on my experience. When I first got into road riding [in my 50's!] I too was a bit confronted by the gearing. There are certainly climbs near you that I'd like something easier than 34/32, or even [1:1] 34/34 ['The Giant' springs to mind]. But I've found it is worth persevering with the gearing as you do adapt. As they say, "It never gets easier, just faster". I've got a very lightweight frame [rim braked!] laying about that I'm considering building into a climbing bike. I'll probably go for a 1x crank - but that's another story.

    Enjoy whatever you decide.

  6. Either bike with a Shimano 105 groupset is probably okay. Good information already. As well as weight considerations, I'd probably add that for climbing you may wish to go for a compact crankset [50/34]. Not all Shimano 105 is equal: some bikes on special still come with older 5800 series rather than the newer 7000. As well, check that the rear deraileur is GS [medium cage] spec to handle a wider gear range. Shimano say the GS5800 will work to 32 teeth and the GS7000 to 34. But practically that can be pushed further with a longer B-screw, or as noted earlier, a roadlink extension. I wouldn't get tooo bogged down pushing the envelope: 34/32 is overkill for Doi Suthep.

    I think the Kaze comes with Tektro rim brakes - okay, but not as good as 105. I personally wouldn't buy either of these bikes though, as my preference would be for disc brakes.

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  7. I've had a good run with Moon lights. Had one rear Nebula fail, but it was replaced for free. Front X-Power [separate battery pack] is BRIGHT, so I have to ensure it doesn't annoy or dazzle. 

    Generally I only use a rear light in the daytime and have been using a Fly6 for quite a while. The inbuilt camera might only let the coroner know who ran me over, but it has been handy on occasion. Battery life is only around 3-4hrs, so not nearly as good as the Moon for longer rides. 

  8. On 5/27/2020 at 11:19 AM, elgenon said:

    5555 bikers = bicyclists

     

    I don't understand your points at all. You are just being argumentative. Sorry I rolled the stone off you.

    No stone unturned..... My impression was that you were interpreting other's replies as an argumentative victim. I just couldn't resist a dig then at your own ambiguous grammar. So, sorry if my feeble attempt at ironic sarcasm offended. I do understand from my American friends that irony and taking the P155 can be confusing. My profound apologies.

     

    And: Oxford English Dictionary: "Biker" [n] . A cyclist. A person who rides a bicycle. Yep, separated by a common language and I assume your vision of bikers conjures up visions and aromas of sweat, leather and sleazy bars. Lucky you. Tomato/tomato - can we now just get along with our lives? Kind regards, Bob the Biker.

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  9. Steve73 has pretty much summed up your options without some sort of custom semi-permanent set up. How successful depends a bit on the car. I've carried bikes on cars from 911 to Limo, 4wd to Van: I don't like the removable trunk racks, not so stable and inhibit trunk access. Towbar mounts are great if you already have the towbar fitted..... otherwise it can get expensive quickly. I'm now on my third set of Thule Pro Ride bike carriers. I use these with roof bars, but some people attach to the pickup bed. Not the cheapest option, but I think the best compromise. Bikes can be loaded without removing wheels. Loading/unloading is quick and easy. Downsides:  is it is quite a reach on a 4wd wagon, like SC says; need to remember the height before underpasses, garages etc! some wind noise at highway speed, but not alarming.

     

  10. 34 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

    what amazes me is that so many of these Lycra team colours are dark and do not reflect, so they are riding without the protection of hi viz.  A bit stupid really. Saw a chap yesterday on his bike  in all black?  Cool looking but hardly appropriate. 

    That's a fair point. Fashion victims and Rapha is guilty of pushing it. 

  11. On 5/7/2020 at 10:36 PM, Pilotman said:

    I guess that anyone who sits for hours having his knackers squashed to death on a thin strip of leather, is allowed to be a bit grumpy.  I know that I would be.  

    Not really how a bicycle seat works. Not blissful, but much more comfortable than a couple of hours strapped to one of Mssrs Martin & Baker's finest.

    • Haha 1
  12. On 5/23/2020 at 6:49 AM, pineapple01 said:

    Fortunately their rudeness has a price.Its only a matter of time before a pack of Soi Dogs get him, a tired Taxi Driver or anyone else who doesn't use the road as a free Gym brings home the message that no one likes these fancy dress idiots.

     

    On 5/19/2020 at 8:56 PM, Flyfish said:

    Sheer testosterone fuelled arrogance,a product of the “look at me generation”, but now quickly being adopted by anyone who can buy 

    Lycra with logos and has sufficient imagination to believe they are a professional cyclist.   My experience of UK ,but seen also in Hua Hin where my neighbour and his pals all wear “teamcolours” and take it in turns to “set the pace” .....to be fair,Ive not seen them on their road race,and perhaps are exceedingly polite?

    Like the boring Farangs at the bar in faded football team colours...? Pro's every one.  Most cyclists don't wear lycra to look cool, I know I can't carry that off. ????  A lot of cyclewear comes in team colours. If a rider likes a team and chooses to wear the same sponsored gear? So what. Helps that it is usually brightly coloured for visibilty.... Do cyclists think they're pro just because they are dressed in practical attire? Does the Barfly think he's what's-his-name from Man U? Probably no more than the golfing dude in a Nike T-shirt thinks he's Tiger Woo'. Guessing all are just wearing attire that is comfortably efficient for the task at hand. Get a grip Gents, please.

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