[dazzapb]

Was tempted to use cycle2 work scheme to update my steed.
I used the scheme back in 2009 and then there was a VAT saving.

Still the limit is 3k and cost to me 2k.

Looking at bikes in the 3k bracket. Goodness me what has happened all of them are 105 based and average wheelsets etc.

Presume this is the world we live in now.

Last year I was so tempted to get a 2020 cervelo r5 from 9k to 5k and wow everything was top end. Latest dura Ace di2 and components all over.

Guess those days are gone!

My current bike is a 2014 canyon ultimate slx di2 and I'd be looking approx 5k to get same spec but paid 3k.

[Ennoch]

Originally Posted by moonshine

The 2022 Heckler is all new and reportedly rides like an eHightower and has a large 720Wh battery. due April / May
Yes, my Hightower is a C carbon 29er …. It rides lovely…. An i love the classic colour scheme

Those old Santa Cruz colour of late 00's/early 10's were brilliant and had some real pop. The Amarillo yellow of my MT is growing on me but it still isn't lurid enough IMO!

Aye, the 2022 Heckler is definitely a step above their last gen and that was already a brilliant all round bike. I know a few guys who have been riding the new one and do really enjoy it. Hopefully there won't be any delays and you'll get a good summer on it! One thing I would do is junk the stock brake pads and fit Galfer Purples to it, they work so much better than anything else, especially with the weight of an ebike to slow down. I run them in the V4's and on the MT and they're utterly brilliant.

[BBri89]

Originally Posted by dazzapb

Was tempted to use cycle2 work scheme to update my steed.
I used the scheme back in 2009 and then there was a VAT saving.

Still the limit is 3k and cost to me 2k.

Looking at bikes in the 3k bracket. Goodness me what has happened all of them are 105 based and average wheelsets etc.

Presume this is the world we live in now.

Last year I was so tempted to get a 2020 cervelo r5 from 9k to 5k and wow everything was top end. Latest dura Ace di2 and components all over.

Guess those days are gone!

My current bike is a 2014 canyon ultimate slx di2 and I'd be looking approx 5k to get same spec but paid 3k.

Yup, to get my next bike up it's looking like £6-8k, depending when I get it (ie now, or in day 3 years when I've saved up, by which time it'll probably be £12k)

It's madness. Although 105 is a pretty incredible groupset considering, especially compared to Ultegra of the 2010s, but still.

Even the ever popular eBikes aren't anywhere near expensive compared to a pretty mid-range roadie

[BBri89]

I suppose it's all relative actually… this popped up on my Instagram.

Makes an £8k bike sound positively cheap.

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by BBri89

I suppose it's all relative actually… this popped up on my Instagram.

Makes an £8k bike sound positively cheap.

Amongst a lot of very expensive stuff, £5k for a crankset

[BBri89]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

Amongst a lot of very expensive stuff, £5k for a crankset

I know right! It'd have to be a lot more than a power meter crankset at that price

[SkyJawa]

Covid happened. Everyone wanted bikes, you were lucky to get anything at all for a year or so, not much better in year 2, long waits too!

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by dazzapb

Was tempted to use cycle2 work scheme to update my steed.
I used the scheme back in 2009 and then there was a VAT saving.

Still the limit is 3k and cost to me 2k.

Looking at bikes in the 3k bracket. Goodness me what has happened all of them are 105 based and average wheelsets etc.

Presume this is the world we live in now.

Last year I was so tempted to get a 2020 cervelo r5 from 9k to 5k and wow everything was top end. Latest dura Ace di2 and components all over.

Guess those days are gone!

My current bike is a 2014 canyon ultimate slx di2 and I'd be looking approx 5k to get same spec but paid 3k.

Our scheme has a limit of £2.5K so I've decided I need to get new components for my commute to work. Deep section Campag Bora wheels. On a Colnago....

As A higher rate taxpayer it's a no-brainer.

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by BBri89

I suppose it's all relative actually… this popped up on my Instagram.

Makes an £8k bike sound positively cheap.

That would be utterly ruined after a couple of rides in Bonny Scotland with its 3rd world roads & 'lovely' summer weather

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

Covid happened. Everyone wanted bikes, you were lucky to get anything at all for a year or so, not much better in year 2, long waits too!

I know - I needed a new cassette & chainrings last year, it was a bugger to get them at all, had to eventually downgrade the cassette to 105 and take a less-than ideal 12-28t just to keep going. A bit of a struggle for ageing legs on the steep bits!

[SantaEugence]

Everyone been out enjoying the lovely weather?

Went for a nice ride in the Cotswolds on the weekend. Sadly the chain dropped on the inside and chewed up my lovely carbon frame a bit but other than that lovely ride

[TouringPleb]

First ride of the year outside for me. Wasn't pretty but got there!

Over the winter I've been using a Watt bike in the gym, doing sessions up to 90 minutes on it. Going out on the road bike felt very different. Felt it much more in my hamstrings.

Probably going to pay for today when I'm at work tonight!

[SantaEugence]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

First ride of the year outside for me. Wasn't pretty but got there!

Over the winter I've been using a Watt bike in the gym, doing sessions up to 90 minutes on it. Going out on the road bike felt very different. Felt it much more in my hamstrings.

Probably going to pay for today when I'm at work tonight!

Well done! Today was three for me, all within the last few weeks. For me it was the ass ache from not being used to the saddle

[Blacktemplar]

Went out at the weekend, only the second time this year and haven't been on the turbo as I've been doing more swimming. Last time I rode any distance was in early September 2021. Also been struggling in the wake of a not-COVID (according to LF) cough so not exactly at peak preparation.

Well, the drugs may work but the legs certainly don't - 60km at a leisurely 25km/h on a not dreadfully hilly route (700m climbing) and I was utterly burst on Sunday. Aggravated an old tendon injury in my ankle as well, so no swimming to ease off muscles.

Getting too old for this...

[BBri89]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

First ride of the year outside for me. Wasn't pretty but got there!

Over the winter I've been using a Watt bike in the gym, doing sessions up to 90 minutes on it. Going out on the road bike felt very different. Felt it much more in my hamstrings.

Probably going to pay for today when I'm at work tonight!

I know the pain of that. Managed thousands of miles on the bike no issue, never dropped the chain, then one day as I'm turning off the main road into a side road, car starts to pull out on me, and as i was shifting gears at the time I just sat up and straightened the bike and something happened and I dropped the chain, but as I stopped peddling it gouged a chunk of carbon.

Megapissed. But apparently it's superficial and not structurally damaged, so I've taped it up for now but might get it repaired over winter next year.

[SkyJawa]

Been out most weekdays of the year so far, only time I hit the indoor bike when it’s minus degrees or absolutely soaking outside, oh and when stupid days turn up at work that are just filled with meetings.

Had last week off with covid though

[XAlp]

Did my first “training” ride Tuesday. About 42k and 200-odd metres of up.
In September I’m hoping to be fit / capable enough to join my work 3 day charity ride from Felinfach (Aberaeron) to HQ in Cambridge. Seems day 1 is 85 miles and 3000m of up…. 😱

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by XAlp

Did my first “training” ride Tuesday. About 42k and 200-odd metres of up.
In September I’m hoping to be fit / capable enough to join my work 3 day charity ride from Felinfach (Aberaeron) to HQ in Cambridge. Seems day 1 is 85 miles and 3000m of up…. 😱

Are you using NCN81 via Shrewsbury? All your climbing will be on Day 1 - lovely road, but very exposed in the wind.

[gangzoom]

Been commuting most weeks after been 'allowed' on the bike after the last fall. Last few weeks have done fat more commuter miles on the bike than car. The road bike hasn't been used for 12 months now though.

[JR1664]

Still Zwifting. 1200 miles, 80,000 feet and climbed Alpe d'Huez five times (got a badge )

My carbon supersix is sat there looking at me

This years road cycling pics might be a little boring until I scratch this itch.

[gangzoom]

Originally Posted by JR1664

This years road cycling pics might be a little boring until I scratch this itch.

I hit x3 pot holes yesterday despite my best efforts to avoid them, and a white van man decided to try a squeeze me into the kerb after mis judging how fast I was going - had to put brakes on sharpish. If I was on my road bike it would have been a puncture, followed by a destroyed DuraAce wheel, and stoppie/emergency unclipping with the added potential of an embrassing slow fall sideways.

Yeah the sun is out, but you aren't missing much with the awful state the roads are in and nutty drivers who think they are in a F1 race.

[mikeoz]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

Any guys on here know anything about road bikes?

With the gyms being closed I'm looking at getting out on a bike more, especially with the weather hopefully improving.

I've currently got a 6 year Boardman which is at the end of its life so I'm thinking of something new.

I'm more of a sportive type guy, going out on my own on rural roads doing 50-100km. Looking to spend around £2000-2500ish although hopefully this would be on O% finance.

Any recommendations guys?

And are Rutland Cycles any good? There's a couple near-ish to me.

Thanks.

Inbox !