Cycling - NLC

[Mr Momo]

"Somewhat blew the budget....."

[ryallm]

I went into the bike shop the other week to buy a cheap winter training bike, £500 tops. Came out with a Cervelo R5 Ultegra Di2 with Mavic R-SYS SLR wheelset.

Good work Lovely bike, especially with those mega light wheels. I also have a set of Fulcrum Racing Ones for the Infinito - the Quattros it came with will be going on my winter bike eventually. The R3 was on my short list, along with the Cannondale Synapse and a few others, but the geometry didn't really suit my rather odd long leg/short torso body proportions - there is a big jump between the 58 and 61 R3 and neither were quite right in stack and reach for me. I do really like Cervelos though.

I see this is your 3rd Di equipped bike! My first and I must say it is taking a bit of getting used to, especially with winter gloves on. How did it take you to get totally comfortable with using the Di buttons?

Mark

[111Robin]

Love the Di2, so much so I wouldn't go back to mechanical. Agree it can be awkward with thick gloves on but still more pros than cons all round. It's just that you know it's going to shift accurately no matter how hard you're stamping on the pedals. This is the first time I've run it during the winter so will be interested to see if it remains as good when suffering from a bit of neglect. This is my first Cervelo, but fits like a glove, the shop does Retul bike fitting so it's set up just right for me. Is the Bianchi going to see winter use?

[mwmackenzie]

That Bianchi is stunning! Love the concept of electric shifters, supposidly lighter than mechanical too? does it run on batteries? if so do they have an early warning of running out? lol

[Doc883]

That Bianchi is stunning! Love the concept of electric shifters, supposidly lighter than mechanical too? does it run on batteries? if so do they have an early warning of running out? lol

Di2 weighs more than the equivalent mech groupset and yes it does run on batteries but if your out and run out of juice you can cycle home using the conventional method.

Complete group weights from lightest to heaviest:
1. Sram Red, 2125.6 grams
2. Campag Super Record, 2154.9 grams
3. Campag Record, 2263.7
4. Shimano 7900, 2277 grams
5. Campag Super Record EPS, 2285.4 grams
6. Shimano Dura Ace Di2, 2350.6 grams
7. Campag Chorus, 2352 grams
8. Sram Force, 2435.60 grams
9. Campag Record EPS, 2482 grams
10. Shimano 6700, 2529.2 grams
11. Shimano Ultegra DI2, 2619.3 grams

[Doc883]

Dipped my toe into the world of Cyclocross this winter and have competed in 3 events to date, 2 in the Scottish CX Series and 1 ad hoc. First 2 were on my 8 year old MTB then I bought the Cannondale for the 3rd event. Coming from a background of of XC running the CX is tough The bike makes a perfect winter trainer and could be described as all the bike you'll ever need:

[ryallm]

Love the Di2, so much so I wouldn't go back to mechanical. Agree it can be awkward with thick gloves on but still more pros than cons all round. It's just that you know it's going to shift accurately no matter how hard you're stamping on the pedals. This is the first time I've run it during the winter so will be interested to see if it remains as good when suffering from a bit of neglect. This is my first Cervelo, but fits like a glove, the shop does Retul bike fitting so it's set up just right for me. Is the Bianchi going to see winter use?

To be honest, not much winter use. Really bought it as my 'good' bike for mainly for spring/summer. I'll be using it for a few Uk sportives and have a couple of trips to the Alps planned this year.

[ryallm]

That Bianchi is stunning! Love the concept of electric shifters, supposidly lighter than mechanical too? does it run on batteries? if so do they have an early warning of running out? lol

Di2 weighs more than the equivalent mech groupset and yes it does run on batteries but if your out and run out of juice you can cycle home using the conventional method.

Complete group weights from lightest to heaviest:
1. Sram Red, 2125.6 grams
2. Campag Super Record, 2154.9 grams
3. Campag Record, 2263.7
4. Shimano 7900, 2277 grams
5. Campag Super Record EPS, 2285.4 grams
6. Shimano Dura Ace Di2, 2350.6 grams
7. Campag Chorus, 2352 grams
8. Sram Force, 2435.60 grams
9. Campag Record EPS, 2482 grams
10. Shimano 6700, 2529.2 grams
11. Shimano Ultegra DI2, 2619.3 grams

Remarkably there is no weight penalty at all now with the latest Shimano 2014 groupsets. Both the 2014 Dura Ace and Ultegra 6800 like mine with internal batteries mounted in the seatpost are actually marginally lighter than the mechanical versions of the same groupsets. There is a light to indicate the remaining battery charge, but it is supposed to last up to a couple of thousand miles of riding. I've only had the bike a week so I have yet to put that to the test. Froome and Wiggins have ridden Dura Ace Di to victory in the TDF the last 2 years though, so safe to say the technology is tried and tested.

Oh, and yes the Bianchi does look pretty gorgeous - up close the frame is simply brimming with beautiful design touches. Obviously I was concerned purely with the way it rides and was completely unswayed by such trivialities

[ryallm]

Dipped my toe into the world of Cyclocross this winter and have competed in 3 events to date, 2 in the Scottish CX Series and 1 ad hoc. First 2 were on my 8 year old MTB then I bought the Cannondale for the 3rd event. Coming from a background of of XC running the CX is tough The bike makes a perfect winter trainer and could be described as all the bike you'll ever need:

Nice bike I love cyclocross bikes - they are just such great all rounders.

[111Robin]

Love the Di2, so much so I wouldn't go back to mechanical. Agree it can be awkward with thick gloves on but still more pros than cons all round. It's just that you know it's going to shift accurately no matter how hard you're stamping on the pedals. This is the first time I've run it during the winter so will be interested to see if it remains as good when suffering from a bit of neglect. This is my first Cervelo, but fits like a glove, the shop does Retul bike fitting so it's set up just right for me. Is the Bianchi going to see winter use?

To be honest, not much winter use. Really bought it as my 'good' bike for mainly for spring/summer. I'll be using it for a few Uk sportives and have a couple of trips to the Alps planned this year.

Good idea, shame to run it through the winter. I'm taking the R5 to the Algarve in January for a winter training camp otherwise the Roubaix will be the winter workhorse. You won't regret getting the Di2. It's definitely worth a few extra grammes for the improved functionality.

[meatball]

Here's a question for the experts... what is the life expectancy of a bike? I appreciate parts wear out, and get replaced, but I guess a frame and components get to a point where it is uneconomical to keep replacing. So what sort of mileage have peeps managed to get out of a bike?

10 years, 30,000 miles plus out of my trek 4500.
Current felt z95 will be less than that!

[Scotty C]

treated myself to a new (second hand) MTB

[ClarkyBoy]

Glad to see you have bought a bike scotty, cant really see form the MASSIVE pic of the rear wheel, but is it a giant anthem?

looking forward to getting you out!

[C7Steve]

That's great that you have bought another mtb Scotty.

Looking forward in 'trying' to keep up with you on the downhill sections.

Hopefully we can get a day out soon and maybe head over to Tomintoul.

http://www.glenlivetestate.co.uk/things ... ke-trails/


Steve.

[s29ttc]

Dipped my toe into the world of Cyclocross this winter and have competed in 3 events to date, 2 in the Scottish CX Series and 1 ad hoc. First 2 were on my 8 year old MTB then I bought the Cannondale for the 3rd event. Coming from a background of of XC running the CX is tough The bike makes a perfect winter trainer and could be described as all the bike you'll ever need:

Looks fantastic! I have a cannondale road bike and love it!