Bikes & Gear - Help L'arri choose his first bike and kit in 16 years

L'arriviste · « **Reply #30 on:** April 23, 2012, 14:52 »

OK, first off I want to thank everyone for their advice here. 8) Any of it that I didn't follow is my own fault and I will doubtless reap the consequences.

Now, you all deserve to know what the final outcomes were:

Tools etc

X-Tools Bike Tool Kit 18pc

Blackburn Air Tower 1

Pedals

In many ways, I would admit to being a Luddite. I do not like gadgets like smartphones and tablets and all that stuff. This will probably explain why I did not fancy Speedplay pedals which to me seem to be like slippery lollipops. Things may change, especially if I find that I have knee trouble in the coming months, but I have played it pretty safe with my selection.

Look Kéo Blade

Helmet

Haven't actually bought this yet but I already know it's the one I want. I (foolishly) thought it would be cheaper online than in the shop on Saturday but I was miles wrong.

I'm one of those people who looks frankly ridiculous in almost all helmets. This was a rare instance in which I looked reasonably OK. I liked the one-size adjustable fit and hey, if it's good enough for Lotto, it's good enough for me!

Lazer Genesis

Jersey shorts combo

I played safe here too after the humiliation of discovering my actual clothing size was way bigger than expected.

Castelli everything!

Shoes

I have wide feet, as I mentioned in the OP. I took advice from some of you and also from my brother and I tried on everything.

Northwave was a really good fit but the model of shoe I tried did not feel very secure on my feet - they seemed somehow insubstantial, though this may be part of their attraction on hot days.

The Sidi of today were very nice: same sort of detailing and quality that I remember. But the fact was that the narrowness of them was the same too. They made my feet look very small and dainty, which was kind of nice, but at the right size they pinched a bit even standing around in the shop.

I tried some midrange Mavic shoes and I did not like the retro football shoe look of them, quite apart from sole stiffness and whatnot. Not a big fan of that style, nor was I of the Shimano shoes they had in stock.

In the end, I choose Gaerne though the shop did not have the exact match of style and size. I ordered them online from Chain Reaction Cycles (free delivery to Belgium by no means making up for the extra expense of them, which runs contrary to the usual logic about online stores being cheaper).

Gaerne Mythos Red

Bike

In the end I decided not to spend so much on the bike. I was rather persuaded by the comments of Tone, DinZ, Benotti and others that it might be worth taking things on a "suck it and see" basis rather than splurging on something posh.

However, at the same time I wanted to ride a "nice" bike: something which was a distant dream when I was an impecunious junior struggling even to pay for a new tyre. I had always promised myself that, if and when I grew up, I would buy and ride something "nice". I had also promised myself on another count: to give myself a nice reward for getting through my recent medical business. ;D

I also chose to ignore one of the strongest lines of advice here, which was to get a CX bike (not least from users for whom I have quasi-subterranean depths of respect ;D).

There were several reasons for this, chief among which there were very few readily available CX bikes that were not very high spec. Up at Van Eyck Sport, for example, the CX bikes were more expensive than the road bikes and some of the more international brands, like the Kona rides that Dim suggested, were not available anywhere I visited here in Belgium.

I am, when all's said and done, a roadie at heart and I found it difficult to imagine myself starting out again on a 'cross machine, quite apart from all the benefits that have been nicely outlined by the kind souls above. A CX bike seemed like a fun alternative / second / winter machine but not entirely compatible with the dreamy visions I've been having of riding up the Galibier or the Tourmalet someday soon. I will definitely look at getting one for winter though, cashflow allowing.

Finally, the surprise inclusion of my other half in all my plans also swayed my decision. I had visualised the whole "return" as an entirely personal exercise but now I find that I will have an opportunity to share the experience with her. And I do not know how many times I must have banged on about road bikes, which she has never ridden (until now!), having been an MTB-er before her serious accident years ago.

So in the end, this is what I bought:

Canyon Ultimate CF 8.0 / Carbon, Athena

just some guy · « **Reply #31 on:** April 23, 2012, 14:58 »

Quote from: L'arriviste on April 23, 2012, 14:52

OK, first off I want to thank everyone for their advice here. 8) Any of it that I didn't follow is my own fault and I will doubtless reap the consequences.

Now, you all deserve to know what the final outcomes were:

Tools etc

X-Tools Bike Tool Kit 18pc

Blackburn Air Tower 1

Pedals

In many ways, I would admit to being a Luddite. I do not like gadgets like smartphones and tablets and all that stuff. This will probably explain why I did not fancy Speedplay pedals which to me seem to be like slippery lollipops. Things may change, especially if I find that I have knee trouble in the coming months, but I have played it pretty safe with my selection.

Look Kéo Blade

Helmet

Haven't actually bought this yet but I already know it's the one I want. I (foolishly) thought it would be cheaper online than in the shop on Saturday but I was miles wrong.

I'm one of those people who looks frankly ridiculous in almost all helmets. This was a rare instance in which I looked reasonably OK. I liked the one-size adjustable fit and hey, if it's good enough for Lotto, it's good enough for me!

Lazer Genesis

Jersey shorts combo

I played safe here too after the humiliation of discovering my actual clothing size was way bigger than expected.

Castelli everything!

Shoes

I have wide feet, as I mentioned in the OP. I took advice from some of you and also from my brother and I tried on everything.

Northwave was a really good fit but the model of shoe I tried did not feel very secure on my feet - they seemed somehow insubstantial, though this may be part of their attraction on hot days.

The Sidi of today were very nice: same sort of detailing and quality that I remember. But the fact was that the narrowness of them was the same too. They made my feet look very small and dainty, which was kind of nice, but at the right size they pinched a bit even standing around in the shop.

I tried some midrange Mavic shoes and I did not like the retro football shoe look of them, quite apart from sole stiffness and whatnot. Not a big fan of that style, nor was I of the Shimano shoes they had in stock.

In the end, I choose Gaerne though the shop did not have the exact match of style and size. I ordered them online from Chain Reaction Cycles (free delivery to Belgium by no means making up for the extra expense of them, which runs contrary to the usual logic about online stores being cheaper).

Gaerne Mythos Red

Bike

In the end I decided not to spend so much on the bike. I was rather persuaded by the comments of Tone, DinZ, Benotti and others that it might be worth taking things on a "suck it and see" basis rather than splurging on something posh.

However, at the same time I wanted to ride a "nice" bike: something which was a distant dream when I was an impecunious junior struggling even to pay for a new tyre. I had always promised myself that, if and when I grew up, I would buy and ride something "nice". I had also promised myself on another count: to give myself a nice reward for getting through my recent medical business. ;D

I also chose to ignore one of the strongest lines of advice here, which was to get a CX bike (not least from users for whom I have quasi-subterranean depths of respect ;D).

There were several reasons for this, chief among which there were very few readily available CX bikes that were not very high spec. Up at Van Eyck Sport, for example, the CX bikes were more expensive than the road bikes and some of the more international brands, like the Kona rides that Dim suggested, were not available anywhere I visited here in Belgium.

I am, when all's said and done, a roadie at heart and I found it difficult to imagine myself starting out again on a 'cross machine, quite apart from all the benefits that have been nicely outlined by the kind souls above. A CX bike seemed like a fun alternative / second / winter machine but not entirely compatible with the dreamy visions I've been having of riding up the Galibier or the Tourmalet someday soon. I will definitely look at getting one for winter though, cashflow allowing.

Finally, the surprise inclusion of my other half in all my plans also swayed my decision. I had visualised the whole "return" as an entirely personal exercise but now I find that I will have an opportunity to share the experience with her. And I do not know how many times I must have banged on about road bikes, which she has never ridden (until now!), having been an MTB-er before her serious accident years ago.

So in the end, this is what I bought:

Canyon Ultimate CF 8.0 / Carbon, Athena

Nice

and as I like to say gear is good 8)

benotti69 · « **Reply #32 on:** April 23, 2012, 15:37 »

Congrats L'arri.

Looking forward to a ride report or 2, 'L'arri's Ardennes'.

What is the better half getting?

L'arriviste · « **Reply #33 on:** April 23, 2012, 16:13 »

Quote from: benotti69 on April 23, 2012, 15:37

Congrats L'arri.

Looking forward to a ride report or 2, 'L'arri's Ardennes'.

What is the better half getting?

Well, it's very His n' Hers

benotti69 · « **Reply #34 on:** April 23, 2012, 16:26 »

Quote from: L'arriviste on April 23, 2012, 16:13

Well, it's very His n' Hers

love is matching canyons :-*

;D

mew · « **Reply #35 on:** April 23, 2012, 19:47 »

VERY nice choices L'arri
you will look simply stunning out on the road :-* :-*

what fun!! now enjoy!

Dim · « **Reply #36 on:** April 23, 2012, 21:01 »

At least you didnt buy a trek

ZamanAbbaticchio · « **Reply #37 on:** April 23, 2012, 21:27 »

Parrulo also orderd a canyon.

DinZ · « **Reply #38 on:** April 23, 2012, 23:58 »

Very Nice Larry

you are going to have fun

have to agree though, cycling clothing sizes are designed by evil people. ;D i know you are healthier than me so probably not as large but there was nothing worse than confidently picking up the large shorts then not being able to get them past my knees.

it only gets worse if you buy from asian online sites where the sizes are even smaller :-[

and of course we now want action shots of you and the missus on some steep belgium hills

I did not get to try a Canyon when i was looking at bikes, not sure if they just do not sell them here or i just went to the wrong shops. Have heard they are good bikes and that you can get a lot of bike for your money.

DinZ · « **Reply #39 on:** April 24, 2012, 00:06 »

Also looks like you put some more thought into all the gear. i went for the what id the cheapest thing in each category approach. Some very nice stuff, really like the shoes

AG · « **Reply #40 on:** April 24, 2012, 01:39 »

I am really happy for you L'arri, that you bought a bike and gear that you are happy with, and that your other half will share that experience with you.

Is always more fun

DinZ · « **Reply #41 on:** April 24, 2012, 01:48 »

Quote from: AG on April 24, 2012, 01:39

I am really happy for you L'arri, that you bought a bike and gear that you are happy with, and that your other half will share that experience with you.

Is always more fun

Jeez, riding my bike is the only alone time i get in my life..... ;D

benotti69 · « **Reply #42 on:** April 24, 2012, 11:40 »

L'arri, a question? Curious to know your total outlay was for someone to get back into cycling from scratch. at a serious 'get fit/enjoyment/serious fun level' (for want of better expressions), not including your partner?

Edit; your budget seemed to be around €3000

L'arriviste · « **Reply #43 on:** April 24, 2012, 14:17 »

First off a big thank you to everyone again (EDIT: which I have done with the Thank You option), this time for your kind wishes. I have passed on the sentiments to my other half too (she does not 'do' Internet forums and social networking and all that) and she was very amused by the responses.

Size does matter

I should qualify that we do not yet have the bikes because they are now in the process of being built by Canyon. Big respect to them already: they correctly deduced a problem with the measurements I submitted online and got back to me with their recalculations.

Canyon's online ordering system requires you to do lots of measurements involving rulers and level gauges which you have to submit online in order for them to figure out your frame size etc. It appears that I mis-measured one of my required inputs and, in typical German style, they picked up on it immediately.

When my other half spoke to them this morning, they told her that they had figured out my size anyway and they were really just emailing her to tell her that. What's pretty embarassing is that I blindly submitted the data without converting the recommended frame size to inches because I do not know what number of centimetres would sound right.

If I had seen 19 inches on the screen, I would have been alerted to the problem before submitting. Instead I saw 52cm (which meant nothing to me coming from the imperial measures of the UK) and I didn't bother to check. So now, with Canyon's corrections, I'm going to get 56cm / 22in, which sounds more like the right figure! ;D

So, good on Canyon then. That's a plus in their favour already. ;D

Cost of startup

Quote from: benotti69 on April 24, 2012, 11:40

L'arri, a question? Curious to know your total outlay was for someone to get back into cycling from scratch. at a serious 'get fit/enjoyment/serious fun level' (for want of better expressions), not including your partner?

Edit; your budget seemed to be around €3000

Now on to Benotti's question. How much did all this cost? Well now, I should say that I did not list above every single thing I bought at the weekend.

There were also: spare tube (I'll be on clinchers), 3 x CO2 canisters, micropump, socks x 2 pairs (Castelli), a turbo trainer, bottle, bottle cages, lube, hot hot hot embro, base layer, mini bike stand, cleaning substances, two jerseys, another pair of shorts and a ParkTool maintenance book. I am not even sure that covers the whole list. ;D

With all this - and mainly thanks to cutting the cost of the bike by about €600 by dropping down from Chorus to Athena - I am still coming in under €3,000, albeit not much less. I have not included the last big outlay of the Garmin Edge 800, which will be between €3-400 but which I consider essential here in a country whose walking paths I know very well but whose roads I have yet to know much about. 8)

DinZ · « **Reply #44 on:** April 25, 2012, 05:54 »

Quote from: benotti69 on April 24, 2012, 11:40

L'arri, a question? Curious to know your total outlay was for someone to get back into cycling from scratch. at a serious 'get fit/enjoyment/serious fun level' (for want of better expressions), not including your partner?

Edit; your budget seemed to be around €3000

for me, in a similar situation but different country i think i came in at around $2000 dollars all in. the gear costs more than you think, even taking the cheapest option on everything i think i spent $6-700 on top of the cost of the bike

L'arriviste · « **Reply #45 on:** April 25, 2012, 06:50 »

Quote from: DinZ on April 25, 2012, 05:54

for me, in a similar situation but different country i think i came in at around $2000 dollars all in. the gear costs more than you think, even taking the cheapest option on everything i think i spent $6-700 on top of the cost of the bike

Very true. I thought it would just be the inflation in the 16 years since last I bought anything but it was still a lot in the end. On the other hand, I dug out the last two jerseys I kept from back then and it is certainly true that today's fabrics are a lot better!

blutto · « **Reply #46 on:** April 25, 2012, 21:04 »

...Happy Trails...err..Road to you and yours...this was a most wonderful thing to be involved in...thank you for inviting us on your journey....I certainly enjoyed it, as I'm sure everyone did...too bad we can't all get together for a beer at the bike warming party...please hoist one for us that can't make it...

Cheers

blutto

L'arriviste · « **Reply #47 on:** April 26, 2012, 08:14 »

Quote from: blutto on April 25, 2012, 21:04

...Happy Trails...err..Road to you and yours...this was a most wonderful thing to be involved in...thank you for inviting us on your journey....I certainly enjoyed it, as I'm sure everyone did...too bad we can't all get together for a beer at the bike warming party...please hoist one for us that can't make it...

Cheers

blutto

Thanks, blu! When the machines (I love to call bikes "machines") arrive, I will take some pics and add them to the "Post your rides" thread.

However, there will be none of me in the "Pix of YOU, your kit, you & your bike, or WHATEVER....." until such time as I've lost a bit of excess weight.

DinZ · « **Reply #48 on:** April 26, 2012, 09:12 »

Quote from: L'arriviste on April 26, 2012, 08:14

Thanks, blu! When the machines (I love to call bikes "machines") arrive, I will take some pics and add them to the "Post your rides" thread.

However, there will be none of me in the "Pix of YOU, your kit, you & your bike, or WHATEVER....." until such time as I've lost a bit of excess weight.

jeez if only i was so considerate...

L'arriviste · « **Reply #49 on:** April 26, 2012, 19:31 »

Check out the new arrival!

benotti69 · « **Reply #50 on:** April 26, 2012, 21:22 »

Quote from: L'arriviste on April 26, 2012, 19:31

Check out the new arrival!

Bling!!!!!! my eyes!! 8)

mew · « **Reply #51 on:** April 27, 2012, 00:23 »

Quote from: L'arriviste on April 26, 2012, 19:31

Check out the new arrival!

wow flashy! :-*

mew · « **Reply #52 on:** April 27, 2012, 00:24 »

it's been very exciting with this whole process

almost as much fun as getting our own gear L'arri!
Thanx for sharing it all with us...and I'll bet your wife is/was amused. We are a funny little band here... 8)

DinZ · « **Reply #53 on:** April 27, 2012, 00:32 »

Quote from: mew on April 27, 2012, 00:24

it's been very exciting with this whole process

almost as much fun as getting our own gear L'arri!
Thanx for sharing it all with us...and I'll bet your wife is/was amused. We are a funny little band here... 8)

Almost. cause nothing is quite as good as getting your own new gear....

AG · « **Reply #54 on:** April 27, 2012, 00:35 »

Nice!!!!

DinZ · « **Reply #55 on:** April 27, 2012, 00:37 »

Quote from: L'arriviste on April 26, 2012, 19:31

Check out the new arrival!

wow, imagine the blur when spinning a gear.

Hope your other half got decent sun glasses

L'arriviste · « **Reply #56 on:** April 27, 2012, 08:41 »

Actually, getting all furrow-browed about it, these Gaerne shoes were the only ones that fit my wide feet at the same time as actually "holding" them. But I must admit that the left one feels ever so slightly too tight while the right one is perfect. Strange feet. Hopefully they'll expand a tiny bit over time. ;D

just some guy · « **Reply #57 on:** April 27, 2012, 08:45 »

Quote from: L'arriviste on April 27, 2012, 08:41

Actually, getting all furrow-browed about it, these Gaerne shoes were the only ones that fit my wide feet at the same time as actually "holding" them. But I must admit that the left one feels ever so slightly too tight while the right one is perfect. Strange feet. Hopefully they'll expand a tiny bit over time. ;D

Take out the insole in the tight shoe, see if that feels better ?

If so get a really thin insole to replace it.

Yo do not want them too tight , as your feet can go numb.

L'arriviste · « **Reply #58 on:** April 27, 2012, 08:55 »

Quote from: just some guy on April 27, 2012, 08:45

Take out the insole in the tight shoe, see if that feels better ?

If so get a really thin insole to replace it.

Yo do not want them too tight , as your feet can go numb.

Yes, I think I'll have to do that, jsg, thanks. Which is a shame because the Gaerne insoles are lovely.

benotti69 · « **Reply #59 on:** April 27, 2012, 09:03 »

Quote from: L'arriviste on April 27, 2012, 08:55

Yes, I think I'll have to do that, jsg, thanks. Which is a shame because the Gaerne insoles are lovely.

Have you checked to see if Gaerne do alternative, ie slimmer, insoles?

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