New to cycling - Page 118

Syndrome · 28-12-2020, 08:05 PM

After today's ride I have hit 300 kilometers for the month of December. In the past I've never reached 200 km in a month so this is a HUGE achievement. And I plan to do one more ride on Wednesday.

I received a Garmin Vivosmart 4 for Christmas to complement my Garmin Edge 530.

prydey · 28-12-2020, 10:16 PM

Clocked up 10400km and 103000vm so far this year. Really happy with that. About 10kg lighter too.

Syndrome · 29-12-2020, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

Clocked up 10400km and 103000vm so far this year. Really happy with that. About 10kg lighter too.

Syndrome · 11-01-2021, 10:27 PM

Are Merida road bikes any good?

prydey · 11-01-2021, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Are Merida road bikes any good?

Yep.

Low end maybe nothing special but mid and high end decent enough. I'm talking frames etc. Everything else can be changed.

Having said that, I'm not sure if the average cyclist would even notice the differences. Pro level might but us mere mortals probably wouldn't.

prydey · 11-01-2021, 11:22 PM

I used to think they made specialized bikes but google tells me they just bought in to the company (49%).

**Peuty** · 12-01-2021, 10:48 AM

I bought the Mrs a Merida Scultura 400 about a year ago, and I gotta say, it's a bloomin' nice bike. Full 105 R7000 group set, carbon fork and hydraulic disc brakes. All for $1200. Bargain.

Syndrome · 12-01-2021, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

I bought the Mrs a Merida Scultura 400 about a year ago, and I gotta say, it's a bloomin' nice bike. Full 105 R7000 group set, carbon fork and hydraulic disc brakes. All for $1200. Bargain.

Friend of mine is looking at the Merida Scultura 400 as it is available whereas the equivalent Giant Contend AR1 has at least a three month wait. The Merida is retailing for $2399. How did you get yours for $1200?

**Peuty** · 12-01-2021, 12:00 PM

I suspect he means the 4000, not the 400.

Syndrome · 12-01-2021, 12:55 PM

https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-au/b...5/scultura-400

$1200 only gets the bottom of the range

https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-au/b...ultura-rim-100

**Peuty** · 12-01-2021, 01:20 PM

Pays to shop around I guess. It was a prior year model run out at 99 Bikes, plus a few other discounts. I would never pay RRP on a new bike, ever - especially from somewhere like 99 Bikes.

Syndrome · 12-01-2021, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

Pays to shop around I guess. It was a prior year model run out at 99 Bikes, plus a few other discounts. I would never pay RRP on a new bike, ever - especially from somewhere like 99 Bikes.

I agree. Purchased my 2018 Giant Contend SL1 disc in 2019 at $500 off RRP. Problem is there is very little 2020 stock on run-out as there was a boom on bicycles last year.

roKWiz · 12-01-2021, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syndrome

I agree. Purchased my 2018 Giant Contend SL1 disc in 2019 at $500 off RRP. Problem is there is very little 2020 stock on run-out as there was a boom on bicycles last year.

Worked a little in a bike shop part time. LBShops usually have a small mark up on the bikes themselves, one reason why we never could give much of a discount. We could load up on accessories and spares for the customer but we were under instruction not to give away large discounts.

I work there myself because I could fuel my mountain bike addiction and order myself and buy great shoes, chothing and parts.
The parts and clothing mark up was anywhere from 50% to 120% depending on the manufacturer.

I was great at selling the trinkets to MTBike junkie (really knew the product ranges) like myself but my GF was fantastic at selling bikes, she once sold a flash dualie Bianchi to a guy on crutches who came in looking for cheap pedals and a couple who were looking for a plastic Yo Ho diablo for their grandchild 2 new beachcruisers.
Being at Ettalong a coastal CC suburb, old commuter bike parts were the biggest seller the owner had, pedals, tyres, tubes and of all thing cotterpins (remember them ??) was his week day bread and butter.

blueoval · 20-01-2021, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

Clocked up 10400km and 103000vm so far this year. Really happy with that. About 10kg lighter too.

Well done fella. Ive done the opposite and put on about 8kg in the past 10months. Need to just do more, but finding it hard to get motivation.

**DJR-351** · 10-02-2021, 11:22 AM

**DJM83** · 05-07-2021, 05:47 PM

Bit quiet in here.
Had this weapon for a few months now.
21 Norco Sight C2 Sram
Made the swap to wagon wheels also.
Wanted another Rocky Mountain. But bang for buck this thing is much better.
Had some cushcores fitted to it also, confidence inspiring they are.

**DJR-351** · 06-07-2021, 09:32 AM

.......and just for the hell of it.

I appreciate the engineering.

roKWiz · 07-07-2021, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJR-351

.

I appreciate the engineering.

Yeah me too however I don't know about the weight and alignment of the frame.
Would have to be pushing 40kg. We might see a second vid of him adding an electric drive.

Trendseeker · 08-07-2021, 10:21 PM

I’ve had my e-bike for 3 years now. It’s a Norco Volt and is great for cruising around. Going up hills is a breeze. A while ago, I was casually powering up a hill at about 22kmh when I heard a harrumph behind me. Looking around, there was a Lycra clad cyclist working hard to gain ground on me, and as I eased up and he caught up he smiled and said “it must be electric”. I can’t keep up with the serious ones on the flat. Once I hit 27kmh the assistance drops off and I have to push hard to get it up to 40kmh on the flat (it weighs about 24kg), and those guys maintain speeds above that for hours. That’s because their bikes are lighter of course; nothing to do with my fitness level.

galaxy xr8 · 29-08-2022, 02:06 PM

Ok guys, having been back on the trials again and with the young one's tagging along, I can't get as adventurous on these excursions, but I'm finding the saddle very uncomfortable after a few hr's or a days trip.

Any recommendations on a good comfy and stylish saddle that will replace my original, here's my bike if you can see the saddle at all.

roKWiz · 29-08-2022, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

Ok guys, having been back on the trials again and with the young one's tagging along, I can't get as adventurous on these excursions, but I'm finding the saddle very uncomfortable after a few hr's or a days trip.

Any recommendations on a good comfy and stylish saddle that will replace my original, here's my bike if you can see the saddle at all.
image

Nice bike, I use a Speed Defies Gravity SDG saddle on a couple of mtbikes. Is that a Flyte saddle. Others are Selle Italia cheapies.

galaxy xr8 · 29-08-2022, 05:13 PM

Thanks mate, yeah I love the bike.
The saddle is a Giant Contact SL (neutral), standard on the 29er.
It's ok for downhill and rough tracks, as you don't spend much time in the saddle, but for just a lazy day with the family after a few hours it's a bit hard/tough on the rear.

roKWiz · 29-08-2022, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

Thanks mate, yeah I love the bike.
The saddle is a Giant Contact SL (neutral), standard on the 29er.
It's ok for downhill and rough tracks, as you don't spend much time in the saddle, but for just a lazy day with the family after a few hours it's a bit hard/tough on the rear.

Funny the most comfy saddles I ever bought were on special at Aldi !! yikes. !! turns out they were Selle San Marco, Made in Italy.

**DJM83** · 29-08-2022, 05:19 PM

Nice bike
I have a SDG Bel Air V3 on my Norco, not the worst seat ive had.
Considered a chamois padded short? It'll probably be cheaper than a new seat.

roKWiz · 29-08-2022, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

Nice bike
I have a SDG Bel Air V3 on my Norco, not the worst seat ive had.
Considered a chamois padded short? It'll probably be cheaper than a new seat.

Don't tell the roadies SDG is a mountain biking component company.

**DJM83** · 11-09-2022, 04:29 PM

Been a while since i posted my bike in here.
Think ive had it about 18mths.

It also got me a podium at the local round of the Victorian Gravity Enduro series (only did the one round because its local and entry was free through work) Ive never felt so physically exhausted on my bike in my life. It was a blast but i paid for it for a few days after.
Still really enjoying the bike to be honest, first big wheel bike has been a blast.
Fork and shock service next week and probably some new tyres as im OCD and prefer to replace front and rear even though front isnt too bad. I was riding it to work a lot chewing the tyres out. But i have a 200 buck single speed bike that ive fell in love with again so using that.
Jumped on my Norco today to got for a ride, after riding my pub bike every day my MTB felt big, heavy and cumbersome

roKWiz · 11-09-2022, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

Been a while since i posted my bike in here.
Think ive had it about 18mths.
image
It also got me a podium at the local round of the Victorian Gravity Enduro series (only did the one round because its local and entry was free through work) Ive never felt so physically exhausted on my bike in my life. It was a blast but i paid for it for a few days after.
Still really enjoying the bike to be honest, first big wheel bike has been a blast.
Fork and shock service next week and probably some new tyres as im OCD and prefer to replace front and rear even though front isnt too bad. I was riding it to work a lot chewing the tyres out. But i have a 200 buck single speed bike that ive fell in love with again so using that.
Jumped on my Norco today to got for a ride, after riding my pub bike every day my MTB felt big, heavy and cumbersome

Nice one. There's always a powerline trail isn't there.

Love riding single speed off road teaches you fast about momentum.

**DJM83** · 14-09-2022, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Nice one. There's always a powerline trail isn't there.

Love riding single speed off road teaches you fast about momentum.

Oh my single speeder is on road, i wouldnt take it near dirt, id end up in the dirt

Iam thinking about getting a gravel bike though.

**DJM83** · 02-11-2022, 05:47 PM

So ive pulled the pin.
I have this arriving hopefully next week

One of the most highly rated E bikes on the market, real good BFYB from what ive seen. Ill fit it with cushcore and away we go.
Managed to snap the bolt on the lower shock mount on my current bike, then i proceeded to order the wrong one via our supplier at work. Hoping to get it sorted. But i think my new bike will be here before hand. But ill still ride my analogue bike.

blueoval · 02-11-2022, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

So ive pulled the pin.
I have this arriving hopefully next week
image
One of the most highly rated E bikes on the market, real good BFYB from what ive seen. Ill fit it with cushcore and away we go.
Managed to snap the bolt on the lower shock mount on my current bike, then i proceeded to order the wrong one via our supplier at work. Hoping to get it sorted. But i think my new bike will be here before hand. But ill still ride my analogue bike.

oof, that looks sexual