Road bike recommendations

No, it's not. Apex is Tiagra/105 level. Apparently.

Why not? It's fine, it's a modern groupset.

Apex has the same shifting mechanisms as Rival and Force, the difference is a vastly wider range from the smallest cassette sprocket to the largest on Apex, hence why Xander has, in the past, described it as being 'agricultural.' So even though I've not used Apex, I've shifted with an identical, albeit lighter groupset with a slightly different range of gears.

Become a stronger rider and then bitch and moan about groupsets not being good enough for you :-)

Tiagra is the thinking man's groupset. For the man who has (broken) everything. My hubs have new grease and will spin all winter now whilst your Ultegra slowly dies.

I didn't realise that you've SRAM before?

If SRAM was a verb synonyms would include "crunch" "stretch" "creek" "grind" and "fail".

Feels strange to behave like scoble, dunno how he does it 24/7 ..

Jaybee, when are you going to realise that Amey needs the highest performing kit - he is a beast and has Forstermann legs that crush Sram groupsets.
He is at least 10 times stronger than those Quickstep blouses Martin, Boonen and Cav who race on Sram. He can't even use a powertap as he breaks the maximum watt allowance.

lol

Merlin have a bargain 56cm Ridley for £600. This is the frame with the carbon wishbone stay – quite nice.

^ just thought I'd put it out there...

Have you used apex?

You press a levers, chain suddenly move from one cog to another.

Is that how it work?

i think so

FYI. That was a few years ago, when WIFli only came in Apex. And it was only for one day on a brutal finish.

I suspect it was an advertising thing.

Coulda used any of the SRAM 10 speed MTB mechs. Like X0, XX

Or maybe 10 speed MTB wasn't around then?

Whatevs, the Apex rear mech [strike]kicks the shit out of[/strike] is equal to anything shimano up to DA / XTR.

It's probably because they've got a shed load of those cassettes and long cage mechs in for cheap.

this

Going back to the question, what about a Kinesis Racelight TK3 with something dull but serviceable like a tigra/105?

Good shout. You'd still have change enough for a PowerTap wheel build.

FYI. That was a few years ago, when WIFli only came in Apex. And it was only for one day on a brutal finish.

Hook line and sinker :)

Maybe because its more beefy?

Beefy DnB Vid - YouTube

Hi,

I am currently in the process of selling my Leader 725TR and i am interested in getting myself a 62cm Road bike but wanted to ask a few questions and see if anyone could help me out.

I am 6 ft 3 and have tried 58-59cm frames before on track frames but have found them to be uncomfortable as i have knee problems. Would a 62cm frame be the right size for me?

Also, i am looking to spend roughly £300 on a BASIC road bike. Is there a specific brand/bike anyone could recommend?

Given the Leader have weird geometry, it's worth going to a reputable bicycle shop and ask for their advice, and try out a couple of bicycles.

tips - you don't need to be an expert to know what fit you, as long it felt right, i.e. doesn't feel stretched out or cramped, it's the right size.

£300 get you a really shit road bike, except for the Btwin Triban.

£600 should get you a decent budget road bike, and getting it from a reputable bicycle shop should help narrow down your fit issues.

Unsure whether to buy a 2nd hand frame and wheels and build my own bike or just get this... http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-peloton-compact-road-bike-2013/rp-prod111953

Thoughts? Not had a lot of experience with Cube bikes. I heard the R501 wheelset is quite poor.

1st option will cost more but be nicer. If you can do all the work to make it work.

2nd option, the cube, will be fine and work.

Cube are fine, that bike is fine, if you just want a bike with little frills.

I can do the work, just don't have more than 500 to spend. Would be buying the Cube mainly for the frame to eventually upgrade all the parts. Just not sure if its actually any good or not.

Merlin still have 55cm Ridleys (see up thread).

^^ The Cube discounted at that price is a solid bike .. Like Skinny said. Do a google and I think you'll find some complementary reviews of it or higher spec'd versions of it. Only thing to check is the size as they are a bit strange geometry with short top tubes and short head tubes if I remember correctly .. The R501 is no lightweight but it's a solid "everyday" wheel. And from what I can see you are getting a complete groupset on that not a mixed on brand brakes, downgraded mechs mash up.

Yeah the groupset was one of the reasons I was looking at it. The sizing does seem a bit odd though. The 56cm actually measures 52cm seat tube and 54cm top. I usually ride a 54sx54t so I reckon this '56cm' should fit alright.

I'm sure they are measuring seat tube to a virtual top as it's a compact frame so a 56 is a 54 cc. I'm make that assumption having looked at the geometry of a 58 which has similar numbers to the 56 cc frames I ride .. head tube is a bit more sportive though.