New to cycling - Page 111

prydey · 12-01-2021, 12:22 AM

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

**Peuty** · 12-01-2021, 11:48 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, 12:48 PM

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, 01:00 PM

I suspect he means the 4000, not the 400.

Syndrome · 12-01-2021, 01:55 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, 02:20 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, 03:36 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, 03:55 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.

**DJM83** · 05-07-2021, 06:47 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, 10:32 AM

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

I appreciate the engineering.

roKWiz · 07-07-2021, 03:55 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, 11:21 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, 03:06 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, 03:21 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, 06:13 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, 06:16 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, 06:19 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, 06:22 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, 05:29 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, 05:44 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, 02:55 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, 06:47 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, 09:59 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

**DJM83** · 10-11-2022, 08:20 PM

First ride today. Its not been set up exactly how i want (i did change the angle of the shifters/levers) but need a couple of other changes like shock pressures/rebound and sag settings. And tyre pressures.
It has 3 different motor modes Eco/Trail/Boost and of course off.
It just makes a mockery of climbs, but you still have to put it, if you dont it stops. Its assisted pedalling.
The weight is a thing but after today im not as worried as i was.

**DJM83** · 25-11-2022, 08:55 AM

More ebike spam

2 weeks into having an ebike.
Ive done more kms in this period than i would in 2 months on my analogue bike.
Ive started to put it into some steeper technical descents now as i wanted to see how it rode first.
The extra weight makes it super planted and it just rails corners (im only 78kg) so light in the scheme of things so it helps me out.
Not sent it off any big jumps yet and to be honest, the older i get the less inclined iam to do so

Headed out before work this morning
21km
435m Climbing
600 calories (not counting those)
Average speed 22kmh
57 mins.

**DJM83** · 07-12-2022, 09:20 AM

Quiet in here, should change the thread title to DJM83's ebike ramblings

So ive had this thing nearly a month.
Worked out the other day that i can hook the bike up to my watch (Garmin Fenix Solar) as a sensor, bike has a cadence sensor which now registers on my watch.
It also now tells me on the Garmin app, battery capacity remaining/assistance mode i was using and how much assistance the bike is providing.

Ive done 350kms since the 10th November.
I continue to have egg on my face after slagging off these things, the possibilities are endless.
For the first few rides i left it in eco mode as im comfortable with the assistance leve.
Last ride it was in Trail mode for the most part, its super handy on those big/pinch climbs.
Ive explored a heap of new trails where i ride locally.

prydey · 07-12-2022, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

Quiet in here.

Haven't ridden since Feb. Back injury. Had surgery mid July. L5 S1 microdiscectomy.

It's been a long road back. I can now walk without getting sore. I started back on the trainer about 2 months ago, just light spinning for up to 20mins. Just recently I've started to do a couple of work outs at reduced FTP. Hoping to do some easy outdoor rides in the coming weeks. Need to rebuild back and core strength.

To say I miss riding is an understatement.

As for ebikes, they are very popular in the off road community. Only seems to be stigma attached to using them on road.

**DJM83** · 07-12-2022, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

Haven't ridden since Feb. Back injury. Had surgery mid July. L5 S1 microdiscectomy.

It's been a long road back. I can now walk without getting sore. I started back on the trainer about 2 months ago, just light spinning for up to 20mins. Just recently I've started to do a couple of work outs at reduced FTP. Hoping to do some easy outdoor rides in the coming weeks. Need to rebuild back and core strength.

To say I miss riding is an understatement.

As for ebikes, they are very popular in the off road community. Only seems to be stigma attached to using them on road.

Bugger Rob.
Hopefully the recovery continues well and you are back out on the bike as soon as possible.

I agree, re ebikes on the road, i dont see the point. But also im not a road rider so im probably not qualified to comment too much.
But off road ebikes have some stigma too dont worry, ive come up against it already. Water off a ducks back really. Happy to admit im wrong about them.
My next 'problem' is the gravity enduro i raced here in town this year is on again in May next year, they do have an ebike class so it'll be which one i enter. I could also possibly do some of the other rounds aswell maybe.

prydey · 07-12-2022, 10:31 AM

I've got a few mates that now have off road ebikes. They're all super fit (3 peaks in just over 9hours), so don't actually 'need' the battery but they still rave about them being a lot of fun.

Most of my riding in 20 and 21 was commuting to work. 20 - 30km each way, depending on which way I went. With the increase in the price of diesel I'm really noticing the extra hit to the pocket having to drive to work. I contemplated getting an e bike for commuting, given my situation, but then couldn't justify the cost. Very tempting though.

prydey · 12-03-2023, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

Haven't ridden since Feb. Back injury. Had surgery mid July. L5 S1 microdiscectomy.

It's been a long road back. I can now walk without getting sore. I started back on the trainer about 2 months ago, just light spinning for up to 20mins. Just recently I've started to do a couple of work outs at reduced FTP. Hoping to do some easy outdoor rides in the coming weeks. Need to rebuild back and core strength.

To say I miss riding is an understatement.
.

Over xmas I went to Brisbane to visit the folks and rode 3 times whilst there, each time for about an hour, just cruising with my sister. Pulled up sore after each ride so shelved it for a bit longer.

About a couple of weeks after getting back home my recovery took a bit of a dive and I ended up needing another couple of weeks off work. Felt like back to square one. Very frustrating. After those 2 weeks off though I've actually improved a lot and last Saturday 4th march I ventured out into the real world again on my roadie. Did 43km and felt pretty good. Was sore the next day but not too bad. Improved during the week, spending time on the trainer and a walk or two and then yesterday headed out once more for another outdoor ride.

Here's the aftermath of what happened..
Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/GNxxIIAy6xb
Garmin file corrupted too just to top it off..

Some 13yr old on his e scooter just came straight out on to the path from the train station. I had no time to react and just cleaned him up. I take it pretty ready through there too but still had no chance. Thankfully we both walked away.

I'm super sore in my forearms and left shoulder today but thankfully my back still seems ok. It's sore, but no worse than where it was.

Bike is damaged. Mainly front wheel but there is a decent scrape, quite deep on the forks and some cosmetic scratches on the shifters and derailleur. Bike is covered by insurance and in being assessed at the moment although won't get a quite until next Friday. Still gong to cost $500 in excess.

So not a great return to outdoor cycling. 2nd ride back and I found the pavement.

Very tempted to give up on the roadie and get a cx/gravel bike, but I do still like what the roadie offers.