So I ended up getting the Charge posted in the eBay thread. It rides well and overall is a decent enough bike!
There are a few minor problems though; The rear wheel is slightly buckled and is missing a spoke. The cranks/BB creak when ever I ride up hill or take off hard. There is no front brake. Tyres are bald.
I’m in the middle of sorting out new wheels. I’ve swapped the bars and stem for risers, and a shorter stem, and switched the front wheel over to a spare one I had.
I’m not sure what I want to run as far as pedals go. I’ve got cages/straps I could fit, but I’m contemplating wether or not to go clipless; If so, can anyone recommend a pedal/shoe combo? I rode fixed down a hill on a mates bike with his shimano shoes/pedals and unclipped mid way and I nearly died. again.
I’m also un-decided on risers, bullhorns or the drops it came with. Each have there pros/cons, but I’m not sure. Suggestions?
A front brake is a must; but again, I’ve had a look around, and nothing has really caught my eye. I’ve thought about these, but I haven’t heard much about them.
The saddle is comfortable enough, so I’ll run that for a while.
I’m probably going to get a pair of Gatorskins unless anyone else can recommend a harder wearing/longer lasting tyre?
There are actually ZERO benefits to clipless, the entire tour de france only ride clipless so they can wear disco shoes while they get a support van to carry their normal shoes for them.
I only got them because I had nothing better to spend my money on. And I wanted to look like even more strange whilst riding my bike.
The fluoro sun flap for the back of the helmet is next on the shopping list.
Pretty much any brakes will do, as long as they function. I ride bullhorns, gives you a little more room to move your hands around than using rizors. Go gatorskins, got one of the rear. No one likes changing punctures.
but, in order to answer your question ray, clipless is better. better connection between foot and pedal, less delay in transferring acceleration/stopping and easier to clip into (i reckon). if you’re coming unclipped, that’s likely a cleat/pedal/technique issue that can be rectified. adjust the pedals, check how old the cleats are, make sure you’re not turning your foot out when stopping.
it’ll take some practise, but it’s a much better system than straps (but only if you’re cool kickin about in MTB shoes).
there are plenty of decent cleat shoes out there that are fine to walk in and look normal, so you don’t have to carry spares around (although i keep a spare pair of shoes at work in case it rains on the way in). I’ve got a pair of vans warner SPDs and a pair of 510 hellcats as my ‘normal’ riding shoes; vans are comfy and have a nice stiff sole but are a little bulky, 510s are comfy to walk in but the sole is very soft and feels like crap to ride in.
Thanks everyone for the advice and suggestions. I managed to pick up some Time Atac pedals and cleats; now im just hunting for some suitable shoes. Im thinking of going for a pair of the chrome spd shoes, as there products are amazing, and they look awesome.
As far as tires go, ill have to sort out some gators soon. I may stick with rizors for the time being, or chuck the drops back on.
