thoughts on this bike to start road cycling?
Discussion
https://cycletowork.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-razor-vr-di...
I'm planning on starting doing some Triathlons at some point in the near future, so need a road bike, I'm going to get it through the C2W scheme my company run and was thinking of the above. I'm not obsessed with having disc brakes, but if it has them they need to at least be TRP Spyres - I'm just thinking that if I intend to upgrade in the future its worth having the frame and hubs being disc compatible.
I like the fact that this has bolt thru hubs (I'm a mountain biker so like to stick to what I know!)
at 10.5kg I think this is pretty damn light, but I'm under no illusion that the discs make it heavier so the Razor without discs is lighter - I weigh 13 stone, I'm not going to notice that little bit of weight saving am I?
Our C2W scheme can be used in Wiggle, Evans, Halfords and I believe a few others - is there anything else around £750 that would be worth considering?
I'm planning on starting doing some Triathlons at some point in the near future, so need a road bike, I'm going to get it through the C2W scheme my company run and was thinking of the above. I'm not obsessed with having disc brakes, but if it has them they need to at least be TRP Spyres - I'm just thinking that if I intend to upgrade in the future its worth having the frame and hubs being disc compatible.
I like the fact that this has bolt thru hubs (I'm a mountain biker so like to stick to what I know!)
at 10.5kg I think this is pretty damn light, but I'm under no illusion that the discs make it heavier so the Razor without discs is lighter - I weigh 13 stone, I'm not going to notice that little bit of weight saving am I?
Our C2W scheme can be used in Wiggle, Evans, Halfords and I believe a few others - is there anything else around £750 that would be worth considering?
Yeah, looks alright.
I know you’re keen on the TRP Spyres but I have done many 1000s of KMs on Avid BB7 brakes, they’re fine. The BB5 are much trickier to set up as they only have one adjustment wheel.
Nothing wrong with 9-speed Sora. Gear range is more important than the number of sprockets on the cassette.
It’s maybe worth considering lightly - used too, as there are plenty of bargains to be had out there.
I know you’re keen on the TRP Spyres but I have done many 1000s of KMs on Avid BB7 brakes, they’re fine. The BB5 are much trickier to set up as they only have one adjustment wheel.
Nothing wrong with 9-speed Sora. Gear range is more important than the number of sprockets on the cassette.
It’s maybe worth considering lightly - used too, as there are plenty of bargains to be had out there.
Thanks, have also come across this.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/marin-gestalt-x10-gravel-...
have a lot of canal paths near me, and stoned up cycle tracks that could come in useful - I’m used to running a 1x11 on my Mtb so 1x10 appeals. Are these gravel bikes good for somebody who doesn’t intend to do 100+ mile road rides?
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/marin-gestalt-x10-gravel-...
have a lot of canal paths near me, and stoned up cycle tracks that could come in useful - I’m used to running a 1x11 on my Mtb so 1x10 appeals. Are these gravel bikes good for somebody who doesn’t intend to do 100+ mile road rides?
As a MTB'er I've gone for the gravel bike option, although with 650b wheels and 47mm tyres - I can do a 25+ mile ride of potholed roads/gravel/byways/getting lost with ease in a couple of hours (not rushing), 50+ miles on the road would be fairly easy.
1x is great IMO, but on the road the gaps between gears might be a little annoying if you want to keep a nice smooth cadence up, especially if you're wanting to do some racing.
You can always get a spare set of wheels and fit skinny, fast tyres if you get into the racing side, and you'd be surprised at how much a gravel bike can handle, mine is quite, erm... 'exhilarating' when descending down loose, gravel covered, root strewn byways at 25-30mph
1x is great IMO, but on the road the gaps between gears might be a little annoying if you want to keep a nice smooth cadence up, especially if you're wanting to do some racing.
You can always get a spare set of wheels and fit skinny, fast tyres if you get into the racing side, and you'd be surprised at how much a gravel bike can handle, mine is quite, erm... 'exhilarating' when descending down loose, gravel covered, root strewn byways at 25-30mph
Edited by Tall_Paul on Tuesday 25th June 20:01
Me again.
Yes, ‘gravel’ bikes are bloody brilliant.
Bear in mind that you might be able to pick up S/H a rim-braked cyclocross bike which will do pretty much the same thing for a third the price.
I’ve built two, with mini-V brakes, and they were effective tools. Great fun.
Yes, ‘gravel’ bikes are bloody brilliant.
Bear in mind that you might be able to pick up S/H a rim-braked cyclocross bike which will do pretty much the same thing for a third the price.
I’ve built two, with mini-V brakes, and they were effective tools. Great fun.
Edited by Barchettaman on Tuesday 25th June 20:04
I do triathlons, Duathlons and sportives on a 350 quid Btwin from Decathlon.
I’ve changed the wheels and rear cassette, the cassette mostly because I struggled up Crystal Palace hill in Nightrider on the original compact cassette.
I figure I could have spent more, but I weight around 100kgs, so losing 5-10kgs would be better than spending more on a lighter bike!
I’ve changed the wheels and rear cassette, the cassette mostly because I struggled up Crystal Palace hill in Nightrider on the original compact cassette.
I figure I could have spent more, but I weight around 100kgs, so losing 5-10kgs would be better than spending more on a lighter bike!
Poppiecock said:
I do triathlons, Duathlons and sportives on a 350 quid Btwin from Decathlon.
I’ve changed the wheels and rear cassette, the cassette mostly because I struggled up Crystal Palace hill in Nightrider on the original compact cassette.
I figure I could have spent more, but I weight around 100kgs, so losing 5-10kgs would be better than spending more on a lighter bike!
I don’t doubt that it’s possible to do such things on a budget, unfortunately my history with mountain bikes and a desire to waste money means I like to buy things I don’t need to ride very occasionally pretty slowly I’ve changed the wheels and rear cassette, the cassette mostly because I struggled up Crystal Palace hill in Nightrider on the original compact cassette.
I figure I could have spent more, but I weight around 100kgs, so losing 5-10kgs would be better than spending more on a lighter bike!
Also I’m getting it on c2c so the £750 bike up there will only cost me about £360 after tax and NI savings and ‘technically’ won’t need upgrading... although I’ve already got my eyes on some better brakes!
AlmostUseful said:
I don’t doubt that it’s possible to do such things on a budget, unfortunately my history with mountain bikes and a desire to waste money means I like to buy things I don’t need to ride very occasionally pretty slowly
Also I’m getting it on c2c so the £750 bike up there will only cost me about £360 after tax and NI savings and ‘technically’ won’t need upgrading... although I’ve already got my eyes on some better brakes!
If you're looking at hydraulic disks, get them with the bike - the cost to upgrade might put you offotherwise!!Also I’m getting it on c2c so the £750 bike up there will only cost me about £360 after tax and NI savings and ‘technically’ won’t need upgrading... although I’ve already got my eyes on some better brakes!
I'm guessing your MTB will have hydro discs, I'm very glad I went for them on mine, braking from 35mph on wet greasy roads, commuting in towns at similar speeds, and plenty enough modulation to not lock up on loose gravel.
Yep, hydraulic discs are amazing.
The price range is somewhat different, but I ride a Focus Paralane, which is an endurance road bike. Designed for the road and "shortcuts".
She's more than happy on gravel, and even does off-road dirt trails like the Thames Path in fair weather. Mud is hindered by the slick tyres, of course. Those are 28s, but she'd take 32s or 34s. I think it depends just how off-road you want to go when weighing up a gravel bike or cross bike against a slightly more roadie bike - I do enjoy pushing hard down hills, so personally wouldn't sacrifice a decently sized chainring.
The price range is somewhat different, but I ride a Focus Paralane, which is an endurance road bike. Designed for the road and "shortcuts".
She's more than happy on gravel, and even does off-road dirt trails like the Thames Path in fair weather. Mud is hindered by the slick tyres, of course. Those are 28s, but she'd take 32s or 34s. I think it depends just how off-road you want to go when weighing up a gravel bike or cross bike against a slightly more roadie bike - I do enjoy pushing hard down hills, so personally wouldn't sacrifice a decently sized chainring.
To be fair, with the brake upgrade I was thinking the cable/hydro TRP ones, not fussed on full hydros.
Yes I do have hydros on my other bikes, and have done since about 2001 so I don’t particularly want to go back to callipers.
I’ve only gone as far as £750 for my quotes on the c2w scheme but might stretch it, I just don’t think it will go to the budget needed for full hydros.
Looked at On-one/PX last night, gutted to see they’ve stopped the c2w scheme though because i love some of their bikes.
Don’t think I’ll ever be a racing snake so the gravel bike might be the right choice.
Yes I do have hydros on my other bikes, and have done since about 2001 so I don’t particularly want to go back to callipers.
I’ve only gone as far as £750 for my quotes on the c2w scheme but might stretch it, I just don’t think it will go to the budget needed for full hydros.
Looked at On-one/PX last night, gutted to see they’ve stopped the c2w scheme though because i love some of their bikes.
Don’t think I’ll ever be a racing snake so the gravel bike might be the right choice.
Some people don't like Planet X/On-One, but they are fantastic value for money. My bike is a Space Chicken, full carbon frame, SRAM Force 1 groupset and hydro brakes (one level down from Red which is the top level stuff), weight 9.6kg with pair of spds and set up tubeless. £1400. My MTB is a 14.5kg 140/150mm travel FS bike with 2.5" tyres, so quite different!
Have a look at the Specialized Diverge. I bought one nearly a year ago, and have done a fair bit of gravel/woodland rides, but also about 3000km on the road, including a sprint tri, and several sportives. Longest ride is 130km, it's supremely comfortable but also quick enough!
double chainset is a must for the roads.
double chainset is a must for the roads.
After recommendations on here I went for a Genesis Croix De Fer, its got the TRP brakes. I took it on the London to Brighton OFF ROAD, and was massively quicker than the MTB's that we kept passing (tbf it hadn't rained for a little while, but the nobbly's got me through the wet stuff).
Thanks all for your input, I've ordered my "coupon" to buy this Felt from Wiggle. It's a cross bike, but very well spec'd for the price so it'll just need a tyre change if I want to do a tri race on it. Otherwise it'll be great for general riding and canal paths with my kids.
The tyres are probably a bit nobblier than I was planning on buying so will no doubt change them relatively soon anyway.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f40x-road-bike-2018/...
looking forward to getting this one!
The tyres are probably a bit nobblier than I was planning on buying so will no doubt change them relatively soon anyway.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f40x-road-bike-2018/...
looking forward to getting this one!
My size in the F40X from above is sold out now, and my voucher hasn’t arrived. 
so now I’m back on the lookout.
Voucher is £900, i’ll Add to it if I need to but no more than £100 to get to a grand. I’m not going back through the admin to get the voucher amended.
So, let’s start again, what shall I buy? I’m 6’ with a 31.5” inside leg. Looking for a 58cm frame I think.
Road bike or gravel bike I think, 2x10 for gears but would go 2x9 if the rest of the bike was worth it.
Think one of the key items is discs, I haven’t not had discs since the early 2000’s and I feel like I want them, but do I reeeallly want them? Or need them?
Next, how good are road bikes on gritty fire track/canal/stone paths? If they’re useless i’ll Definitely get a cross or gravel bike.
so now I’m back on the lookout. Voucher is £900, i’ll Add to it if I need to but no more than £100 to get to a grand. I’m not going back through the admin to get the voucher amended.
So, let’s start again, what shall I buy? I’m 6’ with a 31.5” inside leg. Looking for a 58cm frame I think.
Road bike or gravel bike I think, 2x10 for gears but would go 2x9 if the rest of the bike was worth it.
Think one of the key items is discs, I haven’t not had discs since the early 2000’s and I feel like I want them, but do I reeeallly want them? Or need them?
Next, how good are road bikes on gritty fire track/canal/stone paths? If they’re useless i’ll Definitely get a cross or gravel bike.
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