How to look on point with a road bike - whats hot?
Discussion
Right. My old kit is tired and I want some toys. I just got back from Tenerife and everyone there looked like legends. I looked like I'd raided the lost property bin. I also got cold.
I suck at cycling, so this is all gear no idea... but I fancy getting some really nice stuff as a treat to myself. I mean, I can get around, I guess my ftp is around 200w, but the kind of kit I want to buy should be writing cheques in the 350w+ level that my legs can't cash. But I don't care. I want cool kit
Bike:
I'm probably a way off commiting yet as we need to setup r2w and everything is 9month delay anyway, but I'm currently liking:
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-ultra-sl-r-h...
Because it looks badass. Flip paint, internal routing. Aero beauty. Will go with my TVR paint perfectly.
Im also liking:
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road-bikes/aero-bikes...
Current bike is a 2009 BMC slx01. A new bike should be stiffer, bigger more comfy tyres (im 23c), hydraulic disks and, most importantly, be sexy AF. I much prefer shimano, although just back from tenerife (300k/7000m), the Di2 I tested on a nice colnago I can give or take, I'm fine with mech gears, in some ways they are more "pure" and I prefer them, but need to be internally routed.
Am I missing any other really sexy bikes? I love aero look - what would the cool crew ride?
Shoes:
Currently use shimano SPD, will probably stick with as they work and I can walk in them, road cleets just look hard to walk in, I've seen too many mamils step of a dogma and stack it to risk it. My average speed is embarrassing enough without stacking it, unless we think I really really need road cleets??
Tops:
Currently rock a t-shirt. I need cycling tops and wind breaks. Are rapha where it's at still or now passe? Funky /cool kit requested - which companies should I look at?
Bibs/shorts: same.
Helmet: what's cool? My current is dweeb.
Sunglasses: same. I Iike mental multi colour Miami vibe.
So yes. Prostrate at the altar of PH chic, where should I direct my efforts in securing kit that will last and give lots of enjoyment?
Thanks all!
Image of Masca for fun!!
I suck at cycling, so this is all gear no idea... but I fancy getting some really nice stuff as a treat to myself. I mean, I can get around, I guess my ftp is around 200w, but the kind of kit I want to buy should be writing cheques in the 350w+ level that my legs can't cash. But I don't care. I want cool kit
Bike:
I'm probably a way off commiting yet as we need to setup r2w and everything is 9month delay anyway, but I'm currently liking:
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-ultra-sl-r-h...
Because it looks badass. Flip paint, internal routing. Aero beauty. Will go with my TVR paint perfectly.
Im also liking:
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road-bikes/aero-bikes...
Current bike is a 2009 BMC slx01. A new bike should be stiffer, bigger more comfy tyres (im 23c), hydraulic disks and, most importantly, be sexy AF. I much prefer shimano, although just back from tenerife (300k/7000m), the Di2 I tested on a nice colnago I can give or take, I'm fine with mech gears, in some ways they are more "pure" and I prefer them, but need to be internally routed.
Am I missing any other really sexy bikes? I love aero look - what would the cool crew ride?
Shoes:
Currently use shimano SPD, will probably stick with as they work and I can walk in them, road cleets just look hard to walk in, I've seen too many mamils step of a dogma and stack it to risk it. My average speed is embarrassing enough without stacking it, unless we think I really really need road cleets??
Tops:
Currently rock a t-shirt. I need cycling tops and wind breaks. Are rapha where it's at still or now passe? Funky /cool kit requested - which companies should I look at?
Bibs/shorts: same.
Helmet: what's cool? My current is dweeb.
Sunglasses: same. I Iike mental multi colour Miami vibe.
So yes. Prostrate at the altar of PH chic, where should I direct my efforts in securing kit that will last and give lots of enjoyment?
Thanks all!
Image of Masca for fun!!
In no particular order:
- big drop from saddle to bars
- slammed stem
- Campagnolo gruppo - this is essential
- max 25t rear largest sprocket
- mid to deep section carbon wheels
- bonus points for tubular tyres and a lot of gluing chat
- a crankset power meter and the chat to go with it
- Bont shoes
- mid calf length white socks
- Rapha, Assos, Castelli kit. Choose one and don’t mix and match
- gloves without a Velcro tab to fasten them
- Oakleys or Rudy Project wraparounds
- no gap between the top of your glasses frame and your helmet
- less than 10% body fat
- shaved legs
- razor sharp tan lines
- chat confidently about how weight saving is good but aero trumps weight saving and you’re on a training ride today in a fat loss phase so not pushing big watts but in three weeks watch out…
- big drop from saddle to bars
- slammed stem
- Campagnolo gruppo - this is essential
- max 25t rear largest sprocket
- mid to deep section carbon wheels
- bonus points for tubular tyres and a lot of gluing chat
- a crankset power meter and the chat to go with it
- Bont shoes
- mid calf length white socks
- Rapha, Assos, Castelli kit. Choose one and don’t mix and match
- gloves without a Velcro tab to fasten them
- Oakleys or Rudy Project wraparounds
- no gap between the top of your glasses frame and your helmet
- less than 10% body fat
- shaved legs
- razor sharp tan lines
- chat confidently about how weight saving is good but aero trumps weight saving and you’re on a training ride today in a fat loss phase so not pushing big watts but in three weeks watch out…
BlackWidow13 said:
In no particular order:
Plus the loudest possible freehub available.Campag should be on expensive Italian frame. I.e. colnago C64 with lugs.
SPD definitely unacceptable - not being able to walk shows you can cycle faster.
I'd say Rapha is a bit passe now, but if worn definitely nothing below pro team. Possibly paired with an EF Cannondale Supersix in pink/purple, to fit the aero look.
Aero is also no longer really in: S-Works Tarmac or Giant TCR is the go to.
Ribble/Canyon are great but a little orientated toward the quality/price conscious. To be paired with DHB Aeron gear and generally ridden faster round Richmond park than the S-Works types.
French clothing brands are the new Rapha: Pas normal studios & cafe du cyclist. For off kilter cool, pair Adidas cycling shoes and Paul Smith clothes, helmet, saddle.
Nothing to add on the kit front since I mix and match DHB and Castelli, my free hub is normal volume and my sunglasses aren’t bigger than my face 
However I did order a Ribble in April with July delivery and it arrived end November! Best to order a bike which is in stock at the moment!
However I did order a Ribble in April with July delivery and it arrived end November! Best to order a bike which is in stock at the moment!
BlackWidow13 said:
In no particular order:
- big drop from saddle to bars
- slammed stem
- Campagnolo gruppo - this is essential
- max 25t rear largest sprocket
- mid to deep section carbon wheels
- bonus points for tubular tyres and a lot of gluing chat
- a crankset power meter and the chat to go with it
- Bont shoes
- mid calf length white socks
- Rapha, Assos, Castelli kit. Choose one and don’t mix and match
- gloves without a Velcro tab to fasten them
- Oakleys or Rudy Project wraparounds
- no gap between the top of your glasses frame and your helmet
- less than 10% body fat
- shaved legs
- razor sharp tan lines
- chat confidently about how weight saving is good but aero trumps weight saving and you’re on a training ride today in a fat loss phase so not pushing big watts but in three weeks watch out…
So good...- big drop from saddle to bars
- slammed stem
- Campagnolo gruppo - this is essential
- max 25t rear largest sprocket
- mid to deep section carbon wheels
- bonus points for tubular tyres and a lot of gluing chat
- a crankset power meter and the chat to go with it
- Bont shoes
- mid calf length white socks
- Rapha, Assos, Castelli kit. Choose one and don’t mix and match
- gloves without a Velcro tab to fasten them
- Oakleys or Rudy Project wraparounds
- no gap between the top of your glasses frame and your helmet
- less than 10% body fat
- shaved legs
- razor sharp tan lines
- chat confidently about how weight saving is good but aero trumps weight saving and you’re on a training ride today in a fat loss phase so not pushing big watts but in three weeks watch out…
Or for the ultimate cool.
Get a gravel bike, enter some fondos and label yourself as a pro.
If you are serious then no canyon is cool. I include trek, specialized and giant in that. Pinarello is also uncool.
Small boutique manufacturers are cool. Campagnolo is cool.
Clothing wise. Asos for pro, cafe du cyclist for show.
Imo the coolest person is riding a s
t heap from the 90’s threadbare gear but still marches away on the climbs.
Small boutique manufacturers are cool. Campagnolo is cool.
Clothing wise. Asos for pro, cafe du cyclist for show.
Imo the coolest person is riding a s
t heap from the 90’s threadbare gear but still marches away on the climbs. Tom1312 said:
BlackWidow13 said:
In no particular order:
- big drop from saddle to bars
- slammed stem
- Campagnolo gruppo - this is essential
- max 25t rear largest sprocket
- mid to deep section carbon wheels
- bonus points for tubular tyres and a lot of gluing chat
- a crankset power meter and the chat to go with it
- Bont shoes
- mid calf length white socks
- Rapha, Assos, Castelli kit. Choose one and don’t mix and match
- gloves without a Velcro tab to fasten them
- Oakleys or Rudy Project wraparounds
- no gap between the top of your glasses frame and your helmet
- less than 10% body fat
- shaved legs
- razor sharp tan lines
- chat confidently about how weight saving is good but aero trumps weight saving and you’re on a training ride today in a fat loss phase so not pushing big watts but in three weeks watch out…
So good...- big drop from saddle to bars
- slammed stem
- Campagnolo gruppo - this is essential
- max 25t rear largest sprocket
- mid to deep section carbon wheels
- bonus points for tubular tyres and a lot of gluing chat
- a crankset power meter and the chat to go with it
- Bont shoes
- mid calf length white socks
- Rapha, Assos, Castelli kit. Choose one and don’t mix and match
- gloves without a Velcro tab to fasten them
- Oakleys or Rudy Project wraparounds
- no gap between the top of your glasses frame and your helmet
- less than 10% body fat
- shaved legs
- razor sharp tan lines
- chat confidently about how weight saving is good but aero trumps weight saving and you’re on a training ride today in a fat loss phase so not pushing big watts but in three weeks watch out…
Or for the ultimate cool.
Get a gravel bike, enter some fondos and label yourself as a pro.
sam.rog said:
If you are serious then no canyon is cool. I include trek, specialized and giant in that. Pinarello is also uncool.
Small boutique manufacturers are cool. Campagnolo is cool.
Clothing wise. Asos for pro, cafe du cyclist for show.
Imo the coolest person is riding a st heap from the 90’s threadbare gear but still marches away on the climbs.
DammSmall boutique manufacturers are cool. Campagnolo is cool.
Clothing wise. Asos for pro, cafe du cyclist for show.
Imo the coolest person is riding a s
t heap from the 90’s threadbare gear but still marches away on the climbs. That's me out then
Don't forget the blue or orange sunglasses with massive lenses. Oh and 50mm carbon wheels.
And only ride when it's a nice day and sunny because no one will notice you on a gloomy day so there's no reason to ride
I am defo the anathema to this thread.
Cancelled my ribble order (delay delay delay) and bought a cube
Ride mix of whatever I can get my hands on cheap (dhb, endura) and buy my jerseys off amazon.
nothing matches as bike is yellow and I have neon blue gloves.
Wear hi-vis socks all the time and they are too short for sock lovies and too long for the minimalist brigade
Body shape is more of a hench rower with beer belly and new (cheap) altura firestorm jacket is tight around the gut
It's like I've tried really hard to be the un-coolest rider ever, but it just comes naturally
Cancelled my ribble order (delay delay delay) and bought a cube
Ride mix of whatever I can get my hands on cheap (dhb, endura) and buy my jerseys off amazon.
nothing matches as bike is yellow and I have neon blue gloves.
Wear hi-vis socks all the time and they are too short for sock lovies and too long for the minimalist brigade
Body shape is more of a hench rower with beer belly and new (cheap) altura firestorm jacket is tight around the gut
It's like I've tried really hard to be the un-coolest rider ever, but it just comes naturally
CheesecakeRunner said:
I'm going to be a firm breaker of rule 18. Bought a roadie to use indoors on the trainer whilst a wrist injury sustained on the mtb heals and I fully intend on getting out on it as soon as my wrist is strong enough for it to be safe and I absolutely am not going to be going down the lycra route. I've got loads of mtb gear so it'll be my most slim fitting shorts over a pair of bibs with either a thermal and a tee or or my DHB trail softshell.
I'll look a t
t in the eyes of fellow cyclists but I'll care not one jot!fossilfuelled said:
Lots of great suggestions so far. AllI will add is it’s not possible to look cool riding a road bike with spd cleats. Get some proper road pedals and shoes. They are also a million times more comfortable to actually ride long distances with.
I've ridden in SPD cleats for various rides of up to 200Km. SPD cleats never caused me any issues, and I was able to clip in on both sides of my pedals.I’m am mtb-er eigenaar new gravel bike so I’m either super cool or a total plonker as I ride the gravel bike in mtb gear (I have some XC lycra which is almost as tight as a MAMIL wears) with my least mtb-ish but it is really, helmet.
I’m also pretty sure that the enduro, strap everything to your bike, approach is ok on a gravel bike as it’s ‘bikepacking’ or something.
I’m also pretty sure that the enduro, strap everything to your bike, approach is ok on a gravel bike as it’s ‘bikepacking’ or something.
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