Fifty Plus (50+) - Impulse buy, PIE and stuff

After my last (and only) post here I made several trips to the LBS, asked gazillions of questions, went on 4 "test rides" and then, while killing time out of town on Craigslist, bought a used bike after 10 minutes.
The bike in question is an '05 Roubiax Elite. Son of a gun was perfectly sized for me- owner claimed he had 100 miles on it, neither me nor my LBS believe it had anywhere near that many as it really looked brand new(the guy stored it in his study). I've only been able to put about 50 miles on it and really like it, but I have some questions related to it's intended use( leisurely 40 to 70 miles rides and occasional multi day touring w/o packing everything)
All Ultegra except a 105 front DR, which is I think is OK, with a triple - will this prove reliable and not
require constant "fiddling" (I don't care for frequent adjusting, repairing)
I question the wheels-ALX 295s. They seem very heavy. I will keep them awhile if they stay true, but
have already had to twist a few spokes- just a case of inactivity or a trait of these wheels?
As for PIE- I'm all for it ('specially coconut meringue), but what is FRED?

Don

Uh oh. He asked about Fred. Who's gonna tell him? :innocent:

Sounds as though you got a good un. The 105 Front DR is not a problem. Front deraillers do not take a great deal of strain and will last a long time.

Now on the wheels-If I were you- I would get them into the LBS- Providing they have a good wheel builder- And get them to retension the spokes and retrue the wheel. If they have loose spokes coming- sounds as though they need an "Expert" to check them out.

And I am afraid that I do not like Alex rims or OM hubs. get the wheels sorted but look around for a better set. Personally I would go for handbuilts ----Or a set of Mavic Aksiums. Aksiums are the cheapest in the Line of Mavic Wheels but are bomb proof. I would prefer the handbuilts though and a Mavic Open pro rim on 105 hubs with 36 spokes would not be that expensive. And once the current wheels are sorted- They would be ideal for a rough weather- Winter riding wheel.

As to the intended use- 70 miles rides- Even century or longer rides are well within the bikes scope- Just make certain you are by building up to it sensibly.

OK-searched for FRED-
Definition I saw said " FRED = Don "
Shoulda known.

Don

[QUOTE=molarface;7482747]
Definition I saw said " FRED = Don "


/QUOTE]

Wear it proudly. :thumb:

hmmm... don, can we trade dictionaries... mine said Fred=jim? i think i like yours better...

be well,

jim

You bought a good bike with good components - you did exactly the right thing rather than buying a new and much lesser bike with parts that as your say will always need fiddling with.

$$?

Sounds like you got a very good bike for your intended purposes. It should be very reliable as long as you maintain it properly. I would take the bike to your LBS and get it tuned up and ask them to look for any problems.

Definitely get a reputable wheelbuilder to retension the wheels as stapfam recommended. Most factory built wheels need retensioning to make them reliable. Otherwise you'll be plagued with loose spokes. If you decide to get new wheels later, I like the suggestion of Mavic Open Pros with 105 or Ultegra hubs and double butted spokes. Unless you are very heavy and/or you plod through potholes and over RR tracks without standing to lessen the impact, I think 32 spokes are plenty if the wheels are built properly.

Went to the LBS, 4 test rides, a zillion questions, then bought a bike on Craiglist and took it back to the same LBS to get his opinion? Your LBS is a saint.

Went to the LBS, 4 test rides, a zillion questions, then bought a bike on Craiglist and took it back to the same LBS to get his opinion? Your LBS is a saint.

+1 - take the BSG a very nice 6-pack.
And buy some bibs, and a jersey. and a jacket, and shoes, and socks, and... , so you won't look like a Fred.

+1 - take the BSG a very nice 6-pack.
And buy some bibs, and a jersey. and a jacket, and shoes, and socks, and... , so you won't look like a Fred.

The 6 pack for the shop sounds a good idea and that clothing is not only so you stop being a Fred- It turns you into a person that has comfort when on the bike.

And Do Bypass the shorts stage- Go straight for the bibs.

The 6 pack for the shop sounds a good idea and that clothing is not only so you stop being a Fred- It turns you into a person that has comfort when on the bike.

And Do Bypass the shorts stage- Go straight for the bibs.

Yes, you'll need the bib to protect the new jersey from stains when eating your
pie on Saturday! What?!?! :innocent:

After my last (and only) post here I made several trips to the LBS, asked gazillions of questions, went on 4 "test rides" and then, while killing time out of town on Craigslist, bought a used bike after 10 minutes.
The bike in question is an '05 Roubiax Elite. Son of a gun was perfectly sized for me- owner claimed he had 100 miles on it, neither me nor my LBS believe it had anywhere near that many as it really looked brand new(the guy stored it in his study). I've only been able to put about 50 miles on it and really like it, but I have some questions related to it's intended use( leisurely 40 to 70 miles rides and occasional multi day touring w/o packing everything)
All Ultegra except a 105 front DR, which is I think is OK, with a triple - will this prove reliable and not
require constant "fiddling" (I don't care for frequent adjusting, repairing)
I question the wheels-ALX 295s. They seem very heavy. I will keep them awhile if they stay true, but
have already had to twist a few spokes- just a case of inactivity or a trait of these wheels?
As for PIE- I'm all for it ('specially coconut meringue), but what is FRED?Don

The reality of Fred is that if you are not paid to ride a bike, and don't win most of the races you are paid to win, then you are Fred. There will always be someone who is a better rider than us and who will "look down on us Freds" .:D In short we are all Freds unless we are dressing like the Pro, who looks down on us, then we are "Pousers". Pousers are lower on the food chain than Fred.

Nice job on the new-to-you bike! Get out and ride it often and keep us posted on your progress, and when you go clipless and begin to fall over:D.

Pousers? :wtf:

Pousers? :wtf:

Haven't you noticed I'm a very poor speller? At least at home my computer warns me the word is spelled wrong. That's if it can tell it's a word.;)

Is there something wrong with being a Fred??..:D


Nice bike by the way. Get Open Pro rims on Ultegra Hubs..........or better yet CXP33 rims on Ultegra's.

robtown - I paid $800-I felt I couldn't walk away from that.

BluesDawg - sounds like a plan. My LBS has made wheels twice in the past for me, but I just took their word for what I needed, not feeling that I knew enough to specify.

Hask, leob1, and stapfam - I actually have been all over people on another forum for abusing brick and mortar stores. I never would go out of my way to do that to a guy working on commission or trying to make a living- I've been there both ways. In the past 15 years or so - from this shop-I have bought 6 new bikes, had 2 rebuilt and bought a slew of accessories/supplies from the same shop. They said they had no hard feelings when I had them look at the bike. Then they sold me a pair of SIDIs. Bibs are next- from the LBS. Jerseys are another matter- I've been thinkin' 'bout one of those 50+ jobs.

Allegheny Jet - I don't mind being Fred- when I was younger I did, now I just laugh. I have noticed a wonderful sense of reality and a healthy dose of self deprecating humor on the 50+ forum and I feel "at home". Been clipless years ago, I'm not afraid of being stuck in them- going commando is another story, I am afraid of falling out of them:eek:.

Don

Went to the LBS, 4 test rides, a zillion questions, then bought a bike on Craiglist and took it back to the same LBS to get his opinion? Your LBS is a saint.

Or. put another way, "Went to the LBS, 4 test rides, a zillion questions, then bought a bike on Craiglist and took it back to the same LBS to get his opinion? If your LBS treated you well, they are showing signs of knowing how to stay in business."

robtown - I paid $800-I felt I couldn't walk away from that.

Jerseys are another matter- I've been thinkin' 'bout one of those 50+ jobs.

Allegheny Jet - I don't mind being Fred- when I was younger I did, now I just laugh. I have noticed a wonderful sense of reality and a healthy dose of self deprecating humor on the 50+ forum and I feel "at home". Been clipless years ago, I'm not afraid of being stuck in them- going commando is another story, I am afraid of falling out of them:eek:.

Don

Go Commando for the extra comfort it brings and with bibs- no fear of falling out. Honest----Having rucks in the undergarments can be very painfull- very quickly. On the jerseys- Don't forget that the cooler weather is on the way so long sleeve is a must. Aswell as the showerproof/waterproof top- depending on where you live.

And hurry up- PIE Ride is Saturday- so get the camera charged aswell.