Stepfam,
This is a pro-level race bike, so "no" you aren't good enough for this bike. But then none of us is a pro-level racer and most of us have a desire to ride fast (or faster), so I say be glad you did it.

One request (and I apologize for the strident tone), please do NOT put mtb gearing on a race bike. Campy can get you 29 teeth on the rear, use smaller chain rings if necessary, but not a pie plate for a cassette and XTR. You are a powerful, thin guy, just train it up and suffer on the climbs until you develop road bike endurance for the hills, it will come with practice. This bike screams for tri bars and a skinsuit and an aero TT helmet. Go for it, dude. Time to stepfam up to the plate. Masters races are in your future.

Stapfam, I looked closely at the picture. It won't be all that easy to ride....it has no pedals. Seriously though, that's a nice looking bike. You'll have some fun on it. Pics when you get it.

A big +1 on that. You're getting yourself a thoroughbred go-fast bike. Don't try to change its nature. Let it change you. Keep the Giant and its triple crank for days when you don't feel up to the task of riding the fast bike fast.

Looks nice. Co. is from Denmark. Do they make them there? Went on the web site and looks like no US distribution.

On high-end road bikes, you discard the pedals to save weight. You discard shoes too. Then you stick your big toes in those holes at the ends of the crank arms.

Bombadil, if that's your real name, I'm here to warn you: One day your helmet will be mine. Oh, yes, it wil be mine.

I'll let you know about the MTB cassette after the 3rd 15% hill of a morning. Will be having compact in any case and the Largest Road rear cassette it is possible to get so it may not be necessary on such a light bike that works.

Went back to the LBS today and There may be some good news on the Frame- I will be going for the smallest frame made- a 51cm- and there may be a possibility- providing the factory have not sold all the batch made early in the year- of a Compact frame aswell. Having ridden compacts for 7 years now- I think I would prefer one.

Now as to those pedals- I will be staying SPD. All the current bikes have them and I do not want another pair of shoes floating around the lounge- It will be bad enough having the bike in there when I get it so I do not want to upset the wife again this year. Never know- I might want to get some OCP bib shorts.

I want to go on record predicting Stapfam will be buying road shoes and pedals within 6 months of getting this bike.

If you are staying with SPD, do take a look at the A-520 semi road style. Almost roadie pedals for the SPD cleats.

George- I am fortunate in that there is already a bike built up in the shop-In my size and set up near enough to say that it fitted. Test rode it and it is the bike for me. Took a year to get the Giant to fit me and it is not as comfortable as the Shop owners Boreas is. And as to Speed and ridability- The speed is down to the weight of the thing- or lack of it- and the quality of the parts fitted.

I would never want to buy a bike unseen and untested. No matter what the reputation of it was. This will not be my first custom build as I did that on a mountain bike back in 97. Went for a light frame then and it built up into a 19lbs flyer that sailed up hills. Didn't go down hill that slow either.

This is going to be my Dotage bike. I have worked for it for a long time and it is going to be right. Luckily- I have a very good LBS and if I have a minor fit problem such as stem or bars or anything not up to standard- then it will be corrected.

And Maddmax--Looked at the A-520 pedals and this will probably be the answer- Lighter than the SPD's and will still take the Cleats fitted to my shoes.

Now that's funny. What do you do about the toe nails?

Dotage********************

Translation into Texan, please.

Sounds like time for a Campy vs. Shimano argument.
In the true spirit of compromise, there is that 13x29!!

best,,,,,,,

I'm telling ya'. Six months max and you'll be buying real road shoes and choosing a road pedal/cleat system.

Very nice, stapfam. I see some speedy road tales coming....

No doubt you did your homework and I'll be anxious to see the completed bike, good luck.

They get trimmed by the Chain so might save time for more riding.

Meaning of Dotage

A deterioration of mental faculties; senility.

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[Middle English, from doten, to dote.]


This occured with me last week when I Realised that I need a better bike- Want a better bike and am going to get a better bike.

Normally comes in at extreme old age- but thanks to modern life seems to be coming in earlier.

Don't you lot understand the roots of your mother tongue? (It is not common parlance and even I had to look it up for the correct definition in the dictionary)

And as to campy versus shimano- There is no argument. I ain't having no Italian stuff on my bike- unless it is a naked supermodel doing the promo shots for this forum.

Very nice selection. I would not fret over the 34/27. You can grind up any hill with that gearing. Your cadence might suffer a little but you shouldn't have a problem keeping the bike moving forward.