Does my bike size up?
08-25-05, 06:32 AM
#1
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My bike: Raleigh C700 '04
Crankset - https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...1&category=919
Cassette - https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...e.cfm?sku=1896 (12-25 teeth)
Brakes - https://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx...2548&UberCat=0
Pedals - Shimano M505 Clipless
Stem - https://bicyclesource.us/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=7338
Front Deraileur - https://harriscyclery.net/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=964
Rear Deraileur - https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?s...5&srccode=1067
Chain - SRAM PC-49
(specs from Raleigh - https://www.raleighusa.com/popup-spec...91&childid=275)
Is my bike worthy of riding road, because I've been thinking of switching to a road bike lately and it seems like a good choice, as I'm quickly getting tired of the upright, draggy position, but if what my LBS owner (Verrazano Bikes in Brooklyn) said is true, that this bike uses components a $2,000 road bike uses, what's the point right?
Speaking of which - going back to the title's second meaning, can you guys give me some links that will size up a bike for me, I had one from this internet bike shop a few months ago but now it's impossible to find, this bike that I got was just taken off the rack, with no intention of fitting me (although I'm not sure if it even matters for a hybrid?).
Crankset - https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...1&category=919
Cassette - https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...e.cfm?sku=1896 (12-25 teeth)
Brakes - https://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx...2548&UberCat=0
Pedals - Shimano M505 Clipless
Stem - https://bicyclesource.us/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=7338
Front Deraileur - https://harriscyclery.net/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=964
Rear Deraileur - https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?s...5&srccode=1067
Chain - SRAM PC-49
(specs from Raleigh - https://www.raleighusa.com/popup-spec...91&childid=275)
Is my bike worthy of riding road, because I've been thinking of switching to a road bike lately and it seems like a good choice, as I'm quickly getting tired of the upright, draggy position, but if what my LBS owner (Verrazano Bikes in Brooklyn) said is true, that this bike uses components a $2,000 road bike uses, what's the point right?
Speaking of which - going back to the title's second meaning, can you guys give me some links that will size up a bike for me, I had one from this internet bike shop a few months ago but now it's impossible to find, this bike that I got was just taken off the rack, with no intention of fitting me (although I'm not sure if it even matters for a hybrid?).
08-25-05, 07:23 AM
#2
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Melbourne in Australia
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Bikes: Old 12-speed commuter, When I earn enough I'll get a fixed KHS flite 100
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Looking at the site, the only real namebrand feature is the 105 rear derrailleur, and the rest is not part of the shimano road series, therefore probably lower. NO, I think the guy saw your rear derailleur and then somehow assumed the rest was also 105. No doubt this is a decent bike. The tires are a bit fat for road use, and the position is as you mentioned, too upright for good road use. On the other hand, it has slick tires, no suspension (which is good). Counting these tradeoffs, work out if you need it.
The benefits of getting a roadie would be the drop bars. Once you get used to drop bars, you'll most likely won't want to go back. Do you have clipless, cause they'll make a difference on any bike. Also, thin high pressure tire FEEL FAST. They might only be marginally faster than your current tires, but since people ride for pleasure, and not for speed, then the way a bike feels, and how it looks is often nearly as important as how fast and functional it is.
If you aren't in shortage of money, I suggest do go up to a AU$800 road bike with clipless. You could use this bike on trails, unpaved paths, and as an expensive beater, while the road bike for practically everything else. If the roadie is not for you, or if you find yourself not using this hybrid (which is what I found once I got a roadie) sell it on ebay, you'll fetch several hundred easy. Even more for the roadie.
The benefits of getting a roadie would be the drop bars. Once you get used to drop bars, you'll most likely won't want to go back. Do you have clipless, cause they'll make a difference on any bike. Also, thin high pressure tire FEEL FAST. They might only be marginally faster than your current tires, but since people ride for pleasure, and not for speed, then the way a bike feels, and how it looks is often nearly as important as how fast and functional it is.
If you aren't in shortage of money, I suggest do go up to a AU$800 road bike with clipless. You could use this bike on trails, unpaved paths, and as an expensive beater, while the road bike for practically everything else. If the roadie is not for you, or if you find yourself not using this hybrid (which is what I found once I got a roadie) sell it on ebay, you'll fetch several hundred easy. Even more for the roadie.
08-25-05, 07:40 AM
#3
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Location: Arlington, VA
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Looking at the Raleigh site, this bike's geometry is pretty similar to a traditional road bike. Head tube angle is on the shallower side and wheelbase is a little longer than a traditional road bike, both will tend to give it somewhat slower and more 'stable' handling properties. This is similar to a comfort oriented road bike (Giant OCR, Specialized Roubaix, etc).
You could swap out the stem, bars, and shifters for road versions and put some 700x23 tires on there and you'd be pretty close. This would also let you put the 35mm tires back on if you wanted to take it on something rougher than roads too which might be cool. If you look for deals, you could probably make these changes for around $200. Depends on what your ultimate goals are if it's worth it. Have fun!
You could swap out the stem, bars, and shifters for road versions and put some 700x23 tires on there and you'd be pretty close. This would also let you put the 35mm tires back on if you wanted to take it on something rougher than roads too which might be cool. If you look for deals, you could probably make these changes for around $200. Depends on what your ultimate goals are if it's worth it. Have fun!
