New bike, return to cycling, have questions
06-15-20, 02:22 AM
#1
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New bike, return to cycling, have questions
I bought a Cannondale Topstone 105 aluminum and am enjoying it. I had/have a Raleigh SC40, so the Topstone was s big jump for me- especially at 57 years of age. My legs are strong, my ambition stronger, my heart not so great, terrible vision, and I am an ambitious hiker as well.
i thought a gravel bike would get me on trails and the bike trails and I am pleased with 50-60 mi. On the bike so far. I don’t like the 700/37c knobby tires on the tarmac trails and want to go to a more appropriate tire. I’m thinking about a second wheel setup with 30mm wheels maybe. Carbon is too expensive (after all I just bought the bike, helmet, and lights) but I have no budget range- I’ll have to find the value and just go for it. In admitted vanity I do like the big lettering on the wheels- never had that on my Fuji sports 10 I bought in 1977 and put tremendous miles on it.
i was also thinking of getting the Wahoo Element cycle meter package with the heart monitor, and cadence sensors to track and help me designate and reach some reasonable goals. My iPhone 11, of course, has GPS.
Finally, I was thinking I should ride with some spare tubes and a pump, but need help deciding on those; I’ll also probably get a saddle bag to hold my phone and those replacement tubes- unless I go tubeless- and whatever tools I should carry.
The LBS stores here are just pushing you into whatever they have in inventory, and I’m not riding around. With their name on my water bottle, saddlebag, or anything else (It’s tacky, and not as cool as Zipp, Hunt, Mavic, etc. on the sides of the rims).
My bike came with WTB Riddler TCS Light, 700 x 37c, tubeless ready tires, and WTB ST i23 TCS, 28h, tubeless ready wheels.
Thanks in advance for your input.
i thought a gravel bike would get me on trails and the bike trails and I am pleased with 50-60 mi. On the bike so far. I don’t like the 700/37c knobby tires on the tarmac trails and want to go to a more appropriate tire. I’m thinking about a second wheel setup with 30mm wheels maybe. Carbon is too expensive (after all I just bought the bike, helmet, and lights) but I have no budget range- I’ll have to find the value and just go for it. In admitted vanity I do like the big lettering on the wheels- never had that on my Fuji sports 10 I bought in 1977 and put tremendous miles on it.
i was also thinking of getting the Wahoo Element cycle meter package with the heart monitor, and cadence sensors to track and help me designate and reach some reasonable goals. My iPhone 11, of course, has GPS.
Finally, I was thinking I should ride with some spare tubes and a pump, but need help deciding on those; I’ll also probably get a saddle bag to hold my phone and those replacement tubes- unless I go tubeless- and whatever tools I should carry.
The LBS stores here are just pushing you into whatever they have in inventory, and I’m not riding around. With their name on my water bottle, saddlebag, or anything else (It’s tacky, and not as cool as Zipp, Hunt, Mavic, etc. on the sides of the rims).
My bike came with WTB Riddler TCS Light, 700 x 37c, tubeless ready tires, and WTB ST i23 TCS, 28h, tubeless ready wheels.
Thanks in advance for your input.
06-15-20, 04:29 AM
#2
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First, I'll recommend the Wahoo Elemnt or Roam if you do get a bike computer. I got tired of running the battery down on my phone on long rides, tried Garmin, loved Wahoo.
Tires: depends on the type of gravel riding you do, if is mainly fine crushed limestone or hard packed dirt, look at the treaded tires that have a solid center contact patch if you want to stick with one set of wheels. Schwalbe Marathon 32mm is what I use.
It is very rare that I'm biking on "real" gravel where the 40mm gravel tires that came with, but I put them back on since I am mostly using the gravel bike (Jamis Renegade) on crushed limestone rail trails and dirt roads/paths and they are way more comfortable! I have a separate road bike for road riding, but I use the Renegade with the Schwalbe's for touring and riding on mixed surfaces.
I decided against running tubeless - many swear by it but to me it only makes sense for mountain biking. Running tubeless, I'd still have to carry everything I carry just in case I got a big gash and I'd have way more regular maintenance. Many swear by them, though.
I always carried a frame pump, a few years ago joined the CO2 cannister crowd. So far CO2 has warded off all flats while I'm riding! A tube, the inflator, 2 canniserts and tire tools fits in my saddle bag nicely.
Tires: depends on the type of gravel riding you do, if is mainly fine crushed limestone or hard packed dirt, look at the treaded tires that have a solid center contact patch if you want to stick with one set of wheels. Schwalbe Marathon 32mm is what I use.
It is very rare that I'm biking on "real" gravel where the 40mm gravel tires that came with, but I put them back on since I am mostly using the gravel bike (Jamis Renegade) on crushed limestone rail trails and dirt roads/paths and they are way more comfortable! I have a separate road bike for road riding, but I use the Renegade with the Schwalbe's for touring and riding on mixed surfaces.
I decided against running tubeless - many swear by it but to me it only makes sense for mountain biking. Running tubeless, I'd still have to carry everything I carry just in case I got a big gash and I'd have way more regular maintenance. Many swear by them, though.
I always carried a frame pump, a few years ago joined the CO2 cannister crowd. So far CO2 has warded off all flats while I'm riding! A tube, the inflator, 2 canniserts and tire tools fits in my saddle bag nicely.
Last edited by jpescatore; 06-15-20 at 04:39 AM.
06-15-20, 05:13 AM
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By all means you should be carrying a mini-pump, tube and tire levers on your longer rides as a bare minimum.
A second set of wheels would be nice but at this juncture but I would wait. It is an expense that is a luxury and you might be better served by accumulating some riding knowledge before such a purchase. You might be better off with a different tire. I am sorry I have to disagree with the recommendation for Schwalbe Marathons. I loved that tire for commuting because of the flat protection but they ride like bricks. Super stiff sidewalls and protective plies makes it a horrible ride. I own this tire and have used this tire lots but I wouldn't ride it outside of glass strewn streets. A soft supple tire will change the ride and feel of that bike. I sound like a broken record but Compass tires will change the feel of that bike.
If you went with one set of tires and wheels the width is what will be next question. That is personal preference usually derived by trial and error.
Getting a computer with heart rate monitor is also an extravagance but one that is a lot of fun. Plus you can track your metrics.
Bottom line, you don't have to purchase everything now. Take your time research what you need and go from there. Though tires and tools should be first.
A second set of wheels would be nice but at this juncture but I would wait. It is an expense that is a luxury and you might be better served by accumulating some riding knowledge before such a purchase. You might be better off with a different tire. I am sorry I have to disagree with the recommendation for Schwalbe Marathons. I loved that tire for commuting because of the flat protection but they ride like bricks. Super stiff sidewalls and protective plies makes it a horrible ride. I own this tire and have used this tire lots but I wouldn't ride it outside of glass strewn streets. A soft supple tire will change the ride and feel of that bike. I sound like a broken record but Compass tires will change the feel of that bike.
If you went with one set of tires and wheels the width is what will be next question. That is personal preference usually derived by trial and error.
Getting a computer with heart rate monitor is also an extravagance but one that is a lot of fun. Plus you can track your metrics.
Bottom line, you don't have to purchase everything now. Take your time research what you need and go from there. Though tires and tools should be first.
06-15-20, 05:44 PM
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I bought a Cannondale Topstone 105 aluminum and am enjoying it. I had/have a Raleigh SC40, so the Topstone was s big jump for me- especially at 57 years of age. My legs are strong, my ambition stronger, my heart not so great, terrible vision, and I am an ambitious hiker as well.
i thought a gravel bike would get me on trails and the bike trails and I am pleased with 50-60 mi. On the bike so far. I don’t like the 700/37c knobby tires on the tarmac trails and want to go to a more appropriate tire. I’m thinking about a second wheel setup with 30mm wheels maybe. Carbon is too expensive (after all I just bought the bike, helmet, and lights) but I have no budget range- I’ll have to find the value and just go for it. In admitted vanity I do like the big lettering on the wheels- never had that on my Fuji sports 10 I bought in 1977 and put tremendous miles on it.
i was also thinking of getting the Wahoo Element cycle meter package with the heart monitor, and cadence sensors to track and help me designate and reach some reasonable goals. My iPhone 11, of course, has GPS.
Finally, I was thinking I should ride with some spare tubes and a pump, but need help deciding on those; I’ll also probably get a saddle bag to hold my phone and those replacement tubes- unless I go tubeless- and whatever tools I should carry.
The LBS stores here are just pushing you into whatever they have in inventory, and I’m not riding around. With their name on my water bottle, saddlebag, or anything else (It’s tacky, and not as cool as Zipp, Hunt, Mavic, etc. on the sides of the rims).
My bike came with WTB Riddler TCS Light, 700 x 37c, tubeless ready tires, and WTB ST i23 TCS, 28h, tubeless ready wheels.
Thanks in advance for your input.
i thought a gravel bike would get me on trails and the bike trails and I am pleased with 50-60 mi. On the bike so far. I don’t like the 700/37c knobby tires on the tarmac trails and want to go to a more appropriate tire. I’m thinking about a second wheel setup with 30mm wheels maybe. Carbon is too expensive (after all I just bought the bike, helmet, and lights) but I have no budget range- I’ll have to find the value and just go for it. In admitted vanity I do like the big lettering on the wheels- never had that on my Fuji sports 10 I bought in 1977 and put tremendous miles on it.
i was also thinking of getting the Wahoo Element cycle meter package with the heart monitor, and cadence sensors to track and help me designate and reach some reasonable goals. My iPhone 11, of course, has GPS.
Finally, I was thinking I should ride with some spare tubes and a pump, but need help deciding on those; I’ll also probably get a saddle bag to hold my phone and those replacement tubes- unless I go tubeless- and whatever tools I should carry.
The LBS stores here are just pushing you into whatever they have in inventory, and I’m not riding around. With their name on my water bottle, saddlebag, or anything else (It’s tacky, and not as cool as Zipp, Hunt, Mavic, etc. on the sides of the rims).
My bike came with WTB Riddler TCS Light, 700 x 37c, tubeless ready tires, and WTB ST i23 TCS, 28h, tubeless ready wheels.
Thanks in advance for your input.
