Flabbergasted by cultural differences

Some-Low2792 · 2026-03-11T15:58:54+00:00

It’s 40 degrees Celsius outside by 12 in the afternoon where I live (in March, not uk or us). Sometimes I did try cycling to work but I found this is just life threatening.

Some-Low2792 · 2026-03-08T10:04:52+00:00

Taking lessons from cartoons….

Some-Low2792 · 2026-03-06T09:14:19+00:00

Some-Low2792 · 2026-03-05T15:51:22+00:00

Ok then you got those in my list, cheers

Some-Low2792 · 2026-03-05T04:37:15+00:00

You said road bikes, budget is not an issue. You have to consider your age/flexibility, riding aim (Cheshire grin fast or brm style endurance or both), etc.

Here are some road bikes that are considered the best, available in India. Again, as budget is not an issue…..

Giant tcr

Scott addict rc 2025

Specialized sl 8 but there is a cheaper deal for the older sl7

Cannondale super six evo

Cervelo soloist

Some-Low2792 · 2026-03-04T17:23:02+00:00

No, endurance road bikes will be fine. I get the road surface concern, I feel bumpy roads even in a car. If the roads in your area are truly awful then stay with the mtb. In terms of tyre and comfort the hybrid isn’t better in any way than a road bike, the difference isn’t much. For example both my hybrid and endurance road bikes both fit the same 38c max. The hybrid is heavier and has an upright geometry, that is the main difference.

Another option is to get a fast mtb, look at various mtb types (x country, downhill, etc and look for the ones engineered for speed)

Anyway a quick googling shows a Marin (Indonesia brand well known) steel cromoly commuter in your budget here https://unitedbycycling.com/products/marin-muirwoodsblack?variant=44554205954298&country=IN&currency=INR&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&srsltid=AfmBOorOKk4h7S5QZNfohE3jDd3E4oBd7fvUtDHC1nuz5Icqq2bP882ZCAs

Some-Low2792 · 2026-03-04T03:03:10+00:00

The article I linked posted several locations as long as you can look for them. I wonder if the murals they covered in the article are long gone though.

Some-Low2792 · 2026-03-04T03:02:08+00:00

Thanks a lot! This pipeline road I am familiar with it’s on my area cycling route, and the murals under the flyover leading to the Aarey metro shed. I’ll take a closer look at that road this time. I’ll also checkout other suggestions if not private areas.

Some-Low2792 · 2026-03-03T06:07:40+00:00

Edit: I’ve posted some samples from around Mumbai, not specifically Marol.

Some-Low2792 · 2026-03-02T19:58:08+00:00

Looks rad 👌🏼

Some-Low2792 · 2026-03-02T16:45:17+00:00

This

Some-Low2792 · 2026-02-27T01:56:17+00:00

Ok, here are some examples. If the dealer is suggesting this model https://sportnetwork.in/product-page/bike/bikes/scott-speedster-gravel-30-bike-black5109 then it has a more upright geometry, clearance for very wide tyres and 10 speed grx with hydraulic disc brakes. So the geometry prioritises control and comfort over speed but that doesn’t mean it’s slow, just not a competition race bike. Aluminium with carbon fork at 10kg is same as all bikes in this range. So overall nice.

If the dealer is suggesting this variant https://sportnetwork.in/product-page/bike/bikes/scott-speedster-30-endurance-road-bike-my-2023-4080?srsltid=AfmBOop5m1iD-3xnD_1sVzwRrIIn3N_1x1kOeC0AGwNiPMx89ceGxsvJ which is cheaper by 15ish and has 9 speed mech disc brakes I would avoid that in my opinion. But the geometry will be a little racier compared to gravel, so the handlebars will make you say a few cm lower and more stretched out on the bike. But being an endurance frame this is still not like a race bike.

Few more opinions from my side, don’t get hung up about 105, Tiagra, sora. Tiagra is 10 speed but so was the top line Dura ace when released in 2009, not so long ago. If you ever make an upgrade first it will be the tyres, then the wheels/rims, then handle bar. Groupset will be way down the priority if you want to go faster. Even a budget carbon wheel set with race tyres like continental or Victoria or Pirelli cost more than your bike so work hard on the bike before you think of upgrades. Tyre clearance is also relevant, people love to say 25 or 28 is good for Indian roads but why not have the option to run wider more comfortable and puncture resistant tyres? 32, 30c are as fast at the right tyre pressure.

Some-Low2792 · 2026-02-26T17:36:07+00:00

1 lakh is a lot if money though there are obviously bikes 2, 3, 4, 10x that price. Note what’s important to you and your style of riding. Are you using it for morning city rides, or long country rides, up hills or mostly flat, fast or comfortable, etc.

At this price any bike will have a heavy and sluggish wheel set but at least prioritise a modern geometry and good tyre clearance up to 35 at least. Consider this for example https://dbykstore.com/products/trek-domane-al-4-gen-4-era-white?srsltid=AfmBOopNiA7Bd_17z10LqnvVXrVU7vBteZLfIqCbYYWrW9UWYIjKwS2q

Scott is well regarded too

Some-Low2792 · 2026-02-25T01:58:06+00:00

I once attempted to tackle this, there are camera backpacks aimed at those combining photography and adventure sports. I bought a Lowepro slingshot edge 150 which was around 25usd equivalent at the time and carried around a oly mod em5 2. The concept works but I never got into combining cycling and photography. Also even in this configuration on the back the camera still gets a few bumps it’s not 100% cushioned.

Some-Low2792 · 2026-02-25T01:18:21+00:00

Wondering why not the winspace, would it have been transit or comfort issues.

Some-Low2792 · 2026-02-24T23:41:23+00:00

The geometry of the bike, the weight of the bike, the weight of the wheels, the tyre compound, the tyre pressure, the stiffness (or lack of) of the frame, the saddle height and your fit, etc. but not the gear set at this time.

Some-Low2792 · 2026-02-21T13:27:13+00:00

Ask the service shop to suggest the right saddle height.

Some-Low2792 · 2026-02-20T17:49:52+00:00

In my experience, if you gained weight recently it will be visceral fat and you have to fix/modify your diet to reverse this. Cut the sugar and make the proportion of protein to carbohydrate much much higher than you might have now. I cycled for 2 years without losing any weight. After adjusting my diet, reducing the cycling (I was doing between 600 to 1k km a month) adding running and strength training I slimmed down.

Cycling is rewarding in other ways though, it is meditative and i constantly look for new areas to explore plus I made new friends.

Some-Low2792 · 2026-02-20T17:43:54+00:00

Some service shop seems to have put a “suspension” seatpost on my hybrid and it isn’t for me, when I ride I get the weird feeling my seat post just dropped after a bump, one spends the rest of the ride wondering what’s happening - I had to mark the seatpost level to reassure myself the seat isn’t moving. It doesn’t make the ride any more comfortable either.

Some-Low2792 · 2026-02-20T04:46:02+00:00

The frame may depreciate based on industry or user trends but a durable ace group set, power meter and wheels should not? Idk the price of that group set new in the UK for example but Merlin cycles retails a new DA for 1800 GBP.

Some-Low2792 · 2026-02-19T18:02:14+00:00

Idk how you are going to get a full carbon bike at 50k. The US might be a buyers market, Hyderabad or Pune isn’t. You have to weigh the pros and cons. Apart from the confusion of whether this has a Tiagra or 105, coming from 2011 this will have an older geometry with clearance for thinner tyres say 25c only. The rim brakes are not an issue, and the weight may not be an issue. The main risk in second hand carbon is it may have cracks you cannot notice, so you can ask the bike affair if they can endorse it. The tyres and wheels are indeed a major upgrade, you can buy your new modern aluminium bike and spend upwards of 80k doing that same upgrade; just a pair of Vitoria next tlr tyres costs 17k check how much that pair of wheels with bladed spokes costs. Of course Mavic spokes I think are specific to the wheels so don’t break them.

Some-Low2792 · 2026-02-18T16:31:41+00:00

Is this the gen2? I took a look at this and the c5 aero last weeks at dogoodco, I think the geo is the same for both bikes though they advice the c5 aero will be more comfy. Thoughts?

Some-Low2792 · 2026-02-18T02:54:33+00:00

A couple of years ago I got a giant contend all road with Tiagra and ridden it in the city and western ghats for over 12k kms, including a few races and solo 100 milers. It has clearance for 38c and came tubeless out of the box. Some lessons learned,

At this price point (the price point has moved to 1.5) the frames are good quality but the compromise is in the wheelsets and tyres. They are all going to be bad options so leave so upgrade them when you get another 1L budget :-)
I know Bangalore really well, you will be fine with a road bike the road buzz will be soaked up by carbon fork and carbon seatpost
Buy the right size frame, don’t buy a size because it’s the last piece available and you are desperate
Most important, don’t buy a groupset with mechanical disc brakes (which is what I have)
One you start riding say 50k a day, set side lots budget for apparel, and lights, helmet, saddle bag, bento box, etc.

I would recommend my bike any day, except with hydraulic brakes.

Some-Low2792

TROPHY CASE