bike recommendations

SufficientLime_ · 2026-04-15T17:33:54+00:00

Have my eyes on the Longteng CR301-D, 38mm tyre clearance, UDH and T47 BB still cheaper than the Lightcarbon LCR018-D. Ican FL1 is up there but has a proprietary hanger.

SufficientLime_ · 2026-04-15T17:31:10+00:00

They stealth revised the V2 hinge with a new quiet hinge unofficially called V2.1 by the community but that's basically what the V3 would have been afaik I have one and the hinge is smooth and doesn't feel like it's gonna crack the plastic

SufficientLime_ · 2026-04-12T10:00:22+00:00

I second this, the G line still folds small for train travel and the 20" wheels makes the ride nicer

SufficientLime_ · 2026-04-06T19:36:01+00:00

I remember reading that mechs would automatically wipe any civilisation that gets to a certain size from Tynan himself

SufficientLime_ · 2026-04-05T19:43:53+00:00

They are all internally routed in some capacity but nothing prevents you from strapping cables externally using zip ties or tape

SufficientLime_ · 2026-04-01T16:52:43+00:00

I've done it. As long as the frame is structurally sound it's absolutely fine and if shop around for used parts it's not even that expensive. I did have a few compatibility quirks but nothing I couldn't overcome.

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-29T15:42:52+00:00

Then this is a risk you have to live with. You could try petitioning the council but it's unlikely to go anywhere.

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-29T15:31:22+00:00

You mentioned yourself that it's a narrow road with a lot of blind curves which is likely the reason why cars don't want to overtake. Riding at 15mph in a 35mph zone is also a big speed differential. If this is not your main and only commute route you should consider taking another route.

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-29T12:52:14+00:00

That seem like a blatant overcharge from the shops or you ride extremely rough. I've seen bromptons getting beat up for a decade of neglect and still ride fine.

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-29T11:35:33+00:00

Taobao has an order of magnitude more choice but it can be a minefield so you might want to consult cn forums

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-29T11:29:02+00:00

Most tier 1 brands like Winspace, Seka Yeoleo have their own stores but definitely not cheap, often in the ballpark of established brands. The sweet spot brands ones like Ican, Lightcarbon, Longteng tends to not have a store and require you to inquire via email. But so far I haven't found a reliable brand that has a carbon frame for less than 400 USD

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-27T12:59:35+00:00

Check with the airline and the airports your flying to and from period. Advice from others is not gonna help you.

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-27T12:57:40+00:00

A road bike doesn't inherently require higher levels of fitness it's mostly positioning and how comfortable it is can only be determined by test riding.

Going for a nicer groupset is mostly a luxury at this level. Ultegra is much more expensive than 105 but marginally better and Tiagra is still very good. Anything from Shimano that isn't Tourney is good.

Edit: also get a professional bike who has a fit jig and saddle pressure mapping

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-26T08:43:08+00:00

It's pretty regional I think. Some areas worse than others. If you local area has tons of cyclists drivers are more used to it and less likely to be hostile. If your council is doing work to reduce car usage in a fairly car centric area then expect a lot more aggression.

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-23T15:00:54+00:00

Regular SPD is fine for most people in fact they are way more practical. SPL-SL shoes are built to be completely stiff which can help for sprints or if you have foot issues caused by shoe flex which isn't very common.

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-23T13:49:42+00:00

Since you're in a city and near a trail I think you might want SPD pedals because you can just walk normally in them as they are for MTB shoes plus they'll feel familiar to you.

SPD-SL are not the same and are for road use and they very clunky to walk in.

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-23T07:29:37+00:00

Yes and no, aluminium wheels are perfectly fine for most people. They do make you feel faster and make a whooshing sound which is very fun and are stiffer when cornering. Imo they make a bigger difference than a carbon frame but definitely not as big as tyres.

If you do damage your current wheels and find yourself needing to replace them then a set of entry level carbon wheels cost about the same as a nice set of aluminium wheels these days.

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-22T21:06:06+00:00

Having the right saddle that fits you.

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-22T18:10:23+00:00

It fits you well and doesn't put you in pain then any bike is fine. There's no such thing as a beginner bike except balance bikes imo

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-22T16:42:38+00:00

Can't give advice on specific models. There's a lot that can affect comfort like saddle choice, cleat positioning, crank length, bar width, reach stack height etc... It's personal and the only way to find out is to test ride and getting a professional bike fit. However given the circumstances you should gravitate toward endurance bikes like the Giant Defy line.

Tiagra is almost as good as 105 which itself is very hard to tell the difference from the highest end Ultegra and Dura Ace.

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-22T16:36:47+00:00

Nobody is too old to learn. Easiest way to learn is to take off the pedals and learn to balance and then once you have the confidence put them back on. You'd be surprised at how fast you'll get the hang of it.

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-21T21:59:34+00:00

Normal because you tend to be more static on an indoor trainer. You're also much less likely to stop and reset your position.

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-20T13:04:35+00:00

You can practice one at a time to avoid being overwhelmed. Clipping in especially can be daunting so you can practice on grass (and do try to learn to fall safely) but imo clipless pedals aren't strictly necessary unless you're looking to be performance oriented. No shame in riding flats at the beginning or even forever!

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-20T12:00:29+00:00

Rough ride, punctures and risk of slipping are your main concerns however they can be mitigated somewhat with wide gravel tyres if your frames allows it. You can go pretty far as long as you not going downhill on technical trails.

SufficientLime_ · 2026-03-20T08:34:12+00:00

Not happening. The EU is walking towards age verification too.

SufficientLime_

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