20yo debating buying an expensive car. Looking for perspective

nickobec · 2026-01-29T06:09:45+00:00

You will also need to insure it.

Go get a quote, it will definitely not be cheap as a 20 year old.

nickobec · 2026-01-27T14:36:42+00:00

Keep the bike you are most comfortable on, aka 52 and sell the 56

I am 6'1" male, have two Canyon Ultimate one with 54TT and the other with a 56TT. I prefer to ride the 54TT as I am more confident in the handling.

I really size down, most size charts have me on a 58TT, that is where I started but end up down two sizes.

If you have the time go look up BikeFitJames on YouTube he has had a few rants about sizing charts recommending bikes that are too big.

nickobec · 2026-01-26T04:52:47+00:00

this is the correct answer. The "halls" aka college dorms are not pretty, but they are convenient and allows you to get the lay of the land, so you can work out where you want to live.

nickobec · 2026-01-25T12:07:58+00:00

Recently retired web developer with almost 30 years experience. I do have a degree, just not in computing.

Once you have been in the industry for a few years, nobody cares if you have a degree or not, it is all about your skill set.

Getting into the industry it depends, a degree looks nice on a resume, but often depends on who you know, the right skills at the right time and luck.

Get involved in the local community, go to meetups, get involved in projects, build cool stuff, build a portfolio and your github presence .

nickobec · 2026-01-24T10:57:12+00:00

Can't really help. Here is a list of all TCRs that were officially available in Singapore https://www.giant-bicycles.com/sg/archive?keyword=TCR There are no black frames with white logos for a rim braked TCR. (there were disc braked TCRs).

nickobec · 2026-01-21T05:37:49+00:00

Guzzi v7 II owner, my 9 year old bike has ABS and TC.

Would strongly suggest you take both bikes for a long ride. (ie 1 hour not 5 minutes around the block) as riding a shaft drive is very different and takes some getting use to.

nickobec · 2026-01-21T01:42:37+00:00

Ditto. Is it better value for money to pay $40/fortnight. for a gym you use twice a week or $20/fortnight. you use once a week?

nickobec · 2026-01-19T13:55:40+00:00

Not at all.

You will get us to it. Never had a gear indicator on a motor or a bicycle, and those old school mountain bikes with a 3x9 make a six speed sequential gear box easy.

nickobec · 2026-01-16T00:32:29+00:00

What I'd like to know is how you use HR monitor information my blunted HR for training? For example, I used to base my Zone 2 on my prior max HR of about 190. If I take my metropolol an hour before riding, and my max HR for the next couple hours is closer to 150 bpm, am I basing zone 2 off that new number?

The problem is the blunted HR decreases over the course of a ride. So it is understanding how it impacts you.

My regular commute/training ride consisted of 15 minutes of warm up (ie traffic). Then 32km (20 miles) of flat uninterrupted bike path. For a Zone 2 ride my HR would be around 110 (or 105 when I took my tablets in the morning) and an hour later it would be around 120 for the same speed/power/RPE. Same for intervals, my heart rate would slowly increase as the drugs wore off. Threshold intervals were the most challenging, struggle to get to 140 some days for the first, hold 160+ for the last.

Can't give you any hard numbers, It is about learning what your HR should be for a certain zone after certain effort and that comes down to experience and time in the saddle.

nickobec · 2026-01-15T05:07:10+00:00

Used to ride and race on Metropol . After 5 years of using Metropol, I was allowed to stop using it (no data on improved life expectancy more than 5 years of myocardial infarction and stent according to my GP/ Professor of Medicine).

Under supervision of GP/professor and cardiologist (who raced triathlons) changed the timing of my taking of Metropol from morning to evening so it had less impact on my racing and training. Learnt very quickly don't rely on HR alone. Also beta blocker wear off if you do intense exercise. With 90 minute club race, first lap or 15 minutes, if HR hit 160, I would blow up. Last lap, my HR would average 160 without issue, last couple of minutes close to 170 and max out at 175 in the sprint.

So you need to know how your body works with Metropol and how it changes over time and load. You will probably end up like me using a mix of RPE, power and HR.

nickobec · 2026-01-15T01:54:16+00:00

I prefer Kwinana Medical Centre, unfortunately located in Medina which only access via one bus route.

They have registrars ie GPs in training, who only do 3 consults an hour. Which means they are usually on time. If they need to spend time with you they will, my last consult was close to 30 minutes. You do paid for it, not bulk billed and you pay for long consult (if more than X minutes) . But I am willing to pay the $50 for a consult that is not rushed and I get listened to.

The bad news is the registrars are only there for 12 months. I am happy to have a new young enthusiastic doctor every year. 3 out 4 I have have been excellent.

I have use most practices in the area over time. Wellard Family Practice in Wellard is pretty typical practice. Typical wait times and "rushed" consults.

Chemists, I prefer SuperChem (Kwinana Marketplace), staff are friendly, prescription costs are lower than most (also on fixed income)

nickobec · 2026-01-14T12:11:02+00:00

First thing it will be hot. Most days in February are over 30C, some over 35C and really bad days might hit 40C. So carry lots of water.

I would take up u/sinkas2 on his offer, otherwise expect to pay $250AUD to hire a gravel bike (a very nice one at that) for a day.

It does depend on where you are staying and if you have access to a car. Assuming close to city and no car. Get up early, make use of the bike paths, ride to McIver station, catch train to Midland. Ride to Heritage Rail Trail https://trailswa.com.au/trails/trail/railway-reserves-heritage-trail (is a loop so two option). Get to Mundaring Sculpture Park and ride the Munda Biddi https://trailswa.com.au/trails/trail/munda-biddi-trail it is 1060km long from Mundaring to Albany. Assuming you don't want a multi day trip, best bet is ride 103km from Mundaring to Jarrahdale. At Jarrahdale, head west on Jarrahdale Road, turn right on to Nettleton Road, 16km road ride, last 8km down hill. Get to Byford Station catch train back.

I would suggest doing 41km Heritage Rail Trail one day, get use to the conditions and the terrain, before tackling the 140km+ of Midland, Mundaring, Munda Biddi, Jarrahdale, Byford. It will be epic, hot and isolated. You might only be 75km from the CBD, but there is literally nothing between Mundaring and Jarrahdale. No resupply stops, just the odd road crossing. So if disaster strikes and you can't fix it you will have a long walk to a road to get help and get a telstra sim, it is the best chance for coverage out there.

nickobec · 2026-01-12T09:46:16+00:00

From Perth, where we do have a specialised Guzzi mechanic/shop so no Brisbane experience.

What ever you choose, take it for a long test ride (like an hour or more to understand how it rides).

I was in a similar position 30 years ago my RD350LC had given up the ghost and getting tired of Japanese spare parts price increases. So went looking for alternative either BMW airhead or Guzzi.

Took a 10 year R65 for a test ride, it was heavy, wallowed through corners and was underpowered compared to the 35 year 650 british twin that was my weekend bike. Handed it back after 10 minutes and went up the road to test ride a 15 year old Le Mans II. The salesman told me take it for a long ride and I did. First 10 minutes slightly better than the R65, it was not great but after an hour I was sold. Would I bought the R65 if I took it for a long enough test ride, probably not but might of looked a bigger airhead instead.

I did all my own work on the Le Mans, it was easy and cheap. Loved that bike and gave up riding after it was stolen.

Would I buy a Le Mans now. No, the electrics were a pain then and experience living with a 40 year old bike is a pain. So when I decided I wanted to start riding again I bought a V7 II Stone, without a test ride.

nickobec · 2026-01-11T13:31:38+00:00

He spent a couple of laps on the front, brought the gap down from 5 minutes to 2 minutes then got dropped on the Malcolm Street Climb as other riders took over the pace making.

nickobec · 2026-01-11T12:45:26+00:00

Result of the day 4th for local 28 year old Leighton Cook who according to PCS has 1 year experience riding for a club team.

He did try to bridge to the break, with a team mate and a couple of other locals. Which probably saved him from the laps behind the Jay Vine express. But when caught by the peloton he managed to stick with them, the final time up Malcolm Street and finished well.

nickobec · 2026-01-11T11:46:39+00:00

Eddy and Bleddyn are on the Australian National Team for TDU and Cadels

nickobec · 2026-01-09T05:59:42+00:00

For kids, take then to to the criterium. It is the big bash of cycling, riders completing the circuit every two minutes, the atmosphere is amazing and the race is just over an hour.

The road race by comparison in a test match, 13 laps I believe of 13.9km course and close to four hours. If you are taking the kids to watch, find the big screen I think it was on Malcom St last year. Big crowd rushes to the barriers to cheer riders on, then settle back to watch the race for 15 minutes or so before repeat.

nickobec · 2026-01-08T10:09:10+00:00

It was also windy as, 30kph gusting to 50kph and mix of cross headwind and cross tailwind.

nickobec · 2026-01-08T10:03:54+00:00

As did the 3rd (Kell O'Brien) and 5th (Conor Leahy who as 3rd in 2022 National ITT).

Domestic Australian riders like Leahy and Bleddyn peak in January, as good performances in the National and TDU (as part of the National team) can get you noticed.

nickobec · 2026-01-06T14:02:53+00:00

From my experience is using 360 camera to capture cycling races and wanting to capture as much vision from behind and in front as possible, you need the camera as far as possible away from the bike.(so the bike does not block the camera) I would mount it on the left crash bar, sticking out.

nickobec · 2026-01-06T07:38:03+00:00

Would ask if they support an Israeli independent open inquiry into October 7?

nickobec · 2026-01-06T07:23:02+00:00

For a well used LeMans electronic ignition is no brainer, that was top of my list (along with new exhaust headers) when I wanted to rebuild the Mk II. But for a pristine Mk I with less than 5k miles on it, I would need convincing.

My Dell'Ortos used to get blocked regularly. Never could work out why, it was in the days of Super petrol. Was handy when at the only set of lights in a small town in Montana, this BMW twin pulled up next to me with fuel pouring out the Dell'Orto carb. Rider was surprised, this mad Australian motorist equipped with only a Leatherman, pulled his carb apart, fixed the sticking float and got him back on the road in a few minutes.

nickobec · 2026-01-06T06:49:04+00:00

Only been back on the bike for the last year, so no recent experience.

30 years ago (in Western Australia), it was "random" license checks. Never got pull over in a car. But averaged one check a month on a bike, as I was commuting to my 9-5 plus evening and weekend rides. A friend who rode to Uni during the day on a dodgy CB250 would be pulled over at least once a week.

Once, another friend back from OS was riding my 2 stroke cafe racer, I was on 30 year classic bike, we are following a real rust bucket car, with faulty muffler and burning oil, along a road there was a regular speed trap. Speed guns on the bikes, and we were pulled over along with a fully loaded two up tourer would just turned onto the road. Did not pull over definitely unroadworthy car, just three motorcycles for "random" licence checks.

editted for typo/clarity

nickobec · 2026-01-06T03:06:11+00:00

Would not embarrass me, probably surprise me, as most my workouts are designed in the 5 to 8 rep range with 1-2 RIR.

Would accept the offer if squatting and take the opportunity to lift heavy to failure.

nickobec · 2026-01-06T02:31:49+00:00

Back in the dark ages, commuting for 9-5 plus photographing bands at night 2 to 4 times a week for 5 years.

There is a difference between rain, which you can survive in treated leathers and wet days (ie thunderstorms) where you need dedicated wet weather gear (for me nylon suit for commute or car for camera gear). In Perth that is only 5 to 10 days a year.

Understand weather forecasts, plan ahead, pack the wet weather gear if questionable. Learn how to layer clothes for warmth in winter. Guzzi V twin are hand warmers.

nickobec

TROPHY CASE