Hulver's site || I want my badger dead. Not sick, not dying, dead.

Diaries
Everything
Who's Online?
FAQ / Help

New Bike!

By Gully Foyle (Sat Jul 01, 2006 at 11:29:20 AM EST) cycling (all tags)

I've wanted a road bike for a while, so when the paycheck arrived today, I bought one. Pic inside.

It's a Dawes Giro 300. Entry level road bike, aluminium frame, STI shifters.

Took it for a 10 mile jaunt this evening. Overtaking cars on long downhills is a new experience for me, but could have done with another gear or two at the top and bottom ends. Climbing Liberton Brae was a bit of a struggle by the end. I think it'll be fine once I'm used to the riding style; on a mountain bike, there's always one lower gear to drop to for hill climbs, on a road bike it's supposed to be different right?

I'll probably swap the saddle for my nice, comfy mountain bike one too.

< I can never think of a decent title. I have the same problem with subject lines. | BBC White season: 'Rivers of Blood' >

Login

Related Links

- Dawes Giro 300
- Gully Foyle's Diary

Comment Controls

New Bike! | 20 comments (20 topical, 0 hidden)

That is thoroughly sexy by gpig (4.00 / 1) #1 Sat Jul 01, 2006 at 12:04:55 PM EST

I'd worry about owning something that flash in Edinburgh though, bikes do seem to get nicked a lot here.
---
(, ,') -- eep

Yeah, a bit worrying. by Gully Foyle (2.00 / 0) #2 Sat Jul 01, 2006 at 12:27:14 PM EST

It lives in my bedroom at the moment, so it's safe enough there. I have an ancient mountain bike to use for hacking round town. It's only useful for short journeys though, since the brakes are broken and constantly rub. The bike shop near me reckoned that he couldn't get replacement bits for brakes that old though :(

[ Parent ]

Can you upgrade the whole brake assembly? by ObviousTroll (4.00 / 1) #3 Sat Jul 01, 2006 at 12:32:44 PM EST

or are you stuck with them?

--
Faith, and the possibility of weaponized kissing?

[ Parent ]

Possibly. by Gully Foyle (2.00 / 0) #6 Sat Jul 01, 2006 at 12:50:00 PM EST

The verdict of bike repair bloke was that it wasn't worth it. I'd have to replace the whole lot (including levers), and he also thought that the gear shifters were of an obsolete and fragile type. He didn't want me to spend the money on fixing the brakes, only to find that the gears let go next. Of course, he may have just been trying to sell me a new bike, but I know from frequently banging my knee on the handlebars that the front derailleur is showing signs of wear.

It's a Diamond Back Sorrento, and about 14-15 years old. Everyone who sees it says something like 'God, I haven't seen a $COMPONENT like that in years, how on Earth is this thing still going?'. It did, however, get me up and down Glentress safely earlier this year, although that was the first and last time I'll do that without suspension...

[ Parent ]

: Yeah, there does come a point by ObviousTroll (4.00 / 1) #13 Sun Jul 02, 2006 at 03:00:41 AM EST

when a new machine is cheaper than fixing up the old one.

--
Faith, and the possibility of weaponized kissing?
[ Parent ]

Oops by Gully Foyle (2.00 / 0) #7 Sat Jul 01, 2006 at 12:51:40 PM EST

That's Glentress.

[ Parent ]

I could have a nicer work-to-home bike, by gpig (4.00 / 1) #5 Sat Jul 01, 2006 at 12:42:29 PM EST

there's enough space both here and the office. But, I'd like to be able to park the thing on random railings without having to worry about it.
---
(, ,') -- eep

[ Parent ]

: Anything can get nicked. by Gully Foyle (2.00 / 0) #8 Sat Jul 01, 2006 at 12:55:00 PM EST

I had the saddle taken off my old bike. It was the original damn saddle, held together with duck tape. I guess they wanted the crud catcher off the back. Either that or it was someone who'd had their saddle nicked, and pinched the cheapest looking one to get home on...

[ Parent ]

Also, re overtaking cars on long downhills by gpig (4.00 / 1) #4 Sat Jul 01, 2006 at 12:40:58 PM EST

Give Dundas Street a go ....
---
(, ,') -- eep

In new town? by Gully Foyle (2.00 / 0) #9 Sat Jul 01, 2006 at 01:04:54 PM EST

Sounds like a recipe for falling under a bus at 30mph... Then again, I do see a lot of spandex clad nutters doing about 40 down Leith Walk when I drive that way.

[ Parent ]

: Leith Walk's got plenty of space. by ambrosen (4.00 / 1) #10 Sat Jul 01, 2006 at 01:41:08 PM EST

At least towards the top. The roads down from the New Town are pretty hairy, and going down Comely Bank Avenue (still cobbled) would make you wish for thicker tyres.
But I guess you're in the south of the city, so the descents on the roads around Blackford Hill are going to be your fast ones. Also, coming in from the Pentlands to the ring road on the A702's a great descent. Worth 39mph on the mountain bike nearly every time.

[ Parent ]

Are you going to begin shaving your legs ... by Ignore Amos (4.00 / 1) #11 Sat Jul 01, 2006 at 07:14:09 PM EST

... and speaking in an Italian accent now?

Possibilmente (nullo/testo) by Gully Foyle (4.00 / 1) #15 Sun Jul 02, 2006 at 10:08:39 AM EST

[ Parent ]

Excellent. by ambrosen (4.00 / 1) #18 Sun Jul 02, 2006 at 10:12:52 AM EST

Can you through a few primadonna hissy fits like xth used to as well?

[ Parent ]

: With my reputation? Hardly, sweetie... by Gully Foyle (2.00 / 0) #19 Sun Jul 02, 2006 at 10:21:15 AM EST

I just couldn't resist the darling pink wheels!

[ Parent ]

Nice bike by Pasofol (4.00 / 1) #12 Sun Jul 02, 2006 at 02:24:36 AM EST

I hope you enjoy your rides with it.
I was suppose to get the specialized allez elite but my paychecks didn't amount to much. And other expenses took up what I got, so I'll be jealous for a little while.

: Yeah. by Gully Foyle (2.00 / 0) #20 Sun Jul 02, 2006 at 11:09:07 AM EST

I wanted this for the start of summer, but my car broke down and sucked up all my fun money for May and June. I'm sure you'll save up enough soon!

[ Parent ]

Hurray! by ad hoc (4.00 / 2) #14 Sun Jul 02, 2006 at 05:48:05 AM EST

Do red bikes go faster?
--
Close friendships and a private room can offer most of the things love does.

I hope so. nt by Gully Foyle (2.00 / 0) #16 Sun Jul 02, 2006 at 10:09:54 AM EST

[ Parent ]

: It does on TV. by ambrosen (4.00 / 1) #17 Sun Jul 02, 2006 at 10:12:15 AM EST

On the ad breaks for the Tour de France, they have a (red) Giro 300 passing a (blue) Giro 400.
So that proves it.

[ Parent ]

New Bike! | 20 comments (20 topical, 0 hidden)