New 2 wheeled toy :) (no Porsche content!)

[Gary71]

I've got back into cycling since Xmas, I think concern of middle age spread and early death finally twitched me into action. So since dropping 11lbs from the gut using my mountain bike on the road I thought it time to invest in the tool for the job!

After weeks of internet and bike shop surfing I finally made a decision on a road bike and as is the norm more than doubled the original budget... It's a 2011 Cannondale CAAD10 and came in substantially cheaper than the 2012 model, but identical in every respect I can see!

I just fell in love with the black over black with some black scheme! I love the graphics as you can't see them... I guess they polish the frame, put decals on it then sandblast and take them off again prior to anodising.

A small crime has been committed against the rules of road bikes by using mountain bike pedals, but I'm not investing in road shoes until I know what shape my foot is going to be after I have a toe cut off in a few weeks time...!

It will always be ten times better than I am, but I can't blame the equipment for my speed on the hills.

1st ride Friday afternoon...Can't wait.

[cubist]

Ooh, that is a bloody sexy beastie. Just the one toe coming off?

[Mick Cliff]

You'll be needing look-alike clothing to emulate Cipollini soon http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mario+ ... 60&bih=577
Super Mario rode Cannondale bikes for a good few years and once declared that if he hadn't made it as a pro races he would have been a porn star

[carreracat]

very nice indeed

i love the FSA crank. i have an FSA crank on my cervelo.

i also recently got a 2011 cannondale MTB for much less that the 2012 version costs.

[911hillclimber]

Looks great Gary.
What is the weight?
I gave up cycling years ago as the roads became littered with drivers with no 'biker sense' so took to the railway tracks with my daughter on a deliberatly heavy 'mountain' bike to stretch the pace a bit.

To old now to pedal, but a good bike is always a thing of beauty.
I doubt I could trust road riding anymore around my parts of the world.

[mycar]

Looks like a beautifully balanced piece of machinery.

I presume the toe is removed from the right foot to compensate for the slightly heavier derailleur used on the 2011 model ?

Mike.

[Tosh]

Are you now officially a MAMIL*?



Middle
Aged
Man
In
Lycra

I got a Waterrower for the same purpose - which I can use at home either in front of the telly or in the garden

[Gary71]

It is the right little toe that's coming off, I'm not sure it's enough to compensate for the imbalance of the 2011 derailleur, but it's a start!

It 7.4kg all in which is pretty good for an aluminium bike.

As for being a MAMIL, I'm not sure I have enough lycra yet, or that I have shifted enough fat to think about anything skin tight So I'll be in mountain bike shorts just to break a few more of The Rules

[jb]

It looks great Gary. But get a very good lock for it or it will go missing.
I have a very tatty hetchins - bike from the 50s - and use it a lot around London
Graham you are never too old to cycle and it is a very easy way of keeping fit.

[Mick Cliff]

?...since dropping 11lbs....

So only 5 or 6lbs to go then you plus the new bike will be the same weight as the 'old' Gary. I guess we're only hearing from 95% of the original Gary right now.
Good on yer! Just wish I had the energy....... Watch out In the lanes for those errant drivers in old bangers though!

[Mick Cliff]

?...very tatty hetchins.....

Curly?

[pmjt]

It is the right little toe that's coming off, I'm not sure it's enough to compensate for the imbalance of the 2011 derailleur, but it's a start!

It 7.4kg all in which is pretty good for an aluminium bike.

As for being a MAMIL, I'm not sure I have enough lycra yet, or that I have shifted enough fat to think about anything skin tight So I'll be in mountain bike shorts just to break a few more of The Rules

Buy Gore I'm kitted out with their BikeWear stuff and it's FAB! There's a lot of discussion on the CTC forum (if you're into that kind of thing ) but the general consensus is merino under layer (I use IceBreaker which is the business ) and then Gore over the top for windproof and wicking. Have never felt cold since

Enjoy it I went back to cycling *seriously* last summer and, when the weather is good, put in a 6miles before work each morning and 15 a the weekends And for those who know what a lard ball I was (ok, still am ) that's a huge change since giving up the fags

I have a Cannondale CAAD2 from the 90's which I love and have been trying to find a really good CAAD3.

[pmjt]

?...very tatty hetchins.....

Curly?

The Magnum Opus was always the one

[pmjt]

I have a very taty hetchins - bike from the 50s - and use it a lot around London

I caught the bug for old bikes and bought a beautiful 1940's Hobbs and 1970's Raleigh Team Pro (531 as I can't afford a 731 ) and my wonderful Major Nichols. Would love a Hetchins - maybe one day...

P

[Gary71]

Buy Gore I'm kitted out with their BikeWear stuff and it's FAB! There's a lot of discussion on the CTC forum (if you're into that kind of thing ) but the general consensus is merino under layer (I use IceBreaker which is the business ) and then Gore over the top for windproof and wicking. Have never felt cold since

I went to Evans in MK a few weeks back to try on proper bike jackets as I was fed up of freezing in my old rugby tops and fleece... and ended up with a Gore jacket. Doubled the original budget, much like the bike, but I agree it's worth every penny.

I have a Cannondale CAAD2 from the 90's which I love and have been trying to find a really good CAAD3.

I have a CAAD3 mountain bike, old and in need of the odd bearing, but still a lovely thing!