onegoodbike
Merlin Fan
- Feedback
- View
I've not been doing much in the way of cycling so far this year, last year I was backwards and forwards to work on a fairly regular basis, but what with work and home commitments there just never seemed the opportunity. I have however over the last few months updated my 531pro Bob Jackson from a 7 to 8 speed set up, still on down tube shifters, but a couple of extra gears can't hurt when you're knocking on 46! (and quite unfit ).
So, Sunday afternoon the weather's good and I had a bit of free time so I popped out for a 12 mile spin on nearby back roads just to see if I'd got it set up right, bit of fettling on the front mech and all seemed well, so back in the shed ready for a ride into work in the near future.
Today I thought I'd give my other winter project a run out, just to see what it was like. It's a cheap 12+ year old 'buy it now' Carrera that I initially bought for the Ultegra groupset, but when it turned up it looked in fairly good nick, its intense green ugliness kinda appealed so I stripped it, rebuilt it and put it to one side, not really knowing what to do with it.
The route I took was the same 12 miles but in reverse, again just to make sure that everything was working, and to be honest I'm a bit shocked, it's light, stiff and feels fast, to be honest I enjoyed the ride more than my steel bike and it's got me thinking. I'm hoping to spend more time riding this year, whisper it, but maybe even join the local cycling club once I get my mileage up that is!.
So my thoughts are, should I be looking at losing the Bob Jackson and using the funds to build a light modern bike that'll make me want to get out more, cos if a 12 year old magnesium frame and carbon fork set up can surprise me, what will an even more modern all carbon set up feel like?.
What do you guys think?, are you 'all retro all the time', or do you have a modern ride and just go old school on high days and holidays.
Your thoughts will be welcomed, also suggestions for half decent carbon framesets to look out for on ebay! .
Cheers Matt
So, Sunday afternoon the weather's good and I had a bit of free time so I popped out for a 12 mile spin on nearby back roads just to see if I'd got it set up right, bit of fettling on the front mech and all seemed well, so back in the shed ready for a ride into work in the near future.
Today I thought I'd give my other winter project a run out, just to see what it was like. It's a cheap 12+ year old 'buy it now' Carrera that I initially bought for the Ultegra groupset, but when it turned up it looked in fairly good nick, its intense green ugliness kinda appealed so I stripped it, rebuilt it and put it to one side, not really knowing what to do with it.
The route I took was the same 12 miles but in reverse, again just to make sure that everything was working, and to be honest I'm a bit shocked, it's light, stiff and feels fast, to be honest I enjoyed the ride more than my steel bike and it's got me thinking. I'm hoping to spend more time riding this year, whisper it, but maybe even join the local cycling club once I get my mileage up that is!.
So my thoughts are, should I be looking at losing the Bob Jackson and using the funds to build a light modern bike that'll make me want to get out more, cos if a 12 year old magnesium frame and carbon fork set up can surprise me, what will an even more modern all carbon set up feel like?.
What do you guys think?, are you 'all retro all the time', or do you have a modern ride and just go old school on high days and holidays.
Your thoughts will be welcomed, also suggestions for half decent carbon framesets to look out for on ebay! .
Cheers Matt