Le Tour de france 2009.

[norbs]

It will need pedals.

5k on a pushy? Do you race Giz?

[Gizmo]

It was $5,200 on sale sorry. Got a package with a good helmet, shoes, pedals, light, computer, clothes, everything i need for $6,220. I would like to do it compeative. I have some friends that do both cycling and running and they all say if your a good runner you can be a good cyclist. I'm sure it's not as simple as that but i figure the fitness base is already there. I just need to train the muscles to work in a different way. Thats my thoughts anyway.... But yes, i would like to do some compeative riding too.

[norbs]

Interested to see what Flinty thinks.

[Duke]

Giz, from what I can tell the RRP on that model is just under $6,000. These frames are very well liked by all who ride them, very responsive and also comfortable due to the patented Zertz inserts. Ultegra is what I use today and is faultless for non-professional cyclists like us & is a hell of a lot cheaper than going Dura-Ace for when you need to replace parts. The wheels are also very good for all-round use. by the way it is the Ultegra SL on this machine so is lighter than the standard Ultegra groupo another plus.
However just been mindful that it is using a compact chainset, so the chainrings are 50/34 rather than the standard 53/39 that most ppl & pro's use.
Unfortunaltey the compact has a smaller BCD of 110mm compared to 130mm for standard size so you can't fit 53/46 onto them.
But a compact chainset is really nice to ride especially in the hills but obviously are not as big a gearing so you may find you wanting to upgrade the rear cluster from the original 12-27 to maybe a 11-25 or 11-23 if your just doing flat riding.

With 2010 stock soon to arrive I reckon you may be able to hagle a little more of the price, you haven't said what type of helmet, pedal (assume Ultegra also) & accessories they are offering so it is hard to tell how much discount they are giving you overall but I wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't get it for $6,000 even cash.....

It's a nice ride so i am sure you will love it.

Yes there is a good cross-over coming from a running background but more as you have realised due to the cardio fitness than anything else. It seems the best cross-over occurs from Rowing to cycling...I guess due to the way the legs muscles are used between the 2 sports.

Let us know what you end up doing.

[Gizmo]

I canned them today and asked if they can do a better offer for cash (which i thought business didn't do anymore), they came down to $6,000.

The helmet was a Specialized, it was $299. Going off their website i think it's their S-Works version. I don't have much up there, but i do i want protected! lol Shoes were entry level carbon sole ($249). Pedals were Ultegra. Computer was an nice white one to match the bike lol..... It also showed cadence. 2 sets of Jeserys and Nicks.

Before the bike was on sale it was $5,799. I think it's a good deal. I think hill riding would be fun. I'm light and slim so i think i would accell in them, i also plan on riding the alittle. Is the compact chainset going to put me at a disadvantage on the flat?

[Duke]

Thought they would go to $6,000, I reckon that's a pretty good deal mate with what else your getting. I wouldn't mind that deal myself.
Specialised helmets are really good, light & popular. I am not sure but the $299 helmet is probably the top of range S-works model given the price like you said. I agree you never compensate on protecting your head.
Ultegra pedals to match = nice. Computer with cadence = nice, even better if it is w/less just is cleaner with no wires to break.
As for the Compact, no real disadvantage on the flat unless your in a sprint finish and run out of gearing. A 50-12 is not that big to be doing sprints but change to an 11 tooth your better off. Most pro's run 53/11 on flat sprint stages. What you loose on the sprint you gain when climbing with the compact. Since this is your 1st serious go I would just stick with the gearing until you find your feet and then decide if it needs changing. Having 2 clusters is a good thing later on if you ride or race between flat & hills regularly.
I am a little jealous of you, straight up your getting something better than I have ever had. Enjoy!!!

[norbs]

Flinty....

@miketomalaris On behalf of SBS, apologies for mistimed ad break in stage 15. Trust us, it won't happen again.


I am not sure whats happening. My recording of it has the Contador break away. Weird.

[nutty]

Flinty....

@miketomalaris On behalf of SBS, apologies for mistimed ad break in stage 15. Trust us, it won't happen again. {/i]


I am not sure whats happening. My recording of it has the Contador break away. Weird.

Well you missed a fair bit (they went to break RIGHT at the bottom of the climb)

[Duke]

Yeah I saw it too. Told you they screwed us here in VIC. I wonder which other states suffered like we did.
Did you also see the tweets on how technical & dangerous the last descent is tonight.
Spewing I have to go to bed for an early morning session with the team tomorrow.
Enjoy tonight but don't expect the craziness like the other night.

[norbs]

Yeah I saw it too. Told you they screwed us here in VIC. I wonder which other states suffered like we did.
Did you also see the tweets on how technical & dangerous the last descent is.
Spewing I have to go to bed for an early morning session with the team tomorrow.
Enjoy tonight but din't expect the craziness like the other night.

I might throw that stage onto a DVD and mail it down to you Flinty, just to see if it was different to what you saw.

[norbs]

I have just realised, we aren't even getting LIVE pictures.

http://gaps.letour.fr/us.html

From that link they said the leaders crossed the top 14:32 (10:32 out time). It is 10:39 and they still haven't crossed the top.

[norbs]

Now it is live and in that ad break we lost 10kms!

[nutty]

I was wondering what was up with that, im watching online (tv tuner is on the fritz) and the "live Commentry" was infront.

Ive got a early start, but I think im going to have to stay up! not long until they start the climb at least

[norbs]

Sweet jesus! Armstrong just took off like he had a rocket up his arse!

[norbs]

Poor old Jens Voigt hit the deck very very hard. Some Twitter people are saying his handlebars broke.

[norbs]

Haussler looks like he came off in the descent. He looked like he was covered in blood.

[nutty]

http://tdf.sbs.com.au/tdf2009/news/arti ... ut-of-Tour

Official race doctor Gerard Porte said: "He lost consciousness for three to four minutes. He has injuries mainly to his face and when he gets to hospital in Grenoble he will be having a full scan."

Lets hope he is alright :O

http://tdf.sbs.com.au/tdf2009/news/arti ... t%27s_over

"Physically, everything (is) fine. But for professional reasons I can't comment on the problems I've been having."

Wonder what that means?

[Nigel]

Horror crash by jens. Armstrongs ride across the gap was awesome.

[norbs]

http://tdf.sbs.com.au/tdf2009/news/arti ... ut-of-Tour

Official race doctor Gerard Porte said: "He lost consciousness for three to four minutes. He has injuries mainly to his face and when he gets to hospital in Grenoble he will be having a full scan."

Lets hope he is alright :O

http://tdf.sbs.com.au/tdf2009/news/arti ... t%27s_over

"Physically, everything (is) fine. But for professional reasons I can't comment on the problems I've been having."

Wonder what that means?

I am over his dramatics. He should take his hot wife and fucking dog and piss off.

[Gizmo]

Bloody hell. Fancy saying that about your fellow team mates. They sure wouldn't be very impressed with him. Neathier would the team director! Very Jana Pittmanish....

[pixelboy]

yeah Cadel had few friends in the peleton when the race started and he's got even less now..

Its a shame as he was a real contender but you wont win the tour without mates!

4 cat 1's tonight.. should be interesting.. I bet the schlecks go for it again..

[nutty]

I am over his dramatics. He should take his hot wife and fucking dog is piss off.

Could agree more

[Duke]

Just finishing watching last nights stage, damn.
Armstrong of old was sensational. Wiggins once again seemed to be doing it easy. It could make the ITT very interesting.
Jens Voight is a lucky boy. It was a simple slip off the bars of his left hand after hitting that bump. Broken jaw according to Tweeter & the doctor has been quoted as saying the helmet saved his life.
Cadel just doesn't have it this year. I too am sick of his prima-donna antics. It shows how much he has tickets on himself & how high his own expectations were. But this is the best field for a long time, maybe he needs to eat humble pie and realise his real place in the pro peleton.

Tonight is a huge stage but team Astana will be hard to crack.

[norbs]

Cadel wasn't the only cock on the road.

[9ra55h0ppaH]

couldnt believe my eyes when i saw that on the road... then there was another identical one a few metres up the road!

Sastre is busting his chops at the moment, here's hoping he can perhaps mix things up a bit, not likely though