[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

Originally Posted by superguy282

guaranteed that I won't be leaving for my next ride without a toolkit. I have looked them up in the past and it seems like Decathlon is the front runner providing good multitool kits in a compact size. Another thing I wanted was an under seat bag, which is also available at Decathlon. Should I go for these eyes closed or is there anything else that would be better?

Learn from others mistakes. You never live long enough to make all of them yourselves.
The multitool Is ok - but did you notice that for some things, like taking out tyres to fix punctures, you need 2 levers / blunt screwdrivers.
There are saddle bags and frame bags. Some are single compartment, some have 2. Some are water proof. Sizes differ from 0.5l to 1.5l. Try removing wheels for a mock puncture fix, do a mock seat post adjustment, and brake adjustment and decide what tools you need. Decathlon has a toolkit + bag + handpump + puncture fix kit too. Buy and keep spare chain link / lock whatever it is called. That thing which keeps the chain in a loop and the "lock" that holds it, if needed. You probably need only some allen keys or spanners and tyre levers.

[ebonho]

A very detailed article on the intricacies of the different Shimano road bike groupsets.

https://matthewbrealey.medium.com/sh...s-fad16147817b

Cheers, Doc

[superguy282]

Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR

Learn from others mistakes. You never live long enough to make all of them yourselves.

Very True XD

There are saddle bags and frame bags. Some are single compartment, some have 2. Some are water proof. Sizes differ from 0.5l to 1.5l. Try removing wheels for a mock puncture fix, do a mock seat post adjustment, and brake adjustment and decide what tools you need. Decathlon has a toolkit + bag + handpump + puncture fix kit too. You probably need only some allen keys or spanners and tyre levers.

Yes I have that in mind, and will get a repair kit for that too. I'm mostly fixated on saddle bags, and after scouting around the Choosemybicycle, Cyclop, Amazon and Decathlon, it seems Decathlon is the way to go. If anyone here does have their 100 Bike Repair Kit and Saddle Bag 0.5L, do let me know how it's holding up, although I might just purchase it anyways.

[hellmet]

There seems to be a shortage of bicycle parts across all mass-market cycle manufacturers.

5 years ago, I had a BSA Photon. It was a lovely simple cycle and I had great fun riding it. I had to sell it as I was moving out. That cycle is now discontinued.

Hero makes an equivalent called the City Radical, and I've called all Hero stores in the city of Hyderabad but have had no luck finding one in stock.



Why am I adamant on a cycle like this? I like simple single speeds with thin tires. They're lightweight, practical, and I can happily become one among the crowd. These cycles attract no special attention and I need not worry about theft. They're easy to find a mechanic for and easy to get replacement parts.

[Lambydude]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

- Test ride the bike. I can not stress this enough. Tells you a lot more about if the bike is good for you than just specs and colors etc. And please do attempt a bit of climb (eg flyover) and bad roads to get a better feel of the bikes

But how do you get to test ride these expensive bikes? In all the bike stores i have been to, they only allow to sit on the bike and maybe ride it inside the store. They won't allow to ride it outside on the road. Most of stores don't even have a basic road bike for test ride.

Am I missing out on anything here?

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by Lambydude

But how do you get to test ride these expensive bikes? In all the bike stores i have been to, they only allow to sit on the bike and maybe ride it inside the store. They won't allow to ride it outside on the road. Most of stores don't even have a basic road bike for test ride.

Am I missing out on anything here?

I guess there's a factor of the current situation at play here with supplies limited.

When I got my Cannondale last year in June, I had only one store (TrackNTrail) who allowed me to do a test ride outside. I got it from them only. It kind of helped that the riding request was made after I evaluated and canceled out other options the store had, so the store guys knew I was serious and not just window shopping. I offered upfront to give my ID or sorts and a verbal agreement to purchase in case of any possible damage on the road.

Even in past years, I have always been able to get test rides across multiple stores in Bombay and other cities too. Try making a request for the one particular bike you think works out best - hopefully one of the stores would allow you to test ride if you can assure them of the sale (if all works out).

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by Lambydude

But how do you get to test ride these expensive bikes? In all the bike stores i have been to, they only allow to sit on the bike and maybe ride it inside the store. They won't allow to ride it outside on the road. Most of stores don't even have a basic road bike for test ride.

Am I missing out on anything here?

You look in your buddy, cycling group, BRM circle for guys who ride Roadies, which ones they ride, how generally big they are, and request a small ride. Sometimes even on a regular route for cyclists if you see a guy riding a roadie of interest you try and stroke up a conversation, admire his bike and be honest that you are in the market for one and would really like to take a small ride on his. Worth a shot. Worst case he will say no. This is how everyone gets to ride roadies.

I did the same. Rode a friend's
Giant SCR two sizes small for me. He'd come home to meet me. Rode a Scott Speedster of a cycling group buddy my own size on the base of a climb we did together. Rode a Merida Scultura of a cycling group buddy at the chai tapri we usually stop at on a popular loop.

And had my eyes on a CAAD8 of a guy I met on a BRM. Made contact with him on whatsapp, set up a date and time and place I could meet up and try out his bike, and took a nice 8 km ride in the same loop above, with him following on my ACT. And when we stopped, I got a number of seated photos as well on the hoods and drops, with the pedal at 6 o'clock. His bike was a 56, and the furst few turns of the crank I knew that this bike was in a different league and that I must have her. Only I decided to go a size smaller (he's the same height as I am) and I'm happier for it.

Cheers, Doc

[shifu]

Originally Posted by hellmet

There seems to be a shortage of bicycle parts across all mass-market cycle manufacturers.

5 years ago, I had a BSA Photon. It was a lovely simple cycle and I had great fun riding it. I had to sell it as I was moving out. That cycle is now discontinued.

Hero makes an equivalent called the City Radical, and I've called all Hero stores in the city of Hyderabad but have had no luck finding one in stock.

Attachment 2122866

Why am I adamant on a cycle like this? I like simple single speeds with thin tires. They're lightweight, practical, and I can happily become one among the crowd. These cycles attract no special attention and I need not worry about theft. They're easy to find a mechanic for and easy to get replacement parts.

Have you looked at the Fixie from The Bike Affair? A bit expensive, but might suit your purpose.

https://thebikeaffair.com/shop/category/bike-fixie-13

PS: I am in Hyd too, and if you want to catch up for a ride please DM!

[roy_libran]

Originally Posted by ebonho

You look in your buddy, cycling group, BRM circle for guys who ride Roadies, which ones they ride, how generally big they are, and request a small ride
...
This is how everyone gets to ride roadies.
...
And when we stopped, I got a number of seated photos as well on the hoods and drops, with the pedal at 6 o'clock. His bike was a 56, and the furst few turns of the crank I knew that this bike was in a different league and that I must have her.

Exactly! And I used to do this a lot in my early years of cycling. However, since the time I switched to using Cleats I have been unable to do this at all, since it's very inconvenient to use block pedals with cleated shoes, and most times I find that my shoe won't fit the cleat system another guy is using. Just yesterday morning, I lost the chance to ride a very sweet race prepped Specialised due to cleats mismatch.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by roy_libran

Exactly! And I used to do this a lot in my early years of cycling. However, since the time I switched to using Cleats I have been unable to do this at all, since it's very inconvenient to use block pedals with cleated shoes, and most times I find that my shoe won't fit the cleat system another guy is using. Just yesterday morning, I lost the chance to ride a very sweet race prepped Specialised due to cleats mismatch.

Take off you shoes and ride in your socks. Unless the pedals are those lollipop type Speedplays. Lol

Just the other day I was talking to two racers from the 90s. The local roadster races had a category in the famous Bombay Poona classic. There were some really strong villagers and doodhwallaa who would race barefoot with their toes curled around and gripping the spindle if the pedals (no pedals) and climbing Bhor like that. Mind numbing man ...

Cheers, Doc

[turboride]

Anyone here familiar with a Bianchi Spillo (rubino)?. I am thinking of changing its handlebar to a straight one or a drop bar if possible.
Not sure if that suits the geometry of the bike. Has anybody done such modifications ?

The bike came with a cruiser type handlebar. It is comfortable, and gives an upright riding position for short distances. But for longer rides, the upright position is not very comfortable.

Here's a pic showing the handlebar:
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attac...1&d=1613655702

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by turboride

Anyone here familiar with a Bianchi Spillo (rubino)?. I am thinking of changing its handlebar to a straight one or a drop bar if possible.
Not sure if that suits the geometry of the bike. Has anybody done such modifications ?

Nice bike. Should be easy to fit a flatbar.Drop bar is too complicated on account of the brakes and shifters. You can also remove the spacers from below the stem and take them above, dropping the bar further. Also play around with the tilt of the adjustable stem to get the desired stance. With a fixed stem I'd have suggested flipping it. Hope that helps? It's a nice looking hybrid with a nice rigid curved fork. What's its weight? But seriously expensive for what it offers ...

Cheers, Doc

[turboride]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Nice bike. Should be easy to fit a flatbar.Drop bar is too complicated on account of the brakes and shifters. You can also remove the spacers from below the stem and take them above, dropping the bar further. Also play around with the tilt of the adjustable stem to get the desired stance. With a fixed stem I'd have suggested flipping it. Hope that helps? It's a nice looking hybrid with a nice rigid curved fork. What's its weight?

Cheers, Doc

I didn't think about the spacers! Thanks for pointing that out.

Btb, it weighs around 14-15Kgs. Pretty old one now. The pic is from its youthful days.

[chethan.ram]

Originally Posted by turboride

Anyone here familiar with a Bianchi Spillo (rubino)?. I am thinking of changing its handlebar to a straight one or a drop bar if possible.
Not sure if that suits the geometry of the bike. Has anybody done such modifications ?

The bike came with a cruiser type handlebar. It is comfortable, and gives an upright riding position for short distances. But for longer rides, the upright position is not very comfortable.

Here's a pic showing the handlebar:
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attac...1&d=1613655702

Both are possible. Replacing a straight one is very simple. However, if you want to put a drop bar, then you will have to change the brake levers and the shifters too.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by turboride

I didn't think about the spacers! Thanks for pointing that out.

Btb, it weighs around 14-15Kgs. Pretty old one now. The pic is from its youthful days.

Even by lowering it with the help of the spacers and the adjustable stem, the shape of the handlebar is still raised and swept back. So I would suggest getting a new flat bar at least. Changes the feel of the bike. With bar ends, even better.

Cheers, Doc