At last the Weather Gods have been kind to me. I got out on the new test bike - a Verenti Rhigos 0.3 (Wiggle own brand) - for some reet good road cycling. It was about time too as I will need to return it soon and I haven't dared take it out in the wet and windy conditions we've had of late.
I did about 25 miles in all. This Garmin Connect data was from a 15 miles loop I am riding to compare bikes. It involves a fair bit of climbing up on the moors above Rochdale and then a fantastic fast decent. It is pretty free flowing with only a few traffic lights so a good comparison can be made of time taken to complete the circuit.
I did about 25 miles in all. This Garmin Connect data was from a 15 miles loop I am riding to compare bikes. It involves a fair bit of climbing up on the moors above Rochdale and then a fantastic fast decent. It is pretty free flowing with only a few traffic lights so a good comparison can be made of time taken to complete the circuit.
Anyway, it was a beautiful day and the bike is very nice. A tad more comfortable than the Focus Cayo due to better grip tape and a slightly more upright geometry, but only a tad. It is specced with SRAM rival groupset and Verenti own branded products. I haven't used SRAM equipment before and it is slightly different changing gears than Shimano stuff but still worked very well. Very happy using a compact double (50-34) chainset. I was down to the lowest gear on part of the hill climb but could have used something higher if truth be told. Had to stop at some roadworks on the ascent and easily able to get going again in lowest gear. The Askium wheels and Vittoria tyres worked well and the ride and grip were outstanding. The brakes were efficient and easy to get to which is what I want from brakes. The frame has a nice glossy finish while the Cayo was matt. I like gloss as it is easier to wipe clean.
The only negative about the Rhigos? you can have any colour - as long as it's black. I'm going to end up with a monochromatic stable of bikes if i'm not careful!
Oh. And 1130 calories burned according to the Garmin. I don't believe it for one minute but nice to know I can have some fish and chips with bread and butter tonight and not feel guilty.
For longer rides in hilly areas the right choice of chainset is important for the middle aged.
ReplyDeleteOn the Autumn in the Peak Audax last week a couple of our group with compacts were struggling while those of us with triples were OK.
Of course, it all depends how fit you are, and some middle-aged men are as fit as they ever were and can still use standard road chainsets, but for most of us that doesn't apply.
I reckon a compact is useful for people who need to lower their gears for the first time and triples for those who have got just that bit more middle-aged. Touring triples with 46/36/26 teeth can be especially useful.
I'm a small guy with I guess what you could call a climbers build and I always use 53/39 with upto 26 on the back. I live in Somerset and there's alot of lumpy terrain but I find 39 fine. My friend bought a new bike with a compact and it drives him mad, the 34 is too small and he ends up climbing everything in the 50. I wouldn't fancy that!
ReplyDeleteI've done a fair few miles on the Rhigos now. I find the compact double (50/34) more than adequate for the hills around Rochdale, Haslingden, Blackburn, Burnley and Hebden Bridge. All quite hilly areas with some >> ascents. However this is for day rides of 40-70 miles carrying just a small saddle bag and one bottle of water. I'm happy to work hard but do not have much left in reserve at the end of a long ride. Just a healthy glow and the warm, satisfied feeling of a good ride.
ReplyDeleteI am likely to get a dedicated Audax bike in the future. I am using my tourer at the moment for the 200-300 km rides but want to get something in the 10 kg weight range I can push along a couple of MPH faster with the same or even less effort, particularly when I move up to the 400-600 km range. I will definitely be looking at a touring triple then with a view to the LEL in 2013!