My first Road bike!

[BatmanNate]

I just ordered my first road bike recently as well. The old man can still humiliate me on his Redline Conquest Pro that he built, so I found a nice used 2003 Specialized Allez Comp 27.

Shimano Ultegra 27-speed complete group.
Shimano New lightweight R-540 high performance wheel set.
Specialized Pro oversized 7075 stem and handlebars.
Specialized 700 x 23c Turbo Pro 120TPI Kevlar beaded tires.
Columbus SLX smooth-welded alloy frame with replaceable derailleur hanger.
Selle San Marco Aspide saddle.

FRAME -- Specialized Compact design, Columbus SLX tubing, double-butted, heat-treated
FORK -- Specialized C-3, high modulus carbon fiber legs, crown, 7075 alloy steerer
HEADSET -- Specialized Mindset, 1 1/8" integrated threadless, with triple sealed cartridge bearings
STEM -- Specialized Pro, 3D forged alloy, 31.8mm bar clamp, 4 position adjustable.
HANDLEBARS -- Specialized Pro, racing drop, 31.8mm diameter
FRONT BRAKE -- Shimano Ultegra
REAR BRAKE -- Shimano Ultegra
BRAKE LEVERS -- Shimano Ultegra, STI
FRONT DERAILLEUR -- Shimano Ultegra, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull
REAR DERAILLEUR -- Shimano Ultegra, long cage
SHIFT LEVERS -- Shimano Ultegra, STI, flight deck compatible
CASSETTE -- Shimano Ultegra, 9 speed, 12x25t
CHAIN -- Shimano HG 73
CRANKSET -- Shimano Ultegra, Hollowtech arms
CHAINRINGS -- 52 Alloy x 42 Alloy x 30 Alloy
BOTTOM BRACKET -- Shimano Ultegra, Octalink spline, 68mm shell, 118.5mm spindle - triple
PEDALS -- Composite body, Cr-Mo axle
RIMS -- Shimano WH-R540, 700c, alloy double wall
FRONT HUB -- Shimano WH-R540, 16 hole, sealed bearing, black
REAR HUB -- Shimano WH-R540, 16 hole, sealed bearing freehub, black
SPOKES -- Shimano bladed stainless steel, alloy nipples
FRONT TIRE -- Specialized New Turbo Comp, 700 x 23c, Flak Jacket, Kevlar bead
REAR TIRE -- Specialized New Turbo Comp, 700 x 23c, Flak Jacket, Kevlar bead
TUBES -- Specialized Turbo Ultra Light, presta valve
SEAT POST - Specialized carbon fiber 27.2x350mm
SEAT BINDERS-Works, forged/CNC, double wedge

I got the gray one, the Zebra is just a little too wild for me (although the visibility would have been nice). This should be a quantum leap of an upgrade from my old Rockhopper (probably 10-15 years old, although I upgraded it with a 7 speed rear cassette, triple crank, and trigger shifters so it's still a decent mountain bike).

 

[ThisIsMatt]

How about just a bit more symmetry to appease the asthetics people?

 

[Calin]

Originally posted by: DonVito
Looks like you might want to flip that stem - this appears to be a hair on the small side if that's where you normally ride in terms of saddle height, and you'll probably be comfier with a higher bar.

Get some clipless ASAP!!!

I can't seriously argue that reflectors are a bad thing from a safety standpoint, but they definitely cost you style points . . . I haven't bought a production bike in a long time, but I have immediately ripped the reflectors off of every bike I've had since I was a teenager.

I bought my mountain bike without side reflectors, but I bought a set immediately and put them on the spokes. The visibility from any angle but front and rear is awesome

And I would love such a bike, it would be great for long and very long rides :brokenheart:

 

[Koing]

Bike looks nice 🙂 Congrats.

I got a nice Abus round lock thing that all the couriers use and a Kryptonite D Lock that I ALWAYS use on the dam thing bike when I'm out. I also have another Abus cable lock and another cheap Argos D lock also. With 4 locks it bike is a bit more of a pain to steal then the bike with 1-2 locks. I spent about £90 ~ $160 on locks and feel a bit safer...but if someone 'really' wants your bike they will take it!

Someone stole my bro's bike at Uni and his bike WAS A BEATER also...he did have one crappy lock on it though.

Koing

 

[WyteWatt]

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie

Originally posted by: imtim83

Originally posted by: Amused
Why on earth would you want to get rid of reflectors on a road bike?

I'd add more reflectors, along with a blinking LED on the back and bright white LEDs on the front.

Getting hit by a car is no fun. Trust me.

In your opinion what is safer? Ridding in the street on the far right hand side, ridding in the middle of the street on a two lane street so no car, SUV, Huge Bus, 18 teen wheeler tries to pass you to close, Ridding a little bit further than the very right hand side of the street so if you have to turn right to avoid something you can, or ridding on the sidewalk ?

The safest is definitely not the sidewalk, unless you are willing to stop and dismount at EVERY crossing. There's a reason many places ban bikes with >20" wheels from sidewalks, and it's onlt partly to protect pedestrians.

The safest thing to do is always keep aware of what is around you, regardless of where you are on the road. Never drop your head and 'just go', stay to the right unless you are crowded by a curb or something to an extent that prevents being passed safely, then if necessary fully occupy the right lane. I would suggest left wheel-track for this, as it stops someone from trying to squeeze by, and prevents confusion over whether you are just a little farther from the curb than normal.

Others probably have more and maybe better advice, but nothing is as important as being aware of what's around you all the time.

Ok but tell me if this makes sense? A cop stops me when ridding in the street at night with two lights on my bike one in the front and one in the back. There not real expensive ones but they aren't $10 ones. There pretty good. Well the cop stops me and tells me to ride on the sidewalk because people may not beable to see me. I told him ok and then asked him the question if its safer to ride on the street or sidewalk. He said the sidewalk. Why? Its not safe at all ridding on the sidewalk. Why did he have to stop me? I had lights on so cars could see me. I don't care just don't understand why. I guess they were just worried I would get hit.

 

[WyteWatt]

Originally posted by: Vich
Wow thanks for all the responses. I dont ride at night since i live in baltimore county ( to close to the bad sections of baltimore for me!!) However, i dont leave my bike anywear unless its either in my car or in my apt, so i dont have a lock for it. Soon i will get a LED for my seat post and take off the wheel reflectors since i dont ride at night anyways. ALso i was measured by the LBS and im riding a 52 since i have short arms and legs, and i just have small bends in both leg and elbow joints so the positioning seems fine. My father christined my bike yesterday before they left to go back home. He tried to get off of it asif it didnt have cages on it and fell over luckily not onto the rear derailleur, but onto the brakes. SO the brakes are all scratched up and so are the pedals, but im not upset, sall good!

What if you get home later than you thought so you have to ride home at night ? That can happen.

 

[WyteWatt]

Originally posted by: Koing
Bike looks nice 🙂 Congrats.

I got a nice Abus round lock thing that all the couriers use and a Kryptonite D Lock that I ALWAYS use on the dam thing bike when I'm out. I also have another Abus cable lock and another cheap Argos D lock also. With 4 locks it bike is a bit more of a pain to steal then the bike with 1-2 locks. I spent about £90 ~ $160 on locks and feel a bit safer...but if someone 'really' wants your bike they will take it!

Someone stole my bro's bike at Uni and his bike WAS A BEATER also...he did have one crappy lock on it though.

Koing

Hehe I am glad I am not the only one that take extremely proactive precautions.