big boys bike advice.

[Danno]

Triton were the Fairdale distributor in the UK so I'm guessing they are cutting their losses and clearing everything out.

[medusa.cascade]

Thanks for the offer danno, but I'm down south permanently now.

I'm 5' 8" would I get away with a large?

[jonathan]

your height would put you squarely in "medium" territoryif you are putting drop bars on it. large if you are putting some sort of flat bar on it.

[cmc4130]

Thanks for the offer danno, but I'm down south permanently now.

I'm 5' 8" would I get away with a large?

The pic I posted of mine, which is a Large, the center of bb to top of seat post clamp is 23.75". And with seat height where you see it there, it is 29 1/2" from the center of bb to the top of the seat.  I was reading some road bike fit articles with online calculators and apparently I'm running the seat lower than I'm supposed to for my height (6'1") and leg length.   So, I'm thinking at 5'8" you could ride a Large.

[Admiral Ackbar]

riding a bike that is too big, particularly too long in the tt really sucks. bike fit is a really shitty place to compromise.

im 5'10 and i wouldn't touch one of those large weekenders with a barge pole, even with my long torso and love of reach id be stretched the fuck out. but its hard to compare fit based on height when they're are factors like leg/arm/torso length proportion shit.

[Danno]

I wouldn't recommend you a large in a million years, medium will be the right size for you.

[medusa.cascade]

While that fairdale is a very tempting price I think I may give it a miss.

How about this one though?
 http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/road-bikes-c5/touring-bikes-c41/fairdale-weekender-drop-touring-bike-2014-p1275
What are the pros and cons over the other weekender?

[cmc4130]

While that fairdale is a very tempting price I think I may give it a miss.

yeah, i wouldn't do that "Kelly Green" either.   

[G]

While that fairdale is a very tempting price I think I may give it a miss.

yeah, i wouldn't do that "Kelly Green" either.   

The £300 saved would buy a fuck-ton of paint though eh?


G.

[medusa.cascade]

Triton ended up having a medium hiding in their werehouse. So have gone for that and will be painting the rims and bars black.

So now for more poorly informed questions.
Are all pannier racks created equal? And are they all compatible?

Same question regarding fenders/mudguards?

I'll probably end up spending between 100 - 125 on it. Where should I start?

I have some spare shimano DXs that will be thrown on it.   

[Kinchy]

Not all guards are equal, Get SKS chromoplastics. Racks depend  on how much weight you want to carry, most would be fine for you .

I'd be keen on new tires, those conti contacts are average but depending on what you're riding you could find something lighter

[G]

I'd be keen on new tires, those conti contacts are average but depending on what you're riding you could find something lighter

They are a lot better than what most companies spec on a complete. They are one of the many features that had a lot of thought put into it so that you could just ride the bike straight away without having to replace a bunch of "price-point" parts. Well worth giving them a fair crack before shelling out for new rubber.


G.

[medusa.cascade]

So this rack would do? Or would anyone recommend anything?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/topeak-super-tourist-dx-fdisc-rear-rack/

Another thing - can someone recommend a decent light that's not massively expensive.

[Hank Chinaski]

So this rack would do? Or would anyone recommend anything?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/topeak-super-tourist-dx-fdisc-rear-rack/

Another thing - can someone recommend a decent light that's not massively expensive.

Do you need it for seeing where you're going or just to give cars a flash letting them know you're there?  I've been using this combo for a few years now.

http://www.rei.com/product/853629/cateye-hl-el135-front-omni-3-rear-bike-light-set

Easy to mount and then remove when heading inside (had a couple stolen at the bar when I've forgotten) and the battery life is good in my opinion if you run them on flash.  I used a set commuting to work daily for about 2.5 years and think I only changed the battery once or twice and that's with riding around town too.  The front light isn't especially bright but I just have it on flash for safety moreso than for actual light.

[Kinchy]

I'd be keen on new tires, those conti contacts are average but depending on what you're riding you could find something lighter

They are a lot better than what most companies spec on a complete. They are one of the many features that had a lot of thought put into it so that you could just ride the bike straight away without having to replace a bunch of "price-point" parts. Well worth giving them a fair crack before shelling out for new rubber.


G.

Yeah, I agree they aren't bad at all, definitely a good all rounder and decent puncture protection. But out of everything though that's probably where he would notice most difference