New to the site, a few general questions

[Grow To Overthrow]

Hi all, i'm new to the site, and cycling in general.

After shopping around and mainly looking at Giant road bikes (they seemed to be the best value for money) i ended up getting a Pinarello Galileo (2006) because it was reduced heavily, and has Ultegra, which seems to justify the few hundred dollar price difference between it and the Giant, which only had 105's.

So i guess my first question is how well do some of the more experienced guy in here rate this bike? Will it serve me well?

And secondly, i'd like to know what my best bet is regarding clubs and the like. Should i just ride solo while i'm getting used to the bike, and road riding in general, or are clubs the best place to start?

Also, is it really worth my time changing the heavy M.O.S.T crank and seat post, or is that just overkill for a beginner?

Thanks in advance, James.

[europa]

Your Pinarello will serve you well.

No, you don't have to modify it.

Also, is it really worth my time changing the heavy M.O.S.T crank and seat post, or is that just overkill for a beginner?

Do yourself a favour and don't get sucked into that sort of bulldust. In some circumstances, savinga bit of weight is good but you aren't talking a heavy bike and you aren't in the top elite few in the country. Think about how much you weigh. Think about you and the bike. Take the total weight and work out how much weight you have to save to make a difference. Even the difference in weight between steel frames and aluminium frames is less than 1% in many cases. Most weight savings amount to about the same as a gulp of water. That not to say there isn't benefit in chasing weight (especially if you're a racer, even at club level), but some people suffer a massive loss of perspective. It's the rider that's important, not the bike.

Mate, you've bought a good bike. It'll serve you well for many years.

As you develop as a rider, you may find it doesn't suit your needs - you may find yourself on rough roads more often than not, you may find you want to carry stuff, you may find yourself planning overnight or week long trips, you might ... Get the picture? The ONLY way to find out is to go out there and enjoy the thing. Ride it and love it. Eventually some other bike will take your heart, but that's cool, that's life ... and it's fun.

Ride solo to get used to the bike and to build your fitness. At the same time, start looking around for clubs. There are a lot of clubs. Some specialise in racing. Some specialise in touring. Some specialise in recreational. Most do a bit of all or just a lot of different things. Like all clubs, it's all about meeting a group of people you fit in with and having fun with them. Eventually you'll find yourself hanging around with a group often enough to pay their membership fee ... and that's when you'll have found the right club.
But there's nothing wrong with being a lone wolf ... though people give you funny looks when you're talking to yourself.

Richard

[Grow To Overthrow]

Hey, thanks for the thorough reply Richard, it's great to hear this type of advice.

I figured the whole weight reduction thing was a bit crazy at this point, especially given the cost of upgrading components like wheels, cranks, bars, groupsets etc.. Gets to the point where you should just look at a better bike package, which you obviously don't do after just buying one!

From what i've read, Ultegra is a pretty decent setup. Yours, or anybodys opinion? Campagnolo Vs. Shimano, just a matter of personal opinion?

And i hear you with the whole, just get on the bike frame-of-mind, the proof really is in the pudding with stuff like this. I can't wait to get on this thing, really looking forward to getting fit and having an absolute ball.

[europa]

Ultegra is racing standard gear. 105 is base level, Ultegra the next stage up. You don't need any better unless you are a hard core racer.

Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM? They work slightly differently. Whether one is better than the other is probably more preferance than anything though most who go to Campy never go back to Shimano. SRAM is fairly new though those who've spent the money to try it seem to like it.

Ride to have fun. If it's not fun, you're thinking about it wrong. Don't get sucked into a mindset that doesn't suit you (eg racing, training only, touring, etc). Every type of riding has its zealots and like all form of zealotry, fun is usually the first thing forgotten. Just look for a group of mates you enjoy riding with. The rest will come with it.

Richard

[mikesbytes]

Hi Grow To Overthow, welcome to cycling.

The bike you have is considerbly better than the ones I use and I clock up 12,000k per year.

Put your walet away and focus on improving your body, its the nut behind the handlebars that will give you the greatest performance inprovement.

Whether you ride solo or ride with a club is your choice. Most clubs will have a mix of riders of different skill levels, so you should find people similar to yourself there. The club members will have a wealth of knowledge and can advise you on most bike realted subjects.

[Grow To Overthrow]

Thanks again for the replies.

Obviously the goal now is getting on this bike, ALOT!

I'm already relatively fit, but i'm sure a new sport will require different aerobic and anaerobic capacities.

I'll definately take the advice with finding a group that i can get along with, and share similar goals regarding cycling etc.. No doubt i will meet people as i start to get out on the bike. Might have to drop down to Port Melbourne of a weekend and see if i can't put out some feelers.

The wallet is almost away, i just have to buy a repair kit, pump and lock.

James.

[LuckyPierre]

You guys have ruined it!
I was going to say that Pinarello's are a heap of sh*t, but if it got sent to me, I'd make sure it was disposed of properly!
Ride your bike - it is a very good one. If you don't like it, there is a queue (starting behind me) to 'look after' it for you.

[Grow To Overthrow]

You guys have ruined it!
I was going to say that Pinarello's are a heap of sh*t, but if it got sent to me, I'd make sure it was disposed of properly!

I'll know not to trust you then!

Ride your bike - it is a very good one. If you don't like it, there is a queue (starting behind me) to 'look after' it for you.

Yeah i'm happy with the purchase, just have to make my final payment (takes a while on apprentice wages). Went into the store on Wednesday and noticed the 2007 Galileo on the rack, shiny chrome and red with pretty flashy wheels. There's always the next model.

I cannot wait to get my bike

[reparto corse]

cogratulations on your new purchase Grow to Overthow. Awesome piece of machinery that chose. I'm sure you will enjoy it very much.
Just remember to treat her nice and she will serve you well.