As mentioned in a previous post, I dusted off my old mountain bike. I don't like the riding position, and I get frustrated at the lack of 'oomph'. I put some thinner road tyres on it, but it didn't help a lot - just reduced the rolling resistance a bit. I still wasn't comfortable. I decided, "Sod it, I'll buy another road bike". (I used to have one, but it's very old, and time in the garage hasn't been kind to it...).

Anyway... I didn't have much of a budget, so was limited to entry-level road bikes new. I did some searching for reviews and most of said bikes were 'alright', if not particularly durable. Several cycling forums I came across suggested that I look for a good secondhand bike with the same budget - that way I could source a bike that was much better equipped with better components etc.

A short search later, and I found one quite near me. I'm now the proud owner of a Giant SCR 2.

Carbon forks (soak up the bumps a bit more than steel), 27-speed (good for me as I'm not too much of a hillclimber!) and much lighter than an entry-level bike.

The only thing I have to do now is change the pedals (it currently has the clipless ones that use the special cleats on purpose-made shoes, neither of which I have as of yet - that's for the future) - for a set with toeclips and straps (which I do have).
I always wanted to try the clipless variety when I used to ride a lot, but when you add together the cost of pedals, shoes and cleats (though a set of cleats are often supplied with pedals, I believe), it's all a bit pricey. If I fancy a go now, at least the pedal cost is already dealt with, and there are some cheap shoes with good reviews available here.

From what I understand, many folks new to clipless pedals have some 'comedy moments' as they come to a stop, forget to unclip their foot (or just can't do it), and fall over! It's apparently very common.

I was hoping to go for a spin last night, but the rain arrived and scuppered my plans. Roll on the weekend!

That's exciting! Congrats on the new bike! I only have a mountain bike and really wanted a road bike at one point. I did a triathlon about 5 years ago and I borrowed a road bike from someone to do the race with. It is amazing how much less effort you have to put forth to make the road bike go as fast as I was going on the mountain bike during street riding.

I looked up the Giant SCR2... I don't know what year yours is, but does it look similar to this one? This looks like a great bike!

Here's mine:


The seat post is also carbon. Makes it lighter apparently, but with me on it, I don't think it will make much difference!

Almost identical to the photo I posted! Great looking bike! I'm jealous!!

Due to my car suffering a breakdown, I used my bike to go to work last week. As I don't get out on the bike as much as I should, the 8 mile journey was a bit hard going in places, particularly when I came to the hills. It was worse coming home as there was a nice little headwind to add to my pain!

If the weather holds, I'll use it a few more times in the coming week - I don't like having to rely on workmates, all of whom are going out of their way to collect me.. The journey took me 35 minutes (it takes between 10 and 15 in a car- it's all country roads), which includes a few stops at the bottom of the big hills to take a drink of water and psche myself up a bit. If I did it more regularly, I reckon I could do it in under 25. I think I might do it more often even when I get my car back, it's as much down to the weather as anything. Rain + no mudguards = unpleasant!

What great exercise! If I had a road bike and job that required commuting, I'd think about riding to work! Then I wouldn't have to take the time after work to go to the gym and get a workout in. The commuting on the bike would be the workout!

I did it three times this week, got my car back on wednesday evening - good job too, as it tipped it down with rain today!

It was beginning to wear a little thin, I admit - those hills were murder, and there always seemed to be a headwind on the way home too. I still intend to do it again though!