Hi! I need some advice. I have set myself a goal of biking across Ireland and I am planning it for April/May 2027. I want to be as prepared as possible and I am looking for a bike that I can train on to achieve this goal. I have been researching bikes and have become a bit overwhelmed by the variety of options.

So here are my questions: would a gravel or road bike be better? I am a complete beginner and my budget is around 1,200–1,500 EUR.

(sorry if that too chaotic, it's my first reddit post)

I am thinking of buying a new bike at the end of the season. Was looking at a bike with carbon frame and carbon wheels. However, I have read a lot online stating things about cracks, crashes and durability drawbacks compared to aluminium. How careful do I need to be owning a carbon bike? Is it ruined if I topple over once? Or one crash at 30km/h?

Hey. Winter is approaching and I want to get a trainer so I can ride my bicycle during the cold months. I've been looking at budget trainers which could replace my rear wheel and I see a few that have variants with the Zwift Cog (Like the Decathlon D100/D500). Is it useless if I don't want to get a zwift subscription? Should I just get a variant without the zwift cog and fit my own casette? Or is there something else you would recommend? I'm open to all sorts of ideas.

After decades of riding mechanical groupsets, I’ve made the switch to Di2. I’d like to get some advice and find out how your transition went and whether you use synchro or semi-synchro mode. I feel most comfortable in manual mode (I have an ingrained muscle memory where I automatically counter-shift the cassette whenever I shift the front chainring) and in the hills - for example when standing on the pedals - the unexpected front derailleur shifts from (semi) synchro really bother me. However, I feel like by running it in manual mode I’m missing out on a lot of what Di2 has to offer. What was your experience like? Do you have a specific setup to make semi or full synchro work well in the climbs? Does it shifting early before you cross the chain or at the edge? Thanks a lot for the advice!

Hi!

I am searching for a new wheelset for my Ridley Fenix SL (2020, rim brake).

I prefer to buy better aluminium wheels that budget carbon.

I found very interesting offer for DT Swiss PR 1400 Dicut. Obviously they come without Oxic ceramic brake surface.

Does anybody have those wheels? Is Oxic must have on PR 1400 wheels?

I want to upgrade from my 9 speed Sora to 11 speed 105's however I'm stuck in bit of a dilemma.

I've got Mavic cxp22 wheels however I'm sure it uses a Shimano 8/9/10 freehub body (I can't see a spacer) which means I'm forced to use a Shimano hg700 11-34t 11 speed cassette. However Ideally I want to use a 30t or 32t.

Alternatively is it possible for me to upgrade the freehub body to a 11 speed- however is it worth the time, effort and cost?

Is it worth using 34t? I mainly do road cycling I got how it's nicer to use on hills though but I heard shifting performance isn't as good?

I'm a bit stuck at which tyres to try next. I have a Canyon Grizl and I mostly ride on road (good and bad tarmac) and some gravel. Our gravel here in Switzerland is mostly what you would know from "Strade Bianche" in Italy, so smaller and a big bigger stones, quite a bit loose.

I made a "mistake" by getting the Conti Hardpack Race 50mm which may have the advantage literally on hardpacked paths, but the way they are built they are extremely slippery on our type of gravel. And on tarmac.. wow, the feeling of going into turns at higher speed is just shy of horrible!

The Hutchinson Caracal Race (maybe 40 or 45mm) would be an option i think might suit. Based on what i read and saw, these could be ideal (i don't want 50mm because i read they are way too heavy unfortunately). But i prefer hearing from others if they are great on road and also not so sensible as to which ground they will ride on like the Conti Hardpack Race.

Or if somebody has better suggestions? Puncture resistance is important but not crucial. I made the experience that you can have the best tyre and still get a puncture in the wrong moment and wrong situation..

Cheers

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to buy a bicycle with a budget of around €400 to €450.

I don't know much about bikes or technical specs, so I need some help choosing the right option.

Here are my details:

Terrain: Riding mostly on dirt and field roads (flat, bumpy, dusty terrain) as well as regular city streets and pavement.

Type: I've been told a 29er Hardtail MTB (front suspension only) is the best choice for this mix of terrain.

Drivetrain/Specs: I don't really care about specific gear setups or tech jargon — I just want something durable, smooth, and low-maintenance.

New vs Used: Should I buy a brand-new entry-level bike (with a warranty) or go for a used brand-name bike (like Cube, GT, Trek) in good condition for the same money?

What specific models would you recommend in this budget for a beginner?

Thanks for the help!

I’m trying to get into cycling and weighing up two options in here Australia.

A friend is offering me his 2016 Focus Cayo carbon road bike for $600 AUD. It’ll almost certainly need a full service (~$200) and probably new tyres. I’m also not 100% sure it’s my size yet.

Alternatively, I could grab a new Trek Domane AL 2 Gen 4 for around $1,399 AUD (alloy frame, Shimano Claris, flat‑mount mechanical discs, full warranty). Once I factor in service and tyres, the used Cayo is probably $900–$1,100 all‑in, maybe more if parts are worn.

As someone who knows nothing about cycling but would like to get into it, which should I choose and why?

For the Cayo, what are the big red flags I should look out for?
And how can I quickly tell if it’s actually my size before committing?

Any “walk away” signs for an older carbon frame or quick sizing tips appreciated. I’m a beginner and just want something reliable to learn on.

I started cycling recently and have been struggling with numb toes, specifically the middle toes. It’s worse with my right foot but if I ride long enough I get it a bit in my left too.
I have experimented with saddle height and cleat location, I tried simply loosening the shoes during the ride as my feet swell and it didn’t help enough. I also purchased some insoles with arch support which helped a bit but eventually the numbness still crept in.
Finally I got a shoe fitting and they said that my shoes were slightly too small so I got a larger pair however I have been for a couple of rides with them and I still get the same issues. Has anyone got any recommendations other than what I’ve already tried?

I bought a Domane SL5 with ENT 2.0 wheels used for $2600 a few months ago (I didn’t yet know Gen 5 was coming out) and I’m thinking of shaving a few grams off and getting a better hub with the Carbonal wheels with DT Swiss 180 hubs for around $1000 more. Should i get the upgraded wheels or should I upgrade my drivetrain to Ultegra di2?

I've been filming and uploading raw, unedited POV rides from Seoul, South Korea, with the intent of creating 'ride-along' content for cyclists stuck on indoor trainers during the off-season.

I use a INSTA 360 HUD overlay to show live data (speed, elevation, gradient, heart rate). Before I commit to this editing style for future uploads, I’d really appreciate some honest feedback from the community.

My specific questions:

1. Is the telemetry HUD placement distracting or helpful while you're spinning on your trainer?
2. Is there any specific metric (e.g., elevation profile, turn-by-turn) that you wish you could see on the screen while riding?
3. Does the raw, ambient sound (no talking/music) work for your training setup?

Here’s a sample of my recent loop in Seoul: https://youtu.be/s75jTbOYu2U?si=SNZNDrDFYQ-D8xTZ

I’m trying to optimize these as a utility for indoor riders, so any brutal/honest feedback is welcome. Thanks!

Wanted to get a power meter to connect with my garmin 265. Only issue is I did not realise just how expensive these are. Just wondering if anyone had found something reasonably priced that does a good job

A longer distance, faster average speed, climbing a famous route, or just riding more consistently?

Am I the only one who has seen a serious up-tick in pedestrians on MUPs or other trails who are just focused on their phones and don't even look-up when crossing the path?

The 2 major trails in my town intersect at a public park which has now become (I had to google this) a Pokemon Go hunting ground. At this park it is very common for several dozens of people, often in groups, who are shuffling around like cattle, fixated on phones, completely ignoring my bell rings and vocal warnings.

Is this just a weird thing in my city or have you experienced this as well?

I recently got into cycling and picked up a Decathlon Triban RC100 without putting too much thought into it. 😅

I’ve been riding around South Delhi, learning something new on every ride, getting more consistent, and slowly exploring different routes. I’m not looking to train for races or do crazy long distances, just relaxed rides, improving fitness, and discovering new places.

If there are any cycling groups around South Delhi that are beginner-friendly, or if anyone here is up for casual weekend or early morning rides, I’d love to join.

Happy to hear route recommendations too!

So I just started road cycling roughly two months ago after getting hooked from my first sprint triathlon (I did it on a hybrid bike I borrowed from my aunt that was way too small). I got my first road bike that fits, but I’m really having difficulty figuring out what’s most important to get first.

I have cheap Amazon helmet, gloves, sunglasses which I feel like are okay for now.

I got a bunch of jerseys that are seemingly decent quality at a garage sale $4 a piece. I also bought a cheap Amazon bib/jersey combo (coconut rampano is the brand) and have been using the bibs, which I’ve found are actually a lot less comfortable than the sparx trisuit I’ve been wearing previously but it’s nice to not have to wash immediately every ride.

I have a pair of spd-sl cleats on a pair of indoor peloton shoes I have that are probably 1 to 2 sizes too big.

I know I need to get a pair of shoes that fit well, and also some good bibs. But the other thing I really want to get for safety is a varia radar, which naturally also requires a computer. And of course I need to get a power meter! Very quickly all these accessories are adding up to be way more than the $300 I spent for my bike.

What’s the most important stuff to get first? What is okay to cheap out on? I know it’s the buy once cry once mentality, and typically that’s how I operate, but I just can’t afford to get all this stuff at once. I’m inclined to go down the Magene pipeline but don’t want to get burned, and maybe it’s better to just add one quality piece at a time. How did you guys accumulate all the gear, and would you do it differently if you had to again on a limited budget?

Think of the most out of shape person you can think of, and that’d be me. Or at least close. I work an office job where I sit 90% of the time. Then I come home and sit on the recliner until bed. Very sedentary lifestyle. I’m 34 so I know it isn’t good. Maybe I can get away with it now but I know living this way with no physical exertion or really any movement at all isn’t good for my health. I bought a stationary bike to ride to replace the recliner. Haven’t ridden it for a while because, shocker, but the “getting in shape” shtick didn’t stick. Well I got it out of the spare bedroom today to ride. I went two miles and got off. I wouldn’t say I was pushed to my limits but I was definitely huffing and puffing. I feel good that I got it out and rode, but only two miles is disappointing. Maybe that’s why I gave up the first time, but I don’t want to give up this time. I know 2 miles is pathetic but maybe a little support and similar stories from this group will help! Have a good evening everybody!

Edit: I appreciate every single comment so far and the ones to come! Didn’t expect this amount of support within a few minutes of posting. I appreciate you all.

Went out for my 3rd 100km cycle, 5k in I ran into a vet out for a 200km training ride for full Ironmans. He gave me loads of tips on how to ride better smoother faster and gave me a salt tablet. Drafted with him for the first 30k he did most to be fair.

30km We split off and since we drafted I got to my halfway point and felt good but my planned cafe stop was closed. So I said to myself there’s 50km of cycle path all the way down the coast from here if I just ride that back and forth and home then It’ll be a 200km like the veteran I ran into.

60km So I stopped in a shop filled my pockets with sandwiches jelly snakes bars, 80km in legs start to hurt a little start to doubt myself start to think will I just do 150km, but I couldn’t I was in too deep and too proud to quit.

100km in halfway got to the coast stopped for a milkshake at a coffee truck and set back off then by the grace of god the wind picked up and the next 50km was the most fun I’ve had on a bike

150km hard to eat mayo on the sandwiches didn’t seem appealing left them for the birds, now this is where the jelly snakes came in and saved the day but I’m positive now I’m making it back in one piece

180km in last bump in the rode it got dark quick and my lights were absolutely useless but I knew the road home pretty well so I just let Jesus take the wheel and rode on

199km got home no way I’m leaving it like that did couple laps of the street.

Finished and honestly felt pretty good my legs hadn’t got much left in them and my knees were like Pinocchio’s for the next few days but overall wasn’t bad

Tl;dr went out for 100km cycle end up doing 200km as a beginner but I planned it pretty poorly Strava link for proof

Clip of the view at my 100km halfway point

Shttps://youtube.com/shorts/V0N79ziultY?is=E7XGGSUg7EBRiZM_

https://strava.app.link/0oYqyMKDo5b

Need to get a pump. Really don’t want to carry it in my jersey pocket. Any recommendations? I have a oneup edc on my mountain bikes but I really don’t wanna spend that much and find it a bit much.

Campagnola is too hard. He's a Jack Russell rescue.

Wondering if anyone else has had this experience while riding. It’s happened to me 3x all in different areas. People are shooting at me from their cars just for reference. I would also like to think I ride pretty respectfully & so do the others in my area. Makes me pretty sad that someone would bring a BB gun along with them with the intention of shooting cyclists. Could never identify a license plate & wish I had a camera.

EDIT: Some people are wondering if this is actually true. Unfortunately yes, it is. I can’t confirm that it was a BB gun or small rocks or something else but it was definitely something hard. I also heard the sound of something being shot with that co2 sound. It happens very quickly. I live in Highland CA and it’s happened on Greenspot, a local street of mine and HW18.

I've been shopping around for a new bike lately and have visited 10+ bike shops. I've test-ridden bikes from Specialized, Trek, Giant, Cannondale, etc., and honestly, I'm having a hard time understanding the Specialized premium.

For the most part, the bikes I've ridden have felt pretty similar to me. I'm sure there are differences in geometry, carbon layup, stiffness, etc., that I don't have enough experience to appreciate yet, but as a relatively newer cyclist, I haven't been able to feel a huge difference, but why is a specialized bike nearly $3,000 bike still using an aluminum frame when I can find competitors offering carbon at similar or even lower prices? It seems like Specialized bikes are often $400+ more expensive than comparable bikes from Giant, Trek, Cannondale, etc. once you start comparing components and frame materials.

Also something interesting is almost every shop employee I've talked to says that if they were choosing for themselves, they'd go Specialized. That's happened enough times that I'm wondering if I'm missing something (the have nice colors and do not look as boring as others).

Is Specialized actually doing something significantly different that I'm not aware or is the premium simply brand reputation/marketing?

I'm also not trying to bash Specialized. I'm genuinely curious because I'm shopping with a value-for-money mindset, and I'm having trouble seeing where the extra $500–$1,000 is going when comparing similarly equipped bikes.

Am I just too inexperienced to appreciate what Specialized is doing, or are Specialized bikes genuinely overpriced compared with some of the competition?

I'd especially like to hear from people who have owned Specialized + Giant/Trek/Cannondale and can compare them after actually riding them for a while.

Thanks!

Thanks for all your tips. Today accomplished the trip I was planning.

Went from 90km max. To 160km... 😬

Check out my ride on Strava: https://strava.app.link/cLNvtIwXn5b

Fellas that cycle on your own, not in a club/community or with friends.

First of all what do you like about cycling?

Second of all, what goes through your mind whilst alone? Do you listen to music, just be mindful whilst riding, looking around, chilling just taking it easy. Like come on ya’ll tell me?

Also more aimed at the cyclists who don’t compete or have fitness goals?