Now it seems to be at least three months from the last post. Though I recovered from the pulmonary problems already in late June, my physical condition was (and still is) rather poor. To add the loss of motivation, it is not hard to understand why I did not post anything...
Well, I have passed now with the new Foil 40 over 750 km, including one over 100 km ride. (That is not my actual mileage, I have ridden much more with MTB but shorter distances of 30-50 km.) The bike functions well. I had the first free-of-charge service at Hawaii Express (the bike shop) and minor adjustments were done. The initial problem with the down-slipping seat post is over. I complained about the problem also during the service but as it seems to be OK now, it was decided not to do anything right now. The scratches are seen on the seat post but as I was told that it is not a warranty case so I agreed it is better not to do anything at the moment.
Together, I am happy with the bike. As I noticed in my initial posts, especially I was surprised (and I am still!) how well the bike absorbs the bumps from the poor quality tarmac. Secondly, the gears change well even uphills. Both were issues in my old cheap aluminum frame road bike. The bike is a bit side-wind sensitive when trucks pass closely but it is actually not a big problem. Now I am confident that the bike will last for several years. In sum, it the Scott Foil 40 was a good choice to purchase.
It is clear that the aim of the annual 2000-2500 km will not be realistic for this year. I hope to ride1000 km only in this year. I understand that from a financial viewpoint the bike was too expansive for that short annual mileage but I like to say that those tennis players, golfers, and windsurfers pay much more for their hobby.
PS. I had two punctures already (first time I found a really tiny steel wire in the tire but the second one was without any visible reason). Well, can happen everyone... But I had also already four (correct, FOUR!) flat tires in my MTB this year, twice there was a visible reason, twice I was unable to find any puncture or rupture. After the last one I replaced not only the tubes again but also the tires itself. Thus, I had this year more tire problems than during the last 3-4 years together. Hopefully no one more...
Monday, August 13, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
Nothing to tell...
I had since late April two consecutive virus infections and the last resulted with pulmonary complications. I have not literally touched the bike since April. I will post the next when I will be in good shape again.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
First impressions
Finally, yesterday it was +8oC, sunny, though windy, and I took my first ride with the new Scott Foil 40. The distance was 48 km, most of the distance was a good quality tarmac but a short 3 km stage was an old and rough tarmac, there were two 5% inclinations (roughly 500 m each) and corresponding descents. My average speed was 27.4 km/h, the maximum descent speed was 52 km/h and the minimal speed on the top of the climb about 13 km/h.
The first impressions on the bike are controversial.
Problems first. The rear derailleur does not work perfectly if the chain is bent, i.e. the chain is on the same time on the large chain-ring and large sprocket (excuse me, if I use wrong terminology, I am still not fluent with the bike vocabulary). This is not a big deal, I guess it is just a matter of adjustment and I will complain when I will have the first, free-of-charge bike inspection-service (foreseen after the first 300-500 km). Much more serious problem is that the seat post clamp does not fix properly the seat post. Scott Foil has an internal seat post clamp and the seat post itself is also oval, so actually I cannot inspect the seat post clamp. I tightened the seat post clamp bolt at least five times with the Allen wrench I had with me and finally I used quite much force. I worried to break the carbon but I had no other option since the seat post slipped down for a millimeter or two with the bumps on the bad surface. Remains to be seen whether it was just a problem of a new bike or it is a much more serious problem. I will tighten the bolt again before the next ride, hopefully the seat post will stay in correct position. If not, I will go back to the shop to complain. Anyway, the slipping seat post shows already scratches on it that should not be there.
Otherwise, the bike is very lightweight, the frame surprisingly well absorbs bumps, the L size frame fits me well (I am 187 cm and 100+ kg). It is definitely a good road bike. On the other hand, since my spreed is too low to utilize the aero geometry of the frame, it is hard to say how much less power in reality I use thanks to the aero frame. Anyway, the aero geometry was not the bike selection criterion for me, I wanted a carbon frame road bike and the Scott Foil frame just looked beautiful. Everything else is good as well but I can expect from a 1800 EUR (with pedals and options) carbon frame and Shima 105 equipped bike that everything functions perfectly.
The first overall impression is 4 stars out of 5 possible. Next I want to take a 100 km ride and then I can tell how I feel after a longer ride. I am still a bit disappointed with the seat post clamp problem in this price level. As I wrote, remains to be seen.
The first impressions on the bike are controversial.
Problems first. The rear derailleur does not work perfectly if the chain is bent, i.e. the chain is on the same time on the large chain-ring and large sprocket (excuse me, if I use wrong terminology, I am still not fluent with the bike vocabulary). This is not a big deal, I guess it is just a matter of adjustment and I will complain when I will have the first, free-of-charge bike inspection-service (foreseen after the first 300-500 km). Much more serious problem is that the seat post clamp does not fix properly the seat post. Scott Foil has an internal seat post clamp and the seat post itself is also oval, so actually I cannot inspect the seat post clamp. I tightened the seat post clamp bolt at least five times with the Allen wrench I had with me and finally I used quite much force. I worried to break the carbon but I had no other option since the seat post slipped down for a millimeter or two with the bumps on the bad surface. Remains to be seen whether it was just a problem of a new bike or it is a much more serious problem. I will tighten the bolt again before the next ride, hopefully the seat post will stay in correct position. If not, I will go back to the shop to complain. Anyway, the slipping seat post shows already scratches on it that should not be there.
Otherwise, the bike is very lightweight, the frame surprisingly well absorbs bumps, the L size frame fits me well (I am 187 cm and 100+ kg). It is definitely a good road bike. On the other hand, since my spreed is too low to utilize the aero geometry of the frame, it is hard to say how much less power in reality I use thanks to the aero frame. Anyway, the aero geometry was not the bike selection criterion for me, I wanted a carbon frame road bike and the Scott Foil frame just looked beautiful. Everything else is good as well but I can expect from a 1800 EUR (with pedals and options) carbon frame and Shima 105 equipped bike that everything functions perfectly.
The first overall impression is 4 stars out of 5 possible. Next I want to take a 100 km ride and then I can tell how I feel after a longer ride. I am still a bit disappointed with the seat post clamp problem in this price level. As I wrote, remains to be seen.
Monday, March 12, 2012
New bicycle
It has been several months since my last post. The early winter was rainy and without snow, then it was very cold for several weeks, and consequently the final milage for XC skiing is only less than 100 km. But that is not important.
In the beginning of March I got my new bike, Scott Foil 40. I went to the bike shop and it was waiting there in the row with two others. Have a look on the photograph, the middle one is mine...
I purchased also a saddle bag and speedometer but because the cycling season in Tartu begins from April (there are already some enthusiasts on the roads...) there were no Shimano 105 gruppo pedals available. There were upper end pedals far to expansive and some of the Look but I prefer to use the Shimano SPD-SL as I used in my old road bike. (By-the-way, I sold it via a cycling fans Internet site in less than 24 h for 100 EUR, if somebody is interested in, the photographs of the old bike can by found at http://fotoalbum.ee/photos/turbokonn/sets/1261573.)
Thus, the bottle cages have to purchased and the pedals to be installed and then I will try the new bike (but only, when there is no snow on roads any more). So far, have look on the bike on the roof rack of the car on the purchase day (Hawaii Express is the chain of the sport goods' shops and the dealer of Scott bikes in Estonia).
In the beginning of March I got my new bike, Scott Foil 40. I went to the bike shop and it was waiting there in the row with two others. Have a look on the photograph, the middle one is mine...
Thus, the bottle cages have to purchased and the pedals to be installed and then I will try the new bike (but only, when there is no snow on roads any more). So far, have look on the bike on the roof rack of the car on the purchase day (Hawaii Express is the chain of the sport goods' shops and the dealer of Scott bikes in Estonia).
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Cycling year 2011 is over for me
The 2011 cycling year is over for me though some enthusiasts still are riding. Yesterday I was in Riga, the capital of Latvia (240 km south from Tartu), it was nice +7oC and I saw several cyclists still training, however, in Tartu the weather is already bad for cycling, indeed. My year 2011 final milage is over 3000 km (over 2000 by the road bike and the 1000 by MTB), I am rather happy with this effort. I know that the "serious" cycling enthusiasts ride annually 5000-6000 km but the 3000 km sounds also OK for me. During the last two weeks I suffered from a sub-acute virus infection, common for this season of the year and could not train. Well, actually I could but I did not want to take any health risks. Now I hope there will be snow soon and I can start cross country skiing. The aim for XC skiing is something 200 km, mostly in classic style. Let's see, there is no snow yet. And to be honest, XC skiing is for me just only fun and nothing else, unlike the biking that is for me a challenge.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
The cycling season ends soon
It is about two weeks from the time I created the blog and wrote the first post. Not much to report, the cycling season in Estonia will end quite soon though the weather is relatively nice for the beginning of November. One can still see some enthusiasts riding on the roads, but rather due to the darkness than temperature or rain it is a dangerous activity. As the car drivers do not respect cyclists in Estonia, every week a cyclist is killed in the traffic. Well, I admit that most of those tragic cases have connections to alcohol, i.e. either the driver or the rider was intoxicated. Nonetheless, I feel it is time to stop cycling for this season, at least in the evenings. Probably I will ride during the weekend a short distance but that will be all for this year.
Another case is the daily commuting between the home and the working place. The distance is short (2.5 km only) and only about 500 m I have to use the heavily trafficked street. Though sometimes I have to use the car, last winter I tried to ride regardless of the weather conditions throughout the winter. In late November I will again install the studded winter tires (Schwalbe Snow Stud: http://www.schwalbetires.com/node/1368). The studded bicycle tires are an excellent invention, though expensive (2 x 30 = 60 EUR ). Last year there was once -25.5 oC in the morning, the streets were empty as the cars did not start, but I rode to my working place. The lubricant in the bottom bracket and hubs was so thick that it was physically exhausting to pedal, however, the studded winter tires were OK. The colleagues commented and asked whether this is masochism or exhibitionism? To be honest, the latter one sounds more likely...
Next time I will summarize my 2011 training diary.
Another case is the daily commuting between the home and the working place. The distance is short (2.5 km only) and only about 500 m I have to use the heavily trafficked street. Though sometimes I have to use the car, last winter I tried to ride regardless of the weather conditions throughout the winter. In late November I will again install the studded winter tires (Schwalbe Snow Stud: http://www.schwalbetires.com/node/1368). The studded bicycle tires are an excellent invention, though expensive (2 x 30 = 60 EUR ). Last year there was once -25.5 oC in the morning, the streets were empty as the cars did not start, but I rode to my working place. The lubricant in the bottom bracket and hubs was so thick that it was physically exhausting to pedal, however, the studded winter tires were OK. The colleagues commented and asked whether this is masochism or exhibitionism? To be honest, the latter one sounds more likely...
Next time I will summarize my 2011 training diary.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Background of this blog
In the time we are living it is an accepted life-style to have a personal blog. I felt it is time to join the community of the bloggers.
However, this is not the main reason I start to store some of my ideas and feelings in an electronic form. The particular reason to start this blog is that I pre-ordered a new road bike and I would not only like to share my experience with this bike but more importantly, I would like to proof myself that the order of a such an expensive "toy" really makes sense and it is not only an expression of the midlife crisis every man faces in his forties.
So far you can find the specs of my new bike from the Scott's homepage http://www.scott-sports.com/us_en/product/11270/64644/221878 . I am not a Scott bikes fan but the local Scott representative is the only bicycle shop in Tartu that has an acceptable range of bikes in stock to try. I rode some tens of meters with a bike similar to that I ordered and I was happy with the feeling I experienced. I have at the moment three different bikes (all are cheap entry level recreational bikes, one old Merida Road 850-14 road bike - with the frame far too large for me -, and two MTBs, one for everyday commuting in town and the another a bit better for occasional of-road riding). I purchased these bikes 2009-2010 when I started to cycle in order to drop my (over-)weight. In the beginning I was a total rookie with regard to everything related to bikes and cycling and I chose bikes only on the basis of their price tag (the cheaper the better...). Today I aim to ride annually 2000 km on-road and >500 km with the MTB (mostly still on tarmac and gravel roads) and it appeared that the cheap bikes simply do not last. I am a regular customer in bike service, for an example in all three bikes (likely due to my overweight) the chainrings of the cranksets are worn out (plus many-many other problems). So it was time to switch to a quality bike. I hope the Scott frame and Shimano 105 groupset will last (with an appropriate maintenance and service, of course) for the 10 000 km I plan to pass in the next four to five years.
Let's see, I will tell you, too...
However, this is not the main reason I start to store some of my ideas and feelings in an electronic form. The particular reason to start this blog is that I pre-ordered a new road bike and I would not only like to share my experience with this bike but more importantly, I would like to proof myself that the order of a such an expensive "toy" really makes sense and it is not only an expression of the midlife crisis every man faces in his forties.
So far you can find the specs of my new bike from the Scott's homepage http://www.scott-sports.com/us_en/product/11270/64644/221878 . I am not a Scott bikes fan but the local Scott representative is the only bicycle shop in Tartu that has an acceptable range of bikes in stock to try. I rode some tens of meters with a bike similar to that I ordered and I was happy with the feeling I experienced. I have at the moment three different bikes (all are cheap entry level recreational bikes, one old Merida Road 850-14 road bike - with the frame far too large for me -, and two MTBs, one for everyday commuting in town and the another a bit better for occasional of-road riding). I purchased these bikes 2009-2010 when I started to cycle in order to drop my (over-)weight. In the beginning I was a total rookie with regard to everything related to bikes and cycling and I chose bikes only on the basis of their price tag (the cheaper the better...). Today I aim to ride annually 2000 km on-road and >500 km with the MTB (mostly still on tarmac and gravel roads) and it appeared that the cheap bikes simply do not last. I am a regular customer in bike service, for an example in all three bikes (likely due to my overweight) the chainrings of the cranksets are worn out (plus many-many other problems). So it was time to switch to a quality bike. I hope the Scott frame and Shimano 105 groupset will last (with an appropriate maintenance and service, of course) for the 10 000 km I plan to pass in the next four to five years.
Let's see, I will tell you, too...
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