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Hi @TomCauvain. I don't think we've chat about this yet - can you drop me an email at [email protected]?

The new face of ICC? #nsfw #nsfl

Can we update the strava thumbnail pic?

Any news on this? Still bugging me

Those bikes you've looked at are all great bikes, but what do you mean by looked at? There is nothing better than going to a good local bike shop and giving candidate bikes a test ride - remember, you're under no obligation to make a purchase. Importantly, a good bike shop should be able to guide you through finding the right frame size and how to adjust the bike to fit your body, which I'd argue is ultimately more important than the bike itself (and components on the bike are least important, almost all of them can... and if you're me... will!.. end up getting swapped out over time).

I ended up trying a few Cannondale bikes and a Scott bike when I was choosing my first road bike last year, and felt than the Cannondale Synapse best suit my needs - though the bike has changed quite a bit since then as I've learnt more about myself :) This is also something that it might be worth keeping in mind - cycling is a big sport, and you might surprise yourself just how much you like it. When I got started I thought I was only interested in sportives, and now here I am finding myself training every other day and racing at the weekend... My point being it might be better to spend a little less in case your goals radically change in the future. It's a bit awkward if you buy a stiff racing frame only to realise you're much more interested in really long gently paced rides (or of course the other way round!)

Also, I should point out that this club has a huge range of abilities - so don't feel you need a flashy bike just to keep up! You'll be sure to find riders who match your ability or provide a good challenge either way. That said... if you want to go and break the bank, I'm not going to try and stop you ;)

Sorry this is a bit of a general comment, but hopefully that helps!

I can't speak official for ICC, but I believe the general consensus is turning up for one of our mid-week rides and introducing yourself as new should be sufficient. That said, I'm not sure how much is going on at the moment as it's still dark and grim outside...

Hey @CliveR, can only echo what's been said above. Interestingly I was in exactly your shoes only half a year ago, and the club gave me lots of amazing advice. Maybe you want to have a read through the discussion back in June: http://forum.islington.cc/conversations/269357/?offset=25#comment12355745

Fast forward to now, I'm very happy with my purchase. I got a Cannondale Synapse with Shimano 105 components, not knowing what would really happen. I got completely hooked with cycling (and am still beyond obsessed). The bike has grown with me well, and I've learn to to (badly) upgrade components and do basic maintainence, my fitness has upgraded as I've learnt how to train (mostly from advice in this very club), and it's been a bike that's versatile enough for all manner of riding - long rides, short intense sessions at Regent's Park, and this year I started racing on it.

In short, I recommend stretching your budget as far as you can - both with the bike and clothing. You might be surprised as to just what will happen, and as they say: buy cheap, buy twice.

Lovely riding with you all! Looking forward to many more rides :)

http://www.strava.com/activities/343696621

@sharp11 There will certainly be another one in August (I would imagine, no one has confirmed this) - the introduction rides happen a roughly monthly basis.

New to road cycling in 2015 - it is quickly taking over my life. Cannondale Synapse (2015). Enjoy medium length sportives and trying to go faster.

http://www.strava.com/athletes/5259243

Hi - and that's quite an impressive pair of bikes!

Oh wow, so there is! Now I just need to learn how to loosen the brake cable tension, but with that screw adjusted it looks considerably more comfortable. Thanks @GrahamP!

See you all at a ride soon ;)

Look forward to seeing you all there. Picking my bike up tomorrow, so should be sufficient warmed up and familiar by July :)

@Will_S I think that's a great idea, but maybe once I already know what a good size frame is. For now, there's so much subjectivity research alone probably won't be able to answer the real questions I have. I'm keeping it in mind for the obvious next bike (yea, I'm being realistic...)

@SamuelD We actually measured the stem and it's the same on all of them, so not sure exactly what was making it feel less comfortable. I wondered if the frame itself was bigger. Will check that out on Monday when I pop back.

Just got back from a slightly extended lunch break - tried out a Cannondale Synapse and Supersix - both super fun to ride! Also tried a Scott which felt just slightly too long, but I'm not quite sure. Going back on Monday, will probably prepare the bank account. Exciting!

@SamuelD, @DanM I agree, I think I'll have to put the Canyon aside as a bike upgrade for years to come. For now you're all right, the fit is super important (especially as at the moment I get a bit of knee pain after 50 miles from presumably a bad fit). Still hoping to get down to Swift this weekend, though of course I managed to schedule a ride to Windsor when I should have been shopping... oops.

Thanks for the CAAD10 recommendation, that has actually been on my list of bikes to check out. It's a bit of a token "first bike" bike, but that's probably for good reason.

Also, just want to say thanks for so much great discussion here - if anything it's validated my decision to become a member. Y'all seem like a great bunch :)

@Ebrahim Why stop there? Might as well spend 10k on wheels and get the bike later.

@SamuelD - haha, yea. Just don't go overboard ;) Thanks for the tips, I think I am looking for something that will grow with me, and seeing as the frame is the hardest to replace, you're right that that is where money is probably best spent. I've heard a lot of people tell me that wheels would be my first point of call for upgrading, but I think I'll still be OK with stock wheels for a few months after the bike. After that, I'll have recharged the bank account, so think I'm still OK with spending £1500 on a bike with stock wheels for now, though maybe £1000 on a bike and £500 will ultimately work out better. Have to see what the LBS says about that.

All stocked up with clothing, I ride with some basic Shimano R540 pedals, and have some basic bib shorts and a jersey for now. Obviously the jersey gets replaced with an Islington CC one :)

Look forward to meeting you soon, hopefully be all set by July!

Oh, I hadn't thought about joining before even having a bike. I like the sound of getting some discounts :) @Martine, that's some solid advice - thanks! The online bikes are usually stocked with Ultrega, but the in-shop bikes all seem to come with 105 standard, at my price range. I can't really find much of a difference between Ultregra and 105 online, other than shaving a few hundred grams - which seems irrelevant at my level.

Hi all, hope you don't mind me posting in this forum for a bit of advice...

Hoping to one day join you all on the roads, but for now that will be tricky - I only have a Trek hybrid. While it's certainly more than capable for the sportives I do, it's not really a group bike! So, time to upgrade and throw some money around, I figure... but I'm a little torn on exactly where that money should go. I'm looking for recommendations on both bike shops in London that can give me good advice and options, and also bike recommendations in general.

A little about me:

I'm fairly new to road cycling - I got into it this year and have seriously caught the bug. These days a typical ride is about 3-4 hours and 40-60 miles. I'm getting more and more into sportives as well. I'm looking for a bike that is going to let me push myself, but will also remain comfortable for more leisurely rides - I tend to also enjoy a slower ride some non-serious cycling groups for social events.

Currently, I've got somewhat convinced that I want a Canyon because a) they look gorgeous but more importantly b) the spec seems killer for the price. I've also considered a Canondale CAAD. Beyond that, I'm not sure where to even beginning looking.

I think I'd like a carbon frame, but honestly not sure about the exact pros and cons.
What would you suggest? My budget is roughly £1500, which seems reasonable for a first road bike - I'm willing to go higher though if it's worth it. Will also be spending whatever it takes to get a good quality fitting done (I'm in London, so if you have suggestions, I'm all ears!)

Let me know if there's any more info that could help :) I'll be popping down to Swift Cycles this weekend hopefully, so we'll see what they say.