Ignore triggered people, I really enjoy this format of discussion, It is good to listen to some different opinions from knowledgeable people. PS: Merida (reacto, scultura) are my pics for benchmark bike to. I build some this season and they look and ride pretty sweet.

I'm all for second-hand bikes, just a few weeks ago I had a customer coming in looking for a first race bike for their son, we had a long chat about getting into racing and where you'll find the edge over your competitors, aerodynamics, handling and the like, I really couldn't recommend any of our bikes for the budget and use, we ended up deciding that a looked after used bike was the best option and having a chat with some local cycle club members to see what was about...

my sons a county level athlete. Track and XC spikes, race shoes, trail shoes and training shoes for a kid that grows faster than bamboo does adds up massively over a year.. Add to that race entry fees, traveling and club county/west mid running kit all adds up over a season.. Then there is the physio etc to keep him tip top.. All sports cost a fortune and when my lad rode bikes and football AS well as running it crippled me!! Remember bike racing also need the shoes, clothing , race entries , expensive bike computer, pedals, and the inevitable repairs etc. Interesting podcast

Thanks for all the good contents and see you next year for the best custom build! Cheers!

Really love this style of podcast. The banter between you two is fantastic.

This is a lot better than yesterday's podcast. A proper structure, more objective and stuck to the brief. Hopefully you haven't upset anyone this time. Thank you

I think this is important content! Having two experts talk through several options for bikes that most people are likely to be able to buy is what we need more of. The Superbike $10k+ builds are interesting but this content is the most helpful for the most people I believe.

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

Thank you.

That’s Incredibly Awesome! Have A Lovely New Year! Cheers!🥂❤️✨

These are a great format guys please keep in the channel going forward.. 😊 happy Christmas guys 🎉 Pete

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

We will! Maybe once a week.

Giant TCR affordable bike of the people . Don’t ever knock it 😂 I’ve had a few over the years and for the money they cannot be beaten. The Mrs just bought one TCR ADV PRO di2 12speed £3300 carbon wheels , 7.4 kg. You would have to spend significantly more to get anywhere near that weight / quality with other brands & the cables don’t go through the headset so you can travel with it 👍

@tombola4046

7 ай бұрын

Why do you think they are so disconnected at the moment, nobody is buying them! Yea they are a great bike I’ve owned many of them, but they are currently heavily disconnected due to lack of demand and oversupply

@travelersimports6915

7 ай бұрын

All are very valid points but most importantly it rides perfectly. TCR provides by far better ride quality than all the mentioned bikes. Reacto is good on flats only. If you want better frameset than TCR, prepare to pay over 6K. Teammachine or Alpe D'huez.

@dickieblench5001

7 ай бұрын

@@tombola4046 I will be buying one👍

@tombola4046

7 ай бұрын

@@dickieblench5001 plenty to choose from, dealers desperate to shift them as another model Inbound and the overstock of the current model is crazy!

@cornishalps9870

3 ай бұрын

My 2019 TCR advanced pro 1 is 7.3kg and I got it for £1900, it is rim brake though...

At least where I live, the second hand market is littered with very decent carbon bikes that no one wants, because everyone is upgrading to disc brakes. You can get a good condition carbon racing bike that's barely 5 years old under a grand and all you need to maintain it is a bunch of allen keys. Rim brakes never made more sense than for a starter race bike for a kid.

I can't wait to see what builds you come up with - please do it based on sale prices because that's what I'll be looking at in the new year!

I think Jakes's choice nails it, watching the previous podcast my money was on a Reacto. Currently riding a TCR advanced pro 2021 that I built up myself, which has proved to be a great frame. Prices have gone crazy over the last few years but there are definitely more deals to be had now so its well worth understanding what spec bike you are actually buying and comparing deals but also do the research and make sure the frame is of decent quality and built to good tolerances. I believe that Merida build specialized frames so hopefully the quality is a known quantity to some extent.

Really enjoying these podcast videos with good discussions. I totally agree that the prices have inflated a lot: looking at around the £3k mark for a solid benchmark for a first race bike doesn't seem right to me...I'd still be expecting to pay £1500-1800 for a 105 build on an aluminium frame. With that said, the TCR Advanced Pro 2 shown at 12:15 is a compelling grab if someone was able to stretch the budget a little - but not everyone has that luxury.

Loving these chats lads, have a great Christmas 🎄 🚴

@guido1599

7 ай бұрын

Totally agree! Nice addition to the channel!

Turning 16, on a £2k bike… that’s bloody generous to buy a kid that present

@diehardbikes

7 ай бұрын

Sure it's generous, but just keep in mind most of the kids who are gonna get that are probably racers, and ride a crap ton. I think that's worthy of mentioning.

@dominicbritt

7 ай бұрын

Not if they’re racing…

@global_nomad.

7 ай бұрын

if you have kids who are showing potential at anything then it will cost you, sport or otherwise....mostly its a reward fro commitment......but there will be plenty of kids and adults who splash the cash on something unnecessary....

@Andy-co6pn

7 ай бұрын

Canny parents could get their 16yr old a bike on their C2W scheme.

@matthewlewis2072

7 ай бұрын

You don't have kids, fo you? 😬

Here in New Zealand TCR is the best value for money period. Full DI2 wireless for NZ$8000. Everything else equal to this is NZ$15000 plus.

@Ronald-qj5nx

6 ай бұрын

Depends on your values, the Merida Scultura 8000 is arguably better value than the TCR Advanced Pro Disk 1, they are available at essentially the same price, but the Scultura comes with full Ultegra Di2 Wireless whereas the TCR has only 105 Di2. There are other pros and cons: Scultura has a slightly heavier frame (~150g), the TCR's 36mm deep Giant SLR1 carbon wheels are lighter than the 41mm deep Reynolds AR wheels (but the Reynolds are possibly more aero due to greater depth?), the TCR has a power meter which the Merida doesn't have, the smaller Scultura sizes come with 165mm cranks (like finding hen's teeth, could be a deal breaker for smaller people) but the TCR's shortest cranks are 170mm, a XXS Scultura comes with 380mm bars as compared to 400mm bars on the similar sized TCR. The Scultura is also equipped with race ready Continental Grand Prix 5000S TR 700x28C unlike the TCR's Giant Gavia Course 1 700x25c!!!

@user-de2vv7tk8j

6 ай бұрын

Incorrect. The Giant has Ultegra DI2 you are talking about an old model.Tyres are not Gavia , You have the Giant spec totally wrong. @@Ronald-qj5nx

Loving these podcasts. Great idea on budget builds as I'm to do this with an endurance bike. Would great to hear your views

Love the channel guys some excellent content. I have just purchased a TCR and while the bike is lovely to ride the flex in the BB is shocking causing rubbing on the front mech. Was wondering if any of your veiwers have had similar issues. The bike has been back to the shop and has new barings and front mech adjusted.

Discounted TCR frameset and build up to your own spec

@yonglingng5640

7 ай бұрын

If it's the standard version (never sold new unless a shop takes it apart from a complete bike), great. If it's the Pro variant, you have less stem choices and if it's the SL variant, you'd better hope you're the sole owner or find a second owner with a very similar inseam if it's to be sold second-hand.

@dickieblench5001

5 ай бұрын

Now comes with 2 ISP clamps for more flexibility

I got a little used giant propel advanced from 2018 with ultegra di2 a couple of years ago from a retired business man in wales for a little over £2000 it was basically new. Its been my main racer since.

The custom build idea is interesting. Wheels is the tricky bit.

I did get a TCR Adv. Pro and sold the Ultegra mechanical groupset+wheels and replaced it w a 2nd hand 9170 grouppo and some HUNT deep section wheels. Not boring at all, love it.

My take away from this video: If your child of 14-16 wants to get into racing, get a used mid/high end rim brake bike from 2013-2020, alloy or carbon is irrelevant, for 800-1500 Pounds/Euros/Dollars and put some better wheels on it if necessary. The bike will be lighter and not measurably slower than a new one and you'll have saved a lot of money in case of the inevitable crash.

@dickieblench5001

7 ай бұрын

Bought a contend from eBay for my son. Mint condition tiagra £300

Really enjoyed these last few videos, some very good and well considered chat. Really don't understand why people get offended by this, it's just a bike, it's not your child.

Enjoyed both segments very much. Right at the end you talked about what you could build for the same $. Groupsets and wheels have good sales. Frames, not so much. What about a used good bike/frame with crap components built up with the new sales parts?

LOVED THE VIDEO good fun thanks.

These round table discussions are great. No one should take offence as you’re offering opinions not facts by and large. You’ll be getting the call to start a new series for Lineker’s group “The Rest is Cycling”! 😊

Can’t get Merida in Canada to begin with. The Felt with their smaller frames is the way to go for me, being 5 foot 4 inches. The thought of being 16 again with the wisdom of age.

Felt have been teasing a new FR which looks really nice but the company has had three owners in six years - would that kind of instability concern you regarding future maintenance, warranties etc?

Love the channel guys, I have always built my sons race bikes , eBay is king with carful choices . Currently riding the look 795 r/s blade last model with a mix of dura ace / ultegra bontrager xxx carbon wheelset di2 . Challenge r/s crit tyres carbon bars saddle etc it’s a total race weapon under 8kg with pedals etc.

@Mapdec

5 ай бұрын

Nice. I love the seat stay design of that bike.

@sparkyshep

5 ай бұрын

It was your channel that got me into the quality of the look framesets after owning most of the mainstream brands. The new look 795 RS looks fantastic something to aspire to in the future, @@Mapdec

Well I had a cannondale supersix fab bike..back in the day would have been around 2013..did plenty of big days in the Pyrenees on it..

2k for either of those bikes is good could you get close to that build wise? Personally second hand. Or what about the vitus zx1? Buying for a growing teenager I’d go as cheap as possible as they’re still growing so it won’t be something that will be kept too long. Good reasoned podcast there…… ;) Happy Christmas folks 👍

There's a reason you ended up back at a TCR and the brand that does a hell of a lot of carbon manufacturing for others. I still think people are absolutely nuts to not look at used bikes especially if you're tall. The number of 56cm expensive builds I see for sale is outrageous. Perhaps do a feature on what you'd buy used? The tricky part is avoiding the scammers.

@jasonwu9287

7 ай бұрын

Not just scammers, but thieves too. Few months ago, a used bike caught my attention... Took a look on Bike Index and someone reported the same bike as stolen (I think there was something not stock that made it stand out). Contacted the owner who confirmed yes, indeed the bike listed was theirs. 😮

@bennp2000

7 ай бұрын

Tbh I'm looking at a bike currently and the price point looks too good to be true. They don't seem to be a scammer but I guess theft is still an option!

@yonglingng5640

7 ай бұрын

@@jasonwu9287 Any idea about the bike's status now? I do hope somebody can "steal" it back, either from a samaritan or the owner themselves.

you should have talked about the new van rysel bike, for the price, rival and zipp 303, it's a great package. About rose, their marcel kittel xlite version, is my dream bike atm, rotor crankset, classified rear wheel system, and dura ace finishing kit. It's amazing imo

I agree with the Felt!

how about Argon 18 Krypton, 105 12 speed mechanical, zipp 303s/Hunt 45 Aeroist/FFWD Tyros = £3300? (includes a bike fit)

So Giant at 42% off RRP is reasonable value?

Have Dare bikes been mentioned? Have you seen any/enough to form an opinion? I was reminded yesterday that they had the cheapest World Tour bike last year at £6K. Their Dura Ace spec VSRu aero bike is currently €6990 on their European store, although their 105 bike, the MA, isn't aero and is €3599, so maybe nothing there to find this entry level competitive race bike requirement.

Enjoyed that thanks

I found that discussion was more interesting, real life comparison about what options you can find, pros and cons (instead of just looking at prices on the brand website). As you could see, Giant could not be the better or the sexiest, but it still very competitive. It's hard to find alternatives. Anyway, the Felt option looks fantastic. I don't like Reynolds wheels, but I need to agree it's a bike ready to go.

12/07/23 - American bike brand Felt to change ownership for third time in six years. Felt bicycles is set to be sold for the third time in six years due to its parent company looking to focus on its other business interests, particularly on the production of motorcycles and e-bikes. Looking ahead to 2024, Pierer Mobility called the new year a “year of consolidation” and said it would look to implement large-scale cost cutting measures amid a “difficult” wider global economic market. Based in Austria, Pierer Mobility owns several bike, e-bike and motorcycle brands but has decided to sell its controlling stake of the Felt bicycles brand to a consortium led by KTM motorcycle’s managing director Florian Burguet.

Great discussion. I'd be really interested in your opinion on the impact of the cycle to work scheme on pricing and retailers here in the UK. Seems a brilliant deal for a select few but does seem to be propping up the exorbitant pricing, introducing opaque fees for consumers and slimming margins

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

It needs a massive overhaul as it’s saving high earners a huge amount of money and the commissions charged to shops can really dilute already slim margins, and for lower earners it doesn’t help much as their employer rarely gives vouchers for enough value to get something fit for purpose.

Great podcast. I wouldn’t take any notice of people getting offended by opinions that are probably valid based on good taste and experience 😀 I have a giant, I bought it because it was cheaper then the competition like everyone else. Lets be fair, you don’t buy one because of the branding or looks and to be fair nobody understands the name conventions and product decisions.…. I sometimes wonder if most of the giant owners even know which bike they own 😂 I wouldn’t buy giant at today’s prices, they simply haven’t upped their game enough to validate the new price tag.

More videos like this please ❤

Ridden a Merida Scultura for the last five years. Can't fault it.

Now lets get a custom build benchmark recommendation. Im thinking used, or maybe a frame off Merlin, good set of Fulcrum carbon wheels, or maybe DT Swiss or Mavic, if you go new, if you go used, plenty of finds on Ebay, then a solid carbon bar, carbon post, nice saddle from Prologo or Fizik, and finally, a good groupset, probably Rival AXS if I had my pick, but right now there are screaming deals on Shimano, so maybe 105 Di2, or mechanical 12 speed. Do keep in mind, Ratio 12 speed upgrade kits are always an option for those who want Sram 12 speed at a much lower cost.... get a used groupset, probably Force or even Red level? Swap internals, buy the chain and cassette, and chainrings, and youre good. About 200 less than a new Rival AXS group without cranks or cassette/chain/bb. Could use that 200 on a Hambini BB, or maybe one from Kogel or the like.

@Antoine_Frs

7 ай бұрын

If it’s a custom build I’d probably go for custom wheels. Good aluminium bars instead of carbon, you only trade something like 50-100 g and you’ll be less concerned after a crash or just when carrying the bike around. I like what you say about finding a good deal on a nice groupset. It’s a part that can get really expensive without really providing any value for most of us, but for racers very sharp electronic shifting or a 12th gear can make a difference in how reactive the bike feels.

Hello hello, I wanted to ask what is Mapdec's take on Merida bikes? I'm from Poland, and they're prominent brand there, I see that in the UK they're not very well recognized. I find Merida bikes one of the best options when looking Value for money, just side by side with Giant. What is your take on the brand? ps. I'd love to see your take on their Reacto 4000, absolutely gorgeous bike 🤩

Parent of a 16 year old.... a parent who has been biking for 30 years and done all my repairs since I couldn't afford the bike shop labour as a teenager myself..... But I'd agree with 2nd hand. On eBay, so many 2nd hand decent bikes for a fraction of £3k. And for the TCR fan boys, how much for a rim braked TCR off ebay????! Peanuts I bet! And way lighter than any of the current disc versions.

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

True. It’s almost impossible to sell a rim brake bike these days. It’s like trying to sell a 26inch MTB.

HELL YES!!!!! Felt is killing it right now. You can get a felt AR advance ultagra mechanical in the original box, unassembled for $2600, right now. Take it to your shop, or mechanic buddy. Build it for next to nothing. And you've got yourself a seriously nice bike. Carbon everything. To hell with giant, treck, specialized. Support the brands that deserve it. Not the brands you are being told to support. BTW, I own one, and it is a beatiful bike. Rides like a dream, and to date hasnt needed any adjustments or tightening or creak, pop, fixes. Works perfectly from day one

What I don't get is, why are there no frames around you could get for cheap... My kids sit on dura-ace/ultegra-rigs. Why would I want a complete bike if I could take the (well serviced) components along? Also I've broken a frameset and looking for gravel frames - only the top top top things... you've got any recommendation on (replacement) framesets? (and gravel framesets with postmount?)

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

Not with post mount. There are frames about but the options are sparse in comparison.

$300 over....I'm glad he called you on it. :)

Think the TCR still represents great value. Recently got the Ultegra di2 , carbon bars , 42 wheels with cadex tyres. ,7.1 kg without pedals. Wouldn't have bought at RRP but with discounts hard to say no.

the felt is a very nice bike

I bought TCR on Ultegra disc mech and now I think… maybe I should have tried electronic shifting. Yeah. Better value then tcr may be only other tcr

Cycle Top Trumps! Love it - more of this, please. If I was the parent, I'd ask my 16 year old to do the research and see what they come up with. If you're spending that much money, you want them to 'own it' and feel like they're invested.

How about a Cube Agree? It's literally unbeatable in that price range IMO

I don't know how you guys can consider a bike like merida since you never see them and have never rides them...

I go for the least pretentious brands like giant because you get ripped off the least

That's what I exactly got felt ar advanced and it's one of the last decent mechanical ultegra brand new aero bikes. The problem is the customs so for UK is much better deal

Cube C62 Race has really caught my eye. Comes with 105 Di2 found several priced around £2700. Your thoughts on Cube?

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

Depends on the dealer.

@ramsden35

4 ай бұрын

@@MapdecI think I know what you mean. I have now purchased a Cube 62 Pro with SRAM AXS ETap, not carbon wheels (but I’m not ever going to be a racer, may look to upgrade), upgraded carbon bars and stem. From a local bike shop (with an online presence) so I was able to go in, get the sizing right and inspected the bike. Watching all your content has made me so much more aware of what look for, how to train, understand a lot of intrinsic details about bikes and components. It’s been a massive help since I started cycling in October. Oh the price £2400. Thank you for all your replies and great content helping me navigate the minefield of all things bike.

@Mapdec

4 ай бұрын

@@ramsden35 nice. Well done.

This circular discussion highlights the reality that pre built bikes present you with a back to front decision. You have to backwards interpolate too many variants, which are pre determined by the brand. We have all set our hearts on a particular bike, and then hit the disappointing stumbling blocks when we scroll down the spec list. Industry price points are partly to blame. Furthermore, at the lower end, (my end), the game is to spot the unbranded or non series component (usually hubs or chainset). With a custom build, you set your own criteria for each component, and the only challenge is to then compromise for budget. Even then, it is your choice as to which component you budget on. Industry price points are partly to blame. Pre built bikes have their merits, but once you know a thing or two about frames and components, the search becomes frustrating and tedious. Perhaps a little bit of ignorance could be bliss, when it comes to chosing a pre built bike. Of relevance is the question. Am I primarily a bicycle enthusiast, who also likes to race them. Or. Am I primarily an athlete, for whom the bike is just a piece of apparatus/ a a machine for energy conversion ? Thank you for reading this ramble, if you had the endurance to get this far.

Really interested in yhe custom build at that price 👀 love the emonda alr frame but wish it had a little more tyre clearance.

I love these episodes. Your comparison to other sports is helpful. Consider that in Canada parents routinely spend $15000-$20000 per season to put their kids through competitive hockey. That doesn’t include travel, $1000 skates, $400 carbon sticks, etc. at least the bike can be enjoyed for years. At first glance bikes seem ridiculously expensive but hockey is by far the most expensive sport a parent can invest in. 🇨🇦🇬🇧

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

$400 for a stick!

@Yamaha_Bolt

7 ай бұрын

Easily, then again gone are the days of the trusty wooden options. These kids are using pro-level carbon fibre sticks (and they routinely snap like toothpicks)

I was hoping you’d mention my Orbea Orca. Has to be the best alternative to the tcr.

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

they don't have anything even close to spec and budget

One of the brands mentioned might be out of the UK soon :(

Road Hookless: Hard No

Canyon has the carbon Endurace CF 7 Shimano 105 Di2 bike for US$2,600. I still think the TCR with 12 speed 105 Di2 and carbon wheels at US$3,500 is a bargain.

I've been super lucky with cheap bikes as a junior. Got my first road bike Rose Pro SL 2000 2014, weighing 8.3kg for £350. Then got a Felt S22 2009 tt bike for £300 (a little heavier at 9.1kg) and then my first proper racing bike a Giant TCR advanced Pro 1 2019 which was only 7.5kg for £1900. This year I copped a TCR advanced 1 2017 for £500 with zed wheels which only weighs 7.2kg as a spare race bike which is confusing as it's not the pro model and 2 years older. Total all this up and it still less than some people pay for one bike.

@cornishalps9870

3 ай бұрын

All bikes were second hand with the exception of the 2019 TCR (copped in Feb 2020 just before covid hit)

Can you do a proper entry level bike for your average joe blogs. Maybe like 1k-1500k new

@janeblogs324

7 ай бұрын

USD?

Good calls. Merida is more common in the southern hemisphere. But do the bikes chosen pass the Hambini reaming test?

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

Who knows. He only sees a tiny sample of the worst examples sent by viewers. This year we serviced over 1100 bikes. We have a much larger sample size to draw trends from.

@chris_gb_

7 ай бұрын

Hambini did a video of what he rates and doesn't iirc Merida is the low threshold of what to buy but you'd have to find the video and watch it to be sure. From best to worst: • Time • Look (older production*) • Winspace • Hongfu, Dengfu, Yeoleo, ICAN, Trifox, Cube • Argon 18, 'newish' Cannondale • Merida • Giant, Focus • Storck, Canyon, Specialized, Trek, Pinarello, Cervolo, Dolan • OPEN, Bowman *Look moved the factory from France to Tunisia, so maybe that's the reason he rates older models above newer ones? I think ownership of Cannondale changed as well, so maybe it's a push from Pon Holdings BV to improve quality?

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

@@chris_gb_ like I say, he sees relatively few and is sent free frames from Asia. We are too, but choose not to discuss them. Look only make track frames in Tunisia, the rest is from a factory in Taiwan they have thier own employees at. I don’t think Hambini has seen a modern Look frame. Last time I spoke to him the last he saw was the 695 rim brake we sent him for a BB65 to Dub conversion.

@chris_gb_

7 ай бұрын

​@@Mapdec I think even with Hambini's relatively low sample count his videos and opinions are useful, but for sure everyone needs to be conscious that everyone has their own biases and preferences, and limitations of knowledge and experience. I really like to see whose opinions overlap, and where and why there are disagreements, not just here on KZread, but using other sources like Paceline and WeightWeenies. I wouldn't ever take one source as gospel, except maybe in cases like that Sarto on Hambini's channel: €8000-€9000 for a frameset? and a light held behind the bottom brackets shows just how shoddy it is, every single one of those should be 'perfect' before being shipped. Obviously the best and most awful are going to stand out easily, but it's hardest to find the middle ground where we get a better combination of quality and affordability. I said it on the previous video, but Merida is where I'd put my money if I had some, the impression I get is that for the moment they are doing a little better than Giant in terms of quality, and the prices are more competitive. Interesting about the Look frames, I thought it was an odd choice to go to Tunisia, even more so now if it's just the track frames. Seems quite low volume and specialist, but it must've been worth it to Look to save on their costs 🤷‍♂ As for those Chinese brands, I think Seka is the only one I like the look of on a superficial level and wouldn't mind riding. Although Weight Weenies has a thread with a few complaints about things like slipping seat posts, so I'd want to be sure all their quality issues have been sorted and there is a relatively easy recourse for things that are wrong. Dealers in Spain and Netherlands but not the UK, so def would be a pass I think. I think Yeoleo appears to be better quality? but again with UK retail, so it seems like a potentially expensive headache if something major is wrong.

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

@@chris_gb_ we did a vid on Yeoleo. Enjoy.

On a serious note. Is the new Defy really that hideous? I was set on getting one until you guys made me think.

@janeblogs324

7 ай бұрын

You should be able to judge that within 2 seconds, look at cyclingToms new cannondale, its truly hideous

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder etc.

@17cream

7 ай бұрын

I think bikes look very generic these days and that includes the Defy. A bit of a strange comment without knowing why

The kid talks sense! Do you really need discs for track racing anyway?

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

Some would argue that it makes close racing quite difficult when there is a a range of braking distances.

How many bike brands are there in the EU and USA ? Gotta be literally hundreds.

@chris_gb_

7 ай бұрын

Easily, I have nearly 200 brands bookmarked. Admittedly quite a lot of them are boutique and small scale, but it's a mix of road and mtb whenever I've found something interesting, and so many brands I ignore because I just find them uninteresting or unappealing. If you could count all brands and all custom frame makers I think the tally would be in the thousands.

How do you think about the new t1150 Winspace?

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

What could possibly go wrong?

@YisusBike_engineer

7 ай бұрын

@@Mapdec I just know your opinion. From your experience with many frame. Of course, about the Bottom bracket, is the most important thing.

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

@@YisusBike_engineer the thing with direct from Asia brands is that they tend to appear and disappear quite quickly. They can produce excellent quality, and get excellent reviews, only for the next batch to be quite different and poor quality creeps in. We are seeing this play out with Elves on KZread right now. Asian brands can be very anonymous when they need to be. Is this any more of a risk than western brands that wriggle out of warranties? Well, in the uk the consumer rights act is there to protect, but folk rarely take advantage of it. You don’t actually save that much money anymore. A winspace is like £1500 plus customs. A Merida Reacto full bike right now is £1999. I would get the Merida any day.

@YisusBike_engineer

7 ай бұрын

@@Mapdec I appreciate your for take time for answer. The Merida reacto 8000, cost Around 6000 Eu. So expensive. Winspace is famous for making excellent frame, wheels and parts. They have a good support post sales team and warranty. I wanna know if you have problem with this frame or wheels in the past. In my country I can't fine a good option, sl7 or Giant is more expensive, double the price for Winspace

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

@@YisusBike_engineer the Merida is on sale for like £1999. Insane. Anyway. The Winsapce wheels are a pain to repair when they break. They never have parts in stock and take ages to ship. Their frames are just ‘ok’ for the price. If it wasn’t for the crazy sale prices right now, it might be tempting to take the risk. However, at the moment there are so many significantly better deals out there that carry less risk.

Are felt bikes any good ?

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

Yeah. I like them. They are having some ownership and restructuring issues, but they make a good bike.

@janeblogs324

7 ай бұрын

They made bmx then discontinued, made MTB then discontinued, road bikes are next as they're making motorcycles now

@highfived

7 ай бұрын

@@janeblogs324 thanks I would be buying a felt as they are having issues

I’m back here for the comments again 🍿😂

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

😂

@BeyondLumination

7 ай бұрын

So many triggered people last time 😂

Thats a you problem bro, so many talk shows have laptops

The Giant TCR bunch aren’t keen on any criticism towards the brand 😆😆

@17cream

7 ай бұрын

Let’s all agree and not have a opinion 😂😂😂

@tombola4046

7 ай бұрын

@@17cream 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

@17cream

7 ай бұрын

😏🙄​@@tombola4046

@universe-juice

7 ай бұрын

Yes, not keen at all. ENJOY YOUR OVERSIZED BOTTOM BRACKET, GIANT PEOPLE! 👍

@kpizzle1985

7 ай бұрын

​@@17creamyet here you are getting upset about someone having an opinion different to yours 🙄

Great comments however random. Keep the podcast Guys

@Mapdec, loving the podcast! Any chance of a RSS feed for the podcast?

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

Yeah. Maybe. The idea seems popular. I’m not really sure how we monitize podcasts though. I have a coaching one as a passion project, but it doesn’t earn a cent.

Lol.....cyclist triggered by criticizing their ride.....Bwaaaaa ha ha. You pick on Cannondale too and I love mine.....I don't get offended. Keep up the honest sit down conversation podcasts.

1. Boardman something 2. Frame only + 105 + ?? Wheels

People should just chill… just because you bought a TCR doesn’t mean u made the wrong choice… so many non-mainstream brands out there which is better… take your time and look for what you need… never rush, because it leads to TCR purchases… just kidding!

You guys in other countries have a totally different outlook. In the USA, Very few kids want anything to do with road or gravel. Maybe a bit of NICA MTB if it’s shoved down their throat by the school and bike shops. It’s all football, baseball, soccer, hockey and cheerleading competitions. Kids here in the USA ride bikes to go do bicycle ride outs and harass pedestrians and the motoring public. They have little care or desire for road racing. And when they get close to getting their drivers license, the last thing they want to do is ride a bike.

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

Cheerleading competitions…. 🤯

@dylangrantz8124

7 ай бұрын

I agree to an extent. Many moons ago I was trying to play football and used cycling for training. It help plenty yet I still had to pay for school so the whole evil scheme didn't work. The byproduct was I loved cycling started working in a shop paid for my own bikes cuz money was tight. Then got into all different types of cycling road , track and so on. It was the best for me still ride and have been for almost 40 years now. If cycling was not so friggin expensive it would be a training tool for other sports.

Thing with cycling...you can flog it if teen decides it's a "no"

Sorry for my late veiw guys. Have had multiple deaths in my family. Still, as always, incredible, no fluff, content. Am rabid for more. Opinion is below 👇

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

Hope you all ok.

@universe-juice

7 ай бұрын

@@Mapdec thanks buddy, im ok. Still thinking of doing a time build. Unfortunately at the moment it would be a little self indulgent. I thought your giant pod cast was spot on. I own a giant and thats all im going to say. Anyway, keep up the good work!

Tcr has pedigree it has been raced for decades you can't get that from other bikes in this price range

@iMadrid11

7 ай бұрын

Except the TCR isn’t being raced anymore. The Propel aero bike has taken over that world tour race bike. The TCR would soon by relegated to a legacy product line like the Specialized Allez for its racing heritage. Unless Giant pour development money on the TCR as a premier lightweight climbing bike.

@17cream

7 ай бұрын

TCR isn’t raced? I see it at plenty of races. Maybe not currently in the Pro teams but doesn’t make it irrelevant. The Allez is an awesome Crit bike and isn’t relegated to the heritage pile.

The best cheap alternative to any cheap carbon bike is an aluminum one. Cheap carbon (and a lot of the expensive stuff too) is crapply made. After watching this channel and the likes of Hambini I'm not wasting good money on that shite

Caad13?

4:22 Dont disrespect my boy UltraSport like that… They are the budget gp5000, just 5 watts slower, but better in the wet

2nd hand...SL6

@Mapdec

7 ай бұрын

Have you been riding with Jake?

damage control

Triggered? The **** gowen awhn?

1. Make a bad argument. 2. Get called out. 3. Then call your viewers "triggered". Hope everything gets better. Merry Christmas.

@17cream

7 ай бұрын

Totally agree, having an opinion doesn’t equate to triggered.

Can you keep the laptop on the side. It distracts and viewer from the presenter .

Thanks guys for more pointless content😂

Cycling is a technical sport, lighweight frames, gadgets, carbon wheels etc etc. So it is not for regular people with low income.

@chris_gb_

7 ай бұрын

There's zero need for this kind of elitism and gatekeeping in cycling, and it's in everybody's interests to make it as accessible as possible at grass roots. Carbon and electronics are relatively recent innovations, and entirely unnecessary for regulated competition. If everybody has, and has to have the technological performance to compete, then nobody has an advantage, so we might just as well have racing on all steel bikes as it was for most of the 20th century.

@dickieblench5001

7 ай бұрын

Which is why giant is still the sweetspot for those on a budget

@janeblogs324

7 ай бұрын

Your ignorance trys to make it sound as if cycling is only a sport instead of a fitness or leisure activity

Just built a boardman comp, DT Swiss wheels @ ultegra