Groupset
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From bike shop to mountain pass – a steed that meets your needs will vastly increase your pleasure in cycling. pic: ©Media24
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Carbon fibre frames are popular among endurance riders and racing cyclists for their strength to weight ratio. pic: ©Media24
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Start with getting the right frame size before dialing in your position with a bike fit. pic: ©Mike Cotty
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Sportive geometry is designed to offer more comfort for all day rides. pic: ©Media24
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Making sure that you have adequately low gearing will really help in the hills. pic: ©Media24
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Materials and rim profiles differ so check to see what is most suitable for your intended use. pic: ©Media24
Groupset
You’ll be pleased to know that ensuring your bike is equipped with the right components to compliment your ride isn’t just about buying the most expensive on the market. While this will shave some weight (from both your bike and wallet), it’s more important to consider the fundamentals of your component choice.
One of the biggest struggles for new cyclists is mastering the hills. Often this comes down to simply not having the right gearing for the terrain. A compact chainset, with a lower gear ratio of 50/34 compared to a standard 53/39 ratio will be a huge help as the road starts to tilt towards the sky. Likewise, a larger cassette on the rear to offer a lower overall gear is worth considering.
Since components will wear out over time, it’s always possible to either upgrade or change gear ratios at a later date, or as you progress as a cyclist. Budget will largely dictate the overall quality, weight and performance of shifting and braking systems. While all levels of components will be perfectly functional, developments like electronic shifting can be a nice touch if budget allows.