Hi Guys,
 
Ive decided to get back into cycling and do the Sydney to the Gong ride this year...its something I always meant to do but never got round to it...then cars came along!
 
I havent ridden for about 18 years so whats changed in the scene since back then? It will be interesting to see how the old pushy scrubs up when I pull it out of the shed...its a Diamond Back roadbike which had pretty much the best gear around back then, not sure what it would compare too in modern times but it cost $1500 20 years ago so hopefully it will still hold its own now!!
 
I'll need a new set of pedals and shoes...what's good and whats bad these days?
 
Is it worth rebuilding wheels these days? Im pretty sure they will need to be retrued, I broke a few spokes back in the day and replaced them myself, so they never went back in quite right!
 
It would be great to be pointed in the right direction, Im sure there are a few riders here:)
 
Cheers,
 
Phil.

Just wobble down to the local bike store and ask about the wheels - generally they can be fixed but it may depend on how bad they are.
 
I think mountain bike pedals / clips / shoes are the way to go rather than roadie ones - they are eaiser to click in and out of, and can be switched over if you have a MTB.
 
Don't be worried about the age of the bike.  I have a full carbon road bike and regularly get overtaken by old cro-moly clankers on my sporadic attempts to ride the 20km to work.
 
 

I assume your looking at road bikes. Biggest difference I found was the gearchanging options (how much do you want to spend?). No more using levers around the head or attached to the frame, these days you just click a button attached to the brakes - makes it easier to change on the run & I found times immediately improved by 10% with the upgrade from my 20 yo + bike.
 
I just use my bike for exercise usually by myself - not part of a club or anything and on a good week will do 120km's (on a badweek - 0).
 
I found the bike shops discount pretty heavily (some don't) especially if you're prepared to take floor stock and not concerned about the colour. I do like passing the mega dollar bikes - just cause they cost more doesn't mean they are faster.  Most of the attachments are brand names (Shimmano etc) but from a frame perspective you can't go wrong with Giant Cannondale, Merida etc.  
 

Hi Phil, I was in the same boat as you a little over a year ago. My first love is (and will always be) cycling (with Cossies 2nd of course!). Over 20 years ago, I owned a Ciocc Mockba and then a Colnago Master and then a Look KG86, which was one of the very 1st carbon bicycles produced.. and was CRAP! lol
 
I raced and lived bikes, until I discovered .. cars!
 
Anyways a little of a year ago I got back into riding and bought a nice Cinelli carbon frame and built it up with some sexy Campy gear. I've taken it away with me to Queensland and have done rides in the Hunter, Newcastle, Central Coast as well as my local haunts between Parramatta and Mosman. 
 
The main challenge is that traffic in the past 20 years has increase ten fold and I actually try to map out my ride on google maps or drive in the car to check out any potential danger points. Having said that, there are some good bike paths in Sydney now and you don't have to worry about traffic but the problem is 4 year olds on training wheels on the weekends! 
 
I've done the Syd to Gong three times a fair few years ago, and they used to ride through the national park. Not good for skinny road tyres and for me, detracted from the ride. Not sure if its the case these days.
 
So anyways, I could go on forever so here's my bicycle version of a cossie.. er make that a Ferrari 
 
and yes, you can buy a brand new car for how much its worth 
 

Avon

Just wobble down to the local bike store and ask about the wheels - generally they can be fixed but it may depend on how bad they are.

I think mountain bike pedals / clips / shoes are the way to go rather than roadie ones - they are eaiser to click in and out of, and can be switched over if you have a MTB.

Don't be worried about the age of the bike.  I have a full carbon road bike and regularly get overtaken by old cro-moly clankers on my sporadic attempts to ride the 20km to work.

Good advice.  I'd agree about the MTB shoes, and they are much easier to walk in when you're not on the bike!!  For road bike shoes, I preferred the Look cleats.
 
I'd take your current bike into a good bike shop and get them to give a complete service, and get the wheels looked at also.  There's nothing worse than trying to ride a bike that doesn't shift properly, especially on a good climb.
 
I'm rebuilding my road bike, which is about 16-17 years old. It's a Kinesis Aluminium Frame, Shimano 600 groupset (8sp), with Rigida V rims. New bikes these days are probably 10-11 speed and all carbon fibre!
 
Good luck, and train hard.
 
Cheers
Jamie

Sounds like theres some nice gear around these days guys, your bike looks the part TiAL!
 
I think the first thing I need to do is get the bike out and check it over...no doubt it will need new tyres and tubes as well as getting the wheels checked out. Then some new shoes and pedals...
 
Hopefully everything else is still in good order, it was all working nicely before the bike was shelved.
 
As far as maintenance goes, like regreasing bearings etc, how often should that be done? Mine has never been touched since new...
 
On a side note...while doing the rounds at he local BigW today...I was disappointed to see DiamondBack bikes have been relegated to department store quality...the equipment on them was pretty average too...
 
Cheers,
 
Phil.

Hi Phil,
I do a lot of riding and the most important part of the bike is the engine i.e. you.
Don't worry too much about your bike. As long as it is working OK it will be fine. Before you do a ride like the Gong ride, make sure you train enough before it. With 4 months of training you'll enjoy the ride rather than it be an ordeal for you. Try training on the bike path alongside the M7. It's safe and 40kms long so you can get in some good kms. Use the Strava app on your phone so you can track your training progress - www.strava.com. It will help to keep you motivated. Let me know once you have signed up and I will follow you.

Just joined up:)
 
I didnt realise you were into riding!! I am planning to train along the M7, Im only a km from the Cowpasture road exit.
 
I had a peek at a few new bikes today...unbelievable what you can spend... old faithful will have to do for now!!
 
Back in my heyday I was doing 200 plus kms a week...Blacktown to Bondi Beach was our regular Friday arvo after school ride. If I can get even half way to the fitness I had back then I'll be stoked!!
 
Cheers,
 
Phil.

Once you get some fitness back, we should meet up. I do the M7 every Friday night

Cool, what time do you set off at your end normally?