For hills it depends a bit on what you're trying to achieve. If it's a faster time, then a combination of seated and standing can be quick. I tend to set my fastest times seated but then I rarely stand for anything other than a short bump or a full-on vertical climb. To conserve energy on a long ride, whack it into the lowest gear early, stay seated, a spin up - if you start to get short of breath, go up a couple of cogs and stand and just rock side to side gently up.

Unquestionably the way to get most power down, but I agree it works too on the steepest gradients (where a granny gear would be the other option).

Decided against the synapse sora.. you were right.. quite heavy plus he hasn't looked after it all that well. Frame was nice but it sounded pretty rough. Time to either find a good frame and build my own or possible look at a new bike

If you're feeling particularly brave, you could buy an open mould carbon fibre frame direct from China for around £300 - £400, which are every bit as good as frames found on bikes costing up to £3000 or even more. You do take a slight gamble with this option, but thousands of people have done this without problems.

Whack on a 105 groupset for around £380, some solid wheels and tyres for £200, decent finishing kit for another £120 or so and you have a cracking bike for just over a grand which is the equal of anything costing twice that. Plus, you will learn a hell of a lot buiding it up and you'll have something unique.

I'm thinking of doing this myself for a winter bike and considering the following frames:

FM066SL (Cervelo R5)
FM098 (Kuota Kharma / Specialized Venge)
FM029 (Trek Madone)
MC053 (Scott Foil / Orbea Orca)

All of these frames are open-mould designs and not replica knock-offs a la 'Chinarello' (google it), although they do bear some resemblance to current well known frames, which I've typed in brackets.

I managed to get a BeOne 2011 frame from Chain Reaction Cycles in their sale. It was reduced from £1400 to £399 so you can see the mark up on Carbon frames. Building a bike is easy and fun but i would always get the headset fitted by a bike shop, same goes for the bottom bracket if it is a press fit version.

I built Charlie a Scott CR1 SL. The frame for that was only £499 (reduced from £2000) - had stuff in the garage to complete it but could have done it for under £1000

as someone who until recently was walking about...and training...inc heavy deadlifts etc!..with a blood count of 6 as opposed to 14..potentialy fatal I was told..i can vouch for the importance of iron!!. I was given two lots of intravenous iron and now feel like a new man training wise. couldn't walk up hills without seeing stars a few weeks ago, now going for 45min runs etc...

looking to buy a road bike myself...viewing one today

Ended up buying a year old as new voodo agwa hybrid bike. It's only been used half a dozen times and has decent spec, shimano gears, disk brakes etc...just going get it serviced on Monday then will be 15 mile uni commute every day , fitness should hugely benefit...

Nice one. Make sure you eat well to supplement your exercise.

Oh dear

How many did you buy then Alexis

None, I don't think they look that good when up close.

I got mine from Flandria.

Next you'll be putting the GB flag and your name on the rear window of the Metro?