errrm, first of all wow, didn't expect that  but just wanted to say i've gone down the route of a new bike, as tommo suggested, but i'll be keeping the old isla for my training (and i'll be riding my bike riding my bike, riding my bike ) thanks for all the tips and will try to take them all into account (after my head stops spinning), love the idea @kingofthehill but sadly i dont think the mother would be best pleased

Here's to a great season and once again thanks to everyone,

Callum

CallumN said:

errrm, first of all wow, didn't expect that  but just wanted to say i've gone down the route of a new bike, as tommo suggested, but i'll be keeping the old isla for my training (and i'll be riding my bike riding my bike, riding my bike ) thanks for all the tips and will try to take them all into account (after my head stops spinning), love the idea @kingofthehill but sadly i dont think the mother would be best pleased

Here's to a great season and once again thanks to everyone,

Callum

So what did you get?   At least you can try your Isla bike for cycle cross this year??

Good entry-level road bike, the Specialized Allez. Like many Specialized bikes, it's a bit shorter in the top tube than nominally same sized bikes from other manufacturers, but that's no bad thing if you're planning to put tri bars on it (because you'll be putting your elbows near where your hands would normally go). I'm sure you'll like it, Callum.