View Full Version : Cycle Upgrade?
I know that a few of you lot are into biking and am looking for a bit of advice.
Basically I used to cycle to and from work 3 times a week (26 mile roundtrip). I bought a Carrera Subway 8 hybrid type thing from Halfords and whilst this bike is still fine, is there something which will make this a bit easier for under ?500? Or should I just keep the Subway?
What should I look for? Work do a ?500 interest-free loan rather than a full cycle to work scheme, but even that's ok.
Any ideas greatly received.
fizzwheel
28-07-08, 12:49 PM
Wheels & tyres will give the best improvement in speed.
Whats it got fitted on it at the moment. Are they MTB treaded tyres or more of a road type slick tyre ?
Really the best improvement is to loose weight and get fitter though. The more you cycle the easier it'll get.
The other thing that can make a difference is to use proper cycling shoes and pedals. ( if you arent already )
Keeping the tyres at the right pressure will also help as will a cleaned and lubed chain. Anything thats robbing you of the efficeny of your pedal stroke, i.e power being lost through drag via flat tyres or drag on the chain is going to slow you down.
In this weather as well you want to make sure you are drinking enough water to.
They currently have an in the middle kevlar tyre, not bobbly or anything like a MTB.
I use shimano SPD's and some nike spd shoe things, but actually find they make only a small amout of difference.
the 13 miles home takes about 45-50 mins.....
fizzwheel
28-07-08, 01:05 PM
Personally in your position leave the bike alone, put the miles in and eat the right food and you should see your times drop.
50 minutes or so for that sort of milleage isnt shabby IMHO.
If you're going to spend money spend it on a wheel upgrade. But you're going to have to shell out a lot before you feel a difference that you notice. Probably all of your £500... Tyres can make a difference, lighter tyres with less rolling resistance might also make a difference.
Something like Michellin Pro Race 3's or a Continental GP4000S are a good "racier" tyre so maybe try that first. ( if they come in your wheel size )
Fizzwheel - thanks your words of wisdom might have saved me a needless purchase. Will have a look at tyres, both changing the bikes and losing my middle one!!!!
Takes me 50 mins to do slightly less milage than that. 11.6 miles to be honest its all about fitness and i have now found, cycling shorts! Might look at the shoes and pedal thing later on, 1st i need to raise my bars up as i get neck ache.
fizzwheel
28-07-08, 02:47 PM
and losing my middle one!!!!
This is going to make the most difference. Also have a look at your pedalling style. Do you stick it in a big gear and "grind" the pedals round ? If so try a lower gear and "spin" the pedals at a higher RPM its more efficent that way ( once you get used to it ) and you'll find its less harsh on your knees etc etc
about anywhere between 70 - 85 turns of the pedals per minute ( cadence ) is where you want to try and aim for.
Alpinestarhero
28-07-08, 06:44 PM
Just to add, check the wheel axles are properly lubricated / greased. When I had my MTB I used to have them apart every couple of weeks and clean out all the crap and put in fresh grease. Made alot of differance after my freind showed me how to do it the first time...I found half a field inside my front wheel!!!
Matt
This is going to make the most difference. Also have a look at your pedalling style. Do you stick it in a big gear and "grind" the pedals round ? If so try a lower gear and "spin" the pedals at a higher RPM its more efficent that way ( once you get used to it ) and you'll find its less harsh on your knees etc etc
about anywhere between 70 - 85 turns of the pedals per minute ( cadence ) is where you want to try and aim for.
Fizzwheel - top tip on the cadence, tried to use this method on the way home and legs felt much fresher when I got home and the time was good too. Took a while to get used to.
Shame my chain fell off though - came off the rear sprocket and was a b**tard to put back on.
Found myself checking in my mirrors, trying to press the indicators on etc.........
MiniMatt
30-07-08, 06:09 AM
Trade your bicyle in for one of those motorcycles, your legs will feel so much fresher after a ride home.
Sorry, someone had to say it. I'm just slightly embarrased my humour has stooped to such levels....
riktherider
30-07-08, 07:58 AM
to be honest its more about fitness. im used to doing those sorts of distances on my jump bike and make really good time.
what makes the bike quicker i have found is solid tyres, (you can pump them higher then the recommended, mine say 50, i use 80 psi! never been a problem,) smooth ish tyres, decent seat height, and something which i have recently prooved is stiffnes. if your bike is quite flexible, then it slows you down. even flex in wheels is bad. my mate built a rigid mountain bike, and instead of going for really light parts all over, he built some really strong wheels and it makes a huge difference. but foir under 500, your best to stay with the subway. its not a too bad bike. but definatly check your bearings and frequently lube everything.
I am currently cycling the 15 mile round trip to work on my poor 12 year old mountain bike - I swapped the tyres for Schwalbe City Jet tyres which helped immensly but am running out of gears and never ever use the granny ring - I spend most of my time in 21st gear - is it worth upgrading the front sprockets? Also the front hub bearings have had it - so with those two issues in mind am I better off getting a new bike or spending a little on this one? Any advice?
Dont want to derail but while we're on the cycling subject, Im looking to get a turbo trainer to start my rehab with. I dont want to buy an exercise bike and only have use of the MTB but as my leg and knee is weak, id rather do some static cycling to build it up before going onto the road and risking it. If I can get cycling, my knee muscles should build up quite quickly. Any recommendations?
riktherider
30-07-08, 10:53 AM
I am currently cycling the 15 mile round trip to work on my poor 12 year old mountain bike - I swapped the tyres for Schwalbe City Jet tyres which helped immensly but am running out of gears and never ever use the granny ring - I spend most of my time in 21st gear - is it worth upgrading the front sprockets? Also the front hub bearings have had it - so with those two issues in mind am I better off getting a new bike or spending a little on this one? Any advice?
is the bike worth spending more money on?? if you think its worth it then you can do. but replacing the front wheel will cost around £35-40+ for a half decent one. in terms of chainrings, considering the age of the bike it wouldnt surprise me if the rings are rivited together, which means you will have to replace the whole cranks. you could stick with the square taper, and get a set of cranks for about £35+, or for around 70 you can pick up a good shimano crankset with bottom bracket. if the rings need changing then you can.
robchester, you can pick up some ok trainers for around £120, which is good to get you going, but i would suggest getting out there and riding asap. or swimming as well.
fizzwheel
30-07-08, 11:22 AM
Dont want to derail but while we're on the cycling subject, Im looking to get a turbo trainer to start my rehab with. I dont want to buy an exercise bike and only have use of the MTB but as my leg and knee is weak, id rather do some static cycling to build it up before going onto the road and risking it. If I can get cycling, my knee muscles should build up quite quickly. Any recommendations?
I've got one that I used to get me going when I started cycling again, its very boring, but it wil lhelp you out.
I've got this one
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/CycleOps_Fluid2_Trainer/5360019997/
Its nice and quiet and I've given it alot of use and its not given me a problem.
Personally try and get a fluid damped one, as the mag ones are noisy.
Stick to a good brand like a tacx or the cyclops above and you'll be fine. You will get s*dding hot and sweat alot so if you get a fan to put in front of you that'll help to.
Its nto substitue for road riding though.
Fizzwheel - top tip on the cadence, tried to use this method on the way home and legs felt much fresher when I got home and the time was good too. Took a while to get used to.
Shame my chain fell off though - came off the rear sprocket and was a b**tard to put back on.
Found myself checking in my mirrors, trying to press the indicators on etc.........
I tried that last night. My legs ached more then usual! Thanks Fizz ;)
On a good note, i have just bought a different stem. This should, i hope, stop my nek ache that i get. Gone for a +40deg angle
fizzwheel
30-07-08, 11:59 AM
I tried that last night. My legs ached more then usual! Thanks Fizz ;)
:laughat:
Only joking you should after a while you go faster for less effort. Also its less stressful on your knees.
You wanna be holding to start with a 70 pedals per minute, once you can do that comfortably then try upping it to 85 ish. Depends after a while you'll find a nice fluid efficent pedalling style to.
is the bike worth spending more money on?? if you think its worth it then you can do. but replacing the front wheel will cost around £35-40+ for a half decent one. in terms of chainrings, considering the age of the bike it wouldnt surprise me if the rings are rivited together, which means you will have to replace the whole cranks. you could stick with the square taper, and get a set of cranks for about £35+, or for around 70 you can pick up a good shimano crankset with bottom bracket. if the rings need changing then you can.
Hmm, well I dont think the bike is worth spending hundreds on but I would just like to improve on what I have. Just been out and looked at the chain and sprockets - it has a 34-14t rear cassette and the large chain ring at the front is 48t - whilst looking at the sprockets I noticed that there are some teeth missing! :oops: Cant say I have noticed anything when riding it. Just looked on evilBay and I can get a cheap new front wheel for £13 delivered - for this old nail I will probably just do that for now... Not sure what to do about the gears though - probably just leave them alone and save for a new bike!
:laughat:
Only joking you should after a while you go faster for less effort. Also its less stressful on your knees.
You wanna be holding to start with a 70 pedals per minute, once you can do that comfortably then try upping it to 85 ish. Depends after a while you'll find a nice fluid efficent pedalling style to.
Thats it, mock me, mock me now lycraboy but beware, viney 'bordman' vine will be up to speed soon (well, now i have my new stem so my neck doesnt size up)
Skip, my bike only has a 48t front ring. Im finding it hard to get anything bigger tbh
fizzwheel
30-07-08, 12:14 PM
Thats it, mock me, mock me now lycraboy but beware, viney 'bordman' vine will be up to speed soon (well, now i have my new stem so my neck doesnt size up)
Is that the sound of a gauntlet being thrown down Mr Vine ? :D
northwind
30-07-08, 12:56 PM
I'm in a sort of similiar situation skip, just dragged my old (14 years old) Carrera out of the garage last year and finally got up to the point where I can actually ride it for a worthwhile distance... And there's loads of little things I'd love to change, like the grips have gone a bit manky, and I'd really like to fit a bar end mirror but the bars are a single-piece bend, the seat's a bit uncomfy... And proper road tyres too, instead of the very old road/light trail ones it has on. And really it could do with new chain wheels, they're pretty worn. And one of the wheels is some ridiculous halfords number that weighs about 4 times as much as the other one. But to replace all that and to do the wee bits of servicing it needs would cost enough to just buy a decent condition used bike, or even a brand new rubbish one. :rolleyes:
But that's OK, I'm riding to build my leg back up so the less efficient the bike is, the better :D I may let the tyres down. Perhaps jam the brakes on.
Is that the sound of a gauntlet being thrown down Mr Vine ? :D
A cycling glove maybe, but i may have just picked it up again. No way would you catch me riding 95 miles for fun!! I'll stick to engines for the time being.
Folks,
Subway 8 has a nexus hub and fancy hub based brakes front and rear so wheel swaps are a bit of an expensive option requiring a custom build and it does not have multiple chain-rings or any typical mountain bike bits.
I second the earlier recommendation for Schwable City Jet tyres. You can run them at high pressures and they have a kevlar belt in them to reduce punctures.
Check the roller brake on the rear to make sure it's not dragging. If it happens gradually you do not notice it. Sheldon Brown's website tells you how to service the hub if you're feeling really brave.
Some better bar-ends help too as you can get into better positions so reduce tiredness. Those rubber t-shaped ones seem good crank brothers?
Upgrading to a road bike will make a lot of difference if you have decent roads. Something like a used Dawes Galaxy or pretty much anything from Thorn will be robust enough for road use and have luggage mounting points for carriers, guards etc which are always handy for a longish all weather commute. You'll also get road-bike ratios rather than mountain bike ratios but I think the Nexus has a fairly healthy spread anyway.
You can give a road bike a go for pretty much no money at all if you stick a wanted ad in your local paper. Everyone has a 1980's peugeot or puch in their shed. For the sake of £30 (incl new tyres) you can see if you get on with the totally different riding experience you get with road geometary.
If you want to sell your Subway 8 I've been looking for a second hand one for a while.
fizzwheel
30-07-08, 04:04 PM
Subway 8 has a nexus hub and fancy hub based brakes front and rear so wheel swaps are a bit of an expensive option requiring a custom build and it does not have multiple chain-rings or any typical mountain bike bits.
Has it ? Oh dear. I didnt realise that. The one I looked at the internet didnt appear to have that stuff on it.
Upgrading to a road bike as Mark says is going to make a hell of a difference or just upgrading to a decent road based hybrid will also make a big difference to if you dont like drop bars.
riktherider
30-07-08, 06:31 PM
Hmm, well I dont think the bike is worth spending hundreds on but I would just like to improve on what I have. Just been out and looked at the chain and sprockets - it has a 34-14t rear cassette and the large chain ring at the front is 48t - whilst looking at the sprockets I noticed that there are some teeth missing! :oops: Cant say I have noticed anything when riding it. Just looked on evilBay and I can get a cheap new front wheel for £13 delivered - for this old nail I will probably just do that for now... Not sure what to do about the gears though - probably just leave them alone and save for a new bike!
if you also need new chain and cassete, then it probably wont be worth it. just save some cash and get a second hand one off ebay or something. if your looking for a decent commuter, then a carrera gryphon is a really good bike. think the 05/06 are the best ones. basically a road bike, but with normal bars. really quick bike. would recomend one of them.
yep - the subway 8 I have is an 8 speed hub geared bad-boy, with disc brakes. It's a fairly robust number, which I fitted bar-ends and mtb style mud guards to.
It's not done too many miles really, so not too sure what its worth or if I even want to sell it.
I'm cycling to work again tomorrow, so going to try the increased cadence thing again.
Today i got up late, and used engine power. Tomorrow will be human power :)
Changed my stem last night so need to try it out.
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