The Cycling Thread

[maviczap]

Yep looking forward to pics and report

My Alpes trip deposit has been paid

[Luckypants]

Only went and done it! Chuffed :)

10918

Sent from my phone.

[maviczap]

Brilliant looks like you had nice weather too

[Luckypants]

Weather is fantastic here mate. That road is petrol head heaven! My mate got a photo of me holding up a GT40 :)

Sent from my phone.

[maviczap]

Ha Ha Ha, you are the new Joe Macaron Milke, beating a GT40 on a pushbike

Double Chapau!!!!!

[Luckypants]

Now my mad cycling buddies are suggesting next year's trip :shock::shock::shock:

http://www.centcolschallenge.com/

[krhall]

Anyone wanna buy a Shimano 105 front mech - never used?

[Luckypants]

Only went and done it! Chuffed :)

10918

Sent from my phone.

Hope you can see the photo, stolen from a mates FB...

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/303668_10150901452550186_2101619644_n.jpg

[Luckypants]

Weather is fantastic here mate. That road is petrol head heaven! My mate got a photo of me holding up a GT40 :)

Sent from my phone.

Again, hope you can see the photo...

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/540538_10150901439680186_1232346292_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/562213_10150901440415186_791132199_n.jpg

[maviczap]

Great pics mate, and the 2nd photo above is you catching the GT40 I presume ;)

[krhall]

Anyone wanna buy a Shimano 105 front mech - never used?

I think it is a Clip-on 28.6/31.8 clip on one. The cheapest I found on line is £23, but as mine doesn't have the packaging £17.50 posted will be the price.

[EssexDave]

So the time has come for a new bike I think.

Currently using the moda interval sprint for most trips but it's a bit too aggressive as I've said before.

I've pretty much narrowed my options down to a few of the following and wondered whether anyone had any experience of them;


Cannondale synapse tiagra £950 - test rode one and feels comfy - saddle felt good but was only a short trip so who knows. Spec isn't great for the price but bars were in the right place (or so they felt).

cube Peloton - £999 105/ultegra mix, Easton wheels and a very pretty looking bike. Havn't ridden one yet and may be a bit too harsh on the riding position again but I can't get away from the sex factor.

Specialized Allez - I have a specialized langster which is extremely comfortable (albeit hardwork). I'd be looking at something tiagra or above for decent shifters.

willier Montegrappa Xenon - £900 equipped with Campagnolo Xenon - I like the campag stuff but have no idea about anything else on this bike.

I know the cube is about 8.8kg and my moda is about 8.34kgs so I'd be looking for something sub 9kgs preferably although it's not a huge issue.

Comfort and speed are the two main areas I'm looking for. I find on longer rides (30 miles plus) I get very uncomfortable on the Moda, and the 81 mile cycle I did for the Sandown sportive was painful at the end. It's not the cycling but more my neck/back/**** that suffer and so that's what I'm looking to avoid. How the bike looks is fairly important to me as I would like to like my bike :) (Although this is pretty much why I purchased the moda in the first place)

If anybody has any other suggestions similiar to the above, I'm open to them.

thanks :)

[Luckypants]

Have you looked at Ribble or Planet-X? Great bikes that will bring a carbon frame into budget with Tiagra 10-speed. I have a Ribble Gran Fondo so a little bit biased, but definitely worth a look.

[EssexDave]

Lucky - the problem with ribble is there's nowhere local to get a test ride.

I was also advised to stear clear due to finish on the frames being poor in the past?

[Luckypants]

Yeah that is fair enough, I was lucky to have mates who have Ribble bikes so was able to blag a ride on theirs.

The quality of the frames is pretty good, made by Dedicai in Italy and also supplied through Wiggle. The paint is a little thick which leads to a bit of cracking around the rear drop out on some bikes - mine has this, but it does not affect the frame, just the look.

Most Planet-X bikes are naked carbon :smt047

[pookie]

have you looked at a bmc street racer type? I just like the unusual frame design.

[maviczap]

I can vouch for the quality of finish on Mike's Ribble and the geometry on the Gran Fondo is going to suit your needs, with a longer headtube for a more relaxed riding position on longer rides. As for having a bad reputation?

All of your choices seem to be expensive for the groupset spec that you're buying, except for the Cube, but with a name like peleton, seems more race orientated?

Cycling weekly had a review of 12 sub £1k bikes and only one had Xenon, most had either Tiagra or even better still 105 components, but some savings had been made here and there.

However the Boardman Team still got the best of test, its got mostly 105, except brakes and chainset and only £999. There are plenty of Halfords about, although they don't do test bikes do they. Just don't have any faith in the staff knowing what they're talking about. If you buy it via Quidco you'll get cashback on your purchase.

They tested a Ribble Evo Pro Carbon, also with mostly 105, and for long distance rides, full carbon frames are hard to beat.

At your price range, I wouldn't consider Xenon, I'd want Veloce. Tiagra 10 speed is fine.

Plant X aren't far from you Dave, so worth considering.

Wiggle also have test bikes

[maviczap]

have you looked at a bmc street racer type? I just like the unusual frame design.

That was in Cycling weekly's test group. It got 8 out of 10

Kuota Korsa Lite came in at 9 out of 10, and with Kuota the bike is built to order, so you get the right bar width, stem length, crank lenth, which will help you getting the correct position, reducing things like neck ache. Its got a less aggressive riding position as well.

[454697819]

Afternoon All

My cycling has taken a bit of a back seat as I have decided that the frame is too small, giving be a hunched back and lower back and neck problems, as usual I could throw money at something to sort it but i think more realistically I want to sell it.

So how much do you think a 2010 Kona Dew Deluxe is worth second hand?

They retailed at £700 new and its done circa 700 miles, no more than 800 thats for sure.

Any thoughts?

[JamesMio]

I can vouch for the quality of finish on Mike's Ribble...

I always did have my doubts about you lycra-clad roadies....

[maviczap]

LOL

[maviczap]

160+ miles so far this week, no great speed records broken, just hours in the saddle.

Lucky to be here after nearly being taken out by an 86 year old duffer who overtook us on a blind bend, only to find another car coming in the opposite direction, luckily only minor damage to both cars, and some shaken cyclists, But it was one of 3 incidents of drivers starting overtakes on blind bends on country roads on the same day. :smt120:smt120:smt120:smt120

Yesterdays incident of the days was the usual 'Cycle in single file you ****s' this was after I'd accelerated to make a single file, as it was only 2 of us. Some drivers :smt120

[Small Clanger]

Can Bradley do it? 5/4 favourite @ Ladbrokes, Evans 11/5.
No Andy Schleck or Alberto Contador.

I wonder what odds you'd get for Murray-Wimbledon with Wiggins-TdF?

[krhall]

How do you choose a new saddle?

My one has a split in it and is starting to look a bit worse for wear.

[maviczap]

If you're happy with the one you've got, then get the same?

But if not then there's a couple of methods.

I used the Fizik spine concept to choose my saddle, where as my lower back isn't as flexible as some, then the saddles in the Bull range were for me. I have to say the saddle is good for me.

http://www.fizik.it/spineconcept/

Or you can go to certain Specialized dealers and they can sit you on a device and suggest one from their range

You can also test ride Ritchey saddles from certain Ritchey dealers as well

[maviczap]

Can Bradley do it? 5/4 favourite @ Ladbrokes, Evans 11/5.
No Andy Schleck or Alberto Contador.

I wonder what odds you'd get for Murray-Wimbledon with Wiggins-TdF?

Lets hope so, he needs some luck to go his way.

[fizzwheel]

Another Fizik user here, although I have an Arione as I'm a snake according to the Fizik website. The other thing i like about them is if you get the Fizik saddle bag, it clips into the saddle and theres no straps to rub the paint off your frame seat post. Saddle is really comfortable.

Watched the coverage today, is it worth an embargo on talking about the stages each day until after the highlights coverage has gone out on ITV4 which normally finishes at 8pm each night ?

[maviczap]

Watched the coverage today, is it worth an embargo on talking about the stages each day until after the highlights coverage has gone out on ITV4 which normally finishes at 8pm each night ?

Yes, I heard the result on the radio whilst driving to my hotel, which although didn't exactly spoil it for me, I would rather not know.

Still a good conservative ride by Wiggo today & if Tony Martin's bike hadn't broken I think I would have got the top 3 from my Halfords fantasy tour team.

[krhall]

How do they ride so fast? My ride to work is avg 20 mph, but they do double that all day long - how?

[maviczap]

How do they ride so fast? My ride to work is avg 20 mph, but they do double that all day long - how?

Because all they do is ride, rest & eat. Sitting in a group of highly trained cyclists then its easy to ride fast, you do your turn, then someone else takes a turn.

Riding on your own, you have no one to shelter behind, to get a bit of a rest. Riding behind someone else requires 10% less effort I think, so you don't waste energy like a solo rider, which is why solo breakaways seldom work out on flat roads. Different in the mountains :p

[EssexDave]

Because all they do is ride, rest & eat. Sitting in a group of highly trained cyclists then its easy to ride fast, you do your turn, then someone else takes a turn.

Riding on your own, you have no one to shelter behind, to get a bit of a rest. Riding behind someone else requires 10% less effort I think, so you don't waste energy like a solo rider, which is why solo breakaways seldom work out on flat roads. Different in the mountains :p


10% at about 20mph maybe (although I heard it's about 30% at 20mph)

I think it's closer to 50-80% less effort in the peloton than it is up front on your own. They spend most of their time sitting in zone 2 I believe (on the flats) cruising along which is basically how they do it.

Apparently, the best way to train for that is lots of slow(ish) rides to get your body used to using that specific zone where you are able to ride all day long at a decent pace (although I assume this 'training plan' expected you to already be able to ride at the pace you want.)


On another note, anybody up for the London to Southend on Sunday 15th July?

[maviczap]

Is it just me, but I'm finding the Halfrauds adverts on ITV4 TDF coverage just a little irritating?

Is there anything special about the bloke I'm unaware of?

Normally I don't have any problem with their adverts

[Luckypants]

I'm watching it on Eurosport HD, so dunno what you on about :D

[maviczap]

I'm watching it on Eurosport HD, so dunno what you on about :D

Have you got a translator module for Sean Kelly (although he's better these days :p)

[MisterTommyH]

Has anyone else made the comparison between Peter Sagan and Jorge Lorenzo?

Their demeanour, celebrations even their appearance are spookily similar!

[maviczap]

Now that you mention it :p

[pookie]

does this mean the net is closing..seems they are hell bent on getting Lance Armstrong. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/18788834
To expunge his 7 titles may be a bit extreme but I'm not au fait with all the ins and outs of the case

[maviczap]

Get a copy of this months Cyclesport, there's quite a good article on it

[Luckypants]

And yet there seems no hard evidence against Armstrong, just a whispering campaign by his detractors. He must be the most tested athlete in sport, nothing has been found.

Why not accept he is clean or produce real evidence? Put up or shut up I say. :mad:

Sent from my phone.

[pookie]

The article is here I believe http://www.cyclesportmag.com/features/lance-armstrong-the-end/
Grim reading but still not conclusive.

[fizzwheel]

He must be the most tested athlete in sport, nothing has been found.

Or to quote him

"I've never tested positive" which could be interpreted as "I doped but you never caught me"

I hope he was / is clean, I do think that there are some in the sport who would like to bring him down. But I also think theres no smoke without fire.

I think the only person who knows the truth is Lance and I dont think we'll ever find out.

It would be a real shame for the sport and his reputation will be tarnished for ever. I find it disappointing that every year around the TDF something like this comes up and it detracts from what has been so far this year and years before an excellent race.

[maviczap]

Or to quote him

"I've never tested positive" which could be interpreted as "I doped but you never caught me"

Yes, the phrase which he always trotted out, which was analyzed in this months cycle sport magazine article.

Bjarn Riis, Basso & Ulrich were other names never to have tested positive, but we know now that they did, either by EPO or blood transfusions.

I found it a good read, although maybe the writer doesn't like Armstrong?

But maybe's there's better evidence against him this time, allegedly 10 former rider or employee's have given statements about him doping. Lets just hope its not Landis & Hamilton.We'll see.

It won't do the sport any good if he is found guilty, but as I was discussing it on our ride yesterday, my buddy made a good point. If he did dope, he was the best rider in a peleton full of doper's. Perhaps the 90's ought to be classified as the EPO years?

But I did find Wiggo's press conference comments a breath of fresh air. :takeabow:

[Luckypants]

But I did find Wiggo's press conference comments a breath of fresh air. :takeabow: Totally agree

[EssexDave]

Totally agree

didn't see this - can I have the short version?

Also, I assume from the lack of interest previously I am doing the london to southend on my own (bar the other 2,500 riders)

[MisterTommyH]

Print journalist mentioned in a press conference that there had been 'comparrisons on twitter that Team Sky were very similar to US Postal - the inference being that they were doping.

Wiggins told them to f*** off several times and said there are those that believe that you can't win the tour without doping.

[maviczap]

In the post-stage press conference Wiggins was asked what he thinks about people who point fingers at Team Sky and hint that he is doping.

Here’s his response:

“I say they’re just ****ing ******s. I cannot be doing with people like that.

It justifies their own bone-idleness because they can’t ever imagine applying themselves to do anything in their lives.

It’s easy for them to sit under a pseudonym on Twitter and write that sort of ****, rather than get off their arses in their own lives and apply themselves and work hard at something and achieve something. And that’s ultimately it.

****s.”

[EssexDave]

Outstanding.

Good ol' wiggo.

[STRAMASHER]

Loved when he said they should send these idiots with the tacs and flares to "football". :smt043

Looking to be a vintage year for the Brits. Fingers crossed Wiggers can make it across the line in yellow. Never thought i would see it.

[Jackie_Black]

Afternoon org, I'm looking at buying another pushbike. Hopefully on the C2W scheme. I've been looking at the Mekk Poggio 2G P2.0, seems to be a bit of bargain for carbon bike and has the potential for future upgrading. I mainly want it to do some mega miles on in relative comfort compared to my brick like specialized allez, anyone own one or heard anything good or bad about them?

[Amadeus]

I found it a good read, although maybe the writer doesn't like Armstrong?


I think he brought a lot of it on himself - he's an immensely arrogant and unlikeable chap.

It's also interesting that tho an individual will win the race, it's a team effort - a lot of other riders protecting the chosen rider. I'd like to see teams banned - would be much more interesting in my opinion.

[pookie]

i guess you may have seen this review. http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-mekk-2g-poggio-p-20-12-45674

I think I saw one in costco for just under £900 with 105 rear mech which seemed pretty good. Not ridden one but sounds like decent guys behind it

[Jackie_Black]

£900 is even more of a bargain! Picking a new roadbike is incredibly complex.

[maviczap]

Most carbon frames are made in Taiwan these days, except for the real high end stuff.

The same factory will be making frames for Giant, Specialized, Trek, Colnago, Ribble etc and its all good stuff, price will depend on groupset spec, but obviously they will have trimmed some bits off to make the price range.

Nothing wrong with Tiagra, especially if is the new 10 speed, as that's basically last years 105.

I'd upgrade those wheels, as they are pretty heavy and will take the zip out of the frame

I love my full carbon all day comfort, only titanium might be comfier.

Had you thought about getting a Ribble carbon frame, they're good and you can't spec it to your price, athough not sure if they do C2W?

[Jackie_Black]

Well i've been toying with carbon or titanium. i like the van nicholas mistral but have read a lot about the frames cracking. They get replaced straight away but still, it's a little scary. I can only do C2W through edinburgh cycles as my work won't use anyone else.

I'll check ribble out now

[maviczap]

Well you've got to be careful with carbon too, it'll only have a finite lifespan, but I don't know how long, depends how its looked after.

Plenty of Trek's have been know to crack & I've read about problems with my Wilier

At least with the Van Nicolas they are replacing the frame which is pretty good customer service

[Jackie_Black]

Well the frames come with a lifetime guarantee, takes 6 weeks to get one built when you order though. That ribble bike builder is scary, you can't put anything onto the bikes, quickly gets expensive!! I got the basic carbone one up to £1200, and then they offer it on tick over 3 years, tempting!

[maviczap]

If it comes with a lifetime guarantee then I'd go for that.

[fizzwheel]

I had a Van Nicholas, fantastic bike, until I got knocked off it by a car...

My mate has a Ti Euros he's had no probems with the frame on that.

[Jackie_Black]

Well i've gone a complete circle now then. I have to admit I like the idea of metal more than plastic, I doubt i'm going to race. I just want to ride for miles and miles and miles and the Allez is painful after 40 or so. I've altered the stem and i'm on my 4th different seat and its still not quite right!

[fizzwheel]

If it were me, I'd be finding out why the Allez is painful. Before I started splashing out on a new bike ( unless of course you want a new bike :-) )

I've done big mileage on what is a race geometry frame, and was still comfortable at the end of the ride.

Its about getting the bike to fit you. You could try going somewhere with it and getting a bike fit. Take it and you to a local bike shop and get them to cast their eye on your position and see what they say.

Its also quite possible that you dont fit the Allez, no matter what you do to it, you wont get comfy on it. Its also possible you'll get a new bike and be completely uncomfortable on that as well.

[Jackie_Black]

Well I have tried a comprehensive list of things to get it right for me.

When I first got it I flipped the stem from downward pointing to upward. As I felt I was to far over the front and it hurt my shoulders. Then I felt I was too far forward so I got an 80mm stem instead of the 120 it came with. Then my hands hurt on the hoods so I rotated the bars upward a bit. The discomfort then moved to the saddle so I tried a specialized avatar 155mm, then a selle royal gel flow thingy and I now have a fizik aliante ocming from e-bay. I've done 106 miles this week and played with the settings a lot.

I'm now back onto the avatar for now but the bike has gone into the shop for a new BB as its clicking like mad. I will happily pay for a pro fitting on the bike if it doesnt get any better as I just want to ride further and further. I managed 60 milers last year but don't seem to be able to go that far at the moment.

The reason for wanting a new bike is comfort. I have read extensively that carbon and ti bikes are very soft and comfortable (compared to alu) and so I had hoped that spending £1500 on some top flight machinery would solve my problem!!

[fizzwheel]

Sounds like your problem isnt the frame material, its your position on the bike itself thats causing the discomfort.

Yes carbon and Ti will give a smoother ride, my LOOK is superb and damping out road noise and poor road surfaces compared to my Alu framed fixie.

[Jackie_Black]

Ok, well i've have a complete re jig and re set everything. I've read a lot about bike fit and using a plumb bob etc to check where your feet are on the cranks and how to get the seat height correct. I have six weeks off so hopefully will be able to get my settings right, do you have any helpful tips?

[fizzwheel]

Not really. I rely on how the bike feels. I had a bike fit done on my LOOK as it has an integrated seat post and setting the seat height involves cutting the seat tube.

I also like a very aggressive setup, i.e high seat and low bars.

This is my rule of thumb.

1. Set the saddle height so that when I am stood next to the bike, the saddle is roughly level with the top of my hip bone.

2. Then I set the bar height so that I have a bit of a bend in my forearm.

The other trick with seat height, is set so that if you sit on the bike, put your heel on a peddle and then straighten that leg, set your seat height so your leg is straight with it like that, and then you'll have a slight bent knee, when you are riding with cleats.

I have my bar angle set, so that I can have a straight line from the curve of the drops where it transitions from the flat to start of the curve into the drops, the flat across the top of brake hoods, ( where I spend most of my time ) is flat so my hand position is comfortable.

I have a turbo trainer so I tend to put my new bikes onto that and then tweak the position and then ride it on that for a bit and then tweak it.

I know if I can get comfortable on the turbo trainer I'll be comfortable when out on the road.

[fizzwheel]

Oh and try not to change a million things at one time. Otherwise you wont be able to evaluate the changes you've made.

[Jackie_Black]

Ok thanks for the help, I think I get the bike back monday with a new BB, i'll get fiddling. I might try an agressive set up for a change, maybe i'll like it now. To be honest I don't care what bike I ride as long as i'm riding one. I've lost 15 pounds in ten weeks and would like to drop another 30. I understand the food part, the nutrition etc. I just need to get comfortable so i can get a century in in the next 6 weeks.

[maviczap]

Oh and try not to change a million things at one time. Otherwise you wont be able to evaluate the changes you've made.

Best piece of advice so far.

My saddle height hasn't changed in nearly 20years :) Neither has my handlebar width.

Saddles are always difficult to get right, I'm on a Fizik Aliante right now and its almost perfect.

Do your shorts have a good quality seat pad & do you ride commando ;)

Cheap shorts are no good and the pads these days are really good

Do you use chamois cream, that also makes a difference

One of my mates rides with boxers under his lycra :confused:

Suppose its just in case he gets knocked off and gets taken to hospital :rolleyes:

[Jackie_Black]

Yup decent shorts, commando, no chamois cream yet. But chafing isnt the problem its pressure points from saddle or grips.

I think its a matter of balance on the bike. One things for sure though, makes the hornet feel comfier

[maviczap]

Maviczap signs for Sky after training ride shows massive speed potential,check out my max speed.

move over Cav \\:D/

http://forums.sv650.org/picture.php?albumid=501&pictureid=6364

[EssexDave]

Good effort.

[Jackie_Black]

My comfort issues continue on the pig.

I got the bike back from the menders today. I dropped it off as its been clicking like mad when I pedal. I assumed it was the BB so I put it in to my LBS for them to diagnose, they simply replaced the BB, the clicking remains as badly as before. That'll be the pedals that need attention then!!, I assume the mechanic didn't even pedal the bike. SO time to try a new LBS next time.

Anyway this brings me to a question, can I rebuild Shimano SPD SL pedals? i.e. pull them to bits and regrease them, or do I just bin them and get some new ones? Its driving me completely mental so needs to be fixed.

The comfort issuse remains but my fizik aliente turned up today so i'll try and do some miles on that, see if it makes any difference.

[maviczap]

Anyway this brings me to a question, can I rebuild Shimano SPD SL pedals? i.e. pull them to bits and regrease them, or do I just bin them and get some new ones? Its driving me completely mental so needs to be fixed.
.

Yes, you should be able to strip them down, I don't know which sort you have.

Sure its not a chain, jockey wheels or rear hub clicking?

Crap service from your LBS

[Jackie_Black]

They are the cheapest Shimano SPD SL pedals (white). Only a year old, its definitely something on the drivetrain. I assumed the BB as its 4 years old but apparently not as thats new. Unless they just wiped it as its exactly the same one they replaced it with!

[maviczap]

Is it a old style BB or one of the new ones, where the cranks bolt onto the BB axle with 2 little allen bolts on the left crank?

My BB is one of these and it clicks on the early part of my rides, but disappears.

If it was an old style BB then just grab the cranks and see if there's any play in the BB.

Even the white SPD's were serviceable if I remember correctly?

[fizzwheel]

About the clicking, I get that alot on my Shimano Hollowtech II bottom bracket.

Take the non drives side crack arm off, clean off the cr*p thats accumulated on the face of the arm and the face of the bottom bracket shell and then put it back together again. Grit gets in between there and it makes it click.

Other place is the chain ring bolts work loose and that can make it click.

Wheel skewers are another thing, if they are loose will make it creak and click.

What are the cleats on your shoes like, if they are worn they can cause creaking and clicking as well.

Could also be the spokes creaking due to loose one. I've had it where I had dry spoke nipples going into the hub, LBS dropped a drop of lube into them and it cured it after I couldnt work out why it was creaking

Then basically go over the whole bike and check for loose bolts and make sure everything is tightened up properly.

[Jackie_Black]

Yeah the left crank has two little bolts on it, and the bearing cups appear to be outside the frame. I cannot stand the clicking like, I must get to the bottom of it. Tomorrow i'm going to get them rebuilt, if they still do it then i'm replacing them with the next model up and i'm gonna pick up some framless glasses while i'm on. Sick of seeing the top of my specs as i pedal.

[Jackie_Black]

I replaced the SPD's with the next model up 105's (£40 edinburgh cycles). Clicking gone, well the annoying one has. I have a mild rear wheel buckle and a few clicky loose spokes but I can live with that. I altered the stem and fitted the Fizik seat, seat seems a little better although it has no cutout so there may be a numbness issue with it. Did 35 miles on it all today, the long stem is no good for me so it will be back to the 80mm one tomorrow. Getting closer to perfect now though!!

Your help is appreciated!!

[maviczap]

Did 35 miles on it all today, the long stem is no good for me so it will be back to the 80mm one tomorrow. Getting closer to perfect now though!!
Your help is appreciated!!

For me going between the 2 extremes of stem length isn't good, the old way was to make any changes gradually, 40mm might not sound much, but I would notice such a change, in fact I'd notice a 10mm difference in length if all the other measurements were identical.

A too long stem is going to hyper extend your neck and cause problems, a too short stem is going to hunch you up. Etc

Many years ago I bought a book by Bernard Hinault and used the methods to sort my position out. Its an old book now, but some of the methods used are still good today.

Needs a bit of help from some one else to take the measurements :p

http://www.amazon.com/Road-Racing-Technique-Bernard-Hinault/dp/0941950131

I've also got a copy of cycling plus with how to set you're position up, you're welcome to a copy of the relavant pages, as a lot of them refer to the Hinault methods as one way of setting up your bike.

[EssexDave]

A friend suggested we go for a cycle today, and I've been wanting to cycle to university (where I'm starting in September).

So, at 9am we set off from Rayleigh, not quite sure of the best route, and ended up in Greenwich where I will be at uni.

We took the woolwich ferry which was lovely seeing weather was so nice.

We got back having completed 100 miles exactly.

My friend hadn't cycled for 3 years, and I went on the single speed.

Some of the hills were getting tough at the end. We averaged 12mph which with several stops and the lack of cycling my friend had done I thought was pretty good!

I felt I could have gone significantly quicker, but was very very enjoyable!

[maviczap]

Nice one, especially for your mate.

Even with all my cycling I've never done a century ride, I probably could, but I've never been inclined to?

[Scoobs]

Just in the process of building by next MTB. It's based around a Ragley Piglet frame with Manitou Minute Pro 120mm forks with the following components:

1 x Hope Hoops Pro3 SP-AM4 Rear Mtb Wheel NT FLOW 160mm Disc Black
1 x Shimano Dyna-Sys SLX 10 Speed Cassette 11-34 Silver
1 x Hope Tech Evo X2 Disc Brake without Rotor Rear Silver/Black
1 x Hope Tech Evo M4 Disc Brake without Rotor Front Black/Silver
1 x Shimano Dyna-Sys Deore XT HollowTech II Triple Chainset 175mm Silver/Black
1 x Hope Hoops Pro3 SP-AM4 Front Mtb Wheel NT FLOW 183mm Disc Black
1 x Shimano XT M781 10 Speed Triple Front Derailleur Option 1 Silver
1 x Shimano XT M780 10 Speed Shadow Rear Derailleur Medium Cage GS Silver
1 x Race Face Evolve XC 3/4 Riser MTB Handlebar 31.8mm 3/4 Rise Black & Red Decals
1 x Shimano XT M780 10 Speed Rapidfire Pods Pair Silver/Black
1 x Hope QR Seat Post Clamp 34.9mm Red
1 x Thomson Elite Inline Seat Post 30.9 x 410mm Black
1 x Hope XC/FR MTB Oversized Stem 070mm 0 Deg (FR) Red
1 x Charge Spoon Saddle with Cromo Rails Brown

I just need a few parts to finish. I used to be proper into MTBikes and race competitively, but haven't brought a rig for 10 years now so am a little out of it.

Need a chain, so any advice as to which brand and why. Needs to be 10 speed compatible.

Thanks for the advice. When it's built up I will post up some pics. I could post up pics of the components but they are covered in dribble...especially the brakes! They are lushness upon lushness.

[EssexDave]

Scoobs, I'm sure you'll get some advice in here, but isn't there a MTB thread?

From what I know most people in here are on road bikes, and that's not to say they don't have, or know anything about MTBs but, still I'd pop over to toe MTB and stick a post in there too.

[Scoobs]

Oops! Didn't realise there was a separate one. Thanks for the heads up Dave.

[EssexDave]

No problems, I know I wouldn't know where to start with MTBs!

[mattSV]

Anyone else going to Boxhill on Saturday? We are leaving Southampton at about 5:30 with bikes on the roof of the car, heading for my brother's in-laws at Epsom, then cycling over from there to get a decent spot on Donkey Green.

After last weekend, it should be awesome with Millar, Froome, Cav & some guy called Wiggo all on the same team...

[maviczap]

Anyone else going to Boxhill on Saturday? We are leaving Southampton at about 5:30 with bikes on the roof of the car, heading for my brother's in-laws at Epsom, then cycling over from there to get a decent spot on Donkey Green.

After last weekend, it should be awesome with Millar, Froome, Cav & some guy called Wiggo all on the same team...

Have a great day, I'll be bleedy workin :smt095

[krhall]

I used one of those bike superhighway thing last night...was awful...full of Boris bikes and numpties, on the up side it was a supremely smooth surface.

Also went across that roundabout were several cyclists have been killed or injured, was terribly confusing and I can see why there have been issues - really badly designed lights etc. Went over the fly over on the way back, much safer.

[EssexDave]

Well after my legs had well and truly recovered from my 100 miler on Tuesday went out today and put in a 40 miler on what I'd consider to be a fairly hilly route (bearing in mind I live in Essex so nothing is more than 10%)

Averaged 18mph which I was really chuffed with but corr do my legs ache now!

Off for some nice relaxing in the spa at the gym.

[maviczap]

Averaged 18mph which I was really chuffed with but corr do my legs ache now!

.

With that sort of avg speed you really should be racing, TT's especially

[EssexDave]

With that sort of avg speed you really should be racing, TT's especially


Really? I thought that most Cat 4 racers are averaging about 21-22mph over that sort of distance in TTs?

I should really give up smoking and lose the extra stone or two I'm carrying first :|

[maviczap]

Really? I thought that most Cat 4 racers are averaging about 21-22mph over that sort of distance in TTs?

I should really give up smoking and lose the extra stone or two I'm carrying first :|

Yes, but once you add tri bars and ride at race pace for 10 or 25 miles rather than just riding, you'll find you're pretty quick. So long as that's a true average.

[EssexDave]

What do you mean by a true average?

I may give it a go there's a local TT around here and only £4 to enter...

[maviczap]

Well my Garmin records the actual ride time, so its a true average

Give it a go and see how you get on, even without tri bars, because if you are fast without tri bars, you'll be even faster with.

[EssexDave]

Oh it pauses when I stop, but my total stop time was like 60 seconds over 2 hours.

I did 19 miles in 59 minutes last week which I think is my 'best' against the clock

[mattSV]

Great day out at Boxhill, amazing atmosphere, shame we couldn't pull it off. The boys did work bloody hard for it though:-

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/486495_10151958012320463_749292958_n.jpg

[maviczap]

nice photo matt, from what i saw on tv the crowds were amazing. Although I'm a bit disappointed he didn't win, I wasn't surprised he didn't. The course was suited to the style of rider that Vino is and with out boys doing ALL the work, a breakaway group could getaway & stay away. Reminded me of Liege - Bastogne - Liege

[fizzwheel]

I'm disappointed for them, they worked hard, but it was to much for 4 blokes to bring a breakaway group of that size back.

Wiggins and Froome both looked shattered at the finish, I wonder what Spartacus might have done if he hadnt crashed at that corner though ?

[maviczap]

Knew Spartascus crashed out, but hadn't seen where. I'd have liked him to win instead of Vino the unrepentant cheat. Pity Uran didn't beat him in the sprint.

Spartacus is out for the TT if I read Wiggo's quote correctly, so if thats true, its good for Wiggo

[fizzwheel]

Sharp right hand corner, a reasonable distance out from the finish, it was a double apex corner and he didnt read it right, he tipped in for the first apex, then sat up and tipped in again, realised he had over cooked it, locked up the back brake, then went straight on into the barriers and landed on his shoulder, as soon as I saw it, I thought "there goes his collar bone again"

It was the sort of distance he can time trial to the finish from and he was looking strong at that point to.

[Venom]

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