The Cycling Thread

[EssexDave]

Anyone ever done any track cycling?

[Venom]

I need a new bike after crumpling the aluminum down tube due to a meeting of car/cycle last week. Any recommendations of groupset/cassettes for a new bike. I had Shimano 105 triple but apparently a double compact is better.

[maviczap]

I need a new bike after crumpling the aluminum down tube due to a meeting of car/cycle last week. Any recommendations of groupset/cassettes for a new bike. I had Shimano 105 triple but apparently a double compact is better.

Can't you take the old 105 off your knackered frame and fit to a replacement frame?

If not then anything groupset upward from Tiagra I'd be happy with, especially this years Tiagra, which now joins the 10 speed groupsets.

So if you're going to go compact, then front will be 50/34 chainrings, so 28 - 12 cassette will give you a very good range.

[maviczap]

Arise Sir Wiggo, brilliant ride

http://img.ibtimes.com/www/data/images/full/2012/08/01/292549.jpg

[granty92]

wiggins you complete machine!

[metalmonkey]

Arise Sir Wiggo, brilliant ride

http://img.ibtimes.com/www/data/images/full/2012/08/01/292549.jpg

I take it you went down to watch today? A group of us went for racing, had a brillant day!

[Small Clanger]

He looked a bit knackered when he came through the village yesterday evening.

[Jackie_Black]

Managed just under fifty miles today in just over 3 hours!! Getting better.

Had to get off and walk at one point though while a Gel took effect, today i learned about the importance of nutrition and endurance cycling!!

Thats a cool 120 miles i've done this week in 3 rides.

[maviczap]

I take it you went down to watch today? A group of us went for racing, had a brillant day!

Sadly not, I had to make do with the TV coverage, which was good.

I was working away from home & I couldn't take any holiday because 3 of my tea were already off, so that's the max who can be away at one time, and the hotel had a cancellation policy which meant I was obliged to stay :(

But when I'd thought about it I could have taken a few hours leave at work, as we just had an office day, then caught the train to London and onward to Kingston for the TT.

Then I could have been back at the hotel so not to have to cancel or mess about.

But as I'm the manager it wouldn't have set a good example :(

So just as nice to watch it on TV, even though there's no atmosphere in a hotel room with me cheering Wiggo on :p

[mattSV]

Anyone ever done any track cycling?

I did a course at Calshot two years ago - shortest circuit and hence steepest banked circuit in the country:-

http://www.highwycombecc.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/velodrome-2.jpg

Stage 1 & Stage 2 course enables you to turn up to the regular GAS training sessions - haven't had a chance to go back since doing the course though. The first time you peel up the bank and see the 'train' come through beneath you, before dropping down to rejoin at the rear, is amazing.

[maviczap]

Essex I've just bought my own velodrome, so you're welcome to try it out :p

http://tinyurl.com/My-velodrome

[Venom]

Can't you take the old 105 off your knackered frame and fit to a replacement frame?

If not then anything groupset upward from Tiagra I'd be happy with, especially this years Tiagra, which now joins the 10 speed groupsets.

So if you're going to go compact, then front will be 50/34 chainrings, so 28 - 12 cassette will give you a very good range.

Possibly, but the front wheel taco'ed on impact, the levers got a bit battered and the rear mech got a good whack as well. Complete bikes are pretty good value anyway so I'd much rather get something new than faff around with parts.

[EssexDave]

Mavi looks awesome :p I might be a bit big though :(

Went out and did 103 miles today at 15.1mph. Really pleased with the average but was hoping to do 130 miles but was just so windy! (Note that was a moving average - I stopped for 1 hour total)

There was also a heap of climbing, over 1,150 meters! Legs are feeling it a bit now

[Jackie_Black]

Mavi looks awesome :p I might be a bit big though :(

Went out and did 103 miles today at 15.1mph. Really pleased with the average but was hoping to do 130 miles but was just so windy! (Note that was a moving average - I stopped for 1 hour total)

There was also a heap of climbing, over 1,150 meters! Legs are feeling it a bit now

How much did you eat when you were on the bike? I did my first half century this week and bonked horribly in the last 10 miles. I had on sachet of high 5 in one of me bottles and some plain water which did me fine for the the first 40 but then I could go no longer and had to rest and have my emergency energy gel to get me home. I'd be interested to know what other cyclists get through. I've done 120 miles this week and haven't shifted any of my beer keg :(

[Small Clanger]

I use SIS Go energy bars whilst on the move and plain water in the bottle.
I also keep a Mars Bar in the tail-pack for when I get knackered or as a treat after reaching the summit of my own personal Col de Tourmalet which is Greenhow Hill, Pateley Bridge.

I'd be interested to know who eats what before a pre-breakfast 20/25 miler.

Meusli? yoghurt? cereals? Ginster?

[stewie]

I use SIS Go energy bars whilst on the move and plain water in the bottle.
I also keep a Mars Bar in the tail-pack for when I get knackered or as a treat after reaching the summit of my own personal Col de Tourmalet which is Greenhow Hill, Pateley Bridge.

I'd be interested to know who eats what before a pre-breakfast 20/25 miler.

Meusli? yoghurt? cereals? Ginster?
I struggle to eat in the morning but today have had one of those Special K reb berry cereal bars, I know its not ideal but 12 yrs of permanent nights has messed up my body clock big time and today I'm carrying one of those High 5 energy drinks in the bottle, just hope my achilles holds out.....

[maviczap]

How much did you eat when you were on the bike? I did my first half century this week and bonked horribly in the last 10 miles. I had on sachet of high 5 in one of me bottles and some plain water which did me fine for the the first 40 but then I could go no longer and had to rest and have my emergency energy gel to get me home. I'd be interested to know what other cyclists get through. I've done 120 miles this week and haven't shifted any of my beer keg :(

I'd say that's not really enough, even a skinny guy like me, I normally take 3 gels out with me on a 60 mile ride. One 750ml bottle with Nectar fuel in it.

My trouble is that toward the end of the ride I start to feel sick from all the sugary stuff, I have taken a cereal bar before, but I prefer a banana on a ride. A plain bottle of water is something I don't normally take, but after my last long ride, it would be a nice change from the Nectar energy drink and perhaps then I wouldn't feel sick.

I know it work in the Pyrenees last year, plus you can pour the plain water over your head when the going gets tough :p

[EssexDave]

Well I'm carrying a lot of extra fat so plenty of reserves :p On that ride I was sitting in zone 2 for almost all of it so I didn't have that much food.

I had a tun sandwich for lunch with some crisps and salad, then stopped and had a rice crispy square thingy, 2 cans of coke with lunch and 1 500ml bottle of dr pepper later on.

Normally if I'm pushing on at speed, I'll take an energy gel per 20 miles or so. I also have a mahoosive breakfast before going out.

[stewie]

Anyone using Strava as a training tool ? Ive just uprated to the premium package at a staggering $6 a month, its a good little app, you can finish your ride at the front door and by the time you pick up your laptop its already loaded to the main programme, check it out
http://app.strava.com/dashboard

[EssexDave]

I used the free Strava for a while but with my Garmin I just can't be bothered with it. I find on a lot of longer rides the phone will die before the finish.

[stewie]

I used the free Strava for a while but with my Garmin I just can't be bothered with it. I find on a lot of longer rides the phone will die before the finish.
Yeah thats a good point actually, Ive got a garmin 305 which I take out with me as well but it wont load into strava for some reason.

[fizzwheel]

Liz and I had a cracking day out yesterday, I've never experienced at atmosphere like the one in the Velodrome. Was great.

I've put a few pics in this thread in the photo section

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?p=2753494#post2753494

[EssexDave]

Potentially a bit of a long boring post coming up but I need some motivational help so figured I'd stick it up here so it's in the public eye and hopefully to give me a bit of a push to meet my goals!

I'm trying to lose 1 stone to get to sub 14 stone and hopefully keep going to a better weight!

To do this, I've decided on a big push in August as I'm unemployed and waiting for university to start and what better way than to just get out on my bike.

The goal I set for August is 1,000 miles on the push bike and 50 miles running.

This works out at around 32 and a bit miles per day, or 230ish miles a week.

This week so far I've done 140 miles and so clearly a bit behind. I've got until Tuesday evening to pick this up to the target but I was hoping for a bit of a rest (although that seems to have happened over the weekend) and so I need to get out tomorrow and add on some more miles.

Has anyone here ever done something similar or done over 200 miles a week regularly?

[maviczap]

Yep, I used to do over 200 miles a week when I was racing, and that included fitting it around work.

So a piece of cake if you're not working, just vary your route to stop boredom setting in.

Also remember that recovery is just as important riding.

[EssexDave]

How where you doing it mavi? One or two longer rides and several shorter ones?

[maviczap]

How where you doing it mavi? One or two longer rides and several shorter ones?

Yes, and including time trials, maybe a 10 & a 25 in one weekend

Life was simpler then, no girlfriend or children to take up my time :???:

[EssexDave]

well week 1 of the August challenge 165 miles leaving 835 works out at around 35 miles every day left of August.

[rob13]

How many of you who have a road bike, only have the one and that one being a carbon machine? I've been eyeing up a carbon Cannondale offering on a cracking deal from the LBS but it'd mean selling the Aluminium Boardman i've got at the moment. The frame on the Dale is slightly bigger and feels a better fit for me.

[fizzwheel]

My main bike is Carbon.

But I'm not sure what it is you are actually asking, are you worried about carbon being fragile ?

[maviczap]

My bet bike is carbon, but I have 2 others I can use. If the weather isn't good, I'd rather use my cheaper Alu bike & of course I've got my winter hack.

Try and get a hack bike, I found mine in the local paper, a Raleigh 7005 alu fame with Shiman Ultegra for £170, Gumtree might also have some bargains, EBAY less so

[rob13]

Yeah guess i'm asking about whether you'd use a carbon bike all year round.

I'm looking around at the moment and the Cannondale Supersix is on offer for £1400, but i'm worried about Carbon as an all round bike and also worried it might be too stiff. I cant get a test ride on one either. It kind of defeats the object of an LBS because I might as well use Halfords and buy another Boardman.

For me, the saddle to bar drop on the Boardman i've got currently is probably a bit too much. I cant get any more spacers underneath the stem and I dont spend a great deal of time on the drops due to the actual drop on the bike. Its probably there or thereabouts the right top tube size, but the bike is a small frame.

Doing around 100 miles a week so want something which is comfortable and soaks up the bumps as my current set up doesn't.

[EssexDave]

My main bike is a carbon and I use it all year round - just clean it well.

[maviczap]

Yeah guess i'm asking about whether you'd use a carbon bike all year round.

I'm looking around at the moment and the Cannondale Supersix is on offer for £1400, but i'm worried about Carbon as an all round bike and also worried it might be too stiff. I cant get a test ride on one either. It kind of defeats the object of an LBS because I might as well use Halfords and buy another Boardman.

For me, the saddle to bar drop on the Boardman i've got currently is probably a bit too much. I cant get any more spacers underneath the stem and I dont spend a great deal of time on the drops due to the actual drop on the bike. Its probably there or thereabouts the right top tube size, but the bike is a small frame.

Doing around 100 miles a week so want something which is comfortable and soaks up the bumps as my current set up doesn't.

Sounds like your Boardman is a size too small? My mate at work had Halfords sell him a bike thats too small, the handlebar - saddle distance is too big IMHO. Their training & formula are way out.

You can use carbon at year round, but the general consensus is that carbon frames don't have a long lifespan like steel.

But my carbon frame is the most comfortable bike I've ever had.

[EssexDave]

Mavi any idea how long roughly a carbon frame would last?

[maviczap]

No mate, there's a lot of factors that can affect the frames life. It won't rust like steel or fatigue like alu, but a big stone flicked up onto the frame could cause a fatal crack. Its fragile like that

But again the frame could last forever if treated well.

http://forums.mtbr.com/all-mountain/what-he-maximum-life-span-carbon-frame-735569.html

[fizzwheel]

But my carbon frame is the most comfortable bike I've ever had.

Ditto.

I've had steel, Alu, Alu main triangle with carbon rear stays and fork, magnesium, and now Carbon

Carbon, is light and responsive and where I ride the same roads alot I can compare the ride, steel & alu rattle my teeth where carbon glides over the road and its much smoother, it also takes less effort to drive the carbon bike over bad surfaces which is important on a long ride.

The thing with winter riding its the components that suffer as much or if not more than the frame does, so stuff like chains, chain rings, cassettes brakes, bearings etc all take a massive hammering from the rain, mud, salt etc etc.

Get a winter hack with full guards for winter or wet days and then keep the carbon for dry summer / spring and autum days.

I think its impossible to say how long the carbon will last, it is strong but its only designed to take load in certain directions so an off will destroy it. Also tings like stone chips etc as said will have an effect. To me these things are less important than the fact the carbon bike is so much nicer to ride.

The only thing you might want to consider is Ti frame if you want an all round bike that will give good ride comfort, but might not be suspectable to longevity issues like carbon bikes are. ( i'm basing this on what i have read on bikeradar )

[EssexDave]

Anyone interested in buying a reasonably priced Carbon Fi'zi:k Arione Team Liquigas saddle with the bolt thingys to attach the rails to seat post and the Fi'zi:k bag that clips in under the seat.

I'd be looking for about £90 posted for the lot.

[maviczap]

sorry it'd be a mismatch colour wise with my bike, do you have the fizik bag, or did i misread your post?

[fizzwheel]

Ditto with me that wouldnt match my bike

Christ we are a bunch of tarts arent we...

[EssexDave]

I do have the bag...

[rob13]

Thanks for the advice. I'm trying a Supersix tomorrow or Wednesday so I'll report what I think of it.

[maviczap]

No, but its a sad day for the sport yet again.

I'm no Armstrong fan, but maybe these years ought to be classified as the EPO years, because if you take away his titles then they'll be another rider below him, who also doped, Ulrich, Pantani etc etc.

From my opinion it all started in 1996, when Riis won the tour, although we know now that there were plenty of other races won on EPO before this.

[EssexDave]

It literally is fine the first riding who wasn't doping...

Should accept that pretty much everyone doped and armstrong was the best doper clearly - especially as he never got caught whilst he was actually racing.

I would certainly be interested to see what evidence the WADA has against him, as he seems to think this has only started because of team mates that have said, 'oh by the way he was doping too'.

[pookie]

in this article I presume http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/lancearmstrong/9496174/Lance-Armstrong-to-be-stripped-of-Tour-de-France-titles-and-banned-for-life-as-he-gives-up-fight-over-drug-charges.html

This historians are going be a bit busy now

[fizzwheel]

No, but its a sad day for the sport yet again.

I'm no Armstrong fan, but maybe these years ought to be classified as the EPO years, because if you take away his titles then they'll be another rider below him, who also doped, Ulrich, Pantani etc etc.

From my opinion it all started in 1996, when Riis won the tour, although we know now that there were plenty of other races won on EPO before this.

Completely agree, very sad day, but IMHO not entirely unexpected.

The fact is that IMHO everybody from that era doped, so it in my mind levels the playing field and they should leave the results as they are.

I sort of admire Armstrong for his take on this, the whole "I'm done with it I want to move on and live my life" attitude I respect him for.

[maviczap]

I would certainly be interested to see what evidence the WADA has against him, as he seems to think this has only started because of team mates that have said, 'oh by the way he was doping too'.

Very strong and compelling evidence I should imagine, and not just from twisted losers like Landis & Hamilton.

My American buddy met Hamilaton at a US trade show and thought he was an grade A a**ehole.

Completely agree, very sad day, but IMHO not entirely unexpected.

No, I've been expecting this for a while

[Luckypants]

So everyone sees this as an admission of guilt? Despite there being no physical evidence? Perhaps you should read his statement about being persecuted and that he is fed up of it?

Why does Armstrong have to prove his innocence? They have to prove his guilt which so far they have failed to do.

Guilty or not, the authorities have not been able to prove anything. They should let it lie and accept they cannot prove anything. Move on and catch today's drug cheats, not hound a retired cyclist for years after he finished competing.

[maviczap]

I think they'll be more to come out from the US anti doping agency and maybe the cynic in me says this is just damage limitation from Lance.

[maviczap]

Yep, Millars book is a good read

[fizzwheel]

So everyone sees this as an admission of guilt? Despite there being no physical evidence? Perhaps you should read his statement about being persecuted and that he is fed up of it?

No not at all. I was left with a feeling that he feels fedup with it and has had enough which I respect him for.

IMHO he beat some of the best riders of his era, some of whom have confessed to doping.

So he was either incredibly clever and cheated and got away with it. Or he was an incredibly talented athlete who is clean.

He's retired leave the guy alone. If he doped so did others that he was racing against which levels the playing field. But it seems there are some in the cycling world who just dont like the fact he won and was dominant for so many years, but if you look at his training program, its the only race he trained for...

[pookie]

just quick note crc have a sale on at the moment and have applied their last 15% discount on top of the 15% from the previous 24hrs on top of sale prices.

[maviczap]

Be careful when buying things in the 'sales' promotion

I bought this jacket a few weeks ago on Wiggle for £134 and I don't remember it being in any special promotion

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear-oxygen-goretex-active-shell-jacket-2012/?pr=1154/

Today, £170 @ Wiggle with 10% off!

This was more expensive than Evans, which was selling them for £163

Don't know if Wiggle had made a boo boo on the price when I bought it?

[Luckypants]

Broken.... Just completed Wild Wales Challenge sportive, geez its the hardest ride I've done all year. Sooooo tired!

Sent from my phone.

[maviczap]

Can't be broken, you still have enough strength to post ;)

[EssexDave]

Got myself some aero bars fitted onto the moda (replacing the drops completely).

Wow, what a difference. I need to fiddle with my position as I felt that I couldn't pedal as effectively as normal, and my legs were fairly tired anyway, but managed an average of 21mph over 24 miles which I was real happy with. Feels a lot easier than on drops!

[maviczap]

dats cos you're more aero dynamic, that's why its easier.

But with those big miles you've done, its obviously paying off

[fizzwheel]

You guys are putting me to shame. I went out with Liz this morning and did 15 miles on our road bikes...

We went to the LBS yesterday and I've been looking at cross bikes again. I want a winter commuter but also something that can handle a bit of off roading. Off road cycle paths, forest tracks and rough stuff that I wouldnt take my look over.

So needs to have eyelets for guards and I would like a disc braked bike. I'm looking way forward to next year now and I would like to keep my milleage up over the winter and not have to worry about the winter weather trashing my Look, even with the crud guards on it, its not ideal and I have noticed one or two very slight rub marks from the crud guard brackets where I have used it with those on.

I've narrowed my choices down to

http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=rove#1

Or

http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=jake

The Jake fits my budget better and I have spare Shimano drive train parts that could go on it. Where as the Rove has Sram.

I've been looking at the Whyte King Cross / Charing Cross bikes as well but i havent seen a favourable review of it.

I dont want another carbon bike, I have one of those already so that the Major Jake our and the Jake the Snake doesnt have disc's

Alot of the higher end cross bikes dont have eyelets for guards which kocks them on the head anyway. But anything else I should look at ? ( Apart from the Boardman CX which could also be an option )

[EssexDave]

Oh and lucky - I did want to do that ride as it looked like a killer but things just didn't work out - well done for completing it!

I'm doing a half ironman next year in exmoor and the cycle ride is only 56 miles, but 2,000m of climbing :|

[garynortheast]

Blimey, you lot are making me feel like a cheapskate with my 11 year old Halfords Apollo bikes! They do the job for me though, with a bit of fettling here and there.

Had the forks from the fully suspended one out and apart yesterday for a clean and service. After a 30 mile ride out around Dyfant forest and Llyn Efyrnwy the left leg had compressed and wouldn't return. Water had got into them at some point and there was some rust to be dealt with. What little grease had been applied at the Vietnamese factory all those years ago was long gone, so when I reassembled them I sealed up the bottom bolt with an o ring and poured a small amount of fork oil into each leg. After a few compressions of the legs they are now smoother than they were when I bought the bike. Took it for a ride over the top of the hill behind my house and back down the road, nice and comfortable now and no more jarring of the wrists at every bump.

Next job is to replace the rubbish bottom crank bearing in the other bike with a new one. My local cycle shop has some Shimano cartridge bearings to fit it for £22 so that could well be the task for the week.

[maviczap]

You guys are putting me to shame. I went out with Liz this morning and did 15 miles on our road bikes...

We went to the LBS yesterday and I've been looking at cross bikes again. I want a winter commuter but also something that can handle a bit of off roading. Off road cycle paths, forest tracks and rough stuff that I wouldnt take my look over.

So needs to have eyelets for guards and I would like a disc braked bike. I'm looking way forward to next year now and I would like to keep my milleage up over the winter and not have to worry about the winter weather trashing my Look, even with the crud guards on it, its not ideal and I have noticed one or two very slight rub marks from the crud guard brackets where I have used it with those on.

I've narrowed my choices down to

http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=rove#1

Or

http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=jake

The Jake fits my budget better and I have spare Shimano drive train parts that could go on it. Where as the Rove has Sram.

I've been looking at the Whyte King Cross / Charing Cross bikes as well but i havent seen a favourable review of it.

I dont want another carbon bike, I have one of those already so that the Major Jake our and the Jake the Snake doesnt have disc's

Alot of the higher end cross bikes dont have eyelets for guards which kocks them on the head anyway. But anything else I should look at ? ( Apart from the Boardman CX which could also be an option )

Fizz,
Its early days for cross bikes with discs, as I think the UCI only approved their use in competition recently. So until all the manufacturers start speccing discs on bikes, its going to limit your choices.

I expect there will be an explosion of disc braked bikes appearing, for road use as well.

You could get a frame made to your spec, how about looking at what the UK frame makers are doing, Argos (no not them), Dave Hinde, Dolan, Ribble.

Get the frame and get it equipped with the groupset to fit your budget

[pookie]

have you had a look at the boardman cx? Friend of mine has one for his 36mile daily commute. Seems to be ok for the last 3months. Couldnt believe it was an alloy frame as the welds are seemless. They came with avid cable disc brakes.

[Luckypants]

Oh and lucky - I did want to do that ride as it looked like a killer but things just didn't work out - well done for completing it!
I thought you had said you were coming over.... You missed a killer ride and a great event. We even rode briefly through Garynortheast's village I think! I lost my bearings a little so it may have been the next village along from his.....

The final climb over Bwlch-y-Groes defeated all but two of our group, it is so steep and long! Plus we had 65 hard miles in the legs by then.

Oh and consensus opinion is it was easier than last year! :)

Sent from my phone.

[fizzwheel]

I've looked at the Boardman CX, great bike gets great reviews, but it seems the default choice for those people in the market for a Cross Bike with disc's which means me being me, means I dont really want one.

I like to be a bit different which often means not following the crowd.

I'm not sure I want to go down the custom frame build it up myself route. I know I could do it, but I just dont know if I would be able to put the time into getting the build done. I'd rather just buy from the LBS TBH.

They are good in there and I know they'll do me a good deal, its why I am leaning towards the Kona as they are a Kona dealer so wont have any trouble sourcing what I want.

Although this

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/cross/day-01/day-01-alfine-11/specs

Or this

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/cross/day-01/day-01-alfine/specs

Appeal to, better spec disc's than the Kona Jake and the hub gear should cut down the amount of maintenance that would be required after winter riding.

The Affline 11 is probably more money than I wanted to spend though...

[stewie]

Just been out for the first time in 3 weeks ( family, work, weather etc ) managed just over 20 miles before the heavens opened however finished the route I had in mind and averaged 4:11 mile pace and 14.5 mph so actually quite happy with that, achilles pretty sore now though, off to see an orthopaedic sugeon in Oct to see if they can do something, happy days though :)

[Nobbylad]

Just ordered a Carrera TDF from Halfrauds. It's a bog standard road bike but I can get it through the cycle to work scheme which essentially means it's tax free and I can pay over 12 months interest free.

Looking forward to getting back in the saddle and getting some miles under my belt.

[Jabba]

Does the Genesis Croix de Fer (sp?) tick any boxes for you?

Carrera TDF is a lot of bike for the money. Can't go wrong really.

[fizzwheel]

Does the Genesis Croix de Fer (sp?) tick any boxes for you?

It does, its basically the same a the Disc Braked Jake I was looking at.

Carrera TDF is a lot of bike for the money. Can't go wrong really.

Agreed its really good value for money.

So I have set my challenge. I have booked myself onto the Tour of Wessex for next year.

68 mile ride with Liz on Saturday 25th May
Saturday 26th as a Rest Day
112 mile ride on Monday 27th May

Booked in and paid so no getting out of it now :-)

[EssexDave]

tour of wessex looks awesome. When I have my timetable from uni and when I know what time I'm doing my annual m/bike trip I may well enter that. Looks tough, but damn good fun!

[stewie]

Arrghh, pulling me hair out here, I'm trying to put the pedals on that I bought from Kev a while ago and cannot get the existing ones loose, I've tried penetrating fluid even put a breakers bar on the end of a spanner and very gently attempted to get them off, I'm assuming they loosen anti clockwise and havent put too much into it cos of fear of damaging them but can anyone confirm which way they they loosen off please ?
Thanks :)

[Jackie_Black]

they are both tightened the same way from the same side of the bike (if that makes sense) The left pedal has a reverse thread otherwise it would loosen as you pedalled.

[fizzwheel]

As said one of them undoes anti clockwise but I always get muddled up which one it is.

Whenever I try to get my pedals off they are always b*stard tight and I inevitably end up skinning my knuckles on the chainring. They can take a bit of force, but you want a smooth strong push to crack them undo rather than jabbing at it.

Stewie - if you are struggling dont force it. Is there a bike shop near you. Pop it in there and they'll pop them off for you.

[maviczap]

Left crank undoes clockwise, right one anticlockwise

[stewie]

Cheers guys, I think I will pop it down to my lbs tbh, the bikes due a checkover anyway.
Cheers :)

[maviczap]

they are both tightened the same way from the same side of the bike (if that makes sense) The left pedal has a reverse thread otherwise it would loosen as you pedalled.

Precisely :p

[krhall]

The LBS used a step as a holder whilst using the spanner to loosen off, when I did it I spent ages, lost skin and got extreme tourettes and still couldn't do it.

LBS didn't even charge me.

[krhall]

Ribble summer special on 0% looks tasty!

[Scoobs]

I'm not sure I want to go down the custom frame build it up myself route. I know I could do it, but I just dont know if I would be able to put the time into getting the build done. I'd rather just buy from the LBS TBH.

What a tired git. I've just built up a new mountain bike and it took me less than 2 hours including cutting the steerer tube to length and cutting and bleeding hydraulic hoses for the disc brakes....but then i am pretty awesome.

[Scoobs]

PS. I'm just an interloper here. Won't be here long. Just came to berate my mate Fizz :)

[fizzwheel]

but then i am pretty awesome.

Indeed, that is what my problem is I am not as awesome as Scoobs is...

:D

[Scoobs]

Indeed, that is what my problem is I am not as awesome as Scoobs is...

:D

It's in black and white so it must be true.

Get on and build a ped mate. Really satisfying to know that everything is as you want it and built with care and passion.

All the bolts on my bike are either copper greased or loc-tited as appropriate. Spindles greased where required. First ride after completing it is amazing. I thoroughly recommend a bike build to anyone.

[pookie]

+1 on the self build..it might not be the cheapest way but to know each part was chosen and fitted with care makes the ride oh so satisfying. Also if anything falls off I have no one to blame but myself :)

[maviczap]

What a tired git. I've just built up a new mountain bike and it took me less than 2 hours including cutting the steerer tube to length and cutting and bleeding hydraulic hoses for the disc brakes....but then i am pretty awesome.

Self build is the true path, but to become a full on god requires one to be able to build your own wheels. Even I'm not that awesome yet. :p

[fizzwheel]

I've done it before and built by myself mostly a front wheel.

I'm so snowed under at work. I've been working weekends and such and its difficult to find them time to do fun / non work related things.

I think I'm pretty settled on the Genesis Day one with the 8 speed affline hub TBH.

Now just need to put two tyres on the Audi, Get the Audi MOT'd and Serviced and also the Focus needs a service before we go to Ireland in October. Then I'll save up the cash and it will be mine !

I've set myself a little goal to do 100 miles on the Look before Saturday. I've done 49.6 over the last two days.

[mattSV]

Self build is the true path, but to become a full on god requires one to be able to build your own wheels. Even I'm not that awesome yet. :p

I did a self build on my first 'proper' bike in 1988 - 531c frame with Shimano 600 running gear, campag record seat post, cinelli bars and mavic 4cd rims - iirc I think it cost me about £660 all in. I too was not awesome enough to spoke up the wheels though:smt102

[maviczap]

I did a self build on my first 'proper' bike in 1988 - 531c frame with Shimano 600 running gear, campag record seat post, cinelli bars and mavic 4cd rims - iirc I think it cost me about £660 all in. I too was not awesome enough to spoke up the wheels though:smt102

Proper nice components there Matt

[mattSV]

Proper nice components there Matt

Thanks. It was a toss up between the 531c frame, or a Kirk Precision - I just wasn't enough of a tart to go for the Kirk (unlike Fizz ;) )

After 20 years and a few trips along the tarmac, it was replaced with my Planet X. My brother is running the wheels on his Raleigh Record Sprint that he uses as a chugger (he also has a Specialised Tri-Cross and a Planet X Team Guru), and the other bits worth saving were either ebay'd or are in one of my boxes of spares (can't imagine that I will ever need a 6speed SIS gear lever but you never know ;) ).

Sadly the seat post never made it - I polished it to death, however made the schoolboy error of forgetting to grease it when I installed it - it was therefore welded to the frame and would not come out :roll:

[maviczap]

Same here, I'mstill riding around on a lot of stuff that I used on previous builds, open 4cd wheels with stainless spokes. I've got a front with a campag hub with a grease port so its a 2 sec job to lube the bearings.

I've sold a lot of my old stuff, but only because it was old 8 speed stuff. Helped buy newer stuff so worth the pain.

[fizzwheel]

Thanks. It was a toss up between the 531c frame, or a Kirk Precision - I just wasn't enough of a tart to go for the Kirk (unlike Fizz ;) )


:D

To be fair I bought my Kirk second hand, the down side is that unlike your 531 frame, the Kirk has a cracked frame in the usual place that they go in so whilst you can still ride yours mine is fit for skip.

[EssexDave]

Have a short charity ride this weeked - the Southend bikeathon.

It's a 14mile lap of which I shall be doing two. There is one section which is 'offroad' - it's a footpath but not paved.

I'm hoping to finish in a time of no more than 1 hour 30 (18.7mph average) but ideally I want to push on for 1 hour 15 (22.4mph average).

will let you all know how I do - haven't had as much time as I would like out on the new aero bars.

[fizzwheel]

Done it, In 4 days I have covered 104 miles.

[stewie]

Done it, In 4 days I have covered 104 miles.
Good one, anyone watching the track cycling atm ? how bloody inspiring are those cyclists ?

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa125/wyoming95/JosephBerenyi2012LondonParalympicsDaytX3835famdxl. jpg

[maviczap]

Yes, I think they'ed put a lot of us to shame

Did anyone watch the Trios E'tape on Eurosport, there's a guy cycling up the likes of the Galibier with a carbon lower leg.

Also reminds me of the tale of the guy who hand cranked up the Tourmalet, on a trike with his wheel chair on the back

[Luckypants]

Oh and lucky - I did want to do that ride as it looked like a killer but things just didn't work out

Here is a taste of what you missed, found a good video of the day on youtube.

xymzxLb6QVY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xymzxLb6QVY

[EssexDave]

Lucky - I'll have a look a bit later as a few things to sort out today.

Just getting ready to pop out and thought I'd update you all as to how my cycle went today!

I realised after hoping for a time of 1hour 15-30 for the 28 miles that it may have been a tad optimistic due to a 600m off road part, a couple of dodgy cycle lanes, open roads and the amount of slow people out and about cycling!

However, I managed to finish, after pushing myself to the brink of annihilation, in 1 hour 22 minutes. I lapped everyone I was doing it with (mostly non/recreational cyclists) bar one guy who cycles fairly regularly but still finished first (out of everyone) despite starting 30 minutes after the first start time.

Real happy bunny here - I think it may be time to attempt a proper TT or two!

[Jackie_Black]

Top result that like.

Makes my 18 miles in just over an hour look very insignificant now. Must try harder!!

[fizzwheel]

F*CKS SAKE

Nearly re-ended tonight. I'm coming along my usual route, its a B road, I alter my trip home so I dont use this bit of road in rush hour, I avoid it and come along it at about 1815 ish

Blue Peugeot 206 behind me. Shes sat a bit close to me. I move out a bit wider to defend my space. Theres a maroon people carrier coming the opposite direction.

I hear the engine rev, shes about to overtake me then she bottles it and decides probably correctly that she wont make it past. Except this point shes along side me almost.

She hits the brakes I hear the wheels lock and I decide not to brake, so I start to sprint for all I'm worth, I look behind me to see the bottom of the front bumper almost scarping the tarmac and the front wheels locked with clouds of smoke coming from the front tyres. I'm thinking I'm going to get hit any minute and close my eyes and wait for it, I'm still sprinting and the screeching stops. Shes stopped in the road and I am wondering on how earth she didnt drive / slide into the back of me.

I livid, I'm looking round and gesticulating at her. She eventually comes past me leaving me plenty of room, shes in tears and mouthing the words "I'm so sorry" and suddenly the anger puddles out of me and I'm thanking my lucky stars I'm not under the wheels of her car.

Scarey stuff. I can still see the front of the car bearing down on me now..

[maviczap]

Lucky escape Fizz, we had a similar experience a few weeks ago, an old boy decided to overtake a group of us on a blind bend. The revs increased as he went to overtake us, then more so, as a car was coming the other way. They clipped wing mirrors and he nearly took out the lead cyclist.

So many impatient drives who just need to hang back a bit.

After your accident earlier this year, this can't have been good for you.

[fizzwheel]

I dont feel to bad and I finished off the ride I wanted to do. I can still see the front bumper looming towards me when I shut my eyes, I expect I will for a few days.

I wish she had stopped and I could have talked it through with her, but I'm not surprised that she did not. I think she's given herself a damn good fright and I hope it'll make her think about her over takes a bit more in future.

I'll ride over that road tomorrow night I wonder how long the skidmarks are...

[maviczap]

Here is a taste of what you missed, found a good video of the day on youtube.

xymzxLb6QVY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xymzxLb6QVY

Looks like the Vuelta organisers took a leaf out of your sportive organisers book :D

Mega hard stage today, 17% bits with 24% bits as well, mental :(

[EssexDave]

Fizz that sounds absolutely horrifying. I've only ever had 2 'bad ones' and they don't even come close and are bad enough.

They should bring in (and I've been thinking about petitioning for it) compulsory section in the theory and practical tests about overtaking, focusing on vulnerable road users.

They theory test is pants and pretty much focusing on horses and what you should do (e.g. be prepared to stop, slow down etc).

Too many people don't realise how to overtake and when to and not do it. I reckon if a petition was started you could easily get 100,000 signatures at which point the house of commons has to debate it. I can't see it being a bad thing. Anybody else willing to support such a petition and stick the word out?


On another note, the 24% bits is the only time they do as slow as I do uphill! They were doing something like 9-11kmph up that section - I wonder what gearing I'd need to make it up!