The Cycling Thread

[maviczap]

Bmx :D :thumbsup:

[pookie]

bikes are like shoes.. yeah you could wear the same shoes all the time but some are more comfy than others.
Likewise some shoes are better suited for certain activities.. think wearing slippers for a marathon.. you get my drift.
Unfortunately it is this that has led me to n+1....

[maviczap]

It is an incurable disease.

[andrewsmith]

It is an incurable disease.
It is if your Ronnie Pickering!

sent with all the fury of a clogged drain!!

[AJC]

Hmm its cycle to work offer time again and I am facing a bit of a quandry, advice please!

I currently own a pretty decent mountain bike which I use every day, one of these:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/rockhopper-pro-2013-mountain-bike-ec042246

I used to own a Bianchi 928, but I sold that to buy the MTB, mainly due to living smack in the city centre and never using it. I couldn't afford both at the time, however the scheme now gives me the chance to buy a new road bike. Probably this (scheme is through Halfords...):

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-team-carbon-bike

Unfortunately I still live in the city centre and have the fear it may be a waste of time, but I do miss my road bike. Soo while it seems slightly cheating the system I am considering getting a new MTB and selling mine. If I did it would likely be this:

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/boardman-mountain-bike-team-ht-650b

Soo firstly, MTB or road bike?

Secondly, does getting the Boardman MTB seem like a step back from the Specialized? or at best just a step accross? It seems similarly equipped but I think I would prefer the 650b (27.5inch) wheels (my 29er feels slow to accelerate and it ugly!), and it's shiny and new. Also would mean I get a little cash boost from selling my current one :)

Cheers chaps

[pookie]

have you thought about a cx bike

http://www.halfords.com/gifts/gifts-for-him/gifts-for-him/boardman-cx-team-bike

The disc brakes are good and extra width tyres ok for trails so maybe in between. More road than offroad.. dont get me started on gravel bikes :)

[AJC]

Hi, I did have a look but when I have a MTB I take it properly off road along trails and jumps etc. I don't think the hybrid type bikes would handle this so well. generally I would want to keep a full out MTB that I know I can throw around (and fall off of...).

On that note I saw you can buy a Boardman full susser for 1k, but at that price it's probably a but heavy/low spec...

[maviczap]

have you thought about a cx bike

http://www.halfords.com/gifts/gifts-for-him/gifts-for-him/boardman-cx-team-bike

The disc brakes are good and extra width tyres ok for trails so maybe in between. More road than offroad.. dont get me started on gravel bikes :)


I agree with Pookie as my first choice, if you're not going to buy a road bike. The Boardmans are great bikes.

If you're only going have an MTB, then why not consider buying another set of wheels & sticking some fat slicks or semi smooth tyres on them.

That way you'll zip along far easier than trying to ride through porridge on MTB tyres, knobblies are fine off road, but on road :smt097

[carelesschucca]

I wanted one of those boardman cx's but they don't have any left in Scotland in my size (50cm) They get good reviews. but if its not really what your after then maybe not..

[AJC]

Cheers chaps

The CX is a great suggestion, and would be the best thing for me more than 90% of the time. But I just cant away from the fact it wouldn't work on proper trails.

Ahh Mav I forgot about getting some slicks, nice one. If I could trust myself to be motivated enough to get out of town and ride the road bike I would have it. But til I move it's MTB's.

Probably get the new MTB, just cos I want smaller wheels really! 29inch wheels are ugleeeee...

[AJC]

Well, quick update! Was looking again while in work and saw the Halfords bike sale finished Sunday and they were taking another 10% off. Cue the fastest C2W application ever and I ordered the Boardman 650b MTB.

Pick it up tomorrow, will take a couple of pics. Just so you can see how it looks in my lounge rather than the better pics from the website :)

[carelesschucca]

Fancy doing a bike share. You can use mine for road stuff and I'll use the Boardman for off road. ;-)

[AJC]

Yeah we could do a bike swap sometime, be like timeshare!

[carelesschucca]

Well, I've now done 50 miles in 6 rides (I was away to York for 3 days) but today I did 22.5 miles (says Mapmyfitness) along the local canal towpath to the Falkirk Wheel in 1hr 35mins. TBH, I had intended to go up Tak-Ma-Doon Road, but only got about 3/4 of a mile up it before I wimped out and decided to go for a flat route along to The Falkirk Wheel.

The main thing for me is I'm really enjoying it, yes my legs are a little sore right now, but I feel great.

BIG THANKS to Richard (Maviczap) for the advice you've been giving :thumbsup:

[maviczap]

That's good Dean, its great i can help folk out, that's why cyclists are mostly a nice bunch of folk, theres a few twonks about.

[maviczap]

The disc brakes are good and extra width tyres ok for trails so maybe in between. More road than offroad.. dont get me started on gravel bikes :)

Did someone say 'Gravel Bike' :smt041:smt041

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/601/22123675362_edb7a1b78c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/zGZBUE)IMAG0212 (https://flic.kr/p/zGZBUE) by maviczap (https://www.flickr.com/photos/89416312@N07/), on Flickr

Here's mine, which was built up using an old MTB frame I had bought, but never used. The only brand new parts were the forks & wheels.

Everything else was 2nd hand off Ebay or Bike Radar, or from the parts bin

The 700c rear wheel has plenty of clearance, even though the frame was bought years ago, it had disc tabs already.

I rode it on & off road, more so than my MTB

[carelesschucca]

That looks nice, can you deliver it to Kilsyth, Scotlandshire please.

[maviczap]

Sure can :^o:^o:^o:^o

[pookie]

very nice .. do i really need a road bike with disc brakes? . oh yes please.
Having ridden though the local ghetto in the middle of the night, it has reignited my desire for more trail riding.
A fast ride being chased by the local scrotes does add a tinge of excitement.

[MattCollins]

A few months ago I got a 2014 model Bianchi Impulso. It's at the lower end of their road range with an 6061 frame and partial Ultegra group set which because of the clearance price I didn't feel bad about making it the full Ultegra groupset with brakes and cranks from the UK. Wheels are Ultegra 6800 with Conti GP4000S2s and 50g tubes (they roll much nicer and are tougher than the OE Hutchinsons) after the front wheel was damaged by a flat during my first 70kph decent. The original RS10 rear is used on the trainer. I also picked up an Edge 500 kit with HRM/Sp/Cad sensors for $200 (GBP120-ish).

This is the 2015 model. Mine's silver and the group differs slightly from the 2014.
http://www.bianchi.com/au/bikes/bikes_detail.aspx?ProductIDMaster=195572

It's not the lightest or best bike around and I'm not a gear snob but I do like something decent.
For me it is about staying fit and weekend social rides which sometimes get competitive enough for me to wonder where the line is now. I manage to get out on the road 3 or 4 times a week (an hour on the trainer on the days I don't) and have a 15km climb in my 70km route which I get over okay now that I am finding my road legs again.

I'm not into lycra, signage or walking around with my toes in the air when I get off the bike either. Mountain shorts and a tee plus a mid-range pair of Shimano mountain shoes does the job. Phone and plastic goes under the seat.

This my first road bike in a long time and have only ridden mountain bikes (because of where I lived which also took me away from racing) since the mid 90s and I'm really enjoying riding on the road again.

[MattCollins]

A few months ago I got a 2014 model Bianchi Impulso. It's at the lower end of their road range with an 6061 frame and partial Ultegra group set which because of the clearance price I didn't feel bad about making it the full Ultegra groupset with brakes and cranks from the UK. Wheels are Ultegra 6800 with Conti GP4000S2s and 50g tubes (they roll much nicer and are tougher than the OE Hutchinsons) after the front wheel was damaged by a flat during my first 70kph decent. The original RS10 rear is used on the trainer. I also picked up an Edge 500 kit with HRM/Sp/Cad sensors for $200 (GBP120-ish).

This is the 2015 model. Mine's silver and the group differs slightly from the 2014.
http://www.bianchi.com/au/bikes/bikes_detail.aspx?ProductIDMaster=195572

It's not the lightest or best bike around and I'm not a gear snob but I do like something decent.
For me it is about staying fit and weekend social rides which sometimes get competitive enough for me to wonder where the line is now. I manage to get out on the road 3 or 4 times a week (an hour on the trainer on the days I don't) and have a 15km climb in my 70km route which I get over okay now that I am finding my road legs again.

I'm not into lycra, signage or walking around with my toes in the air when I get off the bike either. Mountain shorts and a tee plus a mid-range pair of Shimano mountain shoes does the job. Phone and plastic goes under the seat.

This my first road bike in a long time and have only ridden mountain bikes (because of where I lived which also took me away from racing) since the mid 90s and I'm really enjoying riding on the road again.

[maviczap]

Cool, thats a nice bike and worthy of full Ultegra. Even if i won the Lottery, i would be hard pushed to buy Dura Ace, there's not much difference between the two.

The purist in me says all Bianchis should be celeste green though. :-D

[carelesschucca]

hmm, posh groupsets they're way above my ability right now. :-D

Is it bad that I'm already thinking about upgrading the brakes on my bike, maybe I expect too much but they are truly tragic
I've to go back to the shop to get it checked over (part of buying the bike) so if that helps I'll hold off, but I really didn't like the feeling the other day of coming down a steep single track hill and the brakes doing very little to slow me.

[maviczap]

Get some Swiss Stops mate, although if its wet or damp, then its just adjusting to the power of the brakes.

I have disc brakes on one of my road bikes that scare me more than any of my normal brakes!

I've got to swap the rotors round to see if it's those or the brakes, but as they are TRP Hydro's, I think its the rotors

[MattCollins]

Cool, thats a nice bike and worthy of full Ultegra. Even if i won the Lottery, i would be hard pushed to buy Dura Ace, there's not much difference between the two.

The purist in me says all Bianchis should be celeste green though. :-D


Thanks, I thought so.

Back in the day I rode 600 and Ultegra with a little 105 mixed in, all good gear, but talking 6, 7 and 8 speed. Dura Ace and Campy were too much for too little. This years Ultegra is last years Dura Ace anyway as the tech gets handed down and improved.

The same could be said for 105. It's good value gear that I would have been happy with and probably much better than anything I rode on in the past. I was originally looking for an aluminium frame with 105, but it was the gorgeous hydroformed top and head tube, the colour and smart graphics on the Bianchi that did it for me.

There's a couple of guys banging around these parts on celeste bikes in celeste Bianchi clothing... it is possible to have too much of what someone must think is a good thing and they are way past that!
Mine has a little celeste in the graphics... just about the right amount IMO. :)


The other thing I'm up to is building a fixie similar to the Llewellyn Manorina for flat coastal rides. Summer club crits on a fixie was some of the most fun I ever had on a bike.
http://www.llewellynbikes.com/HTML/LlewellynBicycles.html
At the moment I am in the process of cleaning up and customising a Crescendo lug set for Columbus tubes. Nothing fancy, I only want nice clean, well defined points.
Most of the parts have arrived. Omnium cranks, Sram Rival brakes, DT Swiss hubs (straight pull road hub on the front and a front straight pull MTB disk hub with a bolt on sprocket and 120mm axle on the rear - QR on both wheels), DT Swiss RR440 rims...

[carelesschucca]

You guys are DANGEROUS for me... I must stop looking at this thread. Mav you did warn me that upgrades are inevitable ;)

I had another footer with the brakes before I went out and they are a little better, It took a major fright and a very hard pull on the lever at speed to lift the back wheel, new blocks can wait till payday.

Today was my longest ride yet I managed 22.05miles in 1hr33 mins with a total height gain of 1081ft, I do love MapMyFitness. My legs are a little sore but I'm well chuffed.

[maviczap]

Good man, you're doing more than me at the mo.

Get yourself on Strava and join the Org group. Just search for maviczap amoung the users, and you'll find the Org in my clubs.

Dont worry we give everyone kudos, no matter what you ride or do

[AJC]

Well I have had my new steed for a little bit and managed to get a few miles in:

http://i1069.photobucket.com/albums/u472/fac83ajc/IMG_2321.jpg (http://s1069.photobucket.com/user/fac83ajc/media/IMG_2321.jpg.html)

Even made it along to Loch Lomond in Scottish sun!:

http://i1069.photobucket.com/albums/u472/fac83ajc/IMG_2331.jpg (http://s1069.photobucket.com/user/fac83ajc/media/IMG_2331.jpg.html)

Seems October is the new summer in Scotland!

Anyways the bike, well, it's excellent. I mean really I know everyone tries to justify a purchase but it's better in just about every way than the one it replaced. It's smooth, very stiff and handled beautifully on proper trails yesterday. If anything it felt a little stiff on the trails but there again my tyres were solid and I couldn't be bothered letting some air out.

Ahhh upgrades, don't mention the upgrades! I already have plans of shaving weight off and have caught myself looking at carbon fibre and XTR bits. If I start this by the time I end I will have spent more than on my real bike!...

[carelesschucca]

I'm on Strava but it scares me!!! I had a look at it but the Pro's go on there :shock::smt103

I have found you. Does this mean I need to have both running while I'm out there now? I have also joined the SV group. I might get AJC to join too...

[maviczap]

Just run Strava :D

[maviczap]

Well I have had my new steed for a little bit and managed to get a few miles in:

http://i1069.photobucket.com/albums/u472/fac83ajc/IMG_2321.jpg (http://s1069.photobucket.com/user/fac83ajc/media/IMG_2321.jpg.html)

Even made it along to Loch Lomond in Scottish sun!:

http://i1069.photobucket.com/albums/u472/fac83ajc/IMG_2331.jpg (http://s1069.photobucket.com/user/fac83ajc/media/IMG_2331.jpg.html)

Seems October is the new summer in Scotland!

Anyways the bike, well, it's excellent. I mean really I know everyone tries to justify a purchase but it's better in just about every way than the one it replaced. It's smooth, very stiff and handled beautifully on proper trails yesterday. If anything it felt a little stiff on the trails but there again my tyres were solid and I couldn't be bothered letting some air out.

Ahhh upgrades, don't mention the upgrades! I already have plans of shaving weight off and have caught myself looking at carbon fibre and XTR bits. If I start this by the time I end I will have spent more than on my real bike!...


Very nice, but you can't stay here, this is the roadie's section ;)

There's a seperate MTB thread :D

[carelesschucca]

Quick question are Basso a decent make of clothing?

[maviczap]

Its Italian, so should be ok, but always tend to be on the small side.

ive seen it advertised, but ive never had any of their stuff.

[MattCollins]

You guys are DANGEROUS for me... I must stop looking at this thread. Mav you did warn me that upgrades are inevitable ;)

I had another footer with the brakes before I went out and they are a little better, It took a major fright and a very hard pull on the lever at speed to lift the back wheel, new blocks can wait till payday.

Today was my longest ride yet I managed 22.05miles in 1hr33 mins with a total height gain of 1081ft, I do love MapMyFitness. My legs are a little sore but I'm well chuffed.


Sorry about that. If you're happy with it then don't change it. It looks like good value. It surprises me that you're having problems with Shimano brakes though. Take it back and have them looked at, it could just be adjustment.
If you were looking to spend a little money I'd suggest shoes and pedals They don't have to be expensive - basic Shimano shoes start at about GBP40 and Shimano clipless pedals at about GBP15. Then get a professional fit on the bike which will probably come with a few tips on pedalling and climbing technique. You wouldn't believe the difference it all makes and
I can think of worse ways to spend money.


Maviczap: Swisstop pads... Green or blue? Any thoughts on the differences in rim wear rates, dry performance, wet performance, temperature performance, feel etc against each other and Shimano blocks?
I'm not really in the need of an upgrade, but Shimano blocks disappear fairly quickly with heavy use (better them than the rims IMO) and I'll be needing to replace them soon. If there is something better out there I'm willing to give them a shot.

[AJC]

Very nice, but you can't stay here, this is the roadie's section ;)

There's a seperate MTB thread :D

Crikey, evicted....

I might get AJC to join too...

Nope!

[carelesschucca]

I dunno if my problem with the brakes is I've not ridden a bike in 15 years and I'm used to motorbike brakes, I'll get there, I've been lucky I still haven't had to ride in the rain.

I was really lucky in Decathlon I hated the standard pedals on the bike but didn't know what I was doing so one of the staff came over and started helping me, I had looked at road shoes because I liked the look of them and he pushed me toward getting a pair of mountain bike shoes instead. Gotta say the service the guy gave me was great he was with me for over an hour and a half, put the new pedals on for me and gave the bike a full check before sending me out to test it. Turned out that his brother had looked at getting a Bonneville but ended up buying an SV650 so we talked motorbikes too.

Totally different to Evans, I've been in their Glasgow shop a few times and I've yet to have any kind of service, it always seems like a hassle for them to help.

[MattCollins]

You're sorted it seems.

Customer service... We pay a premium on everything here. For example, Ultegra 6800 brakes are typically $300-350 or $120 from Merlin Cycles including freight from the UK. I wouldn't complain if it was backed by knowledgeable or competent service.
For example: I spent nearly $200 to get a $35 (online price) pump that would inflate a tyre to 120psi. A lot has changed since frame fit pumps were standard. Many micro pumps won't inflate a road tyre properly and even at the pointy end of very specific questions shop assistants claimed they would (and they personally use those pumps all the time). With the third pump I bought, I asked the young fella behind the counter who sold me that $100 pump to demonstrate 120psi. He couldn't do it, which given the very specific questions asked before I bought it made him either a liar or an idiot. No refund was asked for or offered because I didn't have the original packaging, but with the shop owner standing right there you'd think that a repeat customer and his own reputation would be worth more than $100. It was enough for me to just make the point that if they screw me, they screw themselves.

I went to another shop down the road for some other gear and was served by a character with some genuine knowledge accumulated over decades (and a hilarious anecdote for everything) who knew exactly what I wanted and in one case pointed me elsewhere to something they didn't have in the shop. It was a case of already getting a few hundred in sales and not screwing it by selling me the wrong item and losing a potential repeat customer.

[maviczap]

Sorry about that. If you're happy with it then don't change it. It looks like good value. It surprises me that you're having problems with Shimano brakes though. Take it back and have them looked at, it could just be adjustment.
If you were looking to spend a little money I'd suggest shoes and pedals They don't have to be expensive - basic Shimano shoes start at about GBP40 and Shimano clipless pedals at about GBP15. Then get a professional fit on the bike which will probably come with a few tips on pedalling and climbing technique. You wouldn't believe the difference it all makes and
I can think of worse ways to spend money.


Maviczap: Swisstop pads... Green or blue? Any thoughts on the differences in rim wear rates, dry performance, wet performance, temperature performance, feel etc against each other and Shimano blocks?
I'm not really in the need of an upgrade, but Shimano blocks disappear fairly quickly with heavy use (better them than the rims IMO) and I'll be needing to replace them soon. If there is something better out there I'm willing to give them a shot.

I bought the green, as they're supposed to be good in the wet

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/swissstop-flash-pro-green-alloy-rim-brake-pads/?sku=5360340957

But TBH the standard Ultegra's are very good in the dry and in the wet.

But there's a world of difference between those and the ones Dean has on his B'Twin, as they are a one piece moulded brake block, and a different kind of compound to the higher end brake's.

Everything up from 105 has a 2 piece brake block, with a seperate holder, and a pad that slides out.

I have some horrible moulded brake blocks on my winter bike, but as we don't have many hills round here, its not a big problem for me.

So if I were Dean, I'd swap out the brake blocks first to something similar to Swisstops and maybe some decent compressionless cables, such as Jagwire, as I bet they've used cheap outer cables for the brakes. The cheap outers flex & twist under heavy braking, robbing power

But if you look at a picture of the rear caliper, you can see the pad is right at the bottom of the stirrup, even on a deep drop caliper. So there's bound to be lots of inherent flex in the stirrup arm. If I wanted that much clearance as a frame designer, I'd have used V brakes or canti's.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/media/832/8322663/big_2a607b664c3949df8934a29b2677781c.jpg

[carelesschucca]

Its Italian, so should be ok, but always tend to be on the small side.

ive seen it advertised, but ive never had any of their stuff.

I chickened out of buying the top no point in spending the cash even with money off if it did't fit.


So if I were Dean, I'd swap out the brake blocks first to something similar to Swisstops and maybe some decent compressionless cables, such as Jagwire, If I wanted that much clearance as a frame designer, I'd have used V brakes or canti's.

Only good thing about that much space is I can maybe squeeze in 28 tyres or slightly bigger (I was gonna buy a cyclocross bike :))

I'll look at changing the blocks after the bike has been checked over, gonna book it in over the next week. It scares me how much I'm enjoying this cycling lark. Loved it as a kid loving it again now.

[maviczap]

Yes, 28's will fit no problem I think :p, plus mudguards :D

But that's what its been designed for, as it also has the rack mounts, so you could go light touring on it. But fully laden isn't going to help those brakes :rolleyes:

Its not an out & out racer with close clearances, and to fit disc brakes front and rear would have pushed it up to a different price point, even with 'orrible cheap cable disc brakes, which aren't much better than those calipers.

It is what it is & you're happy with what you paid and it'll do you right, until you decide that you might want something else. Enjoy it, upgrade this and that, and you'll get used to its limitations

[pookie]

Enjoy it, upgrade this and that, and you'll get used to its limitations
Sounds very much like an sv :)

Yes its amazing, the the old adage of never forgetting how to ride a bike. Its been one of the highlights of teaching kids to ride safely on the road knowing that maybe some time later in life they will pick it up again ( whilst enjoying riding now) !

[carelesschucca]

you'll get used to its limitations

That'll be the chimp on top of it :) Its still a way better bike than the rider. Bit like all the two wheeled toys I have.

[MattCollins]

Here's what we did this morning. Four guys and seven women showed up.

https://goo.gl/maps/GjtQ6CigeQp

It started with a 2000ft climb the highest point in the surrounding hills, then a fast descent to a few km from the coast, coffee and cake, then a quiet ride home. On the climb the pace was being pushed to a brisk 27kph average by the ladies excluding a short competitive section up a 5% grade https://goo.gl/maps/iYUENb52K3n where this morning the average was 38kph... Gasp! This is a no joke top chain ring sprint uphill that took everything I had just to hang on to the back of the front group and it hurt like hell. Total time over the 46km was 1:30 including a couple of short stops on the way up to bring the bunch back together and a lot of traffic stops on the way down which costs a lot of time. The average moving speed was 36kph.

If there was ever a good reason for me to get back into road cycling it was riding with a bunch of super fit women - not to put too fine a point on it, but... dayem they look good! :D My girlfriend is one of them and rides a Bianchi Infinito (black, red and white... no celeste) with Ultegra Di2 and full carbon wheels that cost more than my whole bike. Thankfully she pays for her own toys. :D She also does it justice by finishing the competitive 6km section in the front group with the power meter in the 650-800W range.
Sunday mornings are their ride btw and the guys are only well behaved guests. There are a couple of women's groups/clubs/cliques around who exclude men entirely because of poor ride etiquette.
Wednesday mornings are for the guys and we usually cover this https://goo.gl/maps/HbZqdJ11tvu in about 2:15 to 2:30.

[carelesschucca]

How different is it riding in a group? I'm not at a level tobbe riding in one yet but I am interested.

[maviczap]

It requires practice and knowing how your mates ride, similar to motorbikes, but without brake lights and indicators, so hand signals and hazard calls.

but riding on a wheel takes 20% less effort so long as you can hold the wheel.

[MattCollins]

How different is it riding in a group? I'm not at a level tobbe riding in one yet but I am interested.

It depends on the group. Some people turn it into a race and try to blow riders off the back and won't wait for them - it's that etiquette thing I mentioned. The hazard calls and wheel discipline can also be haphazard. Riding in groups like that which is more like racing and can be difficult for a new rider to benefit from, so if you encounter one like that don't go back until you are more accustomed to group riding. When starting out you should want a well disciplined group. Touring riders are not a bad lot to start with.

The groups I'm riding with sets a moderate pace that everyone can handle. When it gets competitive, it is a sprint to a point and then they'll hang around for the slower riders who get to hang on as long as they can then get a second chance. Keep trying... this will improve outright speed and strength.
Riding in a mature group will also provide a constant pace that, drafting aside, will improve and discipline your pace not just in a bunch, but when you're on your own too. Experienced riders will often offer useful tips that will help your riding.

The groups that I have been riding with are well tuned... a tap on the rear brake here, a dropped hand there. I hung off the back until I picked up their routine and sussed out their behaviour. It doesn't take long.
Some of the things to avoid are following the wheel in front too closely (we want a couple of feet), overlapping wheels (big no-no), abrupt changes in speed (eg. backing on a climb - a pause in pedalling while transitioning in or out of the saddle) and half wheeling the rider next to you. These can bring you and/or riders around you down however, the better groups will coach you on the acceptable standard if they're seeing things they don't like.

[MattCollins]

I bought the green, as they're supposed to be good in the wet

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/swissstop-flash-pro-green-alloy-rim-brake-pads/?sku=5360340957

But TBH the standard Ultegra's are very good in the dry and in the wet.

But there's a world of difference between those and the ones Dean has on his B'Twin, as they are a one piece moulded brake block, and a different kind of compound to the higher end brake's.



Thanks for that. I'd guess that Ultegra pads are an option for Dean too.

[pookie]

When riding in a group you can get the benefit of a tow when you are out of juice. Also makes riding less of a mental chore..I get bored of my own company if its longer than 1.5hrs . :)

[carelesschucca]

http://forums.sv650.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=15492&d=1445339339

Yay!!! The Tour for 2016 has been announced.

[454697819]

Hi All

long time no speak.

I have convinced the MD to install a shower here at work (finally) so I can start cycling.

I need a new bike - Its all roads - its 10 miles each way and its hilly (for Suffolk) so I am looking for road orientated only - my oldish Kona hybrid is good but not designed for a sprint to and from work.

I am happy to spend up to 1000£ but it must not be fragile, I'm 6ft and built like an outhouse.

It will be bought through the cycle scheme so 1000£ is the max - I have all the gear I need at the moment

Any advice gratefully received.

Regards

Alex

[pookie]

so gearing for hills and not fragile I shall recommend my favorite boardman cx . I think you can used the c2w vouchers to top up stuff like clothing helmets, lights, mudguards and racks etc. I wouldnt totally discount carbon but a cx will have stronger laced wheels and better brakes

[MattCollins]

Hi All

long time no speak.

I have convinced the MD to install a shower here at work (finally) so I can start cycling.

I need a new bike - Its all roads - its 10 miles each way and its hilly (for Suffolk) so I am looking for road orientated only - my oldish Kona hybrid is good but not designed for a sprint to and from work.

I am happy to spend up to 1000£ but it must not be fragile, I'm 6ft and built like an outhouse.

It will be bought through the cycle scheme so 1000£ is the max - I have all the gear I need at the moment

Any advice gratefully received.

Regards

Alex

Hi Alex,

Perhaps I'm a little biased (I'm not really), but something like this is within your budget.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/impulso-105-2015-road-bike-ec100920

http://images.evanscycles.com/product_image/image/905/5c3/0da/158238/product_page/bianchi-impulso-105-2015-road-bike.jpg

[MattCollins]

The celeste tyres are a bit much, but it doesn't have to stay like that for long.

[MattCollins]

This mornings group ride didn't happen, but six of us did get out this arvo. Same route as mentioned before. https://goo.gl/maps/HbZqdJ11tvu That might not mean a lot to most here, but have a look at it in terrain view and some of the imagery. Up and down through some beautiful scenery. It is also a favourite for scratching on a sports bike.

We'll be doing it again in a few hours.

[maviczap]

Agree with the above suggestions, the Boardman Cx is on special offer at Halfords

Alternatively, same type from Planet X

http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/road-bikes/london-road

[MattCollins]

Those London Bikes look good. Better prices or a better group without the premium on the name.

[maviczap]

Yes, I do like them. Not SRAM though, I'd prefer Shimano

My american friend says 'You wouldn't give your friends SRAM' :p

[carelesschucca]

https://goo.gl/maps/HbZqdJ11tvu

We'll be doing it again in a few hours.

You're doing that loop twice!!! OMG, thats WAY above my level.

I'm planning this for Friday (https://goo.gl/maps/ZzSKHkYZPD72) but I'll be honest the road up gives me the willies... The Profile of Tak-Ma-Doon Road (http://veloviewer.com/segment/1170757/Tak-Ma-Doon+road+(full)) at points is probably way too steep for me, the bit at 3km is only about 75m but I've never made it up riding the bike.

[MattCollins]

You're doing that loop twice!!! OMG, thats WAY above my level.

I'm planning this for Friday (https://goo.gl/maps/ZzSKHkYZPD72) but I'll be honest the road up gives me the willies... The Profile of Tak-Ma-Doon Road (http://veloviewer.com/segment/1170757/Tak-Ma-Doon+road+(full)) at points is probably way too steep for me, the bit at 3km is only about 75m but I've never made it up riding the bike.

Time zones... I wrote that in the middle of the night local. I rode that route Tuesday afternoon and was talking about doing it again this morning (Wednesday). This morning there was light rain and almost no wind over most of it. We got wet, but not cold and it was another fast ride at a hair over two hours.

Yours is a nice climb and overall looks like a pleasant route. The 18-20% bit you mention is going to bite the first few times, but, once you get over it the first time it'll get easier... then there's that long shallow downhill on the other side to enjoy. No shame in walking it either if it is too much.

[MattCollins]

Yes, I do like them. Not SRAM though, I'd prefer Shimano

My american friend says 'You wouldn't give your friends SRAM' :p

Sure that isn't just a bit of snobbery... in the same way that I changed the FSA cranks and unknown calipers on the Bianche for Ultegra. I've bought some SRAM for my fixie and would have preferred Shimano, but that is just where my mind is set. What I don't want for that bike is mish-mash of parts btw.

[pookie]

now if you said microshift I would have said so :) They are all a bit clunky, I ride sram on one bike and shimano on the rest. Unfortunately the sram on the mtb needs more fettling than the shimano counterpart but it did come in some nice colours.

[maviczap]

Yes all a bit of cycle snobbery

[carelesschucca]

I don't know enough to be a snob.

I did have to tell myself off today because I spotted a fairly new Boardman mountain bike for sale in a pawnshop in the next town and thought hmm I could cycle over there and have a look at that... I could use it on the heavy trails up the hills...

[MattCollins]

A different route with my girlfriend yesterday (Thursday).

https://goo.gl/maps/pL1hM83hS8F2

Even that wasn't what we planned, but it worked out really well. I had forgotten all about the nice quiet Fox Creek Road as an alternate to going all of the way out. I don't really need the miles anyway... I retired a few years ago (still in my 40's btw) and this is only about staying fit and getting out of the house/shed during the day.
Since Sunday I've ridden about 350km, gained more than 16,000ft and averaged about 32kph. The best part over the past couple of months has been getting comfortable with climbing again.

[carelesschucca]

Matt Lemond methinks.

Hopefully the weather here clears out for tomorrow afternoon. Its blowing a gale and intermittent rain. Going up hills in this weather doesn't appeal. But I'll still be out.

[MattCollins]

Ha! I think not! Have you ever seen one of those guys go over a hill with a head of steam?

BTW... I got a box in the mail today with a few cameras. Despite all of the government advertising explaining bicycle clearance minimums, motorists are still not getting it and I've already had a couple of touch-ups so it's time for front and rear cameras and smiley faces for both of our bikes.

This morning's ride... https://goo.gl/maps/HbZqdJ11tvu

[AJC]

I don't know enough to be a snob.

I did have to tell myself off today because I spotted a fairly new Boardman mountain bike for sale in a pawnshop in the next town and thought hmm I could cycle over there and have a look at that... I could use it on the heavy trails up the hills...

Yeah get an mtb and we can hit some trails! I just sold my other one to my little brother as well...

[carelesschucca]

You're a bad man I'll be passing the bike in about 5 minutes and I'd tried to forget about it, K would kill me dead if I brought home another bike (she doesn't get the N+1 rule).. Finished work an hour earlier than I meant so I have longer out on the roads...

[carelesschucca]

Well I chickened out 3rd of the way up the Tak-Ma-Doon Road today, and ended up going along to Kirky to look at the Mountain bike, and it wasn't what I thought it was a Scott and its staying where it is at nearly £600.

So all in I did 75mins and 29.3km on a fairly flat course (only 262 meters of climb)

[AJC]

You're a bad man I'll be passing the bike in about 5 minutes and I'd tried to forget about it, K would kill me dead if I brought home another bike (she doesn't get the N+1 rule).. Finished work an hour earlier than I meant so I have longer out on the roads...

Haha get on gumtree too, well cheap bikes there!

Kirsty is the same, she can't fathom why I need more than one bike let alone wanting three. I am currently considering a cheap winter road bike :)

[carelesschucca]

Whoop!!! Just noticed that Strava shows your top speed I got to 60.1km/h today, fastest speed yet. YEAH!!!

But really I'm here again because I'm having a wee issue with the upshift on the leavers that control the back gearset. I'm finding that the inside (upshift) leaver is sticking slightly and I'm having to push it back across with my thumb before I can change down. Any tips on how I can adjust the levers slightly to stop this?

[maviczap]

Make sure the lever hood isn't stopping the free movement of the inside lever.

Could be a sticky cable, especially if it wasnt a Teflon lined one. Ive had similar issues, its normally cables.

Spray the rear mech pivots with some lube, Gt85, but not wd40

Lastly open up the lever by pulling on the brake lever and drench it with degreaser spay. But only as a last option. As your bike is new, i wouldnt think theres any dirt in the gear change mechanism in the lever.

My guess is sticky cables, especially if its cheap stuff, most likely nesrest the rear mech, as it gets the dirtiest.

See if its shimano cabling, itll be printed on the outside of the outer housing.

[maviczap]

Make sure the lever hood isn't stopping the free movement of the inside lever.

Could be a sticky cable, especially if it wasnt a Teflon lined one. Ive had similar issues, its normally cables.

Spray the rear mech pivots with some lube, Gt85, but not wd40

Lastly open up the lever by pulling on the brake lever and drench it with degreaser spay. But only as a last option. As your bike is new, i wouldnt think theres any dirt in the gear change mechanism in the lever.

My guess is sticky cables, especially if its cheap stuff, most likely nesrest the rear mech, as it gets the dirtiest.

See if its shimano cabling, itll be printed on the outside of the outer housing.

[fizzwheel]

The only other thing I can add, is that when I had a similar issue, was that the cable was frayed by the nipple at the lever end. It had started to unravel and was then jamming up the lever.

But as yours is a new bike I doubt its that, but its worth pulling the hood back and just having a check of the cable condition.

[carelesschucca]

Weird, I was out today having done nothing to the bike and it was fine. Wondering if it was inexperienced fingers that were causing the issues.

I did the big hill that I've been avoiding. Took me 23:21 to do the 3.8km and climbed 232m, I though I was going to be sick when I got to the top, but I'm so glad I persevered, I ended up doing 40km with another crazy (for me) climb at the end. Bit annoyed that Strava seemed to stop working, I don't know if its because I went along a road that is meant to be closed and googlemaps flips out.

But once again I have more questions :)

I found that today my feet were soaking wet and bl00dy freezing while the rest of me was fine, should I look into getting waterproof socks or get overshoes, and would it be an idea to look at getting mudguards?

[maviczap]

Yep, cold feet are the bane of my winter cycling. No matter what I wear I get cold feet.

This year I have some goretex boots to try.

So to answer your question.

1. Yes waterproof socks or overshoes will help immensely. If you get socks, then you can use the on your motorbike. I've also got some Sealskinz waterproof oversocks, which are very good. You need to keep the wind off your feet, which is what makes them cold, worse when they're wet too..

2. Yes, its mudguard time, more so from the rear, as the front will only stop so much water getting to your feet.

Following Dippers recommendation, I bought SKS long Raceblades. More robust, better protection and easier to fit than Crudguard roadracer, for similar money

http://www.totalcycling.com/en/SKS-Race-Blades-XL-Mudguard-Set/m-21998.aspx?gclid=Cj0KEQjwqsyxBRCIxtminsmwkMABEiQAz L34Peh-qgyyY7co4c2Bq4bSywnq6jiyzaKQWeWlf9wvHrUaAkUN8P8HAQ&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=UnitedKingdom

[fizzwheel]

My winter setup was Wollie Bollie Socks and overshoes,

But then I got some Northwave GTX Boots which are great for keeping warm, but even then on a wet day I end up with wet feet even with the boots on as the water runs down my legs into the boots and because they are gortex it has nowhere to go so they fill up.

Socks

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/defeet-woolie-boolie-2-6-cuff-socks/

Overshoes

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/endura/road-overshoes-ec011695

I find the neoprene overshoes work better as they are better at keeping the water out for longer and also they are tougher so you dont endup knackering them if you have to walk whilst wearing them.

[maviczap]

Even with Wollie Boollies & overshoes I get cold toes!

I've got the Northwaves to try this winter, if it was that wet, I'd wear my Sealskinz socks with the Northwaves or go into the garage on the Turbo :-)

[carelesschucca]

Following Dippers recommendation, I bought SKS long Raceblades. More robust, better protection and easier to fit than Crudguard roadracer, for similar money

Decathlon have those for £28 and I'm popping in on Tuesday, so thats a done deal... :)

I'll have a look at overshoes while I'm there.

I think there'd be a riot if I got a turbo trainer, I could steal the works Wattbike Pro and use that :)

[maviczap]

Decathlon have those for £28 and I'm popping in on Tuesday, so thats a done deal... :)

I'll have a look at overshoes while I'm there.

I think there'd be a riot if I got a turbo trainer, I could steal the works Wattbike Pro and use that :)

I got some oversocks the last time I was in Decathlon. Not waterproof, but another layer.

I'm sure they do proper overshoes. As Fizz says the neoprene ones are the warmest & most robust, if they do them

[MattCollins]

Chucca, 10kph average on a 6% grade is getting there. You know you're working hard enough to get some gain when you want to puke.

It depends on how much you're feeling the cold. I know a few riders who really feel the cold (or complain sooner) and wear the whole kit. I'm at the opposite end of the range (except my hands) as long as I'm moving. I can suffer getting wet, what I don't like is wet feet - I grew up with eczema and wet socks (which are going to be cold) are still an irritant. I've got a couple of pairs of medium weight Seal Skinz and Gore socks for cold and/or wet.
I'd suggest starting with good socks that'll keep your feet dry which will go a long way towards keeping them warm, use them and then make a decision on over boots.

[Luckypants]

Even with Wollie Boollies & overshoes I get cold toes!

I've got the Northwaves to try this winter, if it was that wet, I'd wear my Sealskinz socks with the Northwaves or go into the garage on the Turbo :-)
I got the Northwave shoes last winter. They do an excellent job of keeping feet dry from spray and therefore warm. I wear basic thermal socks that come up over my lower shin and I'm toasty. The big problem then is if it gets very wet, water runs down my legs into the shoes.....

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

[carelesschucca]

Well I got a pair of Shimano overshoes and tried them out last night and they seemed to work nicely. I also bought SKS raceblade after asking the sales assistant if they'd fit he assured me they would. Well he was talking bllx. They were the standard ones for 23 tyres so were to slim and they're going back. I need to get some quick smart as I had a lovely wet arze and back. S'all good though still loving being out there and I'm already noticing that hills scare me less in fact I actively sought out some yesterday that I would have avoided just a few weeks ago.

[maviczap]

Yep, its you mind that defeats you before the hills do

[MattCollins]

I reckon you might be wanting the Raceblade XL. I've thought about a rear fender myself, but it is all too difficult... get soaked, ride harder to stay warm. It's a milder climate here though.

Actively seeking hills, hey. That's worthy of respect!

Last night we had some wild weather rip through, tornadoes (very rare here) and all and its still kind of miserable out so I stayed in today and spent a couple of hours on the trainer.

[maviczap]

Nice box of shiny new bike bits arrived today, upgrades are go :cool:

[carelesschucca]

Whatcha get mister?

[maviczap]

Ultegra 11 speed groupset, for 105 11 speed money :D

[carelesschucca]

I think I need to win the lotto :)

[phi-dan]

BB has welded itself in place (internal, ISIS) and is refusing to budge for long spanner, tapping with rubber mallet, rattle gun on low etc. Anyone got any tip top top tips for getting them out before I have to start looking for a new bike for Christmas?

Sent from my XT1068 using Tapatalk

[MattCollins]

Been there, done that. If the tool you're using isn't stable it'll make things much harder. For the stubborn ones I use a bolt to secure the cup tool over the spindle then I can lean on a long breaker bar (not a floppy cheater bar) without fear of damage and things come apart easily.

Even good tools like a Park BB spanner are too short for the stubborn ones.

[MattCollins]

Seems today is the day for goodies in the mail. Last weeks orders have arrived.

Most of my stuff comes from the UK btw. You get pretty good prices on cycling gear. I'm looking for online stores and the UK has a number of competitive choices that ship to Oz inside a week. I can't get that from Oz stores and some of those look like they're shipping from the US and UK and forwarding with Oz premiums and shipping delays.

[maviczap]

BB has welded itself in place (internal, ISIS) and is refusing to budge for long spanner, tapping with rubber mallet, rattle gun on low etc. Anyone got any tip top top tips for getting them out before I have to start looking for a new bike for Christmas?

Sent from my XT1068 using Tapatalk

Been there, done that. If the tool you're using isn't stable it'll make things much harder. For the stubborn ones I use a bolt to secure the cup tool over the spindle then I can lean on a long breaker bar (not a floppy cheater bar) without fear of damage and things come apart easily.

Even good tools like a Park BB spanner are too short for the stubborn ones.

Just make sure it isn't an Italian frame with an itlain threaded bb, as it undoes the opposite way, been there done that :p

[maviczap]

Been there, done that. If the tool you're using isn't stable it'll make things much harder. For the stubborn ones I use a bolt to secure the cup tool over the spindle then I can lean on a long breaker bar (not a floppy cheater bar) without fear of damage and things come apart easily.

Even good tools like a Park BB spanner are too short for the stubborn ones.

Agreed. Look on youtube for stuck bottom bracket

here's another help

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/suggestions-for-a-seriously-stuck-bottom-bracket

[Littlepeahead]

My tapatalk gives me a one line summary of new posts. First thing I read on the org today?

'Look on YouTube for stuck bottom bracket'

I've no idea what this is but I've got images of orgers in cycling shorts wedged somewhere like Winnie The Pooh in the rabbit hole. [emoji3]

[MattCollins]

ROFLMAO... You're always good value LPH.

[phi-dan]

Agreed. Look on youtube for stuck bottom bracket

here's another help

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/suggestions-for-a-seriously-stuck-bottom-bracket
Thanks for the steer. I ended up having to drift the axle out, hack sawing through the cup, then chiselling it out
http://forums.sv650.org/picture.php?pictureid=7897&albumid=515&dl=1446831356&thumb=1
Makes changing an SV front sprocket look easy.

[maviczap]

If its an alloy frame, my guess is that the BB shell has fused with the BB cup, and it'll be a write off :-(

That's worst case scenario. If you carefully grind the end off the cup, then it shouldn't have that much holding it on, unless the threads have fused to the shell

[phi-dan]

Fortunately the threads look okay after a good clean with a stiff brush. It does also mean that Santa won't be bringing a new bike just yet :(

[maviczap]

Might be a good idea to get your local BS to chase the threads through with a tap, such a fine thread, it makes life much easier