The Cycling Thread

[Starlet_gt]

Racing season started weekend just gone. Just about managed to stay on the bike given the incredibly strong wind. I've never been so scared!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170310/21eec4849c68fc489c84678dac07eceb.jpg

[maviczap]

Very nice, although you'll probably know that your choice of wheel wasn't the best for windy conditions, especially the front.

Long time since I was getting up early for doing TT's, but I loved it

http://forums.sv650.org/picture.php?albumid=501&pictureid=8176

[carelesschucca]

Is that a single speed front Mav? I do love the differences in technology in the two pictures.

I've got the doctors this evening about my chest again. Let's see what they come up with tonight. I just want to get back to being able to breath properly, I feel worse now than when I used to smoke...

[Luckypants]

Is that a single speed front Mav? I do love the differences in technology in the two picturesI see a derailleur and thumbies on the the end of the aero bars.... :study:

[maviczap]

I see a derailleur and thumbies on the the end of the aero bars.... :study:

Correctomundo :cool:

Is that a single speed front Mav? I do love the differences in technology in the two pictures..

Mikes right, although I did have a 48 tooth inner chainring, so it looks like a single speed set up, never used it mind :p

[carelesschucca]

I must be blind I still can't see the derailleur. FFS!!

[maviczap]

Its obscured mate, my toe is hiding the clamp, but you can see the down tube shiftier that I used to change from the small to big ring, ala ONCE set up of the 90's

[Starlet_gt]

Very nice, although you'll probably know that your choice of wheel wasn't the best for windy conditions, especially the front.

Long time since I was getting up early for doing TT's, but I loved it

http://forums.sv650.org/picture.php?albumid=501&pictureid=8176
I love a deep front wheel but sadly it cost me dearly this time.

[maviczap]

This is a rare shot of me using my Zipp wheels, normally I'd have been using my 18 spoke Pete Matthews wheels, which never gave any issues in crosswinds. Deep section wheels were only starting to appear on the scene in the 90's, most top riders including Chris Boardman used a disc rear with a low spoke count front

[carelesschucca]

Another thanks go out to Maviczap. Got my British Cycling Membership cheap because of him...

[maviczap]

Cool, and for anyone else who hasn't seen this offer. It'll easily pay for itself in a year, as you can get 10% discount at Chain Reaction on purchases over £100, but more useful generally 10% at Halfords on any purchase, so that includes motorcycle & car stuff too. Plus if you have Quidco or Topcashback accounts, you'll get that on top.

Plus legal cover too

I think you need to collect this in store at Evans

https://www.evanscycles.com/british-cycling-ride-membership-EV185697?xid=201465&awc=1302_1489504754_f50fa84812e43bc660005121fe74ca ce&utm_source=awin&utm_campaign=201465&utm_medium=Affiliate

[maviczap]

I'm not often impressed with cycling stuff, 2 exceptions, firstly my Wilier bike, first time i rode it, i loved it like no other bike I've ridden, before and after.

2nd Di2 gear system, love it, smooth as chocolate changes, no cable to cut, just plug it together.

Now a new one, i was after Castelli Gabba, but i got a new with tags Castelli Perfetto short sleeve, which is the improved Gabba. Same windproof and rain repellant properties. Wow, kept me warm today, but without the sweating I'd expected, just wore arm warmers and a thin base layer, Roubaix material bibs and i was as happy as a sand boy. No flappy material, body hugging top.

Only in really hot weather will it be too much, but now if I'm in the mountains, I'll wear it unzipped on the climbs, but on the descents it'll be perfect with armwarmers, and no need for a rain jacket?

[carelesschucca]

It worries me how much Gabba and Perfecto tops cost. They have Gabba short sleeve in the Glasgow Evans for £110.

But I think I've spent enough recently...

[Adam Ef]

There was one year on the Tour where it belted down with rain in the mountains and they all put Gabbas on.. Even the teams who weren't meant to due to sponsorhsip with other brands wore them with gaffa tape over the Castelli logos to hide that they weren't wearing their official clothing. That's a seal of approval from the pros!

[maviczap]

It worries me how much Gabba and Perfecto tops cost. They have Gabba short sleeve in the Glasgow Evans for £110.

But I think I've spent enough recently...

True, but I've bought a lot of cheap stuff in the past, which although fine, I'd need to have something else to add extra weather or wind protection, so factor that in to the cost of a Gabba.

I've a Sportful jacket, which got good reviews, but wouldn't be a patch on a Gabba jacket.

I've another Castelli Alpha long sleeve jersey, which is windproof, but it isn't as good as this Perfetto.

I got this Perfetto brand new with tags for £75, so bargains​ can be had

I'll be looking out for a long sleeve version for the winter.

Like cycling shorts, sometimes it's worth spending the money on a better product.

[carelesschucca]

You guys are a terrible influence on me... Now searching the internet for Castelli jackets at decent prices...

[maviczap]

Save up for winter mate, although in your part of the country a Gabba or Perfetto is going to be a good investment :-)

[carelesschucca]

Mav, I've found a tshirt I AM going buy...

[maviczap]

LOL

I have one of these,

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/596/32661393703_8aabbaf8d1_o.png (https://flic.kr/p/RLbbrD)Ventoux running club (https://flic.kr/p/RLbbrD) by maviczap (https://www.flickr.com/photos/89416312@N07/), on Flickr

but I'm going to get one of these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01MA2786N/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A15WMIF8YSDY88

[Adam Ef]

brilliant! Where did you get that from?

LOL

I have one of these,

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/596/32661393703_8aabbaf8d1_o.png (https://flic.kr/p/RLbbrD)Ventoux running club (https://flic.kr/p/RLbbrD) by maviczap (https://www.flickr.com/photos/89416312@N07/), on Flickr

[Adam Ef]

You guys are a terrible influence on me... Now searching the internet for Castelli jackets at decent prices...

Good kit is a good investment. I've bought so many jackets over the years that have been cheap but crap. They all add up to way more cost than the one I thought was expensive when I bought it but has lasted me years and worked really well... a Gore Oxygen jacket. It's helped me survive some pretty torrential prolonged downpours riding in the cold miles from home. That and my Rapha winter thermal jersey with windstopper panels are the most expensive but most long lasting kit I've ever had.

[maviczap]

brilliant! Where did you get that from?

Here

https://threadandspoke.com/products/mont-ventoux-running-club

Nice designs, but the t shirts are thin & won't last long. Luckily I had them delivered to a mate in Orlando, and he brought them in his luggage when he came over, otherwise I would have had to pay charges on them I think. Then they would have been very expensive.

We need a UK print shop to blag their designs :p

[AJC]

Big shout out for the Gabba jacket here as well. I have been heading out regularly this winter, and made it through the whole thing with a long sleeve gabba and a base layer. And I live in Scotland!

Also love my Di2 :)

Time Trial bike a few pages back are awesome. That Cervelo is sweet but I almost like Mavs retro one with the Zipps better, almost! Kinda looking forward to Time Trials this year after training over the winter. I was awful at them last year, so be interesting to see where I am at.

My bikes are also finished and ready for summer, well, till I think of something else to buy/build/add. I have built a 7.2 kg bike (weight including pedals and cages and mounts etc) for less than 900 quid which is nice. And I have my quite porky aero bike which I don't say how much I've spent on...

Roll on the two warm dry days we get here in Scotlandshire

[maviczap]

Time Trial bike a few pages back are awesome. That Cervelo is sweet but I almost like Mavs retro one with the Zipps better.

Each TT bike is of its era, the Cervelo (or similar) is what I would be riding now, in that era we had 531, 753, 653 & 731, Colombus SL or SLX, there were very few aero profile tubes. Here's me on my old 731, which was the newer generation Reynolds tubing. This is on one of our sporting courses, hence the drop bars and non aero wheels, my lovely Pete Matthews bladed spokes on Hope hubs & Vitorria 18mm tubs

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3724/32699593343_3f7c14cb1a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/RPxXS8)Pr0007 (https://flic.kr/p/RPxXS8) by maviczap (https://www.flickr.com/photos/89416312@N07/), on Flickr

[AJC]

Yeah it is great to see how the technology and styles move on. Fat carbon tubes is where it is at now, be interesting where it all goes next.

Talking of technology, I was reading about Mavic Zap yesterday :)

This is mine for this year, but will have clip on aero bars on there:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3827/33474148746_3c365b798b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/SZZLcC)IMG_2858 (https://flic.kr/p/SZZLcC) by Alan Clark (https://www.flickr.com/photos/153084253@N02/), on Flickr

If I get into the whole TT thing I will try and pick up a decent frame with the proper bars. Seen a few going cheap recently.

Edited to show photo, getting used to Flickr...

[maviczap]

Talking of technology, I was reading about Mavic Zap yesterday :)
.

The original Di2 :cool:

[carelesschucca]

How about today's race... 7 hours + in the saddle 181 miles and you loose by less than half a wheel. I dunno how Peter Sagan can turn round smile and straight away shake hands with kwiatkowski. I'd be gutted. It makes me like him even more.

[maviczap]

That's racing for you

[maviczap]

Ok another vote for products worth forking out for Oakley M Frame. In my pic's you can see I'm wearing them in the 90's, I still have them. Replaced the frame once, and the main lens twice, but I've still got the original blue iridium lens, plus a permison & clear lens.

I've tried others, and none sit on my nose like Oakley's.

However getting new lenses it getting harder, so if my wife paid £500 for a new pair of swankey glasses, can i get a pair of Jawbreakers at £105.

Answers on a postcard please.

[Luckypants]

Yes of course you can :cool:

I smashed my Oakley Eye-jackets when I faceplanted on Wild Wales a couple of years ago. I was only wearing them because I had forgotten my cycling glasses! They fitted so well and had such great lenses, I'd like another pair of Oakleys - but nothing they do now lights my fire....

[carelesschucca]

Damn tooting you can.. It's your eyes you only get one pair... You need to protect them properly.

You guys are a bad influence though i've been shopping for gabba jackets recently and the short sleeve version is going cheap in a few places...

My Wiggle order eventually turned up last night only took 8 days. It's quite sad how excited I got about fitting a new set and seatpost.

[maviczap]

- but nothing they do now lights my fire....

Yes, hence why I've still got my M Frames. Tried the Radars, but didn't gel with them. Got some Fakeley Split Jacket's which look good, but as they're chinese I value my eyes.

So i fancy some Jawbreakers

[MattCollins]

I'm not one of the cool kids and just use Bolle Blade or polarised Sidewinder... they're AS/NZS1337 safety specs ranging in price from £9-25. They'll last between days and a couple of months before I scratch or scuff them (better glasses don't last any longer) and once that happens I throw them away and pull out a new pair.

[Adam Ef]

I've had a couple of pairs of Uvex "safety glasses" too that have been decent and very cheap. One Orange pair with really good coverage and wind protection that were less than a tenner. Also a pair of Bolle ones that I use now that are almost clear but give a slight bit of contrast boost but don't make it hard to see when light levels drop low or at night (like the orange ones do). They call it their "ESP" tint. Again, about £10.

I've ended up at the eye hospital twice now having debris removed from my eyes that got in their while riding and it wasn't fun either time. Took me about a day to decide to go there each time too. Strangely the second time I ended up right next to Peter Andre doing a live PA just outside the window on one of his shopping centre promo tours. Strange having your face locked in one of those magnifying machines listening to a live rendition of Mysterious Girl really loud! The square next to the eye hospital full of screaming kids. But that's a story for another day...

[MattCollins]

Uvex was another breed that I've used in the past and liked until they dried up at our local supplier - it's a cost / flavour of the moment thing.

There are a few good brands out there... and an amazing amount of rubbish...

[carelesschucca]

Does spending money on bicycles ever finish?

It's seems as if I need to get the BB done on the Sensa, and as it's a press fit I won't be doing it myself.

I also have to send the tribans wheels to my local wheel magician to get them serviced. I've done everything else myself on the bike, and it gave a nice sense of satisfaction.

It also makes me realise that with two bikes out of action and the weather being lovely I could probably do with a third bike.

[maviczap]

Does spending money on bicycles ever finish?


No :p

[punyXpress]

It's seems as if I need to get the BB done on the Sensa, and as it's a press fit I won't be doing it myself.

I also have to send the tribans wheels to my local wheel magician to get them serviced. I've done everything else myself on the bike, and it gave a nice sense of satisfaction.

It also makes me realise that with two bikes out of action and the weather being lovely I could probably do with a third bike.

Couldn't you sneak them ( one at a time ) into your local DIY motorcycle spot?

[maviczap]

N -1 :-(

But funds toward N+1

[carelesschucca]

What did you sell? Hoping it's not Mike Kowal it was a lovely looking bike...

I need help I was looking at an old Genesis single speed outside in the sale rack at Wheelcraft. No price but it was nice looking.

[maviczap]

No not the Kowal ............... yet.

No, it was my lovely, but in reality too small Rikulua S&S travel frame.

Funds will go to something similar

[carelesschucca]

Mav you are a bad bad man.

I've just spent nearly two hours reading bike reviews on Burls.co.uk

More I read the more I'm tempted, I'm thinking something with a geometry that's in between the Triban and Sensa (edging towards the racier end) and has disc brakes (I still haven't managed to understand rim brakes, and the idea that every time I slow down I'm destroying some very nice wheels)

I'd have to keep saving up for it but it's tempting.

That's unless I win the Euromillions in the meantime and we can go on a trip to Italy and Passoni Bikes...

[maviczap]

Burls is sure sweet mate :-)

Up your way you've got Shand or Kinetics who do custom frames in steel, cheaper than Ti.

Burls are much cheaper than other UK Ti builders because the frames are made overseas, but without the hassle of doing it yourself, Burls do that for their buyers.

[Adam Ef]

(I still haven't managed to understand rim brakes, and the idea that every time I slow down I'm destroying some very nice wheels)

Many people still stick with rim brakes for the slight weight savings and handling of the less built up frames / forks which don't have to cope with stresses that discs bring, mainly in the forks. Bikes are getting better for this now though as they're being built with discs in mind from the ground up. Quite a few of the earlier road disc frames were made with discs as an afterthought and forks overbuilt to cope, which made them heavier and in a lot of cases made steering feel really lumpy.

[carelesschucca]

Ach let's be honest the main reason most cyclists don't like disc brakes is down to one thing...

Aesthetics!!!

I love cycling* but it can be quite a backward environment.



*bar Falkirk BC they're a bunch of arrogant *§Nt$

[maviczap]

Ach let's be honest the main reason most cyclists don't like disc brakes is down to one thing...

Aesthetics!!!

I love cycling* but it can be quite a backward environment.

*bar Falkirk BC they're a bunch of arrogant *§Nt$

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8825/18070950982_c412449690_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/twSm9o)IMAG0029 (https://flic.kr/p/twSm9o) by maviczap (https://www.flickr.com/photos/89416312@N07/), on Flickr

Although my Fuerte Bicci does look sweet in this picture, you have to remember the beauty of some of the old rim brakes of yesteryear, that discs will never better IMHO, but then I'm old and backward ;)

The useless but beautiful Campag Deltas

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SBjN-XfIB-U/UynnTSv8vSI/AAAAAAAAB3M/JtmhIBcKlOc/s1600/deltas.png

Serious money back in the day

http://i57.tinypic.com/2nt6rn.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/PTds3.jpg

https://merlincycles-img.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/productImage_1280_1024_ffffff_image-jpeg/8409_shimano_dura_ace_7900_brake_calipers_pair.jpg

http://www.cadre.org/bike_stuff/Mavic/Brakes/440/Mavic.JPG

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3042/2331218649_b97a76b4d7.jpg

Whats not to like about these :D :p :joker:

[Adam Ef]

Ach let's be honest the main reason most cyclists don't like disc brakes is down to one thing...

Aesthetics!!!


True. there's that too.

I was put off though by test riding lots of early disc road bikes and cross bikes I'd worked on and they were real heavy feeling pigs to ride, despite being fairly light bikes.

Also, plenty of the early disc calipers seemed to be worse for braking than a lot of rim brakes! Even on some mountain bikes you get the disc front / vee brake rear combo and the vee brake worked better than the disc! Mainly mechanical granted, and road hydraulics have got pretty amazing in the last few years, without having to have all sorts of bits dangling off the bike in weird places like you did just a few years back.

I agree about the backwardness of cycling sometimes. That can be part of the charm of it though. Retro bikes can be lovely to look at. So long as it's someone else riding it!

[carelesschucca]

Oh yeah some retro bikes look stunning. Others look like pigs.

Talking retro, I've developed a bit of liking for the La Vie Claire cycling top.

Other news last night I figured out how different bars can change the feeling of a bike completely, to my inexperienced eye they looked slightly narrower and that was it, turns out they had a way longer reach to the hoods and made a bike that was beautifully comfortable into a torturous stretched out thing of evil...

Also found out that 25mm road tyres and soft sand don't match well and peddles hurt when they glide gracefully up your shin as the front wheel slides out from underneath you. S'all good fun...

[maviczap]

Ah the old pedal - shin interaction :p ;)

[mattSV]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/clouddrive/share/DZFmVjB60fMjYlIF3SQ1h97g42SBvSDLvyrMnpMCf3w?v=grid&ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy

https://www.amazon.co.uk/clouddrive/share/DZFmVjB60fMjYlIF3SQ1h97g42SBvSDLvyrMnpMCf3w?_encod ing=UTF8&mgh=1&ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy&v=grid

Roads are still a bit ****ty round here so leavin the Planet X in the garage and having a run out on my 19 year old Scott Comp Racing tomorrow - fitted Specialized Fatboy 26 X 1.25 slicks a couple of weeks ago and it is a right giggle.

[EssexDave]

Liege Bastogne liege this weekend coming and the forecast looks awful again! How hard is it to avoid the crappy weather!

In other news, if anybody fancies sponsoring me for riding the Dragon Rode in June I have a just giving page set up - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-rose1989

Thanks :)

[maviczap]

Lets hope its not the Liege of 1977

http://d7ab823tjbf2qywyt3grgq63.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/hinault-lbl-620x409.jpg

[Luckypants]

How hard is it to avoid the crappy weather! Easy, look at Paris-Roubaix. :cool: Although I was disappointed it was a dry race! :twisted:

[EssexDave]

Last year felt like that! We had snow and hail. It was brutal but made it all the more worthwhile after having finished. I had hoped this year would be 20 degrees and sunny with no wind!

[punyXpress]

You lot are quiet these days, so a snap from yesterday's Tour de Yorkshire:
http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss267/punyXpress/P1070693.jpg (http://s582.photobucket.com/user/punyXpress/media/P1070693.jpg.html)

[admin]

Just received this from Jen Miller, thought you might be interested to read her guide on choosing a bike
John

Dear Editor,

I was searching the web for information on how to choose a bike and saw your great post here: http://forums.sv650.org/printthread.php?t=115410&pp=10&page=148

I noticed you mentioned http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-virtuoso-road-bike-2011-2012-medium-51cm in your post, and just wanted to give you a heads up that I recently wrote a blog post you might like. It’s a detailed, up-to-date 7,000 word guide on how to choose a bike according to science, that details 10 factors to consider and is packed with tips and advice.

If this is something you’d be interested in, here is the link to the blog post: https://www.jenreviews.com/bike/

This is completely free and if you like it, all I ask is for you to link to or share the article on your site. In return, would love to share your post with my newsletter subscribers and followers on social media.

Either way, keep up the great work!

Cheers
Jen

[maviczap]

I need help in choosing bikes to get rid of John, not help to buy more :eek:

Carelesschucca needs this advice too :D

[Chris_SVS]

Actually getting rid of a bike is harder than deciding which one to get rid of! I'm currently having this very issue

[admin]

I donated my old bike to 'Bikes for Africa'. Just took it to a local participating Halfords

[carelesschucca]

I'm selling (very poorly) a bike at the moment. I've broken the two bike rule and need to get rid of one.. As the Sensa will like not get used again because of the new Reilly its been chosen...

On that note Titanium is the future none of this carbon frame lark for me now*




*highly like to change my mind again so this statement will be retracted... I am strong and stable.

[maviczap]

Isn't the internet a marvellous place for finding obscure solutions to your cycling problems. :smt111

[TheRamJam]

Thought I'd resurrect this thread as I have recently started cycling into work again after a near 2 year break when my son was born.

Still using the Giant Defy at moment and I have given it a major service with new gear/brake cables (inner & outer), headset cleaned and re-greased, pedal axles greased, new bar tape, new brake blocks new Vittoria Pro Control tyres.
The bike is shifting great again, however I think the front chain rings are past their best. The chain jumps on the rings when I occasionally set off from a standing start and could do with replacing. Currently its Shimano's RS500 compact chainset in the bike. Do I buy a brand new 105 compact online or opt for a 2nd hand Ultegra unit to match the rest of the components from eBay??

Whats everyones thoughts? New or 2nd hand. Prices for the 105 are around £90 new and 2nd hand Ultegras are going for around the same?

Cheers

Colin

[maviczap]

I'm much of the mind to match groupsets, so all Ultegra for me, even if it isn't the same series.

My new built will have a compact 6870 chainset, but with Ultegra 8070 shifters.

However as the chainset doesn't have any groupset branding, I'd just buy new black chainrings.

I'm sure the inner won't have any wear, it'll just be the Outer.

I presume you've changed the chain and cassette, as its odd for the front to do this.

Maybe the rear mech needs replacing, a bit of corrosion stopping it moving as freely as when it was new. They've caused me more issues than worn front chainrings, especially when used in the winter

[TheRamJam]

I'm much of the mind to match groupsets, so all Ultegra for me, even if it isn't the same series.

My new built will have a compact 6870 chainset, but with Ultegra 8070 shifters.

However as the chainset doesn't have any groupset branding, I'd just buy new black chainrings.

I'm sure the inner won't have any wear, it'll just be the Outer.

I presume you've changed the chain and cassette, as its odd for the front to do this.

Maybe the rear mech needs replacing, a bit of corrosion stopping it moving as freely as when it was new. They've caused me more issues than worn front chainrings, especially when used in the winter

Cheers Mav,

I have mostly 6800 components on the bike STIs, cassette, F&R Derailuers, & calipers. I have slowly upgraded bits as I got a few bargains on ebay when R8000 appeared on the scene. Only thing left to upgrade is the crankset. I will buy a new chain when I go to install said crank. I did check the chain and it does seem ok its not stretched too much as the chain tool doesn't drop in to the gaps.

Watching a few 6800 compacts on eBay all ending in a few days so hopefully get a bargain ;-0

[Adam Ef]

Does it skip forwards in every gear on the back? If so, it's likely the front. Worth trying stamping on the pedals with it in the smaller sprockets in the back, first on the inner front, then on the outer front. You might find it's the smaller ones on the back that are causing the skip forwards as that's the most common. Chain may be ok but smaller rear sprockets might not. Is it the first chain that's been used on that cassette or has it had a couple? Cassettes usually last 3 chains, if chains are changed before they start to wear.

[TheRamJam]

Does it skip forwards in every gear on the back? If so, it's likely the front. Worth trying stamping on the pedals with it in the smaller sprockets in the back, first on the inner front, then on the outer front. You might find it's the smaller ones on the back that are causing the skip forwards as that's the most common. Chain may be ok but smaller rear sprockets might not. Is it the first chain that's been used on that cassette or has it had a couple? Cassettes usually last 3 chains, if chains are changed before they start to wear.

Thanks Adam,

I'll give that a go. The sprocket and chain have less that 500 miles on. However when the bike is in its highest gear i can lift the chain off the big ring at the front by about 8mm. The teeth look worn and hooked on the big ring.

[Adam Ef]

Cassette is probably fine then with that little mileage on. If it's obvious visually that the front is worn I'd do it as soon as you can to not put premature wear on the chain. You could just get chainrings instead of the whole chainset, but the amount they cost, it usually makes sense to change the whole chainset.


I'd keep an eye out for a 6800 Ultegra one on eBay. They're on there all the time as there's loads of people chasing the latest and greatest... ie R8000 and selling off perfectly good previous generation components cheap. When I looked into it a while ago most 105 was going for similar prices to Ultegra.