The Cycling Thread

That's the one, except I've opted for a shimano 105 groupset as I didn't really get on with the sham.

They just called and said it's ready - shame I've been out and done 45 miles already today!

[maviczap]

Nothing wrong with 105 at all.

I fiddled with a SRAM gear lever on a bike in Decathlon, I couldn't work out how it worked either

It's like one click for up and 2 clicks for down (or vice versa depending which side) but I wasn't impressed by the ride what not.

To be honest, it's probably the fact it wasn't set up properly, but with the 105 I'm lucky enough to have been offered a triple (and as a proper sissy I took it)

[maviczap]

Had an 'interesting' moment today as we were travelling to Norfolk, when my litespeed departed company with the roof rack. Luckily the rear wheel was strapped down tight so the bike was dangling off the side of the car, but it was a bit of a shock.

No damage done to either that I can see

Wow that is lucky!

[maviczap]

Couple of recommended reads

'How I won the yellow jumper' - Ned Boultings book about his Tour de France experiences. lots of funny stories

'Racing through the dark' David Millars book. Throughly interesting read about his rise and fall from grace and then back up to where he is now.

I've started reading 'Slaying the badger' which is also good and from my favourite TDF era the late 80's and the epic battle between Hianult & Lemond in the 1986 TDF.

Originally Posted by maviczap

Good looking bike

+1 for the Shimano vs SRAM.

Those American Classic wheels look good and the brand as whole have had some very positive press in the last few months.

Me saving for some new wheels. Hoping to get Ksyrium Elites during the winter (ready for the spring )

Originally Posted by Luckypants

+1 on reducing pressures in the wet, maybe down as low as 80psi.

That's a bit low if you're running 700/23s. I wouldn't go below 90-95psi.

I run Conti GP4000s and they are fab, wet or dry, when run at 110-120psi. Conti recommend 110psi, so I pump up to 120psi and lose a bit when removing the pump-head

[Luckypants]

Rode the Wild Wales sportive this weekend, 75 miles up the nastiest hills the gits could find in my area! I so wish I had fitted my 27-11 cassette before this ride, I was walking some of the 20% hills. Fitted it yesterday, ready for France, but really needed it on this ride. Link to my mate's Garmin readout...

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/110090675

A good day really, marred by my brother coming off on a steep descent, going round a VERY slippery corner. I was lucky, a guy in front also came off at same place and flagged me down. Another guy came off there and broke his wrist and collar bone, then rode to A&E!!! hard as nails! There were many stories of folks falling on that hill, even those that elected to walk down slipped and fell on their ass.

Originally Posted by Jabba

Good looking bike

+1 for the Shimano vs SRAM.

Those American Classic wheels look good and the brand as whole have had some very positive press in the last few months.

Me saving for some new wheels. Hoping to get Ksyrium Elites during the winter (ready for the spring )

I've now done about 150 miles on this beauty and it is loveeely!
The wheels yes very nice, lovely whoosing sound at good pace too! Mine are the 58mm clinchers rather than the 30s on that picture.

My pace is a bit better and I'm enjoying that. I also got a 9 year old Dawes Supergalaxy with tiagra/deore XT and have put 60 miles on that so far - but I considered it a bargin at £200 with handlebar bag, rack and panniers, mudguards, newish tyres (Schwalbe marathon front and marathon plus rear) - bit heavy but all in all a good buy.

Looking to get some road shoes/cleats for the Moda early next year as I'm currently using MTB cleats on both and I've heard there is still quite a difference in pedalling efficiency with the stiffer soles of road shoes.

Planning on riding through winter - my first it must be said, but I'm getting very excited looking at snow tyres/spare wheels and winter gear.

Roll on the cold!