The Cycling Thread

[maviczap]

Superb pics Mike, again you were blessed with great weather for this.

Despite the effort needed to do these ride I'm missing them already, I must be a gluton for punishment, as yesterdays 55mile club run was a doddle

[Luckypants]

Same here. I had a spin up from Ruthin after dropping the car for service. I have always hated that hill (still do) but it was big ring all the way to the 12% bit to my house.... I'd really like to go on the 76 mile club ride to Vyrnwy tomorrow, but 6 hours away for a bike ride is taking the **** after being away for so long.

[fizzwheel]

Any suggestions on a model of rear light that will fit on my look. Remember the seat tube isnt round its oval and I dont have a round seat post either.

I've got a rear light zip tied to my Fizik saddle pack but I like to have two on the rear, one of constant and one on flash.

Nights are drawing in and I'm startign to enjoy pootling around on my own after work...

[mattSV]

Fizz

I reckon a Knog Bullfrog will be spot on - flexible silicone housing/strap will fit pretty much anything.

[fizzwheel]

I've been looking at these, but the frame is quite deep in cross section so I'm not sure if the Knog or even this

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/exposure-flare-mk-2-rear-light/

Will have enough of a loop to fit around it.

LP, what ratio chainset are you running? Currently I'm running a normal double (not a compact) and find it interesting going up passes such as Wrynose/Hardknott or when doing the Nurburgring 24hr race up the final push to Hohe Acht.

I can manage it (just) but it's not a sensible set of gearing for big/steep climbs. What gearing to go for is probably going to be one of my harder choices, along with groupset manufacturer. Playing on the Ribble site is too much fun!!

[fizzwheel]

Tim if you are struggling with hills, then try a compact on the front so that would be a

50 / 34 as opposed to your standard double which is either 53 / 39 or or 52 / 39

Then if you go for either a 12 / 25 on the back or 12 / 27 that should give you a decent spread of gears. I've been up a 25% climb on 34 x 27 and whilst it was hard it wasnt unrideable and I made it to the top without stopping or having ot get off and push.

The only thing I dont like about the 50 / 34 is that I find swap between the front chainrings alot. Where as on the 53 / 39 I run most of the time I find it gives a better spread of gears.

I keep the 53 / 39 for riding in my local area and I only use the 50 / 34 for sportives.

HTH

[maviczap]

Think its 50 x 34 Compact, he'll correct me if I'm wrong. Plus 28 (or 27) - 12 on the back

I was running 50 x 39 x 30 triple from Ribble for my Pyrenees gearing with 27 - 12 on a 9 speed

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

.

The only thing I dont like about the 50 / 34 is that I find swap between the front chainrings alot. Where as on the 53 / 39 I run most of the time I find it gives a better spread of gears.

HTH

Agreed. I have a Campag compact which is 48 - 34

Although next time I go to the mountains I'd rather run a double than a triple, I'll be a bit better prepared hopefully rather than cramming training in

Thanks for the above thoughts, I'll go and count teeth on the old '06 Specialized Allez Double, it's getting on and needs most things replacing!! - I.e with a new bike!