The Cycling Thread

[fizzwheel]

Righto those Swiss Stops or the Dura ace ones I linked to will work just fine in your bike.

So your tyres are 700C x 25, you have plenty of choice. Like I said I dont use a specific commuter tyre. I ride all year around on these, the only thing that stops me is Ice / Snow.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-...00s-road-tyre/

Wet grip is fantastic and they roll very well and are responsive. I've not tried Gatorskins, but I know somebody who has and he had just as many punctures with them as did on a ordinary race tyre. Also IIRC he said he didnt like the feel of the bike on the Gatorskins as they are heavy, also he said they were a b*stard to get off and on his rims.

These might be worth a look, they always seem to get good reviews / feedback

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-...son-road-tyre/

So do these

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/michelin-kry...ing-road-tyre/

I ride with a guy who uses these and swears by them, again they get good reviews.

I try any of those over gatorskins, especially on longer rides, they roll alot better and that'll work better for you if you are doing longer rides.

I was ready to buy gators until you said that...

[fizzwheel]

Go and have a read of bikeradar and look in the commuting and road sections, there will be plenty of discussion on tyres...

[Luckypants]

I run Continental Sport Ultra Gatorskins in 700x25C on my winter bike. They are a tad heavy, but very puncture resistant on gravel and thorns etc that you find on the back roads we ride. Our whole group rides on them over winter... On the plus side, they roll well, grip well and give a comfy ride in 25C size, which I run about 80psi in the winter.

I'll be checking out those brakes, time to fettle the winter bike and the brakes are worn out.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

What do you want from a tyre ? As for Size what have you got on there now ? I dont run winter / training tyres and I use Continental GP4000S' all the time including winter, even though they are a race tyre, they are surprisingly puncture resistant ( watch this space I'll get one now )

As for wiggle, not necessarily I'm starting to find them expensive, Chain Reaction are seemingly giving better prices at the moment so try them as well.

Like Fizz I'm running GP400's on my Wilier, all through our Pyranean holiday no puntures, in fact no punctures since I've fitted them at the begining of the year. Great all round grip and performance and great confidence in them as LP will testify.

I found Ultegra blocks very reliablle but I'm pretty light on the brakes

+1 on Wiggle being a bit more expensive than Chainreaction or Merlin cycles

Originally Posted by Luckypants

I run Continental Sport Ultra Gatorskins in 700x25C on my winter bike. They are a tad heavy, but very puncture resistant on gravel and thorns etc that you find on the back roads we ride. Our whole group rides on them over winter... On the plus side, they roll well, grip well and give a comfy ride in 25C size, which I run about 80psi in the winter.

Likewise I run Ultra Gatorskins on my winter bike as do most of my mates. No punctures either.

Plus I can testify that they grip like **** like my GP400's as LP descends faster than I do thanks to his aerodynamic advantage or was it something else

+1 for GP4000s - fantastic tyres wet or dry, roll really well, light and no punctures other that a freak one when a shard of glass took out a sidewall. No tyre would have survived that.

Having said that, I've put a pair of Schwalbe Ultremo ZX-HDs on the new wheels. Giving them a go as a result of magazine reviews. Haven't beem out on 'em yet, though - suspect that this combo will be for summer. Will report back then

In short - go for the GP4000s

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by maviczap

LP descends faster than I do thanks to his aerodynamic advantage or was it something else

Its pure skill mate.... it takes skill to eat that many pies!

how do you find the motivation to cycle in the crappy winds and rain.. I have opted for the car 70% of the time in the last week not good

Need to get some proper cycle gear I guess?

[Luckypants]

I ride for 'pleasure' only, so go out with mates and that keeps the spirits up in crap weather. Good kit that keeps you warm and dry is essential if you are not going to be miserable on the bike.

[Drew Carey]

Howdy all....as my company is thinking of introducing cycle to work.....I am contemplating getting a proper road bike to cycle the 10.5miles into Brum on. Its all quite easy main roads etc so the terrain will be good, with only one major hill.

My question is, how much easier will it be to use a good road bike? I know that sounds strange. But, currently I have a hardtail MTB that I have kitted out with 1.85 road tyres etc and made it singlespeed. When it had gears I could do 8.1 miles (previous commute) in anywhere between 31 and 50 minutes (depending on road traffic and how energised I felt).

However, having moved, the distance is now 10.5 miles and I am using a mix of train and cycling. I have converted the MTB to SingleSpeed as was having major issues with the gears as a result of using the hartail off road too much also.

I know these are stupidly subjective questions etc, but I am trying to decide on the following;

1. Continue cycling to the train station (2miles), sitting on a train for 25mins, 1 mile cycle then to the office, then shower. Downside - if I miss my train I am sat at the station for approx 30mins for the next train - so have to time my departure from office well. Plus costs me £80 / Month for train pass. Plus have to play the train lottery again at the end of the day.

2. Get a road bike, cycle the entire route, leave when I want and get fitter. Plus save £80. Downside - wheather!!! (However if really bad, can get a lift to the station from Lily occasionaly and pay for a one off train ticket)

From a financial point of view I imagine it will be even ish when I consider the cost of the bike, clothing (as only have MTB baggies) etc.

But from a timing point of view.....I have never ridden a road bike in my life, so curious to know if my current commute 45mins (10min cycle, 25min train, 2min cycle to office, +/- 8mins contingency) could be achieved in a quicker time, even with an average fitness level. Or am I asking too much of myself?

Apologies......rambling a bit!!! lol