The Cycling Thread

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by maviczap

Tomorrows an easy day only Alpe D'Huez

I hope you are going to do the Col De Seren and Les Deux Alps as well? Otherwise you be a lightweight....

Evening cycling forum which masquerades as a motorcycle forum.

I've been toying with buying a new bike recently but have become quite attached to my specialized allez. Winter is coming up so I have decided to upgrade a few bits on the allez but I have a few questions.

I fancy upgrading from the sora shifters to some ultegra ones I have found at a friends shop cheap, problem is they are 10 speed and my bike is currently 9. Would the upgrade require a full new groupo or just a chain and cassette replacement?

Also i was going to buy a set of these for winter training as they are apparently very tough and great for the (fat) larger cyclist.

http://shop.kinetic-two.co.uk/kineti...black-10-p.asp

Any thoughts org?

[fizzwheel]

I dont think that'll work. 10 speed is 10 speed and 9 speed is 9 and never the twain shall meet.

IIRC the Shimano 10 speed stuff is only compatable with 10 speed, i.e. you shifters wont work with your rear mech even if you change the cassette and chain.

I think...

With regard to winter training. Personally I'd keep your Allez for a Winter bike. It'll be fine. If you have eyelets for mudguards get a pair and fit them.

Winter is really tough, mud, salt, rain. Really takes it out on your kit, and its the shiney expensive stuff like wheels and drive trains that take the battering.

If it were me. I'd save my money, run what you have now through the winter and then when the spring comes with the better weather replace with new stuff then. Or if you can afford it, think about having a summer bike...

[Luckypants]

Changing the chain and sprockets will allow the rear to shift just fine. The rear deurailler will only move as far as the shifter will allow. However I suspect the problem will be your chain rings and front shifter, the ten speed chain is narrower so may not fit on the chainrings.

I'm definitely not an expert, so may be wrong on this.

Sent from my phone.

One shall be in Dumfries tomorrow for the tour of Britain, hoping to catch a glimpse of Wiggo and Cavendish!!

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Changing the chain and sprockets will allow the rear to shift just fine. The rear deurailler will only move as far as the shifter will allow. However I suspect the problem will be your chain rings and front shifter, the ten speed chain is narrower so may not fit on the chainrings.

I'm definitely not an expert, so may be wrong on this.

I'm off to my LBS to pick up a (hopefully) much straighter and better running rear wheel this afternoon so I could ask them. Since I posted i've realised my bike is in fact only a 16 speeder so i'm going to have a look for some old stock 8 speed shifters/levers. It's the annoying downshift button on the sora levers that I can't stand. The rest of the bike is quite nice now and there seems to be little point saving weight until the engine (me) is lighter!!

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Luckypants

I hope you are going to do the Col De Seren and Les Deux Alps as well? Otherwise you be a lightweight....

Nah mate we're taking it easy, only the Croix der Fer tomorrow, then the Galibier or the Glandon Thursday, then a couple of easy days of 72km & 128km

Did Alpe D'Huez today as you know, I enjoyed the climb but it wasn't as hard as the previous days climb up the Col de Morte.

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by maviczap

Nah mate we're taking it easy, only the Croix der Fer tomorrow, then the Galibier or the Glandon Thursday, then a couple of easy days of 72km & 128km

Meh do the Glandon tomorrow on your way up Croix de Fer, it's only 500m off to the left as you ascend. Unless you intend going up the Glandon from the far side to Bourg D'Oisons? If so, Chapeau again!

Galibier from Bourg D'Oisons is lovely ride on the motorbike as well as bike, you'll enjoy the descent!

Originally Posted by maviczap

Did Alpe D'Huez today as you know, I enjoyed the climb but it wasn't as hard as the previous days climb up the Col de Morte.

Looks like you got your legs, glad your enjoying it. Still jealous though!

Apparently the new sora shifters are the same style as tiagra so may look at that.

cycles UK had a real nice Wilier for £650 reduced massiely with campag on it that looked lush BUT was only a 54cm

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Meh do the Glandon tomorrow on your way up Croix de Fer, it's only 500m off to the left as you ascend. Unless you intend going up the Glandon from the far side to Bourg D'Oisons? If so, Chapeau again!

Galibier from Bourg D'Oisons is lovely ride on the motorbike as well as bike, you'll enjoy the descent!

Looks like you got your legs, glad your enjoying it. Still jealous though!

Not sure we can do that, because our ride is to our next hotel, which is why we're doing the Glandon or Galibier the next day on a ride back to Bourg

Haven't quite got the legs I had last year & I'm missing my triple, as I can't spin the compact like the triple, and there's lots of people passing me using triples. But I'm getting up the climbs, which is all that matters.

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