The Cycling Thread

[fizzwheel]

Rob - I tend to ride solo or with a mate. I dont like cycling in big groups I am not used to it and you have to have eyes in the back of your head. I have thought about joining a club, but havent done so yet, Not very confident about it really.

If theres a club locally you want to join, then go along and have a chat with them and ask them about the length of rides etc etc and see what you feel. Normally they'll let you tag along on the slower sunday club ride so you can try before you join sort of thing.

Kev - as for sizing, its a funny thing. Everybody is a different shape so theres no hard and fast rule. There are some sizing guides on the web that will give you a rough idea, but your best bet is to go to a bike shop and get measured. That Giant SC4 you have will have the same frame as the more expensive giants, its just its finishing kit / groupset wont be as as good. Keep the frame and upgrade the components with better stuff as and when it wears out. Wheels and tyres are a good place to start down the upgrade path.

As for which carbon, The boardman as Jabba says is very good for the money and gets very good reviews the other one to look for is the Planet X carbon frame, normally comes with Ultegra finishing kit and can be had for a grand or so.

Now I know the boardman / planet x are decent so I exclude these from the next statement. Sometimes cheap end of the price range carbon frames arent all that good, and you might find that an Aluminium / carbon or full aluminium frame gives a better ride than a cheap carbon frame does.

And Jabba I'd disagree with the not as strong as Aluminium argument. In the direction the force is designed to flow through the frame, you wont find anything strong, if the crash is hard enough to break a frame, it'll break an Aluminium one just as well as it'll break a carbon frame. IMHO.

It is a bit of an urban myth that carbon framed bikes are fragile and dont withstand everyday use well.

[Viney]

I may get my bike out agin this week as its sunnY! Pah these fair weather cyclists huh

So if you are off for a ride for a couple or few hours, what do you carry and how?

Originally Posted by robchester

So if you are off for a ride for a couple or few hours, what do you carry and how?

In underseat saddle pack:
one spare tube + puncture repair kit
multi-tool
phone
small amount of cash

In rear pocket of cycling top:
energy bar/gel

On bike:
at least one drink bottle
mini-pump

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/...bon-ultegra-sl

Look at the carbon on that! Work do a 0% loan too!

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by robchester

So if you are off for a ride for a couple or few hours, what do you carry and how?

What Jabba said, but plus a spare gear cable.

If you look on wiggle, the Park Glueless patches that they sell work well and its less messing / messy than a traditional puncture repair kit.

Man the pull of that carbon fibre bike is very strong!

Yeah that looks like a nice bike. Would like to know what the combined weight is. I would suspect the wheels must be cheap for that price?

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by robchester

I would suspect the wheels must be cheap for that price?

They are decent wheels though, those Model B's it comes with get excellent reviews on bikeradar, very good for the money.

That could be an expensive tip you've given me then?

Will the bike snobs at my dads club look down at me?