The Cycling Thread

[maviczap]

Yep they'll be fine

You're too young to remember toe clips



But this is why these type of pedals are referred to as clipless

[pookie]

the clipless will probably keep your pedalling consistent ... I found riding clipless on the road a revelation in keeping my feet in position. I've tried using them offroad but keep bailing out. The fall off road whilst clipped in looks far more painful to even contemplate moving from platforms.

Oh the gif is of the great Martyn ashton "road party 2" .. a inspiration to us all!

My cycle scheme voucher finally turned up yesterday, so I collected the new wheels today!



So I'll be zooming around Warwickshire roads on none motorised wheels. Horray

I've gone clipless (I agree with you brettus it's a silly name). I like that you can use extra muscles with clip less, pulling up aswell as pushing down. Do be prepared to look silly when you stop once in a while whilst you get used to them though! The best is un-clipping one side but tipping the other, fruitlessly waving your free leg in fresh air. Decided they were definately a bad idea for my trail bike.

[maviczap]

That's very nice

[pookie]

How do you stay protected on a road bike? I took a fellow rider to A&E after a innocuous tumble which cracked his helmet in two places. The helmet did its job really well as he landed head then shoulder.Luckily they managed to escape with just shoulder bruising and no collarbone damage but the uncovered parts caught some tarmac.

It raised the question of whether cycle wear is sufficient in event of a fall? This was a reasonably low speed tumble and I guess it worked but I'm not sure if it would have been the same at speed.

[Dipper]

Originally Posted by pookie

How do you stay protected on a road bike? I took a fellow rider to A&E after a innocuous tumble which cracked his helmet in two places. The helmet did its job really well as he landed head then shoulder.Luckily they managed to escape with just shoulder bruising and no collarbone damage but the uncovered parts caught some tarmac.

It raised the question of whether cycle wear is sufficient in event of a fall? This was a reasonably low speed tumble and I guess it worked but I'm not sure if it would have been the same at speed.

This thought often crosses my mind, usually when doing 50mph downhill....

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by pookie

How do you stay protected on a road bike?

Don't crash would be my best advice. Failing that take up mountain biking and learn how to fall. Most collar bone and wrist injuries are caused by putting your hand out to save yourself - don't! MTB riders are told not to do this and I learned not to do it in my 20s. It is hard to override this reaction but with practice (see MTB falling a lot) you can master it. If going over the front I try to tuck and roll onto my shoulder/back.

It doesn't always work as my last crash proved.

[pookie]

Originally Posted by Dipper

This thought often crosses my mind, usually when doing 50mph downhill....

if only i could get that fast.. come to think of it maybe not

I'll keep the fall and roll in mind.. never thought about the hand break fall much and I guess its a normal reaction.

I imagine there is a market for kevlar woven lycra and hump back air bag technology for cyclist

Firstaid kit to be added to my long list of things to bring along ( rabbits foot included )

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Dipper

This thought often crosses my mind, usually when doing 50mph downhill....

Simple don't think about it, I don't, otherwise I wouldn't do it

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Don't crash would be my best advice. Failing that take up mountain biking and learn how to fall. Most collar bone and wrist injuries are caused by putting your hand out to save yourself - don't! MTB riders are told not to do this and I learned not to do it in my 20s. It is hard to override this reaction but with practice (see MTB falling a lot) you can master it. If going over the front I try to tuck and roll onto my shoulder/back.

It doesn't always work as my last crash proved.

I haven't taught myself to do this, but I don't recall sticking out my hand to save myself in any falls I've had, instictively I've fallen on my side without using my hand to stop my fall.I agree with not doing it if you can help it.

Originally Posted by pookie

How do you stay protected on a road bike? I took a fellow rider to A&E after a innocuous tumble which cracked his helmet in two places. The helmet did its job really well as he landed head then shoulder.Luckily they managed to escape with just shoulder bruising and no collarbone damage but the uncovered parts caught some tarmac.

It raised the question of whether cycle wear is sufficient in event of a fall? This was a reasonably low speed tumble and I guess it worked but I'm not sure if it would have been the same at speed.

My crash in March was exactly the same, only 18mph, but the mechanism of fall meant I couldn't get up and ride home. The crash split my helmet, I only had a small graze on my shoulder, but the bruise to my hip meant I couldn't walk, which required a trip to A&E.

The way I fell, meant instead of sliding, I landed heavily on my hip & head. Which is why my helmet saved me from concussion.

When the pros fall off at high speed, they usually slide, which loses skin & burns, but doesn't bruise as much as a direct fall. So usually they get up and ride on, unless they've done something else.

It'd be nice if you could wear a lightweight back protector, along with hip, shoulder & elbow protection, but anything too restrictive is just going to annoy me.

All my worst falls have been slow speed, but high impact

[Winder]

My new paint job on the 1993 Cannondale M500 MTB