Road Cycling Essentials

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divaboy said:
Is this an ok bike to get started with ? I've been looking and it has entry level shimano gears. Will these be ok for 12 mile round trip communute and some longer rides at the weekend?

What standard is the rest of the bike at? E.g frame etc etc

Any help for a beginner would be great
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The gears will be fine. My geared bike has the Shimano equivalent of those from 1992 and they are still going strong. I replaced the jockey wheels in the derailleur last year but I have no doubt they were still the original ones in there :)
 
Just to echo some of the comments before, I do 13.5m each way to work and it takes me about 50-60mins on a MTB with slicks. I could probably shave a bit off that if the roads were less rough and a bit straighter/flatter but it sounds about right. Maybe I'd be quicker still if I was 8st like Johnny instead of the 15st behemoth I am at the moment... :p

So yeah, 13m/1hr isn't far off.
 
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divaboy said:
Excellent thanks for all your replies one last thing what's a decent bike lock? Been locking at the kyrptonite ones but seeing reviews about keys getting stuck in locks?
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I've got an Abus Granite X-Plus. Beast of a lock and no problems in the 6 months i've owned it. One warning though, it weighs over 2kg.
 
[Damien];21522808 said:
Just to echo some of the comments before, I do 13.5m each way to work and it takes me about 50-60mins on a MTB with slicks. I could probably shave a bit off that if the roads were less rough and a bit straighter/flatter but it sounds about right. Maybe I'd be quicker still if I was 8st like Johnny instead of the 15st behemoth I am at the moment... :p

So yeah, 13m/1hr isn't far off.
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You mean 13mph? :p
 
Just been on a ride on a route around my area. It was tough this evening for some reason.

Strava says I was just a little bit slower on some of the hill climb segments but 1m 50s faster overall at 1hr 50min :) Quite pleased!
 
my todays commute wasnt the best one....
In the morning, I got cigarette but flicked from the car on to me(it hit my legs) - had a go on the idiot in the car...

was dead tired coming back home and cycling against wind ..it felt like I was cycling for ages ...



as weather is getting better, time is coming to take mudguards off :)


but most important..I need to wash the bike :) its filthy :)

and need to check all gears etc as there is some noise coming from chain etc on some gears...


any good places in London to check your bikes ?
 
Woop, Postie arrived today with some new gear :D

Wonder how long it'll be before I get chain grease on this top ARRGGH

Free bottle and a shot of "Zero" thrown in too which I never noticed on the order. lol

SAM_0405.jpg
 
Fuzz said:
Woop, Postie arrived today with some new gear :D
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Nice pump. I have the same (slightly older version actually). Mine doesnt have any sort of protection around the large metal base tho, i'm always worried about scratching the laminate floor with it, but havnt managed to do so yet. Other than that, it's a really good pump!

Heads up: Lidl have cycling stuff in tomorrow. I would recommend the track pump and the saddle bag.
Track pump is £6. It's nowhere near as good quality as the one Fuzz posted above, but for £6, it's well worth the money if you dont have a floor-standing pump. They are much better for high pressure road tyres then a handheld pump.

Also, i got one of the lidl saddle bags in the past as well. They come with tyre levers, a small multitool and a puncture repair kit. Well worth a fiver.
 
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divaboy said:
Jesus that's a beast :eek: was looking for more a £30 mark for a lock:p

Any ideas?
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Spend a much as you can. The Abus Granite lasts about 30s when confronted with 42" bolt croppers which are the thieves' weapon of choice.

I've got an Almax Immobiliser VI which I leave at work since it and the lock weight about 11kg. I use a Kryptonite New York u-lock for locking the front wheel to the frame.

Don't get any kind of cable lock. They are utterly pointless and generally the clear plastic sheath makes them look thicker than they are. A pair of tin snips will go though them like a hot knife through butter.

Lfgss.com is a good source of information about locks that work and how to use them properly, which is just as important.
 
If any of you guys are bargain hunting then we have bought an absolute pallet load of Santini jerseys/jackets that we are doing 30% off atm in preparation for the SECC Bike Show in April.

If anyone is looking for some nice Italian tops then either trust email me or phone the shop on 01506 873123 and ask for Garry.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;21523944 said:
Spend a much as you can. The Abus Granite lasts about 30s when confronted with 42" bolt croppers which are the thieves' weapon of choice.

I've got an Almax Immobiliser VI which I leave at work since it and the lock weight about 11kg. I use a Kryptonite New York u-lock for locking the front wheel to the frame.

Don't get any kind of cable lock. They are utterly pointless and generally the clear plastic sheath makes them look thicker than they are. A pair of tin snips will go though them like a hot knife through butter.

Lfgss.com is a good source of information about locks that work and how to use them properly, which is just as important.
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Was thinking of this

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/abus/varedo-47-230mm-lock-ec006647#reviews

Bike will only be kept in secure car park underground and a secure shed through the day a work
 
For the guys on a budget.. I believe Lidls cycling event is on today.

I desperately need to replace my glasses I lost, and getting lidls again means I have an extra 2 pairs of lenses etc :-) Will also be getting a shirt... the only trouble is.. I will have to cycle the opposite way to go get it lol.
 
Scougar said:
For the guys on a budget.. I believe Lidls cycling event is on today.
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It is, their stuff is quite decent quality. I got a cycle computer for £3 that does more stuff than my £15 cycle computer I had. Much much better and the quality is really good.

Comes with 3 year manufacturer warranty too (Crivit). I wish I had gone there first as I bought a track pump for £16 and then when I was there they had a sturdy lightweight steel or aluminium one for £4 with pressure gauge and it supports schrader and presta valves.

Going to see the cycling jersey they have and the mini hand pump.
 
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