Road Cycling Essentials

panthro · 30 Jul 2012 at 23:10

I bought this today on the cycle to work scheme. It was £850, which left me with £175 for accessories so bought a new helmet, pump, trip computer, bottle and cage. Quite pleased with it so far. Planning to use it for fitness training as I'm a mountain biker at heart

Vonhelmet · 31 Jul 2012 at 00:02

I'm ebaying like crazy at the moment... I've won a pair of unworn bib shorts and two "vintage" cycling jerseys for under £30 all told, and I'm now looking for a base layer for cold/windy days and a lightweight rain jacket that I can stuff in the back of a jersey. I could do with some new gloves as my £5 Halfords wonders are lasting as well as can be expected, and I quite fancy some cycling glasses if only to keep spray out of my eyes. I want some SPD shoes as I'm currently using an old pair that my neighbour has lent me and they're 1/2 a size too small, but shoes are expensive!

Oh, the joys of doing all this on a shoestring budget...

[DOD]Asprilla · 31 Jul 2012 at 06:58

If you want glasses to keep the spray and wind out the Bolle Safety glasses on eBay are highly recommended. Very cheap and nice looking.

helpimcrap · 31 Jul 2012 at 07:31

touch said:
I meant in contrast with the cage pedals he has now. Although i'v just realised that different people might mean different things by 'cage' pedals. I thought he meant he had pedals with clips and toe straps, but maybe he means flat pedals.

If it's flat pedals, then you are right. SPDs will give quite a big benefit.

flat pedals with a strap that stops my toes going further forward.

does that make sense? lol

Vonhelmet · 31 Jul 2012 at 09:15

[DOD]Asprilla;22459519 said:
If you want glasses to keep the spray and wind out the Bolle Safety glasses on eBay are highly recommended. Very cheap and nice looking.

Cheers for the tip. There's some very reasonably priced ones out there!

I've seen some glasses with interchangeable lenses for different light conditions. Is it worth fretting about that sort of thing?

Russinating · 31 Jul 2012 at 09:28

Thanks to Von and R0B75 for my sponsors, very much appreciated. Next time you do a sponsored ride you'll have to send me a link and I'll return the favour

weescott · 31 Jul 2012 at 09:56

ichabod crane said:
I cannot believe I have a road bike, I feel dirty!

I think you should put your flats on it. Then you can say its a hybrid and feel less dirty.

#Chri5# · 31 Jul 2012 at 11:26

Anyone recommend some brands which make nice cycling tops but aren't designed for racing snakes like team kit?

I'm normally a Large size for tops - last year I ordered a Sky replica top in XL and it was rather snug. I swapped it for an XXL :eek:

and that wasn't much better.

I've tried a Shutt jersey in the past and I sent it back, but can't remember why :rolleyes:

PermaChanged · 31 Jul 2012 at 11:43

I quite like Foska Jerseys, I have both a Marmite and Frosties one.

Draeger · 31 Jul 2012 at 12:09

Cycling clothing has historically been all over the place when it comes to sizing. You really need to know what sizes from what brand names fit you before purchasing which is obviously a drawback when ordering online. Some online places will have sizing guides relevant to the manufacturers particular range but it can be a bit of a hit or a miss. My stuff all fits me pretty much spot on but it consists of a massive variation in labeled sizes.

Jonny69 · 31 Jul 2012 at 12:23

Rusty_Noob said:
I quite like Foska Jerseys, I have both a Marmite and Frosties one.

That's fine for riding in the morning. For evening rides you need the Bisto or Horlicks one

broona · 31 Jul 2012 at 12:27

I'm doing a 50 mile bike ride on the 2nd of September in aid of Asthma UK if anyone would like to sponsor me - Andrew Brown is fundraising for Asthma UK

Thanks in advance.

Vonhelmet · 31 Jul 2012 at 13:10

Draeger said:
Cycling clothing has historically been all over the place when it comes to sizing. You really need to know what sizes from what brand names fit you before purchasing which is obviously a drawback when ordering online. Some online places will have sizing guides relevant to the manufacturers particular range but it can be a bit of a hit or a miss. My stuff all fits me pretty much spot on but it consists of a massive variation in labeled sizes.

I've been buying second hand cycling jerseys on ebay lately, and the big sellers all list the size per the label and then some actual measurements for the chest, the back, etc, because the size on the label is basically worthless. You see shirts with a 40" chest coming up as anything between S and XL. Crazy.

Russinating · 31 Jul 2012 at 13:25

#Chri5# said:
I'm normally a Large size for tops - last year I ordered a Sky replica top in XL and it was rather snug. I swapped it for an XXL and that wasn't much better.

Don't be put off. XS tshirts from Primark are baggy on me but I'm a L/XL in jerseys and bib shorts.

Generally I've found that S are the equivalent of XXS, especially in team kit where nobody in the team would ever be over a L in normal clothes.

panthro · 31 Jul 2012 at 13:28

Can you use mtb clipless/SPD pedals on a road bike? What are the advantages of road bike clipless pedals? I'm not after any weight saving, just that my bike came with rubbish pedals.

Vonhelmet · 31 Jul 2012 at 13:36

panthro said:
Can you use mtb clipless/SPD pedals on a road bike? What are the advantages of road bike clipless pedals? I'm not after any weight saving, just that my bike came with rubbish pedals.

Yes, you can use SPD mountain bike pedals on a road bike, and loads of people do. Some people prefer them to "road" pedals because the shoes are generally cheaper, the cleats are easier to get in and out, and the shoes are more suited to walking around in as they aren't as stiff and the cleats are recessed. Road pedals and cleats generally provide a larger "platform" under your foot, and a more solid connection between your foot and the pedal to allow for better transfer of force, but the system and shoes is more expensive and the shoes are harder to walk in.

In terms of general advantages of either system - much improved force transfer and not having to worry about your foot falling off the pedals all the time. In terms of disadvantages - cost, and the shame and pain of falling off when you do something stupid.

Russinating · 31 Jul 2012 at 14:57

The past week or so I've been very "aware" of my knees. They don't hurt and they're not sore etc, I can just feel that they exist if that makes sense. Oh, and this is only really (or at least more so) off the bike.

What's the likely reason for this and how can I strengthen my knees without a gym/gym kit?

willems · 31 Jul 2012 at 16:28

hmmm still cant decide what to do. i think a vote is in order

apex, tiagra or veloce? (for winter bike)

helpimcrap · 31 Jul 2012 at 16:31

Are there any tri bars which will fit a Giant Defy 2 2012 or do i have to stump up the £140 for the genuine ones from Giant?

They have a slightly thinker middle so my uncles won't fit.

Draeger · 31 Jul 2012 at 16:43

You should be able to pick up a pair of clip on tri bars on the bay for about £20. Your Defy 2 will have oversize bars with a diameter of 31.8mm so pretty much any modern aftermarket tri bar kit should fit. I bought one a couple of years ago for my Pinarello just out of curiosity to be honest but I only had them on the bike for a few hundred miles then took them off.

This was a couple years ago when I fitted them, bike has changed a bit since them with new carbon blingy stems and seatpost etc

Road Cycling Essentials

Man of Honour