Road Cycling Essentials

Russinating · 31 Jul 2012 at 16:49

Never thought about fitting them to my bike, would be nice for longer riders though and also improve my ability to cycle in a more forward position generally.

What should I be looking for? Any of these I assume - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycle/aero-handlebars/ - but what makes them good/bad?

helpimcrap · 31 Jul 2012 at 17:04

Thanks guys. Yeah the giant spec says 31.8 and i can see some on ebay or about £44.

Gribs · 31 Jul 2012 at 17:59

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

apex, tiagra or veloce? (for winter bike)

It depends what bike they're going on but I'd discount Tiagra as they're ugly. I use Campag Veloce on my road bike and it works well, but I think Apex might be a bit lighter and you can get bigger cassettes.

Jonny ///M · 31 Jul 2012 at 18:29

Depends if it's Tiagra 9 or 10 speed?

I'd still probably prefer shimano knowing if something goes wrong spare parts are easy to come by. Don't really like campag that much and stram is nice but I prefer the less clicky/clunk of shimano.

Draeger · 31 Jul 2012 at 19:46

I would think if it's a winter hack then 'form over function' shouldn't really be applicable. Tiagra even in 9 speed flavour is perfectly good. If I was fitting out a winter hack bike I'd buy the least expensive groupset I could, making sure it was durable and effective. Looks wouldn't come into it.

Guys - quick question. Does anyone have any good sources or info on where to buy a reasonably inexpensive carb/hydration powder for rides?. I've been using SiS PSP22 and it's fine but wondered if anyone had anything else to recommend?. Years ago, Argos did their own range of ProPower stuff which was stonking value for money but its vanished off the face of the earth now. Anything similar on the market?.

DIABLO · 31 Jul 2012 at 19:58

Draeger said:
I would think if it's a winter hack then 'form over function' shouldn't really be applicable. Tiagra even in 9 speed flavour is perfectly good. If I was fitting out a winter hack bike I'd buy the least expensive groupset I could, making sure it was durable and effective. Looks wouldn't come into it.

Guys - quick question. Does anyone have any good sources or info on where to buy a reasonably inexpensive carb/hydration powder for rides?. I've been using SiS PSP22 and it's fine but wondered if anyone had anything else to recommend?. Years ago, Argos did their own range of ProPower stuff which was stonking value for money but its vanished off the face of the earth now. Anything similar on the market?.

Quite a few on here use Zero branded stuff. Discount Supplements are a decent cheap website to get stuff from. If you need gels as well this is a great bargain http://www.discount-supplements.co.uk/high-5-race-faster-marathon-running-1-pack even if you don't need the gels thats still a maximum of 14 drinks for £5.50

Vonhelmet · 31 Jul 2012 at 20:30

Argh. Am stood on the roadside in the rain 9 miles from home waiting for my ever benevolent neighbour to come and rescue me. The rear mech on his bike spazzed out and managed to get snagged in the wheel. It has sheared off and is utterly mangled. Awesome.

Draeger · 31 Jul 2012 at 20:46

Sorry to hear it m8!!!. At least it didn't do it and then chuck you off.

I'll have a look at Discount Supplements DIABLO, cheers.

VeNT · 31 Jul 2012 at 20:57

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

apex, tiagra or veloce? (for winter bike)

I'd say apex tbh.
very happy with mine!

Vonhelmet · 31 Jul 2012 at 21:51

So, I've been rescued. He wasn't even cross about it. He says he'll use it as an opportunity to upgrade to a Sora mech at the back, as it was only a 2300 or something on there before, and he's got a mate who will fit it for free, so that's nice and easy. Every cloud has a silver lining, I guess!

#Chri5# · 31 Jul 2012 at 21:58

Draeger said:
Guys - quick question. Does anyone have any good sources or info on where to buy a reasonably inexpensive carb/hydration powder for rides?. I've been using SiS PSP22 and it's fine but wondered if anyone had anything else to recommend?. Years ago, Argos did their own range of ProPower stuff which was stonking value for money but its vanished off the face of the earth now. Anything similar on the market?.

I like High5 Zero for longer rides. Doesn't give me a bad stomach like full-on energy drink.

Lopéz · 31 Jul 2012 at 21:58

Just bought a Blackburn Flea 2.0.

It's tiny :eek:

, really surprised how much light it produces for such a small unit.

Draeger · 31 Jul 2012 at 22:02

#Chri5# said:
I like High5 Zero for longer rides. Doesn't give me a bad stomach like full-on energy drink.

I've just grabbed a pack of 20 of the Zero Extreme on the bay of 'E's' for £5.99. I've used them before when they have been given away free with some of the bike magazines and they have been fine. Seems like tabs are a bit more convenient to carry as well.

Didn't Tesco or Asda used to stock these?.

Vonhelmet · 31 Jul 2012 at 22:16

Draeger said:
I've just grabbed a pack of 20 of the Zero Extreme on the bay of 'E's' for £5.99. I've used them before when they have been given away free with some of the bike magazines and they have been fine. Seems like tabs are a bit more convenient to carry as well.

Didn't Tesco or Asda used to stock these?.

Our big Tesco stocks all sorts of High5 stuff. Pricey though.

touch · 31 Jul 2012 at 22:17

Draeger said:
Didn't Tesco or Asda used to stock these?.

Possibly. Tesco stock a lot of the Science in Sport stuff. It's quite handy because they sell the individual sachets but expensive if you buy a lot.

Vonhelmet · 31 Jul 2012 at 22:27

Right, I want to pick up some kind of thin, light waterproof jacket that I can scrunch up and put in the back pocket of a jersey. Can anyone link me to anything cheap?

Russinating · 31 Jul 2012 at 22:35

I've got this: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/altura-transformer-windproof-cycling-jacket/

Not cheap but it has gone up since I bought it from £62. It is very good and worth it, plus the sleeves zip off and can be popped in the rear pockets which is great for our ever-changing weather.

Draeger · 31 Jul 2012 at 22:36

Cheers, thought I had seen them in Tesco. I'll have a look tomorrow.

Vonhelmet said:
Right, I want to pick up some kind of thin, light waterproof jacket that I can scrunch up and put in the back pocket of a jersey. Can anyone link me to anything cheap?

I got an Altura Cropton jacket free ages ago with a Cycling Plus subscription. Very lightweight and not too shabby at keeping the wind and showers out. Scrunches up into an absolutely tiny size that fits into a back pocket easily. I wear an Altura Nightvision for my commute usually but depending on the weather, I'll just stick a short sleeve top or a Gorebike Alp windproof on and stick the Compton in my back pocket. They can be had for about £30 online.

eXist · 1 Aug 2012 at 08:26

Vonhelmet said:
Right, I want to pick up some kind of thin, light waterproof jacket that I can scrunch up and put in the back pocket of a jersey. Can anyone link me to anything cheap?

you want one of these then mate, absolutly amazing wee jacket considering its packs into a tennis ball sized pouch, fully breathable also. about 20+ guys in our club use them now and were doing at least 30% off santini stuff until it clears through....

http://www.pedalpower.org.uk/bikes/santini/santini-kines-super-light-pack-jacket?vmcchk=1

willems · 1 Aug 2012 at 08:32

Gribs said:
It depends what bike they're going on but I'd discount Tiagra as they're ugly. I use Campag Veloce on my road bike and it works well, but I think Apex might be a bit lighter and you can get bigger cassettes.

its for a ribble winter

tiagra is cheapest by 30£ but only goes up to a 25T so i'd have to buy a new cassette making it similar to veloce

veloce is something different and cassette options are 13-26 or 13-29 at no extra cost

apex is most expensive as compact chainset and cassette changes bump the price to 50£ more