Road Cycling Essentials

PermaChanged · 15 May 2013 at 13:43

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50mm-Tubu...sure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item3f24ecd2d4 - The ones I bought.

rogan · 15 May 2013 at 13:51

Hmm 200 is tempting but only 282 for fully built ones..

PermaChanged · 15 May 2013 at 13:57

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f289/Rusteh101/DSCF0548Resized.jpg

They look pretty good too

(that being said I need to get a better picture of them in daylight!)

rogan · 15 May 2013 at 14:00

hmm...!!

Shamrock · 15 May 2013 at 14:03

grudas said:
you're into SS bikes, what would you recommend as a nice tough wheel set for a SS? budget up to 150 really.

Ambrosio Evolution rims on Zenith hubs are what I run on my Pearson SS.

mr tommo · 15 May 2013 at 14:14

InQ said:
34-28 is going to be easier than 38-26....go with the 11-25 cassette and compact (50-34) cranks if you feel happy with what you have at the moment.
If you are a beginner then consider the 12-28 though, at least it will give you some bail out on steeper and/or longer climbs.

EDIT
Try this to compare gear ratios:- http://www.bikecalc.com/gear_ratios

Thanks, that link was great. Took me a while to get my head around. I think I will go for the Compact 172.5 & 12-28. Can always change to 11-25 once I improve, they are only £20 on wiggle.

touch said:
I would take a set of pedals with it and not bother about upgrading the wheels. You dont really need to upgrade the wheels (and you probably wouldnt even notice the difference anyway) but you will need pedals for it.

That's suprised me everybody seems to go on about weight of wheels being a huge factor, is that just once you are at the top of your game?

PermaChanged · 15 May 2013 at 14:17

I think the reason Touch has recommended pedals is more to do with the fact you can't ride it without

Lighter wheels will help everyone but whether you need them at the moment is your decision.

Edit: Looking at the list you've published 1992g isn't particularly light, I'd save the £19 and wait to get a lighter wheelset down the road.

Kimi · 15 May 2013 at 14:40

Few pics from the weekend of the China Venge

Dura Ace wheels to be fitted tonight

Weather 2 minutes later lol

touch · 15 May 2013 at 14:48

mr tommo said:
That's suprised me everybody seems to go on about weight of wheels being a huge factor, is that just once you are at the top of your game?

You're right, lighter wheels do make a huge difference. But is ~100g difference on a 2kg wheelset even going to be noticeable?
Upgrading to a proper set of clipless pedals + shoes (and learning how to pedal properly in them) will increase your speed more than any set of wheels could.

The gran fondo is a great frame. If you're upgrading from a carrera tdf, it's going to be a huge change. You're not going to jump on the ribble and immediately think "i wish my wheels were 100g lighter".
I'm just trying to say that i think there are better things to spend your money on than slightly lighter wheels.

Kimi · 15 May 2013 at 14:54

touch is spot on

[Damien] · 15 May 2013 at 14:57

Don't forget to take the dustcaps off your innertube valves though. The reduction in rotational inertia will give you at least an extra 30w. If you wear any Rapha/Assos gear too you can multiply any perfomance increases by 3. Stick a pair of Oakleys on top and you'll be winning the TdF in no time!

platypus · 15 May 2013 at 15:07

[Damien];24284621 said:
Don't forget to take the dustcaps off your innertube valves though. The reduction in rotational inertia will give you at least an extra 30w. If you wear any Rapha/Assos gear too you can multiply any perfomance increases by 3. Stick a pair of Oakleys on top and you'll be winning the TdF in no time!

Stock up on laxatives the day before a race as well.

[Damien] · 15 May 2013 at 15:11

platypus said:
Stock up on laxatives the day before a race as well.

Yep, and if you're on a hilly ride, fill your tyres with helium.

[DOD]Asprilla · 15 May 2013 at 15:26

[Damien];24284621 said:
Don't forget to take the dustcaps off your innertube valves though. The reduction in rotational inertia will give you at least an extra 30w.

Sparkling water in your bidons is where the real weight saving is. Pro tip, that.

PermaChanged · 15 May 2013 at 15:29

I've heard baked beans are meant to be a great way to get a squirt of extra acceleration, just release the gas at the right time and it gives you an extra 5 watts. Make sure it's just a squirt of gas otherwise it could be rather embarrassing!

[DOD]Asprilla · 15 May 2013 at 15:33

Rusty_Noob said:
I've heard baked beans are meant to be a great way to get a squirt of extra acceleration, just release the gas at the right time and it gives you an extra 5 watts. Make sure it's just a squirt of gas otherwise it could be rather embarrassing!

Either way, no-one is going to take your wheel.

It explains AG2Rs kit anyway.

mr tommo · 15 May 2013 at 15:34

Ok thanks, that all makes sense. I've just been looking at more expensive, lighter wheels and realised its a total waste like you say.

Glad I'm getting a frame that will last and I can upgrade, can't wait to get on it and compare it to my halfords special!

Pedals and shoes were on my list anyway just not through the cycle scheme but I may aswell pay for the pedals over the next 18 months instead. Will keep the mrs happy!!

I'm currently £5 over... Damn! Is it worth upgrading the tyres for £12.50 or should I scrap them?

I'm over beacuse I want white everything which seems to cost a little extra to black stems and bars etc.

chanjy · 15 May 2013 at 15:36

I heard real weight weenies don't eat for 2 days before a ride

PermaChanged · 15 May 2013 at 15:40

The real weight weenies don't even have weenies! :eek:

[Damien] · 15 May 2013 at 15:47

mr tommo said:
Ok thanks, that all makes sense. I've just been looking at more expensive, lighter wheels and realised its a total waste like you say.

The wheels & tyres that come with most bikes are terrible. They're supposed to be run into the ground until you can afford, and know with what to replace them. Just get whatever the standard kit is.

mr tommo said:
Pedals and shoes were on my list anyway just not through the cycle scheme but I may aswell pay for the pedals over the next 18 months instead. Will keep the mrs happy!!

£1.66 a month for a set of £30 pedals? I've heard of being frugal but that's mental...