Road Cycling Essentials
- Thread starter Matutu
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![[Damien]](/styles/overclockers/avatars/4.png){kind=avatar}
Tighten your chainring bolts.
Christmas came early today. My Rapha and my Ribble order turned up at once!
Opened them all up at home and gave a few bits a test.
Assos Insulator Gloves - Little small, I ordered a Large, which is the same size as their 851 gloves that I already have. These felt a little small in the fingers compared. Made in China compared to made in Italy perhaps? Anyway, out on the bike, the 851s at 10-12c end up with my hands sweating too much, making the glove sweaty and then my hands get cold. Used these gloves, warmer than my summer gloves, but without my hands getting hot. Worked a treat. They come up short in the cuff, but this is because they can be worn under the 851 or other gloves. Not bad for the money.
Endura Equipe Themo Bib Knickers - These appear well made. Little zip at the front, I guess to help you at a pee stop. The pad is pretty thick, definitely thicker than my Assos or Castelli bibs. Fit wise, seem a little off to me, I was sceptical when their guide recommended me a medium. Shoulder strap/height wise they are fine (188cm), and they are about right in the leg for 3/4 length. Disappointingly they are a little big in the backside, and a bit tight around the crotch area, fingers crossed after a wash they might loosen up a bit. On the bike they were fine, thicker than my other bibs which kept me noticeably warmer. They bunched a little behind the knee which was annoying at first, but got better the more I rode...
Rapha Merino Base Layer - Went for a large with sleeves in cream. Was thinner than I expected so was wondering if I would be kept warm enough. Sized up a touch bigger than I would have liked, I am at the smaller end of the L scale, but would have liked it more fitted/tighter. On the bike, 10c with just a thin jersey over the top. No issues, I was plenty warm enough and a little sweaty when I got home.
Rapha Pro Team Base Layer - Again went for a large. Fit was better, fitted/tight. Not tried it on the bike yet, probably a bit too thin for the time of year, but if it gets >15c I might.
Rapha Merino Arm Warmers Good length in large, fitted nicely and kept my arms warm! Can't argue with that for the cost. Much colder than 10c and would perhaps want long sleeve jersey instead, but would be good for a morning or evening ride where you could put them in your pocket when not required.
I've got a the Rapha Merino Knee warmers to try too and their Merino socks, but not fussed about with them yet. It all arrived nicely presented with a "free" musette bag ($60 apparently) and a few post cards/stickers inside. Personally I would rather have $60 off my next order as a loyalty discount (I'd probably buy a jersey straight away if they did that) but it was a nice addition that I wasn't expecting. Shipping was quick and free, but dispatch time was slow. Free returns too which is an advantage over the competition, especially since I am in Australia.
Opened them all up at home and gave a few bits a test.
Assos Insulator Gloves - Little small, I ordered a Large, which is the same size as their 851 gloves that I already have. These felt a little small in the fingers compared. Made in China compared to made in Italy perhaps? Anyway, out on the bike, the 851s at 10-12c end up with my hands sweating too much, making the glove sweaty and then my hands get cold. Used these gloves, warmer than my summer gloves, but without my hands getting hot. Worked a treat. They come up short in the cuff, but this is because they can be worn under the 851 or other gloves. Not bad for the money.
Endura Equipe Themo Bib Knickers - These appear well made. Little zip at the front, I guess to help you at a pee stop. The pad is pretty thick, definitely thicker than my Assos or Castelli bibs. Fit wise, seem a little off to me, I was sceptical when their guide recommended me a medium. Shoulder strap/height wise they are fine (188cm), and they are about right in the leg for 3/4 length. Disappointingly they are a little big in the backside, and a bit tight around the crotch area, fingers crossed after a wash they might loosen up a bit. On the bike they were fine, thicker than my other bibs which kept me noticeably warmer. They bunched a little behind the knee which was annoying at first, but got better the more I rode...
Rapha Merino Base Layer - Went for a large with sleeves in cream. Was thinner than I expected so was wondering if I would be kept warm enough. Sized up a touch bigger than I would have liked, I am at the smaller end of the L scale, but would have liked it more fitted/tighter. On the bike, 10c with just a thin jersey over the top. No issues, I was plenty warm enough and a little sweaty when I got home.
Rapha Pro Team Base Layer - Again went for a large. Fit was better, fitted/tight. Not tried it on the bike yet, probably a bit too thin for the time of year, but if it gets >15c I might.
Rapha Merino Arm Warmers Good length in large, fitted nicely and kept my arms warm! Can't argue with that for the cost. Much colder than 10c and would perhaps want long sleeve jersey instead, but would be good for a morning or evening ride where you could put them in your pocket when not required.
I've got a the Rapha Merino Knee warmers to try too and their Merino socks, but not fussed about with them yet. It all arrived nicely presented with a "free" musette bag ($60 apparently) and a few post cards/stickers inside. Personally I would rather have $60 off my next order as a loyalty discount (I'd probably buy a jersey straight away if they did that) but it was a nice addition that I wasn't expecting. Shipping was quick and free, but dispatch time was slow. Free returns too which is an advantage over the competition, especially since I am in Australia.
I have a pair of these also but without the pad - i have to wear padded boxers under them. I find the fit pretty good (apparently, i have a bigger arse and a smaller crotch then you
) I love them for riding in the cold, they do a great job of keeping me warm. I also have the problem with them bunching up behind my knees, i think all longs do this to an extent, but it's more noticeable with these because they are so thick. It becomes less of a problem after a while, on a longer ride i probably only need to adjust them every hour or so (just pull them tight again as i'm riding along)Hmm, is thicker necessarily better though? My Castelli shorts are the best pad I've ever used, but its pretty thin.
I didn't ride far enough to tell you tonight, only 40km, so I couldn't say either way.
I don't have the top end Castellis, mine are the KISS 3 pad from memory.
Let me know if you find a cause. I have exactly the same problem. Do you have a carbon frame?
I've identified my creak as coming from the bottom bracket area. I've removed the BB, cleaned, greased and replaced it, tightening it to the stated specifications. It still creaks. Now either the actual BB has gone, or there is a small crack in the carbon frame.
I've just started hearing something similar when climbing or just pedaling out of the saddle. Its a very subtle knocking souns and barely audible if there's a bit of wind in my ears. I can't tell where its coming from but can't see a crack anywhere and its a brand new chainset and bottom bracket. Puzzling.
Associate
- Joined
- 29 Jul 2008
- Posts
- 692
In terms of the bike itself, a TT bike is not that much more aero than a normal road bike. Deep rims, shaped tubing, internal cable routing, etc all help with aerodynamics but most road bikes have all that now anyway.
The big difference is the position that a TT bike allows for the rider. The aero drag from the bike is tiny compared to that of the rider, so dont worry too much about differences between bikes. Just try to find something with a good spec and preferably some nice wheels.
Also: George is still alive?!I thought you'd disappeared into a ditch on a big alpine descent (or, more likely, collapsed into it on the way up
).
I've got a Canyon slx8, so bike is well speced.
I'm caught between getting new TT bike and just upgrading current canyon and selling the dura ace gear on it (7900), not sure how much I'd get though maybe 500ish.
If I did upgrade I doubt I'd get much quicker given position is more vital in terms on time gains, also I'd like to do triathlons so...
Comes down to money I guess, 3.5k TT bike vs upgrade new bike.......
Soldato
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- 17 Sep 2006
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- 4,469
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- Gloucestershire
Thanks guys, I'll double check that all bolts are tight.
I don't have the tools for this bike to take the BB out, as it's different to my commuter.
(yes it's a CF frame)
I don't have the tools for this bike to take the BB out, as it's different to my commuter.
(yes it's a CF frame)
Please don't. I've not even done 1000 miles on my VN, and yet I'm already considering trading it in for another one with Di2. The last thing I need is you tempting me further with your images of bike pornography. Although saying that, I think I've done enough damage myself with this;
Titanium frame, Ultegra Di2 and disc brakes. I think I'm in love.
Sorry, i didnt explain that very well. TT bikes make a huge difference. I strongly recommend getting one over upgrading your current bike if you want to do time trials/triathlons.
What i meant was that there isnt any need really to compare how aero a canyon speedmax is against other TT bikes because it's the rider that makes the difference. Just get whatever has the best spec.
When I get down to about 5mph on nasty climbs I get a pinging noise from towards the back of the bike. I think it's the spokes in the rear wheel, which is a bit disconcerting. It serves as a good incentive to climb faster...
I always think if you're going Ti then don't get it painted, but that looks cool.
Are the tyres 25mm or larger? They look a little chunky to be 23mm.
Looks nasty.. and gives me an idea for a route next weekendWas it on fairly quiet roads?
Bit of traffic on the A roads but you weren't on them for too long. The Goyt Valley is very scenic and the road out of the valley up to the Cat & Fiddle is one way. Once you then drop off the A537 down towards Macclesfield Forest the lanes are very quiet.
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