Road Cycling Essentials

[Vonhelmet]

I today purchased a Viking Vuelta road bike. I am moving house soon and going to be biking about 25 miles a day to and from work, as well as the occasional ride out with my father.

The bike seems good, I know it's 'low end' of road biking, but to get me into it and started I am more than happy. A couple of things I am not sure on though, and was wondering if anyone could help me?

I have lid, proper shorts and jersey's etc, but at the moment am just wearing trainers. I am finding it difficult to get my feet in the pedals. I have tried to look at proper shoes, but am confused with what sort I need for the pedals I have, if that makes sense. My trainers seem to 'stick' on the way in. The pedals are listed as: Resin Pedals with toe clips and straps. Can anyone give me some advice as to what sort of shoes I should be looking at?

Also, as I am doing quite a bit of distance for work each day, I am more than a little concerned about getting punctures. The roads I will be traveling on will be small country lanes for about 1/2 the distance, and I really don't want to get a puncture there and have to try to repair it. My Dad has said about Gatorskin tyres, he doesn't use them, but has heard good things about them. Are they good, does anyone have experience with them?

I appreciate these are novice questions, but would appreciate any advice you can give me. Many thanks.

1) Get M520s as Asprilla said and the best shoes you can afford. If buying shimano shoes get a size bigger than you need as they'll be tight.
2) Gatorskins are good tyres.
3) 25 miles round trip I assume? Each way would be heavy going!
4) Don't be embarrassed about having a noob bike. My bike is über noob and frankly pretty cack but it does the job and you can still bang the miles in.
5) Don't worry about asking questions - we were all new once.

 

[[Damien]]

I think it's safe to say I caught the sun today...

 

[grudas]

enjoy those.. thank god for vests.. ;D

 

[Jonny ///M]

The thing that annoys me is that I've had problems since day 1 of owning the bike. I know that it wasn't set up right in the first place that's for sure.

I'll see what they say anyway. I assume installing a new derailleur will be easy enough?

About as easy as any other mech. You still need to set limit screws obviously and tweak the gears using the button at the front cable junction. Do that in the 4th biggest cog, iirc, so 7th gear.

There is a wee tool to remove and refit the cable which should have came with the bike.

Make sure you put your rear wheel in properly too. The amount of bikes i see with the qr spring on the wrong way on the drive side is unreal. It means the wheel doesn't slide properly into the dropout and knocks any limit screws out.

Had a guy snap his forks on a stealth not long after the warranty ran out and ribble said lolwut. No goodwill gesture or anything.

 

[oli collett]

About as easy as any other mech. You still need to set limit screws obviously and tweak the gears using the button at the front cable junction. Do that in the 4th biggest cog, iirc, so 7th gear.

There is a wee tool to remove and refit the cable which should have came with the bike.

Make sure you put your rear wheel in properly too. The amount of bikes i see with the qr spring on the wrong way on the drive side is unreal. It means the wheel doesn't slide properly into the dropout and knocks any limit screws out.

Had a guy snap his forks on a stealth not long after the warranty ran out and ribble said lolwut. No goodwill gesture or anything.

Yeah I've trimmed the gears before, obviously easy enough and yeah got the cable tool. When you say the springs, you mean having the QR lever on the non-drive side and the narrow part of the springs facing inwards?

 

[[Damien]]

The narrow part should face inwards.

 

[Shadowness]

If anyones doing the 150 mile Super Heroes CFC ride tomorrow (starting at Stratford race course).....see you there!

 

[Jonny ///M]

The narrow part should face inwards.

Yeah narrow side on the inside so when it compresses into the nut.

When the fat end is on the inside the axle has the spring over it and it wont go right into the dropout.

You may need to hold the button on the front junction for a bit longer to.get it out of crash node to start with.

> < springs like that.

 

[Russinating]

I today purchased a Viking Vuelta road bike. I am moving house soon and going to be biking about 25 miles a day to and from work, as well as the occasional ride out with my father.

The bike seems good, I know it's 'low end' of road biking, but to get me into it and started I am more than happy. A couple of things I am not sure on though, and was wondering if anyone could help me?

I have lid, proper shorts and jersey's etc, but at the moment am just wearing trainers. I am finding it difficult to get my feet in the pedals. I have tried to look at proper shoes, but am confused with what sort I need for the pedals I have, if that makes sense. My trainers seem to 'stick' on the way in. The pedals are listed as: Resin Pedals with toe clips and straps. Can anyone give me some advice as to what sort of shoes I should be looking at?

Also, as I am doing quite a bit of distance for work each day, I am more than a little concerned about getting punctures. The roads I will be traveling on will be small country lanes for about 1/2 the distance, and I really don't want to get a puncture there and have to try to repair it. My Dad has said about Gatorskin tyres, he doesn't use them, but has heard good things about them. Are they good, does anyone have experience with them?

I appreciate these are novice questions, but would appreciate any advice you can give me. Many thanks.

If you're ok with going clipless (which you should be, you'll get used to it very quickly and you'll never go back) then get a pair of Shimano M520s as already recommended.

As for shoes I have and would recommend Shimano R088s. Evans also stock them so try them on/buy them there. I've ran this pedal and shoe combo for a year now.

I don't use heavily anti-puncture resistant tyres so cant recommend there, however, whilst most people would say there's little difference between tubes, I would recommend Continental Conti Tubes. My local bike shop stock them and the main difference, for me, is that they're simply the easiest to pump up! I don't know if it's just me but every other tube I've used I've had to fiddle/refit my pump to, whereas the valves on the Contis are very snug.

 

[uniQ]

Another leisure ride with Mr Fixie today. Except he wants to get the train to Gloucester and then ride back via the Forest of Dean. Around 65 miles. As it's only 35 miles to Gloucester and looking like another lovely day going to ride and meet him at the train station making it a century

What could possibly go wrong ?

 

[Saundie]

I know I should see the combination of a Sunday morning with clear blue skies as the perfect invitation to get out on the bike, but I just can't be bothered today

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

Testing my resolve this morning; six laps of Richmond Park planned.

Dull.

 

[Vonhelmet]

Testing my resolve this morning; six laps of Richmond Park planned.

Dull.

Back in January when I was just doing anything to get some miles in when it was cold and dark I did 3 local laps of about 9 miles each. Seriously, bored halfway round the second lap.

I'm not doing anything today. It's been a busy week for me cycling wise, and I need a rest.

 

[Russinating]

Laps definitely feel a lot longer than they are and so dull compared to going from A to B.

I'm out with the girlfriend today which means an average of 5mph

 

[davejh666]

If you're ok with going clipless (which you should be, you'll get used to it very quickly and you'll never go back) then get a pair of Shimano M520s as already recommended.

As for shoes I have and would recommend Shimano R088s. Evans also stock them so try them on/buy them there. I've ran this pedal and shoe combo for a year now.

I don't use heavily anti-puncture resistant tyres so cant recommend there, however, whilst most people would say there's little difference between tubes, I would recommend Continental Conti Tubes. My local bike shop stock them and the main difference, for me, is that they're simply the easiest to pump up! I don't know if it's just me but every other tube I've used I've had to fiddle/refit my pump to, whereas the valves on the Contis are very snug.

1) Get M520s as Asprilla said and the best shoes you can afford. If buying shimano shoes get a size bigger than you need as they'll be tight.
2) Gatorskins are good tyres.
3) 25 miles round trip I assume? Each way would be heavy going!
4) Don't be embarrassed about having a noob bike. My bike is über noob and frankly pretty cack but it does the job and you can still bang the miles in.
5) Don't worry about asking questions - we were all new once.

If you are starting out with clipless pedals then I always recommend Shimano M520 pedals because they are cheap, durable and they are double sides which makes them easier to get into than every other type of pedal. They use SPD type cleats and so you would need some shoes with a two bolt sole pattern.

Gatorskins aren't bad. I'm not a fan of Continental tyres but I'm always out voted on that so they can't be as bad as I think. If you want the ultimate in road tyre protection the you want Schwalbe Durano Plus.

With puncture protection there is always a down side and it comes in the form of additional weight, poorer comfort, higher rolling resistance and poorer grip.

Thanks for all the advice guys, really appreciate it. We have an Evans in Milton Keynes, which is only 20 mins in a car from me so will try to pop down there next week to get a set of those Shimano M520's, and will ask them while I am there about Gatorkins/Schwalbe tyre's. Will also get myself a little saddle bag and a puncture repair kit with a little pump (oh need a little rucksack as well!!).

I am not concerned about fixing a puncture, that is easy enough. It's just where we are going to be moving to is a very rural location and little country lanes. I am concerned if I do get a puncture there, trying to fix it at the roadside with not much room for cars/tractors etc to get past, but I am sure I will be fine.

 

[Mr Jones]

Thanks for all the advice guys, really appreciate it. We have an Evans in Milton Keynes, which is only 20 mins in a car from me so will try to pop down there next week to get a set of those Shimano M520's....

If you want flexibility of clipless and flats, I highly recommend the Shimano A530. Use it with my climpless on commutes and flats when I want to bob down the shops or when I am just popping home afterwork but too much of a hurry to change.

Anyway, went out for a nice little ride - was suppose to go with the missus but she felt urgh so I decided to do some climbing and then flat home. (Plus, I get to go faster than 8phm when out cycling without her )

http://app.strava.com/activities/57652741

There had to be an a-hole out there today don't it.
What does Mercedes A Class stand for? A-hole. That's what it stands for. 99% of the road drivers were perfect except for 1 dingbat driver who thinks his side mirror is a safe distance from my handle bar when going faster than 40mph on a 40mph limit straight with no oncoming traffic. Oh and running a red so I can't stop next to him for a little hello. Dingbat.

Otherwise, 99% of the drivers that went passed me, even during my slow climb up were patient and forgiving. For that, I thank them all.

 

[DIABLO]

Thanks for all the advice guys, really appreciate it. We have an Evans in Milton Keynes, which is only 20 mins in a car from me so will try to pop down there next week to get a set of those Shimano M520's, and will ask them while I am there about Gatorkins/Schwalbe tyre's. Will also get myself a little saddle bag and a puncture repair kit with a little pump (oh need a little rucksack as well!!).

I am not concerned about fixing a puncture, that is easy enough. It's just where we are going to be moving to is a very rural location and little country lanes. I am concerned if I do get a puncture there, trying to fix it at the roadside with not much room for cars/tractors etc to get past, but I am sure I will be fine.

Personally i would do what i do and carry a spare innertube or two with you, trying to fix a puncture at the side of the road especially if it's raining is not my idea of fun.

 

[davejh666]

Yeah, good idea.

I have been out on it this morning and just done about 12 miles, which took me about 40 mins. I am not the fittest of people at the moment, but that will change over the coming months! I biked half way to where I will live to see what the route each day will be like etc.

What I have quickly discovered is that I need to get myself some gloves, as about half way there I got pins and needles (from the vibration I think) in both hands. Other than that, was really good, really enjoyed it, if a little tired now. Going for a cold bath!!

 

[Vonhelmet]

Personally i would do what i do and carry a spare innertube or two with you, trying to fix a puncture at the side of the road especially if it's raining is not my idea of fun.

Aye, even that's pain in the arse enough, getting the tyre off, checking for what did it, replacing the tube, getting the tyre back on, pumping it up... Even with the best will in the world I think it would take me at least fifteen minutes.

 

[tedmaul]

Finally made it home! Wasn't planning on a century today but after the problems I had I sure as hell wasn't going to go through all that and not do one!

http://app.strava.com/activities/57535387 Knackered. By far my hardest ride to date.

Edit: I'll admit Winnats Pass nearly broke me. Its the hill from hell and I don't want to do it ever again!

Awesome ride mate! That looks rock hard.

So, i took advantage of the fact my step-daughter was rowing up at Lochwinoch yesterday to head off and get 50 miles in. I bought a book of scottish hill climbs a while back and it gave me chance to tick off 3 from the list: Lyle Rd, Old Largs Rd and Dalry Moor

Weather was typically mental - left Lochwinnoch and into Greenock in glorious sunshine. Then as i went up the knee destroying incline onto the old largs rd, the wind picks up and i'm struggling to hit 12kph! Then when i finally hit what would be an amazing descent - monsoon! Utterly drenched and freezing cold by the time i hit sea level. Then the final major climb over Dalry Moor turns out to be a total beast, and by now the sun is out again and the road looks like it's been on fire with all the steam rising off of it. Would have looked cool if my vision hadn't blurred to the extent i could only look at my front wheel as i desperately tried to continue breathing!

Good fun though in that sick and twisted way we seem to enjoy on hills!

http://app.strava.com/activities/57552175