Road Cycling Essentials

Mr Jones · 8 Jul 2013 at 16:46

davejh666 said:
Hi,

Is there any app for your phone or anything I can download for the PC that will plan me a cycle route? By that I mean, I just want to go out for a ride, say 20 miles, put in my start destination and end destination, and for it to plot me a route.

I rode out to Grafham Water today as I got my bike back yesterday, which was only a 14 mile round trip and I was hoping to ride around the reservoir, but it looked far too stony/gravely for a road bike. So a little disappointed, and didn't know where to go from there.

I use http://www.cyclestreets.net/ to get a rough idea the distance, 'quiet/balance/fast' routes. Then plot them via Runtastic create a route to follow.

Runtastic create a route works on PC and the app syncs with what you've saved.

touch · 8 Jul 2013 at 17:22

uniQ said:
I keep noticing on this and others is I often pull ahead on the climb(s) then fall behind on the flats. Wondering if I should try going slower on the climb

No, you should try going faster on the flats

uniQ · 8 Jul 2013 at 17:44

[Damien] · 8 Jul 2013 at 18:22

Sounds like you suck at being aero to me. I'm the same. Quick up hills but often get passed on the flats.

DIABLO · 8 Jul 2013 at 19:11

Saundie said:
Do you think the Ultremo range are too flimsy to be used on the tough streets of Surrey? As much as I want fast tyres, I also don't want to be fixing punctures every time I go out. I think the tread on the Vredesteins might be causing debris to get swept up into the mudguard, which then pinches it back into the tyre, so a completely slick tyre may be the solution. That's just a hunch though, based on the fact that I've not found anything in the tyre when I've replaced the tube.

Edit; I just checked, the current tyres are Vredestein Fiammante in 700x25c.

I've done about 1100 miles on some Ultremo ZX's that came on my Cube and havn't had a single puncture as yet and they wear quite well as well. I do live in a rural area though in a city with glass and stuff it might be a different story.

uniQ · 8 Jul 2013 at 19:20

Edited

[Damien];24580142 said:
Sounds like you suck at being aero to me. I'm the same. Quick up hills but often get passed on the flats.

- Damien says I suck at being aero.
- Puts lycra on in anger
- Attacks another forum members favourite TT segment (Russinating 8th).
- Gets KOM @ 24.1mph over 2.3mi
- Not aero my ***

[Damien] · 8 Jul 2013 at 20:10

uniQ said:
Edited

- Damien says I suck at being aero.
- Puts lycra on in anger
- Attacks another forum members favourite TT segment (Russinating 8th).
- Gets KOM @ 24.1mph over 2.3mi
- Not aero my ***

Hehe, glad to be of assistance.

You also have bad fashion sense and terrible hair. And you smell.

Now what?

uniQ · 8 Jul 2013 at 20:21

Ordered: The Cyclist's Training Bible

I need a structured training plan, fast paced shorter rides at higher intensity is a different ball game than the sort of cycling I'm used too, so far I've winged it but I don't think that’s going to cut it any longer if I wan't to get faster.

[Damien];24580674 said:
You also have bad fashion sense and terrible hair. And you smell.

Now what?

grudas · 8 Jul 2013 at 20:38

got a couple of pairs of those aldi 2.99 sunglasses on offer

quite nice tbh.. there's a sale going too so don't miss out, nice starters tool kit for 19.99. - can be had for pretty much the same price on amazon tho.

thepeteh · 8 Jul 2013 at 20:52

Thinking of changing to a compact chainset as I hardly get into big ring at all. Currently ride a double, 52/39T ultegra 6700 with 11-25 at rear.
Looking at going to 50/34 11-28.
I normally average about 28-31km/h... anyone made the same move? Opinions appreciated

grudas · 8 Jul 2013 at 20:57

so you think -2 tooth will get you to push "the big ring" ?

just switch over to the big ring and use higher gear the back.. i have never used the small ring on mine since replacing.. - then again we have no hills in london

thepeteh · 8 Jul 2013 at 21:09

I'm not concerned about the bravado stuff, I just thought it would be good to have more of a range of gears usable to my ability.

grudas · 8 Jul 2013 at 21:24

thing is i see 90% of people using the big ring and only switching to small when doing a big climb, i think you got used to the wrong thing in the first place.

Rexxar · 8 Jul 2013 at 21:30

Just gotten one of these : Topeak Tri-Bag DryBag (Mouthful...!)

A lot more roomy than you'd think, can fit keys, phone, wallet, multitool, energy bars etc in there, doesn't get in the way either and you can see it is still intact which makes me prefer it over the under-saddle wedges that i've previously used.

Would recommend it!

thepeteh · 8 Jul 2013 at 21:41

grudas said:
thing is i see 90% of people using the big ring and only switching to small when doing a big climb, i think you got used to the wrong thing in the first place.

I disagree. My average speed is good, I would consider myself an average ability rider. However still for me, cruising on the flat in the easiest of big ring is just slightly too much to sustain a good cadence/diagonal chain, Plus I very rarely spin out of the highest gear when descending, so I thought I may benefit from a compact - more usable gears for 90% of the time on the flat and more range for climbing. Admittedly a bit of top end lost but I don't think I'll miss that.

Shamrock · 8 Jul 2013 at 21:54

grudas said:
thing is i see 90% of people using the big ring and only switching to small when doing a big climb, i think you got used to the wrong thing in the first place.

I'm sorry grudas but this comment is just absurd!

Thomas. PLease. · 8 Jul 2013 at 22:21

thepeteh said:
Thinking of changing to a compact chainset as I hardly get into big ring at all. Currently ride a double, 52/39T ultegra 6700 with 11-25 at rear.
Looking at going to 50/34 11-28.
I normally average about 28-31km/h... anyone made the same move? Opinions appreciated

I've always had a compact on my road bike, the TT bike came with a double (54T big ring) and like you I couldn't use the big ring just on the flat. Changed it a while ago to a compact and its much better now. More usable gears to spin up climbs at 90rpm+ and plenty of go on the flat. Yes I'll spin out anything 40mph+ but to be honest I'd rather not be driving on at that speed on the TT bike, and I'll be on the base bar anyway. Rather hold the effort for places it's better used.

Thomas. PLease. · 8 Jul 2013 at 22:23

Anyone have any recommendations for sunglasses. Lost one pair on a sportive, and only have a crummy set now. Want something that looks decent with changeable lenses. Ideally shorter arms on them as well so they don't interfere with my helmet straps.

Any ideas anyone?

Vonhelmet · 8 Jul 2013 at 22:35

thepeteh said:
I disagree. My average speed is good, I would consider myself an average ability rider. However still for me, cruising on the flat in the easiest of big ring is just slightly too much to sustain a good cadence/diagonal chain, Plus I very rarely spin out of the highest gear when descending, so I thought I may benefit from a compact - more usable gears for 90% of the time on the flat and more range for climbing. Admittedly a bit of top end lost but I don't think I'll miss that.

If you're using 52/25 and cruising at, say 18mph, then your cadence must be about 110, which sounds unlikely.

Although, thinking about it, that might be why it's "slightly too much" to sustain. If you moved up a couple of sprockets you could maintain the same speed at a lower cadence, which you might find easier.

If you need the range on the hills, change the cassette and move up to a 28 at the back. I think that will help you more than moving to a compact.

Vonhelmet · 8 Jul 2013 at 22:39

grudas said:
thing is i see 90% of people using the big ring and only switching to small when doing a big climb, i think you got used to the wrong thing in the first place.

Heh. My century the other day I think I spent the whole of the first 25 miles in the big ring, and the majority of the last 25 miles in the small ring, even though they covered pretty much the same chunk of flat ground. I was on my knees by the end of it.