Road Cycling Essentials

#Chri5# · 29 Aug 2013 at 19:53

uniQ said:
Anyone seen the new Garmin tourer looks like it could be a decent cheap (or cheaper) way of getting a Garmin w/ Mapping at £200:

http://garmin.blogs.com/ukpr/2013/0...designed-for-navigating-by-.html#.Uh8WOmSKOGo

Quick hands on with it from DCRainmaker here

Saytan · 29 Aug 2013 at 20:00

Bolted the brooks that's eventually going to live on my audax bike to my current work bike to start the break-in process.

My barse hates me already.

ShiWarrior · 29 Aug 2013 at 20:03

the Touring plus seems cheaper alternative to the Edge 810- and does the same, plus navigation ? I want my money back so I can get the touring plus now

#Chri5# · 29 Aug 2013 at 20:27

ShiWarrior said:
the Touring plus seems cheaper alternative to the Edge 810- and does the same, plus navigation ? I want my money back so I can get the touring plus now

Depends what you use on the Edge I guess. From DCR's article...

Thus think of the Touring as a highly simplified version of the Edge 800/810. It’s not for the performance athlete. It’s for someone who simply wants to go for a casual ride and not get lost.

chanjy · 29 Aug 2013 at 20:35

So what exactly does a 'performance athelete' need?

Guess it doesn't do HR. How about cadence?

Saytan · 29 Aug 2013 at 20:38

Edge touring Plus has ANT+

http://garmin.blogs.com/my_weblog/2...gned-for-navigating-by-bike.html#.Uh-i4txwaHt

Disco Boy · 29 Aug 2013 at 21:41

platypus said:
If you can afford it, go for a pair with the Progetto X2 pad, as it's the best one on the market (that I've found). The Kiss3 pad is excellent though and you won't regret it.

Oh yes and size up if you value your testicles.

chanjy said:
Another vote for the free aeros here

Castelli size up very small, be warned!

Thanks for the sizing advice! I think I'll order some: Castelli Velocissimo Due Bib Shorts Black L

chanjy · 29 Aug 2013 at 21:57

Good choice, sure you will love them!

Platypus not sure about your thoughts on this but my Castelli bibs are L - I am a 32in waist and they are smaller than other companies' M size bibs. I could easily have gone XL if I had been in a shop instead of ordering online!

Disco Boy · 29 Aug 2013 at 22:02

I'm a 32 waist, and wear a DHB medium (which are a little short in the body, but fine in the waist).

I think I'll go for a large in the Castellis, I can always return them if they're too small.

tedmaul · 29 Aug 2013 at 22:41

Decided to head back and visit my folks, going the long way and taking in a few of the harder climbs in the area that have been on my 'to do' list for a while.

http://www.strava.com/activities/78487894

Three climbs with fairly significant sections at 20% gradient, so pleased to get up them all. The one out of Striven and the last one over Glen Finnart i've attempted before and ended up walking parts of both last year - it was hard work but got both done without stopping this time. And then the biggest climb over to Otter Ferry i've been meaning to do for a long time, but i knew it had some brutal gradients on it. Definitely one of the toughest i've done in some pretty awful weather, not helped by meeting a van coming the opposite way on the steepest bit! But managed it in one as well.

Weather looks nasty for tomorrow but the plan is to head over to 'Hell's Glen' and the Rest and be Thankful and loop round the climbs and back again. Should be fun!

VeNT · 29 Aug 2013 at 22:50

VeloViewer Score
68.63 ?
From 38 of 153 segments.
Maximum possible score: 98.89
Activity Stats
Activity count:
342
Total dist:
3,153 km
Total elev:
44,834 m
Total time:
7d 03:49:39
Max dist:
87 km - 19/05/2013 Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom
Max elev:
895 m - 19/05/2013 Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom
Max time:
04:12:21 - 19/05/2013 Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom

Vonhelmet · 29 Aug 2013 at 23:50

I know we've got a separate thread for La Vuelta, but it bears repeating that Tony Martin's ride today is well worth a watch.

topgun06 · 30 Aug 2013 at 00:35

New wheels arrived today. Yay... Ummm. But I'll be sending them back. They sent the Shimano wheelset and not the Campag which I ordered. Campag was the only selectable option on the product page!!! Got them at a really good price too! And now they have disappeared from the website. Ahh well... Back to the drawing board

Jonny ///M · 30 Aug 2013 at 01:07

What wheels? Could get a freehub body if you got them at such a good price.

platypus · 30 Aug 2013 at 08:00

uniQ said:
What PSI do folks like to run at?

Phantom Shadow said:
I just try and get as close to the following formula, seems to work:

Tire Width=20: Pressure(psi) = (0.33 * Rider Weight in lbs) + 63.33
Tire Width=23: Pressure(psi) = (0.33 * Rider Weight in lbs) + 53.33
Tire Width=25: Pressure(psi) = (0.33 * Rider Weight in lbs) + 43.33
Tire Width=28: Pressure(psi) = (0.33 * Rider Weight in lbs) + 33.33
Tire Width=32: Pressure(psi) = (0.17 * Rider Weight in lbs) + 41.67
Tire Width=37: Pressure(psi) = (0.17 * Rider Weight in lbs) + 26.67

Front Pressure = .9*Rear Pressure

Hmm I'm a bit off according to that calculation, where did you get it?

I run at 120/125psi.. :eek:

.

platypus · 30 Aug 2013 at 08:02

Saundie said:
I can cope with replacing the chain. Is it going to cause problems with the chain rings?

Not anywhere near as much, no.

platypus · 30 Aug 2013 at 08:04

Vonhelmet said:
Bicycle insurance - home contents insurance is best, yes?

Depends on the policy but generally yes. Specific bike insurance is incredibley expensive.

Saundie · 30 Aug 2013 at 08:53

uniQ said:
What PSI do folks like to run at?

I inflate my tyres to 5PSI below the maximum stated on the sidewall, except for the rear tyre on my commuter which I inflate to the maximum specified of 85PSI.

platypus said:
Not anywhere near as much, no.

That's good news, thanks. By the way, do you remember how much your basic bike mechanic course cost you to attend?

uniQ · 30 Aug 2013 at 08:57

topgun06 said:
New wheels arrived today. Yay... Ummm. But I'll be sending them back. They sent the Shimano wheelset and not the Campag which I ordered. Campag was the only selectable option on the product page!!! Got them at a really good price too! And now they have disappeared from the website. Ahh well... Back to the drawing board

What wheels did you go for?

platypus · 30 Aug 2013 at 09:14

Saundie said:
I inflate my tyres to 5PSI below the maximum stated on the sidewall, except for the rear tyre on my commuter which I inflate to the maximum specified of 85PSI.

That's good news, thanks. By the way, do you remember how much your basic bike mechanic course cost you to attend?

Nope, but again Outspoken (I don't have a business interest I promise

) do one for £50 for a 6 hour day.

Their basic covers:

Diagnosing problems with your bike (‘M’ check)
Learning names for different parts of the bike and their roles
Learning about tyre pressure and wheel sizes
Removing and replacing your wheels correctly
Fitting a new inner tube without causing a puncture
Mending a puncture
Replacing your brake blocks and setting them to achieve maximum wear and braking power
Learning how to clean and lubricate brake cables

Are you comfortable doing any of this? If so, I'd say £50 for that's a bit steep (but its probably a good indicator of price) - obviously the cost factors in a day of training, but these things really should be in the stable of every bike owner, and if not simply ask and someone on here will be happy to ask. Again having said that the mechanics at Outspoken are really good, and if its confidence thats lacking then these courses do help.

Other then that? Come to Cambridge for a weekend, I'll teach you all this (and more) and we can get a few rides in as well.