Road Cycling Essentials

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Average speed just comes with time. I used to struggle to break 17 or so when I first started commuting to work. Now I'm comfortably up to about 20 each day.

Nothing but getting out on your bike will improve that. You don't have to go crazy and do interval training, but if you 'plod' along at the same speed, then don't expect to see huge improvements.
 
topgun06 said:
Good lad! Got a link to the ride?

I was let down by my mates yesterday so went on my own. Furthest I've been on my own. It wasn't as bad as I had imagined. The elevation reading went a bit fuzzy half way around though :confused: http://www.strava.com/activities/85719592

Oh yes and it was obscenely windy in places making it tough!! But that was balanced out by it being wind with on the way down the cat. :)
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BathmanNick said:
50 miles on your own must have been killer, the winds at some parts were insane. Very nice.

I didn't know how I would cope as I've not been up hills like this before so I was hiding behind the other guys most of the time out of wind.

Yeah here's the ride I did http://www.strava.com/activities/85778206
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Holy climbing Batman!
 
Is there any difference between the Exposure Diablo MK4 & 5?

They look exactly the same to me, both have:
1100lm
3100mAh battery
same burn time, same weight, same bits
 
BathmanNick said:
50 miles on your own must have been killer, the winds at some parts were insane. Very nice.

I didn't know how I would cope as I've not been up hills like this before so I was hiding behind the other guys most of the time out of wind.

Yeah here's the ride I did http://www.strava.com/activities/85778206
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Very nice! The initial plan was to head further north through Tideswell and Castleton. But decided against it and went straight to Buxton.
 
platypus said:
I'd love to train with a power meter but would never be able to square the cost away.
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Depends how much value you put on it I guess. Without doubt the best cycling related item I've ever bought, would happily pay up to double that though. Fancy wheels and light frames are all well and good, but they just add a touch of speed in reality, I'd much rather invest in my own cycling strength. The bought speed can come later. My cycling has leapt forward since I bought it too. Wouldn't hesitate to buy again. Although it was a relative bargain at £600.
 
Thomas. PLease. said:
Depends how much value you put on it I guess. Without doubt the best cycling related item I've ever bought, would happily pay up to double that though. Fancy wheels and light frames are all well and good, but they just add a touch of speed in reality, I'd much rather invest in my own cycling strength. The bought speed can come later. My cycling has leapt forward since I bought it too. Wouldn't hesitate to buy again. Although it was a relative bargain at £600.
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£600?! For what. Don't get me wrong, if the choice were down to me I'd have one by now :).
 
That was gruelling today with the cross/headwind. Surprised at some of the Strava stats as it felt like I was cycling through treacle at times.

http://www.strava.com/activities/85973568

My bike has also developed an irritating creak and is shifting terribly. How long do people normally get out of a chain and cassette? Think I'll have a day off the bike tomorrow and clean and index.
 
platypus said:
£600?! For what. Don't get me wrong, if the choice were down to me I'd have one by now :).
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I don't think £600 is that bad if you have a use for it, either in training for racing or for pacing TTs. It's definitely a better investment than fancy wheels or a nicer frame/groupset if you want to go faster. I'd see it as would I rather have a £2000 bike or a £1400 bike with a powermeter? I guarantee the latter would give you more bang for your buck.
 
If you can maintain your power then you can ignore wether your goin uphill at 5mph or decending at 50 because as you improve your 'sustainable' power then the faster youll be on every aspect of a ride

Without power, you have no idea werher the ride that you did this morning was any better than the same route you took last monday, because wind, traffic, terrain all effect the average speed, whereas your power should be very similar
 
nydryl said:
What's the idea with a powermeter? Do you try and hold a steady wattage all the time regardless of terrain and wind?
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As rogan said, power is the only consistent thing when you ride your bike because it takes all the variables out of the equation. Riding everywhere staring at your powermeter (insert Chris Froome looking at stem) would be a miserable experience but they are an excellent training tool and very good for judging efforts for TTs/tris.

Based on speaking to people, they have limited use in 99% of amateur bunch racing because you have so little time to look down but they are great for building your power and endurance prior to racing.

I wouldn't buy a powermeter unless you have a specific training need though, probably not the most fun thing you'll ever use!
 
One More Solo said:
I don't think £600 is that bad if you have a use for it, either in training for racing or for pacing TTs. It's definitely a better investment than fancy wheels or a nicer frame/groupset if you want to go faster. I'd see it as would I rather have a £2000 bike or a £1400 bike with a powermeter? I guarantee the latter would give you more bang for your buck.
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No I was meaning £600 sounds pretty good to me..
 
One More Solo said:
Ah right, well in that case, I agree! :D I like the idea of a crank based one and as more manufacturers get involved that will hopefully bring the price down. I'm pretty sure I've seen second-hand Powertap wheels for less than £400 as well.
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Yeah that would be ideal, plus one that I could use with a turbo would be great. Powertap do that don't they?
 
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