Road Cycling Essentials

[platypus]

Right need some decision help.

Roux Etape 205 or Dawes Galaxy Plus. Both are similar spec, the big difference being that the Etape has STI shifters, and the Dawes has Bar end shifters to make room for a handlebar bag (the Etape does route cables to achieve this but it's not as open as the GP) - but I really can't decide whether or not this would lead to shifting being really irritating, or I'd get used to it. The discs are slightly better spec on the GP but that isn't too much of a consideration as I can upgrade at my leisure.

GP has 48/36/26 on the front, in comparison to 50/39/30 on the Etape, on the rear they have 11-32T and 12-27T respectively. I've never had a triple, and never done any heavily loaded touring so not sure which ratios would be best, the Etape would give a higher top speed but in turn wouldn't give me as good a ratio on the hills.


They're a similar price, or I could possibly jump a bit more to get a Dawes Super Galaxy if I can find an ex-demo in my size, but that's not happened so far.

 

[grudas]

Cool, the CREE's look good. Any decent side/wheel lights for traffic approaching from the side/at junctions?

spoke reflectors?

 

[FrenchTart]

Right need some decision help.

Roux Etape 205 or Dawes Galaxy Plus. Both are similar spec, the big difference being that the Etape has STI shifters, and the Dawes has Bar end shifters to make room for a handlebar bag (the Etape does route cables to achieve this but it's not as open as the GP) - but I really can't decide whether or not this would lead to shifting being really irritating, or I'd get used to it. The discs are slightly better spec on the GP but that isn't too much of a consideration as I can upgrade at my leisure.

GP has 48/36/26 on the front, in comparison to 50/39/30 on the Etape, on the rear they have 11-32T and 12-27T respectively. I've never had a triple, and never done any heavily loaded touring so not sure which ratios would be best, the Etape would give a higher top speed but in turn wouldn't give me as good a ratio on the hills.


They're a similar price, or I could possibly jump a bit more to get a Dawes Super Galaxy if I can find an ex-demo in my size, but that's not happened so far.

I've only used them a little bit but bar end shifters annoy the hell out of me personally. My friends with bar end shifter bikes find them similarly annoying even after years of use so... :s

 

[uniQ]

I know I'm a bit late commenting on the Pearl Izumi jacket, but I only got released from hospital yesterday.
Really nice bit of kit, thinner than I was expecting, but super impressed at how it expels water.
Look forward to trying it out in the rain, won't be for many many weeks yet though

Hey Dan, glad to hear the OP went well. No rush getting back on the bike though (give us a chance to catch you )

 

[platypus]

I've only used them a little bit but bar end shifters annoy the hell out of me personally. My friends with bar end shifter bikes find them similarly annoying even after years of use so... :s

I figured as much, though it wouldn't cost much to get them changed to STIs as well. Hohum..

 

[Vonhelmet]

GP has 48/36/26 on the front, in comparison to 50/39/30 on the Etape, on the rear they have 11-32T and 12-27T respectively. I've never had a triple, and never done any heavily loaded touring so not sure which ratios would be best, the Etape would give a higher top speed but in turn wouldn't give me as good a ratio on the hills.

Is top speed such a crucial consideration for touring? Is it really going to matter whether you can hit 30 or 35 mph (or whatever) when you're touring?

 

[platypus]

I'd like to say no...

 

[Vonhelmet]

I'd like to say no...

I'd be more concerned at having the gears necessary to climb a hill in the wind and rain at the end of 100 miles while carrying, I don't know, 10kg of gear with you.

 

[touch]

A 48-11 will be faster than a 50-12 but, as vonhelmet says, is it really going to be a problem? The difference will be around 40mph vs 42mph.

 

[kiteloopy]

Guys,

Anyone have a bike shed? Looking to get a decent wooden one for two bikes. Any good ones around?

KL

 

[Saytan]

The thinking process of a tourer is very different to a road bike. Outright speed means very little. It's all about being able to keep going in all conditions. Being able to do x miles at y mph is no good when your destination is x+30 miles away. It's much better to plod at a speed you know will make the distance than blow yourself up chasing speed

 

[Sagalout]

Huh.

Mountain bike with the chain stuck on the big front ring, 1.95" knobby tyres: http://www.strava.com/activities/91900459

Shiny new road bike: http://www.strava.com/activities/93260457

Definitely felt a lot faster than the time I managed it in. Not sure what I was expecting but I was expecting the difference to be greater! But I did go out for a ride early which knackered me, so that's a possible factor.

A road bike isn't that much faster than a MTB over short distances to be honest, 1-2mph is probably about right, but multiply that over a whole days riding and the extra efficiency makes a larger difference

 

[platypus]

Aye I know, I know. The bar end shifters are pretty much a clincher at this stage for me though. Will see what the cost of changing them on the GP is.

 

[uniQ]

bump

 

[Vonhelmet]

A road bike isn't that much faster than a MTB over short distances to be honest, 1-2mph is probably about right, but multiply that over a whole days riding and the extra efficiency makes a larger difference

I'm tempted to try a little loop round me on my ancient mtb and see how my time compares to what I can do on my road bike...

 

[oli collett]

Well today was interesting.

Took it easy up Teide as we were going for longer and my mate likes regular stops (which can annoy me a bit). All was going well and we stopped at the information centre for a break before heading up all the way to the observatory. Got past that point and then BANG. Rear tyre blowout.

Luckily this occurred on a flat section but scared the **** out of me none the less. We replaced the tube and inserted an old section of tubing to cover the hole in the tyre, and then I had to descend 2000m on it!

http://www.strava.com/activities/93384240

I took it fairly easy but it was really frustrating, it's a fantastic smooth descent but I had to keep myself in check as the tyre didn't have much pressure in it and would obviously not hold up to much.

Hoping to replace the tyres tomorrow before heading up to the parador hotel (where all the pros go). I've still got a 135km ride planned for Friday although my friend is sounding less keen, but apart from an ascent at the end it looks quite doable! I've realised we're not going to be able to see half of what we'd like to see though, it really is an incredible place for cycling (As long as you're not afraid of a bit of climbing)

 

[Shamrock]

Any idea what caused the blowout?

Sounds awesome out there, I'd really like to go!

 

[oli collett]

Any idea what caused the blowout?

Sounds awesome out there, I'd really like to go!

The tyre did seem rather worn out, i expect it was just a small stone that became embedded.

 

[6thElement]

Took the day off work and took advantage by going for a leisurely 30m ride as I continue to recuperate my knee.

 

[SoliD]

Guys, bit of advice, looking at buying a second hand bike off ebay, seems legit and everything, very knowledgable about the bike etc and has answered all my questions quickly, is there anything I can look on to check its not been pinched or anything, as its all the way up in Scotlnad I won't be able to check it before purchasing, but everything I've seen points to be it being in good nick.