Road Cycling Essentials

FrenchTart · 7 Nov 2013 at 09:32

[DOD]Asprilla;25260811 said:
Hylex, so single speed or bar end shifters only.

Nice. I don't think I could deal with bar end shifters (at least not happily). I really do want better brakes though. Until my bike order comes through I'm still stuck on BB5s....and even when the new thing comes through it'll only be BB7s. I might see if I can sell the 7s to partially pay towards some hy/rds.

Berger · 7 Nov 2013 at 09:52

[DOD]Asprilla;25260762 said:
Position matters more than aerodynamics though. The more upright nature of an MTB means it's harder to deliver that 150w.

Does that factor in the tyre distortion from knobbly tyres increasing surface area?

Also, who rides with 1.75" tyres, I'd expect at least 2.2" or wider!

And whose road bike weighs 20lb!

[DOD]Asprilla · 7 Nov 2013 at 09:55

Berger said:
Does that factor in the tyre distortion from knobbly tyres increasing surface area?

Also, who rides with 1.75" tyres, I'd expect at least 2.2" or wider!

And whose road bike weighs 20lb!

I'm just talking about the physiology. On an MTB it's harder to use your glutes and you tend to rely on your quads.

rnickster · 7 Nov 2013 at 10:00

Hi all, I am looking to do my second ride from Manchester to Sheffield this weekend, last time the two long climbs had my lower back in discomfort which is usual for me during long climbs and I presume usual for others but u wondered if there was any excersises I could do (core strengthening?) To help easy the pain during these long climbs. I find myself standing out of the saddle to stretch out my back once the discomfort bugs me and I know I have read it is more efficient to stay seated in the saddle during long clinbs.

One More Solo · 7 Nov 2013 at 10:04

rnickster said:
Hi all, I am looking to do my second ride from Manchester to Sheffield this weekend, last time the two long climbs had my lower back in discomfort which is usual for me during long climbs and I presume usual for others but u wondered if there was any excersises I could do (core strengthening?) To help easy the pain during these long climbs. I find myself standing out of the saddle to stretch out my back once the discomfort bugs me and I know I have read it is more efficient to stay seated in the saddle during long clinbs.

Priority:

1) Bike fit
2) Regularly stretch hamstrings, hip flexors and glutes
3) Spin a comfortable gear (don't mash)
4) Get out of the saddle on occasion.

What route are you riding? It's a nice ride from my experience.

Berger · 7 Nov 2013 at 10:05

[DOD]Asprilla;25260998 said:
I'm just talking about the physiology. On an MTB it's harder to use your glutes and you tend to rely on your quads.

I quoted the wrong quote!

I'll do about 20kmh on my MTB and will easily do 30 on my road bike for similar effort, if not more.

rnickster · 7 Nov 2013 at 10:20

One More Solo said:
Priority:

1) Bike fit
2) Regularly stretch hamstrings, hip flexors and glutes
3) Spin a comfortable gear (don't mash)
4) Get out of the saddle on occasion.

What route are you riding? It's a nice ride from my experience.

Thanks. Bike fit is a result of the Evans guy saying "you look about my height" and adjusting the seat height until I said I was comfy. Where can I go for a proper fit or can I do thus myself?

I got a new cassette recently with lower ratio so my 'easiest' gear is 'harder' to pedal than before but its just about right on the clumbs . not sure about when I try Winnats Pass uphill though!! Might wish for a different cassette.

I am riding down the A6 past Lyme Park until the B6062 which I ride until Chapel en me Frith. Then up toward Mam For down Winnats Pass ( weeeeeeeeee

) then to Hatersage and up to Fox House.

Indeed the views are stunning and I cannot wait for summer to do this ride. This weekend is looking rather cold and wet though

just want to beat my time

* sorry for typos typing on a new phone

touch · 7 Nov 2013 at 10:24

[DOD]Asprilla;25260762 said:
Position matters more than aerodynamics though. The more upright nature of an MTB means it's harder to deliver that 150w.

I think the opposite, on both points. Aerodynamics is more important than pure power and a more upright position gives more power.

My position on the tt bike, for example, is 30-40 watts lower than holding the drops in the road bike but still 3-4mph faster.

platypus · 7 Nov 2013 at 10:33

rnickster said:
Thanks. Bike fit is a result of the Evans guy saying "you look about my height" and adjusting the seat height until I said I was comfy. Where can I go for a proper fit or can I do thus myself?

I got a new cassette recently with lower ratio so my 'easiest' gear is 'harder' to pedal than before but its just about right on the clumbs . not sure about when I try Winnats Pass uphill though!! Might wish for a different cassette.

I am riding down the A6 past Lyme Park until the B6062 which I ride until Chapel en me Frith. Then up toward Mam For down Winnats Pass ( weeeeeeeeee ) then to Hatersage and up to Fox House.

Indeed the views are stunning and I cannot wait for summer to do this ride. This weekend is looking rather cold and wet though just want to beat my time

* sorry for typos typing on a new phone

Retul Bike fits are well reknowned, Planet-X bikes offer these at their Sheffield show room.

I'd personally recommend the Bike Whisperer, but that's quite a trek for you.

[DOD]Asprilla · 7 Nov 2013 at 10:48

touch said:
I think the opposite, on both points. Aerodynamics is more important than pure power and a more upright position gives more power.

My position on the tt bike, for example, is 30-40 watts lower than holding the drops in the road bike but still 3-4mph faster.

Sorry, I didn't mean that power was more important than aero, I meant 'more' as in there is more to it than being aero.

MTBs aren't just upright though, the BB to saddle height is much lower (higher bb for clearance and lower saddle for lower centre of mavity. That means the mechanics of pedalling are harder.

touch · 7 Nov 2013 at 11:03

Ok, fair point.
I've had a bike fit so my road bikes and mtbs all have the same geometry (with the exception of the tt bike)

topgun06 · 7 Nov 2013 at 11:05

rnickster said:
I got a new cassette recently with lower ratio so my 'easiest' gear is 'harder' to pedal than before but its just about right on the clumbs . not sure about when I try Winnats Pass uphill though!! Might wish for a different cassette.

I need to head out that way to do Winnats pass. I've driven it many times, never cycled.

platypus · 7 Nov 2013 at 11:18

Winnats pass is pretty brutal isn't it?

topgun06 · 7 Nov 2013 at 11:38

My car struggles!

Russinating · 7 Nov 2013 at 11:39

Edit: Found out

platypus · 7 Nov 2013 at 11:40

topgun06 said:
My car struggles!

Need to organise an ocuk ride.

rnickster · 7 Nov 2013 at 12:06

I would be riding up Winnats Pass for the first time (or at least attempting it) on the way back from my parents this Sunday but having to stay late for a birthday meal. God damn relatives with their silly birthdays :-P

#Chri5# · 7 Nov 2013 at 12:09

rnickster said:
Thanks. Bike fit is a result of the Evans guy saying "you look about my height" and adjusting the seat height until I said I was comfy. Where can I go for a proper fit or can I do thus myself?

This company is at the Velodrome in Manchester so perhaps not too far away. £60 for their basic service.

#Chri5# · 7 Nov 2013 at 12:20

platypus said:
Winnats pass is pretty brutal isn't it?

It's even more fun in the snow

InQ · 7 Nov 2013 at 12:51

Frist commute in after 5-6 weeks and get a puncture, first one on the commute since 2008-09 (i had 2010-Sept 2012 'off'....lol).
Was finding it hard work on a long flattish section and thought i was just uber unfit, slwoly started to feel the bump bump on the rear although it took a while to be flat, 1/2 mile from work but thought i'd change it anyway.
Very small sliver of glass only just through the tyre (Vredestein Fortezza Quattro Tricomp which have been bullet proof up to now) hence i guess the slow deflation, god knows how long it was going down for as i felt slow from the mid point onwards!