Road Cycling Essentials

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SkodaMart said:
27.5" 650c doesn't look as daft as it seems, however if you take a medium or smaller frame I doubt you would see much advantage over a 26er.
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650c as in the front wheel size on the old low-pro TT and track bikes? Aren't they very small indeed, like much smaller than a 26" wheel?
 
touch said:
That's me! :(


(ok, i'm the slightly less fat bloke in lycra :p)
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icGnZQB.jpg


:eek: :eek:

Mountain bike baggies FTW for larger chaps IMO.

Is that a man/mole hybrid?
 
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Jonny69 said:
650c as in the front wheel size on the old low-pro TT and track bikes? Aren't they very small indeed, like much smaller than a 26" wheel?
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lol!! I know! crazy as hell and confusing isn't it!

turns out 650c wheels as you mention above have a larger diameter than 26" wheels when fitted with off road 2.1-2.3" rubber.

They come out at around 27.5" which is a tad bigger than a 700c wheel with a road tyre!
 
I had a quick delve into the big bike thread. Do you mean 650b which has a 13mm larger diameter than 650c wheels so not quite so tiny?

Was disappointing when I had my bike stood next to my dad's old road bike which has 27 inch wheels. He took one look and goes, oh look yours has baby wheels!
 
Phantom Shadow said:
I had a quick delve into the big bike thread. Do you mean 650b which has a 13mm larger diameter than 650c wheels so not quite so tiny?

Was disappointing when I had my bike stood next to my dad's old road bike which has 27 inch wheels. He took one look and goes, oh look yours has baby wheels!
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lol! 650b is different that 650c! :confused:

Gets even more confusing!!

I didn't know this.
 
Phantom Shadow said:
I had a quick delve into the big bike thread. Do you mean 650b which has a 13mm larger diameter than 650c wheels so not quite so tiny?

Was disappointing when I had my bike stood next to my dad's old road bike which has 27 inch wheels. He took one look and goes, oh look yours has baby wheels!
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Yeah 650b makes sense. Pretty sure 650c is smaller than a mountain bike wheel!

27" wheels are way underrated. My Viscount had them and they roll so smooth. Combination of springy non-boxed chrome steel rims and what is basically a 32mm tyre. So much rotating mass, so smooth :cool:
 
I remember now what I came back in here for: to report on my first commute (and first ever ride ride) with cleats. Quite different to toe clips; much more direct; quite a lot more shock comes back up from the road, which is probably due to fixed gear; need to put the saddle up a bit. I'm not sure if I'm sold for commuting. The feel of the bike is different and it all feels a bit serious. Having to flick the pedal over was harder as well and not easy to pedal if you miss. I can't now jump off and nip into the shops, or jump on it at lunchtime to go get last minute lunch for that matter, so they might stay off the bike for use on Sunday bests and racing.

Look Keos with 4.5 degrees float. If I got them again I'd probably get the zero float option for a more positive foot location. For what I use my bike for, a shoe with concealed SPDs and pedals with a flat on one side would probably be better but still not as flexible for me as toeclips.
 
First time ever wearing cleats and you're doing it on a fixie? :eek:

No wonder you're finding it hard. I'v been using cleats for years and can do it without thinking on my road bike but still struggle on the fixie.
 
Jonny69 said:
I remember now what I came back in here for: to report on my first commute (and first ever ride ride) with cleats. Quite different to toe clips; much more direct; quite a lot more shock comes back up from the road, which is probably due to fixed gear; need to put the saddle up a bit. I'm not sure if I'm sold for commuting. The feel of the bike is different and it all feels a bit serious. Having to flick the pedal over was harder as well and not easy to pedal if you miss. I can't now jump off and nip into the shops, or jump on it at lunchtime to go get last minute lunch for that matter, so they might stay off the bike for use on Sunday bests and racing.

Look Keos with 4.5 degrees float. If I got them again I'd probably get the zero float option for a more positive foot location. For what I use my bike for, a shoe with concealed SPDs and pedals with a flat on one side would probably be better but still not as flexible for me as toeclips.
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Yeah love my toe clips.. Can't see how commuting on clipless would be any better.
 
I moved from not even having toe-clips to SPDs at the start of the year. Now I'm used to it I'm not sure how I managed 3 years on flat peddles :s

edit: used, not using
 
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FrenchTart said:
I moved from not even having toe-clips to SPDs at the start of the year. Now I'm using to it I'm not sure how I managed 3 years on flat peddles :s
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When I'm in the zone flying along I love the feeling of being one with the bike.

Heh, as an aside... My neighbour organises our little group's rides, and he's really enthusiastic about inviting people along. Most of the guys who come along manage fine, but he's got form for inviting right numpties to come along. Some of the folk who come along just have no idea whatsoever, and don't listen. Like they'll give it all that about how they can handle themselves cycling, and then turn up on a mountain bike in trackies and have to give up at the first hill. The latest was a guy who'd been on at him for a few weeks about buying a road bike, so he gave him loads of advice about what to buy, what not to buy, get this, get that, don't buy a cheap bike from Halfords, etc. Fast forward to his first weekend out and this guy turns up on a Carrera Virtuoso. He's got the stock pedals with toe clips on, but he's wearing a pair of SPD cycling shoes with no cleats on :confused:

I wasn't out with them that morning, but apparently my neighbour ended up crawling along babysitting him while the rest of them went off and had a proper ride.
 
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Jonny69 said:
I remember now what I came back in here for: to report on my first commute (and first ever ride ride) with cleats. Quite different to toe clips; much more direct; quite a lot more shock comes back up from the road, which is probably due to fixed gear; need to put the saddle up a bit. I'm not sure if I'm sold for commuting. The feel of the bike is different and it all feels a bit serious. Having to flick the pedal over was harder as well and not easy to pedal if you miss. I can't now jump off and nip into the shops, or jump on it at lunchtime to go get last minute lunch for that matter, so they might stay off the bike for use on Sunday bests and racing.

Look Keos with 4.5 degrees float. If I got them again I'd probably get the zero float option for a more positive foot location. For what I use my bike for, a shoe with concealed SPDs and pedals with a flat on one side would probably be better but still not as flexible for me as toeclips.
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I never used single sided clipless when running fixed, clipping in is hard enough clipless. Look at eggbeaters as they are quadruple sided or at least M520 double sided SPDs, although both are two bold shoes rather then three.
 
Phantom Shadow said:
I don't commute so have no need for SPDs, nor do I race.

SPD makes sense for commuting, though either way I'd hate to try fixed with clipless.
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Ride with SPD SL on my fixed commuter, its a piece of ****, learn to track stand and there are no issues :D. On a serious note I would not do my commute on anything less, even SPDs I would use if it was heavy traffic or city commuting, with alots of unclipping etc.
 
RTS Carbon frames, anyone know much about them ? Seems another generic far east frame although this is also made in the same factory as Giant frames ? Anyway the link below is to the frame on ebay, it can be built into a complete bike for £1000, which is C2W money. Going to take a look today if possible anyway as there is a LBS selling this gear.

PS It would appear to be a very light frame with full carbon fork and steerer, 3k weave etc ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RTS-TTR6-Carbon-Bike-Frame-and-Fork-S-51cm-L-55cm-XL-57cm-/231157574874
 
SkodaMart said:
MTB SPDS, forget anything else unless you are racing.
One sided road pedals are **** for commuting.
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No issue here on my spd sl, I think the route of your commute does make a lot, I pass through about 10 sets of traffic lights over 9.5 miles but due to the timings I'm able to either track stand or slow enough to wait for them to go green, when I do have to unclip it is hardly a faff to get back in and good practise for when you really need to emergency do it.
 
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