Road Cycling Essentials

Status
Not open for further replies.
daveski said:
Rode to work on the Charge Spoon saddle I bought from R0B75 this morning.

Bit early to know for sure but it felt comfortable.
Click to expand...

FrenchTart said:
I've been on my Charge Scoop for about 200 miles now and it's finally starting to feel natural. I don't think that's the Scoop's fault though - the old PX saddle I was using was so cack that it's taking a while for my muscles to readjust.
Click to expand...

The Charge spoon takes a while to "settle in" give it time
 
bottlecages/saddle bag - if you have a decathlon store locally - go there. Loads of choice of cages/bottles/bag etc and half the price of a branded one.
 
ShiWarrior said:
Saddle Bag - Topeak wedge (I got a Large) 2 versions available, straps or clip on, im changing mine to clip on
Click to expand...

Clip ons are a pain to swap bikes.
I have an old lidl saddle bag that has a velcro strap around the seatpost. It sat around for a while after I broke the clip that attaches to the saddle rails. Then i realised I can use a pedal toe strap to go around the saddle rails. Takes about 30 seconds to swap between bikes.
 
grudas said:
once the weather gets better you'll do more miles for sure! especially when the days are longer :) whats your goal for this year?
Click to expand...

Aiming for 3000 miles again. Mrs had a moan about me going out every Saturday morning, so I'm going to have to hammer the weekday evenings once it gets a bit warmer and brighter!
 
So my bike was in dire need of some attention, the BB has need to be replaced for months, it was utterly filthy, and I also wanted to do something about the mish mash group set which was 105 derailleurs, FSA chainset, Microshift shifters and nameless brakes. I impulse bought an almost new SRAM Apex groupset and set about rebuilding.

After a comedy of errors including leaving the front derailleur in the office at work, swearing violently whilst trying to cut gear cable outers with crap pliers (never again!) and not reading the description fully and having to buy the right bottom bracket I got it all together.

Before:
HRfErHp.jpg

Filth...
JqsQqlw.jpg
0HyWcdw.jpg

Cleaner
c9mkefe.jpg

Progress
oECSW1j.jpg


Needed to tweak my hanger so borrowed the guys workshop at work, easier than doing it in my hallway!
mgMWX1d.jpg


p8rXOVf.jpg
ex4nw27.jpg


Feels like having a brand new bike again, should fight of new bike cravings for a while!
 
nice! how much did you pay for groupo ? which one do you prefer sram or old shimano set? how did microshift shifters feel compared to sram?
 
touch said:
Clip ons are a pain to swap bikes.
I have an old lidl saddle bag that has a velcro strap around the seatpost. It sat around for a while after I broke the clip that attaches to the saddle rails. Then i realised I can use a pedal toe strap to go around the saddle rails. Takes about 30 seconds to swap between bikes.
Click to expand...

im buying two, so I don't have to

Velcro goes round the seat post, and its taking off the paint on my carbon bike :(
 
Sold my Secteur for more than I paid, I still have a new set of Look Keo's to sell.

I'm setting up as a mobile cycle mechanic in the Manchester area, I can do all repairs, including repairing and truing wheels.

I can't repair damaged frames however (yet).

Please send me a PM if you require my reasonably priced services.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;25984115 said:
Nice!
Click to expand...

Thanks :)

grudas said:
nice! how much did you pay for groupo ? which one do you prefer sram or old shimano set? how did microshift shifters feel compared to sram?
Click to expand...

It was £220 without the chain (bought a £15 Ultegra one) and had reportedly done less than 100 miles which I can believe. Cheapest I found new was http://www.merlincycles.com/sram-apex-groupset-black-52465.html so I think I paid a fair price. Most places seem around £500. 5700 105 is £300 at Ribble currently which seems good value too.

I've used proper Shimano 105 used on a few occasions in the past and I'm not overly found of the whole brake level moving so in that sense I prefer Microshift and now SRAM. Microshift get a hard time but I've find mine reliable, comfy and given a positive shift over 2 and half years and 12000+km.

SRAM is a totally different hood shape which initially feels great but the real test will be a proper weekend ride. Double tap seems great and I find it very intuitive. Pleased so far, plus I think it looks cool :p
 
Unfortunately had to miss the nice weekend weather because the rear wheel was in the shop, but its fixed now and is as "round" as it ever will be again.

Back to the commute! A warning to all those cyclists out there who think you still don't need lights on though, that low evening sun makes bright lights that little more important still, even if at times they can be hard to spot.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom