Road Cycling Essentials

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My Dad has given me money (as a gift voucher) to use in Cycle Care High Wycombe
web site is a bit crap really
http://www.cyclecare.co.uk

such a small shop, but been there since I was born, good staff, good service, but very limited in gear

so I need some ideas on what I could potentially get when I go in there with my Dad


They sell

Bianchi
Litespeed
Oakley
Scott
Endura
Pearl Izimi
Merlin
Castelli
Felt
DT Swiss
Hope
Dawes
and Rock Shox
 
BennyC said:
How many (if any) here listen to music whilst out riding?

I'm sure this might be a bit of a provocative topic.

Providing you're sensible (i.e. not full volume) and maintain a good level of awareness do you think it's a good/bad idea?

Obviously in town centers and busy areas requiring a high degree of attention and focus to navigate it seems stupid but on fairly quiet country roads would you still avoid it?
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It's a divisive topic as you've already guessed :)

Personally I listen to music, though only in one ear (my left). I used to listen to music in both ears and although I certainly couldn't hear as well I could still hear nearly all traffic. On top of that, my reduced sound awareness trained me to more carefully check with my eyes before making any manoeuvres. I never had any accidents or near misses in the three years I rode with both ears "plugged".

A lot of people have the view that it is "common sense" that it is more dangerous to listen to music. There are however no proper studies that confirm or deny it. On top of that, deaf people and people in cars manage without being able to hear around them so personally I don't pay much attention to the common sense arguments that usually end with the person saying you should do what they say "just because".

The actual main reason I stopped listening to music in both ears was because when I would ride with friends at the weekend having nothing buffering me from the sound of traffic meant that it was really easy to overreact simply just because I wasn't used to the volume level.
 
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FrenchTart said:
It's a divisive topic as you've already guessed :)

Personally I listen to music, though only in one ear (my left). I used to listen to music in both ears and although I certainly couldn't hear as well I could still here nearly all traffic. On top of that, my reduced sound awareness trained me to more carefully check with my eyes before making any manoeuvres. I never had any accidents or near misses in the three years I rode with both ears "plugged".

A lot of people have the view that it is "common sense" that it is more dangerous to listen to music. There are however no proper studies that confirm or deny it. On top of that, deaf people and people in cars manage without being able to hear around them so personally I don't pay much attention to the common sense arguments that usually end with the person saying you should do what they say "just because".

The actual main reason I stopped listening to music in both ears was because when I would ride with friends at the weekend having nothing buffering me from the sound of traffic meant that it was really easy to overreact simply just because I wasn't used to the volume level.
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Thanks for taking the time to reply.

As I thought, I used to listen to headphones whilst out on my motorbike. Think I'm on the same side of the fence as you with this one.

OT:

My second ride out, to help some of yesterdays food through :p only about 1 or 2 degrees here and I'm not finding riding in the cold that miserable although my feet have turned to complete blocks of ice :eek: I stuck a second pair of socks on as they were a bit nippy from last weekends ride but they were actually very painful once I'd got home and taken my shoes off. Looking forward to some warmer weather!

(2 pairs socks, padded shorts, full length compression trousers, short sleeve compression top, t-shirt, knitwear jumper, windproof high-vis coat, windproof gloves, lid)

http://www.strava.com/activities/232994543
 
FrenchTart said:
Zomgz, I typed "here" instead of "hear" :(

Looks like your speed is getting better. That's 1-2 mph faster than the last ride I saw you do iirc?

I've started using some of the below during the winter months. They're pretty decent and don't require you to wear twenty layers of socks or full shoe covers:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-toe-thingy-toe-cover/
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Interesting, I'll give them a look thanks. Rest of my feet were fine, just my toes are dead :p

Yeah, only my second ever ride. I made it up Waddesdon hill without stopping this time, and I was already 10 miles or so in :) though I did think I saw a snail overtake me... that is one mo'fo' of a hill but great to gauge progress on.

Did have a moment where my Christmas dinner ended up in my pants. I could just hear the sound of tyres skidding on wet road getting louder and closer. Silly bint in the car behind me bottled an overtake for some unknown reason... I would rather people over take me and get it done with than sit and crawl behind me. Perhaps I'm just a bit hard nosed because I'm not a hesitant driver.
 
BennyC said:
Thanks for taking the time to reply.

As I thought, I used to listen to headphones whilst out on my motorbike. Think I'm on the same side of the fence as you with this one.

OT:

My second ride out, to help some of yesterdays food through :p only about 1 or 2 degrees here and I'm not finding riding in the cold that miserable although my feet have turned to complete blocks of ice :eek: I stuck a second pair of socks on as they were a bit nippy from last weekends ride but they were actually very painful once I'd got home and taken my shoes off. Looking forward to some warmer weather!

(2 pairs socks, padded shorts, full length compression trousers, short sleeve compression top, t-shirt, knitwear jumper, windproof high-vis coat, windproof gloves, lid)

http://www.strava.com/activities/232994543
Click to expand...

Get a cheap pair of fleece overshoes from planetx they will do wonders. The benefits of the extra pair of socks are negated by the fact you're making your shoes tighter and getting rid of the insulating air gap.
 
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FrenchTart said:
It's a divisive topic as you've already guessed :)

Personally I listen to music, though only in one ear (my left). I used to listen to music in both ears and although I certainly couldn't hear as well I could still hear nearly all traffic. On top of that, my reduced sound awareness trained me to more carefully check with my eyes before making any manoeuvres. I never had any accidents or near misses in the three years I rode with both ears "plugged".

A lot of people have the view that it is "common sense" that it is more dangerous to listen to music. There are however no proper studies that confirm or deny it. On top of that, deaf people and people in cars manage without being able to hear around them so personally I don't pay much attention to the common sense arguments that usually end with the person saying you should do what they say "just because".

The actual main reason I stopped listening to music in both ears was because when I would ride with friends at the weekend having nothing buffering me from the sound of traffic meant that it was really easy to overreact simply just because I wasn't used to the volume level.
Click to expand...

You can use the bone induction headphone technology to have music and keep your "peripheral" hearing. They work a treat and are sub £100 now.
 
Rapha sale, not good as I hoped.

Pro team jerseys were $130 in the Black Friday sale, now they are $150.

I'm expecting them to further discount in weeks to come.
 
The Darkness said:
You can use the bone induction headphone technology to have music and keep your "peripheral" hearing. They work a treat and are sub £100 now.
Click to expand...

I want to try this first before purchase!. Avid user of a bluetooth over ear headphones sennheiser mm100 going to the side of my head couple years now. Another benefit is the lack of wind noise and warmer ears :).
 
Well I've been a complete slacker about getting out on the bike so far! Managed 11 miles on Xmas eve and then Xmas day was a write off (visiting family). I had hoped to get out yesterday but after being dragged around the shops the weather was stinky (cold & wet) so I didn't bother. I had hoped to get 100 road miles done before going back to work on the 5th - but now I might struggle even with trainer miles included! :eek: Weather looks better today, although cold!

But first up before heading out/onto trainer is my hit list:
  • Take Mitch pro4e's off Virtuoso (old road bike)
  • Take Giant PR2's off Giant (new road bike)
  • Fit pro4e's to Giant
  • Fit old tyre & trainer tyre to Virtuoso
  • Copy setup of Giant and try to reproduce on Virtuoso for trainer bike (Giant has been fitted to me)
  • Take trainer tyre off Subway (Hybrid setup for trainer)
  • Fit 'normal' tyre back on Subway
  • Change pads on Subway and prep it for sale

So I'm going to have a busy enough morning without much riding! :rolleyes::eek:

Got quite a few bits for Xmas bike related, Aldi socks, reflectors & a bike lock. Puncture kit & multi-tool. Garmin VIRB (mainly for snowboarding in Jan, but will bike mount it afterwards). 'New' helmet (I had a couple of weeks early after my knock off).

BennyC said:
Interesting, I'll give them a look thanks. Rest of my feet were fine, just my toes are dead :p
Click to expand...

I've got the DHB Neoprene overshoes, mainly bought them for wet weather (fantastic) but now I wear them in any temps below 10 degrees! I never really suffered with cold feet, but now they're warmer when riding I notice it... Then again I don't wear any special socks (but I have warmer pairs if required).
 
Went out on the MTB this morning, getting anywhere near the Festive 500 will be difficult now.

My Garmin 500 from Amazon just arrived. Also bought a 910XT so trying to decide which one to keep.
 
What do people think to Cole C24 Lite 700C Clincher Wheelset? Was after Fulcrum 5 but these are similar money (about £200) and are lighter/stronger?

I have a Giant Defy 2 with S-R2 wheels - weighing about 2-2.2kg?

Thinking about upgrading my wheelset and getting back training - not been on the bike in 2 months due to working away!
 
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