Road Cycling Essentials

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Roady said:
Ouch! I always wear my helmet anyways, especially after getting knocked off and breaking one! Fair play for finishing the ride, take it easy and hope you have a speedy recovery!
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Thanks! Adrenaline is a hell of a drug. Hopefully won't be too long, doctor decided i didn't even need a cast.
 
Hope everyone had a good Christmas :) first day back to work today :/

Had a busy cycling related Christmas! I decided to buy a new bike for commuting/winter training, a Canondale CAADX 105.

It arrived Christmas Eve, so I went for a test ride, and managed to crash into the back of a car whilst filtering through traffic. Bike was fine, but I hit my hand quite hard, nice looking yellow bruise is starting to form.
I pulled over and apologised, was expecting a torrid of abuse, but they were understanding.

Really, really love the Canondale. It's a beautiful bike! I've never had disc brakes on a bike before, they're non-hydraulics but amazing in this cold weather. It's a little slow at climbing, compared to the carbon road bike, but still impressive.

The folks brought me a few bits of cycling clothing for Christmas. Thermal socks were awesome, and right on time. Unfortunately, I was little disappointed in the quality of Wiggle's DHB branded clothing. The bib leggings split at the seams, after I tried them on. I'm borderline anorexic (61kg), so not exactly too fat. The compression tops were pretty good though.

So, I've returned to work for a bit of a rest :) Armed with a shopping list for more bike related gear. I need new Garmin sensors, so I don't have to move them when I change bikes, mudguards, and most importantly insurance for the new bike.
 
Evans doing a 3 for 2 on rideit events. NYRide342

Probally not to everyone taste but I like doing 'turn up and follow the signs' rides like this.
 
Anyone fancy doing the Fred Whitton loop this year?

I think the event is sold out, but they make the route available to all. Given I'm looking for something epic in 2016 (when I turn 40) I think the Fred might make a decent bit for training this year.

In other news, PBK have some decent offers on tyres in their sale, including full black versions on the Vittoria Open Pave, for those that are put off by the green stripe.
 
Myself and a friend were discussing doing the full loop. We had a two day bash in the lakes in 2014 and both want to get a load more climbing done in 2015. Hoping to do Ventoux later in the year too.

When were you thinking?
 
FrenchTart said:
Myself and a friend were discussing doing the full loop. We had a two day bash in the lakes in 2014 and both want to get a load more climbing done in 2015. Hoping to do Ventoux later in the year too.

When were you thinking?
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Sometime when the weather isn't likely to defeat me. Maybe May, or something like that.
 
Asprilla said:
Sometime when the weather isn't likely to defeat me. Maybe May, or something like that.
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If you let me know closer to the time and you fancy some company then I imagine we'd probably both be up for it. Planning on continuing tons of training to improve my FTP in the meantime so hopefully I wouldn't slow you down too much...
 
Roady said:
Nice, if you decide to sell the 500 I might be interested... If you're up for selling it near for what you paid!?
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Depending on your choice and how much you want for the 500... I just realised it has no navigation! :rolleyes:

Roady said:
Failed to ride any yester day and spent 5 hours sorting bikes, i'm 80% done but now I need some advice regarding chains...
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Saytan said:
I've rejoined a few shimano chains in that way with no real issues, though I find shimano chains are a bit more snappy than other makes anyway
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I managed to refit the links/bars in the chain and it held up for a bit of a test run... Had the pressure up high on the turbo wheel (120psi) as recommended and tightened it my usual amount (two twists from touching) and I'm sure it was too tight... Really struggled to push up cadence and power - not 100% sure it was down to me not doing much riding recently! :rolleyes::eek::p

Tip for anyone refitting an HG chain - if you mistakenly remove the pins/bars completely, there is no easy way to get them back into the chain without first getting them back into one of the sides. I tried for 30-40 mins to do this with the chain tool. Either my tool is a cheap one (it is...) or it's just not accurate enough, you need a trained octopus to hold the pin in place.

I got around this by using 2 sets of long nosed pliers and pushing the pin down with the other side of the chain on a hard surface, once in refit to bike and then use the chain tool to push back through... Go carefully (slowly) and if the pushing tool pin thingy goes much off centre release the tension and realign it. At one point I did jam something underneith it to keep it centred.

PermaBanned said:
Thanks! Adrenaline is a hell of a drug. Hopefully won't be too long, doctor decided i didn't even need a cast.
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That's a good sign! Means it should heal itself without too much support & time.

janp said:
Had a busy cycling related Christmas! I decided to buy a new bike for commuting/winter training, a Canondale CAADX 105.

<snip>

The folks brought me a few bits of cycling clothing for Christmas. Thermal socks were awesome, and right on time. Unfortunately, I was little disappointed in the quality of Wiggle's DHB branded clothing. The bib leggings split at the seams, after I tried them on. I'm borderline anorexic (61kg), so not exactly too fat. The compression tops were pretty good though.

So, I've returned to work for a bit of a rest :) Armed with a shopping list for more bike related gear. I need new Garmin sensors, so I don't have to move them when I change bikes, mudguards, and most importantly insurance for the new bike.
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I saw on Strava you had some new wheels, very nice choice & a great bike! Is that two Cannondales now? ;)

Speak to Wiggle about the DHB stuff, they'll probably replace the bibs no questions asked. I have some that have split and I'm about to attempt a repair... I've had them a good 6 months and worn them loads though, caught them with a rough nail when pulling them on! Also going to attempt removing the pad from the cheapy chinese castelli fake bibs I got as I've only worn them a couple of times and got chaffing both times, going to wear them as an extra layer (over padded bibs etc) when required.

Regarding the sensors... I have the Garmin GSC10 (the older style, paid £35 from Wiggle) on my road bike and the Decathlon S&C (<£20) on my trainer. The Decathlon is amazingly made in comparison to the GSC10 considering the price difference. The GSC10 can be prone to letting water in (and eventually stopping working). I've noticed mine sometimes dropping cadence recently... The Decathlon occasionally reports speed, not cadence. Press button, reports cadence not speed. Press again, eventually reports both... Not a huge amount of hassle on the trainer... Yet! :rolleyes:

I had a day of it yesterday, after my 4-5 hours of bike repairs/tyre swaps on saturday (ran out of daylight) I spent another 4-5 hours yesterday. Had a nightmare with inner tubes! Repaired a puncture on an old already repaired tube that I'd put to 1 side with a puncture, fitted and found it had another, repaired and fitted, pumped up and it burst! Fitted new tube and pumped up, found it had a puncture, repaired, refitted and pinched the tyre, repaired and eventually refitted & pumped it up for the trainer! :(:o

Broke 3 tyre levers in the process, used & spoilt a whole tube of glue (that I'd used before & was leaking anyway). But now I'm down to only 1 spare tube so will pickup some more when next putting a wiggle order together. I still haven't fitted the mitch pro4e's to my Giant and won't bother now until next weekend - repairing 4 punctures and changing 8 tyres these last 2 days has really taken it out of me and made me question my tyre changing abilities! I'm forever pinching the tube when refitting a tyre! :o:confused:

Just spotted these 'SPD pedal adaptors' which might be useful for those of you wanting to combine SPD's with normal shoes? Unsure if they're the adaptors others had talked about (and said they were rubbish) but these look only temporary.

I'm attempting to get my 'chores' done today (missus is at work) so I can get a turbo session in... Defo not going to hit my '100 miles before back to work on the 5th' target unless I get 30+ miles done... The way I felt yesterday I'll struggle to do 10 ;) :rolleyes:
 
Roady said:
Tip for anyone refitting an HG chain - if you mistakenly remove the pins/bars completely, there is no easy way to get them back into the chain without first getting them back into one of the sides. I tried for 30-40 mins to do this with the chain tool. Either my tool is a cheap one (it is...) or it's just not accurate enough, you need a trained octopus to hold the pin in place.
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if the pin is all the way out then trying to put it back in is a fool's errand. That way lies only madness.
 
I was just looking at getting another pair of Giro Factors as they are in the SportPursuit sale, but unfortunately none in my size.

Then someone pointed out that Rapha GT shoes are a third off.

Must resist.....
 
I thought the Northwave winter boots would be all the rage!

I'd consider some if it meant warm feet and no messing about with overshoes etc
 
Berger said:
I thought the Northwave winter boots would be all the rage!

I'd consider some if it meant warm feet and no messing about with overshoes etc
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Northwave don't fit me, the toe box is too big. My feet are very much Giro shaped, and fortunately Rahpa use Giro soles on their shoes.

It's a pity that Giro don't do a winter shoe.
 
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Howdy, all. Looking at getting some clothing to keep my legs warm and not having to wear my jeans on my short commute to work. What would people suggest? I see all these things about bib tights, shorts, shorts over bib tights etc and it's all a bit confusing. If I could get something that would do the job for £40-50 in the sales I'd be happy.

Currently wear an Endura softshell over a baselayer which keeps the top half of me absolutely fine.
 
rickjames said:
Howdy, all. Looking at getting some clothing to keep my legs warm and not having to wear my jeans on my short commute to work. What would people suggest? I see all these things about bib tights, shorts, shorts over bib tights etc and it's all a bit confusing. If I could get something that would do the job for £40-50 in the sales I'd be happy.

Currently wear an Endura softshell over a baselayer which keeps the top half of me absolutely fine.
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Are you looking for something all year round?

Something like this will keep you warm at this time of year: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-active-thermal-padded-bib-tight/
 
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