Road Cycling

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Vonhelmet said:
The main thing missing from all those type of kits is cable cutters, so you'll need to buy a pair when it comes to replacing your cable outers for the first time.
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Aye I noticed that, I can always shop around for some after though, or get them when I need them, main thing at the moment is to give my cassette a good clean as its overdue.

Is that a good deal then?
 
FrenchTart said:
To be honest the build itself hasn't been annoying but every time I've had to go to an LBS for help they have been nothing but crap.

Ironically Edinburgh Cycles have been the best of the bunch so far.

Edit: sat on a bus in an attempt to get to the bike shop before it closes. Instead of enjoying my time off work riding in the sun. This new bike had better be worth it.
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I expect it to be finished, cleaned and waxed for when I arrive to give it an inaugural test ride. You are building a brand new bike just for me, right?
 
James07 said:
Noted :)

Guys at work said they start looking at servicing at around 6-700 mile mark :/ I'm gonna do things myself when I feel they need doing to be honest.
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Don't listen to Gurdas, eater of wheels.

Service your bike regularly and it will last much longer.

Eg I service my bike weekly, but it's not excessive, just 5 minutes before my long ride I wipe the drivetrain and apply a small amount of lubricant (type dependant on conditions), and will dab a little bit of teflon grease on the brake cables if I noticed anything last ride. And if I've ridden in bad conditions I will always clean the drivetrain straight away when I get home.

Once a month I do a proper chain and cassette clean (take the casette off the bike), every 6 months I replace the chain (I do higher mileage than average though I think).
 
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platypus said:
I expect it to be finished, cleaned and waxed for when I arrive to give it an inaugural test ride. You are building a brand new bike just for me, right?
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Of course :p It may look like I've just given you an old clanger to ride but that's Chinese carbon frames for you.

I might create a rude post similar to the London one for your visit actually. The date is set in stone now, right?
 
Sadly back in work today so I'll have less time to get stressed about the bike. Took a pic of the progress though. Not far off being ready to ride.

ubmzZh7.jpg
 
Roady said:
The fact mine is an 'off the shelf' Giant Defy may account for some of the adjustments/wear and tear. Certainly don't hear many/any people talking about buying a Giant P-R2 wheelset!

The wheels are one of the first things mentioned about 'upgrading' on the Defy... I wonder if this is why!
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I still have the PR-2 wheelset on my 2012 Defy 1... They've been okay - only problems I've had is to replace a few spokes on the rear. They do go out of true very easily I find, but then I have been 95-98 kgs up until recently. Now down to 87kgs and just started riding the Giant again with the dry weather so will so how they fair.

If I can't get a Canyon UCFSL this year I will upgrade the wheels on my Giant, so whilst on the subject, can anyone recommend a wheelset for someone who is relatively heavy at 83kgs (my goal BF% would put me at that weight)? I've had my eye on the handbuilt H Plus Son from Cycle Clinic for a while - recommended?
 
platypus said:
Almost looks fantastic, the saddle and red braiding don't do it for me. Apart from that, great job!
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I thought I'd take a chance on bling cables to match the hubs. I could take it or leave it too tbh but it has been nice to have something other than just all black :)

The saddle is really just there for supposedly being lightweight and comfortable but if it turns out not to be I'll stick my Charge Scoop on instead.

I kind of want to get something dumb written in a matching colour on part of the tubing but I can't think of anything that I wouldn't instantly regret...
 
K13LCC said:
I still have the PR-2 wheelset on my 2012 Defy 1... They've been okay - only problems I've had is to replace a few spokes on the rear. They do go out of true very easily I find, but then I have been 95-98 kgs up until recently. Now down to 87kgs and just started riding the Giant again with the dry weather so will so how they fair.

If I can't get a Canyon UCFSL this year I will upgrade the wheels on my Giant, so whilst on the subject, can anyone recommend a wheelset for someone who is relatively heavy at 83kgs (my goal BF% would put me at that weight)? I've had my eye on the handbuilt H Plus Son from Cycle Clinic for a while - recommended?
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Archetypes are good rims and Malcolm is a good builder. Hard to go wrong really.


for most people who don't and wont ever need the last n'th of performance a good set of 32 spoke handbuilds is the best choice, in spite of fashion.
 
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FrenchTart said:
Without peddles bar tape or chain it's almost bang on 8kg. I guess once I add the bling peddles, bar tape, chain and not so bling mudguards I'll be at 9kg. Not too bad though it'd be nice if it had been closer to 8.
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FrenchTart said:
Sadly back in work today so I'll have less time to get stressed about the bike. Took a pic of the progress though. Not far off being ready to ride.

ubmzZh7.jpg
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Not bad! Looks good too, just a shame you couldn't get it sorted while you were off work, still plenty of time with the longer days/bright evenings :)

The stressy part is over now, you can almost complete it at your leisure! Although you probably just want to 'get it done' the amount of hassle you've had.

My only thought, the brake/gear cables look short at the stem, checked they don't go tight when turning right?

James07 said:
I'd much rather save the money and do it myself and get good at doing it myself rather than paying for someone to do the work for me and been without a bike for 4 days.. They said 4 days is their turn around time :/ which I thought was insane.

Thanks for the tip on the parktools kit I'm gonna have a look got one :)
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James07 said:
I'm getting this tomorrow, rather than paying £50 for a service I'm spending £48 (possibly £45.60) on this.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/tools-maintenance/tools/workstand-tool-kit-bundle
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This is the PX toolkit I have - http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BNACCBU/super-accessories-bundle (paid £19.99 for it so that bundle price is good). Although this one is probably a little better - http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BNWORK/workshop-bundle (few more things in the toolkit, looks like even a torque wrench - worth checking).

I also got my workstand from PX - http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJWSWS/jobsworth-professional-folding-alloy-home-workstand (got it for £54.99 on a deal, still consider it over-priced for what it is, but they all seem to be!)

James07 said:
Never seen that link before but I like it haha.
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The velomati one is great, gives you a bit of an insight into some of the cycling mentality around... If people mention 'the rules' that's the ones they mean. You'll like this one too: (SCR) http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/bikeradars-guide-to-silly-commuting-racing-29908/ (intro and link to the scorecard - http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12575770 )

Vonhelmet said:
The main thing missing from all those type of kits is cable cutters, so you'll need to buy a pair when it comes to replacing your cable outers for the first time.
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Agreed (not purchased any yet myself). Extra things I've needed - better quality hex bolts, torque wrench, workstand, GT85, lube/oil, degreaser, cleaning gear, headset spanners (for my mrs cheap beater), rags and latex gloves.

'Craft' gloves are cheaper (paid £3.99 for a box of 100), plasterers gloves (stronger but £2.99 for 10), decorators gloves or any 'specific' cycling/mechanic ones seem to be stupidly expensive for throwaway gloves. Saw some for £7.99 for 3 pairs at the LBS! :o
 
Saytan said:
Archetypes are good rims and Malcolm is a good builder. Hard to go wrong really.


for most people who don't and wont ever need the last n'th of performance a good set of 32 spoke handbuilds is the best choice, in spite of fashion.
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I have a pair of Archetype/Miche Primato 24f/28r wheels from Malcolm. They are about 9 months old and they're great.

Service from Malcolm was excellent. The first set of wheels got lost in the post so he built another set no questions asked and got them to me super quick.

My other set of handbuilt wheels are 32 spoke Open Sport/Tiagra wheels from some wheel builder on ebay. They are rock solid.
 
platypus said:
Service your bike regularly and it will last much longer.

Once a month I do a proper chain and cassette clean (take the casette off the bike), every 6 months I replace the chain (I do higher mileage than average though I think).
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Yeah I'm servicing mine fortnightly I think.

How many miles do you do?
 
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