Road Cycling

[James07]

Brilliant frame. It's the one I've just broken, had it ~5 years.

How did you break it? Full carbon isn't it? You able to have that repaired?

Ah now thats an interesting dilemma I've just given myself. Do I drop the Di2 and get a power meter...?

I wouldn't drop Di2

I'd love to have it but currently its worth about the same as my actual bike haha. 2-3 years when I upgrade ill be considering that.

Looking at getting out a few times in the evening through the week, but short of ideas where to go!

My advice would be to take off. Once you get out you'll find routes you sana take, just set off and keep going that's what I did.

I have about 8 routes I take to work ranging from 9.9 to 24 miles. I have loads of ride info out side of work, either on the roadie or mtb.

You'll be amazed at how many ideas float into your head once you set off, and if you dont know any loops when you get far out just turn around and come back the same way.

 

[janp]

Fantastic information and really one side of it I'd like to get into, but to be honest that's something for next year as I'm still 'new' to riding enough that every time I get out I'm progressing. I just have concerns currently about my recoveries and if I'm 'doing them right'.

More riding is my solution, I know when I'm tired/fatigued but I'm still at the stage I need to push myself through it to continue fitness gains - I have quite a way to go before I'm anywhere near the classic 'cyclist' shape!

My aim for this year is to comfortably do 100+ miles per week (aiming at 2 rides and my commuting)

Never too early to start getting into the stats side Roady. I wish I did at the start of last year. I found my first year, I just went all out all the time, and burnt myself out. By the end of last year I felt back to square one and actually slower. Now I'm being more sensible I'm seeing a steady improvement. Still not back to last summers speeds, perhaps it's the rucksack and lack of clipless pedals

 

[platypus]

If you have to choose one. Powermeter, then Di2 imo.

Mmmmm I've thought about it and for me Di2 is more useful. I might at some point join a club, I might at some point train to a high level that requires a power meter, whereas I definitely will benefit from Di2. Wrist problems, and all the advantages over mechanical.

 

[James07]

Started wearing bib shorts this week, they are the best thing Ive worn since been a cyclist.. They're comfy, the padding is better and nicer, they fit snugly and dont move, I need some more, deffinately do.

Only thing is, I'm getting oil on the bottom of my leg from where my leg rubs on the front crank, no idea why I'm letting my leg do this. Frustrating though.

 

[janp]

Started wearing bib shorts this week, they are the best thing Ive worn since been a cyclist.. They're comfy, the padding is better and nicer, they fit snugly and dont move, I need some more, deffinately do.

Only thing is, I'm getting oil on the bottom of my leg from where my leg rubs on the front crank, no idea why I'm letting my leg do this. Frustrating though.

Yeh I end up with oil on my right leg sometimes. I've seem others with the same so must be quite common

I need to get some better quality bibs for the longer rides, only got the cheapo sports direct ones. I assume Castelli are the go to bibs?

 

[James07]

Yeh I end up with oil on my right leg sometimes. I've seem others with the same so must be quite common

I need to get some better quality bibs for the longer rides, only got the cheapo sports direct ones. I assume Castelli are the go to bibs?

I'm very right when it comes to spending, so I went on eBay and got a replica team sky kit, although I think it's knock off, but I dont care, the Jersey is tight, probably a bit too tight but I haven't ridden in it yet I've been using my Endura Jersey still as that was my favourite before the recent purchase.

The bib is very light weight and very wind resistant, feels silky smooth and is extremely comfortable. I genuinkey do not have any complaints about it at all, literally none and after using it for around 40 miles now I can safely say I doubt I'd notice the difference between this and an official bib, maybe mine is actually official? Doubtful as it came from Asia. Haha.

All in all, I'm extremely fond of it, time will tell if it's worth the £25 I paid for the set! If it's still going strong mid summer then I'll definitely be buying another.

The seller sells all different kinds of kit in various sizes, fantastic to be honest, ill get some Giant gear next time

 

[topgun06]

Uh ohhhh You lost your KOM. Yes, because the sod was in a car!

 

[James07]

Uh ohhhh You lost your KOM. Yes, because the sod was in a car!

I don't understand why people do this..

 

[topgun06]

He stopped and then there was a large delay before he began moving again and mopped up every KOM on the way to the start of the ride. I guess he may have punctured and got a lift home.

 

[Calpol]

New wheels.
Not sure I will keep the decals on. Ended up a bit of a bargain. £300.

 

[topgun06]

The decals are nice. They break up the black a bit and match the frame

 

[platypus]

How did you break it? Full carbon isn't it? You able to have that repaired?

The accident I had in March. Cracked the top tube and head tube, so its not safe to ride. Not repairable safely.

 

[lordrobs]

Stopped to help a couple of cyclists with a puncture tonight. They probably assumed I stopped because I assumed two women couldn't change an inner tube but I always ask if people are ok and if they have everything they need when I see someone with a mechanical issue. Their reply of "ummmm.... I think we do... hopefully" prompted me to stop! They had it sussed though, just had a small issue with their mini pump but it was a clip on type which can be a bit fiddly and they put the wheel back on a bit squiff so it was binding a little which I soon sorted. Did make me laugh when they were pumping it with a mini pump and said "when do I know if it is at 120 PSI?"

Shoved my saddle up 10mm or so when I got home so I'll see how I get on with that. My initial highly scientific ride around the block felt ok though. "I've now got chronic knee pain" post probably coming soon

 

[Vonhelmet]

I've got a pass for tomorrow morning so I'm heading out for a metric. Temperatures are high single figures with a very little bit of wind, so should be ideal. The only issue is I'll be setting off around rush hour so need to pick my poison in terms of which direction to go. I think I'll head out to southport which will mean going through wigan, which is ok apart from a couple of slightly fiddly lane changes. Wish me luck...

 

[oli collett]

He stopped and then there was a large delay before he began moving again and mopped up every KOM on the way to the start of the ride. I guess he may have punctured and got a lift home.

Report the ride and strava will get on it

 

[James07]

I guess he may have punctured and got a lift home.

That makes more sense if im honest haha. There's a segment near my house and two guys got 50kmph up the hill, not possible on a bike. It doesn't bother me too much as I'll never be able to challenge for that KOM if I'm honest, atkeast not for a couple more years.

New wheels.
Not sure I will keep the decals on. Ended up a bit of a bargain. £300.

That bike is beautiful!

The decals are nice. They break up the black a bit and match the frame

I agree with this, the white I'm the wheels goes nicely with the frame, if anything the letters are too large for my liking, but it still looks good and I bet it looks smart when they're spinning.

The accident I had in March. Cracked the top tube and head tube, so its not safe to ride. Not repairable safely.

Ah man that sucks what happened?

You recovered okay? must have been a nasty crash to cause that much damage.

What you doing about a bike now then?

"when do I know if it is at 120 PSI?"

Shoved my saddle up 10mm or so when I got home so I'll see how I get on with that. My initial highly scientific ride around the block felt ok though. "I've now got chronic knee pain" post probably coming soon

That line tickled me!

I need to move mine up slightly, I think, I'm not certain, it feels just a tad too low. could do with bringing it up and seeing how I get on with it.

I've got a pass for tomorrow morning so I'm heading out for a metric. Temperatures are high single figures with a very little bit of wind, so should be ideal. The only issue is I'll be setting off around rush hour so need to pick my poison in terms of which direction to go. I think I'll head out to southport which will mean going through wigan, which is ok apart from a couple of slightly fiddly lane changes. Wish me luck...

Good luck man! Ride safe & have fun!

I'll keep an eye out for the ride once I wake up, night shift worker so I sleep through the day haha.

Anyone know any really good cycling forums to keep me occupied through the nights?

 

[topgun06]

Report the ride and strava will get on it

Done I want my KOM back!!

 

[James07]

Does this look okay to you guys? Lad at work has me.paranoid, it's done a little over 700 miles and is still going up hills perfectly well. My friend rides a MTB and I explained it a a completely different set up that's why they don't look the same lol, but he has me paranoid now so I thought I'd check.

All pictures are taken in the highest and lowest gears, nothing inbetween,

Thanks in advance.

Done I want my KOM back!!

Love this lol

 

[touch]

No, it's not right.
Rear derailleur isnt taking up the slack in the chain. Probably just stuck. Clean, lube and wiggle it around a bit and it'll be fine.

 

[James07]

No, it's not right.
Rear derailleur isnt taking up the slack in the chain. Probably just stuck. Clean, lube and wiggle it around a bit and it'll be fine.

Just given it a wiggle and it sits tighter now.

It does feel like it can't go much further back though, is this a chain stretch issue?

It's very oily though, doesn't look like any part of it need a attention at all, looks to be in great condition