Road Cycling

physichull · 27 Apr 2015 at 19:26

xdcx said:
If we are moaning about Strava, I want a shot!

People who create new segments within existing segments, either making it 0.1km shorter/longer and giving it a name such as "The FULL xxxxx" or "the REAL xxxxx"..... Ban them all!

Yes yes yes yes!

Makes me mad too. I just hate them cluttering up everything. I wish you could permanently hide some of them.

grudas · 27 Apr 2015 at 19:35

Richmond park is a good example.. So is box hill!

Thomas. PLease. · 27 Apr 2015 at 19:57

Yeah, ride anywhere in London and you end up with umpteen PR's on some pointless segment.

arknor · 27 Apr 2015 at 20:00

topgun06 said:
I quite klike the looks of that ROSE bike, not been a huge fan on their looks in the past. But yes, weird seat stays.

What is with the trend of plastering technology buzz words all over the frame?

"T30/40 Carbon Fibre HOC Technology"

Like I need reminding that the carbon bike I bought has a carbon frame.

so thieves know which bike to take

The dumb thing is that you can tick something to say it was on a stationary trainer but that actually does...nothing.

Probably just changes the calorie algorithm

Then check it against the number of links on your old chain. (not the length as it's likely the old chain is stretched.)

Never had a chain stretch more than a fraction of a link I doubt it's even possible for them to stretch more than a whole link without breaking
http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

Cyclists often speak of chain "stretch", as if the side plates of an old chain were pulled out of shape by the repeated stresses of pedaling. This is not actually how chains elongate. The major cause of chain "stretch" is wearing away of the metal where the link pin rotates inside of the bushing (or the "bushing" part of the inside plate) as the chain links flex and straighten as the chain goes onto and off of the sprockets. If you take apart an old, worn-out chain, you can easily see the little notches worn into the sides of the link pins by the inside edges of the bushings. With bushingless chains, the inside edge of the side plate hole that rubs against the link pin has a smooth radius instead of a sharp corner. This probably contributes to the greater durability of bushingless chains.

You can see how the link pin of this unusually badly worn chain has been worn away.
Note also how the roller has flopped out of position.

The reason the roller flops around is that the "bushing" part of the chain has been eroded away.
No doubt the inner surface of the roller has become enlarged as well.

broona · 27 Apr 2015 at 20:13

So, I'm looking for a road/CX/gravel road bike for less than a grand, anyone got anything they'd recommend?

Currently looking at the Planet X London Road, Ridley X-Bow or Giant Revolt but I'm open to suggestions too.

I'd like 10 or 11 speed, chunky tyre clearance and disc brakes please...

arknor · 27 Apr 2015 at 20:16

broona said:
So, I'm looking for a road/CX/gravel road bike for less than a grand, anyone got anything they'd recommend?

Currently looking at the Planet X London Road, Ridley X-Bow or Giant Revolt but I'm open to suggestions too.

I'd like 10 or 11 speed, chunky tyre clearance and disc brakes please...

Might want to specify if you want mud guard mounts since in CX races people don't use mudguards which means a lot of cx bikes don't accommodate them

also make sure the disc brakes are mounted somewhere which won't impede the fitting of guards like on the rear most bikes now should have the rear brake calliper mounted inside the rear triangle or at least not in the way

Good although the bike has no mudguard mounts

BAD and you can see why with how the guy has had to bend the mud guard stays around it

Dunks · 27 Apr 2015 at 20:47

broona said:
So, I'm looking for a road/CX/gravel road bike for less than a grand, anyone got anything they'd recommend?

Currently looking at the Planet X London Road, Ridley X-Bow or Giant Revolt but I'm open to suggestions too.

I'd like 10 or 11 speed, chunky tyre clearance and disc brakes please...

I've got the London Road and would fully recommend it, lovely bike!

FrenchTart · 27 Apr 2015 at 20:51

I've heard the London Road is a very nice bike. Certainly looks good on paper.

syke · 27 Apr 2015 at 21:03

I like the London Road in the Lemon colour - tempted for my next bike/winter bike.. maybe next year!

PermaBanned · 27 Apr 2015 at 22:28

Genesis CDA 20 is an interesting option. Hard to ignore the Charge Plug 4 for £999 from wiggle. I'm partial to Felt's cyclocross range although it might not be the best value.

grudas · 27 Apr 2015 at 22:34

genesis is nice! haven't heard much good feedback in regards to charge tho

heavy, slow, flexy.. just sounds meh?!

broona · 28 Apr 2015 at 05:30

Thanks for the replies.

Mudguards aren't essential but it would be nice if I could fit a set as it will no doubt be getting used in all weathers.

I'll look into the Genesis and the Charge too, off to my LBS on Saturday to have a proper look at the Giant and the Ridley, they've got some of last years models discounted too and they throw in a bike fit for free, may as well have a look.

FrenchTart · 28 Apr 2015 at 08:09

grudas said:
genesis is nice! haven't heard much good feedback in regards to charge tho heavy, slow, flexy.. just sounds meh?!

Yeah. I have two friends with them and to be honest I wouldn't go there personally. They're extremely heavy and cumbersome.

broona said:
Thanks for the replies.

Mudguards aren't essential but it would be nice if I could fit a set as it will no doubt be getting used in all weathers.

I'll look into the Genesis and the Charge too, off to my LBS on Saturday to have a proper look at the Giant and the Ridley, they've got some of last years models discounted too and they throw in a bike fit for free, may as well have a look.

As above, I'd avoid the Charge. If you can stretch a little then the Whyte Suffolk is a very nice bike.

http://whyte.bike/gb/models/commuterroad/rd-7-road-disc/suffolk/

platypus · 28 Apr 2015 at 08:33

So we bought some budget tourers this weekend. The bikes are relaxed geometry with straight handlebars, and wow I feel like I've never ridden before. Totally different centre of mavity!

It's also very slightly too big for me, but given that I won't be doing any great distance on it I don't really mind that.

Vonhelmet · 28 Apr 2015 at 09:34

platypus said:
So we bought some budget tourers this weekend. The bikes are relaxed geometry with straight handlebars, and wow I feel like I've never ridden before. Totally different centre of mavity!

It's also very slightly too big for me, but given that I won't be doing any great distance on it I don't really mind that.

My wife has a big sit up hybrid. It feels really weird riding it. The steering is all over the show.

FrenchTart · 28 Apr 2015 at 09:44

I just googled plasti-dip as I was considering sticking some on the head tube of my bike to protect the area where the cables meet it and...

wtf?

grudas · 28 Apr 2015 at 10:48

^^??? what's wtf'y about that?

FrenchTart · 28 Apr 2015 at 10:53

This response to a question on there sums it up quite well:

Colton Anderson 2 months ago
To make it look good... You don't plasti dip

grudas · 28 Apr 2015 at 10:58

it looks no different to a black matte paint? just has this rubbery feel to it? and you an peel it off.

FrenchTart · 28 Apr 2015 at 11:00

Well, I'm not a car person so perhaps I can't judge. Just looks odd to me

Wouldn't stop me putting some on the headtube of my bike if I can make it not look weird.