Associate
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Road Cycling
- Thread starter Zefan
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Nah, he could have gone round the back of the bike. The car driver was waiting, so he'd have passed by in front of it just fine. I'm not talking about crossing the centre line, just going to the offside of the lane rather than the nearside.
I guess that's entirely down to location, where I am the nearest train station is in Hereford (where my home is!) and the 'nearest' are 20-30 miles away, usually these small town/village stations will only have a few trains per day so cannot be relied upon. As for other local transport, there are bus stops everywhere but the number of bus routes around here are always decreasing with many of the local villages only having 3-4 buses a day (during the week) and even less on the weekends. Taxi's also regularly cost more than £2 a mile as invariably I'd be calling one out from Hereford (home) to wherever I am.
Being a fairly rural area, hardly anyone who lives outside of Hereford cannot drive (& doesn't own a vehicle).
Agreed, he failed to react as he's doing the classic 'look-at-whats-6-feet-in-front-of-me zen riding technique'. You can see from his camera angle afterwards (talking/looking at cars - I don't have audio) it is closely linked to his vision. He hadn't got enough time to react/go around the kid due to this. The car let the kid cross but the kid is totally at fault, then just rides away!
At least next time the kid does it, it'll be in front of a lorry and he won't be a problem any longer (harsh I know, but I don't suffer fools).
Giant SpeedShield Defy / Avail Aluxx Fender
Fitted my Giant Speedshield Defy Fenders last night. For a 2015 product designed with the close tolerances of the Defy/Avail in mind over the previous Defy Fenders I was quite disappointed.
The fittings between the brake bridges are the same as the old fenders, there are very few options Giant have due to the tight tolerances here. Personally I found the 'curve' of these bridges too tight for my 25mm tyres (Continental 4 Seasons), now my tyres might be quite wide on my Campag Khamsin G3's compared to the 23mm Giant tyres on their PR-2 wheelset, but these guards are listed as compatible with up to 28mm tyres. I would take that with a very large pinch of salt - if my slightly wide 25mm were enough to snag the bridges then there's no way a narrow 28mm is going to fit! I bent mine to larger clearance with some long noses.
The material these guards are made of is a matt black finish plastic, due to their changed shape and change of material over the original Defy guards they do feel more sturdy. There is certainly less flex and 'bounce' which can only be a good thing. They're flexible enough for purpose, yet rigid enough to decrease 'banging' and clattering which you got from the old guards bouncing around (more on this later).
The guard rails are very sturdy and strong, on par with the old, mounting is very similar to frame mount points. No safety/quick release like SKS/Cruds (should something get stuck in the guard). The bridge fittings they slide into (which you slide onto the guards) are plastic, they grip well and having the option to slide them to different parts of the guard is nice (like on my SKS Raceblade Longs, just tighter fitting) and allows you to place them in the optimum position for your setup (not an option on the old Giant guards). A word to the wise - the guard rails are held into these plastic bridges by tiny grub screws, there is no guide/tap in the holes so it is very easy to screw them in at an angle/strip the plastic as you have to screw them in quite a way to get enough of a hold on the rails. These should've been made of tougher plastic or had some other fitting.
At the bottom point of the rear guard is a rubber 'sponge/spring' thing with a adjustment strap to hold the base of the rear guard to your BB area via the seattube. A much better design than the old (which was held on with a screw) BUT on my Defy 1 2015 I found it fowled the chainring derailleur cable as it is right at the base of the seat-tube. My Defy is a fairly normal/mid size so it's not my frame being too small for these and I'm fairly sure all of the Defy range use the central base of the BB as a guide for this cable (fairly common on all modern bikes with STI's). I worked around this by cutting the middle section out of this rubber stay so the cable fits through (this way I can still strap the base of the guard to the BB area).
Final conclusions and thoughts after riding with the guards this morning... The 'banging' noises compared to the previous guards are definitely decreased, they are still there to a degree (I'll be moving the guard bridges around to try and combat these) but they are more of a banging than a 'clattering' like the previous. The noises are very similar to my SKS Raceblade Longs which I know are from the guards hitting/rubbing the tyres rather than the flex of the guards banging the frame (like the previous Giant Fenders did). These guards work, I've not ridden with them in torrential rain yet but after finding a few puddles this morning I know the coverage is similar to the previous and Raceblades. More longer term I may go back to the Raceblade Longs as they are removeable without having to unmount my brake calipers, although I like the matt black look of these Speedshields (compared to the black gloss shiny original Giants and Raceblades).
Fitted my Giant Speedshield Defy Fenders last night. For a 2015 product designed with the close tolerances of the Defy/Avail in mind over the previous Defy Fenders I was quite disappointed.
The fittings between the brake bridges are the same as the old fenders, there are very few options Giant have due to the tight tolerances here. Personally I found the 'curve' of these bridges too tight for my 25mm tyres (Continental 4 Seasons), now my tyres might be quite wide on my Campag Khamsin G3's compared to the 23mm Giant tyres on their PR-2 wheelset, but these guards are listed as compatible with up to 28mm tyres. I would take that with a very large pinch of salt - if my slightly wide 25mm were enough to snag the bridges then there's no way a narrow 28mm is going to fit! I bent mine to larger clearance with some long noses.
The material these guards are made of is a matt black finish plastic, due to their changed shape and change of material over the original Defy guards they do feel more sturdy. There is certainly less flex and 'bounce' which can only be a good thing. They're flexible enough for purpose, yet rigid enough to decrease 'banging' and clattering which you got from the old guards bouncing around (more on this later).
The guard rails are very sturdy and strong, on par with the old, mounting is very similar to frame mount points. No safety/quick release like SKS/Cruds (should something get stuck in the guard). The bridge fittings they slide into (which you slide onto the guards) are plastic, they grip well and having the option to slide them to different parts of the guard is nice (like on my SKS Raceblade Longs, just tighter fitting) and allows you to place them in the optimum position for your setup (not an option on the old Giant guards). A word to the wise - the guard rails are held into these plastic bridges by tiny grub screws, there is no guide/tap in the holes so it is very easy to screw them in at an angle/strip the plastic as you have to screw them in quite a way to get enough of a hold on the rails. These should've been made of tougher plastic or had some other fitting.
At the bottom point of the rear guard is a rubber 'sponge/spring' thing with a adjustment strap to hold the base of the rear guard to your BB area via the seattube. A much better design than the old (which was held on with a screw) BUT on my Defy 1 2015 I found it fowled the chainring derailleur cable as it is right at the base of the seat-tube. My Defy is a fairly normal/mid size so it's not my frame being too small for these and I'm fairly sure all of the Defy range use the central base of the BB as a guide for this cable (fairly common on all modern bikes with STI's). I worked around this by cutting the middle section out of this rubber stay so the cable fits through (this way I can still strap the base of the guard to the BB area).
Final conclusions and thoughts after riding with the guards this morning... The 'banging' noises compared to the previous guards are definitely decreased, they are still there to a degree (I'll be moving the guard bridges around to try and combat these) but they are more of a banging than a 'clattering' like the previous. The noises are very similar to my SKS Raceblade Longs which I know are from the guards hitting/rubbing the tyres rather than the flex of the guards banging the frame (like the previous Giant Fenders did). These guards work, I've not ridden with them in torrential rain yet but after finding a few puddles this morning I know the coverage is similar to the previous and Raceblades. More longer term I may go back to the Raceblade Longs as they are removeable without having to unmount my brake calipers, although I like the matt black look of these Speedshields (compared to the black gloss shiny original Giants and Raceblades).
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Man of Honour
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- 16 May 2005
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Maybe you should pack an extra set of mudguards to take with you so you can swap out as needed?
New stem feels really good, much better than on the Trek. Need to test out on a longer ride, but think I'm on to a winner.
Last piece of the jigsaw, I had to order a new crank set, and bottom bracket adapter. I'm converting from Cannondale's Si system, and just going Ultegra (hence the BB adapter). The Si cranks are 172.5mm, and I really needed 170mm. Didn't realise it would be so expensive.....£230
Also, I noticed my Cannondale has two small LEDs, they look like they're built into the frame. No idea what their function is, nor did the bike shop. Odd, I'll try and take a photo later!
Last piece of the jigsaw, I had to order a new crank set, and bottom bracket adapter. I'm converting from Cannondale's Si system, and just going Ultegra (hence the BB adapter). The Si cranks are 172.5mm, and I really needed 170mm. Didn't realise it would be so expensive.....£230
Also, I noticed my Cannondale has two small LEDs, they look like they're built into the frame. No idea what their function is, nor did the bike shop. Odd, I'll try and take a photo later!
Soldato
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- 29 Dec 2004
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- Shepley
I bet you couldn't tell the difference between 172.5mm and 170mm cranks in a double blind test. I'd be saving the £230 personally.
Man of Honour
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Agreed. Perhaps if knee issues quickly started to present themselves with the longer cranks I'd consider it but otherwise I'd just leave it.
*chortle*
I haven't fitted my Raceblade XLs yet. I put some helitape on the frame at appropriate locations then decided to go for a ride instead.
I've probably lost the rubber bands, anyway; they've been rolling around the boot of my car for a few weeks. Hmmm.
I was thinking my next bike will be a Synapse Carbon Disc effort, with at least Ultegra... and I'd keep the CAAD10 for a rainy day, but the point of discs is they're better in the wet (well, in general) - my brakes (105 "upgraded" with swiss stop BXP blocks" seemed to slow me down well enough on Sunday from 40-something mph going down a steep hill, but only JUST fast enough to prevent me from soiling myself as a corner approached far too quickly.
Maybe I should just sell my current bike, buy the synapse and a pendleton bike with proper mudguards for rainy days, with a basket on the front in which to carry my tampons.
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Soldato
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- 17 Aug 2012
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- 6,593
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- Tamworth, UK
I've spent the last 3 weeks looking at autumn gear and have purchased nothing, need a autumn/winter jersey (with some high vis + some water resistance), some decent lights (but can attach to a saddle bag), maybe a new bag as it will my current will cover any high vis on my back which defeats a high vis jersey, and have nearly purchased 4 different gloves at £75 (another short finger, wind proof, water proof and winter!).
Ahh, why did I start an expensive hobby.
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Soldato
- Joined
- 19 Apr 2004
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- London
And spokes. Always carry spare spokes. And a wheel trying stand..
A bit late now
They switched the cranks during my bike fit, and the difference was huge. I was previously 60/40 favoring my left side. As soon as they switched the cranks I was pretty much 50/50.
Har har, related note - I had considered how to carry the new set of guards while cycling to avoid driving to get them... I failed miserably (without possibly damaging the new guards or looking like a nonse).
I have some in my saddlebag (but only 2!). But you're not having them as you laughed!
I've thought of spokes before, but to carry in my commuting bag... Although I've not broken one, many others have!
Maybe carry a Spoke tension tool? Although I've not seen a cheap one, nevermind one portable enough to fit in a saddlebag...
I have a high-viz backpack cover I wear all weathers, but for front/side I wear a highviz gilet (A DHB whisp) over whatever winter jersey I have (as high viz winter jersey options are few). You're not limited to looking for bright jerseys then! Wait until the whisp is on sale (got mine for £15 or something). I previously wore a highviz jacket from work but as it was very flappy soon got bored of the noise.
Kindof related, DHB Windslam Roubaix gilet's on a good sale £17 (but only the XS left in stock).
Anyone seen/heard of this: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/garmin-varia-radar-bundle/
Rear facing radar which lights up on a handlebar headunit about vehicles approaching from the rear, indicating distance and speed.
Soldato
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- 7 Jul 2009
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If you're serious about this you can get an emergency spoke for about a tenner which is basically just a bit of high tech string. Depends how many spokes you have to begin with i guess. All that weight on your saddle must put an awful lot of stress on the wheels
Man of Honour
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- 16 May 2005
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You should pick up a Surly Long Haul Trucker - it actually has spare spokes strapped to the frame 
Anyone seen/heard of this: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/garmin-varia-radar-bundle/
Rear facing radar which lights up on a handlebar headunit about vehicles approaching from the rear, indicating distance and speed.
gimmicky!
imagine using those in london or any other busy city..start of commute -
beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepeeeeeepp.... 1 hour later.... beeeep end of commute.
A bit late now
They switched the cranks during my bike fit, and the difference was huge. I was previously 60/40 favoring my left side. As soon as they switched the cranks I was pretty much 50/50.
Jan may be interested in taking the old set off you in a few months if you don't get rid .
Soldato
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Yup I found the same, but it only takes ages the first time. After which I had to enter my base settings again and it had unsyncd my phone Bluetooth connect. Bit of a pain.
Soldato
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https://www.strava.com/activities/408309144
Wee quick ride in the dark tonight. Colder than I realised with shorts on, thankfully had my long sleeve madison jersey on though!
Still don't feel comfortable on the bike, was going to fit a nago the other week but an £85 saddle still costs a fair amount at trade which I don't have. First thing I'll do is fit a shim under my left foot as I feel when I get my saddle height right for my right leg the left seems to have a dead spot where I'm over stretching a bit. Will see how I get on with that.
Saddle may well come next as I have to ride quite far forward on the nose when doing 20+ on the flat, I want to sit further back but the wider nose of the kappa makes me sit forward. Maybe I'm making it all up and I'm just ****e haha.
Wee quick ride in the dark tonight. Colder than I realised with shorts on, thankfully had my long sleeve madison jersey on though!
Still don't feel comfortable on the bike, was going to fit a nago the other week but an £85 saddle still costs a fair amount at trade which I don't have. First thing I'll do is fit a shim under my left foot as I feel when I get my saddle height right for my right leg the left seems to have a dead spot where I'm over stretching a bit. Will see how I get on with that.
Saddle may well come next as I have to ride quite far forward on the nose when doing 20+ on the flat, I want to sit further back but the wider nose of the kappa makes me sit forward. Maybe I'm making it all up and I'm just ****e haha.
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