Road Cycling
- Thread starter Zefan
- Start date
- Status
They've done a bit of that on one of the old lines that runs into Manchester from the north, except they've used a horrible surface and it's not lit. It would be quite handy for getting past a nasty junction with a motorway, but it takes you a bit out of the way at the north end and then you can choose to keep going on the unpaved swamp cycle path or rejoin a road you don't want to be on.
Soldato
- Joined
- 17 Aug 2012
- Posts
- 6,593
- Location
- Tamworth, UK
Related to the bike light thread but the main traffic goes through this thread, anyone looking for a decent back light for a saddle bag then the suggested Lunar R2 I can approve as well, sits nicely on the bag and is crazy bright + USB rechargeable.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MMPGZ5K?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MMPGZ5K?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
If anyone's looking for a rear light for fitting on a seatpost, this is a complete bargain:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/pro-illume-7-5-rear-light/rp-prod126298
Tiny, lightweight, decent brand, USB, and really bright - for £10.99.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/pro-illume-7-5-rear-light/rp-prod126298
Tiny, lightweight, decent brand, USB, and really bright - for £10.99.
Why not padded? My commute is only 4.4 miles and I can't imagine doing it unpadded... Providing you're buying 'clothing for commuting' you may as well buy padded - you don't need to worry about branding or even about comfort too much, quantity is key (which as you've found for leisure riding the opposite is true - quality being key). DHB's Active, Aeron and Flashlight ranges, PX own branded and even some basic Altura/Santini ranges are more than suitable. Shop to your budget and features rather than comfort and looks. You can get some real deals on unbranded/chinese stuff too but it's a bit of a lottery, I've been burned a couple of times so I tend to stick to cheap branded now.
Examples: DHB Aeron bib shorts £20, DHB Active Shorts £10, PX Proline 365 shorts £20
DHB Flashlight bib tights £32, DHB active thermal nonbib tights £20, PX Clubman bib tights £20, PX Echostorm bib tights £35
DHB Active thermal long sleeve jersey £15, Northwave Force short sleeve jersey £24, Sportful Pista short sleeve jersey £24, PX 365 short sleeve jersey £25, PX 365 long sleeve jersey £25
PX packable commuter jacket £35, Sportful reflex 2 jacket £25, DHB moxie jersey/jacket £32
These are always a nightmare, there's a 'new' Tesco Express on part of my commute (used to be an old pub) that people never seem to indicate for and regularly 'overtake' stationary traffic in the left hand lane to then turn right into.
Yeah last time I measured my chest I was 110cm but figure I've lost a bit since then so am fitting into 100cm. My biceps haven't changed (~37cm) and my shoulders have always been large so I regularly find tight upper arm & shoulders in things. Most cycling and modern fashion seems to be made for men with the shoulders of women.
I tend to use CRC for maintenance, tools and parts (chains etc) as they have wider ranges than Wiggle and better deals/stock/sales on it.
A very impressive turn around. But sometimes I feel the delivery companies need a little bit of credit too
Agreed, DX used to be loads better than they are now... Couple that with recent Wiggle 'warehouse/IT' delays and you get a 4-5 day leadtime on orders...
There's never much consideration for us. After reading some of that blog I'm glad I live where I do! There's no consideration but at least I have more route options the majority of the time while the traffic takes the more direct standstill route - motorists around here don't have brains.
Last edited:
Soldato
- Joined
- 29 Dec 2004
- Posts
- 17,126
- Location
- Shepley
Pretty poor too tbh, mine died after about 4 hours in a combination of low flash and low steady but at least they're easy to charge at work etc. They make a good backup light alongside a Cree or similar.
On that note, a guy in a Range Rover wound down his window the other night to complain my light was dazzling him. I apologised and adjusted it, but anyone that's had a Range Rover sat behind them on the motorway can probably see the irony in that. I do love some eye level blinding white HID beams on a dark night.
I can't imagine most on here having the same issue with chest tightness as you tbh. Despite being 6'1'' I never used to get it even when I was eating all the pies. Now despite being thinner in terms of fat I get it quite a bit and I'm not anywhere near as beefcake as yourself
I still use CRC quite regularly. Their free delivery takes a few days (no worse than Wiggle was before the recent problems however) but with the BC 10% discount on everything it generally works out quite a lot cheaper than anywhere else.
I think it's the fact that most cycling kit is designed for skinny/55kg males - pro fit that is !
which is why I need to go XL when I never go XL on anything! I will give them a shot again, I remember they used to use 1st class for postage? do they still do it? it was the dispatch times that put me off them.. like 2-3 days to dispatch something
You'd probably be a lot faster than me!I think I might give it a go tomorrow if the weather turns out okay. Let me know if you want to join
I had two weeks off and a week of commuting in my legs so I think I'll be around 16-17mph/avg!
what time would you leave? its 10 miles for me to get to RP 
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Wate...hweb201527_3_71_72_73_74_75,searchweb201560_2
these are the light aldi was selling ?
they often die too.. I had two as spare! quite crap on battery life but fine brightness.got comments on my moon nebula light again today... !
Just because I'm a fanny when it comes to padded shorts, I won't wear them more than once without a wash, so would need 5 for a weekly commute.
Thanks for those links, some nice stuff in there. Probably going to make a santa list and hopefully get a load of gear in for then
Soldato
- Joined
- 29 Dec 2004
- Posts
- 17,126
- Location
- Shepley
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Wate...hweb201527_3_71_72_73_74_75,searchweb201560_2
these are the light aldi was selling ?
got comments on my moon nebula light again today... !
Yeah, those are the ones. I've got a front and ordered a rear off Aliexpress. Both are just insurance in case my main lights die so not bad for that but I probably wouldn't rely on them.
A combination of electrical tape and a new battery spring from Exposure appear to have solved my issues on that front so that's a bonus. Great service from Exposure as well tbf, they sent the new part out free of charge within less than 24 hours.
when you say the back of the pad, do you mean the red part -;
?
last time I messed around with disc brakes was YEARS ago on a cheap MTB and I don't want grease to end up on my disc or pad it self so just wondering if what I'm planing on doing is correct haha!
So the Wiggle order that I cancelled... has now been despatched.
Good job Wiggle. I've already ordered (and received) the replacement items from CRC!
What a shower.
Yeah, on the back of the backplate. Just a tiny bit - you'll probably be able to see where the pistons have been grabbing the pads if you've used them a bit already as the backplate will have circles slightly worn into it. Just put a thin film of copper grease on that circle, and you're good to go!
Good job Wiggle. I've already ordered (and received) the replacement items from CRC!
What a shower.
Yeah, on the back of the backplate. Just a tiny bit - you'll probably be able to see where the pistons have been grabbing the pads if you've used them a bit already as the backplate will have circles slightly worn into it. Just put a thin film of copper grease on that circle, and you're good to go!
Last edited:
+1 on the lunar 2.
Ive had one for a couple of years & on full power you can be seen for miles!
I actually loathe being identified as a cyclist. When you start calling anyone on a bike 'cyclists' you're lumping everyone in together. Someone on a bike jumps a red light and all 'cyclists' are terrorists and subhuman scum. I'd rather car drivers think of me as a 'person on a bike'.
With regards to the adverts, I can see what TfGM were going for. Cyclists *does* have negative connotations. When people hear the word 'cyclists', they think men, probably middle class and aged 21-40. They assume to be a cyclist they need to wear lycra. Ask someone in Amsterdam if they're a cyclist and they'd probably look at you like you were mad.
I've no issue with being described as a cyclist if that's what I'm actually doing at the time though.
/rant
Soldato
- Joined
- 29 Dec 2004
- Posts
- 17,126
- Location
- Shepley
In other news, it's my first night back at track league tonight as the indoor track season kicked off a few weeks back. There's been a few elite level events on Eurosport already and Revolution will be shown live this year so that's good for the sport. There's also the new London Six Day event coming up.
Pre-race nerves are kicking in big time at the moment, not sure why, but they'll disappear once the warm-up is done. I never feel like this before a TT but I guess those are just more controlled environments. I'd love to get to a point where racing feels routine but I'm not quite there yet.
Nevertheless, I've got a much better block of training behind me than at any point in the winter/spring so I'm really looking forward to seeing how I go. There were times then where I was turning up on a Friday having not ridden all week which went as badly as you would expect. I haven't really done a lot of top end work aside from a few hill climbs and interval sessions but that will all soon come back I hope.
I see where you're coming from, but personally I'd rather reclaim the word "cyclist" from the MAMILs and the red light jumpers than have to use some other clumsy phrase to describe someone who rides a bike. I think those ads serve to reinforce and remind people of the negative aspects which is not going to encourage people on to their bikes.
Pre-race nerves are kicking in big time at the moment, not sure why, but they'll disappear once the warm-up is done. I never feel like this before a TT but I guess those are just more controlled environments. I'd love to get to a point where racing feels routine but I'm not quite there yet.
Nevertheless, I've got a much better block of training behind me than at any point in the winter/spring so I'm really looking forward to seeing how I go. There were times then where I was turning up on a Friday having not ridden all week which went as badly as you would expect. I haven't really done a lot of top end work aside from a few hill climbs and interval sessions but that will all soon come back I hope.
I see where you're coming from, but personally I'd rather reclaim the word "cyclist" from the MAMILs and the red light jumpers than have to use some other clumsy phrase to describe someone who rides a bike. I think those ads serve to reinforce and remind people of the negative aspects which is not going to encourage people on to their bikes.
Last edited:
I had two weeks off and a week of commuting in my legs so I think I'll be around 16-17mph/avg!
When's good? I'm open for whenever really, though was thinking 11AM or so as latest. Ping me your number in trust.
Aha. Should have switched it to Strobe mode for him
I generally ride mostly in the day (though that'll change soon with the light..) so haven't found it dying to be much of an issue. Only one time when fortunately I had a headtorch in my bag left over from hiking. I think I'll have to stick my old front light back on as a backup unfortunately 
With any luck the rear one will have better battery life... haven't tested it yet.
Related to the bike light thread but the main traffic goes through this thread, anyone looking for a decent back light for a saddle bag then the suggested Lunar R2 I can approve as well, sits nicely on the bag and is crazy bright + USB rechargeable.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MMPGZ5K?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
Looks good, how have you found the brightness and burntime?
Advice (in case you were unaware!), the Topeak wedges have elasticated bits on the bottom, they're for carrying something strapped on the bottom, but I use mine to hold the 'tails' at the bottom of the clips/fastenings away to stop them flapping around!
Sounds pretty poor, I get probably 3 or 4 times that life out of my rear which was only double the price!
Can you get it apart and replace the cells with better ones?
I think it's the fact that most cycling kit is designed for skinny/55kg males - pro fit that is !
I will give them a shot again, I remember they used to use 1st class for postage? do they still do it? it was the dispatch times that put me off them.. like 2-3 days to dispatch something
Yeah, now I've lost belly/waist I have to size by my shoulders and thighs... Not just in cycling stuff, I have to wear 34" jeans to fit my thighs in where my waist is now 30"/32". 'Boot cut' jeans are no bigger on the thighs than regular cut!
CRC use Royal Mail, unsure if it's 1st class or whatever parcel post. They do tend to be 3-4 day delivery but I currently prefer that over Wiggles 'could be 2 days, but usually 6-7 when you need it'.
I tend to wear my shorts 2 days in these winter months as they don't get too ripe, usually wearing them under other layers too. In the summer I'll only do 1 day as I sweat more and usually warmer weather = out riding after work a couple of times a week (need more pad comfort!)
You can get padded underwear, unsure how good it is or prices. Pretty hard to justify £15+20 on padded underwear+overshorts when good padded shorts are £20!
In fact those Aeron bib shorts are so good a price I'm tempted...! The flashlights I'm currently wearing for commuting were £35 each, but wiggle did a 'buy 1 get 1 free' sale on them
Had some wiggle bits delivered, I bought a pair of these DHB Roubaix liner gloves, I measured my hand diameter as 9" (23cm) and the sizing for these is Medium 20-21cm and Large 21-22cm. Figured the large would be a tight but comfortable fit - ideal for liners. Except they're huge on me! I should've gone with my instincts and ordered the Medium, typical!
Last edited:
- Status