Road Cycling

[Roady]

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSL...273102241&mc_cid=94439ef3c6&mc_eid=fc432f52c6

£899 ultegra 6800 + full carbon, fulcrum wheels.

Of all those linked this is probably the best buy of the lot! Incredible setup for the money!

I ended up having to get off the bike on a horrible cat 4.

Not that tricky a climb (looking at elevation & knowing how much riding you're doing) so probably just conditions/illness/fatigue related. You should smash that easily mate!

Must've cycled past SoliD

Or me... Actually rode to the group ride on saturday in knee warmers, long fingered, gilet and toe covers as it felt much cooler at 8am when I walked the dog... Would've worn my arm warmers too if the laundry elves hadn't filed them in an obscure place!

Sure enough get to the shop @8:55 and have to strip it all off to carry with me all the way around!

I don't tend to 'suffer' with hot legs/feet in any temperatures and quite often will wear knee/toe covers for the wind protection rather than any thermal/warmth reasons. Can even wear thermal shorts in these ~20 degree temps providing I get my top layers right! Actually wearing some today in preparation for the rain later (my thermal shorts are Sportful Fiandre NoRain).

A housemate went out in full winter clothing on a hybrid bimble - jacket, tights, winter jacket and even a balaclava. I had to ask why... "So that I sweat more"

Some misguided people think sweating = weight loss!

Few pics of the new ride that came on Friday. Its a great bike and a big upgrade over my Chinese carbon bike.

Fair play that looks the nutts! Looks so quick! I'm getting drawn more towards a Red/Black combination in kit/bikes where previously I preferred Blue/White/Black. Love the extra detail on the packaging!

 

[randomshenans]

@Kimi, you can have my seat/ post. Mine is sloped down and I can't change the damn thing back straight!

 

[Berger]

Looks nice on the shallow mavic rims.

Not sure on the full integrated bar/stem. It's good to hear a positive canyon experience.

 

[Kimi]

@Kimi, you can have my seat/ post. Mine is sloped down and I can't change the damn thing back straight!

Whats happened to your one? are the metal bits stuck? i was just speaking to Canyon and the guy was saying to lube the cups up a let it soak for a bit, i should be able to move it about then, mines a bit to flat where i need to to slightly tilt forward.

This looks like it works as well http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=133394

Looks nice on the shallow mavic rims.

Not sure on the full integrated bar/stem. It's good to hear a positive canyon experience.

Those rims are great but the noise when breaking is awful, its like a full on air horn! apparently it goes away after 300kms

 

[randomshenans]

Yea, I saw that too, but it's a bit of a bind for something so simple. I need to get round to it though as mine is far too sloped and starting to hurt my hands.

 

[Vonhelmet]

Not that tricky a climb (looking at elevation & knowing how much riding you're doing) so probably just conditions/illness/fatigue related. You should smash that easily mate!

Well, you're half right It is a very tricky climb, but I have fared well on it in the past. I was coping until the last 20m or so, and then the loss of traction finished me off. I've seen it happen to others going up there - the road surface is so bad that if you slip on the loose stones it can be really hard to get started again.

 

[Kimi]

Yea, I saw that too, but it's a bit of a bind for something so simple. I need to get round to it though as mine is far too sloped and starting to hurt my hands.

Im going to try that method then put some small amount of grease on the inside to stop it jamming, thats if i can get them out!

 

[randomshenans]

I'll let you be the testing guinea pig haha

 

[Kimi]

Haha ive got no choice, my balls were killing me the last 15 miles, i rode most of it out of the saddle

 

[Roady]

What's the best multi tool with a chain tool on it that's still pretty compact?

I have one of these - Topeak Mini 20 Pro Multi Tool, although not had need to use the chain tool yet I can't see any problems with it. Great little tool! Has an 'emergency' single tyre lever on it but I would always carry a set of 3 Parktool TL1C's anyway (the best tyre lever I've tried, will not use any others now).

my seat/ post

mine is far too sloped and starting to hurt my hands.

You're riding your bike wrong.

Well, you're half right It is a very tricky climb, but I have fared well on it in the past. I was coping until the last 20m or so, and then the loss of traction finished me off. I've seen it happen to others going up there - the road surface is so bad that if you slip on the loose stones it can be really hard to get started again.

It looks like it kicks harder at the end than anywhere else which is probably why it feels trickier than it should! 'Singlespeed power training' might not be enough for it!

Im going to try that method then put some small amount of grease on the inside to stop it jamming, thats if i can get them out!

Looking at that forum thread you're just after something to gently prise the clamp apart? Rather than cutting a bolt (and depending on tool access) you could use a car brake pad caliper 'wind back tool' in reverse. It would solve the problem of needing to cut the bolt and make things easier to handle/manage. I've got one like this I'm thinking of.

 

[howler]

Finally getting back into my cycling after a year or so off the bike

Going to be some time before I get my speed back I think!

Currently riding a Pinarello FP Due. This is my ride from the weekend

https://www.strava.com/activities/569224258

I seem to spend the majority of my time in HR zone 4 on all my rides, is this right? I've never had a HR monitor before

 

[booyaka]

Etape Caledonia 2016 done.

https://www.strava.com/activities/569283634

Lovely day out - weather was kind to us, not too hot/or cold and not a huge amount of wind either. Early start at just after 6.30am rolling out - pace is always high at the start as everyone fires off the start line. (5000 people over the next 30 mins)

Me and my mate Jon rolled along the first 10 miles or so fairly quickly but then tagged the back of a group for a while which helped. Fairly quick first 40 miles to our first feed stop. Quick drink/flapjack/gel and back on it. Up to Schiehallion climb which was decent and down the otherside.

At about 55/58 miles there was a couple of groups of about 15 people each that came together to form a nice big group and from there it was an awesome next 20 miles or so in a large group bombing along at around 22mph without any major effort.

Last 4miles or so I had a real dig as my initial target of an optimistic 4hrs 30 mins pre-race was in sight. Anyway, crossed the line in 4hrs 25 mins. Chuffed to bits with my time as that is almost an hour fastest than the last 2 years I've done it.

Cracking day out - loved the bunch work for the last 20 miles, about 40 people ended up in it, all giving it a go etc.

Overall - felt great all through out the ride due to a lot more training this year for it. Delighted with my time, onwards and upwards. Also 18.8mph average over the 82 miles is way beyond anything I've managed before and does show the benefit of group riding at times

 

[Roady]

So much choice for chains now I'm looking again!

SRAM X1 11 - my tried and tested, know it'll do ~1200 miles minimum over summer. £22
SRAM PC 1130 - what I was going to try next, cheap & cheerful £14.50
SRAM RED 22 - Premium option with great discount, untried £25
Shimano Ultegra 6800 - Tempted to try after my recent experience with my CN-HG701 £25
Dura Ace 9000 option - Premium on a great deal again, making an easy choice over the above, fairly sure compatible with 5800? £26

I'm probably going the Red22 route as I really like how much smoother the X1 was compared to the KMC and Shimano's I've used.

I seem to spend the majority of my time in HR zone 4 on all my rides, is this right? I've never had a HR monitor before

Welcome back! Not a bad ride considering the break, your cardio must be pretty good as your speed and power up those climbs look pretty good.

Until you've done lots of riding (with HR) it really is nothing more than an indication on how hard you pushed yourself. Everyone's heatrate is different and only through training with it will you learn your zones. My HR has always been quite high, even with lots of riding I still ride solo/commute quite hard and push myself. It's only through easy/group riding I really see it in my lower zones. Saw it below 130bpm several times on saturdays easy ride, really unusual for me as even training on the turbo fasted during winter I wouldn't be anywhere near!

Etape Caledonia 2016 done.

https://www.strava.com/activities/569283634

Awesome ride & fantastic result! Did you really think it on the cards, even with all the extra training? 4 hours next time?

 

[grudas]

I dunno what you do with your chains roady but I haven't had to replace one at 1.2k miles ever..

2-3k is the usual.. 4 at a stretch

 

[londonbairn]

Anyone got a PX Pro Carbon? I want to get another commuter bike, as my one has lasted for 7 years now, god knows how many miles and is starting to look tired. Would still use that one as a winter one, PX one for spring/summer/autumn.

£899 for one seems a great deal

 

[FrenchTart]

Get the cheapest 11 speed option you can find. Job done. That SRAM one is a pretty clear choice being a tenner cheaper than nearly all the other options.

 

[George Hincapie]

I dunno what you do with your chains roady but I haven't had to replace one at 1.2k miles ever..

2-3k is the usual.. 4 at a stretch

You're not putting enough power through them - Roady makes frames flex

 

[Saytan]

I dunno what you do with your chains roady but I haven't had to replace one at 1.2k miles ever..

2-3k is the usual.. 4 at a stretch

I'm still convinced he lubricates them with grinding paste. That or he's using the chain checker wrong.

 

[Saytan]

Anyone got a PX Pro Carbon? I want to get another commuter bike, as my one has lasted for 7 years now, god knows how many miles and is starting to look tired. Would still use that one as a winter one, PX one for spring/summer/autumn.

£899 for one seems a great deal

the pro carbon frame has been around forever, it's not bleeding edge tech, but lots of people have had lots of rides on them and few problems have ever come up. At the price point there's little better tbh.

 

[PermaBanned]

Just got a £24 referral voucher for wiggle. Sensible option would be new bar tape, brake pads and chain for my roadie... or I could try to finish up the 8 speed conversion on my hybrid.