Road Cycling

Roady said:
Goodluck! Bit optimistic with the category, huh? 0.5w/kg! ;)
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Haha sometimes I do feel like that tbh! I have no doubt even at this level doing the whole pretzel I'm going to get dropped to last place, but hey, it's an experience. I normally set in at about 250-280w for the whole of the pretzel climb mind, which sits me around 2.6/2.9w/kg so I shouldn't have an issue holding their average! I was just too scared to do the one above :D
 
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xdcx said:
Have you crashed also?!? What have you lot been up to in the past 6 weeks? jeeees. Hope collarbone is on the mend FT :( It's next week I will be down dude. Tues/Weds and then going to some place called Lincolnshire for a night then back to Lancaster.
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Yup. Surgery about two weeks ago, first physio next week. Hoping to be back on the bike in November and aiming to turbo it up in the meantime - once I've cleared this bug.

Shame it's so close when you're nearby. If I was remotely back on the bike at all I'd be tempted to pop along for a bit if only to waddle around in my post-lack-of-riding unfitness :p

SoliD said:
You've never ridden chunky tyres in your life!
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Not true...I borrowed a friend's MTB for 6 months when my bike was stolen once. Horrendous :p

If I'd not crashed the plan was to get my spare bike converted for CX for the start of October. Obviously delayed but I'm hoping to have managed that by end of Nov now.

randomshenans said:
I started writing it and was going to go FrenchTart nuts, but then read the rest of the address and thought I'd get you in trouble haha

:D

Glad it got there!
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Yup, cheers again :)

I doubt FrenchTart would've gotten to me though one or two ppl in work do know that name. If "nuts" was on there too I'd have denied any knowledge of it :p
 
platypus said:
I'm awaiting knee surgery :(. Got a date though and if all goes well will be back on the bike in the new year.
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Aw rubbish, what happened? Fingers crossed it all sorts out!
SoliD said:
MXP Clement running some slime tubes, but will be moving to Open Tubs when I get some cash, and usually run about 22 psi if it's sloppy for CX. Tubeless on narrower tyres doesn't work as well as it does for MTB unfortunately.
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What internal width are those rims? My Axis are 21mm and in theory the wheelset I'll be running tubeless with something 28/30mm (for guard clearances). Tried tubeless rather than tubs or no option with your rims? For something more 'off-road' (than my 'gravel/trails') I think I'd want 23mm+ width rims for some really wide grippy stuff in the wet!
randomshenans said:
Haha sometimes I do feel like that tbh! I have no doubt even at this level doing the whole pretzel I'm going to get dropped to last place, but hey, it's an experience. I normally set in at about 250-280w for the whole of the pretzel climb mind, which sits me around 2.6/2.9w/kg so I shouldn't have an issue holding their average! I was just too scared to do the one above :D
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There's quite a leap between the categories C/D tbh! :eek:

Looks like it could be fun through a nightmare to organise/admin lol ;)
BennyC said:
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Awesome stuff, you left poor Nick in your wake! How did you find the climb with dead legs?

You also need to get in the OcUK group for the leaderboard there (by my calculations you'll be 7th)! ;)
 
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Roady said:
Awesome stuff, you left poor Nick in your wake! How did you find the climb with dead legs?

You also need to get in the OcUK group for the leaderboard there (by my calculations you'll be 7th)! ;)
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I rode a few hours after them solo :)

Tbh climbs yesterday were much more pleasant despite being a higher % grade though shorter, Monday's heat was just a bit too much, 28-29 degrees. Where as it was closer to 20.

Both really manageable and not particularly difficult at all. Approaching from the south through the lanes to Selva is much more interesting than a flat straight drag from Pollenca.

You can appreciate the ribbon of tarmac below you on the ascent of Calobra where as you sort of need to focus on the descent heading down it.

I wasn't going up them full gas (though was still working) because I had a solo slog home and when it came down to it wanted to enjoy the slopes than focus on a segment time :) I'll give it some beans when I come back ;) If the weather permits tomorrow morning and my legs are still functioning I'll light a match up to the first view point on the lighthouse ride :cool:
 
Does anyone have any idea where the cheapest place to get 11 speed chains/cassettes are?

Looking for:

105 5800 12-25 cassette
Ultegra 6800 11-28 cassette
Ultegra/DA 11 speed chain
11 speed chain of any type (cheap as possible, for CX/turbo bike)
 
BennyC said:
If the weather permits tomorrow morning and my legs are still functioning I'll light a match up to the first view point on the lighthouse ride :cool:
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Take the right opposite that first viewpoint and head up that mini hill if you want to give the legs a shaking on the way down :D Terrible surface. You'll wonder if you're still in Mallorca.

FrenchTart said:
Does anyone have any idea where the cheapest place to get 11 speed chains/cassettes are?

Looking for:

105 5800 12-25 cassette
Ultegra 6800 11-28 cassette
Ultegra/DA 11 speed chain
11 speed chain of any type (cheap as possible, for CX/turbo bike)
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Everything seems to have gone up because of brexit. Road.cc claimed they found a 'stonking deal' on an Ultegra 6800 cassette at £46... I paid £35 in February I think.
I guess best bet might be CRC if you can get the total up to £100 for BC discount.
 
Lethal` said:
Take the right opposite that first viewpoint and head up that mini hill if you want to give the legs a shaking on the way down :D Terrible surface. You'll wonder if you're still in Mallorca.
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Missed that turning on the way out to the lighthouse on Sunday but found it on the way back. Agreed quite a rough surface (no worse than the UK :p) but fantastic views at the top :cool:
 
merlin said:
I'm not getting any of those graphs from the training menu - my graphs are all blank, Strava premium.
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You won't, the estimated power curve plots that Roady showed are from a single ride so you can view them on a per ride basis (from the sub menu on the left when viewing the ride) but it doesn't collate the data from multiple rides.

It will collate data from Zwift though which can be accessed via the training menu.

Raleigh Mustang arrived today after I'd booked tomorrow off to receive it :o Luckily a neighbour collected it for me and I got back early enough to get it up and running and take it around the block to make sure it was ok.

First impressions are that it will do the job. Shifts fine with the Claris gears so it'll be interesting to see how it is when it's got some miles on it. Bar tape hasn't been done amazingly well but that could be the rather basic tape it was supplied with that doesn't help with that. The plastic cover on the left brifter has a scratch on it but I'll not lose any sleep over it. The chips that it has already been discounted for aren't as bad as I was expecting from the close up photo they sent. Tektro disc brakes are OK. They've been setup with a lot of play on the levers so I'll give them a couple of weeks to bed in and then sharpen them up.

It actually rides pretty nicely from a quick spin around the block. Biggest annoyance is that I kept catching my heel on the frame when setting off but it wasn't an issue when I'd got up to cadence. I do exactly the same thing on my MTB, must be my stupid flipper feet. The Dolomite is said to be quite a harsh ride and this frame feels to have a noticeable give to it even taking the bigger tyres into account. I prefer the ride of the Dolomite but think the softer setup of this one will actually be quite nice for winter riding and obviously if/when it ends up off road.

Day off tomorrow which I predict will mainly be used for swearing at mudguards. If I get them on quick I'll do a 50 miler taking in a disused railway, if not I'll ride a quick(ish) 20 on it.
 
Roady said:
What internal width are those rims? My Axis are 21mm and in theory the wheelset I'll be running tubeless with something 28/30mm (for guard clearances). Tried tubeless rather than tubs or no option with your rims? For something more 'off-road' (than my 'gravel/trails') I think I'd want 23mm+ width rims for some really wide grippy stuff in the wet!
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So they're 25mm wide, which is just under 23 internal I think. I could run them tubeless but with Open Pros (basically a more solid Clincher) you get the best of everything, as they're generally high end tyres with good tpi and puncture protection, but without the hassle of tubs. I just need to get some more tyres, but I'm probably not doing much cross this year, so just going to use what I've got.

Tested it this evening, not sure on pressures but went well. Riding off road in spd sl was interesting, but good to be able to get power! Probably use the Vectors occasionally when I know I can do some cross routes without the need to walk!

https://www.strava.com/activities/750702719
 
FrenchTart said:
Does anyone have any idea where the cheapest place to get 11 speed chains/cassettes are?

Looking for:

105 5800 12-25 cassette
Ultegra 6800 11-28 cassette
Ultegra/DA 11 speed chain
11 speed chain of any type (cheap as possible, for CX/turbo bike)
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I seem to have got all of this stuff before the prices jumped massively (not much help to you) recently grabbed a couple of the FSA chains for £10, wish I'd got a couple more as they'll be fine for CX etc. Might be worth looking at the equivalent Sram items at least for the chain as you'll get a couple of quick links. All my Di2 has turned up, so may fit it Saturday if the parts for my car don't turn up in time.
 
Cheers for the replies guys

xdcx said:
I would keep it if you are looking to get into racing.
Why would you buy a cheaper bike to get into racing? You will be racing on your decent bike if you do get into it :)

Selling it to fund a dedicated winter bike would be a good option, but would hold onto it if you can if getting into racing as racing with a power meter is a much better experience to gauge/control effort.

When you train with group/friends is this just social riding you are doing all the time? Or are you doing any intervals/dedicated training sessions for specifics?
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I'm considering an alternative bike for racing as I'm looking at crit races mainly so weight isn't an issue and after I've had a bike fit on my current bike (Cervelo R2) it was recommended by the fitter that I should probably have a size up if I was looking for a more aggressive racing position. I'd love to buy an expensive bike with a larger frame but can't really afford that! :(

randomshenans said:
I suppose it depends on what you'd get more use out of really. The trainer can give you an OK power measurement, will at least keep you consistent through the winter, and if you're not arsed about the power figures on your outdoor rides, but would get more use out of the winter bike, it might not be a bad shout.
I think for me at least it's very much a nice to have. I like to have my days where I am riding to x power etc. other times I'm really not bothered and just ride.
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Roady said:
Which crankarm is it (5800/6800/9000) and what'll be on your race bike - may help you decide! :)

£300 is a good price, local pro team were selling off theirs for that from the team bikes a month ago. Second hand, probably a season or two old with questionable warranty. Several club guys bought them and I was tempted... If I've not gone the P1 route next year I'll probably take the plunge!
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Crank arm is an FSA Energy. I've only noticed after opening they've actually sent me a different crank. I originally had the one to fit the BB 386evo (the one Stages recommended for the BBright bracket on the Cervelo). They've sent me back the one to fit the BB30 bottom bracket.

I think just reading your replies has helped me decide, I'm going to try and sell it, I should at least make my money back and put the money towards a winter bike.
 
FrenchTart said:
Were those the ones on CRC? Annoyingly they were out of stock before I noticed them :/
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Bike discount now competitive for you guys? I find it's impossible to touch their prices anywhere else most the time.

Had my race tonight. Mate of mine did Cat A, which makes me cry thinking about 4-5w/kg.
Anyway, I did the Cat D, which to be fair was fairly easy. I kept having to hold back up climbs to keep my average power to my category. I wasn't really too sure of what the rules were... either way, was decent and came in 3rd, which is nice.

http://www.zwiftpower.com/v2/race.php?id=1311 (page 2)

https://www.strava.com/activities/750872514

Happy with that for a first go. Like their event format! :)
 
New tyres (Michelin Pro4 End V2 25mm) feel so plush I had to keep looking down to see if I had a puncture! Not sure how much grip there is from these on damp roads when cornering but certainly there's going to be more than my previous (factory fit) efforts. Suppose in an ideal world we'll have tyres that wriggle/twitch a little before they actually full on let go - so you get a bit of a warning. I know I ask too much.

Anyway, if I don't get a ruck of PB's on the way home they're going in the bin. :p
 
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