Road Cycling

[Shadowness]

I couldn't help myself : Shoes ordered
They get decent reviews too :http://road.cc/content/review/182879-specialized-s-works-6

I have those. Great shoe, very light. They were a bit stiff to begin with, and were a little uncomfortable around my ankles at first. They're a lot better now they're worn in.

 

[BennyC]

Specialized have today launched their S-Works sale :http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/s-works-sale/

I really didn't want to be spending any more money on bike gear but their S-Works 6 shoes are £80 off (£200) and the colour perfectly matches by bike and clothing - must resist !!!

Launched yesterday and other than the 6's in Red being reduced it's a load of hot air

My Vittoria Corsa G+ has started to de-laminate at the rear so I need some replacements, Gumwalls of course Any thoughts or experience on the Clement Strada? Can get them for a shade over £20.

Or suggestions 23/25c would be welcome, no real prerequisite for a high TPI count... (Clincher).

 

[Roady]

I messed up a bolt head holding my mudguard at the rear of the BB last night, damn cheap aluminium the head came clean off! Filed it flat intending on drilling it out (done this a couple of times before but different bolts), but can't get the damn drill in between the chain stays, the gap is too narrow!

Struggling to figure out which screw extractor set I can buy locally (Screwfix, Halfords, Wickes, B&Q) will have a bit small enough to remove what I think was an M2/3 size screw (~3-4mm)! Most of them start at 3-4mm! The pilot hole I'll be drilling is going to be 2mm...
Spotted this set, has extractors and also tap & die if I have to drill it out and retap...

Just call me driller extraordinaire! Bought that set figuring it had the same range of screw extractors as most of the others along with taps and die's if I needed to retap the hole afterwards (if unable to use extractor, I'd just drill it out).

I also grabbed an angled chuck as the body of my cordless drill was too wide to get between the chainstays... It worked brilliantly! The angle allowing me to drill very carefully and slowly, without the weight and poor manoeuvrability of the drill. I was able to drill progressively larger holes into the screw I'd filed flat (after my attempts to remove on wednesday had just butchered whatever minute amount was left out of the frame). 1.5mm, then 2mm then finally a 4mm. The smallest screw remover would just about fit into the hole... A soft tap to seat it followed very carefully (with very low torque) unscrew and it came free!

Removing the threaded 'bolt' I was able to see my handywork, I'd drilled slightly off centre but straight all the way through it. Couldn't get much more perfect than that! Basically meant the thread in my carbon frame should be totally untouched and didn't need tapping!

Fitted the rear of the 'Specialized Plug n Play Fenders' recommended for the Diverge rather than refit my SKS Chromoplastics. They're metal guards and feel very solid, time will tell how they age and look. They're far from 'Plug n Play' - had to cut 2 stays and drill a hole for the brake bridge!

I like the matt black look of them compared to the shiny grey-brown-almost-black of the Chromo's but they're at least twice the weight, maybe more. I can see me creating a frankenguard of them both in the future. They have more clearance too, swallowing up my 28mm's - I have a 32mm tyre to test them with, some on the Diverge owners group report having clearance for some brands of 35mm's!

 

[Roady]

Don't know if anyone else was following the IndiPac race going on in Australia but the British rider Mike Hall was riding very strongly against Kristof Allegaert who was in first place apparently had a collision with a car and sadly passed away with the race called off in respect. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...h/news-story/4fb89c634982bd7748594d4384a8883a

Utterly shocked/stunned when I read the first unconfirmed report of it being him this morning. He was recently turning into a bit of an icon for me as he'd moved to mid-wales (Abbey cwm hir) from Yorkshire and was riding around roads not far around where I grew up. Thoughts go out to his friends and family. There's a Justgiving page setup for his family to help cover any funeral costs.

He will be remembered as he's left a legacy with ultra-distance riders (the Transcontinental) and was/is the record holder for the completing the TransAm and Tour Divide the quickest. I'd hoped to randomly come across him sometime when out riding. RIP Mike.

Amazing what riding your bike actually does for your fitness eh!

Who'd have thunk it!

Thing is I feel quite fit and quite strong right now, I've ridden straight through the winter and I'm feeling like a coiled spring

That's the pain killers and being extra rested! Take it easy, it'll come in time, just heal up!

I shall be thinking of him on my p*** easy sportive ride tomorrow, which will be a challenge because I'm so lardy and unfit. Again.

Goodluck matey! Let us know how it goes! How far you going?

 

[Jono]

Goodluck matey! Let us know how it goes! How far you going?

Only the 50 mile effort (short) - don't want to be out all day anyway even if I was up to something longer, but since the longest ride I've done since October is just over 40 miles I didn't think it best to ruin myself and my mood

Cheeeeeeers!

I don't know if you've seen the route/elevation profile but it's basically flat for 20 miles, goes up a pretty big hill (not amazingly steep, just long) Then flat for a bit, then downhill for pretty much the last 25 miles with a few lumpy bits in it.

I might go for gold.

 

[Maxeh]

Launched yesterday and other than the 6's in Red being reduced it's a load of hot air

My Vittoria Corsa G+ has started to de-laminate at the rear so I need some replacements, Gumwalls of course Any thoughts or experience on the Clement Strada? Can get them for a shade over £20.

Or suggestions 23/25c would be welcome, no real prerequisite for a high TPI count... (Clincher).

Also keen to hear any recommendations

 

[Roady]

I don't know if you've seen the route/elevation profile but it's basically flat for 20 miles, goes up a pretty big hill (not amazingly steep, just long) Then flat for a bit, then downhill for pretty much the last 25 miles with a few lumpy bits in it.

Not seen it, what's it called?

I'm on a low mileage week, around 40 so far really really poor and can't get out tomorrow. Last week was rubbish too! Gah! Gonna hit it on Sunday, maybe have my first attempt at Gospel pass so around a 65 mile round trip. Guess I need to find my climbing legs from somewhere!

Have a good weekend all!

 

[Saytan]

Also keen to hear any recommendations

Veloflex master

 

[One More Solo]

Genesis Flyer owners, has anyone else had issues with the rear mudguard snapping at the brake mount? Both mine and my wife's have gone in the same place with next to no miles. Evans replaced hers with decent SKS guards, hoping Tredz do the same for me as the Genesis guards are rattly and frankly unfit for purpose.

 

[Vonhelmet]

Genesis Flyer owners, has anyone else had issues with the rear mudguard snapping at the brake mount? Both mine and my wife's have gone in the same place with next to no miles. Evans replaced hers with decent SKS guards, hoping Tredz do the same for me as the Genesis guards are rattly and frankly unfit for purpose.

The guards on my 2016 model have done over 3000 miles and are fine. Nothing broken, no major noise from them. They're big chunky guards, very solid. Are yours 2017 models? Maybe they've cheaped out on the guards this year.

 

[One More Solo]

Yeah, 2017 model. I wanted the 2016 as it was a bit cheaper and better colour but there were none left by the time my voucher got sorted. Pretty disappointing if they have cut corners with the guards this year, they were noisy out of the box.

 

[SDK^]

Any sign of that new Speedmax yet ?

 

[Shamrock]

I've seen it.

That and a thigh-full of BennyC.

 

[BennyC]

I've seen it.

That and a thigh-full of BennyC.

For your eyes only

Any sign of that new Speedmax yet ?

It's not fiiiiiinished yet, though that said just the DA FD & RD to change over so only a little extra silver I was waiting for a chain catcher to arrive. Plonked the 404/808 & chainset on during the week and swapped the brake blocks last night.

First ride out today and it's quite windy round here (living next to a windfarm, duh) and being on narrow extensions, for the first time since October, and riding on an 80 deep rear for the first time was slightly terrifying!

Edit:

Could probably lose 5-10mm of spacers (40mm atm) but it's comfortable. 20mm on the turbo was a little on the low side yesterday and by comparison power & pedal stroke felt better today. Do have a Fizik Tritone 5.5 to try as well as what it comes with does feel a little like a razor blade at times. Need to sort a more pr0 bottle cage as well.

'Bento Box' is handy for storing an 80mm tube in

 

[SoliD]

What's the bottle cage for?

 

[BennyC]

What's the bottle cage for?

Perspiration over 9000 whatever the weather crew. Don't bother on a 10 of course

 

[physichull]

Yeah, 2017 model. I wanted the 2016 as it was a bit cheaper and better colour but there were none left by the time my voucher got sorted. Pretty disappointing if they have cut corners with the guards this year, they were noisy out of the box.

I've got a 2016 model, the rear guard has always been loose at the brake as I think it sits loose in a little mount, rather than fixed. It may just be that mine are broken too, but its not an issue as it isn't rattling much and to be honest is probably better as I've found that guards that mount through the brake pivot tend to decay and corrode and snap. At least this one doesn't have that failure mode.

 

[Vonhelmet]

Perspiration over 9000 whatever the weather crew. Don't bother on a 10 of course

Haha, I'm in that gang as well. 4 degrees is actually quite a good temperature for me to ride in as I can wear a base layer and jersey and be warm enough without pouring sweat.

 

[Vonhelmet]

Ah, what a difference having the right tools makes. I went and bought a big spanner that'll take a 32mm cartridge bottom bracket tool. Job done in two minutes. Much better than the standard two hours.

All done now, bottom bracket replaced and the whole bike well cleaned.

The old bottom bracket was in a bad way. Even turning the spindle by hand you could feel it was really gritty. The new one feels beautiful by comparison. I'll try to get out on it tomorrow afternoon, give it a quick test before it resumes commuting duty.

 

[Berger]

Best chamois cream? My favorite is the Robbie McEwen but its not available in the UK unless I pay LOL delivery...

Followed maybe by the Rapha or Assos but both are quite small tubs for the price.

Tried Morgan Blue soft but really didn't like it. I like a firmer cream rather than a soft sloppy mess.