Road Cycling

https://www.strava.com/activities/1521911043

Good ride on saturday and fantastic weather. Started my tanlines. :cool: Went out with 'ELY' a local race club rather than my usual CoB social group. The social group has generally been the same 3-5 of us, we're all great friends but the riding is very 'same-y'. Although it does test me at times, when I'm gaining fitness can really start to plateau me. It's good base miles but with so many other riders and groups around I like to get to know as many as possible. There where around 26 riders out with ELY so we split into 2 groups. I jumped in the 'slow' group as I knew a bunch of the others had come back from Majorca and a few had raced R&K (@ Maindy) the night before (with some great results nullified by a huge pile up the last lap!). Pace was good, I regularly found myself rolling turns at the front and pushing the pace as I knew the roads. Even better, the 'fast group' (setting off 10 mins later) didn't even catch us (found out later they'd bunny-hopped us by missing a few miles!). My legs felt superb, stretching them a few times as well as dropping back to tow some dropped riders a couple of other times. :D

Then the 'race' back to town (really a pace line) I was happy holding wheels but did almost blow a couple of times when hitting the front - I think I'm used to my 300-400W pulls/surges dropping the usual guys I ride with (so I get lots of recovery), this time it wasn't the case so I was going little deeper & longer. That's one of several reasons I want to ride with this club more! :D

Totally different to the likes of the Aeroad, but what a bike. I want to get back out on it now!
Describe the differences and how they influence your riding! I'm facing a dilemma again/back to the drawing board... I'd pretty much decided that a light bike should be my next choice after eventually dismissing that an aero bike, although 'faster' it's generally the long climbs I get dropped/suffer on. Now there's plenty of 'race' bikes which are a compromise of both and I think that's the way I want to go - S3, Aeroad, Tarmac, Foil etc. Almost any of these should allow me to build a sub 8kg bike without breaking the bank. I'll be building from a frame or S/H bargain to spread the cost as the financial planning department has firmly said "No!" to a 'new bike'.

Weighing my Diverge yesterday (as I did take my mudguards off on thursday). 10.7kg with - no guards, Diverge comp carbon 2016, zipp course 30, shimano rotors, roubaix pro 25/28 tyres, Powertap C1, Ultegra 32T cass/FD/RD, SWAT Box & saddlebag.
Adding the guards pushes the weight to 11.1kg.
I have a previous weight of 11.2kg from last year one the Axis4.0 wheels & mitch pro4e 28mm, but unsure if that was with saddlebag & SWAT box. It was with 105 cas/FD/RD.

I know changing tyres will drop weight to 11kg (hopefully less), but my big hope is going tubeless and lightweight rotors this summer (without guards) getting the weight down to sub 10kg. :cool:

TLDR; Need to see if I can spec a 'summer' complete rim build bike up to sub 8kg to be really worth it, otherwise it's not. My Defy in it's current guise (aerobars & RS81 wheels with 25mm gp4000sii) comes in at 10kg.

Where low-level aspy-ness meets a lifetime of bicycle enthusiasm, you'll find me....
Who needs a 'big blue book' when we have you, our own Sheldon B! :D

Driving back from the shop and a thunderstorm happens :p

Not had rain in about 2 months too! Left it an hour, no rain. Get changed, rains on again! I don't mind rain, but thunderstorms I refuse.
Proper thunderstorms over there too, but that's why it's so beautiful & green! :D

Got out for my first 100 miler in absolutely ages yesterday. Wow, I am unfit. Nice to get out though and the sunburn on my arms should hopefully help me start to get my tanlines back. Those are more important than fitness anyhow ;)
Welcome back! It's been so long since I'd kudos'd you, you don't even appear on my Strava activity feed! :(

I'd steer away from Primes unless they are the only option from what I've heard from the couple of guys I know with them. One (rim) delaminated (sp?) descending at speed in Majorca (possibly from braking but wasn't a hot day). Another new set (discs) has loose carbon rattling inside after being returned to Wiggle twice. QC doesn't sound great. I'd go with Hunt or Zuus personally.

The reason I'm looking is I got knocked off my bike by a car on Friday and this is the damage... :o

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Glad you're all ok and it's getting sorted! Commuter frame? Just go budget again - PX/Vitus/Cotic/Bish bash bosh/Cinelli/etc. Racelight is a good shout for that budget if you where going to blow it all on the frame & do all the work yourself? How do the GP4000S ride in comparison to the sii's?

If you’re in a rush to get it sorted I’d just run a full length cable outer to the rear brake and cable tie it to the top tube. No VFM in getting it repaired IMO so would save your money towards a new frameset.
Great shout & not something most would consider!

changed my rear cassette from a 11-28 to a 11-32 had the replace the rear mech at the same time to accommodate the change
i sized the replacement chain by putting the new chain on the big ring and largest rear cog + 2 rivets and it measured the same as the current chain

looking at the pictures it seems strained if on the big ring and largest cog, there is a big of slack if i move the cage, i realise it a crossover gear and try not to use it
what do you guys think?




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Looks fine, is that your new or old? If you've not cut the new then add another link to the measurement and see what it looks like in small/small (any chain slap?). If it's the new one then that looks fine to ride, it's not frequently you should be riding big/big!
 
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Question for Di2 people.
I know that the new R8050 group won't allow 34 (on the big) and 11-12 on the casette....but does anyone know if there is an setting preventing 34/28 on the casette?

I was playing with the di2 trim yesterday and got it all setup 'correctly' but when spinning in 34/28 for about 15-20 meters, the RD was auto dropped to 34/26; there was no chain rub and it was 100% the RD moving. I could press the button and it would go back up to 34/28 for another 15m before dropping to 34/26 again.

Sounds like the rear derailleur isn't set up for the limits quite enough so needs to be moved inbound a tiny bit.
 
changed my rear cassette from a 11-28 to a 11-32 had the replace the rear mech at the same time to accommodate the change
i sized the replacement chain by putting the new chain on the big ring and largest rear cog + 2 rivets and it measured the same as the current chain

looking at the pictures it seems strained if on the big ring and largest cog, there is a big of slack if i move the cage, i realise it a crossover gear and try not to use it
what do you guys think?

Running a 32t on my standard short-cage DA mech, as you say the big ring and largest rear gear aren't a combo you'll really use (especially for long).

My chain is actually too short currently, until it stretches so I can't get past the 30t on the big ring unless I want to rip the mech off the hanger :o
 
Describe the differences and how they influence your riding!

Aeroad you can feel the rigidity and how it helps to put the power out on to the road. It's hard to explain, it's response is just really very good. Acceleration on it just seems incredibly responsive and everything you're pedaling out you can feel on the bike. The Scott or the ultimate, feel a like in the nimbleness. The Ultimate is weighing 6.8kg with both cages, the vectors and running 28s and the Scott is at 6.3 with pedals and cage. They're a little less aggressive in their geometry, but I'm a fat **** anyway, and both have aero bars, so that puts me pretty forward. The light bikes are probably more comfortable over periods of time, but not a huge amount in it. What you feel on these two is the nimbleness on climbs. Combine this with the slightly more upright position, and it's a great all rounder. It's not like you can't crap it along on them, either. I was hitting mid 40s on the flats on the Scott out in the real world the other day and I'm like a human wind break.
 
Lunch time trip to the LBS to get some brake outer for the short-term bodgefix and a look at what they sell.

They had a couple of Orro bikes in, which is not brand I'd really heard of before. There's a new model called the Venturi which they have on order - that's an aero setup. The Gold STC Disc looks interesting with Ultegra Di2 for £3200.

Other bikes on my sort-of-shortlist...

Mason Definition - alloy rather than carbon, but some very nice design touches and bit more boutique
Giant Defy Advanced - LBS nearest to home is a Giant dealer, so may well call in next Saturday
Whyte Wessex - interesting do-it-all kind of bike, possibly compromised being a jack of all, master of none
Trek Domaine SL or SLR
Cannodale Synapse Disc
Canyon Endurance CF

Rose must have something but I've not started on their product range yet..

I'm sure there's more to add to the list though :D
 
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20% off Evans eBay store today
Good shout. Ordered some bits I needed (cables & outers for a service/rebuild). Also got a load of the powerbar tab tubes, as loving their flavour and good price on them £1.59 (even though they're 10 tabs per tube). Quite a few deals on maintenance kit and a few stands in there with now good prices.

My chain is actually too short currently, until it stretches so I can't get past the 30t on the big ring unless I want to rip the mech off the hanger :o
Now that's tight! :o

Aeroad you can feel the rigidity and how it helps to put the power out on to the road. It's hard to explain, it's response is just really very good. Acceleration on it just seems incredibly responsive and everything you're pedaling out you can feel on the bike. The Scott or the ultimate, feel a like in the nimbleness. The Ultimate is weighing 6.8kg with both cages, the vectors and running 28s and the Scott is at 6.3 with pedals and cage. They're a little less aggressive in their geometry, but I'm a fat **** anyway, and both have aero bars, so that puts me pretty forward. The light bikes are probably more comfortable over periods of time, but not a huge amount in it. What you feel on these two is the nimbleness on climbs. Combine this with the slightly more upright position, and it's a great all rounder. It's not like you can't crap it along on them, either. I was hitting mid 40s on the flats on the Scott out in the real world the other day and I'm like a human wind break.
Good review and comparisons, thanks. So basically you have no use for the Ultimate now? Don't worry I won't tell her... ;)

I think that's the thing, my Diverge isn't exactly 'slow'. It just misses some of the extreme top end gains I'd see with an aero bike. The majority of the time the rolling terrain here is what 'slows me down', rather than my lack of aero. Something more nimble will feel quicker over that and the steeper stuff, which is probably 60-70% of my riding.

'human wind break', I prefer 'unoptimised teardrop shape'. :D ;)

I'm sure there's more to add to the list though :D
Would have thought you'd be after something more aero/TT than most you've listed (apart from the Venturi)? Pretty sure I always say this as I think of you as a Tri guy! ;)

Go aero - you will only regret it if you don't !!
I'm not sure my body could stand the really aggressive position required to make the most of it. I've only really ridden/owned endurance type geometry frames with my Giant Defy & Specialized Diverge. Neither of them are real slouches, especially the Diverge, so I'm not sure I'd gain that much... Especially if the aero bike was similarly as 'heavy' as my Diverge.

Although I'm 5'7" I have a short inseam. Currently riding a 54cm but I think if I went aero I'd have to ride a size down to get the right geometry. I don't have much drop in my stem/bars, yet riding in the drops my arms are pretty much locked. Any elbow bend (or taking another spacer out) my knees hit my chest! :o
 
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Would have thought you'd be after something more aero/TT than most you've listed (apart from the Venturi)? Pretty sure I always say this as I think of you as a Tri guy! ;)

Thanks for the giggle :D I'm an utterly woeful swimmer, so my triathlon-ing is limited to the bike leg of a relay!
 
Lunch time trip to the LBS to get some brake outer for the short-term bodgefix and a look at what they sell.

They had a couple of Orro bikes in, which is not brand I'd really heard of before. There's a new model called the Venturi which they have on order - that's an aero setup. The Gold STC Disc looks interesting with Ultegra Di2 for £3200.

Other bikes on my sort-of-shortlist...

Mason Definition - alloy rather than carbon, but some very nice design touches and bit more boutique
Giant Defy Advanced - LBS nearest to home is a Giant dealer, so may well call in next Saturday
Whyte Wessex - interesting do-it-all kind of bike, possibly compromised being a jack of all, master of none
Trek Domaine SL or SLR
Cannodale Synapse Disc
Canyon Endurance CF

Rose must have something but I've started on their product range yet..

I'm sure there's more to add to the list though :D

I love the look of the Mason bikes and will one day purchase one! Don't you fancy the steel version, the Revolution? It looks the mustard and would be a bike for life.
 
Mason bikes are designed by Dom mason, previously he designed the EVERYTHING kinesis range including the 4S which is pretty similar to the mason line
Edited for you. Basically I think he's always wanted full control over materials, builders and designs. Yet at Kinesis he could only control 2 of those elements.

Thanks for the giggle :D I'm an utterly woeful swimmer, so my triathlon-ing is limited to the bike leg of a relay!
Haha, ok, duathlon-guy?! ;)
 
Edited for you. Basically I think he's always wanted full control over materials, builders and designs. Yet at Kinesis he could only control 2 of those elements.

Aye... If anyone fancies a mason definition but hasnt got the cash the kinesis 4s is the first place they ought to look
 
Mason Definition looks really nice but a bit pricey! I'm still eyeing up the Bowman Pilgrims frameset. Their Palace R is a popular alloy choice for crits and the Pilgrims looks like slightly more practical version that takes discs and guards and wide tyres. I want something that I can still make aggressive.

https://bowman-cycles.com/product/pilgrims-disc/

Nothing wrong with the Kinesis 4S but it's a bit vanilla.
 
I love the look of the Mason bikes and will one day purchase one! Don't you fancy the steel version, the Revolution? It looks the mustard and would be a bike for life.

Revolution looks equally as a nice. Would be interesting to ride both to see the difference, especially given the £350 difference (which goes a long way towards the wheels).
 
https://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/gear...hind-mason-cycles-snowdon-bike-bowman-cycles/

Aye... If anyone fancies a mason definition but hasnt got the cash the kinesis 4s is the first place they ought to look
The 4S is a fantastically versatile frame (rim & disc mounts) and very well regarded. It was on my shortlist when looking at builds before my Diverge and I know when @Vonhelmet was looking at frames we talked about it in here (before he eventually went with the Mango for his commuter).

Mason Definition looks really nice but a bit pricey! I'm still eyeing up the Bowman Pilgrims frameset. Their Palace R is a popular alloy choice for crits and the Pilgrims looks like slightly more practical version that takes discs and guards and wide tyres. I want something that I can still make aggressive.
Tom Owen from RCUK built up a Palace last year and wrote a load of blogs/articles when he started racing. Was good fun and I'm sure there was an article on the frame & build but I can't see it at the moment. Loads of pictures of it in his articles.
 
Di2 is very tempting. However, there's the small issue of cost. The Ultegra groupset from Merlin, is £859 vs £1399 (both disc). The Definition pre-built from Mason, the difference is £3130 vs £3995.

So would people go Di2 + alloy wheels? Or mechanical shifting and carbon wheels?
 
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