Road Cycling

I thought that was a no-go with carbon frames?
Lots of things are. I rode a trailer on mine for 4 years doing the Nursery commute. Not sure of the mileage (did set a bike up for it on Strava but first couple of years it's not selected). It did 1hr - 1hr30 per week for 4 years with no adverse effects or problems to the carbon... Although I had an issue with the rear thru axle which may have been related (extra stresses on it eventually stripping threads), I was still prepared to replace the frame at any point knowing it was voiding the warranty. No issues. At the end it was towing 45kg! Many of those 'rear' seats will mount on the seat-tube, which I guess if it has the seatpost inserted down to the same depth would give it extra strength, but you're still 'squeezing' carbon tubes... Maybe if there was one with other mounting options (pannier/axle?) or one of the top-tube ones as they mount to multiple points would 'spread the load' more, so less likely to cause damage.

Did you get anywhere with your hunt for overshoes? I struggle as well. I have some cheapo ones which cover all of my shoes but don't think they were that good. Then my wife bought me some nice Rapha ones (largest size I think), I could barely get them onto my bare foot.
I'm 'blessed' with Spatz overshoes. Have an early pair of their 'normal' ones which became the Pro1 and a pair of Roadman II. Amazing overshoes for the wet weather, but due to the cost of them for the 'not-quite-as-wet-and-grim' weather commutes I've always worn cheaper pairs. Current are a set of Endura 'Road Overshoes'. They're OK for the money, not expecting them to last more than 2 winters. Maybe even 1. I prefer the more fabric feel and type of the Sealskinz Open Sole which have been my go-to the last few years. They seem to show less wear, more tougher constructed and just a good fit. The 'wear out' through the toes rather than falling apart or splitting as many others do. They just don't seem to make them anymore, I actually picked up a NWOT pair of them on the 'bay for £15 and they'll be used after the Endura.

Sealskinz replaced them with the 'All Weather' open sole, but they're just a bit too high price for my liking. Especially as reviews comment they're not as thick as the previous so part of me thinks not as warm in the winter months when they need to be. I did get a pair of the 'Halo' and liked the side opening, but they seemed to wear out faster. Didn't ever use the halo lights if anyone wants a set...

Enjoy the moments that you do get because your kid will only be young once
You'll also get sick of hearing this... But it's oh so true! They grow up fast, cherish those young moments. But there are also times you're glad they do 'progress'! :)

I'm sorry you guys have to deal with me at times.
I was having a bit of a meltdown last week but talking to my partner and some of my friends who are also fathers I realise what I went through was quite normal and it seems most have gone through that little bit once or twice.
Post-natal is very common in fathers too, but we really don't talk about it... Like any mental health related things with men, we're terrible! But just be aware it happens and may happen again at various points. But don't feel you need to apologise for it! The stresses and strains of family many of us are very aware of (even if we don't talk about it) ;)

I have also got children on the way (apparently that is the prime time to take up cycling). Twins as well...

Just do what you can and try not to hang your happiness on performance or how often you get to do it. At this time of year if you get a crisp or even wet day with the sun out its lovely.
Congratulations! Your life is going to suddenly get very busy! Structure everything you can and get anything 'done' out the way that you can. Any of those DIY jobs which will need doing the next few years!

But totally agree the second point about finding happiness in 'different places'. For me those early months was just fitting 'any' riding in around the craziness when I wasn't absolutely zonked and sleeping was a better option...

Must be in the water… mine was born in September…

I’m back riding 2-3 days a week on the trainer now but an hr a time. Not able to do any big Sundays currently but also rained out!
Mine was end of September '17... Christmas babies the lot of them! ;)

But didn't even know you where expecting, congratulations buddy! Well done for getting back onto the turbo, very easy to jump on flexibly for an hour or so here and there when time & energies allow. Keep it up! :D
 
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Some questions for more experienced cyclists after giving some context

I have been an addicted Road cyclist since the first lockdown and i made a good decision at the time to buy a decent first bike (this one) but as is natural i want a better bike :D having hired some Di2 bikes when on holiday this year
  1. My current bike in size 58cm didnt need much tweaking when i went for a bike fit - litterly just saddle height, stem was fine, bars were fine etc. The bikes i have hired this year (Felt VR Advanced and Merida Scultura 7000) were the equivalent frame size and both were racier lower front end models. I borrowed these each for a couple of days so spent 5-6 hours on each and had no pains or injuries as a result. Is that too small a sample size to say that I would be ok buying my next bike (eyeing up a 2017 Canyon Ultimate CF SL 9 Di2 in medium) that had a lower front end?
  2. The 2 second hand bikes I'm looking at will have done a fair amount of mileage (10,000km). If they have been well cared for and don't have any cracks in the carbon should I be worried? They are listed for £900 (Cube listening C62) and £1700 Canyon Ultimate and the equivalent bikes new would be £4-5k
Thanks in advance
 
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Are you 100% sure you need a medium frame on the Canyon? I have a medium 2019 Ultimate and when I've borrowed my brothers 58cm frame bike, they have been huge in comparison. I'm 178cm and wear 31" inside leg trousers if it helps.
 
IMG-20221111-WA0001.jpg


Here's the geometry comparison
Black is existing bike
White is the Canyon medium
 
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So Cube run small so it's not really a 58

I'm 6ft tall and 32 inside leg I believe
I have a "58cm" Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016, no tube is 58cm long, the ETT is 57.5cm. 388mm reach and a monsterous 610mm stack. :eek:

I'm 178cm (5'10") with ~82cm cycling inseam, ~89.5cm pedal top to saddle top.
 
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Have just placed order on eBay for a Size large 2018 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Di2 which I plan to pickup from the seller on Sunday. Felt £1600 was a good price and will be a nice upgrade versus my Cube Attain Race GTC

Bars are 2cm wider than my current ones and Cassette has smaller big cog but I can always swap them with my current ones once I get fitted on it

NBD for only the second time for me!
 
Does anyone have recommendations for good cycle shorts? I’m looking for Christmas ideas for family. My old set were cheap from Amazon and have been ok, but are 2 years old now and don’t fit snuggly as I lost weight. I do mostly zwift at the moment, but will be out again in the warm weather. I don’t have any cycling Lycra so I dont think I want bib-shorts. Price wise about £30-60. I would rather spend 30 and get two pairs if possible. Many thanks!
 
Does anyone have recommendations for good cycle shorts? I’m looking for Christmas ideas for family. My old set were cheap from Amazon and have been ok, but are 2 years old now and don’t fit snuggly as I lost weight. I do mostly zwift at the moment, but will be out again in the warm weather. I don’t have any cycling Lycra so I dont think I want bib-shorts. Price wise about £30-60. I would rather spend 30 and get two pairs if possible. Many thanks!
DHB are generally recommended at that price range

Wiggle have their BF sale at the moment


I can recommend the Endura FS260 also
 
DHB are generally recommended at that price range

Wiggle have their BF sale at the moment


I can recommend the Endura FS260 also
What is the benefit of bib over non-bib shorts?
 
I’m a fan of Danish Endurance although they’re cheaper.

Kymira also have some at a good price in their sale. Their infrared stuff is really good for recovery. Not used them for active wear though.
 
Bibs are the superior garment. The only thing you then have to worry about is getting the right size as its easy to get ones that fit the legs and waist but if you are tall they usually assume you are fatter. I have a couple of pairs of bib shorts that are very much on the edge of being too small because the straps are too tight.
 
IMG-20221111-WA0001.jpg


Here's the geometry comparison
Black is existing bike
White is the Canyon medium
Great little tool that, thanks for sharing! :)

DHB are generally recommended at that price range

Wiggle have their BF sale at the moment


I can recommend the Endura FS260 also
Lots of people like the FS260 but I could never get along with them. The Castelli Entrata are similar price and will probably be better quality, although the fit will be 'italian' (small - but general sizing for cycling kit).

Sizing can be hard, even within the same brand. I'm squat with short legs (so my torso is more 'normal'), so generally wearing sizing to fit my quads and arse. Don't suffer with problems with straps being tight, much of my fit issues with Large shorts is them moving around due to the straps being a little loose.

I'm a Large in Castelli. Same - Large in Sportful but fits better, can easily wear an XL in their winter fleecy NoRain shorts (my go-to autumn/winter/spring shorts). Rapha my suffer/turbo preferred 'Core' I ride a Medium, but can fit a Large, just not for long days or turbo (pad moves around too much). I'm a Medium in Rapha Pro Team, can squeeze in a Small, but Large are too big (loose legs and pad). Rapha Brevet I'm a Small. Have a set of medium as well but not for long days (straps stretch so shorts sag). Le Col I've only tried Large and found the straps uncomfortable, not sure why as where not loose/tight, so just the cut of them across the shoulders didn't suit me. Didn't get on with the pad either - I tend to prefer a thicker and wider pad (why the Rapha Core are perfect for me). Most of the Castelli pads I don't find thick enough, I got along better with the entry level KISS pad than the premium X2.

What is the benefit of bib over non-bib shorts?
Straps keep things in place much better - mainly the chamois to stop it moving around, while providing compression without tightening at the waist. Thinner material around the waist so no 'hot tight sweaty' waistband. No problem with them slipping down or moving around when you're shifting between in & out the saddle. Keeps your lower back covered so stops any drafts/cold spots around your kidneys etc when in the drops. Stops jerseys/jackets also bunching up as much around the middle. The looser waistline also allows you to breath deeper unhindered.

And that's just off the top of my head, I'm sure there's other reasons! ;)

But bibs do provide more material, so in the summer or on the turbo you can get quite a bit hotter in them.
 
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Varia back on at £120 Amazon & Argos.

Edge 830 and 1030 at £250 and £300 on CRC (not that I'd recommend as I'm a Wahooligan!)

Wahoo site has the Kickr v5 at nearly the price I got mine in a deal the start of the year (£849) - then Sigmasports down to £699 (same price I caught a Zwift deal at 799 where they did a further £100 cashback on it over a weekend)
Teamcycles has the Kickr Core at £548

If anyone spots Shimano 11psd chainrings/cranks+rings and cassettes at good prices let me know.
 
I'm tempted by the Edge 830/1030 at those prices but it nags that I'm buying into "old" technology given the Edge 1040 introduces a new UI and some features that won't be back ported (AFAIK from reading DC Rainmaker). My Edge 800 (10 years old at the end of this year!) is still going with a new 3rd party battery and needs the occasional disassemble if the touch screen goes wonky (ribbon cable gets loose).

Sigma have 105 11 speed cassettes in 11-28, 11-30 and 12-25 for £41 (I suspect 12-25 is only of interest to people who live in the flatlands of Norfolk!)
 
I'm tempted by the Edge 830/1030 at those prices but it nags that I'm buying into "old" technology given the Edge 1040 introduces a new UI and some features that won't be back ported (AFAIK from reading DC Rainmaker). My Edge 800 (10 years old at the end of this year!) is still going with a new 3rd party battery and needs the occasional disassemble if the touch screen goes wonky (ribbon cable gets loose).

Sigma have 105 11 speed cassettes in 11-28, 11-30 and 12-25 for £41 (I suspect 12-25 is only of interest to people who live in the flatlands of Norfolk!)
I don't think the extra features of the 1040 are worth the extra

If you can get a student or company portal discount for Garmin direct on the 1040 it can be had for £468
 
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