Yeah, e-bike is probably a good idea. Personally I find that hills are miserable unless you have the required amount of fitness to get up them without suffering the whole way. The views should be stunning as well so it would be a shame if all you can think about is "why am I here!".
Road Cycling
- Thread starter FrenchTart
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Yeah, e-bike is probably a good idea. Personally I find that hills are miserable unless you have the required amount of fitness to get up them without suffering the whole way. The views should be stunning as well so it would be a shame if all you can think about is "why am I here!".
I wouldn't want an extra 250w because I couldn't be trusted with it. That would become my first 250w and my actually legs would just be a top up.
sorry didn't see it... It's not had a post in 2 weeks so didn't realise.
Well I'm back from Crete. Won't bore you with the details - but great time with only 1 really hot unbearable day (38)! But also zero cycling... Might hjave been almost possible the last weekend we where there when things around 30, but was very windy. Then of course an All Inclusive where the only 'free' Coffee was for breakfast... So I drunk beer (nearly) every other meal (don't like water). With a 5 year old who loved it, but so active we had 4-5 meals a day, soo much 'easy access' food (& it was great) so I ate too much. Main meals even 2 plates! Got my moneys worth...
Weight set on Zwift post-spring season but I should have increased: 76kg
Weight a month ago: 77kg
Weight before going after a few weeks of lower volume: 78.1kg
Weight upon return: 82.6kg
Weight day after: 81.4kg
Weight after a few days at work and several Zwift races: 79.7kg
Changed Zwift Weight to 78kg as a bit of a 'where I should be' judging between the 77 and 79. But might need to up it slightly.
I think I'm happy with that, but definitely a work in progress - but I know it'll come off with some longer rides. Didn't do any this week, but lots of intensity from Zwift, so the legs feel pretty good and are nearly back. Actually bumped my FTP a couple of watts on friday doing an iTT up the Zwift KOM
I'd actually argue that Indoor is 'better' for a lot of things. But it is what you make of it. If you need to train specifically it is such an easily controlled environment, it makes that very easy.
It is no 'replacement' to outside riding, if your outside riding is the fresh air, countryside and views.
But if you can enjoy yourself riding indoors (like I do) then it also can be more than a 'replacement'. It's an alternative way of riding and enjoying myself. There's no way I'd smash myself in a race outdoors in a group with 100 other riders. There's no 100-200 rider social group rides around me where I can make friends, chat and tell jokes. I cannot outside absolutely bury myself up a climb or sprint so hard I can't even see straight for a minute afterwards. But in the controlled and safe environment of my garage, anything is possible.
And on the flip side, as I enjoy Zwift/RGT riding and racing, I ride hard enjoying myself, so I massively benefit my outdoor riding when I do it too - having the power, stamina and ability to ride it however I want and enjoying myself more!
The Tourmalet is hard. One of the hardest climbs in cycling. Even for proficient club cyclists clocking up 100's of miles a week it is a massive challenge and undertaking. You're not one of them, you're barely an amateur.
The suggestion of an ebike is superb and probably the only real way you're going to even partly enjoy/survive that trip without a motorbike (or without some enormous specific training plan and huge amounts of sacrifice - but I don't get the impression you have the drive, focus or interest for that). But even with an ebike you'll still need to do quite a bit of training.
This is it. Training for 1-2 hours of going uphill is 1 thing which the ebike is very good to help for - giving you the power needed to climb. But you will still need to 'train' for the time in the saddle and possibly the 'handling' required to be moving fairly slowly uphill. It's a different set of muscles and position to riding on the flat.
The other thing, riding multiple days really takes it out of you. That is easy to replicate at home, like a bit of 'conditioning' to get the legs feeling what it's like. Recovering from the efforts is key - some good stretching/yoga/pilates is an easy way to help with that. Helping to build your core to take pressure off your legs/feet/arms/shoulders/neck etc. So you fatigue less.
But you also need to consider. If they've got a 'bucket list' of climbs like that, they're highly likely going to be doing more than driving to the base of each climb, going up it, then going home. They're going to be doing several hour long rides, quite a bit of it along flatter roads at probably speeds the ebike isn't going to help you for (most are e-assist, only helping when speed is slow). But also more likely 3-4-5 hour long loop type rides with the big climbs in the middle of each. That takes some work 'in the saddle' to get used to, even if you're not riding hard power, but just being in the riding position and spinning the legs for that period of time multiple days in a row. That'll be tough no matter how much e-assist you have!
Ideally something to discuss which might help you - they/you'll may need someone to drive a car/van carrying kit, supplies and food. You could be that driver. You can then ride as much (or as little) as you want with the perfect excuse of going back when you want. You'll be important to them - maybe even getting to drive the vehicle some rides to a meeting point, rather than having to do massive loops on the bikes to 'get back home'. You could then ride out to meet them along the route and plan that to take in the climbs if you wanted, or to avoid them. Or just finding nice cafe's and places serving food as the meet up points!
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No worries! Luckily didn't say any names!
1st world problems etc but after not going Aeroad due to cranks, Ribble messing about (plus bar reach), not being able to get a Foil unless it's frameset build (still not convinced on seatpost greasing plus front end with 1"), no Orca Aero (plus colours) I've now seen the SL8 and got one reserved but I'm just not sure I can do it with that headtube and reverse style fork. I've no doubt it's a great bike that I wouldn't have an issue with (warranty etc is very good) and the weight is class leading for what it is (although I'm sure it's aero isn't). It just doesn't work at all unless you're on a 54 with 1-2 spacers max and the integrated bars. The di2 model colourways are also an absolute joke.
I can get hold of a Supersix evo with latest di2 and look to upgrade to integrated, but it's raw carbon only and feels a bit straight out the factory. Wheels would be swapped out and ran on another bike, but those aren't great either as Force model for not much more comes with a better set.
Factor, Trek, Cervelo and system six all a no go due to the crazy pricing. Still really tempted by the latest Strada but specs are terrible and it doesn't look like frameset available. On a positive, really like the look of new force. Weight down, front shifting improved, good power meter even if it is integrated, decent gearing options and now even looks great.
Edit - Perhaps SL7 on heavy discount...
Edit - Or not as geo doesn't work
I can get hold of a Supersix evo with latest di2 and look to upgrade to integrated, but it's raw carbon only and feels a bit straight out the factory. Wheels would be swapped out and ran on another bike, but those aren't great either as Force model for not much more comes with a better set.
Factor, Trek, Cervelo and system six all a no go due to the crazy pricing. Still really tempted by the latest Strada but specs are terrible and it doesn't look like frameset available. On a positive, really like the look of new force. Weight down, front shifting improved, good power meter even if it is integrated, decent gearing options and now even looks great.
Edit - Perhaps SL7 on heavy discount...
Edit - Or not as geo doesn't work
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In the past few days youtube has blown up with it all. All the usual people have been reviewing it or giving it a first look.
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I’m hopefully going to be able to get my first road bike on cyclescheme later this year. Allowance was 2k, but company website now says 4 (though cyclescheme still says 2). I would want to spend the majority of the budget as it is tax efficient for child care thresholds and I therefore have good man maths to justify it.
I do like canyon bikes and it does look like I could get either the ultimate SL 105 di2 or the endurace cf SL ultegra di2 for that budget. I have found a place that does the bike rentals so I can see what the comfort is like on a longer ride. Hopefully be able to ride the alternate if it is available for a short ride. The weights of the bikes are similar low 8kg, though the endurace would probably go lower if you swapped tyres due to slightly lighter group set.
Does an endurance geometry make much of a difference vs more race setup? With a young family my rides are most likely to be 2-3 hours rather than 6. Equally, my local strava hills have Andrew Feather and some pro riders in the top 10 and I have no plans to ever race in real life, so being the fastest is never going to happen. has anyone chosen endurance/race and regretted it?
Also open to other suggestions. Currently canyon have supply issues so may need to go with a different bike anyway.
I do like canyon bikes and it does look like I could get either the ultimate SL 105 di2 or the endurace cf SL ultegra di2 for that budget. I have found a place that does the bike rentals so I can see what the comfort is like on a longer ride. Hopefully be able to ride the alternate if it is available for a short ride. The weights of the bikes are similar low 8kg, though the endurace would probably go lower if you swapped tyres due to slightly lighter group set.
Does an endurance geometry make much of a difference vs more race setup? With a young family my rides are most likely to be 2-3 hours rather than 6. Equally, my local strava hills have Andrew Feather and some pro riders in the top 10 and I have no plans to ever race in real life, so being the fastest is never going to happen. has anyone chosen endurance/race and regretted it?
Also open to other suggestions. Currently canyon have supply issues so may need to go with a different bike anyway.
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I'd say if Feather is dominating your hills you must be local to me... But he dominates most the hills in the country!
FWIW i have an Ultimate and find it comfortable enough. Though it's the only road bike I've ever owned so I have no frame of reference really. I think Andy has a Endurace and he racks up some serious miles so he'll be able to give you a good feeling of the bike
FWIW i have an Ultimate and find it comfortable enough. Though it's the only road bike I've ever owned so I have no frame of reference really. I think Andy has a Endurace and he racks up some serious miles so he'll be able to give you a good feeling of the bike
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Thank you for the input. I’m based in the Chilterns and my local hill is:
veloviewer.com
As it is on the top 100 list it does come up in lots of rides in the area. It is a nice route to be honest and in 4 rides I think I have come across 3 cars.
Segment Details for Whiteleaf - VeloViewer
1.36 km ride with 126 m of climbing, average grade of 9.2 %. Check it out!
veloviewer.com
As it is on the top 100 list it does come up in lots of rides in the area. It is a nice route to be honest and in 4 rides I think I have come across 3 cars.
Once I get a bit fitter I am 100% up for a OCUK bike ride somewhere. Though I guess for @Martynt74 that might be one hell of a first stint 
Once I get a bit fitter I am 100% up for a OCUK bike ride somewhere. Though I guess for @Martynt74 that might be one hell of a first stint
Depends where you pick. Spain is an excellent training location
My front disc brake (Shimano Ultegra 8070) is not as sharp as it used to be. There's still plenty of material on the pad, so they've not worn through. I'm pretty sure they're resin compound, but I'm not 100%.
The last few rides they've also started squealing. Weirdly they don't make a noise during the initial (hard) phase of breaking, only in the last few metres when I'm easing off and about to come to a stop.
Would I be right in saying that the noise indicates it's more likely to be contaminated pads/rotors than something that bleeding will fix? If so, is a scrub of the pads and disc with Isopropanol and a light sanding of the pads my best option? Any other tricks to consider?
The last few rides they've also started squealing. Weirdly they don't make a noise during the initial (hard) phase of breaking, only in the last few metres when I'm easing off and about to come to a stop.
Would I be right in saying that the noise indicates it's more likely to be contaminated pads/rotors than something that bleeding will fix? If so, is a scrub of the pads and disc with Isopropanol and a light sanding of the pads my best option? Any other tricks to consider?