Road Cycling

Soldato
Joined
24 Feb 2013
Posts
4,125
Location
East Midlands
cheers for the tyre recommendations guys, I'll have a digg around! :)

I've been playing with my garmin 800 and I remember what I disliked about the routes.. they're rubbish to navigate on and screen is carp.

I've been looking around at the new garmins, new wahoo's etc and is it me or are all the navs very basic?

I do want a proper turn by turn with street names so no breadcrumbs but it seems that you have to jump over a million hoops to get it to work properly.

ideally since I am new to the area I live in when it comes to cycling I'd like to simply load a route from ridewithgps -> computer -> follow.

sounds easy enough but doesn't seem to be the case.

what do you guys use these days? feels like using a phone is the easiest option but no ant+ support and big size/crap mounts mean it'd be a pain.

even with battery life at 4-5hrs.


I use a garmin 1030 always on the latest firmware and it's about as easy as it gets I'd say, once you consider everything. The screens and the response isn't like a phone to keep the cost down and more importantly, to allow for a huge battery life without too much bulk. The other thing is that rain won't impact the touch either (unlike a phone as it's too sensitive by default). Same with other such devices. I've used the navigation route planning feature numerous times on roads I've never ridden. It got me through lejog and coast to coast solo as well as other rides without fault. In thousands of miles you could count on one hand the wrong turns I've taken using route planning on it, one or two were my fault due to fatigue. I've had it since firmware 1.00 (iirc - near launch anyway) and in that time I've had three crashes and only once lost ride data. The other two times it has locked and upon restart, allowed me to continue the ride with all data saved - restarts to pause screen. All 3 of these crashes were down to firmware and have since been fixed. The data screens, KOM/PR tracking in realtime etc are all great. There is very little to dislike, but I guess that's why it's expensive.

The only thing I'd mention to not get caught out with on any device, is when planning big rides in new areas, check roads are actually roads. It's surprising how many small lanes are actually dirt tracks and sometimes the detour is less than ideal :D
 
Soldato
Joined
22 May 2003
Posts
10,855
Location
Wigan
Stay safe everyone (even though you have no choice sometimes).

I came very close to being cleaned up. Had a pickup behind me riding into the base of a climb I was doing loops of (it’s a minor road for local traffic only so usually quiet). Could see a car coming downhill and intersect point was on a bend he couldn’t see round. Could tell he was getting impatient and started to pass, I moved over as there was a little bit of a driveway to a farm which gave me a bit of extra safe space on the outside of the bend for 25m or so.

It was close but fine, until the boat appeared he was towing.... It wasn’t a tinny, it was a bloody big boat. Obviously doesn’t tow much or he’d know it was wider than his 4wd. I had to continue off course to give it more room as I saw the front of the trailer in the corner of my eye. Pushed me out and then sucked me back in the draft, my arm grazed against it almost. Van behind him pulled alongside and checked I was OK as it must have been super super close. :o
 
Soldato
Joined
23 Nov 2004
Posts
10,646
I'm being pretty passive these days, I just pull in and unclip for tractors and trucks.

I'm also taking it easy round blind bends as loads of pedestrians tend to be walking on that side at the moment.
 
Associate
Joined
3 May 2011
Posts
1,039
Location
Leicester
Could I perhaps ask what may be a rather stupid question? So I've recently got back into biking and I've only ever had a cheap pair of bibbed padded shorts, I'm now a few weeks in and it's still hurting to be sat on the seat... Will a decent pair of padded shorts make a big difference? And if so, are there any reasonably priced ones to check out?
 

SPG

SPG

Soldato
Joined
28 Jul 2010
Posts
10,230
Do not wear pants under your padded shorts
Watch a few Youtube videos on bike fitting or better still pay for one. (small changes can make a massive differnce)
You could be unlucky and you just do not get on with the seat.

My bet is poor bike fit though, what type of bike ?
 
Soldato
Joined
24 Apr 2013
Posts
3,067
Stay safe everyone (even though you have no choice sometimes).

I came very close to being cleaned up. Had a pickup behind me riding into the base of a climb I was doing loops of (it’s a minor road for local traffic only so usually quiet). Could see a car coming downhill and intersect point was on a bend he couldn’t see round. Could tell he was getting impatient and started to pass, I moved over as there was a little bit of a driveway to a farm which gave me a bit of extra safe space on the outside of the bend for 25m or so.

It was close but fine, until the boat appeared he was towing.... It wasn’t a tinny, it was a bloody big boat. Obviously doesn’t tow much or he’d know it was wider than his 4wd. I had to continue off course to give it more room as I saw the front of the trailer in the corner of my eye. Pushed me out and then sucked me back in the draft, my arm grazed against it almost. Van behind him pulled alongside and checked I was OK as it must have been super super close. :o

Another bad story from the countless ones we could all post up. It is dire out on the roads isn't it? Doesn't matter where you ride, how quiet the roads are or what you do, you end up with this sort of **** regardless.

The weeks of the lockdown have maybe made us a slightly less version of used to it also but things are going to, or are already, back to the dire normal.

5 close passes on an A road with no traffic coming from the other direction yesterday. Absolutely needless. Then an old boy drove right up alongside me. As I was looking at his old dear centimetres from me in the passenger window he starts just drifting over AT me because he was wanting into the parking space I was riding across. I anchored on the brakes and nearly ended up through his passengers window. If I didn't have my wits about me that was a definite splat and was just such a damn ridiculous situation..... he 100% should not be on the road, no sane person with their wits half about them would have even considered doing wtf he done.

I had 3/4 weeks of no hassle or drama but as of yesterday, back to normal aggression and disgraceful driving everywhere. Cannot wait for all the bloody tourists to start showing up now........
 
Associate
Joined
3 May 2011
Posts
1,039
Location
Leicester
Do not wear pants under your padded shorts
Watch a few Youtube videos on bike fitting or better still pay for one. (small changes can make a massive differnce)
You could be unlucky and you just do not get on with the seat.

My bet is poor bike fit though, what type of bike ?

It's a Giant Contend AR1, aside from saddle sore it rides nice. I'll check out the fitting in case I've got it wrong, but is it worth looking at better quality shorts? The ones I got I'm not so sure I trust the no underwear just yet :D
 
Soldato
Joined
12 Mar 2008
Posts
22,862
Location
West sussex
I use a garmin 1030 always on the latest firmware and it's about as easy as it gets I'd say, once you consider everything. The screens and the response isn't like a phone to keep the cost down and more importantly, to allow for a huge battery life without too much bulk. The other thing is that rain won't impact the touch either (unlike a phone as it's too sensitive by default). Same with other such devices. I've used the navigation route planning feature numerous times on roads I've never ridden. It got me through lejog and coast to coast solo as well as other rides without fault. In thousands of miles you could count on one hand the wrong turns I've taken using route planning on it, one or two were my fault due to fatigue. I've had it since firmware 1.00 (iirc - near launch anyway) and in that time I've had three crashes and only once lost ride data. The other two times it has locked and upon restart, allowed me to continue the ride with all data saved - restarts to pause screen. All 3 of these crashes were down to firmware and have since been fixed. The data screens, KOM/PR tracking in realtime etc are all great. There is very little to dislike, but I guess that's why it's expensive.

The only thing I'd mention to not get caught out with on any device, is when planning big rides in new areas, check roads are actually roads. It's surprising how many small lanes are actually dirt tracks and sometimes the detour is less than ideal :D

it is odd with my 800 that I had for years.

it basically works really well for daily commutes etc but as soon as any longer route is kicked in it dies down randomly.. or "works" but fails to record gps track.

e.g. of the ride I did with some ocuk guys :

https://www.strava.com/activities/306503405

you can see it crapping out completely randomly, but the distance etc is correct bar the trail and speed getting messed up.

so it seems that any time using the navigation features kills the device, this is 800 and that is an old device that has had no updates/fixes by garmin for a long time.

I think I am pretty much set on wahoo elmnt bolt, looks perfect for my use.

@AndyCr15 early on wahoo release I've read reports of strava route -> wahoo not containing any cue points just breadcrumb train, it looks like strava/wahoo have no sorted that.

but then again, I'd be using ridewithgps and that generates cues/road names etc.
 
Soldato
Joined
25 Feb 2004
Posts
18,139
Location
Hampshire
TT bike riding last night! Now it's my only road bike in use, my arms fell apart if I stayed in the tuck for too long and my undercarriage is in pieces today! Teaches me for not riding it since last August! Also riding a 58T Oval up front is hard work!
 
Soldato
Joined
19 Jun 2004
Posts
19,437
Location
On the Amiga500
Another bad story from the countless ones we could all post up. It is dire out on the roads isn't it? Doesn't matter where you ride, how quiet the roads are or what you do, you end up with this sort of **** regardless.

The weeks of the lockdown have maybe made us a slightly less version of used to it also but things are going to, or are already, back to the dire normal.

5 close passes on an A road with no traffic coming from the other direction yesterday. Absolutely needless. Then an old boy drove right up alongside me. As I was looking at his old dear centimetres from me in the passenger window he starts just drifting over AT me because he was wanting into the parking space I was riding across. I anchored on the brakes and nearly ended up through his passengers window. If I didn't have my wits about me that was a definite splat and was just such a damn ridiculous situation..... he 100% should not be on the road, no sane person with their wits half about them would have even considered doing wtf he done.

I had 3/4 weeks of no hassle or drama but as of yesterday, back to normal aggression and disgraceful driving everywhere. Cannot wait for all the bloody tourists to start showing up now........
Through town yesterday I had a delightful passenger "sneeze" on me out the window. I say sneeze, he leant out the window, looked right at me and kind of barked, clearly intentionally in my face. I caught them up at traffic lights and the young scrote and his driver soon shot off when I confronted them. He nudged me off the road as he did. Wussies!
 
Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
8,420
Location
Hereford
Hope you're all well (including SoliD, very lucky buddy!). I'm still on furlough so hardly ever on here... Enjoying the peace and quiet without massive multi-quotes? Well, just so you don't forgot here's one for you... :D

I've not done masses since my last post when I'd done Gospel south. One day did a Zwift race to empty the legs as a bit of a warmup to then do the long overdue FTP test. But again blew myself up again riding the interval before it at around 115%-120% FTP. I'm at threshold with power generally lower than what I'd ridden in the race.... Just can't understand whats wrong with me! I think I know it's from lack of Zwift time and so much outside riding. Maybe I'll just settle for an approx/guessed FTP of 245W and be done with it. I was hoping for something around/above my previous best of 270W-ish as I'm performing out on the road faster/quicker than I was then... But that's really far shorter efforts than anything on the turbo and that really could be my problem (thoughts?).

Rather annoyed from the day before I went on a bit of a local hilly adventure the next day and abused myself. I recalled a segment someone had linked ages ago I meant to ride. It was brutal/grim but some quality hill training for me, utterly emptied myself and really rounded off the week - made it quite a heavy one (8 hours, 535 TSS & 147 miles) without that much riding (4 rides).

Doesn't look like I'll be commuting again - company had drunk the WFH koolaid
Great to hear, fingers crossed mine will be similar but for now it looks I'm still on furlough until at least the end of June. Superb! :D

That’s a very long false flat Roady, only getting good towards the end!
Ha, there are a couple of ramps in there on that so called false flat. It's an odd one, many of the longer climbs around here are mixtures of gradient where much of the time I'll be balancing going hard enough while also easy enough to maintain/active recover. That one I struggled to ride the eases in gradient hard enough, as I just don't know the climb well enough.

YvIR9T1h.jpg

It doesn't look as bad in that pic actually. It's this one. Looking at my order, it was a Large (59-63 cm) but I've just measured my head at 56cm, so I guess I just ordered one that was too big! :)

Funnily enough, the Specialised Evade was on my shortlist of two, along with the Oakley Aro5. If I can find either in medium (or I'm actually top end of small!?) and white at a reasonable price, I might pull the trigger.
Doesn't look big on you mate and yes you should be wearing a medium! I've a 62cm bean of a head and struggling some Large's (like my Kask) whereas the Specialized Large's I have both fit me well. I'll be sticking with Specialized helmets for now, but the Evade is really overpriced for what it is. I'm wearing a 2018/19 without MIPS and my LBS where able to source for £150. I don't think I'd want to spend the £200 (or more) they are for current. My previous day to day was an Echelon II and would happily buy again for the £60/£70 they are.

i'd wait til the shops open and try them on til you find one you like.
This! But try and find various local shops to try as each tends to have a limited number of brands (commonly the same as the bikes they sell).

So unfortunately bit of an accident the other day
Was shocked to see/hear this buddy as know generally here how safe and experienced a rider you are! It's hard to make out the damage on the bike, or more specifically where it's damaged to determine the impact. The lack of injuries except your face makes me think someone clipped you or bounced you up the bonnet? I'm sure you'd have mentioned any rash/grazing/ripped clothing which would indicate you wiping out before you hit anything. Shoes can be a tell tale as much of the time they're attached to the bike at the time of the impact... Big scuffs on them again would indicate you came off/hit something before the head impact.

Really really glad you're ok, part of me wants to hope you rode into a parked car or something unseen which is no longer there, rather than someone hitting you and doing a runner! :o:mad:

Oh well least my wedding has been postponed next week so hopefully my face will be healed by October!
Ooooft that was a close one haha!

Haven't posted on here in ages, but glad you are okay @SoliD!

On the positive side, new bike!:D
Good to see you buddy, hope is all well... But spill the beans! What you got! :D

how is garmin 800 these days? Still supported by strava etc or should I be looking to get something else? I need routes + strava.
Really good to see you back! Shocked you sold all your bikes but really pleased you want to get out again in your new spot. Goodluck! Although regarding head unit no point getting something new(er) unles you get back into riding more buddy, but when you do Wahoo BOLT is what you need. You won't be disappointed.

Saddle sores really are a pita, I don't want to take time off the bike :(

On a positive note, fizik infinito r1 knits feel amazing.
What other shoes do you have/wear to give a bit of a comparison on the knits to? I'm looking at Giro knits and really not sure/trying to convince myself. I've ridden in cheapy Shimano/Giro velcros and they're ok. My 'best' are Sidi boa/velcro combo and they fit like slippers, but I regularly do them up too tight and only realise around 20 minutes later when I've got a sore toes/foot! Simple re-click and all done (no need to stop). I'm not sure I want lace up shoes for that very reason...

And saddle sores for me where a combination of shorts, fit and saddle. Certain saddles (narrow/flat/firm) where good and felt ok but anything over 4/5 hours I'd get sores, but equally not something I did regularly enough. Went through various shorts/pads then and the wider/thicker more premium (Rapha/Sportful) made a big difference. Switching saddle to a middle cutout was a revelation and tweaking various of those I've ended up on a Specialized Power. I'm comfortable in various positions on it, but it is very firm and I get saddle pain sometimes. Often when going for a couple of hours, but it doesn't seem to lead to sores anymore and a change of position often sorts it. I'm often very sensitive 'down there' after any big/long/sweaty/hot ride, but only for a few hours barely feeling it the next morning.

Hutchinson Fusion5 Performance 11Storm in 28mm setup tubeless on my best bike. No punctures (now there's a kiss of death!) and they have more grip than I have testicular fortitude!
Thanks had been meaning to hunt down their best of everything tyres for my summer 28mm tubeless setup (which I may carry across to winter if it's a mild one and don't need these 32mm's).

What poblems? I've had this (the Wahoo ELEMNT, as said :) ) for about a year and it's always sync'd great with Strava.
My ELEMNT has been slow a few times and I've had a couple of crashes freezes but they where generally when following a route every time. But mine is quite old now and memory must be utterly full on it. It's still superb and really glad I changed from the shockingly bad/unreliable 810 to it.

I'm being pretty passive these days, I just pull in and unclip for tractors and trucks.

I'm also taking it easy round blind bends as loads of pedestrians tend to be walking on that side at the moment.
Have to admit I'm doing more of this, might be because I'm riding more backlanes and in less of a 'hurry' with my riding?!

Will a decent pair of padded shorts make a big difference? And if so, are there any reasonably priced ones to check out?
Yes they will, although they can also be a personal thing. Some people can ride in any shorts, some like shorts due to fit/brand yet don't feel too many adverse effects from others. Then there are people like me who've been through probably 10+ different shorts/brands and have an overly sensititive arse! ;) :D

it is odd with my 800 that I had for years.

it basically works really well for daily commutes etc but as soon as any longer route is kicked in it dies down randomly.. or "works" but fails to record gps track.

e.g. of the ride I did with some ocuk guys :

https://www.strava.com/activities/306503405

you can see it crapping out completely randomly, but the distance etc is correct bar the trail and speed getting messed up.

so it seems that any time using the navigation features kills the device, this is 800 and that is an old device that has had no updates/fixes by garmin for a long time.

I think I am pretty much set on wahoo elmnt bolt, looks perfect for my use.

@AndyCr15 early on wahoo release I've read reports of strava route -> wahoo not containing any cue points just breadcrumb train, it looks like strava/wahoo have no sorted that.

but then again, I'd be using ridewithgps and that generates cues/road names etc.
This. RWGPS generates the cues, don't think Strava does yet? Wahoo units need the cues for you, they are not intelligent enough units to calculate it from map points like the Garmin units...

Through town yesterday I had a delightful passenger "sneeze" on me out the window. I say sneeze, he leant out the window, looked right at me and kind of barked, clearly intentionally in my face. I caught them up at traffic lights and the young scrote and his driver soon shot off when I confronted them. He nudged me off the road as he did. Wussies!
I'd have spat back through his window but then that's generally me.

@xdcx x with that much of it I'd go with what I considered on my commuting gloves when I did much more inner city... Some kinda metal 'padding' on the outside edge of the little finger with a rough edge so I can 'nudge' cars back (all down their paintwork...) when they start coming my way. Maybe slightly evil, but if they're close enough for me to do it they've already proven they don't value life. :mad::eek::([/QUOTE]
 
Soldato
Joined
23 Nov 2004
Posts
10,646
So it seems I prefer a more solid flat saddle, swapped from the standard Prologo Kappa RS to my Fizik Arione R5 and although firmer I prefer being able to ride on the nose on the tops for climbing or slide back on it when in the drops. I can feel the start of a saddle sore on my right side but I think that has come from trying to persevere with the other saddle. Shorts that have been annoying me are actually ok on the Fizik too.

Bike looks better with it too I think.



I think I'll try get longer length Endura shorts next time as overall they are good albeit a bit worn out now. They have red pad which is medium I believe?

They are too short for my liking.



Excuse the stupid filters as I couldn't really see the screen due to the sunlight.
 
Soldato
Joined
28 Apr 2011
Posts
14,761
Location
Barnet, London
My ELEMNT has been slow a few times and I've had a couple of crashes freezes but they where generally when following a route every time. But mine is quite old now and memory must be utterly full on it. It's still superb and really glad I changed from the shockingly bad/unreliable 810 to it.

It's funny. I remember way back you commenting on how yours is a little slow and mine sped along... well mine is slowing a little now, like maybe 4 or 5 seconds after I select 'End Ride' to it showing the summary. I was thinking there must me a way to reset it. I don't need it to hold historical data, Strava does that!
 
Soldato
Joined
11 Feb 2010
Posts
2,745
Location
England
Hi all recently picked up a hybrid bike to take me and the lil lad on some rides about. Will be a mixture of road and off-road (although nothing too taxing)

Looking at picking up some Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres unless anyone can recommend anything else decent? No looking to spend anything too crazy. Current tyres are continental 700x32c. Thanks!
 
Soldato
Joined
24 Feb 2013
Posts
4,125
Location
East Midlands
@Roady

Sidi Kaos, in part due to a hefty price reduction on them. Boa lower, ratchet upper. They've lasted well and been fine, just heavy and the upper strap you can never get just right like a boa. I wouldn't want to ride the knits in the rain but you can say that about most shoes, fine with an overshoe. Using a specialized blue in them and can't fault so far. Will see tomorrow as got a fairly big hill repeat ride lined up. Any fault will be the sole as not custom fit. They're good enough for the tours after all.

@Jonny ///M

That Cannondale looks great. I was looking at the latest supersix with di2 as it seems like a very solid all-rounder but dislike the colour scheme :( May go for a venge instead given it's like sworks but with the ultegra di2 and run a few spacers. The geo isn't that aggressive. I'm keen to get away from 25's on the roads around here asap.
 
Last edited:
Soldato
Joined
22 May 2003
Posts
10,855
Location
Wigan
I’ve gone for the Endura in a longer leg Jonny, had to get a new chain & rear tyre too.

As ive been riding a fair bit the distance has racked up and worn them both out. The tyres squared off and really cut up now from winter, when leaning the bike over it feels odd as it transitions and affects the handling now. Rather change it before I start getting flats too.
 
Soldato
Joined
23 Nov 2004
Posts
10,646
Yeah I'm not 100% sold on this years graphics, I like a few of the womens colours!

The Cannondale on the downtube does it for me + a bit of colour.



That shows the colour a bit better.

What height are you @Berger ? You could take a photo and show where they sit if possible?
 
Soldato
Joined
22 May 2003
Posts
10,855
Location
Wigan
Yeah I'm not 100% sold on this years graphics, I like a few of the womens colours!

The Cannondale on the downtube does it for me + a bit of colour.



That shows the colour a bit better.

What height are you @Berger ? You could take a photo and show where they sit if possible?

189cm. I’ve gone for medium bibs with medium pad and the long length.

Totally depends on the bib, I like to show a bit of leg but I don’t want them like hot pants & don’t want a pasty stripe if I have uneven length between my other bibs!

Not sure when arrive, I do the collect+ with wiggle as it’s fast and free, not sure if they do Saturdays or not, could be Monday.
 
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