Advice for my road cycling commute (Inner city)

I quite like the schwalbe durano plus 23mm tyres for the road

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-durano-plus-performance-folding-road-tyre/

I would go for the marathons for better puncture protection but with these bad boys I get maybe 1 or 2 a year although I mainly commute 12 miles a day so approx 2500 miles a year give or take.

Used Vittorias and was getting punctures almost every day
 
Any padded shorts recommendations? I'm using some Asics bog standard 'sports' ones (knee length) that are skin tight but I have a pain in a 'sensitive area' after being caught out by a motorist on my commute this morning (and me hitting a pot hole I'd normally miss)!

Having to sit down most of the day at work doesn't help lol!
 
Roady said:
Any padded shorts recommendations? I'm using some Asics bog standard 'sports' ones (knee length) that are skin tight but I have a pain in a 'sensitive area' after being caught out by a motorist on my commute this morning (and me hitting a pot hole I'd normally miss)!

Having to sit down most of the day at work doesn't help lol!
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dnb padded undershort.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-padded-undershort/
 
iguanoid said:
Assos S7's. My bits are worth more than 8.99 :D
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Am I browsing Wiggle or a gay porn website?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/assos-tequipe-s7-bib-shorts/

Assos_T,equipe_S7-black-front-2_2013.jpg
 
The thing people forget when commuting by bike us you don't need to follow the most direct route door to door try riding a longer route home once a week you can get loads more miles in the legs without committing to extra rides.
 
a1ex2001 said:
The thing people forget when commuting by bike us you don't need to follow the most direct route door to door try riding a longer route home once a week you can get loads more miles in the legs without committing to extra rides.
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I'm all about the extra rides... and, to be fair, the extra long routes. You can get an amazing amount of miles in just by commuting and riding at lunch without massively impacting your free time. I also find I'm a lot more focussed in work when I've got 20-30 miles in before the end of the day too.
 
grudas said:
very thin pad :) I've got a pair of those and prefer my cheapo(8.99) aldi ones.. :o
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I'll check my local aldi sometime soon then... How have you found the fitting? Other clothes I've bought from there have been a little odd sized...

iguanoid said:
Assos S7's. My bits are worth more than 8.99 :D
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So are mine, but not that much! :p

FrenchTart said:
Am I browsing Wiggle or a gay porn website?
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No comment.

Undershorts the way forwards? I'm sure in this weather I wouldn't want multiple layers! I've even taken to wearing short sleeves!

I'm guessing 'active shorts' like these : http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-active-cycle-short/ would be just as suitable (and well within my price range) ;)

Good shout about the longer route, not sure why but I hadn't considered it?! I'll probably still keep my morning route (sub 20mins commute to work makes it equal to the car) and find a longer commute home... Part of the problem where I live & work (Hereford) is the river going through the middle of the city with only a few crossing points with hardly any cyclist 'friendly' routes - many of them marked on the county council's website are not what I would consider 'friendly' - there is no additional space for cyclists (you have to fight for room with the motorists) and the only 'cyclist optimisation' is space at traffic lights. :rolleyes:
 
After my Assos, i would rate my shorts in the following order....

Castelli > Pactimo > Giant > Decathlon > Muddy Fox > Mavic

Assos are silly money it can't be denied, but they are the only short that comes with a built in hammock for your nuts :D
 
Dunks said:
FrenchTart, what's wrong with Gatorskins? Seem to have great reviews and I've just fitted some Hardshells to my bike!
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Lets see. No grip. And about a puncture proof as a wet fag paper.

If you want puncture proof as on a commuter bike its priority go with Marathons or Randoneurs. 10k miles on these tyres and yet to puncture.

Best advise for learning about the bike - clothing, nutrition, mechanics, maintenance is to ride it a lot. You learn things as you go along with plenty mistakes on the way.
 
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Edinho said:
Lets see. No grip. And about a puncture proof as a wet fag paper.

If you want puncture proof as on a commuter bike its priority go with Marathons or Randoneurs. 10k miles on these tyres and yet to puncture.

Best advise for learning about the bike - clothing, nutrition, mechanics, maintenance is to ride it a lot. You learn things as you go along with plenty mistakes on the way.
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Different kind of tyre though! Marathons weight so bloody much but are the best to prevent punctures.

I've found Gatorskins to be ok but prefer running GP4000s as they seem to smooth out rough roads and have epic gripssss.
 
FishFluff said:
Yup. I rode 16 miles home today. I only live 2 miles from work!
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Haha that's what I need to start doing a couple of times a week! Not this week though... Yearly stocktake = 6 miles+ of walking per day on top of my cycling commute! :cool:

I've ordered some dhb padded shorts and I fancied a dhb shirt to go with them along with a pedal spanner for the future...

Next on my 'hit list' has to be a rucksack that's better suited to the Nike cheapy one I have (the back panel is solid, not breathable = insane back sweat in this heat!).

But I also need one I can use when snowboarding and it has to fit into airplane hand luggage... Recommendations probably best from those of you who have taken bags abroad as Ideally I need 20L minimum as my current is that size and I can't go smaller! So some protection, definitely waterproof and a very breathable back on it, go! ;) :eek::rolleyes:
 
Have been so impressed with the dhb gear I ordered (price and quality wise), I've ordered more! (while the current wiggle sale is on).

The current wiggle sale is also damn good on SPD's and I'm considering ordering some (even if I don't fit them right away).

I'm looking at the M530's due to the increased pedal area and double sided... I hope they are a good starting SPD and I can have the cleats quite loose?

Shoe wise I'm looking at the dhb M1.0, anyone have any experience with them? It's either that or some XC30's .

Do I need anything else? Picked up a pedal spanner last time round...
 
Ordered the M530's and some of the XC30's while the wiggle sale is still on...

If I don't like how the XC30's fit I'll return them and try the dhb M1.0's - thanks to Wiggle's great returns policy! :D

I'm back to looking at rucksacks next... Haven't sourced any gloves yet and really need to pick up a bike stand from somewhere.

Really need some guidance on how to align my gears as after my Halfords '6-week' service my front de-railer is catching at either end of my cassette (even with half-shifting to avoid cross-chaining)... I think those are the correct terms? lol :)

And good websites I should be using for doing my own servicing?
 
Got the M530's and very impressed by them! Also got the XC30's in a EU 43 and they could be a little narrower, but no shorter... In 2 minds to change them (while I can) for EU 42's but if they're much shorter I'd have to swap back to the 43's! Gah! Thoughts? I'm a UK 7.5/8 (usually 8, but occasionally 7 in some shoes).

Paul from Wiggle says Shimano are known for their sizing to be a little on the small side, I've asked if DHB are the same, as if not I'm tempted to try a pair of EU 42 DHB M1.0's... But would wait until they're on sale (only the Shimano are currently).

Also picked up a set of Crud Roadracer mk2 as I've got a wet bum a couple of days this week ;)

Got a bike stand and some more handlebar stops as I've lost one... My bank account has suffered since I found Wiggle lol! Not bought any computer bits for a while... (sorry OcUK, forgive me!) ;)
 
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