Road Cycling Essentials

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That might of been me, not that it matters as you've bought it but the ebay one has the ability to quick set the rotation on main clamp, its actually its best feature: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Home-mech..._Cycling_Tools_RepairKits&hash=item2320015e96

Thats why it cost a bit more as that mechanism is actually quite clever, if any one is thinking of getting one it definitely worth the extra few quid, I find it extremely useful.
 
uniQ said:
Mother of god. My eyes :eek:

Not too bad actually, although your dislike for LA is about the same as mine toward flat bars :p
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Well it's days maybe numbered, I have a bullhorn bar on order and as I have some ultegra brifters sitting about doing nothing I think I'm going to give this a try: http://forum.ctc.org.uk/userpix/204_speedprott2_1.jpg Although I'm gonna guess you find that nearly equally offensive :p

My commute is essentially 100yard sprints between traffic lights so I just want something that gives me full braking power when I'm sat up while letting me get tucked on the rare occasion I can.
 
K13LCC said:
Apologies for the essay:

Looking for some advice on getting fitter, faster and if anyone has or has thought about incorporating HIIT into their commute at all. I'm not convinced me riding at 60-70% for longer is going to make me much fitter or faster any time soon to be honest!

My main goal is to be fitter, much fitter in fact, but also to lose body fat. Which I guess both come hand in hand!!

I cycle on average 22mi a day 4 days a week (11mi each trip) on my commute and I was wondering if and how I could incorporate some HIIT into that or even if it is a good idea?

I'd like to be able to maintain a higher average speed, currently I average around 16.5mph when I'm pushing myself to 90%, but also would like to be much quicker up hills (small or large).

I struggle at the moment with climbing out of my saddle - I can maintain it for about 10secs max before my legs turn to jelly and I have to sit back down!!

Well done if you read this far! :)

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how/what I can do to get fitter faster?
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You need to do a combination of different exercise; HIIT (either intervals to 100% on a clear road or traffic light GP if you must), hill climb repeats, hill climb sprints, medium distance at high tempo and long distance rides.

Mixing it up is the best but if you can't do some of them, hill climbs in Norfolk for instance, then do what you can.
 
Bullhorns are for trendy folk with moustaches. :p

That photo looks pretty awkward for shifting?
 
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[Damien];23910709 said:
Just got back from that Jodrell Bank sportive. It was a bit cold and windy but not too bad overall.
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Ah, I thought I heard folk arriving back next door. Glad it went well. I didn't envy you in the wind this morning!
 
The wind was with us on the way out, but on the way back it got tough. Apparently I've got 8th overall for the 50m route on strava but that'll probably change once everyone's uploaded their routes. I wasn't going for speed though with not being on my own so I'm not too fussed if it does change.
 
I managed just 30 seconds shy of 5 hours for the 80mi. But my god, the wind on the return leg was lethal. And the last 20 miles were beyond ridiculous!

Well done Damien.
 
Right. I have a KMC chain on my bike and I want to split it and fit a Missinglink so I can take it on and off for cleaning, etc.

I can't tell if I have a Z8XRB chain or a Z8S, and it looks like they have different pin lengths, so presumably will need different Missinglinks.

How can I tell which I have? Does it matter?
 
Shimmyhill said:
Cleats are the bits you bolt to you shoe, if you have shoes already and they work with your current pedals the cleats are on your shoes!

Having said that you can usually get the same pedals with cleats for 17.99 so well worth it for some spare cleats.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m520-pedals/?utm_source=pla&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=uk
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Thanks for the link.
The last time I looked at Wiggle for the pedals they were £22 so a spare pair of cleats is now worth the little extra.
 
topgun06 said:
I managed just 30 seconds shy of 5 hours for the 80mi. But my god, the wind on the return leg was lethal. And the last 20 miles were beyond ridiculous!

Well done Damien.
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Cheers. Well done yourself for doing the 80. I might have considered it myself if I wasn't with friends. I was still full of beans when I'd finished. I could have done more I reckon.

Here's my one for today.

godinman said:
This is the Strava for my one, found it ridiculously tough! Glad it's done, suppose it's not too bad for my 5th ride out this year!

http://app.strava.com/activities/43895525
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Well done! You might find it tough now but in a few months you'll be feeling all smug when people get tired on lesser rides.

This was my first ever sportive (started and ended in Rochdale then I rode home) and it was windy as hell so the one today was a cakewalk.
 
Cheers. Wouldn't have fancied riding home today, reckon I'd have called a taxi. :o Was one of the only people not wearing leg warmers, overshoes or suitable gloves, I didn't think it'd be that cold but it snowed the whole time!
 
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