Road Cycling Essentials

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platypus said:
Anyone recommend some super padded bar tape? Looking to replace mine and I use some Deda stuff at present but I've really been feeling the road lately and I'm not sure if its because the tape is old or if its just not padded enough.
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Lizard Skins DSP - Comes in 1.8mm, 2.5mm or 3.2mm thicknesses.

Phenomenally grippy as well.
 
Always worth having a repair stand, you'll wonder how you managed before.

Whatever you do though, ignore the pictures and never, ever clamp by the top tube; use the seat post if you can and if there isn't enough room there use the seat tube.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;24582375 said:
Always worth having a repair stand, you'll wonder how you managed before.

Whatever you do though, ignore the pictures and never, ever clamp by the top tube; use the seat post if you can and if there isn't enough room there use the seat tube.
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Ahh cool just read a few forums with the same stand and they also recommended to clamp by the seat post.
 
remy87 said:
Ahh cool just read a few forums with the same stand and they also recommended to clamp by the seat post.
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Seat post is designed t resist compression as that's how the seat post collar holds it in place. The top tube isn't designed to take that force and can be as thin as 1mm in parts.
 
arknor said:
if you goto the scwalbe website it will tell you can use a slider to filter out the tyres by durability/ speed etc

lugano are
3 durability
3 grip
3 speed
3 protection
http://www.schwalbe.com/gbl/en/produkte/race/produkt/?ID_Einsatzbereich=11&showAllProducts=true

Ultremo ZX
are under 6 speed
5 durability
5 grip
5 protection
3x the price almost though :p

lugnao seem to be one of their budget tyres so I guess they came with your bike.
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Thanks for that. And no, I'm pretty sure I bought the Luganos in a bike shop the last time I needed a replacement (you know what bike shops are like, tyres are 2x the price as CRC/Wiggle so I just got the cheapest-ish one). Was supposed to just be a spare but never got round to replacing it.
 
Just deciding whether to stick with 23c or go with 25c. Trouble is I obviously don't have my bike with me at work to check the clearance. I know the early Boardman's are supposed to be quite aggressive but it'll have space for 25s surely?
 
helpimcrap said:
I've never willingly pushed myself so hard and so close to the point of collapse as what I did in those24hrs. I might have doneit in under 24 but i doubt it. I got to the Eiffel tower in 24hrs but didn't cross the finish line in 24 i don't think as it was 1/2 a mile away down a side street andi was on my own, severely dehydrated and delerious apparently.
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Well done, which route did you go for it to be that far, London - Dover - Calais - Paris?

We did London - Newhaven - Dieppe - Paris on Friday evening/Saturday which is around 310km so doesn't sound quite as extreme as your ride. Plus we spent most of the time fannying around eating pastries and tootling along.
 
thepeteh said:
Thinking of changing to a compact chainset as I hardly get into big ring at all. Currently ride a double, 52/39T ultegra 6700 with 11-25 at rear.
Looking at going to 50/34 11-28.
I normally average about 28-31km/h... anyone made the same move? Opinions appreciated
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I personally wouldnt bother with the compact, unless you live in some super mountainous area, just got 11-28 first and see how you get on. imo moving to a compact will only hinder your cycling development
 
Russinating said:
So 20 miles into a 25 mile route to test my new pedals and shoes and BANG!

Qucghuy.jpg.png


Managed to limp home with a new tube at about 30psi. New tyre time :(.
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Nice. That's pretty much what happened to me two w/ends ok on a fairly speedy descent. Hit a stone and it just went bang. Squeaky bum time! Was 80km from home though so had to call the cavalry. :o
 
arknor said:
well schwalbe are definitely not known as a crap brand.
they have a good rep in touring tyres anyway for puncture resistance on the marathons
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Definitely not known as crap brand :p, got the marathon plus 25c on my fixed commuter and it has been rock solid with no punctures since last year I put it on. Even most of the royal mail bikes I've seen around here all uses them so that got to tell something.
 
When you are running the 12-25 your top end gearing is lower than mine running an 11-25 cassette and when you are running 11-28 your gaps between gears are much greater than mine if I were running the same cassette plus I've have a better low end (I assume that cassette is for climbing steep hills)

For me, a compact offers more advantages and fewer disadvantages.

This discussion will go away over the next few years anyway, as the new Shimano cranks have a single BCD for all chainring sizes - you'll be able to go from mtb size 32t rings up to 55t TT rings in order to find the perfect ratio for you.
 
Russinating said:
Looking at the Michelin Pro 4s or the Schwalbe Ultremo. The blown tyre is a Shwalbe (though a Lugano) which doesn't fill me with much brand confidence but based on the way it got ruptured I don't think much would've stopped it bar touring tyres.
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Lugano's came on my Planet-X. Took them off after two punctures in one ride - free to a good home!
 
[DOD]Asprilla;24582628 said:
when you are running 11-28 your gaps between gears are much greater than mine if I were running the same cassette plus I've have a better low end (I assume that cassette is for climbing steep hills)
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If you both have an identical cassette, the gaps between gears will be bigger on a compact. Compacts have a bigger size difference between the 2 chainrings, which is the only noticeable gap.
 
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