Road Cycling Essentials

topgun06 · 10 Jul 2013 at 23:30

Russinating said:
Going to Majorca in September on a family holiday but still really tempted to do a cycle one day. Thing is although I could hire a bike better than mine I'd still rather do it on mine which I won't be able to do. I'm sure many of you can appreciate that!

I know exactly what you mean. But either way, you should really try to get out at least once. It would be criminal not to. Also, September would be a more comfortable temperature.

[Damien] · 10 Jul 2013 at 23:38

The pics are up for any of you guys who did the Cheshire Cat.

Here's me getting to know Mow Cop.

Thomas. PLease. · 10 Jul 2013 at 23:52

touch said:
Thats a great time for your first TT. I'v only done one 10 this year and equalled my PB at 23:13. It was a little windy though and i hope to get a better time in before the end of the season.

There was a nice little documentary on eurosport the other day about the TTing scene in england called "Cycling: The Race of Truth". Apparently it's repeated a few more times during the TdF, so keep an eye out for it.
There was some input from Alex Dowsett but mainly followed average club riders riding at their local club TTs, so it really showed what happens right at the grass-roots level where anybody watching could go out and do the same thing for themself.
I think a lot of people are put of doing this sort of thing because they are worried about coming last and being laughed at but i think the film captured the atmosphere quite well showing that it's more of a race against yourself than anybody else and the other riders are more supportive than competitive. I expect there will be a large rise in the number of riders at these events after seeing it.

Ah cool I'll keep an eye out for it. Yeah I know what you mean, it was completely different to my first cat 4 race I did this year. Like you say everyone was there to encourage everyone else rather than just to compete against each other. Nice atmosphere, and please way to spend a summers eve!

arknor · 11 Jul 2013 at 00:06

deleting every post I ever made in this thread

touch · 11 Jul 2013 at 00:32

They only need to be tight enough that they dont get knocked open when riding, so doesnt need to be a lot of pressure at all. Even if they do get knocked open, the wheel wont suddenly fall out, there are little metal ridges ("lawyer tabs") that will hold the wheel in place.

There isnt any weight on the skewer at all, all it does is hold the position of the wheel in the dropout. So there isnt any benefit to doing it silly tight but if you do have it too tight it can mess with the tension on the bearings in a cup-and-cone style hub and i guess the skewer is more likely to break if you're too rough with it.

platypus · 11 Jul 2013 at 07:16

Anyone have a 'Wingflex' (Fizik) saddle? Is it worth the extra expense of say the Antares 00 compared to the Antares or just a gimmick?

platypus · 11 Jul 2013 at 07:29

topgun06 said:
I can't remember exactly. It was around £500 + £30pp for the bikes, all inclusive at Pollenca Park Spa Hotel.

If you you want any more info id be happy to help the best I can.

Definitely more interested in this - also wondering if people want to think about that sort of thing for some time next year

.

daveski · 11 Jul 2013 at 08:51

Thomas. PLease. said:
Did my first 10 mile TT this evening. Managed a 25:29, which I was reasonably pleased with. Definite room for improvement with a more aggressive position I think. Anyone else done many TT's?

I've done 3, fastest so far is 27:23 which I'm happy with.

platypus · 11 Jul 2013 at 08:58

Um, what do people use for a crankset end cap tool? Having difficulty locating one..

grudas · 11 Jul 2013 at 09:34

so sunglasses for cycling are nice.. for the eyes! but sweat drips all over the lens and thats that lol.. my hairy eyebrows hold the sweat and then once it gets too much it drips all over the inside of the glass.. NICE!

platypus · 11 Jul 2013 at 09:37

grudas said:
so sunglasses for cycling are nice.. for the eyes! but sweat drips all over the lens and thats that lol.. my hairy eyebrows hold the sweat and then once it gets too much it drips all over the inside of the glass.. NICE!

I sweat like a pig and have never had problems. Are you using "cycle fit" glasses or just normal sunglasses?

touch · 11 Jul 2013 at 09:42

platypus said:
I sweat like a pig and have never had problems. Are you using "cycle fit" glasses or just normal sunglasses?

He rides in jeans, and he's probably wearing aviators

touch · 11 Jul 2013 at 09:44

platypus said:
Um, what do people use for a crankset end cap tool? Having difficulty locating one..

Is it a shimano hollowtech one with the rounded star-shaped hole?

This is what i use. It's plastic and can only be done up by hand so that you dont overtighten it.

grudas · 11 Jul 2013 at 09:45

platypus said:
I sweat like a pig and have never had problems. Are you using "cycle fit" glasses or just normal sunglasses?

nope proper spaceman sunglasses.. the ones i got from aldi

never had a problem with aviators tho

uniQ · 11 Jul 2013 at 09:46

Just getting ready to have another go at the 8.3mi TT and taking another closer look at my time not only did I stop for a breather before the finish but what is this juju:

I start way behind the start and automagically I'm 22 seconds behind from the off!? :eek:

[DOD]Asprilla · 11 Jul 2013 at 09:56

platypus said:
Anyone have a 'Wingflex' (Fizik) saddle? Is it worth the extra expense of say the Antares 00 compared to the Antares or just a gimmick?

My Ariones are all wingflex. No idea if it makes a difference or not.

R0B75 · 11 Jul 2013 at 10:06

grudas said:
so sunglasses for cycling are nice.. for the eyes! but sweat drips all over the lens and thats that lol.. my hairy eyebrows hold the sweat and then once it gets too much it drips all over the inside of the glass.. NICE!

Same. Especially on my ride on Tuesday evening when it was 26c, spent most of the time with my glasses off. I have Oakley Radar glasses so I don't think it matter what glasses you have if you sweat like a mofo! It's also horrible when sweat goes in your eyes. That **** stings and is ****** annoying on climbs.

[Damien] · 11 Jul 2013 at 10:08

Yeah sweating like that is a bitch. I find it to be better if you have your glasses away from your face a bit to maximise airflow but you still need to keep on top of the old forehead wipe with a glove or sleeve.

Shamrock · 11 Jul 2013 at 10:11

Going to Lidl tonight. I hope they have some stands left.

Everything else looks like cheap and nasty tat to me.

[DOD]Asprilla · 11 Jul 2013 at 10:21

grudas said:
so sunglasses for cycling are nice.. for the eyes! but sweat drips all over the lens and thats that lol.. my hairy eyebrows hold the sweat and then once it gets too much it drips all over the inside of the glass.. NICE!

R0B75 said:
Same. Especially on my ride on Tuesday evening when it was 26c, spent most of the time with my glasses off. I have Oakley Radar glasses so I don't think it matter what glasses you have if you sweat like a mofo! It's also horrible when sweat goes in your eyes. That **** stings and is ****** annoying on climbs.

[Damien];24593033 said:
Yeah sweating like that is a bitch. I find it to be better if you have your glasses away from your face a bit to maximise airflow but you still need to keep on top of the old forehead wipe with a glove or sleeve.

Caps. They exist for a reason. I never ride without one for lots of reasons, but in this case, they soak up all the sweat so it doesn't run down your face.

Prendas usually do 5 for £25. Steer clear of the La Vie Clair ones as you can't really wash them without destroying them.