Road Cycling Essentials

mr tommo · 14 Jul 2011 at 15:16

Right then I'm new to cycling and absolutely loving it so far.

Managed to pick up some black altura bib shorts because I was in agony after the first few rides!

Now need to choose a cycling top. What's the concensus on wearing team jerseys? I like the design of the 2010 team sky jersey(seen it for less than £40) but being new to cycling I don't want to look like a plonker.

When I play football leisurely I will wear a teams top but not sure if that's the norm with cycling?

I won't be entering any races just cycling for fun and maybe a couple of charity events.

[DOD]Asprilla · 14 Jul 2011 at 15:21

If you like a team bib then buy it and wear it.

Just expect everyone to make a little extra effort just to overtake you.

In other news I bought some used Reynolds Assaults on eBay last night when drunk. Mmmm carbony goodness.

oddjob62 · 14 Jul 2011 at 15:28

[DOD]Asprilla;19582893 said:
If you like a team bib then buy it and wear it.

Exactly. I ride a couple of ridiculously overspecced bikes considering my ability, but i love em so i don't care what people think

Russinating · 14 Jul 2011 at 15:56

[DOD]Asprilla;19582893 said:
If you like a team bib then buy it and wear it.

Just expect everyone to make a little extra effort just to overtake you.

Exactly. You'll just earn passers by more points on their commute

.

I've got some 2010 HTC bib shorts but only because a) I like HTC b) they match my bike's colour scheme (black/yellow/white) c) they were 30 euros d) I got them at the TDF so they're also a nice little souvenir and e) I only had one pair of shorts before that were 2 years old.

I think 5 reasons is enough for me to not feel bad about buying them

.

CGrieves · 14 Jul 2011 at 17:39

Team tops look great, I've not really developed a team alliegance though, so I got an Altura Classic race jersey in red, not too plain, not to flashy.

I've got a load of pics from the Guildford Criterium races last week, anyone interested in seeing them? If so I'll upload to my webspace.

Russinating · 14 Jul 2011 at 17:40

I'm after a closed d-hoop to screw into a wall to lock my bike to (not hold, just for a d-lock to pass through). There's none listed in bike racks/storage categories online so what should I be looking for?

Edit: Nevermind, anchor seems to be the name!

platypus · 14 Jul 2011 at 18:26

Plus last years kit team bib shorts are usually very cheap.

One More Solo · 14 Jul 2011 at 18:44

platypus said:
Plus last years kit team bib shorts are usually very cheap.

Are they good quality generally or is it cheaper kit sold for a premium because it's team kit?

platypus · 14 Jul 2011 at 19:36

The stuff I buy is Castelli/Nalini gear which is top quality.

Draeger · 14 Jul 2011 at 21:13

Team kit- Yeah, I've got a couple that I sometimes wear. Caisse d'Epargne stuff that I bought a few years ago and some ProBikeKit team stuff. I usually buy it in the sales for last years team kit when it becomes bargaintastic. Don't wear it much though, prefer plain Gorebike wear stuff. However, there's nothing wrong with wearing it on the road, just be prepared as a newcomer to cycling to get scalped a few times.

[DOD]Asprilla;19582893 said:
In other news I bought some used Reynolds Assaults on eBay last night when drunk. Mmmm carbony goodness.

Yummy wheels. Drunk eBay purchases are always the best ones. That said, they are also always the most difficult ones to explain when the stuff arrives and the wife looks at you quizzically. Especially if you can't remember ordering it.

I ordered a guitar once during an early morning-home from the pub-drunk on the internet session. Still can't remember ordering it, can't play a single chord on the thing.

Russinating · 14 Jul 2011 at 22:17

Forgot to add, I was really impressed with my new Continental Ultra Sports in France. Their rolling resistance is fantastic and could be easily seen compared to the other guys I was riding with.

Also realised how good value my Boardman is as the guy we hitched with had a custom spec'd Condor bike with exactly the same groupset as me (SRAM Rivals). The groupset alone set him back £600, which is what my entire bike cost through the C2W scheme.

touch · 15 Jul 2011 at 11:37

I need your help OcUK!

Lance Armstrong's Twitter said:
14th July 2011
Wondering how the riding is in Inverness, Scotland.

My google skills are failing.
Can anybody find any more info for me?

If you do well i will reward you with pics

[DOD]Asprilla · 15 Jul 2011 at 11:48

Hmm, pre ordered:

Damn, this should have been in the TDF thread.

Russinating · 15 Jul 2011 at 11:50

Haha, love it.

VaderDSL · 15 Jul 2011 at 12:03

Brilliant T-Shirt! I too will buy one!

Not only is he a hero, the interview afterwards showed just how amazing a person he is, if anyone caught it? He wasn't angry or annoyed but still humble and accepting of the apology

Russinating · 15 Jul 2011 at 12:20

Asprilla, what's the shipping on that?

Edit: Nevermind, $14. I might be up for placing an order with you if there's a couple more who want to as well to reduce postage?

cork-spotters · 15 Jul 2011 at 13:40

What's the benefit of bibs over shorts other than bibs make you look like a 1920s swimmer?

Russinating · 15 Jul 2011 at 13:42

Your belly doesn't stick out from under your jersey

.

cork-spotters · 15 Jul 2011 at 13:43

I fear no matter how good the bibs are they won't help me in that department!!!

Russinating · 15 Jul 2011 at 13:45

Comfort and less draught in the winter, think that's about it.