Road Cycling Essentials

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willhub said:
Is it me or are those handle bars very long??? I've never seen the side of em reach out so far :eek:

I rekon you'll need to get the position sorted.
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Funny you should say that

They originally had the brake hoods sitting up very high, but it was murder on my hands so I moved them forward... it's better now but yeah you're right it's a long way away. I'm going to bring the hoods back a bit and see if it's better, but I think I'll end up picking up some cheap bars or a cheap stem to sort the position out.

It was hurting between my thumb and index finger where they were practically vertical and I pretty much couldn't brake, so this is better, but still isn't right. My hands aren't really sitting on the hoods most of the time because my little arms don't reach :D

To be fair I think the picture makes it looks worse than it is
 
Getting a Cube Agree GTC Pro in the next week or so. First road bike and very excited.

I'm undecided as to whether I'll go clipless or not. Brain is telling me to go clipless but the wuss in me is afraid of them!

Any other bits I need to get too?
On my shopping list are:
2x water bottles + cages.
Padded shorts.
Saddle bag.
Cateye computer.
Shoes if I go clipless.
Probably a decent floor pump too.
 
kicks66 said:
On a related note, do you have any comments on the Allez 16? It will be my first proper road bike, I had a £40 second hand one for a year or two before it broke so this is a big step up.
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The Allez 16 is pretty much as good as gets for the price. A carbon fork means weight is kept low and a swooping frame gives it great looks. If you want a bike for speed, with sharp race bike handling then go for it :)
 
Hey guys,

I'm thinking I could do with a new saddle.
The Bontrager saddle which came with my Trek (Road) is starting to look a bit tired after two years use. There are a couple of rips in the leather and I'm a little worried they are going to cause a rip or damage to shorts... what with shorts being expensive as it is, I'd rather not be replacing them too!

As I also use my road bike for commuting, I think I'd keep the saddle for that purpose and just use a nice new one for training/sportive/etc...

The trouble is, there is so much choice in saddles, how do you know what to go for?
Further to that, it's not like you can try them, so how do you even work out what is right for you?

Anyone got any ideas or recommendations?

Cheers.
 
cork-spotters said:
I'm undecided as to whether I'll go clipless or not. Brain is telling me to go clipless but the wuss in me is afraid of them!
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I thought the same thing so I stuck platforms on the bike above, as I seriously don't think I'd be safe in toestraps (which is what came with it), but a mate who bought the same bike at the same time was donated a set of SPDs and shoes, so I had a spin up the road on it. It's way better and I changed my mind instantly.

If it helps, clipping *out* is mega easy, it's clipping in I'll have to get used to! I found it easier to clip in while I was going along, strangely. Clipping out was a piece of cake
 
Nexus said:
Hey guys,

I'm thinking I could do with a new saddle.
The Bontrager saddle which came with my Trek (Road) is starting to look a bit tired after two years use. There are a couple of rips in the leather and I'm a little worried they are going to cause a rip or damage to shorts... what with shorts being expensive as it is, I'd rather not be replacing them too!

As I also use my road bike for commuting, I think I'd keep the saddle for that purpose and just use a nice new one for training/sportive/etc...

The trouble is, there is so much choice in saddles, how do you know what to go for?
Further to that, it's not like you can try them, so how do you even work out what is right for you?

Anyone got any ideas or recommendations?

Cheers.
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Problem with saddles is that whats right for someone else might not be right for you! I went through a few saddle before finding one i like!
You dont say what sort of weight you are etc.
One option is find a saddle with similar shape to your current one if its comfy or try and find the same one again.
I use a San Marco Regal and find brilliant for me. It is a bit old school but still looks good on a modern bike, it quite heavy for some, but its build like a brick and will last, didnt have that confidence in my Specialized Toupe.
 
cork-spotters said:
Getting a Cube Agree GTC Pro in the next week or so. First road bike and very excited.

I'm undecided as to whether I'll go clipless or not. Brain is telling me to go clipless but the wuss in me is afraid of them!

Any other bits I need to get too?
On my shopping list are:
2x water bottles + cages.
Padded shorts.
Saddle bag.
Cateye computer.
Shoes if I go clipless.
Probably a decent floor pump too.
Click to expand...

nice first bike that. dont forget to post pics
 
Nexus said:
Hey guys,

I'm thinking I could do with a new saddle.
The Bontrager saddle which came with my Trek (Road) is starting to look a bit tired after two years use. There are a couple of rips in the leather and I'm a little worried they are going to cause a rip or damage to shorts... what with shorts being expensive as it is, I'd rather not be replacing them too!

As I also use my road bike for commuting, I think I'd keep the saddle for that purpose and just use a nice new one for training/sportive/etc...

The trouble is, there is so much choice in saddles, how do you know what to go for?
Further to that, it's not like you can try them, so how do you even work out what is right for you?

Anyone got any ideas or recommendations?

Cheers.
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Get your sitbone measured (all good LBS should be able to help with this) and get an appropriate saddle. See how it rides is all you can do. Took me ages to settle on mine :).
 
I guess that is probably the best idea.

A new independent Cycle/Tri store just opened over the road from me, so I might see what they have.
 
The Planet X Nanolight has landed! :D looks gorgeous and STUPID light.
Will hopefully have it built up by the weekend. One question though, how do you cut a carbon steerer tube? Any special tools?
 
I spoke to the guy in the shop about the Specialized Allez 16 and he suggested getting Armadillos, but looking online Ive seen some reports about them being poor in the wet and heavy, what are you're guys thoughts?
 
Went out with a local cycling club for the first time on Sunday morning. We did 71 miles, was comfortable for most of it except for one point where there were some big hills close to each other.

Never cycled in a group before, and required quite a bit of concentration and awareness to not knock into anyone and also to look out for incoming road obstacles that are obstructed by riders. Was a nice planned route and enjoyed the social side of it too.

Going to join the cycling club now and hopefully get into some road racing :)
 
janesssssy said:
The Planet X Nanolight has landed! :D looks gorgeous and STUPID light.
Will hopefully have it built up by the weekend. One question though, how do you cut a carbon steerer tube? Any special tools?
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Pics ASAP :) :)


kicks66 said:
I spoke to the guy in the shop about the Specialized Allez 16 and he suggested getting Armadillos, but looking online Ive seen some reports about them being poor in the wet and heavy, what are you're guys thoughts?
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For general riding the standard tyres are decent enough. For anything competitive you'll want Michelin Pro3's, Continental GP4000, or Schwalbe Ultremo's.
The Specialized Armadillos are one of many puncture resistant tyres; all of these type of tyre are heavy due to their bullet proof construction.
 
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kicks66 said:
I spoke to the guy in the shop about the Specialized Allez 16 and he suggested getting Armadillos, but looking online Ive seen some reports about them being poor in the wet and heavy, what are you're guys thoughts?
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Have a look at the Michelin Krylion Carbon tyres. I have a pair of the 700x25c and had to take a detour yesterday onto the canal path riding over all sorts of rubbish and they held up very well. I think the cheapest place for them is CRC.
 
SDK^ said:
Pics ASAP :) :)



For general riding the standard tyres are decent enough. For anything competitive you'll want Michelin Pro3's, Continental GP4000, or Schwalbe Ultremo's.
The Specialized Armadillos are one of many puncture resistant tyres; all of these type of tyre are heavy due to their bullet proof construction.
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Ill be commuting about 125 miles a week, is it fine to just use the standards then?
 
janesssssy said:
The Planet X Nanolight has landed! :D looks gorgeous and STUPID light.
Will hopefully have it built up by the weekend. One question though, how do you cut a carbon steerer tube? Any special tools?
Click to expand...

I've got the Park guides for cutting steerer's, then use different hacksaw blades depending on whether it's carbon or metal.

Carbon you need a blade with a higher tooth count, then make sure to avoid getting the dust on your hands or breathing it in once you're done.
 
cork-spotters said:
I'm undecided as to whether I'll go clipless or not. Brain is telling me to go clipless but the wuss in me is afraid of them!
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I was a bit worried too at first, but they are really, really simple. I have my cleats pretty loose, and clipping out is easy and comes to me naturally now.

I agree with PardonTheWait, I find clipping in a bit harder, but I'm pretty used to it now. I have one side flat, one side SPD pedals, which is very convenient :D

---

I feel bad for not cycling for a while, although I've been away on holiday. I'm off to Devon for a few days tomorrow, and hopefully going to go on a few rides around Dartmoor (although sadly not on my own bike) and the local area.

Then...next week... I'm going to try and go for a cycle ride every morning or something. It would be good to put in 20-30 miles before midday, and then progress from there.

Current summer tour is likely to be Canterbury - Bournemouth, although nothing is set in stone yet :)
 
kicks66 said:
Ill be commuting about 125 miles a week, is it fine to just use the standards then?
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Depends really how comfortable you are with fixing a puncture when you may be in a rush to get to work. Also, I'd say where you live/work also has a lot to do with it.

I use Specialized Armadillos on my road bike, which I also commute on. It's pretty much essential in London with the amount of broken glass that's about. I can't actually remember the last time I had a puncture with them now, but when I did it was due to a nail which went all the way through and out the side, nothing was going to stop that.

So they are obviously heavier, and a really a no-brainer when you are relying on a bike for transport. You can always switch them out for any racing or whatever you might do.

As for wet performance, I've had no issues except for when I've hit like a drain cover side on when cornering. This really would be the same with most tyres though.
 
Haven't fell off yet with my new clips so I wouldn't worry that much to be honest.
Getting the damn things clipped IN is more worry-some than un-clipping them.
Look Keo classics on "out of the box" tension settings.
Why they can't design the pedal to sit flat so you can just put your foot on it I don't know, oh no, they design it bloody vertical so you you have to faff with positioning your toe to flick it over first. Cretins
 
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