Road Cycling Essentials

[Jonny ///M]

No PRs for me tonight. Took a detour on the way home but my rear light decided to be dead, the rain came on and I felt like a slug going over the eaglesham moor.

http://app.strava.com/activities/71250048

 

[uniQ]

Couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon the site of someone who makes models of bicycles out of recycled metals, contacted to see if they were taking orders and sent him a pic of the R5, just got these emailed through this morning

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

Saddle isn't level.

 

[uniQ]

^ Thanks for that. That was worth posting them for.

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

Sorry! I was joking! It's the standard BR response to any picture of a bike.

They are very impressive. How big is it?

 

[uniQ]

Yeah I know. But that's the sort of jibe I expect from touch

I think he said they're 4" 1/2 by 2" or thereabouts.

Just noticed he even got the vroomen white design on the chain stay

 

[ArmoVanBuuren]

In the market for a new par of cycling shoes, any good deals around? My Budget is around £80 max but would prefer lower.

 

[platypus]

You're probably looking at DHB/Shimano then.

 

[ArmoVanBuuren]

Thanks

Do you recommend any models of shoes in my budget?

Look at these at present: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/northwave-fighter-sbs-2013/rp-prod78826

 

[Tobeornottobe]

Got my wheels I won in the bikeradar competition through today! So much lighter than my current planet x carbon clinchers. Currently got some really lightweight vittoria crono cs tubs on them at the moment which I'm stretching to use as spares during my ironman race this weekend

Think I might change them for continental as I much prefer the black on black tape and tyre.

What is going on with the chain?

 

[One More Solo]

That'll be because there appears to be no cassette on the wheel.

 

[Berger]

Yay, quiet bike!

Dropped it off at my LBS this morning, picked up at the end of the day.

Headset needed a touch of grease and TLC. Lovely and quiet now, any problems just drop it back with them. Great service. I asked about some GP4000s, he told me that he buys them at cost for $15 more than you can buy them online for! He sells Bontranger as obviously they are Trek owned, not sure how good/bad they are and I'm not desperate for tyres so passed for now.

Had a natter about the 2014 Treks too, looking at the upper end of a 4 or lower end of a 5 series bike....

 

[Nexus]

I ordered a new GP4000S for my rear wheel yesterday. I've not even done that many miles on the tyre, maybe like 400-500 and the sidewall has a little nick and bulge in it. A search seems to reveal that a lot of people have sidewall issues with them, which sort of spoils it being the otherwise perfect tyre.

They are supposed to be exhibiting at the Ride London show, so think I might have a word with them about it and what kind of warranty there is for defects.

 

[platypus]

Couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon the site of someone who makes models of bicycles out of recycled metals, contacted to see if they were taking orders and sent him a pic of the R5, just got these emailed through this morning

Can you share the link? Quite interested in them myself.

 

[platypus]

Thanks

Do you recommend any models of shoes in my budget?

Look at these at present: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/northwave-fighter-sbs-2013/rp-prod78826

I can't I'm afraid as I've never bought a shoe in that budget range, plus I would never recommend a type of shoe because everyone's feet are different. However, one piece of advice I can give is go to a shop and get fitted, your feet will thank you for it.

Things to consider:

Width - front part of the shoe especially, not too much extra space but you'll need some as the feet will swell a bit on longer rides.

Length - You don't need a large amount of space like you would in walking/running shoes, just a few mm. And if they're too long it will effect optimal cleat positioning.

Heel fit - should be nice and secure.

Fastenings - need to choose these based on your own foot and what is most comfortable, eg buckle or velcro strap (Velcro is significantly less adjustable but cheaper).

 

[Vonhelmet]

Shoes - if buying shimano, buy a size too big. I'm size 9, 43 European. I have to wear 44 shimano shoes. Even then they're narrow, but then I do have absurdly wide feet.

 

[Kimi]

I ordered a new GP4000S for my rear wheel yesterday. I've not even done that many miles on the tyre, maybe like 400-500 and the sidewall has a little nick and bulge in it. A search seems to reveal that a lot of people have sidewall issues with them, which sort of spoils it being the otherwise perfect tyre.

They are supposed to be exhibiting at the Ride London show, so think I might have a word with them about it and what kind of warranty there is for defects.

Be interested to know about this too, i had a side wall go on me, had a big slice in it and had to bin the tyre, was pretty new too my friend also had a wall go on his 4000s, but that was repairable with a patch to the inside.

Saying that, all together we have probably done 1500-2000ish miles on our GP4000s combined and thats been the only problem.

 

[One More Solo]

The "only" problem with the GP4000s is sidewall failure that makes you bin the tyre at <2000 miles?!

 

[Nexus]

I don't think mine is too bad yet, its just with doing a big sportive, I'm trying to take as much doubt out of my mind about kit problems. Will fit the new tyre and try and warranty the old one so I've got a replacement down the line.

 

[Kimi]

The "only" problem with the GP4000s is sidewall failure that makes you bin the tyre at <2000 miles?!

No, thats just the only problem ive had out of all the GP4000s tyres that ive run, could have just been unlucky and happened to any tyre. For sure tho, they are great tyres.