Road Cycling Essentials

touch · 2 Sep 2011 at 23:28

ChrissyT88 said:
Am I right in thinking that the carbon forks (and the frame for that matter) are going to be pretty tough?

Carbon is a lot stronger than you think. I have a full carbon frame and it's taken some pretty big hits with no problems (and i'm not light at 14stone).

[DOD]Asprilla · 3 Sep 2011 at 06:58

If you want to reassure yourself then look up some footage of Paris-Roubaix or some of the other Spring Classics; 200 miles of cobbles will tell you all you need to know about carbon forks.

Besides they do MTBs out of carbon these days.

[DOD]Asprilla · 3 Sep 2011 at 11:53

Anyone looking for winter boots? I just got some Diadora Chili Extremes from Merlin for £40 and the look and feel the business. The fit three bolt cleats.

InsomniaCalls · 3 Sep 2011 at 17:59

[DOD]Asprilla;19983252 said:
Anyone looking for winter boots? I just got some Diadora Chili Extremes from Merlin for £40 and the look and feel the business. The fit three bolt cleats.

I assume you haven't had a chance to face some extreme weather with them yet? Wondering how water resistant they are.

[DOD]Asprilla · 3 Sep 2011 at 19:45

Recommended to me by a chap on the east coast of Scotland who says they are water resistant enough when coupled with mudguards. I figure if anyone knows about rain and cold it's the Scots.

Reason I bought them was because of the built in gaiters. My ankles are small and water flows straight in the top of my other boots.

InsomniaCalls · 3 Sep 2011 at 19:49

[DOD]Asprilla;19986239 said:
Recommended to me by a chap on the east coast of Scotland who says they are water resistant enough when coupled with mudguards. I figure if anyone knows about rain and cold it's the Scots.

Reason I bought them was because of the built in gaiters. My ankles are small and water flows straight in the top of my other boots.

Cool, cheers. Now...to convince the wife I need yet more stuff.

[DOD]Asprilla · 3 Sep 2011 at 19:54

I find it easier to ask forgiveness than permission.....

InsomniaCalls · 3 Sep 2011 at 19:57

Good point. Did you follow the Merlin advice of going 2 sizes above your shoe size?

[DOD]Asprilla · 3 Sep 2011 at 20:12

I only went one size up for a couple of reasons. My feet are narrow and I remove the insoles so I can use my own orthotics which are 3/4 length. Gives me a bit more room at the toe end.

Tr Insanity · 3 Sep 2011 at 20:46

Has anyone had experience with buying cheap carbon components from China?

Considering purchasing some carbon forks, but a bit dubious about the quality.

[DOD]Asprilla · 3 Sep 2011 at 21:10

There is a massive thread on Bike Radar that will answer every question that you have. Multiple folks have bought there and the thread gives details of what they bought, who from and what they thought. It's in the road / buying advice forum.

One More Solo · 3 Sep 2011 at 22:18

Does anyone have a guide on servicing the bearings in a GXP bottom bracket?

touch · 3 Sep 2011 at 23:15

Tr Insanity said:
Has anyone had experience with buying cheap carbon components from China?

I got some carbon wheels from a chinese seller on ebay. Took about 6 weeks to arrive, but he said that he was having trouble with his supplier and it didnt usually take that long.

Wheels look fairly well built, had a good look over them when they arrived and couldnt see any obvious defects. I only use them for races so they have only been on my bike for about 100 miles so far. Tbh, i wasnt expecting them to be great, but i havnt had any problems with them. Hit a fairly big pothole during the race but they still run perfectly true.

I read as many forum threads about chinese stuff as i could before i bought them, theres lots of info out there. People say that you can get better prices on alibaba if your careful. I chose ebay for a bit more security tho.

Tr Insanity · 4 Sep 2011 at 21:44

touch said:
I got some carbon wheels from a chinese seller on ebay. Took about 6 weeks to arrive, but he said that he was having trouble with his supplier and it didnt usually take that long.

Wheels look fairly well built, had a good look over them when they arrived and couldnt see any obvious defects. I only use them for races so they have only been on my bike for about 100 miles so far. Tbh, i wasnt expecting them to be great, but i havnt had any problems with them. Hit a fairly big pothole during the race but they still run perfectly true.

I read as many forum threads about chinese stuff as i could before i bought them, theres lots of info out there. People say that you can get better prices on alibaba if your careful. I chose ebay for a bit more security tho.

[DOD]Asprilla;19986833 said:
There is a massive thread on Bike Radar that will answer every question that you have. Multiple folks have bought there and the thread gives details of what they bought, who from and what they thought. It's in the road / buying advice forum.

Thanks for the replies! In the end I decided to stay away from China stuff at the moment, got a Specialized carbon/alloy steerer fork 2nd hand in (seemingly) near perfect condition fairly cheap.

willems · 5 Sep 2011 at 11:37

thinking of moving over to a proper road shoe and pedal set up. currently got standard spd and my left knee is giving me some problems. looking at possibly the look route with the red cleat for increased float buy dont know about shoes. any pointers? shimano spd sl is also an option

platypus · 5 Sep 2011 at 11:40

You can only really get shoes based on if they fit your feet. Eg I have both Sidis and Shimanos, but I know plenty of people that can't wear Sidis because they are too narrow a shoe.

Plus sizings, as usual, differ from manufacturer to manufacturer.

willems · 5 Sep 2011 at 12:24

i might try to avoid sidi as they are a bit steep. what pedals do you use?

6thElement · 5 Sep 2011 at 12:52

One More Solo said:
Does anyone have a guide on servicing the bearings in a GXP bottom bracket?

Should be similar to this:
http://forums.mtbr.com/drivetrain-s...bottom-bracket-service-guide-pics-497220.html

[DOD]Asprilla · 5 Sep 2011 at 13:14

willems said:
thinking of moving over to a proper road shoe and pedal set up. currently got standard spd and my left knee is giving me some problems. looking at possibly the look route with the red cleat for increased float buy dont know about shoes. any pointers? shimano spd sl is also an option

If you've got a decent bit shop near you they may do a shoe fitting which could involve adjusting your foot angle inside the shoe with shims such as these. It could be something like that which is causing your pain rather than just the shoes or the cleats.

platypus · 5 Sep 2011 at 13:26

willems said:
i might try to avoid sidi as they are a bit steep. what pedals do you use?

look keo.