Road Cycling Essentials

[Hamster]

If you're talking about having the bars torqued up and things done properly, then I would think having the headset pressed in and the pedals torqued up would come under that as well?

On reflection, I should have added a few quid onto that estimate! The headset shouldn't need pressing and my comment about torquing is that the only thing on my own bike I would prefer a torque wrench when doing those few tasks is for the stem and cap bolts. I guess to do the job in a strict proper fashion would be to follow every single torque setting but i doubt many mechanics would do that; i may be wrong though!

 

[Jonny ///M]

Torque wrench comes out for cassette lockrings, crank bolts/shimano pinch bolts,stem and seat clamps.

I don't check my seat clamp or stem though. Id say I've got a good feel for it, touch wood,and I've saw snaps happen most whilst using a torque wrench.

 

[clv101]

Tempted to update my frame and groupset, I've been on my current frame and SRAM Force since 2007.

It's replacement frame and new Force groupset would cost just under £1000...

Why not get a decent custom steel frame made, then you'll never have to buy another frame again.

 

[Faded]

Just £20?! I was expecting more in the £100 range. This is certainly something i'll consider as i'm getting a boardman, just waiting for my bloomin employer to sort out cycle2work.

What Boardman are you getting?
Make sure you let me know if you do go down the 'buying it boxed route' and how it turns out, or how Halfords effort is if they put it together.

I'm not sure if the C2W thing is worth doing anymore with the change to the policy last year. I'll just use an online discount code saving 10% and then pay it off over 10 months on a 0% credit card.

 

[Edinho]

I use goretex skiing gloves for the commute. Far cheaper, warmer, and you wont be bothered when you fall on the ice. tbh ive found all cycling gloves practically useless in temperatures in the minus figures.

 

[Streeteh]

What Boardman are you getting?
Make sure you let me know if you do go down the 'buying it boxed route' and how it turns out, or how Halfords effort is if they put it together.

I'm not sure if the C2W thing is worth doing anymore with the change to the policy last year. I'll just use an online discount code saving 10% and then pay it off over 10 months on a 0% credit card.

I'll be getting the Team CX. I think it is still worth doing as they deduct the value before you pay tax on your wages, this can still result in a saving that outstrips most online discounts. When speaking to Halfords they claimed it was still possible to save up to 30% depending on how much you're paid.

For me it's just the convenience of paying it off over 12 months, any savings are a bonus.

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

Why not get a decent custom steel frame made, then you'll never have to buy another frame again.

There is a difference between 'have too' and 'want to'.

Theoretically, as of next week I will have all the bikes I need to cover all my requirements. Doesn't mean I'm not going to buy a new one next year.

Platypus buys a new one every year.

 

[touch]

Theoretically, as of next week I will have all the bikes I need to cover all my requirements.

Wrong. The correct number of bikes to own is N + 1 where N = number currently owned.

 

[platypus]

There is a difference between 'have too' and 'want to'.

Theoretically, as of next week I will have all the bikes I need to cover all my requirements. Doesn't mean I'm not going to buy a new one next year.

Platypus buys a new one every year.

The amount I've spent on bikes would have been a reasonable house deposit .





But I like it .

 

[Russinating]

What are the benefits of long legged bibs over leg warmers and visa versa? Within a minute of cycling yesterday my left leg warmer slipped down but I think that's because I had the bottom tucked under my heal so my foot was pulling it down as it was fine after left.

Probably tucked up warm this morning. The trouble with a short route is you don't have time to warm up properly by cycling and it takes longer to get dressed and undressed in the winter than the journey actually does. Wore my souvenir TdF neck gaiter as well which worked a treat, especially on the ears.

 

[platypus]

What are the benefits of long legged bibs over leg warmers and visa versa? Within a minute of cycling yesterday my left leg warmer slipped down but I think that's because I had the bottom tucked under my heal so my foot was pulling it down as it was fine after left.

Same advantage of bib shorts over normal shorts I guess, the bib aspect helps them stay in place. Leg warmers are easier to take off should you overheat.

I happen to wear leg warmers under my bib shorts, because I feel the cold..

 

[Streeteh]

What Boardman are you getting?
Make sure you let me know if you do go down the 'buying it boxed route' and how it turns out, or how Halfords effort is if they put it together.

Just spoke to a Halfords employee. Apparently they will supply a bike in the box, you just have to ask at point of purchase. They do not offer any discount as the build is a 'complimentary service' as opposed to being part of the cost of purchase.

My local bike builder has agreed to build the bike if supplied in the box for a flat fee of £60 which i feel is acceptable seeing as its them or Halfords.

 

[CGrieves]

Wrong. The correct number of bikes to own is N + 1 where N = number currently owned.

Hehe, actual coffee spitting occured

A colleague added a caveat to that equation:

"there is a limiting factor to n+1. this is s-1

s being the number of bikes required for your wife to leave you"

 

[Jonny69]

Frickin hands were FREEZING this morning with no gloves!

Was in t-shirt with long-sleeve lycra top and lycra tights with long shorts over the top. Cold when I left but good after about 5 minutes. Damn cold at the station though, even with a fleece and buff added

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

Wrong. The correct number of bikes to own is N + 1 where N = number currently owned.

You'll notice I caveated it with 'theoretically'. Am currently sailing very close to S-1.

However, there is a CX bike somewhere with my name written all over it.

 

[Faded]

I'll be getting the Team CX. I think it is still worth doing as they deduct the value before you pay tax on your wages, this can still result in a saving that outstrips most online discounts. When speaking to Halfords they claimed it was still possible to save up to 30% depending on how much you're paid.

For me it's just the convenience of paying it off over 12 months, any savings are a bonus.

Would the 'CX' be a better alternative to the 'Race' on London roads or do you think the 'Race' would cope okay?

I've still got 7 months left interest free on my credit card so was going to do it that way paying £585 total for the bike. Although I'm still undecided on if I will do it now or wait until after christmas when the weather picks up a bit.

Just spoke to a Halfords employee. Apparently they will supply a bike in the box, you just have to ask at point of purchase. They do not offer any discount as the build is a 'complimentary service' as opposed to being part of the cost of purchase.

My local bike builder has agreed to build the bike if supplied in the box for a flat fee of £60 which i feel is acceptable seeing as its them or Halfords.

That's not a bad price considering you get the assurance that its completely built correctly and safely. I wonder if any of the big chains will offer this service and how much they would charge.

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

The race will be fine for London but a lot of folks like a CX for when it snows. However, it depends where you are commuting in London, roads are always cleared in London, it's really just those of us who commute to London from further out that have to worry.

 

[Russinating]

Where should I look to get a fitting for my existing bike from? I just rang a local cycle works place and theirs is £120 which is more than I was hoping! Do chains like Evans do them for existing bikes (ie not as a pre-sale)?

 

[Faded]

The race will be fine for London but a lot of folks like a CX for when it snows. However, it depends where you are commuting in London, roads are always cleared in London, it's really just those of us who commute to London from further out that have to worry.

Yeah I thought the Race would be okay

Streeteh, just rung my LBS who quoted £20 to build the bike out of a box and Cycle Surgery quoted £30.

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

A proper fitting takes about 3-4 hours and will include follow-up sessions. I think I paid £100 for mine, but up to £150 isn't unheard of dependent upon the system they use (eyeball and feel vs 3d modelling and power monitoring).

When you are coming down to adjustment of around 2mm designed to avoid injury, relieve aches and increase power output then it's worth going to a pro rather than a chain.