Road Cycling Essentials

Status
Not open for further replies.
Cycled to work in my first base layer this morning with a t-shirt over the top. Made a hell of a difference really, very comfortable and warm whilst not being sweat-inducing. I've never bothered with one before, as previously I have stopped cycling to work around this time of year. I'm determined to stop only at snow and ice this time though and carry on cycling though the season.

I got this dhb one for £20 from Wiggle:

WTlWr.jpg
 
Jonny69 said:
Nice looking bike; wouldn't mind building something like that at some point. Not sure about the crows feet spoke lacing though.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I've got the frame, just need to get the rest and get my arse in gear. Also, any idea where I can pick up some vintage racing team decals (Peugeot)?

Oh no, sale on Castelli gear at Ribble. Wish I'd left my cards at home now.
 
Last edited:
Could somebody explain tyre tubes to me in the way they would a simpleton? There's all sorts of measurements that make no sense to me. I'm thinking of replacing the default tyres on a CX to some slicker ones for commuting, i can then swap back to the offroad tyres when i plan to go on an outing. The tyres i was looking at are:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=32825

The bike comes with 700x35 tyres as standard so it should fit. What sort of tube will i need as a backup in case of a flat? Also, would i need to replace the existing tubes to 'go with' the above tyres, or will the existing ones be fine? (I ask this as i assume road tyres need a higher pressure than CX, so wondering if the tubes can handle that extra pressure)
 
Last edited:
If you are getting the 700x35 city jets then you don't need to change the tubes. If you are getting the 700x28 city jets then you'll need to check what size tubes you have.

Tubes come with measurements like 700x21-25 where 21 is the min tyre size it will fit and 25 is the largest.
 
Just received the GoPro Ride HERO I ordered and the thing is absolutely useless! Bolts are ridiculously short which means it won't attach to anywhere on my bike, and it doesn't come with any rubber spacers so scratching and movement is probably highly likely.

Going to have to source some longer bolts from my local hardware place and try and scab some rubber off some old lights or something.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;20396372 said:
If you are getting the 700x35 city jets then you don't need to change the tubes. If you are getting the 700x28 city jets then you'll need to check what size tubes you have.

Tubes come with measurements like 700x21-25 where 21 is the min tyre size it will fit and 25 is the largest.
Click to expand...

Brilliant, thanks!

So am i right in thinking the 40mm (presta) variant of this will do the trick:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=58742
 
Streeteh said:
So am i right in thinking the 40mm (presta) variant of this will do the trick:
Click to expand...
The 40mm refers to the length of the valve stem. They are 700x35 tubes so will fit 700c wheels (normal road bike size) with tyres 35mm wide.
The only time you would need to worry about the length of the valve stem is if you have deep aero rims of something and shorter valves wont poke all the way through.
 
Last edited:
Holy Moly!

Somewhat ironically, whilst looking at tyre tubes etc, there was a loud bang and a hiss from the corridor behind me. Scared the bejeebus out of me! Turns out the Schrader valve on the tube of my current bike burst out of the tube causing it to deflate instantly.

Strange seeing as it was inflated to 60PSI, when the tyre is meant to be run at 40-65. Guess it's just getting old.
 
Last edited:
Have any of you chaps got a recommendation for a turbo trainer? I have full guards (SKS) on my Winter bike, but am thinking about getting a turbo for those days when it's too icy/crap to go out.

Budget up to £300.

TIA.
 
I got a spinning bike on ebay.
I like it much better than my turbo.
Its a lot more solid than a turbo for doing sprints, easier than strapping a bike in and out of it each time you want to ride outside and it doesnt eat tyres.
Downsides are that it takes up a lot of space and it weighs a lot so its difficult to move.
 
touch said:
I got a spinning bike on ebay.
I like it much better than my turbo.
Its a lot more solid than a turbo for doing sprints, easier than strapping a bike in and out of it each time you want to ride outside and it doesnt eat tyres.
Downsides are that it takes up a lot of space and it weighs a lot so its difficult to move.
Click to expand...

That's something to consider, thanks.

I'll have a look around. We use Nordic Track spinning bikes at our work gym.
 
Hehe been reading London Fixed-gear and Single-speed... What a bunch of pretentious knob heads... I don't think I've ever read anything quite as grating in a seriously long time and that's even taking the Apple threads on OcUK into account! :p
 
Re the turbo trainers we usually sell quite a few different cyclops ones but the minoura rim drive has been quite popular aswell as it runs on the rim it is really quiet compared to other turbos.

Means it can be used with any bike/tyre combo too.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom