Road Cycling Essentials

Jonny69 · 2 Dec 2011 at 12:43

After a week with these new gloves I can say they're *ok* but I wouldn't pay £45 (or the £40 on special offer) for them. Nice to wear, but the seams are in the wrong place, which makes them uncomfortable on the bike. The velcro cuff is technically a good idea, but it makes them inconvenient to pull on and off. After just a week, the rougher side of the velcro is already shredding the piping round the edge as well. I'd prefer a glove with a longer cuff instead.

So yeah, I don't rate the Louis Garneau Sotchi much and I want my Gore Windstoppers back...

[DOD]Asprilla · 2 Dec 2011 at 12:48

I'm struggling to find long finger gloves with a decent gel pad.

I've got four pairs of short finger mitts all with nice thick gel padding on the palm and now it's getting nippy I want some full finger gloves (not winter gloves, just something thin that will take the chill off) but I can't find any with a decent gel pad. Why do manufacturers feel what once it gets cold we don't need palm padding any more?

Jonny ///M · 2 Dec 2011 at 14:07

[DOD]Asprilla;20703898 said:
I'm struggling to find long finger gloves with a decent gel pad.

I've got four pairs of short finger mitts all with nice thick gel padding on the palm and now it's getting nippy I want some full finger gloves (not winter gloves, just something thin that will take the chill off) but I can't find any with a decent gel pad. Why do manufacturers feel what once it gets cold we don't need palm padding any more?

Looking at the catalogue just now altura do the pro gel waterproof glove. Water/windproof,reflective trim, progel palm padding. RRP £34.99.

They also do the ergofit windproof glove at the same price but classed as more of a winter glove with a longer cuff.

[DOD]Asprilla · 2 Dec 2011 at 14:15

Funny you should mention them, I've got a pair winging their way to me from Ribble for only £22.49.

Hoping they turn out to be what I've been looking for.

Jonny ///M · 2 Dec 2011 at 14:19

It looks like they should do the job. I'm enjoying my santini ones even though it's a mission to get them off.

I left my neighbours gate today, clipped in and the bike just slide away from me and we both slid about six foot on black ice! What a way to start my journey to work. Now we have halestones....gonna be fun tonight.

Appelhanns · 2 Dec 2011 at 14:54

[DOD]Asprilla;20703898 said:
I'm struggling to find long finger gloves with a decent gel pad.

I've got four pairs of short finger mitts all with nice thick gel padding on the palm and now it's getting nippy I want some full finger gloves (not winter gloves, just something thin that will take the chill off) but I can't find any with a decent gel pad. Why do manufacturers feel what once it gets cold we don't need palm padding any more?

Could try some of those inner type silk glover underneath your fingerless if the Altura don't work out.

And just in case any of you needed something to brighten up the dark cold winter days...

(It's not quite a luminescent in real life

)

Saundie · 2 Dec 2011 at 15:24

I suppose you never have to worry about it being stolen

They are nice bikes, even in that colour

Appelhanns · 2 Dec 2011 at 15:35

Haha, it was the last pink one from a batch so I got it for around 45% off. Couldn't say no!

It's also a safety measure so nobody can use the "I didn't see you" excuse!

Streeteh · 2 Dec 2011 at 17:42

My new baby, apologies for the flash:

Running with 23mm specialized tyres, apparently they're their most puncture proof slicks, think they're the 'all season elites'. Very grippy in the dry, yet to see what happens in the wet.

I'm really pleased with it, but i'm also terrified of it. Took me a while to get used to drop handles and I was halfway down my first downhill section when i realized I hadn't figured out how to downshift yet! The steering is also stupidly responsive compared to what i used to have, if i twitch even slightly I go flying off in one direction, it's crazy. I took it really easy, wasn't even out of breath when i arrived home whereas when i had my old bike i always gave it 100%, however i seem to have knocked 45 seconds off of my best time without even trying, and i got stuck at the lights.

While I'm terrified of it, i also can't wait to use it again.

burtie · 2 Dec 2011 at 18:02

Looks awesome Streeteh, have loads of pain and fun with it

Streeteh · 2 Dec 2011 at 18:04

Cheers. One of the things i'm most excited about is that a evil MTBer that i work with has challenged me to some offroad stuff as he's adamant it won't be able to handle it. Apparently it's not rocky or anything so I have plenty of faith it will be capable, just chuck the 35mm CX tyres on and away i go.

Hoping to whoop him on the up-hills!

One More Solo · 2 Dec 2011 at 18:26

[DOD]Asprilla;20703898 said:
I'm struggling to find long finger gloves with a decent gel pad.

I've got four pairs of short finger mitts all with nice thick gel padding on the palm and now it's getting nippy I want some full finger gloves (not winter gloves, just something thin that will take the chill off) but I can't find any with a decent gel pad. Why do manufacturers feel what once it gets cold we don't need palm padding any more?

I was in winter gloves and merino glove liners today and still had freezing hands by the time I got in to work, I have such crap circulation.

Fuzz · 2 Dec 2011 at 19:15

New website has been launched for reporting bad driving.

http://www.stop-smidsy.org.uk/report

encephalopathy · 2 Dec 2011 at 20:47

my latest upgrade - it just works - the rear of the bike feels smooth now whatever the surface and it doesn't bob unless you hit a huge bump. it has fixed the low back pain i was getting after 12-15 miles on most cycles. downsides - cost, aesthetics,and my top peak saddle bag doesn't fit anymore - need to find a shorter one
cane creek thudbuster

George Hincapie · 2 Dec 2011 at 21:23

Osian said:

Please tell me you have a fufu and not a dinkle! :eek:

George Hincapie · 2 Dec 2011 at 21:27

encephalopathy said:
It has fixed the low back pain i was getting after 12-15 miles on most cycles.

I used to get a similar pain, it was caused by riding a bike with too short a head tube for my flexibility.

Appelhanns · 2 Dec 2011 at 21:51

George Hincapie said:
Please tell me you have a fufu and not a dinkle!

Quite comfortable with my dinkle thanks.

Can you not handle the levels of masculinity a colour like pink brings?

George Hincapie · 2 Dec 2011 at 22:06

Osian said:
Can you not handle the levels of masculinity a colour like pink brings?

No. Is that bad?

I did consider buying a pink Rapha jersey once, but then I gave my head a shake

encephalopathy · 2 Dec 2011 at 22:18

George Hincapie said:
I used to get a similar pain, it was caused by riding a bike with too short a head tube for my flexibility.

i have already changed the stem to an adjustable one and made it angled more upright. lower down hurt my back and also my beer belly gets in the way.....

next question - how do i find out what diameter steerer/forks i have? halfords don't have any specific info. i suspect they are 1'1/8"

Jonny ///M · 2 Dec 2011 at 22:27

That thudbuster must move somewhat If you spin flat out or push hard?

Commuting in the rain/wind again today - Road bikes bring a lot of suffering. It's a good spell getting a tailwind or getting on the drops at 40mph on a hill but riding into a gale force wind with massive gusts from the side and heavy rain/sleat is bloody awful but I love it...

It felt weird for me moving to a road bike too streeteh due to the geometry changes. It won't be long before you've tamed it and throwing it around as you would usually do. 23c tyres have a suprisingly high level of grip so probably will be your confidence limiting your cornering speed rather than the tyre. The brakes being quite a bit less powerful than hydraulic dics was also a big shock but you have good discs so yay!

Just a few simple questions here as we had the Raleigh rep in today trying to get us to be a Raleigh road bike dealer.

What is the most you'd ever spend on a Raleigh road bike if you were to be in the market for one?
Is the brand taken seriously in the road bike sector?
If a Felt was the same price as the Raleigh for the same spec what would it come down to?

£550 Raleigh = alloy frame/alloy,2300 gearing,tektro brakes
£650 Raleigh = alloy frame/carbon fork,full sora gearing, tektro brakes.
£650 Felt = alloy frame/carbon fork,sora mechs,microshift shifters,tektro brakes

Road Cycling Essentials

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