Road Cycling Essentials

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Obviously it will depend on the circumstances, but it does make sense. In videos i've seen pros say that on a time trial bike you want everything to be at 90 degrees. Torso to be at 90 degrees to your legs, shoulders to be at 90 degrees to your torso, elbows to be at 90 degrees to your shoulders. That way you're exposing the smallest area possible to a headwind.
 
physichull said:
I have the 2013 Defy 1 and its an excellent bike. You won't be disappointed. Can't speak for the Felt. There are some good Planet X bikes for that price range, but its all much of a muchness, so I don't think you'd be disappointed either way.
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Was swinging towards the Giant anyway so good to hear nice feedback. Will give myself a couple more days to check out other options before hitting the button, must be quick though before my wife changes her mind
 
That was a short commute, got taken out by a car. :eek:

http://www.strava.com/activities/210960336

The attitude of the driver was unbelievable though. :mad:
Led on the floor he opens his door and starts blaming me for it, where did i come from and you cyclists are a law unto yourselves etc.

Infact he carried on going, stating such gems as;

I was going to fast (17-18mph according to my Garmin) - like it has anything to do with it.

Where did i come from? - i had a bright yellow top on, 1 steady (quite high powered) and 1 flashing front light.

It was my fault as i should have gave way - its a roundabout and I am coming from his right so my right of way. He disputed this.....really?! Fckin clueless. :eek:

Am i insured for the damage to his car? - No, but see above, pillock, not my fault.

Flashing front lights are illegal. - Really? :rolleyes:


I was actually past the roundabout (opposite the hairdresser Sarah Heaney) when he collected me! So not ON the roundabout. I was also in the right hand lane as thats the straight on (left lane is left turn only) and hence easier to see from his direction (coming from my left). Once through the roundabout i think he was cutting into the right hand lane to turn right at the next roundabout.
No witnesses though, it was 6.10am so not a lot of people about.

To be fair maybe he was shookup and on the defensive, some people get like that i suppose. I can hold my hand up when i do something wrong or make a mistake though. :mad:
He eventually offered me a lift if i needed it but didnt hang about otherwise.

So damaged clothing that is now useless - Castelli Free Aero bib shorts (~£110) and Castelli water proof top (~£40 worth).
Can maybe reuse the Castelli arm and leg warmers as the holes are smaller and could be sewed up.
Bike wise not sure but it seems ok, bit of a click from the rear wheel so worse case is that it is slightly buckled (Planet X A57).

Sore now.
 
Hope you're all right! Seems like a complete tool. It sounds like you gave him enough chance to see you! Especially when no one was around - he just wasn't paying attention it seems.
 
InQ said:
That was a short commute, got taken out by a car. :eek:

http://www.strava.com/activities/210960336

The attitude of the driver was unbelievable though. :mad:
Led on the floor he opens his door and starts blaming me for it, where did i come from and you cyclists are a law unto yourselves etc.

Infact he carried on going, stating such gems as;

I was going to fast (17-18mph according to my Garmin) - like it has anything to do with it.

Where did i come from? - i had a bright yellow top on, 1 steady (quite high powered) and 1 flashing front light.

It was my fault as i should have gave way - its a roundabout and I am coming from his right so my right of way. He disputed this.....really?! Fckin clueless. :eek:

Am i insured for the damage to his car? - No, but see above, pillock, not my fault.

Flashing front lights are illegal. - Really? :rolleyes:


I was actually past the roundabout (opposite the hairdresser Sarah Heaney) when he collected me! So not ON the roundabout. I was also in the right hand lane as thats the straight on (left lane is left turn only) and hence easier to see from his direction (coming from my left). Once through the roundabout i think he was cutting into the right hand lane to turn right at the next roundabout.
No witnesses though, it was 6.10am so not a lot of people about.

To be fair maybe he was shookup and on the defensive, some people get like that i suppose. I can hold my hand up when i do something wrong or make a mistake though. :mad:
He eventually offered me a lift if i needed it but didnt hang about otherwise.

So damaged clothing that is now useless - Castelli Free Aero bib shorts (~£110) and Castelli water proof top (~£40 worth).
Can maybe reuse the Castelli arm and leg warmers as the holes are smaller and could be sewed up.
Bike wise not sure but it seems ok, bit of a click from the rear wheel so worse case is that it is slightly buckled (Planet X A57).

Sore now.
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Glad you're OK , you are right about it could have been worse. I'm about to attempt to get back on my bike this weekend after 4 months off with broken leg. Going to be a long road back to fitness!

Really glad you are OK though :)
 
Saytan said:
you don't need a wheel or cassette provided you're prepared to swap the tyre over every time you want to use the turbo.
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Or be prepared to wear your tyre out a little (like I am) for the convenience until you can afford a new cassette & wheel & tyre!

saitrix said:
So between magnetic turbos what differentiates them? Is it how sturdy the frame is or does the working parts differ in quality a lot?

My local Decathlon has 3 different price range turbos out to try on my exact bike so I will have a go with a magnetic vs a fluid.
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I just spent £300 on a KKRRII and it is very well made, I just made the most of the Wiggle 17% off (that finished last weekend) and I consider it an investment for the future - the second hand market on turbo's is hot at the moment! It's worth asking around your LBS to see if anyones traded one in.

Fluid:Magnetic - Fluid the power curve is smoother, supposedly they wear your tyre less, less noise and feel more 'like the road'.

physichull said:
http://road.cc/content/news/133598-want-ride-faster-hunker-down-hoods

Interesting read^

I tend to cycle more with my forearms as flat as possible and with my fingers round the tops and front of the hoods, adopting more of a TT sort of position and feel like I can go faster.

The article actually states that your aero can be better doing that then going to the drops and ducking your head.
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Very interesting read, I've generally been 'more at home' on my hoods but had several problems with my hands aching - meaning I've found 3 different positions I swap between on longer rides/whenever I ache. I spotted a rider in the ToB with his hands on hoods and copied that, he had the top of the hood more towards the palm of his hands, top 2 fingers over the top of the hood. I'll take a pic later if anyone's interested in trying it.

physichull said:
And, it feels like you are compressing your torso on the drops, not able to get the air into the lungs. Deffo agree, flat forearms and hands as far forward on the hoods is the way to be. Its still safe because you can still reach the brakes comfortably.
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The position I'm talking about is slightly harder to brake harder with, but all it takes is a quick reposition - certainly quicker than riding with hands on the top bar (which I also do). I've got too much belly still so when riding on drops I'm really compressed... I have short legs so can't really put my saddle much/any higher :(
 
InQ said:
I have thought about this.
I dont have his details but have his reg number.
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You should've called the police as soon as he didn't admit liability. With insurance involved after the fact, with no witnesses it'll probably go '50:50' (ie nobody at fault, both liable). :(

Glad you're ok, could've been much worse! I had a car creeping out of a junction last night into traffic, she saw me and stopped/rolled backwards... Then as I'm crossing in front of her she decides she's going! I'm wearing full hi-viz so I sit up, wave my arms and shout "Oi!". If I was travelling any slower she'd have T-boned me!

I usually give drivers the benefit of the doubt (assume they haven't seen me) and don't trust them in the slightest - but those that act like they have AND still do something stupid really boil my blood!
 
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InQ said:
*snip*
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Sounds horrendous and the guy sounds like a massive gimp. Being shook up isn't an excuse to act as he did.

I hope you got his number plate and contact details. Definitely report it. In fact, if he didn't give you his details then he has technically broken the law.

As it was clearly his fault his insurance should pay for all the damage to you and your bike/equipment.

InQ said:
I have thought about this.
I dont have his details but have his reg number.
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Just saw this. That's a shame :/ I would still report it personally - at the very least he should have given you his details. At the end of the day if you let it go it could possibly come to bite you later if he tries it on and reports it as your fault.
 
Dunks said:
I'm assuming you can call the police as you would with a normal RTA? I certainly would have in this case, who knows what else he might do.
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I'm not sure, call 999? Or some non-emergency number? :confused:

I almost forgot, his last words were along the lines of (as he is getting into his car) - 'i'm going, you are being very aggressive'.
Infact i think it was the other way round. The only time i was 'aggressive' was when he kept going on about it being my fault and i told him he better shut up. I was having to explain his claims as i reported in my first post the whole time....he was on the attack and i was on the defence!
 
FrenchTart said:
Just saw this. That's a shame :/ I would still report it personally - at the very least he should have given you his details. At the end of the day if you let it go it could possibly come to bite you later if he tries it on and reports it as your fault.
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Well if i dont report it how is he/his insurance going contact me? He doesnt have my details.
 
InQ said:
Well if i dont report it how is he/his insurance going contact me? He doesnt have my details.
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Look up the non-emergency number for your local police station.

He doesn't have your details but if it is reported by him you could still potentially be tracked down (however unlikely), not to mention that if you later discover something worse (you feel fine now but you could still have serious damage to your body, let alone your bike, that you're not even aware of) it would be a lot easier to move things forward if you've already reported it and all the wheels are already in motion.

touch said:
I dont think the police will care?
They wont usually attend a crash unless the road is blocked or somebody is injured.
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http://www.trafficaccidentadvice.co.uk/what-to-do-if-youre-involved-in-a-road-accident.html
 
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