Road Cycling Essentials

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BennyC said:
So this was interesting.

Made it up to the final 6 sprints @ 90/95% max HR which should have been 185BPM (based on a 220bpm - 25 (age) )
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As pointed out by others, that number is meaningless - mine is around 210. %age zones vary between individuals as well which confuses things further!

BennyC said:
I took my Resting Heart Rate earlier in the week which came back at 38/39 BPM, perhaps my max HR is not as high as I think? I have done a lot of HIIT work on rowers/prowlers etc in the past (and despite very little cardio the intensity of my lifting is quite aerobic) or my lactate threshold is just not conditioned for cycling (believe me I can handle high volume & intense leg workouts) but this is a different kettle of fish for me with sustained lactate.
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Resting heart rate isn't related to Max HR

BennyC said:
I will wear my HRM for some working sets in the gym and see how my heart rate compares...
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Probably not going to be very helpful - You need to do a ramp test or similar on the bike and then use that as a starting point
 
Had my first Cat 4 race of the year yesterday at Hillingdon. The weather turned out just about ok but pretty cold, and was shivering before the start. Only my second cat 4 race, so wanted to just work on sitting in the bunch, holding my line and generally getting round the circuit. The last time I raced I could barely keep touch with the bunch (several years ago) but I was sat in pretty comfortably this time. There was quite a wind at points, so the group was slowing and surging quite a bit based on the wind, which provided some good opportunities for getting a run on the bunch. Wanted to see what it would be like if I made some attacks so had a few cracks, but ended being pretty suicidal, nobody else seemed to want to work together (see below!)

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Recovered and sat back in the bunch for the second half, then got too excited at the end and thought I could go for a solo last lap for the win. I think this just showed my naivety and inexperience, got caught again during the corners at which point I was pretty much spent so finished mid pack.

Might have worked if a) I hadn't expended all my energy on all the other digs and b) I could take those last couple of corners better.

Lots of things learnt, that I can work on, so hopefully do much better next time and actually get a placing.
 
Saytan said:
Quando are not good hubs. Even a basic Shimano Sora or similar is a better hub
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Ok, I thought as much. How about novatec? They're alright, aren't they? I'm looking at a set of single speed wheels and I can get a set on eBay with no name rims on novatec hubs with a 16t freewheel on one side and a 16t fixed on the other for £85, which seems awfully cheap. It's that or I pay more like £130 for some Miche track xpress wheels and buy a freewheel on top, or I pay more for weinmann dp18 rims on miche hubs for like £170 from Planet X.
 
Vonhelmet said:
Ok, I thought as much. How about novatec? They're alright, aren't they? I'm looking at a set of single speed wheels and I can get a set on eBay with no name rims on novatec hubs with a 16t freewheel on one side and a 16t fixed on the other for £85, which seems awfully cheap. It's that or I pay more like £130 for some Miche track xpress wheels and buy a freewheel on top, or I pay more for weinmann dp18 rims on miche hubs for like £170 from Planet X.
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I've used a nova tech F272 10-speed campag hub through 2 hard winters with barely a grumble. YMMV.
 
Another glorious day in the sunshine today, although never really warm enough to take off my arm and leg warmers! Managed a nice gentle imperial century! Went out with a couple who were on the sky thing, so was niced to have some company for the last time this week :P

https://www.strava.com/activities/242899200

Think I'm going to mount a challenge on Sa Calobre tomorrow and hopefully see Wiggo!
 
I'm back in research mode for my new bike which WILL be happening this year (late March / early April to be precise) after a few upsets with work put it on hold last year.

So at the moment I'm considering two main things - frame type and groupset.

Firstly the frame - I'm looking for something that covers miles a bit quicker than my hybrid but I'm not that concerned with all out pace. I'm not looking to spend a fortune (budget TBC) so carbon is out so that leaves me with steel or aluminium. I'm thinking that a steel frame with a relaxed geometry might be a good bet?

Secondly the groupset - Using ball park figures Claris or Sora seem to be the ones I should be pitching for but what is the deal with Microshift? I was having a look at the Mango road bike today which seems quite keenly priced and comes with a Microshift R9 groupset. Will this cause a problem?

Basically I'm looking for an enjoyable ride with good pace over my hybrid rather than a full on speedster. Another factor I should probably mention is that I'll keep my hybrid as a winter/wet bike as it is already decked out with mudguards etc. but ultimately (I.E When it needs major components replacing) the hybrid will go and I'll have one do it all bike so it must have mud guard mounts.

Any opinions would be great :)
 
So considering I haven't been out on a road bike ride since start of September I am looking at trying to get fitness back, so far I have done rides on my mountain bike up to 34km plus a few turbo sessions but without any real direction. I am looking at getting a HRM for the Garmin to let me use that to ensure I am in the correct zone and I am looking at mainly doing it on the turbo at first. What do you guys suggest I do as there just seems to be so many different plans available online!
 
lordrobs said:
I'm back in research mode for my new bike which WILL be happening this year (late March / early April to be precise) after a few upsets with work put it on hold last year.

So at the moment I'm considering two main things - frame type and groupset.

Firstly the frame - I'm looking for something that covers miles a bit quicker than my hybrid but I'm not that concerned with all out pace. I'm not looking to spend a fortune (budget TBC) so carbon is out so that leaves me with steel or aluminium. I'm thinking that a steel frame with a relaxed geometry might be a good bet?

Secondly the groupset - Using ball park figures Claris or Sora seem to be the ones I should be pitching for but what is the deal with Microshift? I was having a look at the Mango road bike today which seems quite keenly priced and comes with a Microshift R9 groupset. Will this cause a problem?

Basically I'm looking for an enjoyable ride with good pace over my hybrid rather than a full on speedster. Another factor I should probably mention is that I'll keep my hybrid as a winter/wet bike as it is already decked out with mudguards etc. but ultimately (I.E When it needs major components replacing) the hybrid will go and I'll have one do it all bike so it must have mud guard mounts.

Any opinions would be great :)
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Good steel isn't cheap, you're looking at minimum £500-600 if there happens to be a good deal in your size. It sounds like you really want a cross bike, something like a Charge Plug 3, but that too would drive the price up compared to a normal road bike too.

At the absolute bottom end, around £300, there will be compromises. Microshift levers being one of them. They'll get the job done, and if you've never tried anything else you probably wouldn't complain, but compared to low end Shimano shifters most people find they feel a lot mushier and less durable. Around £400 will probably get you a decent quality aluminium frame, carbon fork and Claris/Sora groupset. £50 more and you're looking at high end frames like the CAAD8 or Allez with Claris, and beyond that it's really just better groupsets, maybe slightly better wheels.

This post rounds up what's available around £400 right now, will probably change by the time you buy. Feel free to ask again closer to the time, but keep an eye on HUKD and definitely, definitely go to a local bike shop to try some of these out to see how they actually feel to you.

PermaBanned said:
Looks alright by Halford's standards, but i'd sooner recommend... anything else. For 52-54cm, and for 56-58cm. Can go cheaper if you're okay with Microshift shifters, for example this Mekk (R500 wheels are pretty amazing for the price) or the Triban 500SE. Or wait for something better to come along, or see if you can get something better used.
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tomorrow looks quite cold.. possibly the coldest it's been here in london! my gloves wont do sadly.. will have to take a warmed yet torn pair ha.
 
Couple of laps of the Mount tonight. Super tough on the steep bit! Not far off my best, but it hurt a lot!

Gear shifting in a couple of gears has become a little tardy recently, decided to replace the cables, then the cassette and chain if required, the only cassette has done maybe 6-8k but I have been changing chains regularly.

Going to do the cables myself, ordered the Jagwire kit and the park tool for cutting them. I already have some cable cutters that would probably do the job, but don't want to have to wait another 10 days if I have to order them as mine don't do the job neatly enough.

Wrapping the bar tape seems to be more difficult to get neat for a beginner, if I make a hash of it I'll take it to the LBS.
 
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