Road Cycling Essentials

Roady · 9 Feb 2015 at 11:49

tedmaul said:
Both tests actually take 1 hour in total as theres warm up/down sections. Tbh either test is going to really hurt, but if you've never done one the 8 main test is maybe a bit easier to deal with mentally.

Keep in mind though that for the eight minutes test you have 2 x 8mins to do, whereas the 20min test is just one single effort.

Ahh ok, I had wrongly assumed the '8 min' test was shorter than the '20 min'! (like 35/40 mins or so). I'm fully expecting it to hurt, which is probably why I'm delaying it... :rolleyes:

My half 'endurance' training sessions I did over the weekend were my first real attempts at holding my effort - I've only really before held my cadence which of course is much easier!

Thanks for the info and insight!

FrenchTart said:
I don't have the race blades any more I'm afraid. After destroying the paint on one of my bikes and rubbing really badly on another I threw them away

Ah not to worry, if I get really sick of clanging over every bump :rolleyes:

I'll fit the roadracers...

janp said:
It took a lot of energy keeping up on the flats, but no problems on the climbs. We did a climb "Old Winchester Hill", that I've heard people talking about before, but never tried it myself. It's about 4 miles only averaging 2% gradient overall, but it spiked to around 11-15% at times. My perfect kind of hill, really really enjoyed climbing it. Certainly a spot I intend to re-visit during the summer.

<snip>

Desperate to get out on a ride again today, have really re-caught the cycling bug again, but I'm stuck at work. Although cream cakes today as it's my birthday The family will want to celebrate later, but I'll try and do 30mins on the turbo.

Sounds like the perfect training partner - someone to push you! I'm on the hunt for a similar hill/route as I fancy myself more hill climbing than just blasting along straights/semi-flats which there are many of around here.

Happy Birthday mate, have a good one, it really should be a rest day!

tedmaul · 9 Feb 2015 at 12:06

Roady said:
Ahh ok, I had wrongly assumed the '8 min' test was shorter than the '20 min'! (like 35/40 mins or so). I'm fully expecting it to hurt, which is probably why I'm delaying it...

My half 'endurance' training sessions I did over the weekend were my first real attempts at holding my effort - I've only really before held my cadence which of course is much easier!

Thanks for the info and insight!

No worries. They are kinda much of a muchness really. The idea really is to work out the average power you could potentially sustain for a whole hour - but without having to go through the horror of actually holding FTP for a full hour.

The 8 min test does it by making you do 2 x 8mins efforts at the maximum you can sustain. It then averages your power over the two efforts and takes 90% of that figure to set your FTP. The plus side of this test is that you break the hard work up a bit and deal with two intervals instead of one. The minus side is that the effort level during the tests are significantly higher than in the 20min test as the duration is less - so you'll be working well above FTP throughout which is ******* painful! You then need to recover and do it all again.

The 20min test does one effort, takes the average power over that time and then sets your FTP to be 95% of that figure. Plus side is that it's not quite such a high power level throughout, though it will still be over your FTP. Minus side is that it'll be the longest 20 mins of your life!

FishFluff · 9 Feb 2015 at 12:32

Roady said:
Ahh ok, I had wrongly assumed the '8 min' test was shorter than the '20 min'! (like 35/40 mins or so). I'm fully expecting it to hurt, which is probably why I'm delaying it...

I did the '8 minute' test and can confirm it does in fact hurt. Well, it will if you're doing it right anyway...

I actually found TR to be quite motivational though. I'd just finished the first 8 minute section and was thinking there was no way I could possibly do another effort like that. TR then helpfully flashed up a message saying "Don't worry about feeling crap. You'll be ok in 10 minutes time" or words to that effect and it was right.

Shadowness · 9 Feb 2015 at 13:00

Yeh Cruds. Rubbish compared to the SKS ones I have now. These feel like proper mudguards, and don't rattle and shake about everywhere.

The cruds were fiddly to set-up, kept rubbing and eventually wore through where they kept catching on the tyres.

FrenchTart · 9 Feb 2015 at 13:38

Good work janp and happy birthday

As bad as the cruds are, the non-long race blades are worse. I really wish I could get hold of some of the longs though as they sound great.

Roady · 9 Feb 2015 at 13:55

Shadowness said:
Yeh Cruds. Rubbish compared to the SKS ones I have now. These feel like proper mudguards, and don't rattle and shake about everywhere.

The cruds were fiddly to set-up, kept rubbing and eventually wore through where they kept catching on the tyres.

Mine had done that but the rubbing and replacing screws seems bearable now with the noise these Giant guards make! :eek:

I've tried a couple of things to silence them (do them up as tight as possible & padding them where they're near the frame) and it's made little difference... The main 'clatter' noise I've tracked down to the rear guard and I think it's where the top curve is banging against the tyre when you hit any kind of bump/uneven road surface. Changing from 25mm to 23mm made quite a bit of difference so I'm figuring out if I can somehow support that part of the guard to help it keep away from the tyre or flex less...

FrenchTart said:
As bad as the cruds are, the non-long race blades are worse. I really wish I could get hold of some of the longs though as they sound great.

Are the Longs and XL the same thing?

Some here on Tredz in stock! Hmmm, do I grab a pair... :confused:

tedmaul said:
The plus side of this test is that you break the hard work up a bit and deal with two intervals instead of one. The minus side is that the effort level during the tests are significantly higher than in the 20min test as the duration is less - so you'll be working well above FTP throughout which is ******* painful! You then need to recover and do it all again.

FishFluff said:
I did the '8 minute' test and can confirm it does in fact hurt. Well, it will if you're doing it right anyway...

Pretty sure I'll do the 8 minute then, you guys have sold it to me lol

Currently googling stretches for an achilles tendon so I don't have my rest day early this week. I'll be doing a recovery ride later and probably the same tomorrow to try and 'solve' it!

One More Solo · 9 Feb 2015 at 14:41

When I did my FTP test on Saturday morning my calf got cramp during the cooldown, hurt like an absolute *****.

Tried my best not to squeal like a girl.

SDK^ · 9 Feb 2015 at 15:09

FAO Garmin 800/810 owners - is it possible to have a couple of data fields over laid on the Nav screen?

Thanks

physichull · 9 Feb 2015 at 15:33

Super excited now, got an email to tell me that my bike is being shipped!

whyscotty · 9 Feb 2015 at 15:42

physichull said:
Super excited now, got an email to tell me that my bike is being shipped!

Sweet

What size did you get?

6thElement · 9 Feb 2015 at 16:18

SDK^ said:
FAO Garmin 800/810 owners - is it possible to have a couple of data fields over laid on the Nav screen?

Thanks

If you mean the map, then yes I think so.

SDK^ · 9 Feb 2015 at 16:36

6thElement said:
If you mean the map, then yes I think so.

Thanks

I just did an Google image search and it looks like you can add 2 data fields on the map screen. I got fed up with Edge 500 and the breadcrumbs trail, sometimes it's hard to work out which way to go

Also not being able to view data whilst on the 'map' page is annoying, so I've ordered an 810

This cycling stuff is getting expensive; £3k on accessories since December :/

topgun06 · 9 Feb 2015 at 16:39

Yep. Expensive. Tell me about it.

Vonhelmet · 9 Feb 2015 at 17:06

I've got bike related expenses mapped out for about 6 months to come. The shopping list doesn't stop there. I've got a carbon bike on there for next year and a titanium tourer for like 2020

Short term I need to get the last few bits of my single speed, get some new clothes, get some replacement bits for my TDF... I'm now toying with the idea of getting the TDF stripped and powder coated rather than replacing the frame as I quite like the idea of keeping a winter bike/commuter with mudguards and 28mm clearance, but the frame is looking seriously tatty so hey, let's get it repainted.

Saundie · 9 Feb 2015 at 17:24

SDK^ said:
FAO Garmin 800/810 owners - is it possible to have a couple of data fields over laid on the Nav screen?

Thanks

I have an 810, so I can check this for you when I get home. Unfortunately I am not yet back on the bike following the accident I was involved in, and as the rate my shoulder is healing, it'll be at least a couple more weeks

Roady · 9 Feb 2015 at 17:27

One More Solo said:
When I did my FTP test on Saturday morning my calf got cramp during the cooldown, hurt like an absolute *****. Tried my best not to squeal like a girl.

Oh I'll be moaning and squealing all the way through don't worry! I have no shame lol

SDK^ said:
FAO Garmin 800/810 owners - is it possible to have a couple of data fields over laid on the Nav screen?

Yup, Settings->Activity Profiles->{select}->Training Pages->{scroll down}->Map->Data Fields

SDK^ said:
This cycling stuff is getting expensive; £3k on accessories since December :/

Tell me about it, I've spent 5x as much on Wiggle than I have on bikes...!

Vonhelmet said:
Short term I need to get the last few bits of my single speed, get some new clothes, get some replacement bits for my TDF... I'm now toying with the idea of getting the TDF stripped and powder coated rather than replacing the frame as I quite like the idea of keeping a winter bike/commuter with mudguards and 28mm clearance, but the frame is looking seriously tatty so hey, let's get it repainted.

Really worth it for the TDF? I think you said before about the drive-train/groupset needing replacing, with powdercoating it too that'd push the cost easily into new bike territory?

About to commute home with my dodgy leg/achilles, been semi-resting it this afternoon so it's more of a dull tendon/muscle ache now, recovery ride-ish home and see how I'm feeling later before I commit to cycling tomorrow. 2 rest days this week before FTP test on weekend?

Temperatures look better than earlier... 4 degrees rather than minus 4!

Vonhelmet · 9 Feb 2015 at 17:33

Roady said:
Really worth it for the TDF? I think you said before about the drive-train/groupset needing replacing, with powdercoating it too that'd push the cost easily into new bike territory?

Well, in terms of parts I'm looking at new mechs, bottom bracket, chainrings and brakes, just to get it all to Claris standard, as at the moment it's a mish mash of knackered old 2300 parts and Tektro brakes and it's all very tired. The parts will cost about £100.

Powdercoating will cost about £100, including shipping the frame there and back. Part of me likes the idea of making the frame last, rather than just binning it and starting over, so it's kinda worth it for that...

But yeah, I take your point, given it's a heavy ass chunky aluminium frame

It's still cheaper than buying a decent new bike, though, and given it's only a winter bike/commuter/beater I'm not too fussed about it being heavy - I'd just rather get it a bit more presentable. If I'm going to ride it with panniers or in the winter then an extra kilo on the frame is hardly the end of the world.

And hey, maybe I'm sentimental with it being my first road bike

physichull · 9 Feb 2015 at 17:44

Speaking of accessories....cycle club kit order for 2015 has just opened up....oh noes!

On this subject, does anyone have any bioracer clothing and can advise on the quality of the different materials?

SDK^ · 9 Feb 2015 at 19:09

I recently debated the aluminum vs carbon frame upgrade and came to the conclusion I would gain more performance improvement from buying a power meter than a carbon frame.

I feel a carbon frame is a nice to have, rather that it offering any benefit for non pro cyclists.

Vonhelmet · 9 Feb 2015 at 19:21

SDK^ said:
I recently debated the aluminum vs carbon frame upgrade and came to the conclusion I would gain more performance improvement from buying a power meter than a carbon frame.

I feel a carbon frame is a nice to have, rather that it offering any benefit for non pro cyclists.

When I get round to buyin a carbon bike it'll be for the sake of having a nice light summer bike, and for wanting to try carbon and see what it's like. I won't be appreciably faster, and it would be somewhat crazy to think I would be. Am I poweful enough to benefit from the extra stiffness? No. Is saving 2kg on a bike going to matter when I could probably lose 10kg to get to a racing weight? No.

In other news, I've managed to track down my missing wheels. Hurrah.