Road Cycling Essentials

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Hm, seems Whyte don't allow delivery of their bikes when ordered through retailers online, buy and collect it seems.

Restricts my choice of retailer to Leisure Lakes but they don't offer top ups on the cycle to work scheme, which I'm not keen on doing anyway, but they do offer 0% credit...
 
FrenchTart said:
That's ridiculous. I understand 10% on top of the £1000 part (even if I don't like it) but any more than that is ripping you off...unless some of the other C2W schemes have higher charges for the LBS than 10%.
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They said they charge £100 for most cycle schemes except Cycle Plus. Bit frustrating as really want di2, but don't want to pay ridiculous amounts for it.
 
Dunks said:
Nice ride in the wet this morning.

Difference with rim brake performance in the wet vs. dry is making me look at discs on my next bike even more!

Budget is £1k (cycle to work scheme) so my options are fairly limited, I'm looking at the Canondale Synapse 105 which has mechanical discs but with a view to upgrading to mechanical-hydraulic at a later date...

Looking at the Whyte range which have the mechanical-hydraulic brakes but you seem to take a hit on the groupset with them, which I'd rather not upgrade instead of the brakes!
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what's wrong with mechanical disk brakes?
Never had a problem with the ones on my current bike, haven't had to adjust them since I bought the bike about 700 miles ago.
they are only Hayes CX Expert 160 mm / Hayes CX Expert 140 mm so nothing special.

My old boardman had bb5 and they needed adjusting almost every other ride
I suspect the main difference is my current bike has jagwire cables, my old bike had rubbish cables and even the gears needed adjustments a lot whilst like my current bikes brakes the gears are still as they were when I bought it.
 
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arknor said:
what's wrong with mechanical disk brakes?
Never had a problem with the ones on my current bike, haven't had to adjust them since I bought the bike about 700 miles ago.
they are only Hayes CX Expert 160 mm / Hayes CX Expert 140 mm so nothing special.

the ones on my old board man were a bit of a pain and needed adjusting almost every ride the gears didn't last long either before they needing adjusting I think it's mainly because it had crap cables whilst my current bike has jagwire or whatever they are called.
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Mechanical discs have okay breaking power but I'm extremely extremely surprised that you've not had to readjust them in 700 miles. Constantly having to readjust is basically the bane of such brakes. Those particular brakes get a fairly poor review regarding pad wear too.

SoliD said:
They said they charge £100 for most cycle schemes except Cycle Plus. Bit frustrating as really want di2, but don't want to pay ridiculous amounts for it.
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Is it Ultegra Di2 or DA? I've been looking at my Chinese carbon build stuff again lately and the cost to upgrade to Ultegra Di2 really isn't that much so I'm sorely tempted.
 
FrenchTart said:
Mechanical discs have okay breaking power but I'm extremely extremely surprised that you've not had to readjust them in 700 miles. Constantly having to readjust is basically the bane of such brakes. Those particular brakes get a fairly poor review regarding pad wear too.



Is it Ultegra Di2 or DA? I've been looking at my Chinese carbon build stuff again lately and the cost to upgrade to Ultegra Di2 really isn't that much so I'm sorely tempted.
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Ultegra.
 
FrenchTart said:
Mechanical discs have okay breaking power but I'm extremely extremely surprised that you've not had to readjust them in 700 miles. Constantly having to readjust is basically the bane of such brakes. Those particular brakes get a fairly poor review regarding pad wear too.
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Yep, I have BB7s on my cross bike and they need adjusted pretty much every ride.
They are powerful though, equally as good as hyraulic brakes on my MTBs. they lever feel isnt as good though. It's difficult to modulate them properly.

I dont really see the point in mechanical/hydraulic hybrids. the problem to me is poor modulation caused by mechanical levers and cables. I cant see how sticking a hydraulic caliper on the end will solve this? Having one active and one static piston isnt a problem for me, keep them properly adjusted and it'll bite fine.
But I've never used hybrids, so I may be missing the point.
 
touch said:
Yep, I have BB7s on my cross bike and they need adjusted pretty much every ride.
They are powerful though, equally as good as hyraulic brakes on my MTBs. they lever feel isnt as good though. It's difficult to modulate them properly.

I dont really see the point in mechanical/hydraulic hybrids. the problem to me is poor modulation caused by mechanical levers and cables. I cant see how sticking a hydraulic caliper on the end will solve this? Having one active and one static piston isnt a problem for me, keep them properly adjusted and it'll bite fine.
But I've never used hybrids, so I may be missing the point.
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I've never used full hydraulics so I'm similarly not able to completely compare things but there's definitely a huge improvement in ability to modulate on my HyRds as compared to my older BB5s and BB7s. The automatic pad-wear adjustment is really nice too. I don't doubt that full hydraulics would be better though (and I plan to get the new Shimano hydraulics on my next bike).
 
My 'rough' sizes:
Chest = 110cm, Thigh = 65cm, Waist = 98cm

Northwave logo bib shorts ss14 Size - XXL.
Quoted sizes: Waist 97-99cm, No thigh but hip 113-115cm
Fit: Quite tight, tighter than the DHB, leg grippers very good but too tight for my thighs, rear fits better than the DHB's.

DHB Shard cycle bib short/ Size - XXL.
Quoted sizes: Waist 100cm, Thigh 65.6cm, Hip 104-112cm
Fit: Better thigh fit than the Northwave, no leg grippers but not required, baggy part below the bib on the rear above pad.

DHB Flashlight bib short/ Size - L.
Quoted sizes: Waist 92cm, Thigh 60.5cm, Hip 96-104cm
Fit: Ok around thighs and waist but pad to waistband area not big enough for waistband to sit anywhere near my waist and the pad wouldn't sit in the right place! Definitely a size smaller than DHB Active L.

DHB Flashlight bib short Size - XL.
Quoted sizes: Waist 96cm, Thigh 63cm, Hip 100-108cm
Fit: Good fit, thighs not quit as tight/fitted as I'd like but the rest of the fit is good, will keep these and get the others swapped for some XL!So as I've now had both of my wiggle deliveries of multiple pairs of bib shorts I'll give a summary of the fit of each brand and sizing.

Sportful Pista short sleeve jersey ss14 Size - XXL.
Quoted sizes: Waist 99cm, Chest 110cm
Fit: Ok 'baggy' fit but I want more of a fitted aerodynamic one for my summer jerseys, will try an XL which should fit me perfectly... But wiggle don't have them in stock :rolleyes:

DHB Active panelled short sleeve jersey Size - L.
Quoted sizes: Waist 92cm, Chest 105cm
Fit: Great fit, arms are a bit tight but not uncomfortable. Will get more if I can't get the Sportful!
 
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AS above -I'll just update my quick findings from a recent order.

dhb Windslam Roubaix Long Sleeve Jersey Black Extra Large

Good sporty fit - not to tight mind you, lovely and warm with only a short sleeved base layer on. Didn't feel sweaty or anything whilst wearing on a 2 hour ride - temp around 5/6 degrees. Kept the wind out etc. Overall - very happy. Sizing is probably one size up on your normal. I'm generally between L and XL - but the XL is spot on.
 
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