Road Cycling Essentials

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Route turned out to be nice, at least any part of it that wasn't either going towards or in any way near Oldham.

Wind was pretty relentless. Headwind on the climbs, side gusts so strong on the descents that we ended up going incredibly slowly and carefully on those too.

To top it all off, the guy riding with me had an issue with his brakes and crashed into the side/back of me. We're both okay but it snapped my front gear cable, rear light mount, knackered my rear mudguard and ruptured the sidewall in my fairly new rear Pro4 SC Grip :( That happened just before we re-entered Oldham for the journey home so I ended up limping back with a really dodgy back tyre (two innertube changes...) and not being able to shift to my big ring on the front, which was lots of fun during the nice long downhill section of the A62.

As I say though, the route was nice - just a frustrating end to the ride.
 
Vonhelmet said:
Wow, that's rather more dramatic than you might have been hoping for. Shame that had to mar the ride.
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Yeah. Ah well :)

I forgot to mention but my Garmin went crazy with the navigation too so we ended up doing a completely weird route (I think). Still saw the nice bits (and those were really nice) so I guess it doesn't matter too much though.
 
Vonhelmet said:
Looks like you went the wrong way round! I'm sure it looked good either way.
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Yup...that's kind of what I started to suspect after the first time I stopped and thought "wtf are you trying to do to me, Garmin?". The views were really nice though - would love to do it again in decent weather.

Kind of tempted to modify it and just go all the way to Leeds some time tbh. Set out early, get to Leeds for a late lunch/early dinner and then jump on a train back home.
 
Vonhelmet said:
Nice. Is it just clear lacquered steel then?

Mine is still all in its boxes waiting for me. I think I might take a day off the week after this one and spend the day putting it together.
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yup! quite like the look! :)

would like to get rid of the logos etc.. maybe something for the summer!

right now the plan is to get everything bar wheels and then order wheels while im on holidays! current needed part list -;

pro4's in 28c(if they release them soon)
wheels -; http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/WPPXAL30DTR/planet-x-al30-d-track-wheelset
crankset -; http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CSSTTR2K/stronglight-track-2000-crankset
bb -; http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BBSTJP400/stronglight-jp-400-jis-bottom-bracket
freewheel 18t for 18/48 gearing.. -; http://www.evanscycles.com/products/halo/clickster-single-speed-freewheel-ec070876
brakes -; http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BCTK926MV/tektro-926al-front-and-rear-mini-v-brakes
levers -; http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cane-creek-scr-5-brake-levers/
chain -; http://www.bmx-shop.com/bike-parts/drivetrain/chains/bsd-forever-chain.html - should fit.. but then again I think have a new chain somewhere..

re bars, I might stick my bulhorns on from current SS or stick with those drops + above levers..
 
Dunks said:
Garmin Virb mounts, who's using what?
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Superstar every time! I've got the garmin/gopro combo one... I started with the official Garmin mount and it's good, just bulky. The prices of some of the others i'm impressed by the quality, delivery and service from Superstar! My new favourite accessories manufacturer/supplier! :)

FrenchTart said:
I guess if you're already used to the plastic Kendas you're less likely to have this issue though. I don't want to sound like I'm pressuring you (though I totally am) but you could potentially save money by getting them to build the bike for you with better tyres - they will often offset the cost of the upgrade against the money they save by not building in the other tyres.
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Kendas can be a bit hit and miss, some pro riders swear by them, yet some really cheap bikes come with them too. They're either very situational or have such a wide range that nobody quite knows what they're riding until they win/taste tarmac.

lordrobs said:
I was wondering where was the best place to get a Garmin mount from for my Edge 200? Pretty tapped out after getting the new bike so cheap is good :p and I'm thinking the "out front" type ones might be my best bet?
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Superstar, great prices, amazing quality, free & fast delivery! :)

topgun06 said:
Quite disappointed with the hubs on the Fulcrum Racing 5s. Actually, they're atrocious. I've only been using them this winter, washing the bike down after every ride. Today I noticed that the front hub is not spinning freely at all. Thought they were bombproof..
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Gutted to hear, any kind of warranty still on them? Fulcrum always review well!

FrenchTart said:
To top it all off, the guy riding with me had an issue with his brakes and crashed into the side/back of me.
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Glad you're okay that's the main thing!

Failed miserably to do anything other than commuting this week and no riding at all today! Weather wasn't as bad as they forecast (rain) but finished off my mates PC rebuild/update and he helped me fit our breakfast bar today... A job that's been on my to-do list for around 18 months ;) (always great to cross some of the DIY off the list)!

Good service planned on my Defy tomorrow, gonna have another go at refitting my guards to try and stop some noise! Depending what the weather is like (no rain forecast so will depend on the winds a little) I'm gonna do some turbo work or some local hill practice. Picked up some GT85 earlier too! :)
 
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Roady said:
Kendas can be a bit hit and miss, some pro riders swear by them, yet some really cheap bikes come with them too. They're either very situational or have such a wide range that nobody quite knows what they're riding until they win/taste tarmac.
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You can't lump a whole brand into one like that, take continental, gatorskins are awful and GP4000s are one of the most popular tyres around
 
Saytan said:
You can't lump a whole brand into one like that, take continental, gatorskins are awful and GP4000s are one of the most popular tyres around
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True - but you can often safely assume that the Kenda tyres supplied on a cheap bike are going to be pap.

Gatorskins are also awful enough to still make the average Continental tyre below average, despite GP4000s being awesome :p

@Roady - do a turbo session at high intensity and then head out for an easy ride. Best of both worlds :)
 
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For those with Virbs, it's possible to use the Go Pro Editing software which has a lot better editing options and does not have the stupid 4GB file size limit on W7 but you do miss out on the speed and GPS overlays though.
 
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