Road Cycling Essentials

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Rusty_Noob said:
Just bought the Boardman Pro Carbon, couldn't afford to let it go at that price, got it for £769 shipped. Not gonna let it put me off my diet though, still need to lose a bunch before it arrives.

Now the waiting game begins!
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I'm very jealous. I want one and would buy one at that price.
 
As a follow up to this post I messaged Bob Jackson about getting the steerer tube cut down and rethreaded, this was the reply:

What is the cost of getting a threaded steerer tube cut down and rethreaded (if you offer the service)? I ask as the frame and forks are from different bikes, both for 1" steerer tubes. The headtube is shorter for the frame the forks are being transferred to. I have accurately measured the old and new headtube lengths.

I think I understand what you want. You need the steerer tube shorter. The only way to do this correctly is a new steerer at £47.50. You can't cut the threads off the top and then curt new threads as the steerers are heat treated and hardened after Reynolds cut the threads in the factory. The other way is to remove steerer and cut an amount Off the bottom, Down side to this is you will cut all the double butt off , Not a good idea.
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Might be a warning for anyone thinking of transferring forks between bikes. Might see what they think regarding using an aheadset with a thread at the top of the tube.
 
Looking for the opinions of OCUKers on tyres on a racer for commuting.

Use 23mm or 25mm tyres? Is there a noticeable difference in comfort, speed, etc?

What are currently considered the best all weather, and most importantly robust tyres? I'm currently using Michelin Krylion Carbons which are excellent but are discontinued.

Thanks
 
I swapped from 23mm to 25mm not long ago and i found the bigger tyres a lot more comfortable without any noticeable drop in speed.
 
I use 25mm tyres for commuting. More comfortable, no massive drop in speed (hard to say as its a heavier bike) and more confidence in cornering (although the commuter is longer and so handles differently through corners anyway).
 
Ok thanks, I'll try 25mm tyres for the comfort.

What about tyre recommendations? I'm looking for a highly puncture resistant all weather/season/year tyre that rolls well, and will fit nicely on my Fulcrum 7s.
 
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BlackDragon said:
Ok thanks, I'll try 25mm tyres for the comfort.

What about tyre recommendations? I'm looking for a highly puncture resistant all weather tyre that rolls well, and will fit nicely on my Fulcrum 7s.
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I'd recomend the Conti Gatorskin purely becuase it's worked so well for me really. 1(maybe 2) punctures in around 3000 miles. I can't complain at that.

My boss then said they are ***** on the limit compared to the GP4000s but that is a £40 tyre vs £25.

I'll either fit some of them again but in 25c or try out the vredstein ones we recently got in.
 
My first attempt to conquer The Mountain today.

Failed....

More strength and fitness required! Using a compact 34x50 I simply didn't have a small enough gear for my pussy legs to push along, would have managed it on my MTB with a granny ring up front.

I managed the long slong leading up to the Mountain, but half way up it just goes ******* steep. 7.6% average gradient according to Strava, up to almost 25% in places which is about where I popped.

http://app.strava.com/segments/782251

I guess there is only one way to improve, keep trying at it, find more hills to ride that aren't quite so steep, get used to those and come back!

The toughest climb at the weekend event is only 4.4% over 1km, so should be do-able but still a challenge....
 
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Berger said:
I guess there is only one way to improve, keep trying at it, find more hills to ride that aren't quite so steep, get used to those and come back!
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Yep. The best way to get better at climbing is to do lots of hills.

Dont just do other hills, keep trying at the big one as well. Dont worry if you have to get off and walk, just try and ride a little bit further each time.
 
touch said:
Yep. The best way to get better at climbing is to do lots of hills.

Dont just do other hills, keep trying at the big one as well. Dont worry if you have to get off and walk, just try and ride a little bit further each time.
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Will be doing now my mini pump has turned up, don't have to worry if I get a flat a long way from home!

Ill keep at it, I know what point I managed to reach so can aim a little higher next time.

There is always the buzz that when you get to the top you can top 60-100kmph on the way back down! Have to make sure I don't get a speeding ticket....

600 people entered in the 70km this weekend, used to riding on my own! :eek:
 

I used to ride around on one wheel with my old mountain bike like it was easy, I doubt I could get anywhere close to a sustained wheelie on a road bike! Still, something makes me wanna try. I have a habit of hopping over upcoming pot holes at speed though as I ride on quite fast narrow roads and hate using up more road than necessary.
 
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