Road Cycling Essentials

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fobose said:
chain de-greaser = fairy up liquid :D
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Cheap rim tape = electrical tape :) In fact you could reuse the tape from the bars :p

Wouldn't bother with a chain cleaner. Just take it off with a chain tool and put it in some form of degreaser.
 
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Just finished the Bristol Biggest Bike Ride. Lovely morning for it but didn't do amazing. Haven't ridden my bike for 5 weeks (was on holiday for 3 and then was ill/working away for the last 2) and didn't take anything but gels as I assumed I'd be able to get bananas etc there. Nevermind! Still average 15.3mph which actually for me isn't bad.

Distance: 37miles | Time: 2h:25m:19s | Average: 15.3 mph | Elevation: 1,887ft

Endomondo: http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/64369483
Strava: http://app.strava.com/rides/11015101
 
Parts are all coming together for my new wheel build.

I'm very traditional about these things, so it's ambrosio zenith hubs, open pros and 32 DT revolutions per wheel. As light as i'm going to need on a steel frame, and pretty much bombproof too
 
bike cleaned, got the last of the old tyre off (was completely welded to the rim!) ordering some bits (bar tape, rim tape, little metal bits to go on the end of my cables, new guide for the rear derailur cable).
With any luck I'll have this bad boy up and running in time for the weekend!

with regards to headwinds, anyone know why I have to cycle into the wind on the way to work AND the way home?
 
Very happy with the wheels; they rolls smoothly, have zero flex and are very comfortable. I can't give a diffinitive review as I was also trying out a longer stem, new saddle and q rings as well as the wheels.

However, I did set 4 PBs on hills according to Strava so they aren't too heavy. Ride was only slightly marred by a puncture 1km from home. For a little while I thought I could nurse it home as even completely flat I had good control, but I was worried about the rim.
 
ow, I've yet to get a puncher so far, do you guys normally swap it out for a spare or do you try and repair on the road?

Also, does anyone have a good guide/how-to on taking a wobble out of a wheel?
the wheels on my new steely have a 2-3mm wiggle in them at one point in the turn, i wouldn't mind but it catches on the brake pad!
 
Can anyone spec me a bike in the budget of £500? my friend come out with us at the weekend and is now interested in buying a road bike for himself.

These are what ive come up with so far

Carrera TDF Road Bike 2011/2012 £349
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810691_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

Carrera Vanquish Road Bike 2011/2012 £499
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810607_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

GT GTR Series 5 2012 £569
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-gtr-series-5-2012/
 
Ok I've decided to sell my current road bike as it's too small. Time to find a replacement...

What do you recommend to suit a sportive fit? Ideally I'd like to go no lower than 105, Ultegra is on my current bike and never had a problem. I have no desire for Dura Ace or above and would prefer to stick with Shimano unless I can be convinced otherwise.

I'm north of 90kg and plan on transfering my Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels over to the new bike. Not fussed if it's carbon or alloy but carbon fork is a must.

I've found this Moda Rubato at Leisure Lakes with Ultegra groupset for £1200. The colour scheme might take a bit to get used to but seems decent spec.

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/pr...2-exclusivetoleisurelakesbikes.aspx?&id=17547

Review but non-Ultegra version fairs well, I could only think my wheels would improve it further?

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-moda-rubato-11-43696

What are your thoughts on this? Is the geometry too racer for longer 70+ mile rides?

How would it compare to say a Ribble Gran Fondo / Stealth / Sportive Bianco?

For reference competitive cyclist say my geometry would suit:
Measurements
-------------------------------------------
Gender: M
Inseam: 89 cm
Trunk: 61 cm
Forearm: 37 cm
Arm: 68 cm
Thigh: 66 cm
Lower Leg: 59 cm
Sternal Notch: 155 cm
Total Body Height: 186 cm


The Eddy Fit
-------------------------------------------
Seat tube range c-c: 58.9 - 59.4
Seat tube range c-t: 60.6 - 61.1
Top tube length: 54.6 - 55.0
Stem Length: 10.4 - 11.0
BB-Saddle Position: 75.5 - 77.5
Saddle-Handlebar: 55.5 - 56.1
Saddle Setback: 8.4 - 8.8


The French Fit
-------------------------------------------
Seat tube range c-c: 60.6 - 61.1
Seat tube range c-t: 62.3 - 62.8
Top tube length: 55.8 - 56.2
Stem Length: 10.6 - 11.2
BB-Saddle Position: 73.8 - 75.8
Saddle-Handlebar: 57.2 - 57.8
Saddle Setback: 7.9 - 8.3
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tyre help

Guys, I'd appreciate some help clarifying something. I ordered some Conti ultra gator skin tyres from the Jungle place to replace the Schwalbe Marathon Plus's I've currently got fitted to my bike. They're advertised on the wesite as Continental Ultra GatorSkin 700 x 28C DuraSkin Tyre, picture showing the tyre markings as Continental Ultra Gatorskin, but what's actually arrived is marked up on the tyre as Continental Gatotskin poly xbreaker, and on the manufacturers paper wraparound as Ultra Gator skin.

Am I being a bit thick or paranoid, or have they actually sent me the wrong tyre? If they haven't sent the wrong tyre, is it misleadingly marked up on the website? Search for Gatorskin and it's the first result, 700 x 28c duraskin tyre.

I'd appreciate experienced eyes giving this a once over, please?

Thanks
 
Lead_Head said:
For reference competitive cyclist say my geometry would suit:
Click to expand...

I got the same result as you with a seat tube somewhat longer than my top tube, but this strikes me as somewhat whacky geometry for a road bike. Do bikes like this exist or have we cocked up our measurements? :p

For example, the calculator reckons I need a 56cm seat tube and 52cm top - a 56cm seat tube frame on a Planet X carbon frame gives you a 59cm top tube. Even a more relaxed frame like the Ribble Audax has a 56cm seat tube and 56cm top tube.

My current bike has a perfect length top tube (apparently) but the saddle to bar drop is extreme as a result and I've had to shorten my stem 3cm to make it rideable without debilitating back pain!
 
I thought I'd do a mini write up on my new wheels.

I think I'm a reasonable cyclist, I've been putting a fair bit of time in recently though as I'm doing London Triathlon this year, and want to be ready. I'm riding a Giant Defy Advanced 3. Its a great bike, really light although it came with some really rather average Mavic CXP22 wheels. I have wanted to get them replaced for quite a while as I thought they were letting me and the bike down a bit. So I found some Fulcrum racing 1's and took the plunge. I already had conti GP4000s so just switched them and my cassette over. Also took the opportunity to take all the spacers off my bars so they are at their lowest now. I was initially expecting a really strong improvement but unfortunately the weather meant a good comparison wasn't really possible until today. Most noticeable is on climbing, my pace up hills is much much faster, and the bike doesn't seem as lethargic (not that it was before) small uphill's are great as well, as you barely slow down and just keep pounding along, so I guess that means they roll a lot better too. I've also noticed the bike seems loads more responsive in turns, and more agile, although I'm not sure if this is a side affect from dropping the bars right down.

Anyway, these are the two garmin traces that I have to compare as the results, so I'll let these do the rest of the talking, suffice to say I'm really pleased with them! (on the second ride I was following a car down one of the hills too, I can usually get around 48-49 mph. Although I don't think this makes much difference overall.

Before new wheels: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/186143474

With new wheels: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/190375622
 
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