Road Cycling Essentials
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Soldato
Cycling harder just makes my hands colder. I am going to break out the winter gloves for the ride home, hopefully they'll do the trick.
Soldato
I got a pair of 3/4s today, hopefully they'll get me through the next month or so. I tried wearing some Sealskinz gloves on the way home from work today, fingers still went numb. I am going to need more insulation for my hands, it would seem.
Finally got the saddle for the Pompetamine, and I am glad to be able to report that it's an upgrade from the one in the original spec. I had to do a bit of pestering to get it from them, but On One came through in the end. I'll have to get out on the bike this weekend and try it all out
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Soldato
Off road riding doesn't really appeal to me, I prefer to spend more than 10 minutes on the bike, and to go faster than 10mphpffft, you roadies have no staying power
Should try off road riding when it's -15C
Faster than 10mph - it's that whilst drafting the guy in frontOff road riding doesn't really appeal to me, I prefer to spend more than 10 minutes on the bike, and to go faster than 10mph
Soldato
Of course! It's just good sense to let somebody else do all of the hard workFaster than 10mph - it's that whilst drafting the guy in front
I'm quite looking forward to trying my tights and new gloves for the first time when I get back. The anticipation has been killing me 
Soldato
I'm wearing DHB bib tights, Craft l/s base top, DHB fleece lined l/s jersey, everyday socks & boxers, winter DHB gloves.
I have really poor circulation in my hands but I'm fine at the moment, really balanced temperature. I used to suffer in agony from cold fingers on my motorbike, even with 3 layers of thermal gloves, leather gloves and metal woven gloves. I think I will need an inner glove as soon as things get icy out but the wind chill will be nowhere near as bad as on a motorbike at 2am!
I do wish I'd got some 3/4 or shorts and a normal jersey too, but as I'm new to proper road cycling and commuting and its just before the colder months I decided I couldn't afford both so picked the winter stuff. I could live with shorts well up to December probably, it's my hands that suffer.
Got myself a new bag:
Tis big but not too big, I didn't notice any negative effect on the ride apart from its shape being very very comfortable compared to my crappy old bag I've had since school. Now means I can keep my waterproof shell and overshoes in the front bit along with my tools and tubes then all my clothes and food fit in the big bit with ease. Also makes getting changed and packing much quicker! If I want to carry a laptop I've sill got good space for that too without making packing a mare. The key part though it its waterproof and you don't have to fanny about with an added cover.
I have really poor circulation in my hands but I'm fine at the moment, really balanced temperature. I used to suffer in agony from cold fingers on my motorbike, even with 3 layers of thermal gloves, leather gloves and metal woven gloves. I think I will need an inner glove as soon as things get icy out but the wind chill will be nowhere near as bad as on a motorbike at 2am!
I do wish I'd got some 3/4 or shorts and a normal jersey too, but as I'm new to proper road cycling and commuting and its just before the colder months I decided I couldn't afford both so picked the winter stuff. I could live with shorts well up to December probably, it's my hands that suffer.
Got myself a new bag:
Tis big but not too big, I didn't notice any negative effect on the ride apart from its shape being very very comfortable compared to my crappy old bag I've had since school. Now means I can keep my waterproof shell and overshoes in the front bit along with my tools and tubes then all my clothes and food fit in the big bit with ease. Also makes getting changed and packing much quicker! If I want to carry a laptop I've sill got good space for that too without making packing a mare. The key part though it its waterproof and you don't have to fanny about with an added cover.
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Soldato
Finally got the saddle on it, so now all that remains is to fit the mudguards. I will take some more photographs when it's light out - the radiator and folding chair do not make the best backdrop, I must admit.
Soldato
I did a road century last January in -8C temps and I'll happily commute in those temps, generally with just a wicking top and windproof jacket.
Soldato
Going to grab myself a set of Crud roadracer mk2's. Has anyone here got a set? And if so how are they?
For £30 it's certainly cheaper than buying a winter bike. Although the extra wear and tear on the transmission means I'd love to buy a second road bike.
Also what helmet would people recommend? I have a fairly bulky MTB lid at the moment and would like something a little lighter and bit more low profile. I was looking at the Giro Monza or Atmos.
For £30 it's certainly cheaper than buying a winter bike. Although the extra wear and tear on the transmission means I'd love to buy a second road bike.
Also what helmet would people recommend? I have a fairly bulky MTB lid at the moment and would like something a little lighter and bit more low profile. I was looking at the Giro Monza or Atmos.
Soldato
Just put some road racer IIs on my Boardman. Pretty easy to fit if a little fiddly although not road tested them yet. The fornt guard rubs right at the front as it pushes itself on the top of the tyre. I might have to use a heat gun to pull it up a little or cut it down but other than that they adjusted just fine. They are quite tight on my Boardman tho.
What is all this talk about winter bikes? Why? I intend to use my Boardman all year round and try keep things as clean as I can. Why do people get an alternative winter "hack"?
What is all this talk about winter bikes? Why? I intend to use my Boardman all year round and try keep things as clean as I can. Why do people get an alternative winter "hack"?
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Pinarello all the well for the old Indurain days!
Haven't cycled in years but I used to time trial on a Ribble with down tube and Spinergy front wheel with Hed disc on the back, you would be amazed a decent pair of rims make - I mean honestly I don't know what is in now but even deep sectioned rims made a big difference over standard, and they looked especially cool in the sun! glint glint!
Haven't cycled in years but I used to time trial on a Ribble with down tube and Spinergy front wheel with Hed disc on the back, you would be amazed a decent pair of rims make - I mean honestly I don't know what is in now but even deep sectioned rims made a big difference over standard, and they looked especially cool in the sun! glint glint!
Soldato
Looks very nice indeed; certainly more sporty than the Bryant.
How are you finding the BB7s? I've got to say the 5s are a pain in the bum and will shortly be upgraded!
Soldato
I spent some time trying to fit the roadracers to my bike this morning. It took me a little longer than it should have to realise that they're never going to work. I should have looked into how they attach to the bike; it hadn't occurred to me that they'd use a cable tie around the brake. My bike has disc brakes, so there's nothing for me to attach the mudguards to at the top of the fork at the front, or to the seat stay. I'm now not in the mood to go for a ride today; the weather is rubbish anyway
I imagine it's to do with the grit and other crap that seems to coat the roads in the winter. I've noticed a definite increase in debris in the cycle lanes in the past couple of weeks, and all those fine particles flying up off your wheels can't do your gears any good. It's one of the reasons I chose a bike with roller brakes, interal gears and mudguards as standard as my "hack".
I've only done about 50 miles on it so far, so the brakes are still bedding in. They seem fine, other than being a bit of a pain to adjust - I still haven't got them spot on, but seeing as they take a while to break in I've decided that it's "good enough" for the time being. They do not seem to be as powerful as the roller brakes on my Subway 8, but again that's likely due to the fact that they've not been worn in yet. What's wrong with the BB5s? Are you getting the juddering I've been seeing reports of?[DOD]Asprilla;17631457 said:
As for actually riding the bike; it's certainly a lot more sporty than the Subway 8 (which now has a rack and panniers on it!). The bottom gear on the Pompetamine works out at 36.9" (48x18t on 700c wheels), which is about the same as the second gear on the Subway 8 (46x20t on 26" wheels). I had not really taken this into consideration when I ordered it, but having actually ridden it, I did find myself wanting that "missing" gear. It's a really nice bike, and now that I have the proper saddle for it, I like the looks even more. I am just going to have to drag my fitness up a notch to be able to fully enjoy it
Have you taken the Bryant out for a ride yet, [DOD]Asprilla?
Bit difficult to keep the salt and grit off your drive train if you get another harsh winter. At least the crud guards will give some protection, wrecked my headset a couple of winters ago after too many wet winter rides. Don't think there was any grease left in it by the end of winter due to water from the front wheel washing it out.
Soldato
Cheers
Well I want a second bike for touring but it would also substitute as my winter bike. Mainly so I could run bigger tyres with a rear rack, but I'd like a winter hack to keep my main away from all the salt on the roads etc.
Soldato
I've got a bike because I ride every weekday and when I get in I just don't have the time to properly clean my drivetrain. I get a lot of miles out of it in summer but I'd be replacing my chain, cassette and chain rings three times a year if i used it in winter. Besides my summer bike can't fit guards or panniers (I generally carry more on my commute in winder)
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