Road Cycling Essentials

Status
Not open for further replies.
Saytan said:
before fitting the rim tape go right the way round the rim 2-3 times with electrical tape. go over the valve hole. before fitting the tube stab the valve hole open with a screwdriver, but dont trim the excess

this "tapes" the edges of the valve hole
Click to expand...

The rim tape i've used is pretty thick, about 1.5mm and surrounds the valve hole perfectly.

The punctures are appearing ~1cm to the left of the valve hole, dispite there being nothing there to cause problems.

I'm actually baffled by this because there doesn't seem to be an clear indicator as to what is causing it.
 
After commuting for more years than I care to count on various MTB's (current commute is 27m round trip on a Giant XTC hardtail) I've decided to get something a little more nimble.

The roads near me aren't exactly smooth so I was nervous about sticking my 210lb frame on some skinny road wheels. Someone kindly pointed me in the direction of cyclocross bikes so I took a look.

I've just bought this. It was between this and a couple of the Tricross (admittedly more commuting suited) versions but in the end the prettiness won me over.

Anyway, can anyone suggest me some decent entry level clipless pedals & shoes for someone who's only ever ridden platforms?
 
[Damien];22675458 said:
After commuting for more years than I care to count on various MTB's (current commute is 27m round trip on a Giant XTC hardtail) I've decided to get something a little more nimble.

I've just bought this. It was between this and a couple of the Tricross (admittedly more commuting suited) versions but in the end the prettiness won me over.

Anyway, can anyone suggest me some decent entry level clipless pedals & shoes for someone who's only ever ridden platforms?
Click to expand...
That's a very nice bike you've got there! I'm surprised that you'd put up with riding a hardtail on such a long commute; the Crux should cut your travel time down a fair amount.

I use Shimano A530 pedals on my commuting bike. I like the option of being able to wear normal shoes if I'm only going a short distance. I think you can get them for about £30 online. If you want double entry (i.e. clip in on either side) then PD-M520 are extremely popular and well regarded for the price.

I'm riding down to Bexhill tomorrow with a couple of guys from work and some of their friends. Meeting them at 5:50, which means I'll get to see the sun rise while I'm cycling through the lanes. Looking forward to having a fry-up when we get down there :)
 
Saundie said:
That's a very nice bike you've got there! I'm surprised that you'd put up with riding a hardtail on such a long commute; the Crux should cut your travel time down a fair amount.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I've been riding this commute for about the last year. Before that it was a 22m round trip for at least 4yrs. I've basically been bike commuting for as long as I can remember, but always on a MTB. I don't know why but I've always shied away from road bikes. It's definitely long past time for me to join the spandex mafia though.

I've actually bought the Crux blind, as mental as that sounds. I was looking at the Giant TCX 2 2012, then that sold out before I could get hold of one, then the Specialized Tricross 2012, but the only place I could get hold of it to test ride was Evans and after asking them to get one in for me to try over a week ago, I'm still waiting. They had the Crux 2012 but only in some stupidly big size.

After a week or so watching all these nice 2012 bikes slip away I measured, checked and triple checked my size (I'm 5'9 but with short legs) and bought the last remaining Crux from one shop, only to find out the site was wrong and they were actually out of stock. I then managed to track down one at the last remaining shop with one in my size (a 54cm, cost me an extra 50 quid over the first shop) and hit the button. I'm going to be gutted if it doesn't fit properly and I have to return it. Should be fine though reach wise, but might be cutting it fine on the standover.

Those pedals look perfect. I was thinking of getting one sided ones even if it was just until I was confident to go full on clipless. What shoes do you wear with those?

Edit: Cheers Jono
 
Last edited:
MadMossy said:
The rim tape i've used is pretty thick, about 1.5mm and surrounds the valve hole perfectly.

The punctures are appearing ~1cm to the left of the valve hole, dispite there being nothing there to cause problems.

I'm actually baffled by this because there doesn't seem to be an clear indicator as to what is causing it.
Click to expand...

Have you ran your fingers along the inside of the tube? You may find a thorn or something has gone through which can't be seen from the outside.
 
[Damien];22675789 said:
After a week or so watching all these nice 2012 bikes slip away I measured, checked and triple checked my size (I'm 5'9 but with short legs) and bought the last remaining Crux from one shop, only to find out the site was wrong and they were actually out of stock. I then managed to track down one at the last remaining shop with one in my size (a 54cm, cost me an extra 50 quid over the first shop) and hit the button. I'm going to be gutted if it doesn't fit properly and I have to return it. Should be fine though reach wise, but might be cutting it fine on the standover.
Click to expand...
I didn't try my Pinnacle Arkose before buying it either, as there's no longer an Evans in Croydon and I'm not prepared to go all the way over to Crawley. I'm also 5'9 with short legs, but the medium (marked as a 52cm but who knows what that's actually referring to) fits me pretty much perfectly, so I got away with it again. Have you actually got the bike yet?

[Damien];22675789 said:
Those pedals look perfect. I was thinking of getting one sided ones even if it was just until I was confident to go full on clipless. What shoes do you wear with those?
Click to expand...
Any shoes that can take SPD cleats will work with them - the pedals come with the cleats, which you screw into the bottom of the shoe. I did the same as Jono and went for MTB shoes; specifically the wide version of the Shimano M087. I had cheap dhb (Wiggle own brand) shoes before but they had laces, which I found to be extremely aggravating as they'd flap around and get caught on the cranks.
 
Saundie said:
Have you actually got the bike yet?
Click to expand...

Not yet. It's got to be assembled and checked and the earliest they can get it in their workshop is 11 Sept. I should have it on the 12th all being well. It seems to be the very last Crux 2012 available in my size for sub £800 available anywhere, and the Tricross 2012's aren't far behind. If this one doesn't fit properly I'm screwed and will more than likely have to hold off and try again next year.

I was debating getting the 52 version of the Crux just before trying to buy it the first time but there was none available in that size in that shop or anywhere else. The only suitable bikes I could test left in most of the shops I went in were 56's and were too big.

Based on my height I should be comfortably in a 54 which most of the bike shops I went in agreed. I may be slightly off in standover but I'll deal with it so long as it's only slightly. I'd probably end up sacrificing reach if I dropped to a 52, despite it fitting my legs better. I guess I'll find out for sure when I get it.
 
MadMossy said:
The rim tape i've used is pretty thick, about 1.5mm and surrounds the valve hole perfectly.

The punctures are appearing ~1cm to the left of the valve hole, dispite there being nothing there to cause problems.

I'm actually baffled by this because there doesn't seem to be an clear indicator as to what is causing it.
Click to expand...

If you've got a lock nut on your presta valve, try loosening it before inflating and don't nip it up too tight afterwards.

-edit- I'm referring to the threaded ring that screws over the valve up to the rim.
 
Last edited:
[DOD]Asprilla;22677113 said:
You put those on? Think of the weight! Next you tell me you put the dust caps on.
Click to expand...

LOL If you ever see me then you'll realise that it would make sweet FA difference :D Yes I do put dust caps on but they're made with helium nano technology so they actually reduce the weight of the bike :p
 
Decided I'm probably getting the Cannondale CAAD8 6. Can anyone recommend some pedals to replace the standard ones with? Possibly ones that have a flat side to wear normal shoes too, and freedom to get proper cycle shoes?

What locks are people using on their roadies?
 
A quick 17 miles for me after work for my second ride, I hit 30mph which I was surprised by.

Anyone ride in the Birmingham area?

These pedals are good skye.
 
So we left about 1ish this afternoon, and ive only just got back, i had planned to do about 60 miles today on my brand new Canyon. First ride you know, see how it feels...Well, we got to 19.01 miles and this happened...

2012-08-31143834.jpg


2012-08-31151610.jpg


2012-09-01003448.jpg


Very very disappointed, the rear derailier just snapped clean off, no warning what so ever, lucky i was only going slow at the time otherwise it could have been a nasty accident, now i need to contact Canyon and see what i do about this situation because there is no way this sort of thing should happen after 19 miles!:mad:
 
Looks like more like a problem with Shimano components than the actual bike, still they should replace it under warranty and cover the cost of having it setup/adjusted at your LBS.

First day of spring today and the hills were filled with the sound of huffing and puffing!

Did a ride I did earlier in the year, at least half of it is on almost deserted roads, has a couple of CAT 4 climbs in it, I think I prefer the shorter and steeper one of the two, the longer climbs take more out of me. Still, ended up being only 8 seconds slower (over the 33km Strava segment) than I was back in May, and I didn't get off the bike and die like I thought I might since jumping up to larger chain rings.

Somehow I am 11 minutes behind the fastest Strava time, yet for the first 15km I am equal to or slightly faster on pace. I think the weather conditions play a big part, a headwind coming up the climb towards the end just kills you and I ended up close to or in the lowest gear really grinding away to keep going.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom