Road Cycling Essentials

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Posted this in the Big Bike thread, but for all you lycra-clad wimmen :p -

Not sure if anyone is interested in a bike stand (for cleaning/repairs) but just come across the ParkTools PCS10 at a cracking price £98.95 delivered (sells for upto £135 normally) - http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+...+PCS10+Home+Mechanic+Workstand_PARK-PCS10.htm

PARK-PCS10.jpg


ATM, they are doing a special offer on all their stuff and increases with the more you spend so, by the time you get to checkout its £98.95 delivered
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One of the brake pads on my rear brake is touching my tyre on my Trek 1.2. I can't see any way of fixing it. I've tried loosening the screw and pushing it as far down the brake pad arm as possible but it is still in contact. I've had to resort to grinding down one side of the brake pad to avoid it contacting my tyre.

What can I do about this? I'm contemplating buying a new brake calliper entirely in the hope it will fix it, but I would hate to find that I have the same problem.

Cheers
 
Well it appears I'm not that welcome in the 'other' thread! :p ;)

Guys, I would like some help. I know very very little about bikes, except that I want one.

I am entering a novice duathlon in April and would like to get a bike soon so I can get training. The main use of the bike would be on road and commuting but I would also like to be able to use this bike for very light off roading (well established pathways etc.) I guess this puts me firmly in the 'hybrid' category?

I don't want to spend more than £400 really - although if there are bikes that are significantly better for not much more then I would be happy to spend a little extra. I like the look of the Boardman hybrid but I haven't gone to look at one yet so don't know if it's suitable. Do the Boardman bikes have decent components or are you paying for the brand? Can anyone suggest other suitable bikes for around this budget? I will be visiting a couple of local bike specialists at the weekend but it would be nice to know a little more before a salesman gets hold of me...:)
 
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BlackDragon said:
One of the brake pads on my rear brake is touching my tyre on my Trek 1.2. I can't see any way of fixing it. I've tried loosening the screw and pushing it as far down the brake pad arm as possible but it is still in contact. I've had to resort to grinding down one side of the brake pad to avoid it contacting my tyre.

What can I do about this? I'm contemplating buying a new brake calliper entirely in the hope it will fix it, but I would hate to find that I have the same problem.

Cheers
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Sounds like it just needs adjusting. I take it you can move it by hand away from the rim but upon applying the brakes using the lever it just doesn't return to its usual position?.
 
Draeger said:
Sounds like it just needs adjusting. I take it you can move it by hand away from the rim but upon applying the brakes using the lever it just doesn't return to its usual position?.
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It closes and releases freely. It's when I apply the brakes it results in one brake pad contacting the tyre because it isn't far down enough to fully contact the rim. I've moved it as far down the brake arm as possible, as made sure the brake calliper unit is centred.

I bought the bike back in September but didn't notice the problem till a few months after. I might give them a ring tomorrow to see if it is still covered under warranty or something. I read online that some Trek models (Trek 1000) have a problem where a manufacturer defect caused this problem.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;18274098 said:
Belt drive snapped this morning. Think it was over tensioned when it was serviced.
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:(

Didn't you pack a, erm, belt tool to remove a, erm, bit of rubber and, erm, glue it back together?

I guess that is the big downside to belt drives, you need to carry a spare if you want to do a roadside repair.

(reminds me I need to by one of those quick links before i start commuting again!)
 
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Siliconslave said:
:(

Didn't you pack a, erm, belt tool to remove a, erm, bit of rubber and, erm, glue it back together?

I guess that is the big downside to belt drives, you need to carry a spare if you want to do a roadside repair.

(reminds me I need to by one of those quick links before i start commuting again!)
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I'd left my stapler at home and patch glue didn't work.....

Quite annoyed at a failure after 2500k; James Bowthorpe got 8 times that out of his.
 
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UltimateBadger said:
Well it appears I'm not that welcome in the 'other' thread! :p ;)

Guys, I would like some help. I know very very little about bikes, except that I want one.

I am entering a novice duathlon in April and would like to get a bike soon so I can get training. The main use of the bike would be on road and commuting but I would also like to be able to use this bike for very light off roading (well established pathways etc.) I guess this puts me firmly in the 'hybrid' category?

I don't want to spend more than £400 really - although if there are bikes that are significantly better for not much more then I would be happy to spend a little extra. I like the look of the Boardman hybrid but I haven't gone to look at one yet so don't know if it's suitable. Do the Boardman bikes have decent components or are you paying for the brand? Can anyone suggest other suitable bikes for around this budget? I will be visiting a couple of local bike specialists at the weekend but it would be nice to know a little more before a salesman gets hold of me...:)
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Hybrids make me cry. You need a cyclocross bike. But if you've only got £400 you should look for something second hand. Cheapest thing I can find retail (after admittedly a very brief look) is this: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/tricross-2010-cyclo-cross-bike-ec020084
 
What's so bad about hybrids then? (genuine question: I know nothing about bikes) There appears to be a good number of decent-ish more 'road focused' hybrid bikes around my budget.

Will I be left standing if I don't use a full road bike for the duathlon? (n.b. this is a sprint distance event and there will be a number of first-timers taking part, myself included) My hopes for the event are that I finish and I don't come too near the back!

I am open to buying a second hand bike and I will be going to my LBS on Saturday to see what they've got.
 
You'll probably find a lot of people on slicked up MTBs and hybrids doing their first events. The issue arises if you decide you want to do more events; you'll have a hybrid when you want something quicker.

Hybrids are ok, but they are a compromise bike designed for neither on thing nor another.
 
Interesting, thanks. So it sounds like I may be better going for a road bike and using my el cheapo mountain bike for the odd bit of light off road.
Anyway I shall see what the local bike shops say.
 
Looking to local bike shops could prove quite a pricey route, often a decent LBS will only stock road bikes from around £800 - I know mine does.
If you have an Evans near you try them, normally have some cheaper things on offer, my other-half recently got herself a Dawes Giro. Cost her around £400 and to be honest I was impressed by it - build quality seemed good, it wasn't too heavy and the Shimano 2300 groupset seemed to alright for the money.
 
Today my new road bike arrived.
I'll be using it for training during the remaining winter months, races & sportives and commuting to work in the Spring & Summer.

2011 Specialized Allez Elite - Size 58

Key Features
E5 smooth welded aluminium frame
Carbon Fork
Tapered head tube : 1-1/8" upper and 1-1/5" lower
Shimano Tiagra groupset
Double chain ring - 50 x 34

Updated : 28/03/11

- New Wheels : Fulcrum Racing 5's
- New Tyres : Schwalbe Ultremo ZX
- New Saddle : Specialized Romin Elite

Weight : 8.9kg with pedals

Allez-Elite-March-11.jpg
 
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