Road Cycling Essentials

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[Damien];22842511 said:
I've rode MTBs on the road for years and finally decided to get something a bit nippier. I ended up getting a cyclocross bike because some of the roads near me are terrible, and I'm not averse to hopping the odd kerb to get around traffic. Also the 32mm tyres I have fitted definitely help as I'm 15 stone and didn't fancy sitting on top of razor thin wheels. I'm pleasantly surprised how much a carbon fork copes with a bumpy surface too.
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I bought a full carbon roadie with 23mm tyres when I was 230lbs (16 stone 6lbs) and it coped just fine with my lard arse :p

I'm down to 14st 10lb now and it's still coping just fine :)
 
touch said:
The cheap chinese stuff isnt up to much really. I got the full HTC kit (bibshorts + top) a couple of years ago. Bad choice, as the shorts are white and see-through :(
The top is really bad, rubbish zip and a silly elastic bit sewn into the top of the pockets that digs into my back.
The shorts are not as bad, but still not very good compared to my other stuff (mainly giordana)
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I've got a SKY 2011 copy and that's alright - been through about 30 washes, though in winter it will get less washes as I'll probably wear a baselayer under it.
Bizarrely my Imp Sport kit which is not fake and not cheap has worn nowhere near as well! Full of bobbles and seems to mark easily.
 
Vonhelmet said:
You got replica kit? What did you go for? You get it off eBay? What's the quality like?
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Yeah, I know some people have really strong opinions on team kit but I couldn't give a crap, I buy what I like :p

Not off ebay, one of those generic "Cheap Cycle Top" sites based in Hong Kong. Initial quality seems alright, zip is probably a bit flimsy if I'm being really critical and there are minor differences between it and the real deal, but the fit etc seems fine.

It's this year's Orica greenEdge kit - I don't ride a Scott but it does match the colour of the bike well, plus I like it which is enough for me.
 
Rusty_Noob said:
I bought a full carbon roadie with 23mm tyres when I was 230lbs (16 stone 6lbs) and it coped just fine with my lard arse :p

I'm down to 14st 10lb now and it's still coping just fine :)
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Nice one! How are the roads near you? I'm guessing on 23mm tyres on crappy roads you'd really feel it.
 
Lopéz said:
Yeah, I know some people have really strong opinions on team kit but I couldn't give a crap, I buy what I like :p
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I'd quite like some, to be honest, but I know some people are funny about it. I guess it depends on how well you can ride. My neighbour's son wears a Euskaltel top and he is a brilliant cyclist. By contrast, one guy we've cycled with once turned up in full Team Sky kit with an £800 Bianchi, albeit with trainers and flat pedals, and then performed terribly on the hills.

I think team kit can be a bit try hard, and can definitely be an indicator of "all the gear, no idea"! If you can ride well, though, then I guess it's less likely to attract criticism.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;22848430 said:
Looking forward to the 2013 Sky Kit; Rapha just rocks.

Gonna stick my Paul Smith Rapha City Rain Jacket on eBay and get a Rapha Rain Jacket this weekend.
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I liked the Sky 2012 kit, that they used in the milk race and the Vulta
 
Haven't gone out this evening in the end. For those not keeping an eye on things in motors, I managed to drive my car into some floodwater on Monday and now it is teh borken. I've been dealing with the insurance this evening.

Oh well, maybe I'll get out on Saturday morning, assuming it's not bucketing again.
 
Team kit doesn't float my boat. But neither does Lycra or mushroom head either so seriously who cares. Buy and wear what you like.
 
The wind and rain has certainly not been conducive to riding this week, I even missed out on my commute this week because it was just too windy to attempt, not as in 'it would be hard going' more like because 'it was downright dangerous!!!'.

Hoping to commute into work this Saturday and Sunday as I'm on duty over the weekend. Really missing my dose of cycling this week, despite having managed a bit of off roading on the hardtail at the start of the week. :)
 
[Damien];22847998 said:
Nice one! How are the roads near you? I'm guessing on 23mm tyres on crappy roads you'd really feel it.
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The roads on the whole are pretty decent, few potholes here and there but those can be avoided easily enough.

The carbon frame and fork really filter out the road noise, it's more comfortable than my alloy hybrid with 28c tyres!
 
Dimple said:
Don't laugh but Aldi are having the 'Aldi Cycling Event' where they seem to have some bargain prices on gear.
I'm particulary interested in this stuff for winter to put under my nice winter cycling coat and trousers.
Do they look OK?

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_26710.htm
http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_26716.htm
http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_26719.htm

Any other stuff that looks a bargain or stay away?
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Their arm and leg warmers and overshoes look pretty good, I'm going to pop in tomorrow morning and spend a load of money. :cool:
 
Vonhelmet said:
I'd quite like some, to be honest, but I know some people are funny about it. I guess it depends on how well you can ride. My neighbour's son wears a Euskaltel top and he is a brilliant cyclist. By contrast, one guy we've cycled with once turned up in full Team Sky kit with an £800 Bianchi, albeit with trainers and flat pedals, and then performed terribly on the hills.

I think team kit can be a bit try hard, and can definitely be an indicator of "all the gear, no idea"! If you can ride well, though, then I guess it's less likely to attract criticism.
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I just think non team kit is generally pretty boring looking. So much black for starters, yawn!
 
Draeger said:
I intend grabbing a pack of the reflective spoke protectors to see how they are. Anyone used them before?.
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Saw a bike with some of them and they were brilliant, really stood out and when the car headlights were on it, it looked like a 4 inch beam of light around the wheel. I think they will be the 3M ones.
 
just bought another frame,

3981335934_aa11690059_z.jpg


this frame to be exact, i think i have a problem :(
 
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