Road Cycling Essentials

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Lead_Head said:
Where do you get merino socks from?
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I wear Endura Baa Baa Winter socks. Medium weight merino socks.

Those MT500 overshoes are ok but be aware that the sole stitching wears very quickly if you are constantly stopping at lights.

Mine lasted one winter and I've now had a pair of BBB Uktraflex for three years which are brilliant. Much better designed and built.

If you really want to keep your feet dry though you need full length mudguards. Most of the water on your feet is spray coming up not rain coming down.
 
Interesting on the Tool Tube idea.

I can never decide what is the best option. I often load up my Jersey pockets with everything, but I think even though its not a huge amount of weight, its enough that when you are in the saddle for a long period of time, hunched over the bars, its probably not doing any favours and contributes to back ache.

What do most people use when doing Sportives?
I've got a small saddle bag somewhere, but haven't used it for a while.
 
Nexus said:
Interesting on the Tool Tube idea.

I can never decide what is the best option. I often load up my Jersey pockets with everything, but I think even though its not a huge amount of weight, its enough that when you are in the saddle for a long period of time, hunched over the bars, its probably not doing any favours and contributes to back ache.

What do most people use when doing Sportives?
I've got a small saddle bag somewhere, but haven't used it for a while.
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could always get someone to follow you in a car....
 
A tool tube's a cracking idea. I didn't even know they existed. How large is the opening on that wiggle one? And do you have a problem with stuff vibrating about inside? That would do my head in.
 
I use a saddle bag and bar bag on sportives. Saddle bag has spare tube, multi-tool, levers and extra gels/bars and bar bag has phone, wallet and gels. More than enough room.
 
I just got a Deuter 12L cycling rucksack today from Wiggle.

Screw the rules! I need to carry stuff, dislike saddle bags and jersey pockets can only hold so much.:p

Wearing a rucksack doesn't bother me in the slightest.
 
Shamrock said:
I just got a Deuter 12L cycling rucksack today from Wiggle.

Screw the rules! I need to carry stuff, dislike saddle bags and jersey pockets can only hold so much.:p

Wearing a rucksack doesn't bother me in the slightest.
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I wear a rucksack for most of my cycling. I need to take clothes to work.

In other news I just got a Rapha Classic Softshell in hi-viz black.

My god it's beautiful.
 
In terms of carrying stuff I usually have:

  • A 750ml bottle and 500ml bottle in my cages
  • Pump on the downtube
  • A saddle bag with an inner tube and tyre levers, and usually my phone, housekey and some money as well
  • Gels and other food in a jersey pocket
  • Cycling glasses, arm warmers, leg warmers, overshoes, whatever other clothing in other jersey pockets
 
I have a saddle bag on my bike at all times with tyre levers, puncture repair kit, mini-pump, asthma inhaler and my phone, it can expand to fit more as well but not needed that as yet, could do soon though.

I did buy a top-bar bag (Topeak Tri-Bag iirc) and can see how it'd be good, found it kinda irritating when I stood up to pedal but then I try not to do that much (but junctions and steep hills I 'need' to for short periods).

And then for work I always have a rucksack with whatever else I need...

On a related but separate note, is anyone doing the Wiggle New Forest sportive this weekend (Saturday specifically?) I signed up a while ago as my first sportive, then recently upped the distance from 44 miles to 65 as I felt, even though I've not ridden many long distances, that 44 miles would be 'too easy', think I was a little crazy at the time :p

Looking forward to it but also a bit nervous, also not 100% sure what to take so far, don't really want to take the rucksack along with me to store stuff in as it gets dryer/warmer (assuming the predictions are right) during the course of the ride. I have got myself a spare innertube (well 2, only gonna take 1), replaced my mis-matched water bottles with a pair of 800ml ones which will be way more than enough between the food/drink stops, not got a multi-tool to take other than a leatherman which I'll chuck in but isn't really bike specific. Anything else I'm likely to forget?
 
I carry:

Saddlebag:
- British Cycling membership card,
- mini Specialised multi tool,
- spare inner tube,
- tyre levers x3,
- CO2 inflator valve.

Rear pockets:
- Waterproof stashable jacket,
- Arm Warmers if necessary
- Gels / Food,
- Phone,
- Cash.

Bottle Cage:
- 16g CO2 canisters held in BBB bracket,
- 750ml + 500ml water regardless of where and how far I go with electrolyte tabs in.
 
[Damien];22890630 said:
You won't be until you start acting like one! :p
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Sure!

Have a car following me at all times with spare bike and kit and a coach to shout orders. Whenever I finish a water bottle, I just fling it away, regardless of what or who it might hit. A motorbike rider will be up front with a pace board and should I need to pee, just stop by the side of the road wherever and let her rip!

:D
 
SKILL said:
I did buy a top-bar bag (Topeak Tri-Bag iirc) and can see how it'd be good, found it kinda irritating when I stood up to pedal but then I try not to do that much (but junctions and steep hills I 'need' to for short periods).
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I was thinking of trying one of these on my bike that's set up for tri. I don't have any pockets in my trisuit for food etc so it seemed a good choice. Hadn't thought of it getting in the way up there!
 
So after plodding around in MTB gear i've finally placed an order with a company i can trust!

1 Continental Race 28 Tube - 700 x 18-25c Presta 42mm

1 Shimano R133 SPD SL Road Shoes - 45 - White/Black - Carbon Sole

2 Da Bomb Bomb Bay Water Bottle - 700ml - Sun Yellow

1 Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL 6700 Road Pedals - Pair - Glossy Grey

1 Giro Atmos Helmet 2012 - 55-59cm Medium White/Silver


I almost went with the speed play pedals but backed away at the last second, looking forward to getting rid of my MTB SPD pedals :)
 
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bcjames said:
I was thinking of trying one of these on my bike that's set up for tri. I don't have any pockets in my trisuit for food etc so it seemed a good choice. Hadn't thought of it getting in the way up there!
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It is only a minor irritation, basically for me at least when I'm standing in (and putting 'lots' of effort in) the bike leans over underneath me if that makes sense, and when it leans the bag just brushes the inside of one of the legs.

It's not enough that you worry about it falling off or anything, and it does provide some very useful storage space so I'll use it again on saturday for food/gels etc but I wasn't expecting/didn't think about it either :p
 
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