Road Cycling Essentials

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Whilst Specialized and Treks of this world are tried and trusted brands, there is an element of paying for the name. With Boardman/Planet X etc you get far far more for your money and they're still decent bikes proven in races.

Build up a Planet X nanolight with SRAM red and a decent set of wheels would be circa 2-2.5k, the equivalent Trek is going to cost hundreds if not thousands more. If money was no object, I'd possibly spend the extra for the bling factor but personally, I couldn't afford it! ;)
 
bam0 said:
Haven't quite got the front dereailleur setup right yet, and I found last night that the seat post doesn't want to move, at all, even with the bolt completely out. I left some wd40 round the edge but it doesn't seem to have made much difference yet. Any ideas? should I try applying more force by levering something into the seat rails to twist it out, or would trying to shock it by hitting the saddle with a rubber mallet be better?
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Nice looking bike :)

Ah yes, the old stuck seatpost. They can be a problem and you might end up having to replace the post depending on what sort of punishment is needed to free it. If it just needs to go down then, yes, try and knock it down with a mallet. If you can support the bottom bracket between the pedals with a piece of wood you'll be more successful, but you might not need it. If it needs to come out then that can be a bit harder if it won't come free by tapping it in. Tighten the saddle as tight as you can and see if you can get some purchase on it. If not, you might be able to drill a hole in each side of it so you can slip a bar through and get some leverage. Otherwise, if it's a steel post and you can weld, you can also weld a bar to it so you can give it some serious pulling. I had to do that on one of mine.

Once it's out it might be worth checking it's got the right size and someone hasn't just tried to hammer the wrong size in. There are a millionty different sizes and 0.2mm too big will basically just jam in there.
 
Right, I'm thinking of replacing my S1 as after a year of riding I'm beginning to think it's a little too small. I'm 5'9 but my problem is that I have pretty long femurs so my inside leg is 33" and the relative shortness of my torso means my reach is a little shorter than most.

I'm also getting older and although I love the fact the S1 puts you in a position where you just have to thrash it I'm not sure how long I'll be able to maintain that position, particularly for long rides

Anyway, the S1 is a size 51 (tt 530mm, ht 120mm but with a couple of spacers) and I'm looking for something a little more relaxed.

Any recommendations of what to look at on a budget of up to £2,500 for a full bike (Ultegra / Force / Rival build, no Campag or DA / Red) or £1,000 for a frameset?
 
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My first thoughts where a cannondale synapse hi mode ultegra but the ht measurement you gave seems longer than that of the cannondale but the cannondale is measuring shorter in the top tube which sounds like what you want.

Sorry I read the wrong geometry.......the synapse does have the longer headtube in a 51cm of 145mm which will bring you with a 52.5cm toptube should see you sitting that bit more upright.

The full bike sells for £2500 RRP

http://www.cannondale.com/gbr/eng/P...se/Details/2768-1RCL3C-Synapse-Hi-MOD-Ultegra
 
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I finally got myself motivated enough to get up and go for a ride this morning. I decided to take the Specialized out, seeing as I am planning to make it my commuter now that the weather is improving. Barely 4 miles into the ride, I slammed into a sunken pothole and punctured the front inner tube. I had a long time to regret my decision not to get a puncture repair kit on my walk back home.

So anyway, the tube is ruined (first ever attempt to fix a puncture, must have pinched the tube or something) and so I'm going to buy a bunch of them. It occurs to me that I don't have a portable pump that can accommodate presta valves, so I may as well get one while I am buying the tubes. The CO2 ones look interesting, what I'm wondering is if it's worth getting one? From what I can tell, trying to get 120psi via a hand pump is a lot of hassle, so it seems like CO2 is the way to go. Any opinions? :)
 
Completed my first proper ride today - The Stratford CC Reliability Ride.
54 miles in 3hrs 17mins, pretty happy considering the wind is gusty strong and for most of it I was on my own.

Ride details : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/66903775



Saundie said:
The CO2 ones look interesting, what I'm wondering is if it's worth getting one? From what I can tell, trying to get 120psi via a hand pump is a lot of hassle, so it seems like CO2 is the way to go. Any opinions? :)
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I use C02 at races when pumping for 5mins is not ideal. Make sure you wear gloves when using it as the canister gets extremely cold ;)
 
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With something like a road morph or a mini morph 120psi is pretty easy and quick. The road morph even has a pressure gauge.

I've also got a co2 pump which I use in events or when I'm in a hurry, it really is only the difference between 10s and 60s.
 
Finally went out on the Boardman today, didn't go for a ride but was just getting used to the clipless pedals and purposefully falling over to get used to that too :p.

Not in work tomorrow so Tues will be the first commute with it.
 
well I've popped into my LBS and they have a few options beyond the Sepcalised allez/sec etc
Via Nirone 2300 for £615 looked nice (couldn't see what groupset but guess Shimano 2300)
but seems very lame buying it from LBS when evans have EXACT SAME ONE for £100 less.
 
VeNT said:
but seems very lame buying it from LBS when evans have EXACT SAME ONE for £100 less.
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Ask the LBS if he can price match. Might not be able to though, obviously Evans have more buying power than your local LBS does.

Also, have a look at some of the Giant roadies in that price area. Some very good bikes to be had from them. Cube also do some cracking roadies if you can hunt one down on offer. Mate just bought a Cube Peloton for £600 from CRC.
 
tbh all he's got in a Raleigh, Specialized and Bianchi
I like the look for the Bianchi, he's also got an 2010 Sectur with 105s for 799 or so (tempted)
just don't know what to go for the best
I'd really like to use each for a week and see what I get on best with as the shifters are the only real difference i can see
 
[DOD]Asprilla;18404603 said:
With something like a road morph or a mini morph 120psi is pretty easy and quick. The road morph even has a pressure gauge.
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Cheers, I ordered a Road Morph last night along with a load of inner tubes, should get it all tomorrow and be back on the Specialized on Wednesday.

I finally got around to recording my commute with Google My Tracks, and it makes for depressing reading. Average speed was only 14.6kph :(
 
^^^ We ought to get our asses in gear and go for that ride Saundie. I've been mega tied up for the last few weeks though.

This morning was hell. Riding into a head wind all the way in third from slowest gear. My run in took ages :(
 
The Mad Rapper said:
It's purpose built for UK Sportives. Decent SRAM gruppo, decent finishing kit - a smart choice.

...I've just ordered a 2011 Super Six and a 2011 Synapse (both Ultegra) - love Cannondale. Amazing frames. Should get them in 2 weeks.
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Where from?? I've been told my 54cm Black Super Six 105 wont be in till June! No one can get hold of any. Evans have team in 54 but i want black, all my my bikes are black & white, call me a tart i dont mind!
 
Lots of riders out this morning, which isn't surprising; blue sky, reasonably warm and now wind. Great ride out this AM and Richmond Park was beautiful in the frost and fog. Really looking forward to the ride home.
 
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