Road Cycling Essentials

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Droolinggimp said:
After having my Triban 3 for nearly 4 months now I have got to say how good it is. It being my first road bike I can't compare it to anything else though. The last few weeks I have 'upgraded' it a little too. My birthday was on the 6th and I was treated to a trip to Decathlon.

I managed to purchase the SKS Race blade mudguards. Ideal as I use it to commute to work and back, stops my bum from getting wet plus the added bonus that thye are quite flush and don't look tacky. In my opinion of course.

Also I got the Sigma Micro lights for the front and back. Small, discreet and very bright led lights.

Sigma BC906 computer to show my my speed, distance etc. New bottle cage with go faster stripes.

I am happy with my items and make the bike look quite swish. :-)

On another note the gears are slipping now. I am changing down or up and the chain not moving then after a little bit of peddling it switches gear. I am guessing its time to re-align them. I take it this is done by altering the little screws on the mechs. Any help welcome.
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i've had mine for close to 2 months now! :) like it a lot, bar the brakes! pads went after ~650 miles! :) which is ok i guess, i do a lot of breaking after all while commuting in central london.

how are tyres holding for you? how many miles have you done on it?
 
ShiWarrior said:
hmm, i wear glasses and when its cold (or windy?) my eyes water, i need something to go over the top ?
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I wear contacts when i'm riding so i can wear regular cycling glasses, the benefit of this is if my cycling glasses steam up i can take them off and still see where i'm going :D
 
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if anyone is having trouble with their glasses steaming up at traffic lights etc....


trade secret is to rub a tiny amount of fairy liquid onto the lenses, no steam whatsoever

only trouble is it washes off if caught in the rain lol....
 
I'm thinking of getting a road bike soon, my first preference is the 2013 Specialised Roubaix sport compact.

This is why -

Earlier this year I smashed my right arm. Convalescence was slow, and I had to get fit.
I started off on an indoor fitness bike, and then as soon as I could get outside I bought a Hybrid Trek DS. My arm was still knackered so I need to be upright, hence the hybrid.
In the last 3 weeks I have done over 300 miles, with an altitude gain of 8,500m. I now have the urge for more, and the Roubaix seems to fit the bill. I think I need the compact chainset (34/30) as I dont think I'll get up the hills around here on 36/28 gearing. Also I like to ride for 2-3 hours at a time, and the Roubaix sounds comfortable.

I'm 50 years old btw, so don't give a damn what I look like, but no desire to be an out-and-out MAMIL.

Any thoughts, or alternatives I could look at?
 
DIABLO said:
I wear contacts when i'm riding so i can wear regular cycling glasses, the benefit of this is if my cycling glasses steam up i can take them off and still see where i'm going :D
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no option for me, i hate contacts and laser eye surgery just means i stil have to wear glasses as im really bad
 
Not been out for a week now... Might be a while before I go out again, given the manky weather. Oh well. Maybe I'll just pick up again in early feb.
 
Heh. True. I guess I'd just rather not die sliding on the ice...

I've half a mind to buy an exercise bike. Can pick one up for under £100 which would do the job for the couple of months a year and the odd horrible evening the rest of the year when I'd use it.
 
Well, a turbo uses correct geometry and pedalling action because you are using your own bike. It also allows you to use gearing.

Rollers do all of that and make use of your core to ensure you stay stable and don't fall off.
 
I have an exercise bike (spinning style), a turbo and rollers.
The exercise bike is by far my favourite because its very solid, i can do a max effort sprint standing up on the pedals and it wont budge.
The rollers are also good, but different. There is no way to add resistance to them, but they (obviously) feel very similar to riding a real bike. They help with cadence, pedalling technique and balance.
I'm not a fan of the turbo at all. Maybe the one i have is a cheap rubbish one (i have an elite that i won in alpinebikes) it's very floppy/flexy and feels unstable. I wouldnt trust it to hold me upright if i tried anything other than sitting still in the saddle. It doesnt hold my bike perfectly upright either, i usually stick a thin book or something under the feet on one side to get my bike straight. Its not just my bike, it does it with all bikes i'v tried on it, i think its the bolt that holds the bike in place bending under my weight.

edit: actually, i'v changed my mind. Get a MTB and some decent lights, thats the best option by far :cool:
 
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Shamrock said:
You have these alternatives to wearing your normal glasses:

http://www.rxsport.co.uk/pages/Prescription-Options.html

I personally have cycling glasses with Rx inserts, they are far cheaper than direct glaze and if your prescription is really high they can't actually do direct glaze.
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Thanks for that, what is best for me? i have a very high prescription, would buying just the frames from somewhere and getting them to do the lenses? or should i get over glasses (goggles) ?
 
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