Road Cycling Essentials

SDK^ · 27 Mar 2011 at 19:50

The stock tyres are pretty decent.
I saved 700grams in total by changing the wheels and tyres. It doesn't sound much but it makes a big difference.

collisster · 27 Mar 2011 at 19:59

the puncture protection on the tyres decent? I'd like light tires but not made of condoms!
Have you changed the cassette as well? I think the stock one is quite heavy

TreeTops · 28 Mar 2011 at 13:19

SDK^ said:
I've just back home from my 100 mile Sportive - Wiggle Cheshire Cat.
Distance completed in 5hrs 46mins, average speed 17.5 mph.

Pretty chuffed

Nobody else appears to have had chance to reply to you, but by god, thats very good going. I'd guess that the course would have been quite bumpy too.

platypus · 28 Mar 2011 at 13:28

Indeed, congrats on the time. That is good going.

VeNT · 28 Mar 2011 at 13:36

looking at this for the cyclescheme ( it says they are part of it on their website! WOO!)
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/speci...art=SERIBB7005SLRACESRAM&sub=conf_SERC&bike=1
any advice? (figure I need 52cm having a 30'' inside leg)

Saundie · 28 Mar 2011 at 13:59

SDK^ said:
I've just back home from my 100 mile Sportive - Wiggle Cheshire Cat.
Distance completed in 5hrs 46mins, average speed 17.5 mph.

Pretty chuffed

I missed this when you posted it; that is very good going. You have every right to be chuffed

[DOD]Asprilla · 28 Mar 2011 at 14:54

I'd be very pleased with that indeed SDK. I bet you'll be back again next year though to shave off that extra 6 minutes.

6thElement · 28 Mar 2011 at 15:45

That's pretty damn speedy. Was that total time or moving time? In a paceline or solo?

SDK^ · 28 Mar 2011 at 17:51

Thanks

It was my first Sportive and also the first time i've rode over 65 miles.

I felt unstoppable until I made my only stop at the last food/drink station at 75 miles; my leg muscles totally seized up and on the restart it took me about 5 miles to get back up to speed.
The ride was a mixture of supporting groups and solo when people stopped etc.

Moving time was 5hr 45mins, total time was 6hr 2mins. Towards the end I caught so many red traffic lights :mad:

The killer hills were in the first 40 miles

Garmin log here : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/75746363

Me on the Mow Cop climb - the first big spike on the profile above.

InsomniaCalls · 28 Mar 2011 at 20:47

Did 70 hilly miles yesterday including the infamous (round here) Crawleyside Bank. Phone based GPS died 40 miles into the ride but up to that point we had 4740ft of elevation gain. Guesstimate would add another 2500-3000ft to that to finish the ride.

Bit sore today but was a good way to ease myself back into the saddle!

Sagalout · 29 Mar 2011 at 10:37

Good ride that SDK

SOunds a good sportive that if it puts the climbing at the start - nothing worse than hitting a massive climb with 90 miles in the legs!

Your max hr needs setting in Garmin

janesssssy · 29 Mar 2011 at 14:09

Nice1 SDK, although I see nothing wrong with HRM. (EDIT) - It seems to corralate exactly with the climbs, which makes sense.

- where is the best place to buy road wheels? Mine need replacing. CRC? or any other alternatives.

Thinking of Fulcrum Red 5's.

[DOD]Asprilla · 29 Mar 2011 at 14:28

janesssssy said:
Thinking of Fulcrum Red 5's.

Aren't the Reds MTB wheels and the Racings road wheels?

Ribble are doing Racing 5s for £161.46.

janesssssy · 29 Mar 2011 at 15:06

Thanks Asprilla.

platypus · 29 Mar 2011 at 15:24

Experiencing some frustration with Ribble at the moment. An order I placed last week and need urgently hasn't been dispatched even though everything is in stock, and I ordered a pair of 2010 team kit shorts as I need some new ones and they're on the cheap now and they sent the wrong ones.

Not filling me full of confidence for my bike build order..

Edit: Oh and janessssy I just phoned Ribble to ask about my order. They are having trouble with all orders involving wheels apparently.

janesssssy · 29 Mar 2011 at 15:47

OK, will stay clear from them for the time being. Im actualy thinking whether its worth upgrading my Focus road bike. In hind sight, I should have got a bike for £1000 or there abouts. Not £600

Alu frame, carbon fork, 105 groupset. knakkered wheels - worn tyres.
Approaching 1000 miles.

upgrade or full purchase?

platypus · 29 Mar 2011 at 15:54

Full purchase. There are so many good prices out around at the moment, including on Wiggle, Ribble and Evans.

[DOD]Asprilla · 29 Mar 2011 at 16:07

Depends how much you want to spend. I've never ridden that model, but I was under the impression that they were pretty good.

105 is a good groupset and you'll be hard pressed to find much under £1,000 that uses it these days.

Wheels can be picked up cheap and tyres wear out.

janesssssy · 29 Mar 2011 at 16:21

Its a good idea asking the question. However I think im going to get the Racing five wheels, and some new tyres. white / black ones, any recommendations about tyres. 'I know nothing about road bikes'

Thanks

[DOD]Asprilla · 29 Mar 2011 at 16:41

janesssssy said:
any recommendations about tyres.

Yeah, don't buy them based upon colour.

Tyres are a very personal choice; ask 100 people what they prefer and you'll get 100 different answers.

I use Schwalb Durano S (only the S version) and I find them to be the perfect balance of weight, wear durability and puncture protection.