Road Cycling Essentials

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Saundie said:
As a bit of an aside, have any of you guys gone through periods of disaffection towards cycling? I've had the past four days off work and not felt any inclination to do any riding. Usually I'd at least go for a few hours on Sunday morning, but I really couldn't be bothered with it today. If you have become jaded with cycling in the past, how did you get past it? I suppose it probably doesn't help that none of my bikes are especially comfortable. Perhaps I should just man up and go and get a proper fitting?
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Cycling is pretty much all I think about, apart from how much I love my wife ;)

Can I suggest you consider joining your local cycling club? I never enjoy cycling on my own as much as riding in a group. It adds an entire new dimension to your ride, and often forces you to stop being lazy and push yourself a bit as well!

Most clubs have beginner's rides, so 40 miles or less and they regroup at the top of climbs. You'll stop half way around for a cup of tea and some cake, which is a huge incentive if, like me, you're on a diet the other 6 days a week!

Get in touch, they don't bite! :)

*Edit*

I've just looked on Google, and I don't know where in London you live, but there are loads there.
 
I'm a cyclist and I confess that it has been nine days since I last cycled.

Can't wait to get back on the bike tomorrow, even though my ankle isn't fully fit yet.
 
Saundie said:
The crankset on the 105 triple is 50-39-30T, assuming it's got the largest ranged 105 cassette of 11-28, that gives you a range of ~26.5 to 113 gear inches. Not too bad as long as you're not planning on carrying 40kg of gear up through the Dales or something of that ilk. As for sizing, I'm 175cm and a 58cm frame would be way too big for me, but then I do have abnormally short legs (28" inside leg). Having purchased more than one bike without trying it first, I can say with confidence that it's a bad idea. You should try it out before you pay anything.

I'd stick with the LHT, personally! :)
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Yup, going to pass on it. Still quite a nice deal for anyone in the area though.

Considering the Sutra again now... but I'd love a different colour scheme ;p
 
Velo Rapide said:
Sorry - just seen this.

It depends what view you wish to take. I have ITM components on my Ribble Winter Trainer and they are fine. Was this for a bike build? If so, then I'd accept it on the basis that you may be waiting months for them to get new stock. You can try and source the Deda part you wanted elsewhere, and eBay the ITM?
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I went for it in the end, because as you said I didn't want to delay the bike build any more. I think in the long run I'll get a shorter stem though, as I was up north this weekend visiting the proverbial in-laws, and the bike was probably an inch too long for comfort on long rides.

[DOD]Asprilla;18809478 said:
Just coming back to this, new bike, eh?

Any details forthcoming or have I missed the big announcement?
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I've ordered a bike build from Ribble, a Gran Fondo. Pictures will follow when it arrives :).

Saundie said:
As a bit of an aside, have any of you guys gone through periods of disaffection towards cycling? I've had the past four days off work and not felt any inclination to do any riding. Usually I'd at least go for a few hours on Sunday morning, but I really couldn't be bothered with it today. If you have become jaded with cycling in the past, how did you get past it? I suppose it probably doesn't help that none of my bikes are especially comfortable. Perhaps I should just man up and go and get a proper fitting?
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As I commute on a boring route daily its easy to get bored. So I mix it up by doing a long ride at the weekends that is different each time. The only break I've had since starting cycling "properly" was when I got back from Thailand with a damaged hip. And a month of driving was enough to make me mad whilst waiting to get back on the bike :p.

Try something new. Sportives, join a club, triathlons :D?
 
platypus said:
As I commute on a boring route daily its easy to get bored. So I mix it up by doing a long ride at the weekends that is different each time. The only break I've had since starting cycling "properly" was when I got back from Thailand with a damaged hip. And a month of driving was enough to make me mad whilst waiting to get back on the bike :p.

Try something new. Sportives, join a club, triathlons :D?
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My commute is only 3.5 miles each way, so I don't tend to think of it as proper cycling. I think I'm going to start riding further away from home when I go out on the weekend. So far I have been doing big 20-30 mile loops, which I'm bored of now. Perhaps I should head out to the coast or something, now that the days are getting longer and warmer.

Triathlon is something I aspire towards, but I don't do any running and I am a very weak swimmer, so that's more of a long term thing. I'm not too keen on sportives or joining a club, as I don't feel as though I am anywhere near fit or fast enough yet. I only manage an average of 14.5 mph on my longer rides, and I've never cycled more than 63 miles. I'm still carrying quite a lot of excess weight, which doesn't help matters. I'm sure it'll be fine and I'll get back into it, I just wondered how other people deal with feeling jaded about it.
 
Pah, join a club. If the Cambridge club is anything to go by as an indication of average clubs, there will be loads of people less fit than yourself. Sure there are the olympic standard people that whiz around so fast on 20ks worth of gear they make your head spin, but we have 3 rides on a Sunday morning. One slow, one medium, one fast. The slow one is basically a social ride for people who want a chat, nothing more.
 
Saundie, which part of London do you live in?

You've cycled further than I ever have and your speed isn't bad. If i get my bike built by the weekend then I'm planning on joining Kingston Wheelers on Sunday.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;18824236 said:
Saundie, which part of London do you live in?

You've cycled further than I ever have and your speed isn't bad. If i get my bike built by the weekend then I'm planning on joining Kingston Wheelers on Sunday.
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A very popular club. I've only read good things about them on the various forums.
 
I was looking for a new saddle last week. And after a 55 mile ride on Saturday I wish I had one already. It was real un comfy!! Anyway, made the sensible choice and didn't go for a different saddle. £80 is a lot to waste if it’s uncomfortable. So I have got the same on my XC bike. A Specialised Phenom Expert Ti.

Bike is now super comfy!
 
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I think I've got a Phenom on one of my bikes, I keep meaning to try it on the road bike which has a Toupe as after 8 hours the Toupe can feel uncomfortable.
 
Velo Rapide said:
A very popular club. I've only read good things about them on the various forums.
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Yeah, they seem a nice bunch. There are a few at work and I chat to a couple on my commute.

My training partner has all but dropped out of the Dragon after getting knocked off a few weeks ago (injured and can't afford a new bike until the insurance pays up) so I need to start going out with a group of riders and KW meet less than 10 mins from my house.
 
yep sorry wrong bike thread haha.
went out on my new allez elite yesterday, v nice just need to set the gears up better. any vids or guides for fine tuning them?

cheers
 
platypus said:
Get my new shoes & pedals today, baring any incidents with Royal Mail!
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Nice! What did you go for in the end?

I've been waiting for stock of the 2011 Cannondale Super Six Ultegra to arrive in the UK since January. I popped in to my LBS this morning and have been told that they aren't expecting a delivery now until June :(

They have to be the worst company in the Universe for supplying stock to the market - goodness knows where it's all going :(
 
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