Road Cycling Essentials

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Hamster said:
I wouldn't worry about that problem. I had a Kryptonite New York lock which was also used a round key and could be opened with a biro. Kryptonite sent me an improved version under warranty for the new design and they don't make that type of lock anymore. I keep meaning to try a biro on the old one but haven't got round to it yet!
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There's also a video of somebody breaking open an older D Lock Kryptonite with a car hydraulic jack and even Mrs Dimple spotted the problem.
'If that's on a bike how would you get the jack in and how would you hold the jack up in the air?' (she knows because she moves mine round a lot).
 
Hamster said:
I wouldn't worry about that problem. I had a Kryptonite New York lock which was also used a round key and could be opened with a biro. Kryptonite sent me an improved version under warranty for the new design and they don't make that type of lock anymore. I keep meaning to try a biro on the old one but haven't got round to it yet!
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oh so they changed it since, hmm i hope mine is the new version!
 
With you on that. Did a leisurely 40miles yday with a mate who was on his fixed, we spent most of the time bantering so didn't get to give the new wheels much of a thrashing.

Going to look for a 60miler on Strava and upload to the Garmin.
 
PardonTheWait said:
I ended up with a Boardman Road Team (the alu one) and it's really great, I like it a lot.

While they're quite plain it's a really nicely done frame and looks way better up close than from a distance, the attention to detail is excellent for the money.

All the finishing kit is really nice and the Carbon road team has all the same bits but a different saddle I think?

The cube is definitely the jazzier bike though!
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The Boardman is the logical choice; its better finished than the Cube, and has better rims, tyres, saddle and crank.

However looks wise the Cube is ahead by a good margin, if the Boardman had the same paintjob as the Cube i'd have one already!

Streeteh said:
I have the Road Team Alu too and would give the same feedback. Careful of the stem though, mine didn't seem to grip too well and needed just a tiny dab of carbon paste to keep it snug.

The only differences between the Road Team Alu and Carbon is indeed the saddle... and obviously an all carbon frame. I maintain though that the carbon seatpost and full-forks offered by the Alu still make it a surprisingly comfy ride for an alu frame.
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Sounds like a great bike, I’m reading nothing but positive stuff about Boardmans, and with the Team Carbon making it to the bike of the year 2012 shortlist.....

Looks like my head may have to overrule my heart on this one.
 
Not heard anything from Canyon today either, so far their customer support lacking and i find myself wishing i had gone for the Pinerrello, even for less spec
 
Kimi said:
Not heard anything from Canyon today either, so far their customer support lacking and i find myself wishing i had gone for the Pinerrello, even for less spec
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for the record.

When I tried to order my bike online I got a few problems. My bank had declined the order as they thought it was fraud. I sent Canyon loads of screenshots and questions 'why' as I got a load of error messages due to my card being blocked and got responses about 30mins later from their Customer services and IT guys.

I think your just one of the few that slip the net. :mad::rolleyes:
 
indeed instead of whining here give them a ring. Your lucky if you get an answer from most companies in 48 hours.
 
zophiel said:
indeed instead of whining here give them a ring. Your lucky if you get an answer from most companies in 48 hours.
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I rang on Friday, no answer all day, so i rang Germany and they said to ring the UK, which i already did, then i thought id leave it 48 hours before phoning again so they can have the pics, send them to Germany etc.
 
So I am seriously thinking about riding from Marylebone to Canary Wharf and back each day for a bit of extra training.

I'm a bit scared about getting squashed by a truck (although I'm ******* nails, so the truck would come off worse), so how dangerous is cycle commuting in London? Any tips from seasoned commuters?

One of the lads on my floor does the same thing, so is going to show me the best route etc.
 
George Hincapie said:
So I am seriously thinking about riding from Marylebone to Canary Wharf and back each day for a bit of extra training.

I'm a bit scared about getting squashed by a truck (although I'm ******* nails, so the truck would come off worse), so how dangerous is cycle commuting in London? Any tips from seasoned commuters?

One of the lads on my floor does the same thing, so is going to show me the best route etc.
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Concentrate, observe and don't do dumb crap like going down the left of big vehicles. Also, pedestrians are your biggest risk.

Get down to embankment and then tank it.
 
Kimi said:
I rang on Friday, no answer all day, so i rang Germany and they said to ring the UK, which i already did, then i thought id leave it 48 hours before phoning again so they can have the pics, send them to Germany etc.
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In that case it isnt very good. I do retract my previous comment ;)
 
George Hincapie said:
So I am seriously thinking about riding from Marylebone to Canary Wharf and back each day for a bit of extra training.

I'm a bit scared about getting squashed by a truck (although I'm ******* nails, so the truck would come off worse), so how dangerous is cycle commuting in London? Any tips from seasoned commuters?

One of the lads on my floor does the same thing, so is going to show me the best route etc.
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Riding in central is fine. I feel safer up there than in the SE burbs. Things that will hold you up are traffic lights and places with stationary traffic where you can't squeeze through. Traffic lights are set to hold the traffic up and you'll find sitting at the front of one red light after another very frustrating - this is probably why London cyclists have such a bad name as light jumpers. Try and get from somewhere like the west end to Victoria and you'll see what I mean. The shortest route might not be the fastest, particularly if you can't get through the traffic - if the cars are at least moving it guarantees you'll be able to get through. Oxford Street is a classic example of both and you'll get stuck behind buses in a bunfight with other cyclists.
 
George Hincapie said:
So I am seriously thinking about riding from Marylebone to Canary Wharf and back each day for a bit of extra training.

I'm a bit scared about getting squashed by a truck (although I'm ******* nails, so the truck would come off worse), so how dangerous is cycle commuting in London? Any tips from seasoned commuters?

One of the lads on my floor does the same thing, so is going to show me the best route etc.
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I work in Marylebone and riding from here to the city is one of my least favourite journeys. Not because it's particularly dangerous but it's very stop start, the quality of a lot of roads is pretty poor and it's generally busy and full of morons.

Making a route that takes you down to hyde park and put some laps in there would be much more pleasant.
 
To get from Marylebone to CW the best route is Gloucester Place, Park Lane, Contitution Hill, Birdcage Walk, Victoria Embankment, Upper / Lower Thames Street, Highway. Not sure about the last km from the end of The Highway to CW.

Not the most direct route but it is the quickest, busiest with cyclists and a reasonable portion is covered by Cycle Superhighway.
 
@ regular commuters - what are your diets like? I've been commuting for a while, normally wake up and have 3 weetabix but by the time I've got to work I'm ready to eat again.
Would I be better waking up earlier so I am eating before cycling? I'm currently eating 30 minutes or less before cycling or would I be better not having anything then eating when I get to work?
 
I do about 14m each way and all I do is have a pint of water before I set off in the morning and a big bowl of cereal (granola with a banana omnomnom) when I arrive. You probably don't need to do anything special if you're doing similar milage.

That's on a hardtail MTB btw. I'm guessing I'll find it easier when my new road bike arrives.
 
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