Road Cycling Essentials

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I actually enjoyed my morning ride! Did a slightly longer 12 mile route, with the less steep but longer (2.5) mile section of hills. I've done it before and hated it, but today it was good! Still knackering in a way, but not so much that I wanted to go home. I think the difference was drinking more water, pimpin my porridge with a banana and taking my time at the start, much better!:):)
 
You're being a bit anal - 10% increase on something that weighs less than a small tomato.
Yes, I had the tyre and a small tomato in my hands.
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You need to lighten up (pun intended), I wasn't being serious!:p

I used to have hardshells on my last bike before it got stolen and now commute on equally heavy Panaracer tyres.
 
Upgrade question...

My Carrera TDF has what I think is mainly 2300 groupset parts on - absolutely bottom end. It's 8 speed at the rear and the shifters have the little knobs on the inside, rather than a second lever. I'm wondering about upgrading it to some Tiagra shifters and Tiagra/Sora mech and cassette to get it up to 9 speed at the rear with proper shifters. I'm still weighing up how worthwhile this is, as that'd mean a good few months saving for me, and it's not a great frame to start from, but the odds of my being able to afford a whole new bike for the thick end of a grand any time soon are minuscule. Anyway.

So, if I wanted to do this, what parts would I need? By my reckoning I'd need the two shifters, rear mech, cassette, chain, and then I may as well get new cables and the bar tape would need replacing. Have I missed anything? By my reckoning I can pick up a mix of new and second hand parts on eBay for about £150-180. Does that sound about right?

Cheers.
 
£20 chain new
£20 cassette 2nd hand decent condition
Mechs ~£50
Then i'd probably aim to pick up some 105 levers on the bay for like 60-80...
 
Thanks for the advice on a helmet guys, im going to see if they got a KASK Mojito in the LBS today.

My turbo trainer arrived yesterday, i think i need to pick up a trainer tyre because after only 10 mins i had a black line worn on my tyre, its an old 4000s tho so its pretty soft, how much pressure is supposed to be on the roller pushing against the tyre?
 
Ok so this is a bit random. One of my flatmates has just had a girl start working with her who is dating a young pro cyclist. He's "famous" in the cycling world already but will be riding some pretty big races next year too and for a bigger team.

Anyway they're both new to Bristol and she came over for a flat meal last week and we were chatting for ages on some common topics (she's from very near where I am etc) and only about half way through the night I realised who she was dating. We were then talking a fair bit more about cycling until she left pretty much.

I really want to get in touch with her/her other half to meet up for a ride and a beer, but is that weird or nice? I'd have to ask my flatmate for her email and then get in touch with her that way. Like I said they're both new to the city and when I joked that we should go for a ride together she said he'd be really keen to meet some other guys and cyclists in Bristol.

And if I do meet up with him what the hell do I do?! :p
 
Weeee. Nice calm evening, had a recovery ride and got a new PR!

Over 32kmh average, doesn't seem that long since I was chuffed at breaking 30kmh!
 
Berger said:
Weeee. Nice calm evening, had a recovery ride and got a new PR!

Over 32kmh average, doesn't seem that long since I was chuffed at breaking 30kmh!
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I need to make more of an effort to go out in the evening and at weekend.

Trying to set PRs on Strava is frustrating while fighting with rush hour traffic. :(

Also why do people drive like they're in blizzard conditions when there's a bit of drizzle?
 
[Damien];22883382 said:
I need to make more of an effort to go out in the evening and at weekend.

Trying to set PRs on Strava is frustrating while fighting with rush hour traffic. :(

Also why do people drive like they're in blizzard conditions when there's a bit of drizzle?
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Take out the traffic lights and it's up to 33.8kmh.

The extra weekend riding is paying off, the power is there but need to work on the endurance.
 
Russinating said:
Ok so this is a bit random. One of my flatmates has just had a girl start working with her who is dating a young pro cyclist. He's "famous" in the cycling world already but will be riding some pretty big races next year too and for a bigger team.

Anyway they're both new to Bristol and she came over for a flat meal last week and we were chatting for ages on some common topics (she's from very near where I am etc) and only about half way through the night I realised who she was dating. We were then talking a fair bit more about cycling until she left pretty much.

I really want to get in touch with her/her other half to meet up for a ride and a beer, but is that weird or nice? I'd have to ask my flatmate for her email and then get in touch with her that way. Like I said they're both new to the city and when I joked that we should go for a ride together she said he'd be really keen to meet some other guys and cyclists in Bristol.

And if I do meet up with him what the hell do I do?! :p
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Is it JTL? Isn't he not a million miles from you?
 
Berger said:
Take out the traffic lights and it's up to 33.8kmh.

The extra weekend riding is paying off, the power is there but need to work on the endurance.
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I've mapped out a nice 30m loop to do this weekend, weather permitting. I know all the roads but have never done it as a loop before. Should be fun.

I'm still getting used to being on a 'proper' bike and not my MTB. I'm still used to mashing in high gears on flat pedals. I'm finding my speed improving when I try and keep my cadence up. I'm not going to be setting any segments alight with my 210lb frame sat on the seat though.
 
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