Road Cycling Essentials

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Vonhelmet said:
I've not used Freecycle before. Is it a good bet for picking up bits of old bikes? I wonder whether I could blag anything to upgrade my bike...
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Old bits, yes. If you run an old steelie then picking up bits is no problem. If I want a whole bike I usually ask if anyone has a junk bike in their garden and you'll be surprised what turns up, but be prepared to have to turn a spanner or two and either collect a stash of bits ready to use or splash out on the odd bit or two. It's usually bar tape, saddles and tyres that you need :)

In terms of whole bikes, I've had 2 road bikes, 1 knacked full suspension mountain bike minus wheels, two complete rigid frame mountain bikes, 1 kid's mountain bike for parts, 1 chrome bmx and 1 shopper. Only the full suspension mountain bike went straight in the bin, some were parts raped, the BMX went to Le Mans with me and I left it out there, I've still got the Raleigh 531 bike and sold the Viscount on a while back, I competed on one of the mountain bikes which I converted to single speed and the shopper is one of my work hacks.

[Damien];22898996 said:
Riding in the drops still feels way too weird.
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Haha, get yourself crouched right down, keep your knees and elbows well tucked in and enjoy the aero :cool:
 
ShiWarrior said:
Been reading reviews on bike radar again

The Giant Defy Advanced 3 sounded like what i needed
untill i read this :
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/...oduct/review-focus-izalco-ergoride-4-12-46293

might even be better for me ?

i am hopeing to be all day in the sadle at wekends and during the week ill do 1 hour rides
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Mate, if you're near Carterton pop into Giles Cycles as they stock most of the Giant range. Very helpful people and they will let you test ride the bikes.
The Giant Defy Advanced 3 a nice bike, was above my price range (I bought a Defy Composite 3) The Focus is nice also, but you really need to try a bike if you're going to spend that amount of £ on it.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;22902637 said:
Have you looked at Sam Browne belts? More hi-viz than a jersey and there is nothing to restrict airflow.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mobile/MobileModels.aspx?ModelID=33911
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Looks good, might have to pick one up. I have some reflective Velcro straps that look quite similar. Had them round my ankles yesterday. That belt thing would be good for the top. I have a little tiny vest thing from lidl that is hi vis, with silver reflective strips on it. Should dig that out for the time being.
 
Jonny69 said:
Haha, get yourself crouched right down, keep your knees and elbows well tucked in and enjoy the aero :cool:
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Yeah, I've made an effort to use the drops (a bit uncomfortable with a bag on but w/e) for my last couple of rides. I'm getting PR's and top 10's all over the shop! Being 15st and on 32mm tyres that makes me a happy chap.

I'm going to head out this weekend weather permitting and leave all my kit behind so I can get as aero as possible. I've told the GF that she's on pit car duty if I get a flat. :D

I did get a blowout on the way to work this morning though. That sucked. I think when I put the rear tyre on (got Marathon Plus ones on) it wasn't seated properly and after one too many potholes the inner tube came out and hit the brake pad. Hearing that massive bang while hammering away trying to beat a segment wasn't fun at all. I'm just glad it was the rear and not the front. That could have gone badly. Also those tyres are such a ballache to put back on.
 
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Jonny69 said:
Old bits, yes. If you run an old steelie then picking up bits is no problem. If I want a whole bike I usually ask if anyone has a junk bike in their garden and you'll be surprised what turns up, but be prepared to have to turn a spanner or two and either collect a stash of bits ready to use or splash out on the odd bit or two. It's usually bar tape, saddles and tyres that you need :)

In terms of whole bikes, I've had 2 road bikes, 1 knacked full suspension mountain bike minus wheels, two complete rigid frame mountain bikes, 1 kid's mountain bike for parts, 1 chrome bmx and 1 shopper. Only the full suspension mountain bike went straight in the bin, some were parts raped, the BMX went to Le Mans with me and I left it out there, I've still got the Raleigh 531 bike and sold the Viscount on a while back, I competed on one of the mountain bikes which I converted to single speed and the shopper is one of my work hacks.


Haha, get yourself crouched right down, keep your knees and elbows well tucked in and enjoy the aero :cool:
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I've been tempted to ask for bits for my steely but think the GF would kill me if I got any more bikes/bits
 
Got a Ti frame in the now from a guy in the club. He's using it as a cross frame but it is 130mm rear spaced, has a front braze on mech bracket,downtube shifter brackerts so that says road to me....but it has top tube cable guides and disc brakes. Madness.

Also got a Ribble here with a snapped steerer tube! Probably the one thing I never want to happen to me :(
 
Jonny ///M said:
it is 130mm rear spaced, has a front braze on mech bracket,downtube shifter brackerts so that says road to me....but it has top tube cable guides and disc brakes. Madness.
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do you mean it has guides for gear cables on the top tube? or just a single guide for the brake?
Sounds like an odd setup. Tell him to singlespeed it. You only need 1 gear for CX anyway :D
 
touch said:
do you mean it has guides for gear cables on the top tube? or just a single guide for the brake?
Sounds like an odd setup. Tell him to singlespeed it. You only need 1 gear for CX anyway :D
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External CX cable routing is along the top of the top tube. That way you don't snag it when you sling the bike over your shoulder and it doesn't get coated in muck as it would under the BB.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;22905168 said:
External CX cable routing is along the top of the top tube. That way you don't snag it when you sling the bike over your shoulder and it doesn't get coated in muck as it would under the BB.
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Yeah, but that's some weird cable routing if he has downtube shifters :eek:
 
Kimi said:
Wow, the turbo trainer is hard work! feels like you get a good workout in half the time as riding in the wild.
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I was tempted to get one to get the fitness up but I wouldn't have a clue where to start on getting a decent value one (wouldn't want to spend a huge amount).
 
I spent £130 on mine from singletrack bicycles, Minoura B60-R. I didnt know where to start so i check bike radar and they gave it 5/5 so i snapped it up.

People say its really boring, which i can imagine, but i had a trainer video i was going against and really enjoyed it
 
£130 is more than I could justify spending on it, I'd probably have to look 2nd hand. Boring isn't an issue, I have a TV on the wall in front of the treadmill but I usually prop my kindle up and read that :)
 
OCDStevo said:
Mate, if you're near Carterton pop into Giles Cycles as they stock most of the Giant range. Very helpful people and they will let you test ride the bikes.
The Giant Defy Advanced 3 a nice bike, was above my price range (I bought a Defy Composite 3) The Focus is nice also, but you really need to try a bike if you're going to spend that amount of £ on it.
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Thanks mate, i'll try and get over there
 
Seems like the best place to get advice. Thinking about picking up a road bike for commuting to work at the weekends. Just been checking out the bay to pick something up second hand.

What sort of size do you think I should be looking at? I am 6'2" and my inside leg is about 34.5". Looked online and it suggests 58-60 size frame. Sound about right?

Any named makes that I should look out for? Thanks
 
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