Road Cycling Essentials

grudas · 30 Oct 2012 at 18:06

so done a test ride of my daily commute - http://app.strava.com/rides/26497922

looads of traffic/lights around

hard to get up to speed! plus i guess im not fit enough yet to keep a good average speed, but it was fun - even tho it will be a couple of miles less than this because i got lost for a bit

Shamrock · 30 Oct 2012 at 18:14

13 miles each way? I'm glad I only have a 5.5mi commute! As much as I love cycling, commuting through Central London in rush hour by bicycle is generally not pleasant (IMO) and I wouldn't want to do much further than my current commute.

That said, any amount of cycling is preferable to bus or tube!

grudas · 30 Oct 2012 at 18:20

Shamrock said:
13 miles each way? I'm glad I only have a 5.5mi commute! As much as I love cycling, commuting through Central London in rush hour by bicycle is generally not pleasant (IMO) and I wouldn't want to do much further than my current commute.

That said, any amount of cycling is preferable to bus or tube!

will be less, ill try oxford street the next time i go there and see how bad it is with traffic!

but there's traffic everywhere! still better than a bus/tube plus it costs next to nothing and i get some exercise into my routine!

i was expecting it to be no more than 10 miles each way and i guess i could get it below that but the roads would be slower which would mean it takes longer to get there and an extra mile or two won't make much of a difference!

i didn't stop and tbh i feel ok ?! once i do this for 5 days a week we'll see how i feel..

i guess im used to the rush hour, but central london is the worst place for it!

Shamrock · 30 Oct 2012 at 18:29

I'm commuted through London by bike every day since about August 2011 now regardless of weather conditions.

Most days I'm fine, but sometimes the bicycle rage just takes over and you want to kill somebody (be it ped, motorist or fellow cyclist).

grudas · 30 Oct 2012 at 19:12

Shamrock said:
I'm commuted through London by bike every day since about August 2011 now regardless of weather conditions.

Most days I'm fine, but sometimes the bicycle rage just takes over and you want to kill somebody (be it ped, motorist or fellow cyclist).

haha yeah, i do ride faster than 90% of the riders i met today! weird that my avg is so low, guess the traffic lights etc just kill it.

One More Solo · 30 Oct 2012 at 20:03

InsomniaCalls said:
I've never had any problems but have heard of others having those problems - is the issue with the seat post mount rather than the clip on the light itself? Mine just clips onto the saddlebag (much like Shimmyhill's photo).

The issue is the light front separates from the body if you hit a decent pothole or bump. IIRC the batteries are mounted in the light front rather than the backplate which is a pretty atrocious piece of design. It's an excellent light for the money where it not for that issues. Having it attached to a saddlebag might provide sufficient isolation from the road to prevent that happening though.

Draeger · 30 Oct 2012 at 20:13

Shadowness said:
First ride home today in the proper dark. Let's just say that Cree ebay light is pretty damn good! I only had it on a bit towards the end, partly as I was a bit embarrassed to have it on I think other drivers might not like it lol!

My wide angle lens should arrive soon, so hopefully that will help.

Is that the pack of front and rear that loads of us all purchased using the eBay code a few weeks ago for £1.99?. I tried it last week on my commute. I thought it was 'ok' but still can't complain for the sake of a couple of quid. Then again I am comparing it unfairly to my usual set up which is 2 x Ultrafire 502BC Cree's at 1000 lumens each.

The rear eBay light I just dangled from a loop on my rucksack cover and set it to flashing mode.

What are these 'wide angle lenses' then, got a link?.

InQ · 30 Oct 2012 at 20:17

Well the wife is getting into cycling so i bought her a 2nd hand 2010 Allez 16.

Its in perfect condition and has a few upgrades over standard - Planet X A57 wheelset, Vittoria Zaffiro Slick tyres, Omega carbon seat post, Selle Italia Zoo Trans Am saddle, KCNC 90mm stem, SRAM 12-26 cassette.

Looks really nice for a cheap bike! And its barely been used and looks it! :cool:

ShiWarrior · 30 Oct 2012 at 20:21

nice bike InQ, i love my Specialized!

Been chatting with my step dad again, showed him my Garmin with Heart rate sensor, hes told me how important my HR is , so from now on i'll be wearing one!

VeNT · 30 Oct 2012 at 21:05

love it!

would love to get the GF into cycling but not sure where to start!

Shadowness · 30 Oct 2012 at 21:09

Draeger said:
Is that the pack of front and rear that loads of us all purchased using the eBay code a few weeks ago for £1.99?. I tried it last week on my commute. I thought it was 'ok' but still can't complain for the sake of a couple of quid. Then again I am comparing it unfairly to my usual set up which is 2 x Ultrafire 502BC Cree's at 1000 lumens each.

The rear eBay light I just dangled from a loop on my rucksack cover and set it to flashing mode.

What are these 'wide angle lenses' then, got a link?.

Think you're getting mixed up with something else.

I'm referring to this light: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREE-XML-...isure_Cycling_Bike_Lights&hash=item20c5013dc9

Draeger · 30 Oct 2012 at 21:14

Ah right, not the little £1.99 twin pack one then, albeit from the same seller:-

Hamster · 30 Oct 2012 at 21:18

One More Solo said:
The issue is the light front separates from the body if you hit a decent pothole or bump. IIRC the batteries are mounted in the light front rather than the backplate which is a pretty atrocious piece of design. It's an excellent light for the money where it not for that issues. Having it attached to a saddlebag might provide sufficient isolation from the road to prevent that happening though.

Agreed, poor design. If you remember I managed to get a replacement from Raleigh who claimed they were not aware of any issues with the light. Nice light output but I wouldn't buy one again.

Vonhelmet · 30 Oct 2012 at 21:21

Nearly had an accident on a quick jaunt this evening. A dog failed to look both ways before crossing the road and stepped out in front of me :eek:

I swerved and the dog scrabbled back onto the pavement. That would have been a fun little crash. Stop, look, listen, think Mr Dog!

topgun06 · 30 Oct 2012 at 21:47

Animals are so unpredictable. I know someone who has hit a cat and ran a wood pigeon over!

grudas · 30 Oct 2012 at 22:12

I did run a pigeon over.. :O

ShiWarrior · 30 Oct 2012 at 22:22

VeNT said:
love it!

would love to get the GF into cycling but not sure where to start!

Ask her to try it, to see if she likes it, ask her to come for a ride with you and go for a picnic?

VeNT · 30 Oct 2012 at 22:30

ShiWarrior said:
Ask her to try it, to see if she likes it, ask her to come for a ride with you and go for a picnic?

yeah need a rucksack I can stick the baby in!

One More Solo · 30 Oct 2012 at 22:37

ShiWarrior said:
Ask her to try it, to see if she likes it

RetiredGreyFox · 30 Oct 2012 at 23:31

Vonhelmet said:
Nearly had an accident on a quick jaunt this evening. A dog failed to look both ways before crossing the road and stepped out in front of me I swerved and the dog scrabbled back onto the pavement. That would have been a fun little crash. Stop, look, listen, think Mr Dog!

I have at least one person a day stepping off the kerb without looking and I usually go past and say 'I can still kill or maim'.
The worst was last week where a young bloke was walking the same way I was riding and he just stepped off and walked straight into the road and I had to make a hard swerve and nearly came off.
If I had been a car he would have been seriously hurt.
I think it goes without saying that every one of us in this thread have a sixth sense when watching for pillocks in vehicles & pedestrians.