Road Cycling Essentials

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Those replaceable brake pads listed up above - what backing plates do you use with them? I used to use some nice slim blocks by [dare I say it] Aztec, but I don't seem to be able to get them any more.

I think the rim material plays a BIG part in your braking experience. I've used modern brake blocks on steel rims and they don't work at all, like completely refuse to slow the bike, whereas the tiny old soft rubber blocks work great. My rims are plain un-anodised aluminium and don't seem to need anything special to pull the bike up, hence I think those Aztecs worked ok. Anything too hard or abrasive will just wear my soft rims away artificially quickly.
 
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I've just changed my wording a bit to suit the fact that I meant my rims rather than rims in general. Rims these days are mainly anodised and are a lot harder than older plain aluminium rims. Hard pads do wear them away quite quickly, as I've found out!
 
[DOD]Asprilla;23149191 said:
Just started the new commute today; 61km round trip. Felt like crap today.

Also, just read a post on BR from one of the regulars in the commuting section, he rode into the back of a stationary van at the end of October and broke C7, T1 and T2. He's now officially paraplegic with no feeling from the arms down and limited hand movement.

It's horrible news.
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61Km/day? Thats quite a lot!

And yes, horrible news.
 
150 miles a week is still pretty good going. That's what I do at the moment. But as I travel abroad a lot for my job, I can't do it every week which is frustrating.
 
Does anyone have any recommendations for a helmet mounted light for road cycling? I'd prefer a standalone unit without a seperate battery pack.

I've seen the Blackburn Flea can be mounted on the helmet and is about £30 including the bracket.

Any other options around this price point?
 
Lead_Head said:
Does anyone have any recommendations for a helmet mounted light for road cycling? I'd prefer a standalone unit without a seperate battery pack.

I've seen the Blackburn Flea can be mounted on the helmet and is about £30 including the bracket.

Any other options around this price point?
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I use an Lenser P7 with a £3 helmet mount from ebay. It has a lanyard to tie around the helmet for added security, and is quite fantastic for vision where I'm looking, along with my headlights. Very bright.
 
platypus said:
SK mudguards fitted, bike serviced and cleaned, ready for action.

Just not sure I am! I've got 3 weeks to build up some mileage in my legs, and then its back to all out commuting, I'll be looking at 120 miles a week :) from December on.
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doing ~120 a week my self.. not that hard! bar my new knee problem ;D

got stopped by police today for "speeding" and crossing a red light.. deserved tho :)
 
right - don't laugh please...

I'm thinking of taking cycling a bit more seriously next year.... by doing time trials and generally 'training' and buying bits and pieces that will help.

I've done a local 10 mile TT course (on a Giant Defy 2 2012 if it helps?) and i did it in less than 30mins in my 3rd attempt a while ago (and i'd say i'm a touch fitter now :) ).

I'll buy some SPD shoes to go with the pedals i've got once i've done 100 miles in a day. Can do 50-60 no problem. Have a 26mile loop i can do.

My question is - how big a difference would TT bars make to my riding in a reasonably flat TT (slight uphill for first 5miles and the 5 mile return leg is obviously downhill a touch)?
 
Shadowness said:
There's an interesting article in this months Cyclist magazine about aerodynamics. It, and a lot of others, says that TT bars are one of the most cost effective way of going quicker.

Here's another article: http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/how-aero-is-aero-19273/
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Thanks - interesting article! :)

I've heard that but doubters on the net i think. Until the other week i didn't realise the aero effect of following a rider closely! he was peddling quickly downhill slightly and i was drafting him - I had a touch my brakes a couple of times and i wasn't even peddling! About 6" off his rear wheel! First time i've ever noticed aero as i often ride on my own.
 
Shadowness said:
There's an interesting article in this months Cyclist magazine about aerodynamics. It, and a lot of others, says that TT bars are one of the most cost effective way of going quicker.

Here's another article: http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/how-aero-is-aero-19273/
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They are indeed. Unfortunately they are carp for steering and banned from drafting in case you skewer someone.


helpimcrap said:
Thanks - interesting article! :)

I've heard that but doubters on the net i think. Until the other week i didn't realise the aero effect of following a rider closely! he was peddling quickly downhill slightly and i was drafting him - I had a touch my brakes a couple of times and i wasn't even peddling! About 6" off his rear wheel! First time i've ever noticed aero as i often ride on my own.
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Drafting saves you up to 80% of the power required to maintain your speed. That's how the peleton works or team pursuit. The chap at the front smashes the air for a short period and then moves to the back to get his breath back until its his turn again.

Because of the reduced drag the guy at the front gets a 5-10% bonus too.
 
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Yep, which is why I'll never bother with them. Although it would be a nice addition to me lovely aero bike :)

And drafting makes a phenomenal difference. I ride on my own 90% of the time, so to ride in a group is a godsend!

My mate was telling me about when riding in a small group, you just take 30 second leads at the front, then fall back, the next does the same. The speed of the whole group just keeps increasing gradually. Can't remember the name of the technique, if it has a name at all.....
 
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Shadowness said:
Yep, which is why I'll never bother with them. Although it would be a nice addition to me lovely aero bike :)

And drafting makes a phenomenal difference. I ride on my own 90% of the time, so to ride in a group is a godsend!

My mate was telling me about when riding in a small group, you just take 30 second leads at the front, then fall back, the next does the same. The speed of the whole group just keeps increasing gradually. Can't remember the name of the technique, if it has a name at all.....
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Chain-gang or 'though and off'.
 
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