Road Cycling Essentials

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I jest, as I ride single-speed myself. I think one gear is perfect for central London riding. I've not tried riding fixed but I do not believe it will benefit my riding style and I don't care about conforming to the hipster douchebag culture it has spawned.

I currently have a flat bar Charge Sink, but I am saving up for a new drop bar single speed bike that I will get custom built by London Bicycle Workshop.
 
Shamrock said:
I jest, as I ride single-speed myself. I think one gear is perfect for central London riding. I've not tried riding fixed but I do not believe it will benefit my riding style and I don't care about conforming to the hipster douchebag culture it has spawned.

I currently have a flat bar Charge Sink, but I am saving up for a new drop bar single speed bike that I will get custom built by London Bicycle Workshop.
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I have a single speed.. actually it's a PITA because of all the traffic lights. Knackered from stopping and then accelerating again in a low gear. If you make it easy to accelerate you don't get anywhere and spin out at around 20 mph :p
 
chanjy said:
I have a single speed.. actually it's a PITA because of all the traffic lights. Knackered from stopping and then accelerating again in a low gear. If you make it easy to accelerate you don't get anywhere and spin out at around 20 mph :p
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That is the appeal of s/s to me besides the low maintenance. It will make my quads big and powerful.:D

I run 48x17 which feels right, not too hard and not so easy I spin out too soon.
 
King85 said:
During these dark winter months I can't help but feel the biggest safety improvement that should be being promoted is a good set of lights.

My nightly drive home ill see about 5 cyclists and I'm yet to see one with anything more than a pathetic set of LEDs which can barely be seen.

My two cents
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I overtook a woman I only just saw as I came up to her (both cycling at 5:30), we stopped at some lights and I pointed out that you couldn't see her lights because a) they where dim and b) her jacket covered them half the time.
also flashing front lights are less than optimal.
 
VeNT said:
I overtook a woman I only just saw as I came up to her (both cycling at 5:30), we stopped at some lights and I pointed out that you couldn't see her lights because a) they where dim and b) her jacket covered them half the time.
also flashing front lights are less than optimal.
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mine is a steady on for the back light.. and i got 2 front lights one steady one flashing which is enough i guess :) but then i ride with dark clothing so im thinking of getting an extra light for the back so ill have one as flashing and one as on.
 
InQ said:
Tights with a bib? I use these:- http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-vaeon-roubaix-padded-bib-tight/

Very good and would buy again, current stock is lacking though...

These are similar to the above but have more relective bits:- http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-vaeon-reflex-roubaix-padded-bib-tight/

Or these which are even warmer than the above, seem to get excellent reviews:- http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-vaeon-zero-padded-bib-tight/
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thanks, will think about those, might get some next year ready for next winter, ive spent a lot on cycling lately !
 
grudas said:
mine is a steady on for the back light.. and i got 2 front lights one steady one flashing which is enough i guess :) but then i ride with dark clothing so im thinking of getting an extra light for the back so ill have one as flashing and one as on.
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I run two rear lights, a solid on the bike and a flashing on by backpack. One advantage with two rear lights is resiliance, unlike front lights you can't tell if the light fails mid ride for any reason so by having two you avoid the risk of not being visible.
 
Well nearly 3 weeks off the bike due to ice/frost and flu so today was a tad hard work in places but overall feeling ok. Bonus of illness is it lost me a few more pounds (12.5st to 10st 9lb overall since Sept but got me under 11st with flu!).

http://app.strava.com/activities/32622619

Oh and PS the Bloc Shadow 3 lense glasses were awesome, didnt steam up and my eyes didnt stream once and most important of all for me is that they didnt hurt my head behind my ears (very light and most of the weight that there is is taken on the nose).
 
VeNT said:
god it was cold riding in for 8am today!
good incentive to cycle faster tho!
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nah, wasent THAT cold

i hit 50 miles today for the first time!
http://app.strava.com/activities/32662567
i am very pleased with that, but I suppose i cheated a bit, as i was behind about 15 other riders! :p (thanks to our weekly club run)

in this sort of weather, i find im a tad cold in the morning, untill we stop for a coffee, then on the way home i feel the sweat
i only were a base layer with my windproof Altura night vision jacked which is fleece lined in some areas, it's not "think" either
 
InQ said:
Well nearly 3 weeks off the bike due to ice/frost and flu so today was a tad hard work in places but overall feeling ok. Bonus of illness is it lost me a few more pounds (12.5st to 10st 9lb overall since Sept but got me under 11st with flu!).

http://app.strava.com/activities/32622619

Oh and PS the Bloc Shadow 3 lense glasses were awesome, didnt steam up and my eyes didnt stream once and most important of all for me is that they didnt hurt my head behind my ears (very light and most of the weight that there is is taken on the nose).
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that is very good going considering, so well done!
 
Went for a quick 40 miles today, and got caught out in the rain d'oh! Also decided on my ride to sell my current bike and wheels. They're far far too stiff and just plain uncomfortable on bumpy roads, and it's really getting too me. So if anybody wants a giant defy advanced!

Not sure what to replace it with tho, any recommendations? Must be comfortable, probably something second hand for under £1000?
 
Thomas. PLease. said:
Went for a quick 40 miles today, and got caught out in the rain d'oh! Also decided on my ride to sell my current bike and wheels. They're far far too stiff and just plain uncomfortable on bumpy roads, and it's really getting too me. So if anybody wants a giant defy advanced!

Not sure what to replace it with tho, any recommendations? Must be comfortable, probably something second hand for under £1000?
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i was tempted to get one of those, im suprised they are uncomftable
i ended up getting my speciazed Roubaix (so i recomend that as I bought one with comfort in mind for long distance riding)
 
Thomas. PLease. said:
Went for a quick 40 miles today, and got caught out in the rain d'oh! Also decided on my ride to sell my current bike and wheels. They're far far too stiff and just plain uncomfortable on bumpy roads, and it's really getting too me. So if anybody wants a giant defy advanced!

Not sure what to replace it with tho, any recommendations? Must be comfortable, probably something second hand for under £1000?
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Woah there cowboy!

Right, rather than sell your bike just sell your wheels and replace them with these;

http://www.stradawheels.co.uk/shop/velocity-a23-wheelset/

Then put some 25mm tyres on for the winter and 24mm Vittoria Open Pave CG Evos on in the summer. Both at 90psi.

You will glide.
 
ShiWarrior said:
i was tempted to get one of those, im suprised they are uncomftable
i ended up getting my speciazed Roubaix (so i recomend that as I bought one with comfort in mind for long distance riding)
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I think it may be the wheels, but the whole bike just seems ludicrously stiff. My TT bike literally glides across the road and soaks up any road buzz and even quite a few larger bumps. But the giant just seems to magnify them, and it really got to me today, because I could easily have gone further, but its such a tiring bike to ride.

I think I may get my old Mavic cxp wheels out and see how much it improves before I do anything else now.
 
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One More Solo said:
I haven't been riding much recently but in cycling related news I have just booked two weeks in the Alps for the Tour next year. Cannot wait!
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Ooooo NICE !

Hope you enjoy it sounds like a lot of fun!


in other news, looks like I shall be going to the Velodrome with my local club in february!
and hopeing to do my first 50 mile relibility ride in January!
 
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