Road Cycling Essentials

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Summary of my year (well, past 4 months anyway):

Got my bike at the end of August. Cycled to work a fair bit and tried to get out on the weekends whenever possible. Then riding tailed off massively when it started to get dark, wet and cold.

However, starting in January I am going to make a concerted effort to get out much more regularly. I have so far managed to only do about 650 km on the bike so I am going to set myself a target of 3000 km for the year and I have got a few different rides around Wales and the Lakes that I want to do, with the latter incorporating Wrynose Pass.
 
Bought the bike end of july. 2 weeks later had an operation that kept me off the bike for about a month, then was busy studying for exams in september. Then in October had my appendix out so that was another 2-4 weeks off the bike.

Only managed about 550 miles on the bike so far, 2014 should see a lot more miles on the bike.
 
I'm a disaster this last month or two with the bike!

Becoming single after about 9 years in relationships takes a bit of getting used to. Add on the fact it's winter and I spent a few weekend working on my car has meant I've barely touched a bike in a month!(or two)
 
Jonny ///M said:
I'm a disaster this last month or two with the bike!

Becoming single after about 9 years in relationships takes a bit of getting used to. Add on the fact it's winter and I spent a few weekend working on my car has meant I've barely touched a bike in a month!(or two)
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yes more time to ride? more bikes to buy.. ;):D think of the benefits
 
booyaka said:
got the wee man a Sky top - he's been looking for one. Can't complain - £35 down to £10!
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£10?

and I paid about £35 late last year for a Team Sky Jersey when Evans put them on offer
ill get another one if they are dirt cheap , cheaper and better quality than some stuff that you can get#

just looked, they are all SMALL or X-SMALL :(
 
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guys what saddle bags do you have? I need one that would fit a spare tube, multitool, mini pump, levers, spare light and still have some space left for little things in case I need them - something easy to detach and waterproof.

any recommendations ?
 
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Vonhelmet said:
Got a link? Sounds interesting.
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+1

Vonhelmet said:
Sounds like you need a big bag or you're talking a ludicrously small pump. What's wrong with a frame mounted pump? (Rules be damned)
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The problem with that it's that I move between two bikes and one will be used for longer rides while other is just to pop down to shops, gym etc.. So the main bike should ideally have a saddle bag with all stuff I need so I could leave my backpack at home when going for a longer ride but at the same time I don't want to attach to much stuff to it because locking it up outside means that everything needs to be removed and stored somewhere while it's locked and if I was to carry a backpack with me all the time then the saddle bag is going to be pointless since I can just store everything in my backpack.
 
I have a little bag, which I think is from decathlon (I'm not sure, it came with the bike), which holds two tubes, a multi tool, tyre levers, money and my phone. My pump is on the frame. Anything else goes in pockets.
 
grudas said:
guys what saddle bags do you have? I need one that would fit a spare tube, multitool, mini pump, levers, spare light and still have some space left for little things in case I need them - something easy to detach and waterproof.

any recommendations ?
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I have a cheap aldi/lidl one. Binned the clip that bolts onto the saddle rails and use a toe strap to hold it in place. Combined with the velcro on it that goes around the seatpost, the toe strap method is actually a lot more solid than the original clamp and takes less than 1 min to swap between bikes.

I have 2 tubes, levers, multitool, co2 inflator + gas canister, magic chain link and a ziplock bag with some cash in it. It's a tight squeeze to get it all in though.

Thomas. PLease. said:
Anyone after a Kurt kinetic rock and roll trainer? Thinking of selling mine as it just isn't used.
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How much? May be interested.
 
Oh yeah, I keep a spare chain link in mine as well. I've heard horror stories of people having a chain snap miles from anywhere and having to have friends go to the nearest shop and back and pay "I'm having a bike emergency" prices for a spare link or new chain. Heaven forbid you find yourself out on your own with a broken chain.

Thinking about being stranded on your own takes me back to when my derailleur got stuck in my wheel and destroyed itself. At the time I called my neighbour and he rescued me. I suppose if push came to shove nowadays I'd have to remove the mangled derailleur and shorten my chain to an appropriate length and ride it home as a single speed. Hmmmm.
 
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Vonhelmet said:
Got a link? Sounds interesting.
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grudas said:
+1



The problem with that it's that I move between two bikes and one will be used for longer rides while other is just to pop down to shops, gym etc.. So the main bike should ideally have a saddle bag with all stuff I need so I could leave my backpack at home when going for a longer ride but at the same time I don't want to attach to much stuff to it because locking it up outside means that everything needs to be removed and stored somewhere while it's locked and if I was to carry a backpack with me all the time then the saddle bag is going to be pointless since I can just store everything in my backpack.
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http://www.kaptajn.bigcartel.com/

i have one, works great, CO2 stuff will fit fine, pump can slide in it depending on the model it'll stay secure, or you put the pump in a jersey pocket like normal people ;)
 
decathlon one for me too - cost about £8 but takes co2 canister, spare tubes, levers, multitool, some spare change, phone and a couple of other bits and bobs. Hooks on the seat rails.
 
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