Road Cycling

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Raptor said:
Bike has arrived at the LBS and Bike Fit is arranged for Friday.

Quite excited as I've never had a new one before.
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Just noticed the Emonda S4 is no longer on the Trek web site, so must have got one of the last ones. I do hope it's not too brown, sorry Dark Roast Black :)

Blinding deal, so who cares.
 
Raptor said:
Just noticed the Emonda S4 is no longer on the Trek web site, so must have got one of the last ones. I do hope it's not too brown, sorry Dark Roast Black :)

Blinding deal, so who cares.
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Enjoy! I considered that bike last year - good spec. How much did you get it for?

I think I really benefited from the bike fit I had thrown in with my bike too... I had never owned a road bike before so I can't really compare to non bike fit but I haven't had any comfort issues besides saddle on some of the longer rides.

The fitter did advise my flexibility is pretty terrible, likely down to sitting at a desk all day, so flipped my stem into positive and put it at the top of the stack (one spacer above). Now that I'm much more used to the position I need to try flipping the stem and lowering a tad!
 
SoliD said:
Gels are purely for Time Trials/Racing or as an emergency. Although I do eat a few when abroad for training/big multi days as it's the only way to get enough carbs/calories in comfortably without feeling sick. Would always prefer real food, and much better for the gut.
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Regards gels from above. I agree with SoliD. Gels are not beneficial or useful on endurance training rides I would reserve them for racing where a "quick hit" is what you need and would always recommend caffeine gels. I think in my short time cycling I have only ever felt the positive effect of taking a gel once, every other time it's been a waste of pocket space and time getting into the bloody thing to gulp it down. I still have a cupboard full of the things from when Wiggo got the hour record and SiS sent me 2 batches of 12 for free by mistake. I might have used 1 or 2 in this entire time.

For long endurance rides you are much better off using proper food. Lots of good suggestions, I personally love Cliff bars as the flavours are decent I actually enjoy them rather than eat them for the sake of it. Would only buy if found cheap though otherwise whatever Jordans/Tesco/Natural etc etc ones are on offer when doing my shop.
 
xdcx said:
Regards gels from above. I agree with SoliD. Gels are not beneficial or useful on endurance training rides I would reserve them for racing where a "quick hit" is what you need and would always recommend caffeine gels. I think in my short time cycling I have only ever felt the positive effect of taking a gel once, every other time it's been a waste of pocket space and time getting into the bloody thing to gulp it down. I still have a cupboard full of the things from when Wiggo got the hour record and SiS sent me 2 batches of 12 for free by mistake. I might have used 1 or 2 in this entire time.

For long endurance rides you are much better off using proper food. Lots of good suggestions, I personally love Cliff bars as the flavours are decent I actually enjoy them rather than eat them for the sake of it. Would only buy if found cheap though otherwise whatever Jordans/Tesco/Natural etc etc ones are on offer when doing my shop.
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Pretty much agreed. Not that I race but the only time I really eat gels or do energy drinks are on endurance rides.

Btw...still planning on shaving my legs and posting pics in an attempt to horrify everyone get more money from you ;)
 
FrenchTart said:
Pretty much agreed. Not that I race but the only time I really eat gels or do energy drinks are on endurance rides.

Btw...still planning on shaving my legs and posting pics in an attempt to horrify everyone get more money from you ;)
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Get on it! I am only 20mins ago finished doing mine and they are fab/beauts/to die for right now.
 
I end up using gels on normal rides or runs just because they're near their best before date :p I found a bunch of them in the back of the cupboard a while ago that were well past, they had inflated somehow. Best not to let that happen.
 
They are horrible regardless. You can't get into them without getting a tiny bit of gel at least somewhere on your fingers/cheeks and it's sticky and annoying for the remainder of your ride. It's almost as bad as when you blow your nose on the bike but the snot doesn't quite make it away in the wind and instead becomes best mates with your cheek/Oakleys.

Neither of these situations can be cleansed appropriately mid ride to an acceptable standard that I can tolerate. Snot/gel wiped off face onto your nice gloves = where does it go via wipe next? Onto your nice bib shorts or jersey? I think not.

Cycling is an activity full of dilemna for me.
 
New tyres came today so took the opportunity to put the guards back on.

So in love with this bike it's ridiculous.

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Side note... Impressed with the reflective strips on these. Look quite cool in daylight and very reflective at night.

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Eww, mudguards :p

xdcx said:
They are horrible regardless. You can't get into them without getting a tiny bit of gel at least somewhere on your fingers/cheeks and it's sticky and annoying for the remainder of your ride. It's almost as bad as when you blow your nose on the bike but the snot doesn't quite make it away in the wind and instead becomes best mates with your cheek/Oakleys.

Neither of these situations can be cleansed appropriately mid ride to an acceptable standard that I can tolerate. Snot/gel wiped off face onto your nice gloves = where does it go via wipe next? Onto your nice bib shorts or jersey? I think not.

Cycling is an activity full of dilemna for me.
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Depends on the gel. Some are horrible (looking at you, SIS). Some are actually quite nice, like pretty much all of the smaller/own brand ones I've tried. Doesn't really matter either way, you've just got to down it all in one and you hardly even taste it. Don't pussy foot around sipping at it for a full km ;)
 
xdcx said:
They are horrible regardless. You can't get into them without getting a tiny bit of gel at least somewhere on your fingers/cheeks and it's sticky and annoying for the remainder of your ride.
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People who do use gels don't actually use them from the wrapper do they?:p

Pros use gel flasks!;)
 
Shamrock said:
People who do use gels don't actually use them from the wrapper do they?:p

Pros use gel flasks!;)
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You disgust me.
You are one of these types who is into that sport where using tape to secure gels and what not to your top tube is considered a "good idea". Like running and swimming either side of cycling. Utter heathens!

:p
 
Well, that's the thing. I look at those taping gels to their top tube and think... just use a gel flask.:confused:

It's not an odd idea, it's a clever idea! No litter, can store 3 gels in the large flask and when empty it folds down to the size of the nozzle.:p
 
Triathliens.
Anything they invent/do/promote/encourage/advise/champion is lowered to the pub league levels of cool. Apologies.
 
Shamrock said:
Well, that's the thing. I look at those taping gels to their top tube and think... just use a gel flask.:confused:

It's not an odd idea, it's a clever idea! No litter, can store 3 gels in the large flask and when empty it folds down to the size of the nozzle.:p
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I agree about taping gels to your top tube. I suppose the flask makes sense if you're just having a few in a race/etc.
 
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