Road Cycling

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Re taurine, there are dosage suggestions on the label but I found very little difference between taking a single spoonful all the way up to a full daily dose all at once before bed.

And...Roady-style multi-quote coming. Apologies all :p

janp said:
Good suggestion, but for me it takes a couple of weeks before problems start appearing, mainly saddle sores etc.

FT - I'll post a list ASAP once I've dug them all out.
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Awesome, thanks :)

One More Solo said:
I've got a ISM Prologue that I'm not currently using if you want to give one a try.
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I'd be up for trying it if you don't mind, cheers. It looks more like a TT saddle though..would it work okay for a road bike (even if I ride in the drops a lot more these days)?

platypus said:
Just buy from wiggle and take for a long ride. If it doesn't fit, send it back.
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Nice idea but I'd feel a bit funny doing this to be honest. I don't mind sending stuff back if it's the wrong size or whatever but I'd regard using the saddle for a 100 mile ride as being a bit beyond an acceptable 'try before you buy'.

Vonhelmet said:
I've got the day booked off work. I've got an imperial route planned that goes up the brickworks, Goyt valley, cat and fiddle (closed roads, y0, so no risk of speeding idiots if the timing fits) and then back to tatton. Now that the timings are out I can work out the practicalities of where to watch and whether it's possible, say, to catch it at one point and then make it to the finish line.

FT said he might be up for it as well.
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Oops. I forgot about this. I've just put through the holiday booking so I should be able to make it.

The Tatton park thing would be awesome but yeah...can't imagine us making it :p I've ridden lots of routes back from C&F through Tatton and they're nice and flat with decent roads but even then...

Roady said:
Just time spent in FT's company ;)
I've got short legs too!
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Aww yeah :eek:

oli collett said:
Argh. Had an off this morning - caught a drain cover as i was cornering - I was too busy looking out for pedestrians crossing on red to notice and there was a touch of drizzle which probably didn't help. Funny thing was there was an ambulance doing the rounds 50m away who patched me up!

I ended up heading into work but I realised I had a huge lump swollen out of my hip so realised it made sense to go to A & E. After lots of waiting around I got an x-ray and thankfully all was good - so good I might be back on the bike early next week!

Oh and thankfully the canyon is fine - scratched shifter and that's about it. Thankfully it went down on the left!
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Ouch. Glad to hear you're okay though.

BennyC said:
My stock Ultegra 6800 chain appears to have a quick link already in it. In a couple of weeks it'll be taken off and refitted.

Forgive the novice in me but these are reusable right? Just I swear I saw some on Wiggle that suggested they weren't? Or do they have a limited lifespan?


Could do with a clean I know...

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Also another question...I'm not suite sure if my bike (Giant Propel A1 2016) has sealed cables or not. The underside has this, which I thought was initially a cover but the cables do seem to run up and through in to the housings from what I can see inside the frame... I guess I could still feed un-sealed cables through this?...

jFcKeGx.png
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Personally I'd just get a new quick link and tbh if you're massively redoing your entire bike probably a new chain unless it's literally only had 100 miles on it or something.

I'm not sure about those cables. On my bike I've got bare inners there.

madindehead said:
Glad to hear you (and the bike) are ok!

Regarding Sidi shoe sizing (looking at you here Roady): How did you find they size up to the size guide? Does the size of shoes you have match what the guide says you should be wearing?
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I'm a fairly standard 12 with wide feet and 47 fit me fine with my Sidi Dragons. 47 in the wateproof Sidis I have are a tiny bit large however. Shimano 47 were a bit tight for me and some cheapish Northwave 47s I have are definitely too large.
 
Have NFTO changed up their returns since last week? Looks like only DSR policy for returning items now and no information about where to send it exactly. They also seem to want the items within 7 days of receiving but my understanding of DSR is that we only have to inform them we're cancelling the order within 7.
 
Armageus said:
So I spent a good hour or so cleaning my bike yesterday, so I could ride it this morning, only to find it's now shifting up gears by itself randomly. Happens regardless of which gear it is in, and regardless of speed/cadence.

Any pointers (think idiot guide with pictures) as I am terrible at gear adjustment and don't want to make it worse :)
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Check out all the GCN videos on YouTube. They're invaluable for stuff like this :)

Lethal` said:
Have NFTO changed up their returns since last week? Looks like only DSR policy for returning items now and no information about where to send it exactly. They also seem to want the items within 7 days of receiving but my understanding of DSR is that we only have to inform them we're cancelling the order within 7.
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You're understanding is correct. However, I've no idea about NFTO stuff.
 
Vonhelmet said:
KMC quick links can be reused, so shimano ones should be fine as well, given they're all made by KMC. SRAM ones apparently can't be reused, but some say you can manage it.
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Thought it was the reverse? KMC/Shimano were '1 use' and SRAM were more (but only 3 or something)? I've got one SRAM QL from an X1 chain I must've used with 3 chains and have probably had apart 6 or 7 times in total. Still going strong! :)

oli collett said:
Argh. Had an off this morning - caught a drain cover as i was cornering<snip>
Oh and thankfully the canyon is fine - scratched shifter and that's about it. Thankfully it went down on the left!
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Ouch! Be more careful in the mornings, especially after a warm night! You could've ended up under a car! Glad the bike and you are ok, heal up well & quickly! Scratched shifters are the 'in' look this summer...
madindehead said:
Regarding Sidi shoe sizing (looking at you here Roady): How did you find they size up to the size guide? Does the size of shoes you have match what the guide says you should be wearing?
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I've always been 'kind of an 8 but sometimes they're too big' in normal shoes depending on brand. I wear a 42 in all cycling shoes, perfect for me (so i'm closer to a 7.5 size). My Kaos are as comfortable as slippers. Although that does lead me to doing them up too tight and an hour or two later my toes will start to go, thankfully now I know I do them up 'normally' then release 1 click of the ratchet (and sometimes dial) as I ride.

ThaReaperGuy said:
Bit of a shopping spree to cheer my day up a bit considering I've been working since a 6AM call out (Which pays for most of this :p):

NFTO Black Jersey
NFTO Black Bib-Shorts
DHB EQ2.5
2 x Stealth Elite Bottlecages
2 x Black Elite Bottles
2 x 80mm Innertubes
Race Fit Club Kit - http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/index.html

Looking at some water resistant leg warmers and arm warmers as this rain is getting on my nerves. Might take a stab at the DHB Rain Defence as they're £44 for the pair.
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I need your job to fund my cycling shopping habit, if you get paid that much! ;)

Sportful NoRain are probably cheaper warmers, but they are quite thick. Castelli Nanoflex are almost identical (just have inside & outside grippers, Sportful just have thicker inside, I find the Sportful stay in place better on my thighs). I've not tried the RainDefence to see how thick they are. DHB EQ2.5 is a great jacket, but I only tend to use mine for commuting as the fit is very 'relaxed'.
 
janp said:
I tried taking taurine before bed last night....Wow I had the best night's sleep I've had in years. I usually wake up several times a night, but didn't at all last night.
As someone else previously mentioned, I did struggle a little to wake up this morning, but found the morning commute much less of a chore.
Mixed the stuff with a tiny bit of water, and couldn't really taste a thing (perhaps a very slight bitterness).

I've got a couple of weeks off after Friday, so I'll experiment a bit more. Interested to see how long I'll sleep without an alarm going off.
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janp said:
I'm not really sure, I brought 250g via myprotein. The packet suggested 2.5 scoops (the scooper is tiny!) per serving. I took 2 scoops. I'll weigh it out tonight and see how much a scoop is (I'm guessing 1g)..
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Glad to hear you experienced some notable effect. Your weight/height will probably have some bearing but the region of 1-3g should be plenty. It should be almost completely tasteless and have a similar consistency to sugar but is much lighter so will puff up in to a mist if thrown about or shaken.

Thanks Roady, a bit more googling reveals they're part of the cable guide inners. I do like that it keeps the cable from being exposed on an area of the bike that can get quite mucky but I usually keep on top of cleaning & maintenance so either way it wouldn't be an issue to keep clean and lubed. (Back from Germany last week and it needs a good once over!)

The chains done around 800 miles so I'm a bit reluctant to throw it away this early on. It'll be my first time stripping & rebuilding and whilst I've not done much bike maintenance I'm fairly savvy though don't fancy having to add fitting/sizing a new chain in to the mix.

It all works currently so if I can take it all off and get it back on and working as it was I'll be happy as Larry. :) (Plenty of new tooling incoming).
 
@FT I've only used the Prologue on my road bike as didn't suit me on my TT bike oddly. I think it suits road riding pretty well as it doesn't lock you in to one position like the stubbier ISMs. You can give it a try for a bit and see how you get on anyway, drop me a message in trust as I might be passing your way this evening to vote.
 
Vonhelmet said:
Glorious day! I've ridden my best bike to work and I'm off for a metric after lunch as I've got the afternoon off. I should rack up 75 miles today. I'm on course for 200 this week, 700 for the month.
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It appears you have stolen the South East's weather. Give it back! :p

Thunderstorms all night and still raining a bit now. I've only got out on the bike once so far this week :(
 
FrenchTart said:
Check out all the GCN videos on YouTube. They're invaluable for stuff like this :)
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Thanks for that, the indexing the gears one was really useful, although believe I have now found the problem....

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(sorry for potato pic)


Assuming the big split on the outer cable, and the inner cable not looking great wouldn't help :) (Although oddly didn't notice this when cleaning it last night).

Don't feel confident to change the cable myself, so will pop it into my LBS - I assume it shouldn't cost too much?
 
One More Solo said:
@FT I've only used the Prologue on my road bike as didn't suit me on my TT bike oddly. I think it suits road riding pretty well as it doesn't lock you in to one position like the stubbier ISMs. You can give it a try for a bit and see how you get on anyway, drop me a message in trust as I might be passing your way this evening to vote.
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Done :)

Armageus said:
Thanks for that, the indexing the gears one was really useful, although believe I have now found the problem....

98ZMYwuh.jpg

(sorry for potato pic)


Assuming the big split on the outer cable, and the inner cable not looking great wouldn't help :) (Although oddly didn't notice this when cleaning it last night).

Don't feel confident to change the cable myself, so will pop it into my LBS - I assume it shouldn't cost too much?
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That cable doesn't look great yeah. If you're getting the LBS to swap it out I'd get them to do the front at the same time. May as well and it's not that much money :) Cost will vary but it shouldn't be much more than £20 including a new outer + inner. If they were just swapping the inner I'd expect it to be more like £10.
 
Lethal` said:
On road shoes... tempted to try some Sidis or something. Not seeing any particularly cheap Mavics in my size turn up and I'm still running Mavic MTB shoes... though the cleats still seem to be good 5000+ miles on :D
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To be honest the 'cheap' commuting shoes I bought (Giro Treble II for £50) are really comfortable, if you're after recommendations!
Armageus said:
So I spent a good hour or so cleaning my bike yesterday, so I could ride it this morning, only to find it's now shifting up gears by itself randomly. Happens regardless of which gear it is in, and regardless of speed/cadence.
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Will just be a slight reindexing, probably at the RD end noodle is the best place. Follow some guides but basically start in the highest gear and turn the noodle so the top cassette cog is in the 'middle' of the chain (when looking from the rear). Change down and rotate pedal forwards to change gear, adjust noodle looser/tighter (as required) for the change to happen and not 'jump'/rub the next gear causing a phantom change. Continue for the top 4 or so gears and then recheck the indexing is still ok. Once you have the top few indexed the rest should all be! If you can't get it 'right' it normally indicates cable stretch and you will save a lot of hassle by replacing the cable (for a few quid) rather than time and frustration to get it anywhere near perfect! :cool:

madindehead said:
Carbon Wire or the Kaos.
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To be honest with the price difference I'd recommend the Kaos. Boa dials are good but don't really think the ratchet is 'bad' enough to warrant the additional expense to avoid it. Unless you have other reasons (heat molding/weight saving etc).
FrenchTart said:
And...Roady-style multi-quote coming. Apologies all :p<snip>
I'm not sure about those cables. On my bike I've got bare inners there.
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Good work young padawan! ;)

Benny: My Defy has bare inners there and fairly sure even those with internal routing are meant to have bare cables there!
Lethal` said:
Have NFTO changed up their returns since last week? Looks like only DSR policy for returning items now and no information about where to send it exactly. They also seem to want the items within 7 days of receiving but my understanding of DSR is that we only have to inform them we're cancelling the order within 7.
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I've no idea, I wouldn't imagine they would, but equally they've probably had hundreds of web orders where previously they'd only have a handful per week. Any doubt give the guys in the shop a ring - they're very helpful!

Lost my KOM on my work commute yesterday, was quite lucky with some lights this morning. Put a bit of an effort into Westfaling and then a threshold effort in on Kings Acre. My earlier part of the ride was far too slow to get anywhere near my PR (40s short) but I wasn't exactly rested/fresh or pushing hard from the start. Maybe I'll get it back soon, I've got literally 1 week before moving out and probably never riding the route again! :eek::cool:

Some of the locals went to Cardiff for the Maindy last night. Quite a few of them did well, including Churchy who bagged 2nd! Crazy speeds! 27mph avg! Kyle has some great form the last couple of weeks and bagged enough points with his sprint to progress to CAT3.
 
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Roady said:
I've no idea, I wouldn't imagine they would, but equally they've probably had hundreds of web orders where previously they'd only have a handful per week. Any doubt give the guys in the shop a ring - they're very helpful!
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They're definitely up to something as the shipping and returns page now returns a 404. I'll try give them a call after lunch.
 
FrenchTart said:
SRAM quick links are definitely meant to be 1 use. You can probably get away with more if you manage to take it apart but for the cost of a QL I'd not bother personally.
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Got any links on where to buy them at decent prices? Times I looked before SRAM Powerlinks were £6 or more each, KMC QL's are £10 each! May as well buy a chain for £15 (that comes with one)! :p
BennyC said:
Thanks Roady, a bit more googling reveals they're part of the cable guide inners. I do like that it keeps the cable from being exposed on an area of the bike that can get quite mucky but I usually keep on top of cleaning & maintenance so either way it wouldn't be an issue to keep clean and lubed. (Back from Germany last week and it needs a good once over!)
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It routes the cable around the BB rather than any kind of protection, mine always gets filthy and particularly in the dry weather my cables there can start to 'creak'/groan. I usually blast them with GT85 and sometimes put chain lube on them to stop it until the next time I strip & clean.

Sizing/fitting a chain is easy, once you've used a chain tool a couple of times anyway, only slightly more involved than taking one off and refitting it! The only 'gotchya' is removing the right link (as they're kindof in pairs, inner and outer), as your QL is an 'outer' :)
 
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