Road Cycling

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Did the Ride London 99.7 in 4:18 which I was pleased with! I was in the first start wave at 6am so it was pretty rapid, the first 50 miles going in 2 hours. Couldn't keep up on the hills due to lack of practice so did the last 3rd in various smaller groups.

For pretty much the first 50 miles there was a pack of about 60 cyclists rolling along. Some crashes near me on flats going around 28mph was quite scary and I was quite lucky to get through them. It's incredible the lack of effort needed to go 28mph when you are in the middle of a pack of 60 cyclists.

https://www.strava.com/activities/359268578
 
#Chri5# said:
I don't really want to be carrying 1kg of lock on me for 100km+ rides (though I could just eat less cake and drop the weight off me!).

Thinking of this lock now - 15mm thick but hopefully small enough (60cm) to stuff into a jersey pocket.
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I can understand not wanting to carry around heavy locks but I think you're kidding yourself if you trust any of these crappy locks enough to let your bike out of your sight for any length of time.

I either take a proper lock or only stop in places where I can watch my bike.
 
uv said:
I'll be riding 130 miles tomorrow with the HipLok. There's zero chance I'd trust my bike with a 7 quid lock.

Here's one of the 1-star reviews for that lock on Amazon:

"I used this lock for about two weeks before my bike was stolen. The lock was obviously broken in half through the combination section, seemingly without any tools. I don't think this is a very secure lock at all."

I'd much rather carry an extra 1kg about with me than have to get the train home and be a grand out of pocket, because no insurer is gonna pay out for a bike locked up with a £7 piece of plastic and string.
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Point taken guys :D
 
James07 said:
If you don't want/need it then that would be brilliant. I'm going to get a Virb soon.<snip>

What happened? Hahaha
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You're welcome to it mate as I don't use it anymore (found it too bulky on my bars) and picked it up in a Wiggle sale anyways, just throw me a few quid for a beer (& to cover postage) ;)

He got banned for wearing a snapback.

randomshenans said:
I've ordered some "genuine" bibs from dhgate, sure it won't be as silky as others but it'll do me.
Legs are battered tonight. Clocked up 30km tonight in 34c heat. Nearly died.
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I've come unstuck with 'genuine' knockoff bib tights before, so I tried other brands. It's better to wear cheaper branded than possible knockoffs, you get more for your money and better quality. I can't fault DHB bibs - although I wouldn't recommend the Active range for riding over an hour or two.

grudas said:
https://www.strava.com/activities/362366023/overview good going today for me!
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So close to 19mph average, keep pushing! ;)

randomshenans said:
My legs hurt.
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Ah, I see why! You were fast on your commute too! ;)

#Chri5# said:
I don't really want to be carrying 1kg of lock on me for 100km+ rides (though I could just eat less cake and drop the weight off me!).

Thinking of this lock now - 15mm thick but hopefully small enough (60cm) to stuff into a jersey pocket.
Click to expand...

I think the general consensus is a deterrent, depending on your area/stop will depend how strong/big/heavy that deterrent has to be! Until now I've just used a cheapy halfords version of this but I didn't really stop many places. Now I'm cycling further and more likely to not know the areas I've considered the Kryptonite version. Although weirdly it's not rated?!

I use a cheapy one at work too, my work place is fairly secure (right next to reception & CCTV) but I do have a D lock at home I should swap it with (and leave the D lock at work).

Good commute in this morning, took it easy-ish as I'm intending on going riding later after work. If I've got the legs tomorrow I'm going to beast the route in an attempt to get a 18mph average (and keep grudas happy). Looking at my rides I need to drop out some of the slow bits near the start or start my garmin later, or is that cheating? ;)
 
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Arsey said:
Did the Ride London 99.7 in 4:18 which I was pleased with! I was in the first start wave at 6am so it was pretty rapid, the first 50 miles going in 2 hours. Couldn't keep up on the hills due to lack of practice so did the last 3rd in various smaller groups.

For pretty much the first 50 miles there was a pack of about 60 cyclists rolling along. Some crashes near me on flats going around 28mph was quite scary and I was quite lucky to get through them. It's incredible the lack of effort needed to go 28mph when you are in the middle of a pack of 60 cyclists.

https://www.strava.com/activities/359268578
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Great going and well done Speedy! Shame about the crashes, were they mostly riders not used to riding in groups?

grudas said:
Strava pulled a strava on me!!!

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/856542774

:D
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Pffft! Everyone knows it's only Strava that counts! ;)
 
#Chri5# said:
29" it says - might fit round a thigh :D
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Ah I missed that bit. Would be loose on my 28" waist.:p

I could do with a secure yet light lock for commuting purposes and this looks better than the Hiplok but it's not shipping until October at the earliest.
 
Right so, my bottom bracket/crank is creaking as I'm cycling, every revolution or when I'm out the saddle it's groaning at me which is becoming a bit annoying. So going to service my bike properly this weekend re greasing and taking some of it apart to try find the culprit!

This has lead to me needing some parts & better gear to get it done properly so have formulated a nice shopping list for what I need which I may need some advice on;

Work/Repair stand - http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TORISP...ycle-repair-stand---rotating-clamp#reviewstab
Torque Wrench - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-essential-torque-wrench-set/
Better tool kit - http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJW41PCTK/jobsworth-pro-41pc-swap-shop
Degreaser - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/muc-off-water-soluble-degreaser-500ml-aerosol/
Lubricant (dry & wet) - Recommendations please?

Need some better cycling gear i.e. not a cheap jersey and cheap shorts so any recommendations for a jersey and bib-shorts (didn't take long for me to want to now have Lycra!!). :p

Proper Jersey - http://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/trade-team-jersey---yellow/product/TTJ03O
Bib-shorts - Castelli maybe? I'm not sure, but don't want to break the bank with Rapha (£120+!).
Cycling Shoes - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m089-spd-mountain-bike-shoes/
SPD Pedals - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m530-mtb-spd-trail-pedals/
Cleats - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-spd-mtb-cleats/

Any assistance or opinions on the above would be great! :)
Got around £300+ to spend across the items.
 
Saytan said:
1) I always like to make sure the minimum insert marker on the seatpost is at least at the top tube-seat tube junction

2) 56s tend to come out of the factory with 100-110mm stems

3) start out with a lot of spacers, you can't saw it back on....

how tall are you and how are you proportioned?
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I'm 5'11" and majority of my height is in my legs. Unfortunately my current Triban 5 is the wrong size, I listened to the guy in the shop when I didn't have a clue. So I currently have a 60cm frame and run an 80mm stem, yes I know it isn't ideal! Hence why I have been looking at the stack and reach, ignoring the size names of the frames.

Originally I really liked the look of the Bowman Palace but what I found was the stack was a lot lower than my current bike, I'd have to put 40-50mm to match the handlebar position! The Canyon and CAAD10 are taller on stack so look like an easier fit, more like 20mm of spacers.
 
saitrix said:
looking at the stack and reach, ignoring the size names of the frames.
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Excellent plan. I've eyed up the 56cm Canyon ultimate a few times, (I'm 5ft 10 and long in the body), the figures come in very close to my Kinesis T2 57cm which I ride with a 110 stem and relatively short-reach bars

Trek's H2 Geo might suit you as well...
 
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ThaReaperGuy said:
Right so, my bottom bracket/crank is creaking as I'm cycling, every revolution or when I'm out the saddle it's groaning at me which is becoming a bit annoying. So going to service my bike properly this weekend re greasing and taking some of it apart to try find the culprit!

This has lead to me needing some parts & better gear to get it done properly so have formulated a nice shopping list for what I need which I may need some advice on;

Work/Repair stand - http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TORISP...ycle-repair-stand---rotating-clamp#reviewstab
Torque Wrench - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-essential-torque-wrench-set/
Better tool kit - http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJW41PCTK/jobsworth-pro-41pc-swap-shop
Degreaser - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/muc-off-water-soluble-degreaser-500ml-aerosol/
Lubricant (dry & wet) - Recommendations please?

Need some better cycling gear i.e. not a cheap jersey and cheap shorts so any recommendations for a jersey and bib-shorts (didn't take long for me to want to now have Lycra!!). :p

Proper Jersey - http://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/trade-team-jersey---yellow/product/TTJ03O
Bib-shorts - Castelli maybe? I'm not sure, but don't want to break the bank with Rapha (£120+!).
Cycling Shoes - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m089-spd-mountain-bike-shoes/
SPD Pedals - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m530-mtb-spd-trail-pedals/
Cleats - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-spd-mtb-cleats/

Any assistance or opinions on the above would be great! :)
Got around £300+ to spend across the items.
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Stand is a good choice and price, Torque is a good buy, Tool kit seems good (there are cheaper but then you'd end up buying allen keys & pedal spanner). Degreaser, there are other options but for starting out not much price difference (just get whatever is on offer!). Lifeline Green for lube (as you commute in all weathers?), although the packaging seems to have changed and it's not green any longer?! The Park tool Chain cleaner is a good investment (better than the juice lubes one).

Shoes and Pedals ok, the pedals will come with cleats so you don't need another set (although you will in future, you should get more than 6 months out of a set).

Bib shorts are a very personal preference. Especially on a budget! As I'm fairly stocky I've found fitting my big thighs and short torso/legs an issue. I've gone from cheapy DHB Active bibs and DHB Flashlight (bib version, not in stock) for commuting. More leisure riding I've gone through Northwave Logo's and more recently (last 2 days) finally found Castelli Evoluzione (after trying various others before).

Jerseys I've never really matched to shorts, I have DHB Active, Primal Tagged, DHB Flashlight (good for commuting),Northwave Logo (about my only matching) and various others.

I guess budget really does decide for me as I don't usually buy 1 of anything (2's and 3's)... So I don't like to spend more than £40 on commuting bibs, £60 on leisure bibs and £30/45 on jerseys etc etc.

If you do any work with spokes the basic spoke keys in those PX kits are rubbish and will round your nipples (oooh matron). I'd recommend one of these: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-performance-spoke-wrench/ :D
 
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been tracking my HR the past few days, not on strava tho.

but my resting sits at 55bpm and maxes out at 145 while cycling - normally around 120-130bpm.

seems to be quite good.
 
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