Road Cycling

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Finally got to ride the new bike last night, pretty much in love, so much faster than my current bike.

Ended up taking it to a local shop to get the gears sorted, I didn't want to risk further damaging it incase it needed to be returned. Mechanic said it looked like they hadn't even attempted to set the gears up, and then pointed out that the handlebars were still collapsed (not sure how I didn't notice that).

Definitely needs some tweaking, as my lower back was a little sore after a short ride. I need to order a different stem, as 100mm is too much of a stretch, I usually have to go 80mm on 56cm frame. I also think the saddle was a little too high, but the bottom bracket on this bike seems a lot chunkier, so it was difficult to work out where to measure to.

Brakes are surprisingly responsive, and seem a little better than the hydraulic disc brakes on my Cannondale. However, I've not tried them in the wet.

Saddle might need a change. It's not the stock saddle as I needed a wider saddle. Went for a Specialized Phenom (155mm), yes I know it's a Specialized on a Trek bike! Felt quite comfortable at the time, but I have saddle sores the size of grapefruits today!

Anywho, enough ramblings and time for some bike porn....

D3mmCOq.jpg
 
madindehead said:
Would someone care to explain bottom brackets to me. When I buy my new cranks, I want to pick up a new bottom bracket. My bike uses Specialized's OSBB, so it's basically BB30 (as far as I'm aware). I need to look at my bottom bracket properly, but I think it's a Praxis Works, and it seems to have cups that come out the side of the bracket.

It's the top BB in this image: https://www.praxiscycles.com/wp-content/uploads/M30_BB30_with_without_sleeve.jpg

However, looking at BB30 from other companies, they don't appear to have the threaded bits on the outside. Which is confusing me.
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OSBB is compatible with PF30 and BB30. Googling suggests that BB30 with a Praxis converter is a good bit. It sounds like you already have the converter, so you'll just need new BB30 bearings.

Although, depending on the cranks you're going for, you may need something besides BB30. Maybe you can get a step down converter and put a square taper BB in there for maximum jokes.
 
I think he means that the seattube extends really high above the top tube, so the seat clamp looks unusually high.

On most bikes there isn't much seattube above the top tube.
 
SoliD said:
janp what happened to the previous bike? Madone 5.2 wasn't it?
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It's a long story mate. I originally brought the Trek Domane back in October, but it didn't fit right, the shop told me the geometry of the bike didn't suit me, and persuaded me to buy a Cannondale Synapse instead.

I spotted the Trek reduced in Evan's, and they also did a trade in deal. So I tried the frame size up, and it was perfect, a far better fit than the Cannondale. So I sold my CX bike, traded in a broken bike, used quidco, and hardly paid a thing :)

I've still got the Cannondale Synapse, it's my now incredibly expensive winter bike.
 
My new bike arrived last night. Only had a chance to set the saddle height and put the pedals on, and the weather is nasty here today so not had a chance to get out on it. Does the stem height seem too high? Most pictures of peoples bikes that I see, the seat is higher than the bars by more than this. I am only short (5'7" and 30" inside leg) so seat height is just right. Is it a straightforward job to remove some of the spacers or would I need a shop to do it?

Here she is:

WAH2oaU.jpg


G.
 
Grahame said:
My new bike arrived last night. Only had a chance to set the saddle height and put the pedals on, and the weather is nasty here today so not had a chance to get out on it. Does the stem height seem too high? Most pictures of peoples bikes that I see, the seat is higher than the bars by more than this. I am only short (5'7" and 30" inside leg) so seat height is just right. Is it a straightforward job to remove some of the spacers or would I need a shop to do it?

Here she is:

WAH2oaU.jpg

G.
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Depends entirely on what's comfortable for you. It's a bit of a trend to have the stem really low and not necessarily the correct position for you (despite what xdcx's bike fashion statements might say :p). If you can lower it and still be comfortable you'll likely be in a more aerodynamic position. You can also flip the stem to make it lower.

It's straightforward to change the height though you may wish to use a torque wrench to ensure you don't overtighten it.
 
Thanks for the advice, in the end my plans were turned on their head as my wife decided she wanted to go shopping instead so I got out to bag the May GF challenge on Strava :o

Took it nice and steady (probably a bit too steady looking at the Strava upload when I got back :o ) but I did totally smash this Cat 4 climb https://www.strava.com/activities/588670797/segments/14325289331 :rolleyes:

Bike seems to be riding fine but since changing the chain and cassette it is so much noisier :(
 
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lordrobs said:
Bike seems to be riding fine but since changing the chain and cassette it is so much noisier :(
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Did you route the chain properly over the little tab between the 2 jockey wheels?
I've got that wrong hundreds of times and it makes an annoying rattle :p
 
Yup, done that myself too. Checked it a few times before I even noticed too :p

Nice looking bike Grahame! I wouldn't worry about stem height for now, just ride it and get used to the position. Over time you can think about lowering it as you get more flexible and gain more core strength to comfortably maintain a more aggressive position.

If you do move it, it might be worth getting a torque spanner. Especially with carbon. See if it says what torque the bolts need to be (usually 5nm) and simplest thing to do is probably to get one of those pre-set ritchey ones that just doesn't go above that.
 
Thanks for the advice guys. Weather forecast looks good for tomorrow night so I will take it out on my favourite 25mile route and see how it feels. Good call on the torque spanner, been meaning to get one for the toolkit, so now is the perfect time!
 
Had a good bit of silly commuter racing this evening. On two occasions I overtook people and then did my best to hold them off. Hard work when I was on single speed, so it was cadence a go go. They both overtook me eventually, when I started flagging. Fun times. It helped a bit with the average speed! 16.7mph, which isn't bad.

I'm over 2000 miles for the year, now.
 
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