Road Cycling

bastic · 20 Mar 2024 at 07:23

Junglist said:
Yeah, i've been (forced) back out on the road and I have enjoyed the feeling of being out in the real world again. It's actually the first time I've been on the AliExpress saddle and I'm still really impressed with how it performs on the roads.

How tall are you? I'm 180cm, I can't remember the exact measurement of my inseam but I was thinking of going to a 160mm crankset but not sure if it's necessary for me. 172.5 on my Canyon

Washed my gravel on Sunday, put new waxed chain for the commute...
1km on way to work link snapped ...had to walk back... Only solution was to get supersix out quickly.. was so nice to commute on light and fast bike lol

On way back went via Greenwich park and got a PB on it haha would be even better if I would try harder

And actual daylight during the day with no rain makes so much difference!!

Junglist · 20 Mar 2024 at 09:40

bastic said:
Are you comfy and efficient with your current bike frame and cranks length ? Then get same length in new and as close frame with setup as possible with new.

Use pages that compare bike sizes like https://geometrygeeks.bike/

In 180 on 56 frame - possibly could use 58 with my body and 172.5 cranks.

Bikefit would be handy but a good one costs small fortune

I feel on my bike it's ever so slightly too long. Only way to explain it is when I am on the hoods the part of the hood which feels most comfortable to sit on feels maybe 10mm too far away. Not a deal breaker but enough to notice. When I went to the concept store the guy took one look at me and said size 54. I thought I was going to be 56 but before even mentioning the size issue with my canyon he said he thought I'd look like a 54 and slightly longer stem would be better for me.

They said they'll fit me up on their little machine they have in store when it's time to order but he seemed pretty confident that 54 would be better for me than a 56.

fez · 20 Mar 2024 at 11:14

Junglist said:
I feel on my bike it's ever so slightly too long. Only way to explain it is when I am on the hoods the part of the hood which feels most comfortable to sit on feels maybe 10mm too far away. Not a deal breaker but enough to notice. When I went to the concept store the guy took one look at me and said size 54. I thought I was going to be 56 but before even mentioning the size issue with my canyon he said he thought I'd look like a 54 and slightly longer stem would be better for me.

They said they'll fit me up on their little machine they have in store when it's time to order but he seemed pretty confident that 54 would be better for me than a 56.

I think quite a lot of people are on bikes that are too big for them. I certainly was. I reckon the vast majority of people buying a bike look at the manufacturers size chart and say "i'm 188cm therefore I am a size large" and thats that. Since I moved to a 56cm TCR I am much happier. Basically every manufacturers chart says I should be on a 58cm despite there being quite a large discrepancy between all their actual geometries and measurements.

Junglist · 20 Mar 2024 at 11:36

fez said:
I think quite a lot of people are on bikes that are too big for them. I certainly was. I reckon the vast majority of people buying a bike look at the manufacturers size chart and say "i'm 188cm therefore I am a size large" and thats that. Since I moved to a 56cm TCR I am much happier. Basically every manufacturers chart says I should be on a 58cm despite there being quite a large discrepancy between all their actual geometries and measurements.

Oh 100%. My first proper bike was a Hoy Hybride which I used to ride to work. I bought a large frame and it felt like a boat. I Know Canyons run a bit bigger but the site said with my height and inseam measured a Medium would be right and while it feels better than the Hoy Hybrid did, it still feels just a bit too big. There's not much in it, but I can just tell it could be ever so slightly smaller and I'd be happier.

This bike was my first ever road bike though so I just took what the site said as gospel. Now I know a tiny bit more about how I feel when I'm on the bike I'd like to get my next one just right.

bastic · 20 Mar 2024 at 12:03

Junglist said:
I feel on my bike it's ever so slightly too long. Only way to explain it is when I am on the hoods the part of the hood which feels most comfortable to sit on feels maybe 10mm too far away. Not a deal breaker but enough to notice. When I went to the concept store the guy took one look at me and said size 54. I thought I was going to be 56 but before even mentioning the size issue with my canyon he said he thought I'd look like a 54 and slightly longer stem would be better for me.

They said they'll fit me up on their little machine they have in store when it's time to order but he seemed pretty confident that 54 would be better for me than a 56.

suppose if frame you want is with them, and not avail much cheaper anywhere else, go with them and get fitted in store.

Martynt74 · 20 Mar 2024 at 12:26

bastic said:
Bikefit would be handy but a good one costs small fortune

Think is, a bike fit is maybe £300 at the top end, but when spending £7k on a bike it's a pretty small proportion.

The negative is if @Junglist really wants the SL8 and then gets told he doesn't fit him at all!

Junglist · 20 Mar 2024 at 12:35

I'll make myself fit! Ha, no if I was advised it really isn't for me I'd look elsewhere.

Martynt74 · 20 Mar 2024 at 14:27

On the plus side and i've no idea how this works out given power output is in the ball park of previous rides, but i smashed a Strava segment vs previous attempts. I remember riding it thinking it felt easier than i remembered which was nice to feel some improvement.

Junglist · 20 Mar 2024 at 15:01

I had the same yesterday. Wasn't necessarily trying but put a PB on a segment that was 8s quicker than my best time?! All I was doing during that segment was trying to hold an aero position but I don't see how I did that faster. For context, I've done the segment 80 times

Martynt74 · 20 Mar 2024 at 15:32

For context, i've only done this 7 times (feels like more) but i'm talking a minute faster. With lower HR and similar power output

UTmaniac · 20 Mar 2024 at 16:00

Tailwind? An awful lot of my best segment times come down to this one.
Winter turbo training gains? Certainly applied to me in sping/summer '22, I made significant gains for me and didn't get my usual March cold that would knock gains back a bit.
Fresh legs?
Clean drivetrain?
More aero position?
More polarised ride, smashing specific segments and taking rest of ride very easy?

No doubt others, so many factors!

Junglist · 20 Mar 2024 at 16:04

He was his dads electric bike :mad:

Martynt74 · 20 Mar 2024 at 19:49

Haha maybe I should’ve used my dads bike!

Maybe I was a little more aero but it’s a bit of a climb so not really talking much speed. I had recently given it a decent clean and lube though which I’ve not done for months so maybe it’s that!

Junglist · 20 Mar 2024 at 20:15

Don’t down play yourself. You just smashed your time with ease

Martynt74 · 20 Mar 2024 at 20:19

Junglist said:
Don’t down play yourself. You just smashed your time with ease

Just means I need to go back out again and see whether it was a fluke!

Martynt74 · 21 Mar 2024 at 09:08

Ok, i'm trying to buy some bib shorts and as mentioned i'm going to try Siroko given they're Spanish and all and i like the jerseys i have of theirs.

They've a big range on their website and naturally i honed in on the cheapest, yet these suggest they're rated for "up to 3 hours" and i figure that doesn't quite work for my plans

CYCLING BIB SHORTS

Cycling bib shorts. Ultralightweight materials and high-quality designs. High-density chamois. Express delivery. Do not miss our best deals online.

www.siroko.com

As such i moved up to the next price point which seems to be the BX range. Here there are 3 options. The Squandra, Resistence and Hybrid. All the same price and pretty much all with the same description bar the slightest of tweaks

BX Hybrid

Go beyond your limits with our BX Hybrid, a pair of bib shorts that meets the most demanding expectations. Our Strato+ chamois is made of Belgian Recticel material which counts on several densities to offer maximum comfort. Ideal for eight- to ten-hour routes and competitions.

www.siroko.com

BX Squadra

The design of our BX Squadra bib shorts will offer the best performance to the most demanding cyclists. Our Strato+ chamois is made of Belgian Recticel material which counts on several densities to offer maximum comfort. Ideal for eight- to ten-hour routes and competitions.

www.siroko.com

BX Resistance

The BX Resistance is a pair of bib shorts made for cyclists used to challenging outings. Our Strato+ chamois is made of Belgian Recticel material which counts on several densities to offer maximum comfort. Ideal for eight- to ten-hour routes and competitions.

www.siroko.com

Any insight as to what the difference might actually be? Bar slight cosmetic changes.

EDIT - Did some googling, seems they are identical bar some design tweaks. Also feel like i might have sold myself on the higher tier level

Men's and women's bib shorts from Siroko: a buyer's guide – SIROKO CYCLING COMMUNITY

In one of our previous articles, we have explained how to choose a good pair of cycling bib shorts in general terms, pointing out what to look for when buying

www.siroko.com

Junglist · 21 Mar 2024 at 09:53

Interested to see how you get on. TraceVelo always waxes lyrical about them (though they're a sponsor so he is supposed to do so) but their price is very tempting

Martynt74 · 21 Mar 2024 at 10:06

Will do. As said i really like the Jersey i have of theirs. Sunglasses are "ok" but i do always covet something more premium there.

Was about to go with the BX range at €59.95, but then the only version at that price was in a medium, the other BX range was €69.95. There was then an SRX available for €90 and i figured the extra €20 was worth a punt.

Nutty_Death · 21 Mar 2024 at 14:35

Not that you asked but I like gravel style bib shorts with a thigh pocket.
I don't use it on most rides, unless it's really casual and I don't have a top with pockets. It's handy for back and forth before I ride, especially when using a trainer.

Martynt74 · 21 Mar 2024 at 16:46

Nutty_Death said:
Not that you asked but I like gravel style bib shorts with a thigh pocket.
I don't use it on most rides, unless it's really casual and I don't have a top with pockets. It's handy for back and forth before I ride, especially when using a trainer.

That'd actually be pretty cool. Sometimes i'll wear something warmer than a jersey which means no pockets and i curse having nowhere for my phone/keys.

Purchase 2 incoming!