Road Cycling

Roady · 16 Feb 2017 at 12:21

touch said:
Yep, Canyon. It was all clearance stuff which seems to have gone now.
I got an Uvex Finale helmet in a horrible orange/red colour (which thankfully isn't as horrible in person as it looks in photos)

Damn, I missed out! That colour scheme really does look horrible lol

Dangerous Dave said:
You are likely going to need to get the battery directly connected to a DI2 SM-PCE1 interface to retry the firmware update.

No firmware reset/rollback?

UTmaniac · 16 Feb 2017 at 13:05

Roady said:
Got a link to the activity? Check some of the GPS 'tracking' on the map overlay and you may find some of it out. There's a way you can edit .fit files to fix the GPS data on them (if it's really a problem). Particularly if you were using a tablet/phone rather than a dedicated GPS head unit, the signals/tracking just isn't as active and/or accurate.

Sorry to hear about your off, glad nothing too damaged/injured! Wet roads? How are the tyres looking, worn/new? What size tyres and what PSI? My guess is just slick tyres at high pressure causing a smaller contact patch on the road, combined with some greasy tarmac.

https://www.strava.com/activities/866230230

Loads of errors with the tracking (eg. early segment bogus times, first loop around Woodmill and Cobden missing etc.), not just at the roundabout where I went off (just after 36:06), very unusual as my Nexus 7 2013 normally tracks ok.

Tyres are fine, ~6-month old 38c Marathon Cross, for some inexplicable reason I boosted their pressure from ~70/77PSI to ~78/83PSI at the weekend (reverted to normal pressures before last night's ride). It was dry that afternoon, but as I entered the roundabout, the tarmac looked a bit dark and I think I did try to scrub off a bit more speed just before trying to turn. Should have really taken a photo with the tablet to look at later, but at the time I was in shock, wondering what the heck just happened before gingerly heading off.

SoliD · 16 Feb 2017 at 13:14

Dangerous Dave said:
You are likely going to need to get the battery directly connected to a DI2 SM-PCE1 interface to retry the firmware update.

Will give it all a go tonight, have had an offer from a local club member with PCE-1 to use that.

Roady · 16 Feb 2017 at 15:35

Erratic power readings again from my PWM this morning (too low) & my ride home at lunch! Tried a calibration here when not quite stationary and it screwed it up more. Calibrated again when actually stopped (temporary lights) and it seemed fine for the rest of my ride. I'm going to give my bike a real clean later and make sure no water/salt have got in the battery pod. Weird/annoying. :mad:

Unrelated: Rode at lunchtimes the last couple of days in normal (non-winter) gloves! Today I actually wore 1 less layer of thermals too!

UTmaniac said:
https://www.strava.com/activities/866230230

Loads of errors with the tracking (eg. early segment bogus times, first loop around Woodmill and Cobden missing etc.), not just at the roundabout where I went off (just after 36:06), very unusual as my Nexus 7 2013 normally tracks ok.

Tyres are fine, ~6-month old 38c Marathon Cross, for some inexplicable reason I boosted their pressure from ~70/77PSI to ~78/83PSI at the weekend (reverted to normal pressures before last night's ride). It was dry that afternoon, but as I entered the roundabout, the tarmac looked a bit dark and I think I did try to scrub off a bit more speed just before trying to turn. Should have really taken a photo with the tablet to look at later, but at the time I was in shock, wondering what the heck just happened before gingerly heading off.

Pressures don't sound that high but don't particularly know those tyres or run anything that large myself for any real experience of the differences at those high tyre volumes. Your speed wasn't particularly high judging by average speed before (~20mph tops?) and I don't recall any ice around at least for a week (unless it was colder down south!?). I'd blame the road surface and/or something spilt on it. The latter ties in with your observation of it looking a bit dark. Fuel/oil! Although as it's right next to a school it could be anything!

SDK^ · 16 Feb 2017 at 15:44

I can see from my Strava data that my current fitness is better than it was last summer, which has made me happy

I'm very much looking forward to Spring and Summer where the avg speed increases...... and i'll be on a new lighter & aero bike for speeeeeedzzzzz

hornetstinger · 16 Feb 2017 at 15:45

looking at buying sks longboards as I found front guards are too short

SDK^ · 16 Feb 2017 at 15:50

Roady said:
Erratic power readings again from my PWM this morning (too low) & my ride home at lunch! Tried a calibration here when not quite stationary and it screwed it up more. Calibrated again when actually stopped (temporary lights) and it seemed fine for the rest of my ride. I'm going to give my bike a real clean later and make sure no water/salt have got in the battery pod. Weird/annoying.

Sounds like you need to be calibrating your PM before the/every ride ... and do it correctly based on the instruction manual

Jonny ///M · 16 Feb 2017 at 15:54

Was supposed to try and get out for a long cycle today but the weather is a bit grim here, dull and slightly damp with a little wind(so I thought).

Decided housework was easier and then threw myself out the door and felt absolutely ****. Felt crap on Wednesday so swerved cycling to work as well, can't be from doing ten 1 minute efforts on the turbo on Monday night.

kiteloopy · 16 Feb 2017 at 16:08

Roady said:
Damn that's good, got a link?

it was just in the canyon 'special offers' section.

They seem to have jumped up to £6.99 now. Guess I just got very lucky.
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/accessories/?category=T134

BennyC · 16 Feb 2017 at 21:29

Roady said:
Tried a calibration here when not quite stationary and it screwed it up more. Calibrated again when actually stopped (temporary lights) and it seemed fine for the rest of my ride. I'm going to give my bike a real clean later and make sure no water/salt have got in the battery pod. Weird/annoying.

Zero-offset should be done when the bike is stationary and not being touched/sat on

Shadowness · 17 Feb 2017 at 08:30

Fingers crossed it stays dry today......Summer bike might make an appearance tomorrow! Whoop!

lordrobs · 17 Feb 2017 at 10:58

UTmaniac said:
Tyres are fine, ~6-month old 38c Marathon Cross, for some inexplicable reason I boosted their pressure from ~70/77PSI to ~78/83PSI at the weekend (reverted to normal pressures before last night's ride). It was dry that afternoon, but as I entered the roundabout, the tarmac looked a bit dark and I think I did try to scrub off a bit more speed just before trying to turn. Should have really taken a photo with the tablet to look at later, but at the time I was in shock, wondering what the heck just happened before gingerly heading off.

Those pressures are massive for 38C tyres. I run my smaller 35C tyres at 45 PSI front, 60 PSI rear.

Roady · 17 Feb 2017 at 11:16

hornetstinger said:
looking at buying sks longboards as I found front guards are too short

What width tyres and what clearance? I found the Raceblade Long (XL) coverage great on 23/25mm but they don't go larger. Much better coverage than the standard Blades. I switched to 35mm Chromoplastics on my Diverge with more clearance, tyres are 28mm width (closer to 30mm) Specialized Roubaix & Mitch Pro4 Endurance 28mm, good coverage and can probably squeeze 32mm under the rear but 30mm on the front. Anything larger than that I'd need the 'Wide' 45mm Chromoplastics. Length is good as there is an additional 'spray guard' you can fit to the bottom.

SDK^ said:
Sounds like you need to be calibrating your PM before the/every ride ... and do it correctly based on the instruction manual

There is no 'instruction manual', well mine didn't come with one lol

This is the only mention in the manual, regarding a 'periodic' zero:

SECTION 4 - CALIBRATION AND MANUAL ZERO Each PowerTap C1 chainring is dynamically calibrated from the factory to the highest standard. Calibration values cannot be changed by the user. However, it is important to periodically zero the offset manually. Before performing a manual zero unclip from the pedals and make sure there is no load on the drivetrain. Navigate to the sensor screen on the Joule GPS+ and select Calibration. Initially, numbers will display related to the previous zeroing of the calibration offset. With Manual Zero selected Press the ENTER button to zero the offset. If using different brand head unit refer to the manual for specific zero offset (calibration) instructions.

My ELEMNT doesn't have any other options when selecting the Power sensor, just 'Calib', which after a few seconds reports 'Done!'.

The section after that in the manual talks about the auto-zero the C1 has:

A. AUTO-ZERO Each C1 Chainring power meter has auto-zero functionality. Auto-zero allows the power meter to reset the zero offset during a ride. Most power based cycling computers have the ability to turn auto-zero on and off. To activate the auto-zero functionality make sure auto-zero is ‘on’ in the computer you are using.

I had assumed auto-zero was on by default but it sounds like I may need to enable it somehow. There certainly doesn't seem to be any options I can see on my ELEMNT for it. Need to track down an old iPhone and get the Powertap app installed (there's no Android app available) to update the firmware and I may find some more options (or some in the app?)!

Shadowness said:
Fingers crossed it stays dry today......Summer bike might make an appearance tomorrow! Whoop!

Yeah it's been almost perfect weather the last couple of days, fingers crossed it holds for at least 48 hours!

BennyC said:
Zero-offset should be done when the bike is stationary and not being touched/sat on

You mean I have to stop stroking it?

grudas · 17 Feb 2017 at 11:28

HI.

hornetstinger · 17 Feb 2017 at 11:32

anywhere from 23 to 28mm tyres. Already have tortec reflectors.

Wouldn't touch clip ons, waste of money they're crap.

Roady · 17 Feb 2017 at 11:43

grudas said:
HI.

zOMG @grudas @grudas @grudas !

hornetstinger said:
anywhere from 23 to 28mm tyres. Already have tortec reflectors.

Wouldn't touch clip ons, waste of money they're crap.

The SKS Raceblade Long were the only option on my Giant Defy and the other halfs Liv Avail. Clearances were so tight & the 3 different sets of Giant branded guards were far worse (and cost more!). Have a friend with a Madone and he runs them too. Most of the club guys with Propels/TCR's and Felts also run them. They're about the only option (over an Assaver) on most race bikes due to the same clearance issues!

grudas · 17 Feb 2017 at 11:49

Roady said:
zOMG @grudas @grudas @grudas !

Hello Roady

I still cycle, I keep pushing and pushing but I'm bored of my commute.. kinda tempted to try a new route or something

UTmaniac · 17 Feb 2017 at 12:16

lordrobs said:
Those pressures are massive for 38C tyres. I run my smaller 35C tyres at 45 PSI front, 60 PSI rear.

Marathon Cross are officially 50-85PSI, https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/marathon-cross.html

What pressures would you suggest given I'm ~79Kg on the scales, guessing ~84Kg all kitted out to ride, on a ~12Kg fatbike with skinny wheels?

I'm back down to ~70/77PSI now, should I try ~60/66, for riding on the road while pushing myself fairly hard to regain some decent fitness at 43? :eek:

lordrobs · 17 Feb 2017 at 12:25

UTmaniac said:
Marathon Cross are officially 50-85PSI, https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/marathon-cross.html

What pressures would you suggest given I'm ~79Kg on the scales, guessing ~84Kg all kitted out to ride, on a ~12Kg fatbike with skinny wheels?

I'm back down to ~70/77PSI now, should I try ~60/66, for riding on the road while pushing myself fairly hard to regain some decent fitness at 43?

I have the same issue with my hybrids 40C tyres. 50-80PSI range but ideally I'd go lower at the front. With the weights you've stated I'd run front and rear at 50 PSI. Ideally you'd be at 40 Front 50 Rear but stick within the prescribed manufacturer limits.

Lethal` · 17 Feb 2017 at 12:27

Picked up two Thule 598 bike racks from Halfords with over 25% discount. 10% off online discount, 10% British Cycling and a gift card bought via work at 9% off. Nice little discount stack to make total £147.50!