Bit of silly commuter racing this morning. Some guy on a fairly nice looking specialized pulled out of a side road in front of me and caught me at the next set of lights. I held him off for a short distance but he got past me, but couldn't open a gap at all so I followed him with minimal effort. I was a bit baffled as he was in work trousers and shirt with a rucksack, which I'd hate at the best of times, let alone today. Needless to say I couldn't let him stay away with all that gear on. He pressed on, but I was surprised he wasn't going faster as he was in his smallest sprocket, until I saw he was cross chaining small ring to big sprocket. Nooooo! I eventually overtook him on a slight incline - classic single speed overtake - but we parted company almost immediately afterward. Looking at strava flyby he's a teacher and his commute is only 3 miles, so I guess he can get away with those clothes and whatnot for such a short distance.
Road Cycling
- Thread starter FrenchTart
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Soldato
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- Gloucestershire
Eurgh. Yesterday was far too hot for a bike ride, but I'm pleased I went out.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1042693925
Originally planned to join some other goons for a ride at 10. Left my water bottles in the freezer, went back for them and missed the start. Decided to go out on my lonesome for a bit. No idea what route they took, but it turned out I went the same way as them but with a slight difference, so I cut off a corner, then as I was stopped applying yet more factor 50 they passed me, so I joined up with them. Was a lovely ride, except for the heat. As soon as we dropped below about 15mph it was far too hot, and if we had to stop for a junction. Omg, like opening the oven door on your face.
Nice 57 miles, in the end
https://www.strava.com/activities/1042693925
Originally planned to join some other goons for a ride at 10. Left my water bottles in the freezer, went back for them and missed the start. Decided to go out on my lonesome for a bit. No idea what route they took, but it turned out I went the same way as them but with a slight difference, so I cut off a corner, then as I was stopped applying yet more factor 50 they passed me, so I joined up with them. Was a lovely ride, except for the heat. As soon as we dropped below about 15mph it was far too hot, and if we had to stop for a junction. Omg, like opening the oven door on your face.
Nice 57 miles, in the end
Oh replaced my chain on sunday too, 1800 miles from the previous SRAM PC1130. Same mileage (within 100) of the KMC X11 my Diverge came with so not too bad both of which did winter miles so hopefully this one will last longer through the summer. Maybe I need to rethink my 'SRAM chains are loads better' stance! Still, can't argue with the PC1130 being one of the best bang for buck options, got the last couple for under £12!
As your commute is so short, will you be riding in workwear or lycra? Carrying much kit? My commute is only 2.5 miles and I lycra up for it (4 times a day) but I find getting changed takes longer than actually riding... With 1.2 miles your commute will only be 5 minutes (even when unfit & starting out). If you're in workwear and starting out you might be better with a (dare I say it!) hybrid.
What bike shops do you have around you? Any Decathlons? The Triban is a very good buy for the money - see many other 'spec me a starting bike' thread/comments around here
As your commute is so short, will you be riding in workwear or lycra? Carrying much kit? My commute is only 2.5 miles and I lycra up for it (4 times a day) but I find getting changed takes longer than actually riding... With 1.2 miles your commute will only be 5 minutes (even when unfit & starting out). If you're in workwear and starting out you might be better with a (dare I say it!) hybrid.
Strava stalker! You're as bad as me - every time I spot someone with any real pace when commuting I check out my FlyBy - I'm nosey!
Great mileage in the conditions mate, kudos!Eurgh. Yesterday was far too hot for a bike ride, but I'm pleased I went out.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1042693925
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Nice 57 miles, in the end
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Oh replaced my chain on sunday too, 1800 miles from the previous SRAM PC1130. Same mileage (within 100) of the KMC X11 my Diverge came with so not too bad both of which did winter miles so hopefully this one will last longer through the summer. Maybe I need to rethink my 'SRAM chains are loads better' stance! Still, can't argue with the PC1130 being one of the best bang for buck options, got the last couple for under £12!
What bike shops do you have around you? Any Decathlons? The Triban is a very good buy for the money - see many other 'spec me a starting bike' thread/comments around here
As your commute is so short, will you be riding in workwear or lycra? Carrying much kit? My commute is only 2.5 miles and I lycra up for it (4 times a day) but I find getting changed takes longer than actually riding... With 1.2 miles your commute will only be 5 minutes (even when unfit & starting out). If you're in workwear and starting out you might be better with a (dare I say it!) hybrid.
Strava stalker! You're as bad as me - every time I spot someone with any real pace when commuting I check out my FlyBy - I'm nosey!
Great mileage in the conditions mate, kudos!
We have halfords but nothing else that in aware of.
I'll be riding in joggers, t-shirt and a hoody so comfortable clothing.
I have a northface backpack I use but that's only for sandwiches, tin of soup etc so not heavy.
The bike will be used just for commuting, I've seen one on Amazon for £140, whether that's any good or not though, no idea
Managed my longest ride in 18 months yesterday:
https://www.strava.com/activities/1042474021
Bit off more than i could chew with the climbing if i'm honest and was like a burst couch the last 10 miles, so slightly fortunate a closed road forced me to chop about 5 miles off the distance I'd planned. Burnt my arms a cracker as well.
Quite pleased though as that's 4 weeks in a row of doing 3 rides a week, so starting to get a bit of consistency for the first time since 2015.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1042474021
Bit off more than i could chew with the climbing if i'm honest and was like a burst couch the last 10 miles, so slightly fortunate a closed road forced me to chop about 5 miles off the distance I'd planned. Burnt my arms a cracker as well.
Quite pleased though as that's 4 weeks in a row of doing 3 rides a week, so starting to get a bit of consistency for the first time since 2015.
Route of the charity 100 miler (it's 96 but I'm riding there & back with a final loop around home, which I may do before rather than after). Really need to get out for some 50/60 mile rides in prep the next weekend or two before. If the weather's like today I'll probably drop to the 60 mile route which most of the guys I know are riding. I'll be asking around the clubs for who's doing the 100 and jumping in a group.
I'll know the first 30 and the last 30, the 40 in the middle is around roads I've mostly driven on but not ridden on. The stretch between 38 miles and 50 miles is the only part mostly unknown (I've not directly driven on that I recall). The main road back from Crossgates (53 miles) I've wanted to ride for a while, but I wouldn't normally consider it solo as it's a busy/fast A road. Road surfaces should be mostly good as it's 45% over in Wales, not Herefordshire.
I'll know the first 30 and the last 30, the 40 in the middle is around roads I've mostly driven on but not ridden on. The stretch between 38 miles and 50 miles is the only part mostly unknown (I've not directly driven on that I recall). The main road back from Crossgates (53 miles) I've wanted to ride for a while, but I wouldn't normally consider it solo as it's a busy/fast A road. Road surfaces should be mostly good as it's 45% over in Wales, not Herefordshire.
Soldato
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My SRAM 11 speed Red chain has done just over 3k miles since new, and is still good according to my chain gauge.
1800 is pretty low! Too much power maybe?
1800 is pretty low! Too much power maybe?
We've been through it before - I just tend to utterly abuse mine, they get a wipe down once per week and maybe 2 or 3 chain-cleaner run through's over their lifetime and that's about it. It's obviously the MEGAWATTS. I blame the road salts and I tend to crosschain when commuting, no need for little ring on the flats!
Change mine at 0.8 on my park chain wear tool, maybe need to change my cassette soon, although teeth are looking good it is quite noisy and sides of some of the rings are showing wear. Should probably switch to a Ultegra 28T (as have several 105 32T). Any thoughts on how you 'measure' how far gone a cassette is, if the teeth profiles look perfect?
Wearing casual clothes like that you're probably better on a city bike/hybrid.
Change mine at 0.8 on my park chain wear tool, maybe need to change my cassette soon, although teeth are looking good it is quite noisy and sides of some of the rings are showing wear. Should probably switch to a Ultegra 28T (as have several 105 32T). Any thoughts on how you 'measure' how far gone a cassette is, if the teeth profiles look perfect?
You may find some other local bike stores around, you basically need to go in and have a sit on some to determine rough sizing. They'll help you with that anywhere you go, especially when you're looking at new bikes!
Wearing casual clothes like that you're probably better on a city bike/hybrid.
Good ride & congrats on the consistency, your mileage is improving week on week since May, don't burn yourself out too soon!
Soldato
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Ah ok. I am completely OCD about my Tarmac though as it's a tad expensive. I almost fully clean it at the nearest sight of dirt, and the drive chain regularly gets a full degrease.
Around 15-20 rides per week here if I include my commutes. Over 350 so far this year...! Although I have been really slack about cleaning things the past few weeks, just not enough time to clean more than just wipe the chain down & apply lube.
I consider chains a £14 consumable, certainly if I can get 4+ months out of them!
Having been using wax rather than dry lube I find cleaning the drive train a much quicker process. Dirt just falls off in the chain cleaner and usually within 2 or 3 refills of the chain cleaner using just soapy water (Meg's gold class from my detailing days ) it's running clear.
If I've ridden through any wet filth or been caught in the rain I'll give at a clean before the next ride if possible, the thought of all that grit grinding it's way in to a fine paste on my chain rings makes my lips curl. At least weekly it'll get at least the drive train cleaned. Frame, wheels, tyres and brake calipers & blocks done weekly or as & when if it's just been dry and dusty.
Not quite such a chore in the warmer months but in the winter when your focus is just getting in doors and to warm up it's less of a priority
) it's running clear.If I've ridden through any wet filth or been caught in the rain I'll give at a clean before the next ride if possible, the thought of all that grit grinding it's way in to a fine paste on my chain rings makes my lips curl. At least weekly it'll get at least the drive train cleaned. Frame, wheels, tyres and brake calipers & blocks done weekly or as & when if it's just been dry and dusty.
Not quite such a chore in the warmer months but in the winter when your focus is just getting in doors and to warm up it's less of a priority
I haven't ridden since Friday evening, I'm going to brave it tonight. Going to go in full thermals and wrap myself in clingfilm, come back looking like Christian Bale from the Machinist.
But in all seriousness, dreading it tonight, going to ride as if it's a recovery ride. I'm a self confessed wimp in this weather.
With regards to cleaning, Ben always ribs me for how often I clean the drive train, I do it once a week without fail. I find it quite therapeutic. Although I get through a fair bit of Morgan Blue
But in all seriousness, dreading it tonight, going to ride as if it's a recovery ride. I'm a self confessed wimp in this weather.
With regards to cleaning, Ben always ribs me for how often I clean the drive train, I do it once a week without fail. I find it quite therapeutic
. Although I get through a fair bit of Morgan BlueYou know it is hot when it sounds like you're riding on punctures as the road is melting below you.
xdcx/touch you may have never experienced this before, but its almost the same reaction your skin has when direct sunlight hits it.
xdcx/touch you may have never experienced this before, but its almost the same reaction your skin has when direct sunlight hits it.
Wow, you guys are putting me to real shame with my cleaning duties! 
It's looking like thunderstorms here tomorrow so I may leave it until after then...
puke
It's looking like thunderstorms here tomorrow so I may leave it until after then...
Hahahaha! Cue lots of pictures of orange blisters
pukeLol, needs aircon!
Did it turn yellow over the weekend?!
Are you using a campagnolo chain tool to check it? They cost eleventy billion pounds but a shimano one won't read a campag chain correctly.My Campag chain has 8300 dry miles on it. Starting to worry as that seems strange...
Soldato
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I ended up emailing Hunt - they suggested it could be the rotor lock ring rubbing on the fork and lo and behold that's the problem. Hopefully they'll come back to me with a solution!