Road Cycling

Saytan · 22 Aug 2016 at 17:25

Roady said:
Have my current 28mm Pro4E's pumped up at 90psi and it's too hard so dropping them down a bit. I'm thinking with the shutoff I can either start with pump, or finish with it - as the cartridge will fail to fill, or overfill? (thinking air volumes between 23-25mm which these cartridges are rated against at 120psi & 28mm-32mm tyres I'll be running that I only want inflated to 80-90psi). It's all a bit of an unknown for me at the moment... I needed a new portable pump, so I wanted a combo to play with co2!

all you can really do is sacrifice a cartridge to find out what you get...

BennyC · 22 Aug 2016 at 17:54

Saytan said:
all you can really do is sacrifice a cartridge to find out what you get...

This, they're not expensive.

You can get larger size cartridges too 8/16/25g.

ChrisD. · 22 Aug 2016 at 18:32

Well after spending all weekend drinking in a field, I took today off work to catch up with life in general. I also fitted the Conti 4000 ii to the back of the bike and oiled the chain. I then went out to test it all. The new tyres are brilliant, they are so much more comfortable than the Dominator's that I threw in the bin. Indexing also appears a success. The chain came off climbing a hill in a high gear but I've sorted that with the inline adjusters.

BennyC · 22 Aug 2016 at 19:44

Dooksy said:
The chain came off climbing a hill in a high gear but I've sorted that with the inline adjusters.

Knowing how to index & fettle really does give you peace of mind and remove any 'helplessness' you might feel when out in the sticks and having drive train issues

lordrobs · 22 Aug 2016 at 19:45

Roady said:
Have my current 28mm Pro4E's pumped up at 90psi and it's too hard so dropping them down a bit. I'm thinking with the shutoff I can either start with pump, or finish with it - as the cartridge will fail to fill, or overfill? (thinking air volumes between 23-25mm which these cartridges are rated against at 120psi & 28mm-32mm tyres I'll be running that I only want inflated to 80-90psi). It's all a bit of an unknown for me at the moment... I needed a new portable pump, so I wanted a combo to play with co2!

I have the same tyres also in 28mm and I run 70 front 85 rear. Could probably go lower but it rides ok for me.

TBH you aren't going to be getting exact pressures with CO2 whatever you do, the discharge is almost instant and non linear. I'd imagine dumping 16g into a 23/25/28mm tyre is going to get it to a suitable pressure to finish your ride without having to give it a second thought. In fact I've used the same on my 40mm hybrid tyres and it was perfectly fine. Also worth remembering that you have to deflate your tyre when you get home and re inflate with air anyway as the CO2 will leak out through the inner tube.

For me having a valve was a complete deal breaker, then I used CO2 a couple of times and realised it makes no difference at all.

Vonhelmet · 22 Aug 2016 at 19:59

BennyC said:
Knowing how to index & fettle really does give you peace of mind and remove any 'helplessness' you might feel when out in the sticks and having drive train issues

It's definitely worth hacking around with your bike at home so you know what you're doing when you're stuck in the middle of nowhere with just the tools in your pockets or your saddle bag. I posted a few weeks ago about getting caught out with a loose rear gear cable about 15 miles from home. I was well on the way to being stuck in the smallest rear sprocket, and even in the small chainring that wasn't going to get me home. Fortunately I knew what I was doing so managed to re-tension the cable and re-index the gears at the roadside and got home fine. If I'd not been able to do that I'd have been calling the wife and making myself seriously unpopular!!

randomshenans · 22 Aug 2016 at 20:04

lordrobs said:
I have the same tyres also in 28mm and I run 70 front 85 rear. Could probably go lower but it rides ok for me.

TBH you aren't going to be getting exact pressures with CO2 whatever you do, the discharge is almost instant and non linear. I'd imagine dumping 16g into a 23/25/28mm tyre is going to get it to a suitable pressure to finish your ride without having to give it a second thought. In fact I've used the same on my 40mm hybrid tyres and it was perfectly fine. Also worth remembering that you have to deflate your tyre when you get home and re inflate with air anyway as the CO2 will leak out through the inner tube.

For me having a valve was a complete deal breaker, then I used CO2 a couple of times and realised it makes no difference at all.

I run 95 front / 100 rear

Though, I am weighty, so you know. I need all the air I can get.
I don't find the CO2 leaks out that quickly, but I do replace when I'm home (I've only had to use it twice).

BennyC · 22 Aug 2016 at 20:41

randomshenans said:
I run 95 front / 100 rear Though, I am weighty, so you know. I need all the air I can get.
I don't find the CO2 leaks out that quickly, but I do replace when I'm home (I've only had to use it twice).

95/100 front/rear crew checking in. Could probably run a bit less now in fairness.

Wasn't aware CO2 will leak out through a tube but might explain a few things

Vonhelmet · 22 Aug 2016 at 20:52

I run 80/90 on my 25mm Pro 4s. I go to 90/100 on my 23mm Lithions.

Saytan · 22 Aug 2016 at 21:00

85/100 on my 28s, but the rear is because i'm using a rack/pannier a lot of the time.

100/110 on my 23mm Veloflex masters. They still feel spectacular.

GSVBagpuss · 22 Aug 2016 at 21:05

I was watching some YT vids and found Phil Hindes and Callum Skinner casually chatting about hitting 2450 watts. Freaks :eek:

SoliD · 22 Aug 2016 at 21:06

New wheels turned up from China today! Surprised when my neighbour gave them to me! Only chcked today and they weren't even showing as being out of the country! Only ordered them on 10th August!

Same seller as last time, once again very light and nice! Just need to get them on the bike and tested.

Also load of bars turned up today from wiggle for my TT bike. One odd one out though. Who can tell what's wrong with this picture....

Lethal` · 22 Aug 2016 at 21:36

Any tips for mirroring SPD to SPD-SL cleat fitting?

Indigo · 22 Aug 2016 at 22:09

Anyone Manchester based able to advise on the best place to get my bike serviced?

I should add, I want a complete service where it's taken apart and given a thorough clean. Not a basic adjustment one.

Vonhelmet · 22 Aug 2016 at 23:03

IndigoGorilla said:
Anyone Manchester based able to advise on the best place to get my bike serviced?

I should add, I want a complete service where it's taken apart and given a thorough clean. Not a basic adjustment one.

Where in Manchester? There's a few of us dotted about, so if you can narrow it down then maybe one of us can help.

Indigo · 22 Aug 2016 at 23:06

Vonhelmet said:
Where in Manchester? There's a few of us dotted about, so if you can narrow it down then maybe one of us can help.

I live in Stalybridge but I can cycle easily into the city centre and get the train back as don't need a same day service. Was thinking along the lines of either Evans or Harry Halls unless someone wouldn't recommend them or elsewhere is better.

booyaka · 22 Aug 2016 at 23:15

SoliD said:
New wheels turned up from China today! Surprised when my neighbour gave them to me! Only chcked today and they weren't even showing as being out of the country! Only ordered them on 10th August!

Same seller as last time, once again very light and nice! Just need to get them on the bike and tested.

lovely - 50mm ones? Got linky for them?

ChrisD. · 23 Aug 2016 at 08:00

BennyC said:
Knowing how to index & fettle really does give you peace of mind and remove any 'helplessness' you might feel when out in the sticks and having drive train issues

Definitely. Having watched the video and knowing the H/L settings were fine, I knew the issue was cable tension. A quick adjustment and voila.

Really can't believe how much better the new tyres are.

Roady · 23 Aug 2016 at 09:05

Dooksy said:
Well after spending all weekend drinking in a field, I took today off work to catch up with life in general. I also fitted the Conti 4000 ii to the back of the bike and oiled the chain.

Kudos on sorting tyres & riding with a hangover! GP4000Sii's are amazing tyres, although they get expensive if you're doing high miles on bad roads as they do cut up quite a bit.

Saytan said:
all you can really do is sacrifice a cartridge to find out what you get...

Yup! Not an issue as of course I'll buy them in bulk to save a few pennies!

BennyC said:
You can get larger size cartridges too 8/16/25g.

Ah-ha! I'm guessing with 28mm I should be looking at 16g (and a bit of pumping) but probably 25g if I go up to 32mm/35mm tyres...?

lordrobs said:
TBH you aren't going to be getting exact pressures with CO2 whatever you do, the discharge is almost instant and non linear. I'd imagine dumping 16g into a 23/25/28mm tyre is going to get it to a suitable pressure to finish your ride without having to give it a second thought. In fact I've used the same on my 40mm hybrid tyres and it was perfectly fine. Also worth remembering that you have to deflate your tyre when you get home and re inflate with air anyway as the CO2 will leak out through the inner tube.

For me having a valve was a complete deal breaker, then I used CO2 a couple of times and realised it makes no difference at all.

Great info, thanks! Better than any of the reviews I've read. I had originally looked for one with a valve thinking a cartridge would overfill a tyre, everything you read talks about 120psi and I've been running things 90/95psi on 25mm and now lower on 28mm... But I guess a cartridge left 'half full' (if possible?) is next to useless, unless used for a 'top up'.

randomshenans said:
I run 95 front / 100 rear Though, I am weighty, so you know. I need all the air I can get.

You're not that weighty mate! Although you probably have better roads than us (not hard!) so less chance of pinch punctures.

Although 95/90 does sound a little painful, I tended to do 90/95 rear and 80/85 front on 25mm's. Extra in the rear was to compensate for the times carrying a heavy commuting backpack.

ChrisD. · 23 Aug 2016 at 09:10

Roady said:
Kudos on sorting tyres & riding with a hangover! GP4000Sii's are amazing tyres, although they get expensive if you're doing high miles on bad roads as they do cut up quite a bit.

Cheers, it's my first ride since Ibiza actually, needed to get out and do some miles. Hopefully get out again over the coming weeks and rack up some miles. The tyres seem good value to me, what's the sort of average mileage you get out of them and how will I know when they need replacing?