Thetownend.com

Hi gang!

I gots me a new job where I'll need to commute to pipers way, as per the title I plan to cycle, which will involve buying a road bike (as opposed to a mountain bike).
Has anyone bought anything, got any tips on where to go, what to buy or got one going free?

Lots of love and kiss

xx

budget?

hello mr batch, a couple of hundred pounds. but ideally the less the better, but if it'll end up costing less in the long run to spend more then i don't have a problem spending more

(i went into total bike and the "salesman" advised me that the £649 allez bike had naff brakes that you'd have to upgrade anyway, when i made it clear i was after a commute bike)

Don't rule out a mountain bike so quickly.

They are fine for the road and you might want to go exploring sometimes. Road bikes have skinny tires meaning you can get stuck in the mud too easily.

i don't fancy doing offroady stuff really, so a roadbike would do me (and would make it easier to cycle on roads to work). but if i'm paying for skinny tyres and a raised arse then i might as well get a mountain bike

Was looking at this t'other day but bought a new PC instead, quite over budget though

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html

i don't have a problem spending money on anything decent, but being a bit of a skav i saw a bike for £125 on tesco's and wondered how much difference there would really be...

Btwin bikes were highly rated by the Gadget Show. You can't get much better for a budget bike. I'm looking to pick one up soon as I need a new MTB.

You're not going to get anything even close to decent for 125 quid. You'll just get 'a bike' for that money.

Your best bet might be to look for something second hand.

Your best bet would be to go onto bikeradar and ask the question in the road bike section.
You could always get a mountain bike and stick some schwalbe land cruiser tyres on it. They roll reall well on the road and you can still use them on gravel cycle paths.

 
Weight, mostly. Cheap bikes are steel framed, mid-range bikes are aluminium (lighter) and top end bikes are carbon (the lightest).

You can get into the intricacies of gearing, braking and suspension, but at the lower end it's all much of a muchness.

that's what i thought, but the gent in total bike has me convinced that all bikes are naff unless you spend thousands

He would though, he's trying to sell you something.

In this part of the world I can't see how I would get anything worth while for under 200 quid.  Anything else would just be a frame with pedals and wheels.

his patter of slagging everything that is less than a small car requires attention!

many thanks for your assistance, i'm going to go annoy some people on a bike forum

Here is a scan for the review of the bike I linked to.

http://www.cyclingscotland.org/news/cycling-active-btwin-triban-3-review/

Not that I trust magazine reviews :)

I've never ridden one mind, didn't get that far - closest Decathlon shop is Reading.

There's nowt necessarily wrong with a frame with pedals and wheels, many people are just fine with that.

If you want something more specific though such as a 'road bike', you'll need to dig a bit deeper.

If it was the old guy he would probably tell you Pinarellos are the best bike ever. Which they are not. As for the Spesh Allez's brakes, well I doubt if you'll be hurtling down any Alpine mountains anytime soon so ignore that.

As Batch has already said look at the Decathlon/Btwin, not the biggest name but you won't find better for the price. You really do get what you pay for with bike and I'd desperatley avoid anything from any big supermarket/sports shop.

As already mentioned get a MTB and put some thinner slick tyres. Or go for the hybrid option which will see you over most half decent surfaces. If you can't be arsed to shop around go for a big brand name (Spesh/Trek/Cannondale), you may not get the best groupset/equipment but you'll get a good reliable frame.

The guy that runs Total Bike is a complete tool, I've had run ins with him in the past. Get down to Mitchells (Shrivenham Road), they have a decent range of road bikes at the lower end of the price scale in one of the rooms upstairs.

Buy a cheap bike to start with. You'll probably realise cycling is really shit when it's pissing down with rain (80% of the time). If you foolishly never realise this then go for a more expensive bike should it take your fancy.

Don't forget to budget for a comfort saddle, some lights, a basket and a bell.

...I've got a bike. You can ride it if you like.
It's got a basket, a bell that rings and things to make it look good.
I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it.

I own a kona, nice and easy to ride on the road

The Btwin stuff (sold by Decathlon) gets some quality write ups in the specialist cycling press, excellent value for money.

Have you considered a Hybrid, halfway house between MTB and Road bike? Might be exactly what you're after.

I have got a Spesh Allez and had it for three years, never had any problem with the brakes, its a good quality bike.

Also got a Spesh Stumpjumper MTB, fantastic piece of kit but never get the chance to use it enough.

Pity this disn't come up a couple of weeks back, I had a spesh Hardrock I was selling, but sold it to a mate for £40.

Ive been commuting everywhere for the last year in Bristol and now back in Swindon on a Cannondale Badboy hybrid. Great bike...worth looking out for second hand.

Important to consider the possibility of attatching mud guards and racks...a lot of the very race orientated bikes...like the Allez I believe...do not have eyelets for such attatchments making it difficult if you want such things. Also worth considering the comfort of the bike too, a real racer could be difficult to get on with on swindons shit cycle paths.

Cyclocross bikes are becoming Exponentially popular with commuters because they enable you to have a drop barred roadie for giving it the beans when you want to, but also the comfort and practicality for commuting. It's what I'll be purchasing sometime soon hopefully.

I'd suggest trying to save a bit to get something decent...not thousands by any means...the decathlon bikes do get very good reviews. Have you considered a cycle to work scheme where you pay through your wages and get a pretty significant chunk off the cost of a bike? Worth looking at.

Have to say I love riding my 20 mile round commute. But it's not for everyone.

i've got up to £400 i reckon, so i'm not looking at anything held together by bluetac, but that said i'm not keen to spend it for the sake of it.

my employers only run the scheme january to january, and as i'll need it soonish it's probably best to bite the bullet on this occasion

Good time to buy, if you can wait around a month. A lot of the major manufacturers are releasing their 2013 models shortly, so expect to see some discounts on current 2012 models. Might mean a bit of shopping around, but bargains are out there if you look.

But it would be nice if all you cunts could lay off from buying a Cube Analog Disc in Large any time soon ;-)

Mitchell Cycles on Shrivenham Road every time for me. They also have pitch side advertising at the county ground....

mitchells didn't have anything that looked "cool", and as the fella said "if there's nothing you like the look of, don't buy it, as you'll only resent it and look to move it on".

i'm gunna go look at the one in decathlon i think

The decathlon Triban got 92% in one of the cycling mags last month. For £299 with a carbon fork its a deal, its a steel, its the sale of the fuckin century

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html

Nah, its mostly aluminium. Mostly.

But that wouldn't have rhymed. :)

Anybody know if tesco petrol station has an air pump, and is it ok to use it to pump my bike tyres?

If not, I'm sure they could sell you a foot pump.

I really woudn't

bennet - if you work for Nationwide you get 25% discount at wheelies.co.uk - but if you've got the job giving out string at the allotment then you'll have to pay full price

i do work for t'wide, but fancied seeing/sitting on a bike before making a commitment to buy...that said 25% off their prices nearly makes it worth the risk

If you fancy a trip to Decathlon anytime soon, I intend to take a look at a new MTB.

What model ya going for sam

i am free tomorrow from 4.15 or saturday sammyboy!

Bennet - how long have you worked at NBS for ? 

Don't they have CTW scheme ?

ok. I spent 10 years there til 2007. Playing in one of their golf days next week.

Liking the Rockrider 5.2.


Might be able to do Saturday, have to make a trip to the hospital at some point but I'll see what I can do.

i would join the golf society but i don't have a (golfing) handicap

If you join the crofters they do their own

i only know people in the other one

I'm flogging my old Apollo if anyone's interested.

20" frame
Full suspension
18 speed
V-brakes

Could probably do with a couple of new inner tubes.

Samdy, go the extra mile and buy the Rockrider 8.1

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/review-decathlon-rockrider-81-10-39599

No brainer.

I really don't get the appeal of expensive bikes. As long as it's got a comfy seat, mud guards, lots of gears and a bell what more do you need? Does the extra money really make that much difference if you're a fat fucker who rides a mile or two to work everyday?

Pedals?

I know where you're coming from. If you're trundling a mile or so each way, a £70 special from Halfords is probably perfect.

For me, I want to go trail riding as well as commuting to work, using it to get fit etc. In additional, it'll be used to tow my getting ever bigger 3 year old around in a trailer. So I need something of much higher quality to withstand the rigour of trails, and equally importantly, light. Generally, the more you pay, the better component spec (with regards to the dérailleurs/forks/brakes) and lighter bike you get. Depends what you want the bike for I guess.

That Rockrider spec is awesome for £500. You'd be paying in excess of £900 to get anything remotely similar from Specialised, Cannondale et al.

Aaah now with weight it seems to me you pay a lot to lose a little. Particularly on road bikes. For example the £300 roadster on here is 10Kg, which the lycra clad at work would class as heavy, they have 7-8Kg £1K+ bikes. Though obviously there is a lot more in the price differential than just being 'lighter'.

I have a fair few spare Kg to lose. The way I see it, it would make a hell of a lot more difference for me to do that than shave 3Kg off the bike!

The 5.2 will do me just fine. I have no need to spunk £500 on a bike at the mo.

i have an important announcement:
i bought the btwin triban 3

that is all

Smashing - good choice

Well in bennett.

I sold my old bike and bought the RR 5.2.

Can you post back in a month or so and let us know what you think. Might yet go for one myself.

Ditto with the RR 5.2 Sam ?

Will do.

Can anyone recommend a decent speedo? I'm not bothered about one with GPS, I've got my phone for that if I want to track my route.

I have a Kona MB and recently it has developed a slight "clunk" in the right pedal. It's a very slight slip, does anyone know if there is a torque setting for pedals to the crank or do i just tighten it as much as possible? Or, is it likely to be a bearing problem?

Cat eye wireless seem to be pretty good. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cateye/cycle-computers/

It is probably your bottom bracket (the bearings inside your crank). This can easily be replaced for around £30 I would imagine. If you think it might be your pedal then buy some GT85 from Halfords and coat everything around the pedal and crank area.  Alternatively the chain could be worn which would lead to a slip or your chain ring could be damaged.

A lot depends on the amount of miles you have done and how well you have looked after it so try cleaning it up, along with the chain and chain rings to get rid of any muck and grime. Then coat all with GT85 and re-oil the chain.

Cheers.

I think it all needs oiling tbh, It was sat in the garage for a couple of years but now gets daily use. Can I ask, what is GT85?

A penetrating lube, ooh eeer.

Its a better form of WD 40 as it doesn't evaporate. When I clean my bike I spray the whole bike with it and then wipe it down. It displaces water a prevent things rusting and seizing up, gives it a nice shine and stops muck from sticking.  Note, wipe brakes and rims with white spirit after  :D

For a lot, a bike is a boy's toy, often not ridden very much, but good to be able to swap stories about spec etc. It will usually sit in the shed.

I've never owned an expensive bike, mainly because it will just get nicked. My first bike on which I did many miles, was a sit up and beg with a 3 speed Sturmey Archer....I then upgraded to a Raleigh which was going cheap at Mitchells, as it built for sale in Europe and had certain differences to a British bike....Raleigh couldn't shift them.  It was an ace touring bike and never let me down.  I then got a Raleigh mountain bike, bottom of the range...but more than able to deal with the many tracks and byways around Wiltshire...still got it.

My latest steed is a Dawes hybrid, my lad did the end to end about 3 years ago now, he'd bought this through the internet, and decided when done that he'd had enough of cycling and gave it to me.

Not owned a penny farthing then reg?  ;)

An ordinary...would be good.  I have given more than a passing glance to these bikes that have an electric motor....don't know anyone who has one or if they're reliable value for money etc.

I have a strange feeling that my dad used to buy our bikes from Mitchells back in the day!

Loved the smell of the shop.

I think I need some bike clips because my work trousers tend to flap around a bit. Do any of you guys recommend any? Will i be better off tucking the trousers into my sock. I'm gonna look a plum whatever.

Wear Shorts

But not lycra shorts.

Not going to work maybe - a bit MAMIL

Not an option, I think the sock option is looking good (so to speak :( )

lacky band ??

possibly, or wellies!

Get the cycling clips, better look than pulling you sock over the top.

I often see people who have obviously cycled into town and after leaving their bike somewhere continue to walk around with their trousers/jeans tucked into their sock, surely it's not that big a chore to have to do it again once back to the bike.  :)

Left hand drive ?

Did the bell have a french when it was rung?

My new bike is coming tomorrow. Excited!

If anyone fancies a couple of hours cycling of an evening/weekend let me know.

There was a mounting for a light which was on the left hand side....

I went on the Croft Mountain Bike trails on Monday.Good fun, even on my old bone shaker.

Didn't even know this existed, thanks.

Where do i find them (precisely, obviously in the Croft area!)?

http://www.mbswindon.co.uk/croft-trail/

As smooth as tans.

Smooth?

I'm not exactly asking someone for a date.

 :D
Cycle to the game on Saturday

Samdy, how much did they charge for home delivery?

£14.99

Cheers for that, very decent price.

Yep, cheaper than driving to Reading.

Bump.

Bennett, how's the Triban?

Anyone admit to trying out these newfangled scooters the kids have these days? They are much better than the shite that was around when I were a lad.

these?

http://www.scooterguru.com/images/razor-scooter.jpg

Those!  :)

I see adults using them to get around town everyday, it still amuses me

To be fair they would be quite good for the commute, they are small, light, quick and some can fold up.

Some guy was cycling to work (in Dorcan) last week on a fucking unicycle! Nutter.

Me and the Mrs were having a long weekend in Winchester recently. There are some almshouses there where the residents have to wear cloaks as part of a uniform, and one of them, who must have been in his 70's or 80's, got around on a scooter.

He passed us several times over the weekend. You knew it was him coming because one of his wheels squeaked.

Do they sell heelies in a size 12?  :)

Heelys sell adult ones!

Bump the bump

Maybe Bennett is still out on it.

It was his birthday yesterday.

My reply remains but has a whole new meaning  :)

Belated Happy Birthday bennett.

How's the bike.

Can anyone recommend some decent bike lights, now the days ate getting shorter?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1000LM-Cree-XML-T6-Mountain-Bike-Bicycle-Zoomable-Lights-7-LED-Rear-Light-/251091020942?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_Bike_Lights&hash=item3a7630ec8e

Get two or three. One mounted on your helmet and another (or two) on the bars.

Ta. Bit of a rat run on my way home. I don't mind looking like the space ship from close encounters  :)

Most of my loops are 90% off-road with no lighting so I'll be getting some myself soon so I can carry on with my evening rides during the winter.

Can be had for cheaper if you import from HK/China through dealextreme, but probably worth the bit extra to buy from a UK seller.

muchos grassyass Batch

tis wonderful thanks. i need to buy some new lights (decathlon put lights on all bikes, but they're "not much cop") and some longsleeved breathable, warm tops and gloves, as my poor hands do get v cold.

i'm also tempted to get some clip pedals and shoes, but don't fancy not falling over when i forget to take my feet out.

but as far as the bike goes - really good ta. did you buy one in the end Mr B?
samdy, are you planning to get one?

No not bought one yet, still umming and aaahing about whether I'd use a road bike. Quite like going down the cycle path from Chippenham to Calne and back in a lunch hour, but that's mountain bike terrain.

Meh, I'll probably crumble and get it eventually.

I'm leaning that way. The plan was to get down to a goal weight/level of fitness and then reward myself with a new full susser MTB. But lately I've been looking at more and more road bikes. I think the rule of n+1 definitely applies here.

if either of you gents fancy having a go on my bike (what a disgusting start to a sentence) then you're welcome.

does your missus know you're pimping her out on the TEF?

booo i thought i'd pre-empted this sort of thing by pointing out the disgusting nature of the sentence
in answer to your question - no

I need to get some decent bike waterproof clothes, I currently look like I am carrying a family tent on my back when the wind picks up. Something more figure hugging and aerodynamic (not Lycra tight though!).

Best thing here is to get a quality cycling jacket - they make sure the tent carrying look doesn't happen - look at endura/altura for well priced stuff.  Then get yourself some cheapo troosers from somewhere.

The weight difference is between 2- 2 1/2 bags of sugar. That is a big difference in weight to haul up a hill. I know that loosing lard does the same thing but, from experience, riding a bike that is 2 1/2 kg lighter up a hill is a lot easier than riding a bike up a hill when I am 2 1/2 kg lighter (I live in Buckinghamshire, in Marlow and we have some fecking steep hills near where I live and ride on a daily basis).

The difference in price also has an impact on the quality of the wheels and frame- the most important parts of the bike when it comes to quality IMHO. More outlay means a stiffer frame so power transfer is more effective- flex around the bottom bracket can loose you a lot of power when going hard at it. Stiffer and lighter wheels also save effort. My 'Sunday best' bike, a 2004 Cannondale R800 road bike came with Gipemme Grecal parade wheels, very nice looking wheels but, the rear wheel has only got 16 spokes and, when out of the saddle, pedalling hard up hill, the wheels flexes and rubs on the brakes. When I can afford it, the wheels are going to be changed.

Thanks for the offer. I reckon I am unlikely to be able to tell a good bike from a crap one, and so the online opinion and Bennett  seal of approval gets my vote.


That's interesting. Didn't really think this would be the case. In fact by reducing my mass I thought air resistance would decrease due to its squaring properties against velocity. Then I realised I'm not Brian Cox so I gave up trying to work out what that really means.

I believe what you say but I'm never going to be a serious cyclist, so I reckon I'll take the hit on a heavier bike.

I would agree regarding wheels, just swapped the standard wheels on my Allez for some Fulcrum Racing 5's and the improvement is incredible both in terms of general rolling and climbing!

The weight issue is a difficult one, I would disagree and say that saving a few pounds in weight makes a bigger difference both in terms of lugging yourself up the hill but also in not weezing like one is terminally ill whilst you are doing it! I would work on your weight first and then start saving on the bike to put the icing on the cake so to speak.

Anyway off to the Bike Show on Saturday so will no doubt end up with loads of rubbish I dont need!

It does raise a smile when you see a bloke who's obviously got a bit of disposable income plodding around on a full carbon Bianchi/Cannondale/Pinarello with a huge beer gut busting out of his replica Team Sky lycra. I mean, if you're carrying that weight, what's the point?!

I did pass 4 cyclists the other day whilst in my car, they had all the kit etc. One of them was a big bloke, around 18st, the others passed him going uphill.

I will add the caveate that the bit about a lighter bike being easier to shift than a lighter gut is in my opinion and experience only. I'm not claiming any industry secret knowledge.

It does beg the question however, if I built an airtight frame and filled it with helium, would that make a difference ;)

I'm looking at the racing 3s, just cos I buckled my back wheel on a sportive last weekend and they are the standard kit om my Trek. I take it that you're happy with the R5s??

Racing 5's been great so far, ride is a bit stiffer than the originals but spin up quicker and seem to have made climbing a bit easier! They were 165 quid from Ribble came quick and no probs.

Excellent thanks. I have Bontrager SSR which came with the bike so am looking to upgrade. Starting to think that £350+ for the Racing 3s are not as good value as £165 for the Racing 5s, especially for my level.

Did see a pair of wheels on Wiggle for £4500 though.

A carbon bike has become the new mid life crisis must have replacing the sports car!

The price of some wheels is genuinely scary, when you look at a team car in the tour and take note of the 4-5 bikes and wheels theres probably £75-100k of kit on the roof.

The thing with wheels is they can be moved between bikes, and when you buy a new bike often it is the wheels that are downgraded by the manufacturer to hit a price point, but if you already have good wheels they are there to put on a new bike if you upgrade... if that makes sense!

I am very happy with mine but if you got the cash why not?

Thanks Horlock - makes good sense.  I don't have all the money for the R3s hence why I am trying to justify it to myself.

Just buy one then.

I have an alu frame with carbon forks and seat post and that'll do me for a while. It's a decent bike but many time have have been over taken by an 1980/90's dawes with steel frame. At the level I am at I'll never notice the different with a full carbon.

My MB has the disc style of brakes, but the back one rubs. Is it better to loosen the cable on the brake lever or adjust the brake pad with an alum/allen key?

Try this. You'll need long arms or someone helping.

Loosen the bolts on the calliper so it’s able to move around a little.
Squeeze the brake and keep it squeezed in.
Tighten the calliper back up.
Let go of the brake lever.

F1 style bike change over blink and you'll miss it

http://vimeo.com/49997914#at=0 (http://vimeo.com/49997914#at=0)

I will be buying the wife a MB for Christmas, anyone know of any good deals on at the moment? Some of the bikes on amazon are well priced.

So you're now answering your own questions?

Am I? Yes, I am  :)

How much you looking to spend 4D?

Anything between £130 to £200. She doesn't want anything too specialized, just to occasionally use on road or cycle path etc. I've spotted a few £250 to £300 bikes reduced by £100.

For that money you won't get better than the Decathlon range.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-359112-mtb-_-mountain-bikes

This

If you are still looking for new wheels Ribble now got an extra 10% off wheels for next couple of days http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/

Great, thanks

Looks good! With a bike that's in the £150 to £200 range, is it worth getting one with front suspension or is it better to get rigid forks?

I have a question about cyclists and cycling in general?

Is it illegal for cyclists to go through red lights and cycle on the pavement? Or is it just frowned upon?

RLJing is illegal and dangerously stupid.

Get suspension with lock out function

I did think so but wasn't sure as I have seen it happen fairly frequently in London, where the cyclists in general do seem to have a bit of a blaze attitude about their riding.

I'm a good boy I stop at red lights on my bike, although mainly to have a rest from breathing out my arse.

Next year's Tour de France route was unveiled today. Looks like Froome will get his chance, with Wiggins concentrating on the Giro.

I think I might go down for the Alpe D'Huez stage, then try and catch the finish in Paris.

I'll probably go down this route, are there any good bargains to be had at the moment or any recommended MB websites?

Bargains on what?

MTB's I.e. Any more expensive brands that have plummeted into my budget  :)

Nows the time to be looking at season end deals on bikes as the shops look to shift 2012 models to make room for 2013.

There are certain companies that do high spec models that are a couple of years old such as Winstanley Bikes in Wigan, but be a little careful with them as from experience they advertise great deals but they will then only have like 1 or 2 of the bikes.

Just bought myself a turbo trainer, done a few sessions with a Chrissie Wellington training mp3. Close to vomitting every time I do it.

Haven't been out for nearly a month now, what with being on holiday, my wife losing my jacket and not having any lights.

Now I've sorted all that I need to get my arse in gear and get out for a ride in the dark.

Been out twice this week and frozen my nuts off, really need to get some winter gloves.

Have discovered Strava which is a bit scary......

i've been riding and from work and it's fucking freezing. hurray

I use it too. I always tell myself I'm just using it to track my route and average speed etc. but it always ends up with me blowing out of my arse trying to beat segment times.

The front tyre on my bike drops from 40psi to 20psi overnight! It doesn't drop below 20 after that, is it likely the valve is knackered?

or a slow puncture. Don't dick about just replace the tube

I see that you can get a "slime" inner tube that is supposed to be self healing. Any good?

A new inner tube will only cost you a couple of quid.

Yes. I wouldn't get anything else these days. I've put them on all the bikes in the family.

I don't think so. Tend to make a mess of everything. Just spend the extra money on some kevlar tyres

I have just read some good reviews on them, might give em a go , they are less than a tenner.

Depends what you are using them for, I wouldn't want to use such things on any bike where the tyres have a lot of pressure as a tyre deflating from high pressure at speed is bloody terrifying!

Cycling :)

Same could be said for any inner tube  ???

Last time I was on my bike, I had a bit of an off road accident - finished up in hospital for a week with a punctured lung and two broken ribs - very painful  :nod:

Bike now safely stored in the allotment shed, where it will probably stay - who says cycling is healthy   :D

OK I will put it another way, is it a road bike as if you are putting 110psi into the tyres as I do with mine you wouldn't want to depend on a slimey inner tube.

But if its a MTB or a hybrid that run at lower pressure it may be an option.

Taking note of things like pinch flats etc I would not waste a tenner on a fancy tube when you can get cheap ones, no amount of slime is going to seal a pinch or a tear (that sounds a little sexual - sorry!)

what is this thing called strava you speak of :hmmm:

Slime inner tubes are great but if you use a CO2 charged pump to inflate them and the fucking thing won't shut of it does tend to get a bit messy when it explodes... And yes I do speak from experience...

Its a GPS tool that splits routes/roads into sections so if you go out for a ride you can upload your time along that section to see how you compare. You need GPS or a smart phone

Finally got out for a few miles tonight. Riding in the dark isn't as bad as I thought it would be. My new lights are extremely bright! And I didn't run into any axe wielding maniacs either.

Strava is good to some extents, like for monitoring a training plan, but you get some people who I like to call Strava wankers who obviously only go out to push hard on known segments in an effort to get KOMs.

Strava Wankers - like it.

What lights did you get Samdy ?

Bought a couple of UltraFire 501b's from Lightmalls. Took a few weeks to arrive from Hong Kong but it was worth the wait (and the cost saving).

I think the combined output is something like 1000 to 1200 lumens. Bright enough to light up a pitch dark trail for a good 30 to 40 metres in front of the bike.

Cheers - I've been shopping about for some as all I have at the mo is some get-me home knog frogs.

I shall take a look.

If you want crazy bright then have a look at Magic shine lamps.

and if you want crazy expensive !!

i've been using mapmyride. it's relatively good, not as in depth as strava on face value, but it's handy as it allows you to log foods etc and work out your calorific burn etc

What! That's the whole point! It's like doing an intermediate sprint / dash up the mountain for a green or polka dot jersey. Release the Cavendish/Voeckler within!...safely of course. I bet Wiggo was trying to win back his KoM from some swine that nicked it off him before he found himself sprawled across the bonnet of an Astra van!

Love strava myself...KoM of 3 out of 4 segments on my morning commute from Purton to the train station. Just need to find an elusive 2 seconds to claim back my clean sweep. I bet the git ahead of me had a clear run and a massive tail wind! Sod.

Looks like we've got ourselves a strava wanker...

You ain't doing doing it right samdy...but i'm a strava wanker and proud, if you like. it keeps my 5 days a week dashes to the the train station interesting, but its not as if i have much choice but to go for it sometimes if i'm running late, I'll have to rag it whether I want to or not if i don't want to miss my train.

maybe strava isn't best for you if you're not into the competitive side of it...why not try endomondo?

If you look back in the thread you'll see I've openly admitted that I can't help myself but try and beat segment times on occasions, but for me it's because I like the competition of bettering my own segment times and improving my own performance. Not waving my internet penis by boasting about being faster than a load of blokes I've never met.

Do you put the same effort into the whole of your ride? Or just when you know you're on a segment? If the latter than I'd say it's you that's doing it wrong.

Anyway Pete, looks like someone's nicked another of your KoM's, you've only got the two at the moment ;)

Going back to the tyres/inner tubes discussion, I got this from the ETA today - it looks like a decent solid tyre option will be available soon... bit.ly/Txjbdy (http://bit.ly/Txjbdy)

gah! cheers for bringing that to my attention, hadnt noticed that one. the git has only done 3 miles in total on strava! probably done that stretch on an electric bike or something, thats some going up there. cant see myself getting near that anytime soon, ohwell, something to aim for tomorrow morning.

as I said, if I'm running late (which i often am) ive got no choice but to hammer it all the way. no point in holding back on one bit to prepare for another when ive got a train to catch.

is there not a private strava mode where you can just make your own segments and only look at your own times and scores? i see no problem with a bit of friendly time beating between people ive never met. i enjoy the thought of people on their way to work grimacing on their own trying to beat their own times and those of others. I'm not a serious cyclist in anyway, I'm on a pretty heavy hybrid bike with a massive rucksack. I'm just trying to get to and from work and this adds a bit of fun on the way.

PM me your strava name SG and i'll give you a follow, see how you're getting on.

That's fair enough. It's just that there's obviously a few utter dicks who get an ego massage from being top of some pretty meaningless timing charts (I'm not saying you're one of them).

This is me:

strava.com/athletes/1010372

Just seen that I actually have one KoM in Lydiard Park, which is nice, considering I had no idea :)

Strava people...

Look up veloviewer.com (http://veloviewer.com). Much more user friendly way to view your KOMs, I always get a bit lost on Strava.

when i installed strava it asked to enable gps tracking does this eat into my monthly data usage

No, it only uses data at the end of the ride when you upload it.

cheers samdy

Been out and beasted myself in rain this PM but knocked a few mins off my bread and butter circuit ride.

If you want proper strava wanker, a mate of mine beat a KoM round here and then got a really snotty messsge from the rider he beat demanding he deleted it as he 'must have cheated' - twat.

Each to his own, I really am the least competitive person, but found myself proper hurting myself this afternoon to get better time. Plus as I ride alone most the time I do have a habit of switching off and just slowly spinning so it should help.

Perhaps we should start a new strava thread - although as I am in Lancashire cannot see me beating any of your times!!

Is there an option to make a group on Strava? thetownend group maybe?

Their website has been down for the last few days, and I'm waiting to order a bike  :(.  Can these rock riders be bought anywhere else?

No, only from Decathlon.

Mudguards. I'm in dire need of them  :(

Any recommendations? Ta x

Front or back?

Both, for a MTB (Kona). The seat of my office chair now has a wet patch  :)
The front tyre tends to flick water straight into my mush, I'm not sure if those guards that attach to the underside of the frame are any good? (front).

The ones that attach to the underside of the front don't stop spray when you turn the wheel.

I don't use any myself, but these get good reviews:

Front: http://www.muckynutz.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=108

Rear: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/crud-race-guard-rear-mudguard/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=uk&gclid=CJu_h_aD4LMCFcrItAodpGkAgQ

Thanks both.

Looking to get the missus a hybrid bike, it has chunky tyres but a slick tread. Any good for roads and cycle paths. She won't be cycling up and down mountains :)

Ridgeback

Subway?

http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/bikes/hybrid-bikes/f/ridgeback?page=1

Good choice here. Solids, well made bikes, good price, nothing fancy.

does anyone have any recommendations for good cleats?

Attention Batch

I know you use the Chippenham to Calne cycle path, where do you access it at the chip end?  :sherlock:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=51.466494,-2.103195&spn=0.00901,0.040641&t=m&z=15&layer=c&cbll=51.464347,-2.104045&panoid=_tyGXsFz9IZcQ56AmqEfbQ&cbp=11,9.9,,0,0.19

I use cocklebury lane (left track) to get to the above point above, cycle path is on the right as you look at the streetview pic. Follow it straight down until you reach the gate/road (couple of miles).

Turn Left onto road Map Shows where cyclepath joins road and is facing direction you need to travel!

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=51.453044,-2.068176&spn=0.009012,0.040641&t=h&layer=c&cbll=51.453037,-2.068185&panoid=V9XWNNRvPXKR8R97ogKUMw&cbp=11,115,,0,0&z=15

Ride approx half mile on road towards Studley hill, cycle path resumes on left:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=51.4493,-2.061267&spn=0.009013,0.040641&t=h&layer=c&cbll=51.449302,-2.06127&panoid=A8dpxXHkTyP2jy3ac6XZWw&cbp=11,54.62,,0,0.19&z=15

Then its just a matter of going straight on cycle path until you reach Calne. Note that not to far along the resumed cycle-path, just after the bridge another path joins in. Make sure you go back the same way you came (left fork from Calne :) )

http://www.cycleroutesuk.com/cycle-route/south-west/calne-to-chippenham.html

For road or MTB use?

I use Shimano SPD for road and whilst the cleats don't last too long I have never had a problem with them.

Thanks guys, at least I won't have to start a "can you get cycle maps on a sat nav" thread :)

Awaits inevitable "how do I get my bike out the mud swamp" question.

 When I did this....prob not long after the Calne end sexy new bridge was opened, I was a bit disappointed that the old track bed was lost about half way along, and some road was involved. Is that still the case?

 4D have a look at this little gem..no need to get your arse splattered...

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYZeLYJ9dnU

when I last went along the route from Calne to chip, I got as far as Stanley bridge, the track appeared to end there. Wad a few years ago mind

road. sorry i was a tard again. i have some SPD Shimano pedals, just trying to decide which shoes to get.

I ride wearing Shimano R160's (I got them v cheap - they are nowhere worth the RRP) and they have been fine....

One thing to bear in mind is that Shimano shoes seem to be narrow and small (I take an 11shoe and I think my cycling shoes are a 12 or even 13!!)

I tried Specialized ones on when I was looking and they seemed comfortable and wider but there were no deals about.

Mates got some SIDI ones and they are proper comfy -but proper pricey too!

Have you ridden with SPD's before?

nossir, i've got the pedals already as the SPD R540's (only thing other than wheels i'd upgrade on the bike, and they'd need to be mega cheap). so whatever i use it'll be steep and painful curve

Getting used to clipless pedels is OK as long as you concentrate and plan ahead a bit at junctions, be careful of attractive women at traffic lights as everyone has to have the moment of making an idiot of themselves by someone catching their eye, forgetting to unclip and the associated shame!

If you are after shoes Ribble have some deals this weekend...

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/

MTBs or Road ?? I use Shimano SPDs for MTB and SPD SLs for Road.

Just ordered some Fulcrum Racing 3's   ;D

(my freehub cracked at the weekend so felt justified)

i bought some spd sl pedals and some cheap wiggle homebrand shoes

I need some base layers (top and bottoms) and some winter gloves. It's getting a bit nippy in just a pair of shorts and with fingerless gloves.

I don't know about cycling, but I've stocked up on time to run stuff on Amazon, for running now its chuffing freezing. I'd imagine you'd want something more wind resistant as an outer layer, but as an undergarm it could still do a job.

Stuff like  This  (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007DIA5SY/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00) is decent priced and good quality.

Also picked up a couple of  These bad boys  (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006HG8GCA/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00) which have been a godsend!

Cheers Dave, but I need some proper skin type base layers to go underneath a jersey.

Ahh right. You can get them in jjb for about £15

Samdy - for gloves have a look at Aldi's winter gloves - only £5 but do a good enough job to be worth 5 times that.

The chap who I was out with at the weekend had a pair and said they were great. Admittedly they may not last ages but at that price who cares how long they last ?

Aldi are also selling a thermal under layer

Can you buy the Aldi gloves on-line?

In terms of base layer I use Helly Hanson Life long sleeve jerseys and they do a very good job of keeoping warm and keeping sweat off your skin, reasonably priced as well.

Cheers for the Aldi tip, I'll take a look.

I bought some stuff from Lidl earlier in the year when they had a deal on cycling gear and it's pretty decent quality.

 There maybe some Moulton afficianados out there, who are today mourning the death of Alex Moulton designer of the eponymous bike.

 I know a few lads, mostly mad as boxes of frogs, who rarely ride or buy anything else...Wiltshire connection to boot.

http://www.moultonbicycles.co.uk/

Have a look at the heritage section  :)

If you live in Bradford on Avon any kind of bike is worthless!

All hills and River.

Think you'll find mountain bikes are made for hills.....

And don't forget the K&A goes right though BOA. Lovely ride from Bath to Devizes along the tow path, with a fine selection of pubs to drink/eat in.

I popped in this morning and bought some - they are "thinsulate" so a pretty good buy all round.

All proper cyclists love hills.

Think I'll need heated grips with the way the weather's going lately.

And as for hills, going down them is fun. Only proper mentalists enjoy going up them, like those that go to France just to cycle the Alpe d'Huez.

The gloves are really good - you need to get a big size to allow a layer of air to circulate and give you room if you want to wear liners.

My toes are the biggest problem for me despite two pairs of socks and shoe covers - I've even taped up the ventilation holes. You can get battery operated heated insoles but thats seems a bit drastic. I suffer when I go skiing as well

this looks interesting...anyone fancy doing this?

http://www.nightrider.org.uk/

Hmm, possibly. Was going to try and do a few charity rides next year anyway.

The Prospect Hospice do a ride around April time. There's also a London to Brighton night ride.

There is a really good New Forest ride by Orchid Male Cancer - there are routes ranging from 18 (trails) to 30, 45,& 60 miles. I've done it the past 3 years and its really nice. I've alos did Blenheim SPortive which was excellent.

http://www.orchid-cancer.org.uk/366/OrchidCycle-New-Forest

The secret with riding in cold weather is to dress for the middle and end of the ride. If you dress to be comfortable at the start of the ride, you will be swaeting buckets after the first 10 minutes. That and layers. Arm warmers can be removed when you get toastie and put back on if a chill hits, as can leg or knee warmers.

With regard to hills- hills are good m'kay? The challenge of having a hill that you can't get up in one go or without dismounting and pushing is great. Keep revisiting until you beat the bastard, Plus the hooning down the other side at warp factor 8. My personal best is 51.8 mph  :toocool: It certainly gets the juices flowing. It helps having the right bike. Good gearing and  a compact chainset can be the difference between riding to the top or pushing.

I've only encountered one hill where I've gotten off to push; on the cycle path from Coate up to Chiseldon. One part of the hill hits a gradient of about 18%. It's only a 40 to 50m section, but it's right at the end of a mile long uphill.

Great fun going down it the other way though. Encountered a couple of dog walkers as I reached the bottom a couple of weeks ago; as they always seemingly do they stepped into my path rather than out of the way. Cue screech of brakes and plenty of skidding. Managed to keep the bike right side up, but the bloke shit himself and completely stacked it.

I have a number of hills within a few miles of me where there are gradients of 20% or steeper, though only for short stretches- 100- 200 meters or so. Most I can deal with but two hills in particular currently defeat me.

One has a slight easing of the gradient by which time my heart rate is up to about 189bpm (50 year old duffer me) so I am really breathing out of my arse. That one usually has me stopping for a minute to get the heart rate down.

The other is the local clubs winter hill climb and I have had to get off and push the last 100 meters of the steep bit up till the end of this summer.

I recently took delivery of a new bike a Wilier Izoard XP Ultegra (http://www.wilier.it/en/products/road-bike/izoard-xp/) which is a) stiffer than my Cannondale, b) has better wheels than my 'Dale and c) has a compact chainset.

Roll on the spring when the hillclimb route will be drier and traction will be better. I have already had the back wheel spinning out under load when climbing the easier hills round my manor :D

My chain has started jumping between gears, any tips?

First you should try re-indexing the gears, if that doesn't work then you might want to replace the chain and cassette.

Whereabouts is that Samdy? Is that at the Chissy end?

And before you ask 4D:

Front derailleur: http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/front-derailleur-adjustments

Rear derailleur: http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/rear-derailler-adjustments-derailleur

Yep. The last bit right before you get into Chiseldon.

Thanks :)

Degunk rear-derailleur/cables and lubricate. Check derailleur alignement (do not adjust the H and L endstop screws on it) and check for damage, check chain tension and for wear.

Its probably a matter of adjusting the cable tension on the barrel adjuster on the hear lever, but only try using 1/4 of a turn increments..

Best take it to a shop ;)


edit: oops, seem to have been a bit slow typing that, 5 replies....

Sometimes it can be as simple as a sticky link or two. Run the pedals slowly backwards, keeping an eye on the chain as it rolls over the rear sprockets. If you have sticky links, they will often sit proud of the sprocket. If there are sticky links, manipulate them a bit to work the gunk out that is causing the stickiness. Sometimes a little side to side pressure against the plates will help.

I blame the crappy weather. There doesn't appear to be any damage, I will look to lubricate and check as recommended  :wink:

How long have the chain and cassette been on the bike? How many miles done on them?

Wear in a chain is not really noticeable to the naked eye and worn sprockets can be hard to spot.

Another good resource for help on all things cycling is to be found amongst the pages of the late, great Sheldon Brown's (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/home.html) web site.

Other thing is if the bike is newish it may just be the cables have stretched and need adjusting.

Nice looking bike - very well spec'd - where did you get it from ?

It's a five year old Kona that I bought from new, up until August I had probably only done 50 miles on it. Now do about 20 miles a week, so not much wear I would have thought.

Shimano Acera by the way.

Got it from my (nearly) local bike shop.

I made the mistake of taking a stroll into the shop as I was passing and the Wilier was sitting there staring at me. I tried to resist but failed miserably.

I got the matte black version but mine had red brake calipers and was fitted with upgraded wheels for some reason. I wasn't complaining.

Firstly as already said you need to check they are correctly indexed and the chain/gears are in good order. If they are then you need to look at the cables. If it hasn't been well maintained the cables can lose their consistent tension resulting in gears jumping in the mid range. 

I change my rear cassette and chain at the same time and cables when they start jumping.

I'm quite jealous !

It is a thing of beauty and rides like a dream :)

I turn 40 next month so the wife said I can treat myself. The thing is that my bike is only 3 years old so I am finding it hard to justify.

And now you're tempting me further  ;D

How many bikes does a cyclist need?

Answer = n+1 (where n = the number of bikes they currently own) :D

Ha ha brilliant. Love that !!

I've had a look at a lot of bikes and want to get something that stands out from the crowd. I was thinking along the titanium route but the Willier looks the dogs back bits.

Ah, good ol' rule #12.

It can also be written as s-1, where s is the number of bikes that would result in separation.

Mine was purchased with the full knowledge an approval of SWMBO on the understanding that, as the bike is Italian, it should be named for her favourite Italian. My Wilier therefore goes by the name 'Raffa'  :D

Have always loved a Wilier lovely looking bikes, as are the Colnago's and Bianchi's - actually it may just be an Italian thing...

Was thinking of replacing my Specialized but with the ankle biter on the way dont think thats going to happen now. Titanium is a bit different and supposed to be a good ride so wel shall see perhaps in a few years.

One bike I did see at the bike show was a Rose, I think they are german but you seemed to get a huge amount for your money, with Cosmic Wheels as standard, never seen one of the road over here so if you want to stand out that could be an option.

Went for a ride today and borrowed a mates Aldi gloves (the bastard bought two pairs when they were on sale) and they were proper toasty and thin enought to be able to easily use the bike.

Just need to find a source for some now....

i fitted my SPD pedals and went for a little roll about. i can see me doing some damage to myself with these!

I've read plenty of stories about SPDers falling over at lights when they've not been able to unclip fast enough. Usually when there's a pretty lady looking on too.

Got properly muddy this morning 8) And a little lost when I decided to cut through Wichelstowe on my way home. That place is like a maze.

Last week I took my road bike out and did 45 miles, this week I went out on my mountain bike, got properly filthy and did 8 miles and I was more tired than last week - It was a tad boggy. And I wasn't drugged up to my eyeballs.

It is a right of passage towards induction as a 'proper cyclist'  :D

Show me a hardened long term cyclist who rides clipless and claims never to have suffered a 'clipless momet' and I will show you a liar.

BTDTGT scars and embarrasing stories ::)

Getting muddy is all part of the fun for me. It's the cleaning the bike when you get home that's a pain the arse.

You don't need to go as far on a MTB to get the same workout as a roadie. I have spent most of my morning eyeing up road bikes though. Not quite sure on my budget yet, but I did run the idea past the wife and she didn't say no...

Go on do it! Totally different world to MTB.

Both are thoroughly enjoyable but for completely different reasons.

i have come to the conclusion that when i die i will be wearing SPD cleats

Everybody thinks that when they first use them. You have to change your mindset from "I have to stop - brake" to "I have to stop - unclip - brake". Even now after years of use I cut caught out and panic, especially off roading on my MTB. A number of times I've been caught in traffic and leant up againt a car.

Have you checked that tension is on its easiest setting ?

i have, and it is! i'll get used to it i'm sure

Another local(ish) event to consider

http://www.greatwestonride.com/

You bought your bike yet, pumbaa?

Nope. Still trying to sell unwanted car first. Sadly. Shame as I saw a lovely 2nd hand Boardman for sale the other week, absolute steal. Ho hum.....

Hey bennett, at least you're not one of these unfortunate clipped-in souls:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcqIgCJNjto

We just need the "spectator throws cyclist off bridge" clip :)

Carnage. And with all the effort from the men in blue t shirts, they managed to stop just 1 of the cyclists from falling.

Ha, that clip reminded me of the goats that "freeze" when they get scared.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=we9_CdNPuJg

Right then TEF cyclists, it looks as though project roadie has been given the green light. Well, I say green light, it was more of a "can't you wait until Christmas is out of the way and until you get a decent bonus from work" but I take that to mean "yes, ok".

So now I have two quandries. Firstly, do I buy new or secondhand. New, I'll get a warranty and maybe a free service. Secondhand, I might get more for my money but won't know if I'm buying a lemon or not. Secondly, what bike do I go for?

With the MTB I bought cheap first to see whether I stuck with it or not before looking to upgrade. Now I know I've got the bug (cycling, not AIDs) I reckon I'll buy something decent straight off the bat, around £700 tops (sssshhhh, don't tell the wife).

Starter for 10.....

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/cheap-road-bikes-our-pick-of-the-best-35756/

Happy to help.

Samdy - I'd start with getting your size worked out - once you've done that a lot of the websites have end of year stock that are going for reasonable prices but these tend to be smaller/larger frame sizes.

At that price I'd go for the best spec groupset I could find -I'd say loook for shimano sora/tiagra and avoid any unbranded or shimano 2300.
I'm not a fan of Giant so based on the link that Pumbaa posted I'd got trek/cannondale/felt/boardman.

Personally I'd save up an additonal £300 as at a £1000 you'd have a much better range - its easier to upgrade at this point.

I know shops like Primera in Bournemouth (away game on 12th  ;D) give you 10% of the value of the bike in kit - as do the shop in Cheltenham (Lake Bikes ??)

Size wise I'm looking at 54cm, although I do realise frame sizes mean different things to different manufacturers. I saw an Eddy Merckx bike that was advertised as 54c, on further reading I discovered it's more like 64cm.

Definitely looking for Sora or Tiagra groupset, or even 105 if the budget allows.

Canyon bikes get good write ups in MTB circles, not sure on their road rep. They do have a 2011 model on their outlet store:

http://www.canyon.com/_en/outlet/article.html?o=A1035429

105 groupset, mavic rims and just 8.5kg(!) for £700

I think Canyon being German will be a safe bet. You'd be lucky to get 105 shifters and mechs for that price but with brakes and ultegra cassette thats a steal.

is that the right link ?? Does the "W" in the title and the lady flow saddle but implies that its for women ?

For size wise I am 5-10 and have a 56cm Trek. Although looking at a 54cm Orbea at the weekend it was a perfect fit.

Haha, oops, yes probably a womens :oops:

Here's the one without the "W". Definitely all 105 inc. levers & shifters.

http://www.canyon.com/_en/outlet/article.html?o=A1035723

Buy it - thats a stunning deal. Thats similar if not better spec to my Trek which I bought 3 years ago for £1000.

Buy it !!

(did you want the triple ? I've got one and its great as you never run out of gears but I'd say for anything less than the hill at the back of Ogbourne GC you may not need it)

It doesn't matter if it's a ladies frame Sam, just means the frame shape is different - go on, buy it :)

Samdy, that does look like a good deal but, does your work do a cycle to work scheme? If they do, you get upt to £1000 towards your bike which you pasy as salary sacrifice over 12 to 18 months. The money comes out of your pay before tax so you are saving money. It also means you can extend the budget a bit without taking a big, one off hit. Mine is about £52 a month.

white will look dirtier quicker, and you will be forver getting Coca Fola's gang to wash it

hope that helps

No CTW scheme where I am. We're only a small firm. I could ask the boss if he'd consider doing it, but usually with these things you're limited to vouchers from retailers like Halfords or Evans Cycles which lessens the range to pick from and completely rules out the likes of Canyon who only sell direct.

I can confirm that white road bikes are a ball ache to keep clean, especialy the chain stays as oil etc gets onto them and is awkward to remove.

That bike looks a steal at the money with 105 throughout, to be honest it is normally reasonably cheap to upgrade assuming that you have the levers as the rest is quite cheap. The wheels look decent as well - happy days. Canyon are decent bikes.

I would actually suggest don't get a triple, get a compact if you can. I have a triple on my Allez and whilst it does provide the gears you need I always feel a girl using the granny ring and thus only really use the middle and big ring. If you ride regularly with people who have compacts you will be toiling on the middle ring as its too shameful to drop down whilst they will be spinning on the smaller ring.

Had this shame over the weekend!

Mines white and red and yes during the winter months it does get grubby and need cleaning - but summer months its fine as its doesn't show dust. My wifes is black and shows all types of dirt other than oil.

I clean mine then spray the whole this with muc off bike spray or GT85 and wipe off excess - this gives it a nice sheen and stops dirt from sticking to it.

Only gypsies wash cars.

Fair play mate....

 :clap: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

So has anyone managed to get out for a spin in this lovely winter weather? Had all manner of good intentions but apart from a very wet 30 mile on Boxing Day its been a right off - just red wine and more red wine sadly!

Got out on 23rd for a soggy MTB ride but thats it. I am now part turkey, part roast potato, part minature heroes and need to get out.

Have you been out on the new wheels yet? Have been looking at Fulcrum, so would be interested to hear how you get on.

Did a few laps of the Croft MTB trail on Xmas eve. Was a tad muddy.

[url width=800]https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/r270/622697_10151384989756788_2145692555_o.jpg[/url]

Racing 5's are great and cheap, cannot recommend highly enough!

Not yet, very eager to but the weather and the roads have been awful. I shall report back when I have

Little bit of mud hurt nobody. What are the trails like at Croft?

Good fun. Obviously never going to match a proper trail centre built on the side of a mountain, but still plenty of jumps and technical bits.

I know I've asked before, but where exactly does it start?

http://www.mbswindon.co.uk/croft-trail/

Everything should be in there Batch.

Ta. On the map:
http://www.mbswindon.co.uk/croft-trail/croft-trail-maps/

There isn't much blue shown. Is blue really follow the red but use blue where shown?
Could an 8 year old do blue?

I haven't taken my 8 year old there yet as it could be too difficult in places. The blue bits just bypass the harder red bits.

If it's mud you want, then there's plenty down that neck of the woods. It's very much a local low key affair, done by volunteers.

Not really something you'd want to make an expedition for....the best I've done in a neighbouring county, is the network of old rail tracks etc in the Forest of Dean, something for eveyone and easily a days worth of pedalling.

I walk the paths up Ladder Lane and around the back of the golf course to Coate, from the Great Copse fairly regularly and they're absolutely swimming in mud and water....usually a bit damp, due to the presence of the fledgling Ray, but proper hard going atm.

Red is the main trail. Blue just avoids the trickier bits. As long as your boy can keep his balance well he should be ok. Most of the jumps have a 'chicken run' next to them. Those that don't you can just roll over them slowly; they're not sheer drop-offs.


I went down Ladder Lane on my bike a month or so ago and it was bad enough then without all the rain we've had lately. The bridleway that runs from Ladder Lane, alongside Croft Woods and up to Pipers Way was pretty much a stream then, it must be well under water by now. Parts of the trail are flooded at the moment, but that adds to the fun.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/377906_10151431348449384_901568867_n.jpg

 Yep....that's how it looked last week, must be proper inundated now. I need to go for a walk, to get ready for tonight's debauchery....would like to do Ladder Lane, but think it will be virtualy impassable. Best bet seems the cycle track from Coate to Chiseldon, which has a proper surface.

Thanks guys, will wait for more clement weather before taking the young 'un :)

My weather station says this is the 18th consecutive day that it has rained on, and 25 of the 31 days in December have had rain. Nice.

.

It was proper wet out there even the ducks and geese on Coate Water looked pissed off....upside though apart from about 5 fishermen, no other people to be seen (I don't count the bloke in the crazy golf/pitch and putt kiosk) Even the made up paths had a few flooded bits.

Ribble have a sale on and these are down to £330ish now, so have taken the plunge!

Could do with a bit of dry weather, I'm running out of places to ride. South Cerney etc to the north is flooded, went down towards Aldbourne yesterday and had to turn back as there was water coming up through the drains and flooding the roads there too!

Great. Let me know how you get on. I won't be able to get out for a few weeks.

Been spending birthday money though, new cables, new saddle and new shoes (spds) for the MTB.

Twice in the last week I have been cut up by a van... I assume that cyclists are not part of the road traffic?   ::)

how is everyone getting on with their bikes? now it's getting lighter in the morning i'm starting to go slightly longer routes to and from work. it's nice when cars aren't about...

Not been out since Boxing Day so not going very well

Went round Croft last Friday and got suitably filthy again 8)

Project Roadie is on a slow burner at the moment until I can earn some decent bonuses.

If anyone's interested, the Prospect Big Bike ride is on 28th April. 24, 40 and 50k routes available.

http://www.prospect-hospice.net/index.asp?m=159&s=166&ss=&c=1562&p=

3 cars overtook me whilst i was going as fast as the car infront yesterday (it was binday down croft hill so there was a big slow moving queue anyway), and then someone overtook me (despite us both moving from a standing start) on a mini roundabout.

i was, and still am, bloody fuming

Crafty 65 miler today, that hurt.

Managed to avoid the twat who overtook me then immediately pulled into garage.

Not sure whats more dangerous other vehicles or dog walkers!

Yeah, drivers are mainly twats when it comes to passing cyclists.

Planning on a 25-30 miler (XC) to Marlborough and back tomorrow morning.

Sam - do you have the ability to post the route online ? (just being interested for when I'm up next ?)

Yeah, I'll log it on Strava. Basically I just follow the old railway from Chiseldon to Marlborough. It's a Sustrans route. Stop at Marlborough to fuel up before turning round and cycling back the same way. Trying to build up my distances so that from Marlborough I can head on to Avebury and then loop back up to Barbury Castle and drop down into Swindon down Ladder Lane.

Ok, excellent. Shame I'm not about otherwise I'd have joined you. Interesting to see the route back

Here you go:

http://app.strava.com/activities/42933060

I'm fucking ruined now. That's the longest I've ridden for a few months and the ground was pretty hard going in places. Don't think I'll be able to walk tomorrow.

Excellent - cheers Sam. Interesting to see where the old railway line goes. What is the surface like - could it be done on a road bike ?

90% could be done on a road bike. Some parts of the path are still quite muddy though and you'd have a bit of a job on skinny tyres.

I finally put my hoops on my road bike this morning with  the intention of going out until I sensed it was probably be the safer to build furniture as requested.  >:(

A decent off road alternative to Marlborough, is to follow the cycle path from Coate to Chiseldon, cross the 345 and head along to to the foot of Liddington Hill.  Straight on up, probably best to wheel or carry bike...cross the hill fort to footpathwhich is then quite cycleable, and you reach the Ridgeway Path. This leads on round to Bytham Farm...a place I've always liked since a kid, its that bit of Roman Road you see going straight up the hill, by the golf course, as the 345 veers off  to Ogbourne. Follow Roman Road to Mynal and then into Marlborough or slightly shorter take the lane by Rabley Wood. Return can be out of Marlborough towards Rockley turn off at Old Eagle and head on up past 4 Mile Clump to Barbury then back as Sam suggests down Ladder Lane. That's knackered me thinking about it. Last time I did something similar was about 3 years ago when my lad was training for John o'Groats to Land's End....fucked if I could do it now.

Sounds epic Reg. Must give it a go.

Where I live, by the south downs, you can just follow bridle paths for miles and get well and truly lost

i've just trying to replace my bike's brakes. it turns out they're quite a pickle!
i'll be trying to take my bike to hargroves tomorrow for a service

What brakes are they and what's wrong with them?

What are they, cantilever? Should just be a case of unscrewing the block each side and putting the new one in.

Or have you figured that and you're just having trouble with the cable tension and getting the blocks aligned to the wheel?

Put a bit of cardboard between each brake block and the rim. Pull the cable tight so the brake blocks are pulled against the cardboard/rim.  Remove cardboard and align with grub screw.

On the subject of cardboard- handy stuff for cleaning between chain rings and cassettes.

i got as far as trying to sort out the tension and the gravity of me making a hash of my brakes hit me ie-  don't fuck 'em up, you need them

Been out for a quick jaunt on the new Fulcrum Racing 3s with Conte GP4000s (changed from Bontager Race Lites with gatorskins)

I expected a lot from them and at first I was a bit "meh" but then I realised that I have 3 months of lost fitness and was cycling into a bit of a headwind. It was when I reached some hills that I started to notice the difference, climbing was easier, out of the saddle I picked up pace easier and lost it slower. Downhill was noticeably quicker too. When I turned with the wind behind I really noticed that I was really motoring along. If you want me to quantify I reckon I was about 1 mph faster than last year when I was fitter and regularly doing 100km rides. So if I regain that fitness I should really benefit.

They are stiffer, lighter and quicker with a nice metallic free hub sound.  A bit firmer on the ride but not that noticeable.

Some geeky stats :  http://connect.garmin.com/activity/282174034

Thinking of getting one of these

http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/products.asp?category=Bikes&product=Hardrock%20Sport%20Disc%20Black%20Red%20-%202013%20Road%20Bike#.UTyG9RyeNIl

any good? anything better for the money out there?

Not bad for that money. Front forks aren't the best, but if you're not going to be throwing it around trail centres it won't make much difference.

If you're not too fussed about getting a 29er, for an extra £50 you could get this: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-81-2012-mountain-bike-grey-id_8168918.html

Better forks, better shifters and better brakes.

Sam - I'm looking at upgrading my MTB fork - would you recommend RockShox - or any other brand. I don't want to go expensive.

cheers.

Rock Shox have the budget end of the market pretty much sewn up.

Don't know what all the fuss about Di Canio's appointment is, it has totally overshadowed the real controversy of the weekend...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/sagan-apologizes-for-the-pinch-on-tour-of-flanders-podium

Sagan was obviously still reeling from when Cancellara left him for dead on the Paterberg.

and what a shame that was.......

Haha, indeed.

Sprint finishing and uphill wheelies across the line are one thing, but going up against one of the best TTers in the world over 13km is a completely different kettle of fish.

Saying that, he had to give it a go though.

Sagan should have refused to do any work, but he was more concerned with winning Cancellara's respect than the race. If he can somehow cling on to his wheel at Roubaix, he should stay there all the way to the final bend of the velodrome.

Having said that, he probably thinks his day will come and he doesn't want a thief's reputation.

Looking forward to P-R on Sunday and then the Giro. The last few Giros have been ace but haven't got the press coverage they deserve - but with Wiggo this year I would imagine that would change.

Paris-Roubaix is ace.....

Should be a straight up battle between Boonen and Cancellara, as the Flanders should've been too if it wasn't for Boonen's early dismount.

Should be a shoo in for Cancellara then as Boonen isn't riding.... sorry  :D :D

Oops, hadn't realised. Not surprised after that crash.

On the subject of crashes I managed to go over the handlebars of my MTB a few weekends back. After suffering a week of discomfort, grazes and bruising I decided to take myself off to A&E. Turns out my arm is fractured.

Smashing.

I think, for pure racing spectacle, The Giro has it hands down over the TDF. Some of the Giro climbs are monsters and the surfaces they ride on- Strada Bianchi, summit finishes on unmade farm tracks where standing on the pedals shifts the weight tto far forward and the wheels spin out on the gravel.

Awesome :)

Cancellara has to be the man to beat, but I wouldn't rule out Sagan....it would be great to see someone like Geraint Thomas have a decent crack at it, but he doesn't look in good shape.

Think you can overdo the mountain top finishes...what you need in a Grand Tour is a decent mix. The Vuelta a couple of years back when Juan Jose Cobo won it, they were finishing up walls. Cobo a typical Spanish grimpeur has done fuck all since.

Sagan is skipping P-R in favour of the Ardennes.

Thomas was talked up massively for Milan-San Remo and Flanders but ended up on the deck in both when the bunch split. Stannard's certainly got the engine for it, but lacks the race craft.

I can't see anyone keeping up with Cancellara if he decides to go. Gilbert maybe, but it's not really hilly enough for him and BMC are likely to be riding for Phinney instead.

Scrap that, just read that Phinney and Gilbert are both out too.

Cancellara's really going to have this easy.

In which case I will rule out Sagan...pity.

Unless he falls off...

Chavanel needs to stick like glue to Cancellara's back wheel. Much easier said than done.

If Cancellara falls off the race is wide open…

Has anyone insured their bike against theft?

Recommendations? I expect their all pretty much the same

Most contents polices insure bikes at home as standard and away from home for a little extra. Personally I'd be more inclined to go for a policy that covered me for accidents and the like

Half right. Vanmarcke gave it a great go. Shame that Stybar got clouted by a pedestrian, he would've had a good sprint on him.

A great race....liked the way Cancellara appeared to be fucked and then just steamed away up the road, reeling in the 2 0r 3 groups ahead of him. Now for the Ardennes' classics, Amstel Gold Race...Fleche Wallone and Liege Bastogne Liege.

Anybody see yesterday's stage of the Giro ??

For such an early the stage the main favourites went for it and it was superb.

I use these:

http://www.eandl.co.uk/cycle-insurance

Haven't been watching but I've been keeping up with what's happened.

Wiggo lost out a bit today after the peloton split coming into the end of the stage.

Did i read yesterday that Sky have committed to Froome for the big one or am I making that up?

Yep, DB has given Froome the leadership but Wiggins hasn't exactly said he'll work for him.

You would assume that it's more than likely that Wiggins enters the first mountain stages ahead of Froome thanks to the prologue, that's when it will get interesting.

I would guess it will end up being a fluid situtation and the team will assess it after the first couple of mountain stages if one has a noticeable lead over the other.

Froome's out charging up the Alps currently whilst Wiggins rides the Giro. Froome's no slouch up the mountains, so he wants this pretty badly.

Very True.

Why piss off either one, when it could all turn to shit with a crash in the first week.
Just like what happened to Wiggins in 2011.

I think that Froome will be the stronger, due to the amount of climbing against the amount of TT miles, and I guess he won't be limited by having to wait for Wiggins, but if he can hang in with Froome on the climbs then who knows.

I guess the key will come when one or the other is asked to ride himself into the ground to help the other win.

I am becoming convinced that the only Wiggins keeps making these ambiguous statements about the tour is that he realises how much it winds up Froomes missus, she really is something of a comedy horror on Twitter. 

Why do you follow her ? Is she a bit mental ?

Was up for the footy at he weekend and had a great ride out through Bishopstone, Uffington, Fernham, Faringdon and back through Coleshill, Highworth and Blunsdon.  Not been out that way for ages - some really good roads, quiet and great scenary. About 38 miles in all with a pub stop in Fernham.

Michelle Cound - I think off the top of my head- she is Froomes unofficial unmuzzled spokesperson. ..

excellent - may have a gander

Edit : she is a bit tasty

Did you see the state of the Euskatel riders Orbea after the crash close to the end of stage 1?  He was laying in a heap in the road with a pile of bikes behind him. A mechanic picked his bike up and I though "His front wheel has come off. How the fuck did that happen?" I then looked a bit closer and realised that his front forks finished about 3 inches below the fork crown! Must have been some impact to snap both blades clean off :eek:

Re Froome and Wiggins in the TdF, I reckon Wiggo will ride for him but keep close, just like Froome did last year. He will then be ready to take over should Froome crash/ fall apart etc.

Agreed a deal on a 2nd hand 2010 Boardman Pro MTB today. SRAM X0/X9 mech, Reba Race forks, Avid Elixir R Disks, excellent condition (I've given it a thorough inspection), £400. Well happy with that.

I now just need to get rid of the not needed car on my drive, and then subsequently work out a plan to ease back into regular cycling after a circa 12 year absence.....

Car sold, bike on the way. Happy days (at long last!)

Hurray! This means we can go play bikes sometime. (Don't tell the wives).

I'm toying with doing this http://www.castlesbikeride.co.uk/ (if you can just register and not get sponsers)

I'm looking for a new bike and don't want to mess around with gears, does this look decent bar having no pedals?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/paddy-wagon-tt-2013-single-speed-road-bike-ec044037

You'll be making a donation by registering, sure that will be enough.

Saw that t'other day. Might give it a go too. Like Reg said, the entrance fee is a donation anyway. If you feel guilty about hot getting sponsors then just check a bit of cash in a collection bucket on the day.

What distance were you going to do?

30 I think if I can find someone to let my Dogs out

I did a ride that started from the same place about 15 years ago, it was good fun but I was fitter and about 5 stone lighter

30 miles really isn't too bad. My legs will manage that distance quire easily now, I just tend to get back ache if I don't remember to change position now and again to stretch out.

If it's wet it'll be hard going but that adds to the fun.

Need to sort out my indexing, get a couple of new tyres and brake blocks and I'll be good to go.

A mate has a Paddy Wagon. he loves it. Be aware that it may come with a flip flop hub so you can run fixed wheel as well. Make sure you know which way the wheel is fitted when you first ride it. Trying to freewheel on a fixed wheel can be 'interesting' to say the least.

Going to the New Forest on Saturday to do a 25 mile loop on trails. Some really good rides down there and somne great pub stops !

Cheers fuzzy. My knowledge of components is way out of date, so I wasn't sure if it was a decent set-up for the money. Sounds like it's worth it.

Bad day for Wiggins in the Giro today. Looks set to withdraw tomorrow morning with Sky bumping Uran into the leadership. Makes sense, he was ahead of Wiggins in the GC anyway.

On a side note, CRC have a massive sale on at the moment. Just picked up at set of new tyres with 50% off :)

Bet Froome is delighted about that - if nothing else the war of words between Cath Wiggins and Michelle Cound should liven the Tour this year!

Let me get a reasonable level of fitness first.... :D


Ooohhh, thanks, off to have a looky.....

Is this an annual event?

Yes it is.

Next year then!

This week I have been messing about on an Inspired Cycle Engineering (ICE) Adventure trike (http://www.icetrikes.co/explore-our-trikes/adventure). A very different experience but a hell of a lot of fun, especially down hill, through hairpin bends :toocool:

So, something I've been toying with in my mind for a while, thought this thread was as good as any to stick it in...

Dual-wheel drive bike? Anyone heard of anything like that?

As in drive to front and rear wheel?

Yep. Was drunkenly talking about it with a cycling mate in the pub. We couldn't think why it wouldn't be feasible (other than than having to have two sets of gears linked together obviously, so when you change one wheel doesn't end up going faster than the other.). I couldn't find any videos or thoughts on that usual den of mad ideas, YouTube.

Obviously the front couldn't be chain driven if you want to turn corners.

I'm sure I have seen it done somewhere with chain drive.

The mechanic in my LBS recently built up a front wheel with an electric assist motor in it as well.

Thinking about it, belt drive would work better for transferring drive to a front wheel. You would need a high mounted transfer drive though, so that the belt (chain) line ran along the steering axis.

SPD cleats are annoyingly expensive aren't they! instead of paying £15 for a pair i spent £21 on a new set of shimano spd pedals with SPD cleats included .

always thinking me!

Very geeky of me I know but I've just worked out that my Garmin Edge 500 can be programmed with routes before I go out along with speed targets so I can train against a virtual partner.

geek central

Wiggo ruled out of the TdF.

That settles the team leadership debate.

http://www.strava.com/ if you've got a smartphone

Yeo, did you do the Castles ride yesterday?

I couldn't make it in the end because the wife did Race for Life and I got stuck with the baby.

Very nearly bought a Giant Defy 4 t'other day. Anyone know much about them?

I didn't I've been having asthma problems for a couple of weeks so I bottled it.

I was out walking yesterday, up to Barbury via Hodson then the path up to the Old Ridgeway, then along. The path from the Hodson turn to Old Ridgeway was being used for the bike ride....now if I see a mountain biker when out walking I always like to acknowledge them...so I said hello to about 40 people within about 20 mins. Couldn't have got a much better day for it...other than today, I've done maybe 10 miles....which as I'm trying to get back into something like what I used to be able to do is OK.

presta valves are fucking shite. i fucking hate them [/tans]

I always without fail bend the bloody things!

i've somehow managed to rip the working bits out. i'm just online to buy some schrader inners now

a) Get/ use a pump with a flexi hose when pumping tyres up. Direct connect pumps can put stress through and tear the join between the valve and the tube (and bugger up the valve on presta).

b) When you unscrew the nipple on the presta, give it a tap to unseat the core, then screw it back in a bit so that there isn't too much core sticking out.

c) If you change to Schraeder, make sure your rims are drilled to take the larger diameter valve. if you have to drill yourself, do it from inside the rim (tube side) through to spoke side.

I would agree with all of the above and also mention that I suspect that if you drill road rims to take a Schraeder valve it could be dodgy both in terms of warranty and rim strength.

But if you haven't already got one get a track pump, not only is it valve friendly as mentioned above but is a game changer in terms of getting the right pressures in quickly and easily.

Track pumps are the dogs bollocks. That is why workshops use them. They can be a bit of a bastard to lug around ona ride though :D

Get a frame/ pocket pump with an integral hose for use out on a ride (or a CO² inflator).

I bought a CO2 inflator but havent had (touch wood) to use it yet, the little pump I carry on the bike would I suspect take hours to get some air into a tube!

Agree that a track pump isnt the most agile of tools!!

I'd recommend the Topeak Morph mini (£21.59 at halfords at the mo')

thanks chaps, i bought some new tyres and inners on offer at CRC, along with a proper fancy pump

 Froome took the Dauphine today then....his ride t'other day when he took the stage off Contador and a breakaway rider was awesome. Looking good for Le Tour.

It was great to see him powering away from Contador at the end of that climb. I'm pretty sure he could have taken yesterday's stage but chose to try and reward Porte with a stage win that didn't quite happen.

Not sure why but he doesn't do it for me, Froome. I'm sure he'll cope with this bombshell, but I think it's his ugly style on the bike - elbows out, always looking down at the power meter or talking into the radio.

Watching Contador out of the saddle, however, well that's like watching Dimitar Berbatov turn a hopeful punt upfield into a goal with two touches.

Just got myself on Strava, cracking bit of kit. I don't know how accurate it is but seems pretty good.

Except he's a drugs cheat.

A good point, well made.

Agree with that,  his position when climbing looks like someone pushing a supermarket trolley with a mobile phone tucked under their chin (have a look at it)

Contador does have elegance (albeit previously prepared elegance).

Maybe, but this is cycling and you'd be a fool to trust anyone wholeheartedly.

Just downloaded that today... going to try and spend more time doing stuff (ie. cycling) than watching daytime TV as the eternal job search continues. Will be interesting to see how much distance I can travel and stuff like that.

30 centimeters

Spent the afternoon doing the Downs Link between Guidlford and Shoreham. Didn't have or took enough fuel and came close to getting off the bike and throwing up.  Still had an epic time though - apart from the ticket bloke at Shoreham Station refusing to sell me a ticket as I had a bike - its London to Brighton today.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/328768499

Nice ride Bewster!

Can only get lunch hour trips in at the mo, usually Chippenham->Calne and back (13 miles). Absolutely pushed it as hard as I could the other day, went 0.2mph average faster than the last trip. All that effort for 0.2 mph. What the hell. I'm blaming a headwind to Calne that mysteriously reversed direction and on the way back.

Yes without a doubt - or maybe your tyres were a little flat  :)

Yeah, plus it was uphill all the way

You get those days sometimes where you feel like you've really bust a gut and it makes fuck all difference to performance. Other times you don't really try and end up setting best times on Strava. Usually down to fuelling, especially on longer rides.

Anyone got a very cheap S/H mountain bike for sale, pref 18" frame. Just want something that a 13 year old will probably wreck within a year  :)

I already knew that Danny MacAskill was pretty handy on a bike, but this is just ridiculous.

http://imaginate.redbull.com/videos/riding_film

Tour de France  fantasy league anyone?

http://rcuktourdefrance.fantasyleague.com/


League PIN: 32995

I'm in.

That's a pretty decent team you've got there. Cav, Froome and Martin. Something for the sprint, GC and TT.

Done

Good stuff, I'm in

Anyone got any mudguard recommendations? Got a sopping wet arse on the way back from work yesterday morning. No mudguards at all on my mountain bike.

Thought about getting an 'ass saver' but not sure if they are any good - Might actually make one this afternoon!

Team sorted and entered - but as done in about 5 minutes before work it may be amended a little prior to the event!

I've got a Mucky Nutz Butt Fender. Nice simple mudguard that clips on to the saddle rails.

http://www.muckynutz.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=137

I got a crud set, seems to do the trick. The rear is bolt on to seat post. This one I think

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Catcher-Guard-Mountain-Mudguards-BLACK/dp/B003662ESG/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1371821194&sr=8-8&keywords=crud+mud+guards

Found a template online and just made myself a 'Butt Fender' from an old broken plastic folder. Might get a 'misprinted' 1/2 price Fender Bender from the Mucky Nutz site too!

Done. They'll be left to fend for themselves though, as I'm away doing my own little tour in July. Santander to Paris by bike, to see Cav win on the Champs.

Get some lightweight waterproofs,much better option all round.

Just got home with one of Chris Hoy's finest, rather pleased:

(http://www.evanscycles.com/product_image/image/260/422/e13/104220/large/hoy-shizuoka-003-2013-hybrid-bike.jpg)

Just re-fitted the front wheel after putting it in the back of my car, and the disc has lost alignment slightly. Anyone know how I can re-adjust it? The clamping mechanism seems to have 2 screws on the back....?

You mean the pads are rubbing on the disc? The pads will just need spacing again. The disc stays in a fixed position.

Next time you take the wheel out, put a spacer between the pads. You usually get one with disc brakes, if not then cardboard or similar will do.

Loosen the caliber bolts. Pull the brake and keep pulled. Tighten the bolts.

Yeah, that's what I meant Samdy. Cheers, and cheers grubby, will have a look tomorrow.

After a new or newish rear 26" MTB Wheel for shimano cassette (rim brake and needs to be QR).

Any recommendations or anyone got anything spare ?

 No lycra here....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swindonlocal/9105173743/lightbox/

Which one's you?

The one with the horn?

What a shambles that opening stage was, no bugger knew where the finish was until the final few minutes.

Silly bus driver.

Tony Martin looked in a right state when he climbed on the bus after the first stage finished. A shame about that crash. I would have loved to watch a sprint between Cav, Griepel, Sagan and Kittel. Fair play to Marcel though, taking advantage and bagging the Yellow Jersey.

Amazingly nobody was forced out after that shunt....yesterday, some twat let their dog loose just in front of a charging peloton, luckily the dog just about got out the way by millimetres, had it not I dread to think of the carnage.

Aye, watching that in the background had my sphincter twitching. Should have set Jens Voigt on the owner.

I caught the end of the stage and saw the dog nearly get it too. Also the silly spectator that nearly got flattened by Sagan.

Martin copped it pretty bad in that crash. Read somewhere that he had bad bruising pretty much everywhere on his body and tore down to the muscle on his elbow. Was surprised he made it onto the bike and finished yesterday.

Doesn't look like OPQS have the team to deliver Cav over the hilly stuff at the moment, so it'll be interesting to see how he does today.

Probably best to let sleeping dogs lie....Corsica has the highest per capita murder rate in Europe, vendetta is a cultural tradition along with assassination.

Apparently Geraint Thomas has a fractured pelvis but is still carrying on.

Was right about OPQS and Cav again yesterday. Guess he must be saving his legs for later in the tour.

Team TT today. Can't see past Sky for this one.

I am with you on this but Garmin are faves with the bookies. Based on the giro I'd go for Sky as well - different rider line up but still well drilled.

The problem for Sky is that Geraint Thomas is hampered by the pelvis injury. This will slow him down and reduce the contrbution he can make. garmin as far as I am aware is a fully fit team. I would not be surprisd to see David Millar in the yellow tonight.

Re Geraint, did you see the interview yesterday?

"There is a break in the bone- it is bound to hurt"

Hard as nails that lad. I agree that MTFU should be replaced by GTFU. Will Geraint ever be deemed to be as hard as Jens though?

I'd go for Garmin as well with Millar in yellow tonight, its a pretty short stage for a TT (25km) so it will probably be pretty close between Garmin, Sky and OPQS.

Yesterday showed why Cav won't get the Green jersey, Sagan is a better all rounder and he will get over the mountains to contest sprints like yesterday. If Cav had of somehow managed to stay with peloton until the end I'm not sure how much he would have had left in the legs.

Sky +2" on OPQS.

Tony Martin is super human.

And I subbed Tony Martin out of my fantasy team because I thought the injuries would hamper him :doh:

You did ok today though.

All thanks to Simon Gerrans :)

Anybody see Cav's post race interview?

The guy maybe fast but he is an absolute penis.

I think that it was an interview with someone who knew he may be in the wrong and went all defensive!  Kittel still scares me though all a bit Ivan Drago!

Part of it is just the arrogance that most great sportsman have, suspect he isnt exactly the sort of person you would enjoy going for a pint with though.

I actually don't think he did much wrong as per Boardman's explanation at the end of the program.

I agree he didn't. I think there was a deliberate attmept to slow him down or at least put him off. I think he does get picked on as everyone know in a flat sprint he is almost unbeatable.

Still a cock though.

I'm going to go easy on him on this. Yes he was on the defensive but, he knows he was involved in an incident where someone went down hard. He knows it wasn't his fault (in his eyes and, to be honest, the post race video tends to support him). He knows that he IS going to get blamed. He has been through all thta shit before. He wan't going to put up with it.

Sprinters get involved in crashes. Lead out trains get involved in crashes. All part of the game and Cav gives good value for money in post race interviews.

He won't be much happier today; had a load of piss sprayed at him! Disgusting.

Ventoux...never been up it, but what an alien looking landscape. Froome very impressive today. More or less 46 years to the day, that Tommy Simpson dies up there.

Froome's to lose now. The way that he dispatched Contador and then Quintana was brilliant.

Commendable rides from Pete Kennaugh and Richie Porte too, did their part very well.

The landlord of the Bathurst Arms, North Cerney is probably regretting his facebook comment about running 3-a-breast cyclists down today.

His facebook rant went viral and one thing you don't want to do is upset the cycling fraternity.

In truth it could have just been a throw away comment which doesn't reflect his real thoughts. But once social media rage gets going there is only one winner.

Epic stage and what a win. As Sam said it's his to lose as everyone else is being blown away. Got to love Sagan though.

If you get a chance have a read of Fotheringhams Tom Simpson book - "Put Me Back On My Bike" - very good read and very sad.

Saw that, and the over the top reaction.  He had a point but went about portraying it in totally the wrong way.

One thing that does piss me off is cyclists and motorcyclists having a go at car drivers all of the time as if they are fucking saints.  I can say the same for lorry drivers (sorry leefer).  It's funny how everyone becomes the most conscientious driver in the world when they are talking about another form of transport.

Amazing how Froome powered away from Contador.  He has had it a little tougher than Wiggins in this tour so far due to the amount of walking wounded Sky have had.  He is still a bit of a dull bore though.

Also i'm not having the fact that Quintana is 23, he looks about 53!

I couldn't disagree more...

Agree about Quintana...it's what living at altitude does to you.

Fair enough

Watched this on TV for the first time ever and all I saw was mindless idiots in fancy dress making fools of them selves and posing a massive danger to the riders, regardless if they were cheering them on.

The last two stages have been fucking awesome, for different reasons.

Saturday was a stage slated to be a boring run in to a sprint finish- another chance for Kittel to out sprint Cav or a chance for Cav to show his bouncebackability. In the end, the wind was the major player, causing echelons to form and crating a whole new raft of tactical dillemas. The Belkin/ OPQS/ Saxo Tinkoff break was fucking great. Blew the race apart for the day.

Well done Cav on the sprint- now won more stages than any other rider when Time Trials are taken out of the equation.

Yesterdays final 20 or so km wastremendous viewing- Froomedawgs bodyguard keeping him safe and keeping the pace high enough that attacks from GC contenders couldn't get away until Quintana went. Froome did really well to pull away from the peleton to reach him and distance Contador and co.

It was really telling in relation to effort when video of Kennaugh falling off the back of the yellow jersey bunce after his efforts was shown. He was so spent he was almost standing still :eek: Schlek had a similar moment as well.

They all really need the rest day today.

Can't wait for the double ascent of Alp d'Huez

Desperately want this but the wife said no. Might have to just order it anyway. Absolute steal at this price. Granted, Sora isn't the best groupset but isn't the worst either. Add to that Fulcrum 7s and FSA components and it's the best value for money in that price range.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/moser-bikes-speed-sora-2013/

Sam - this is tagged as Sora 2013, so if thats true it should have the new Sora shifters which are more like the Tiagra/105s in style - i.e. they don't have have the thumb levers to change up - which make the whole groupset a better proposition.

Plus one of the joys of bikes is being able to upgrade as an when. And as you say you own't get much better for the price.

Was a bit of a shame, as the first British rider to win on the Ventoux, that he didn't find time to give Tommy a nod in his post-race interviews.

I would agree, I have 'old' Sora shifter and whilst they shift fine it can be a pain, although I ride on the hoods around 95% of the time anyway.

I have been looking to upgrade my Allez but the main area is groupset and going up to 105 would be around £400 which doesn't really seem worth it for an Alu frame bike?

May have to bite the bullet and look at a Planet X or Ribble carbon frame and go from there, but with new baby may need some delicate discussion with the finance committee?

Do all these small differences on bike parts really make any difference to the average man on the street?  :sherlock:

I think a lot of it depends on the functionality of the parts replaced and whether or not they need replacing. As already alluded to the old Sora shifters had "thumb" lever to change up - with isn't as easy or as functional as 105s or Ultegras. So yes it would make a difference.

I have Shimano 105s throughout and I'd like ultegra but the cost and the weight saving do not add up at all for me so no. I'd be better off shedding a few more lbs from around my waist.

I have an Alu/Carbon Trek with full 105 and I've have been looking to upgrade - so similarly I've been looking at frames/forks and transfer my groupset/wheels/saddle over. I like the look of the Enigma titanium frames as it'll be something a bit different.

But then I'll want to use my old bike on the turbo so it'll mean buying a whole new groupset. How the finance committee love me. Actually she gets more frustared that I won't make a decision and just buy.

Don't know if you have seen this :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=THA59sKBkF0

Stick the current bike on the turbo trainer as is (with a turbo specific back tyre). Get thyself a new bike complete. Remember, 2014 models will hit the shops soon and 2013 bikes will start being reduced. trek already have a summer sale running on some of the current models.

Went on my first proper ride on Saturday. Swindon to Cricklade.

Had a couple of pints in the Red Lion. Legs were like jelly on the way back. We stopped near the Blunsdon Arms, scoffed half a pack of Haribo's, and within 10 minutes I was good to go again.

I did the same ride via the over grown Canal and Moulden Hill Saturday around Midday.There were a lot of really slow people about on Road Bikes Saturday,testament to the Tour I'd imagine.

Followed some bloke on his road bike going up the old railway line from West Swindon to Old Town yesterday.

Rode on his wheel, got about half way up and he bailed onto a footpath. Must've been the shame of being paced by a MTB 8)

I would say yes, but depending on what you do.  Things like better wheels and group set will make ride better and more efficient. I bought some Fulcrum racing 5 wheels and it transformed my bike.

But these people who spend hundreds on carbon components and are then 2 stone overweight - draw your own conclusions. 

I think Froome has been fantastic, thoroughly deserved and great champion. Very humble and eloquent in his dealings with the press especially with the continuous doping  questions.

Twighlight finish on the Chapms Élysées. In about 35 minutes. Not to be missed. Going to be a great end to a great Tour.

Shame Cav didn't take the sprint. Great finish to the Tour though.

OPQS are absolutely gash in the last 1000m. Their lead out train just disintegrates. Great spring though, complete with Cav nearly going over the handle bars! Shows how mental that piece of road is for a bike race.

Champs Élysées and Arc de Triomphe looking fecking superb for this awards presentation.

Think they have signed Mark Renshaw for next season, normal Cav service could be resumed

They have, also rumours continue that Petacchi  will be back for rest of this season and next to lead out!

It was something of a shambles, when you look at the side shot the fact that Kittel was almost out of frame before Cavendish started to sprint illustrated it was a complete non-starter!

Great tour but the last stage could have done with being about half an hour later, didn't really get dark enough during the racing.

final table,none of us won a 3k road bike.
I came second..go me! congrats David Bew whoever you are

Yey Go me !!  :pint:

Whoop a place on the podium!

Would've done better if I remembered to transfer out my sprinters for the mountain stages :doh:

I totally forgot about this after the 1st week, shame

If anyone after decent wheels for good money merlin have fulcrum racing 5's for 100, quid, and others.

Good call - thanks

Having said that I've Just upgraded my MTBs wheels for some SRAMs, then the fork went so another purchase Rock Shox and a new headset so not exactly flushed at the mo.

Wished I'd have got my LBS to fit the headset and forks - quite a mission to do so.

I am thinking about getting a new bike, is this a good bike, and a good deal

Kona  Caldera Mountain Bike Hydraulic Disc Brakes Front Suspension Aluminium Frame 27 Speed, Excellent Condition real head turner, over £700 new, Perfect mechanical condition and clean components, never used off road or out on a wet for long, kept indoors. Still works like straight off the shop floor. It's a Lightweight aluminium 19" frame with 26" wheels. Front and rear hydraulic disc brakes, alloy rims, full set of shimano sram xt, very light bike, Recently Serviced at cost of over £50, £350.00,

Couldn't you have just got the forks serviced?

How old is it? Spec isn't bad for the money, but "recently serviced" means nothing really. Go and check it out, look out for worn drive train (cassette and chain) and check for wear/play in any bearings or pivot points. Check for obvious things like cracks in the frame, leaky forks or rust.

And does anyone local have a crank puller and bottom bracket removal tool I could borrow?

Bottom bracket is on its way out and needs replacing, but for the cost of the tools I could just take it to the shop.

They were the originals, 12 years old, seized up and rusty inside, so maybe......but that's not as much fun as upgrading  :)

I have a crank tool but not much used to you, unless you can wait a week.

As Samdy said but also if its in such good nick why was it serviced ? Or why service it and then sell it ?

Also the groupset seems a little confused, Shimano Sram XT???

Does sound a little too good, but then again could have had it serviced to sell as may have been off road for a while. May be worth a look but I wouldn't buy such a thing for that money without seeing the bike (And seller) first.

Similarly the fork on my old Stumpy seized up and it was cheaper to replace than repair as it was only a cheap forrk anyway. Got a cheap Manitou Black fork which was great, albeit a little higher than the one I replaced, it was all a litttle 'easy rider' after that!

I noticed this too. Sounds like it is a mixture of SRAM/Shimano - probably SRAM Chainset/Cassestte with shimano shifters/mechs. I am surprised to see XT on a bike that was £700 new though.

I went for Rock Shox Tora 302 - which have the remote lockout facility and adjustable rebound (?) (don't ask me - it says it on the box ). My MTB isn't my pride and joy so I wasn't unduly fussed but for the sake of an extra £50 over what would have been a like for like replcement I thought it was worth it. And it seems that way.

Adjusts the harshness of the damping. You want to set it right so that it's not so soft that the front's bobbing away all the time, but it's not so hard that it almost launches the bike (and you) into the air when it rebounds.

Cheers Sam.

Something that has struck me a lot recently as I've upgraded bits and bobs on both road and mountain bikes is the quality of the finishing kit that you don't necessarily look for (i.e. not drive chain or frame) can be utterly shoddy. Take my recent example, both forks and headset were, for want of a better word, fucked. I know that manufacturers have to meet price points and this is where they save but the quality of the replacements is way above the originals.

I googled how to service my old forks and came across instructions that said:

1.   Remove forks
2.   Throw in bin
3.   Buy new forks

 Not sure this has been posted amongst all the boy's toys spec stuff, but I use this place for the bits and pieces I need.

http://www.recycles-swindon.co.uk/about-recycles.php

So, I'm trying to commute on my trusty Trek. I added a butt & gut fender plus a fender bender to try to reduce some of the crap being thrown off the road in the wet. I got caught in the residue of the big thunderstorms this week and found my little bits of plastic did a pretty good job. Now I'm looking at getting a better and more waterproof rucksack. I want to be seen in the dark and want to carry my work clothes, towel, toiletries and my lunch. I also don't want to pay a fortune. Any recommendations?

Stick all the clothes etc in a bin bag, and put bin bag in rucksack. Get a high viz work thing.

Why not get a cover  : http://www.wiggle.co.uk/respro-waterproof-hump-rucksack-cover/

I've been using shopping bags inside my rucksack. They work, but the rucksack is a bit small, so I need to get something a little bit bigger. That's why I ruled out a cover too.

Fair enough : http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycle/rucksacks/ - plenty of choice and lots of reviews.

Fair play to the organisers of the RideLondon event...(even Boris Johnson)...20,000 people cycling 100 miles.  :thumb:

Back in the day, there used to be the Great Swindon(Thamesdown) Bike Ride....I did it for several years...used to start off from Lydiard, or Coate...one year Highworth School and do either 35 or 50 miles. I kind of gave up when they messed about with  aride to Bath that involved an overnight stop...

Having not managed to get a place in the ballot I glumly watched on from the sofa this morning, trying to spot the jersey of a mate who did get a spot, only to read that 5000 didn't finish?!

Maybe next year...

I'd imagine those penny farthings were quite quick, what with having that huge front wheel :)

Hmm... what say you, cycling aficionados of the TEF:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/corratec-dolomiti-105-limited-edition-road-bike-2013/rp-prod91544

Seems like a lot of bike for that money. Not the best wheels, but at a snip under 9kg it seems good value for money.

Couple of things jump out to me at first glance. What is the fork made of - is it carbon or alloy, at that money I would expect the fork to be carbon, and if the roads down there are anything like they were in Cumbria on Saturday god you need it!

Its good that the leavers are 105, but I note that the crank set isnt and I am not sure where any reference to Ultegra comes into it? Never even heard of the brakes although thats not saying a great deal.

At that sort of cash its mainly the frame to look at asthe rest cabn be upgraded, if the fork is carbon thats not bad and the 105 levers will save a bit...

But equally a lot of the 2013 kit will start being cleared to make way for 2014 shortly and I would suspect you may be able to get more bang for your buck elsewhere?

Apologies probably stating the obvious...

Yeah, it's carbon fork. The only reason it really drew me was the 105 gruppo. I've been keeping an eye out for 2013 sale models in that kind of price range but most have either the (old) Sora or 2300 and I'm not a fan of the thumb shifters.

Really need to get off my arse and take a look around a few LBS to see what they've got kicking about in their sales.

Its worth having a look round as there are some deals out there, found this on Winstanleys

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/39980/Dawes_Sportif_SL_2012_Bike

43cm frame though. I'm short, but not that short :)

Yeah noticed that after.. sorry.

Evans have some Trek and Fuji bikes going cheap, for instance if you wanted a triple http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/sportif-13-triple-2013-road-bike-ec052837#features

From recollection 2013- Sora has the up shifters on the brake levers ala the high spec stuff anyway, I still have old Sora levels with the thumb shifter and they are a ball ache.

Not a bad bike Sam. Good spec, good price. The only thing I'd question is that with that level of group set at that price I'd wonder where they were making savings.

My view personally is that prices will start to be cut around now for next years models so there be better bargains. At that price I'd go for a better frame with  minimum of Tiagra.

I'd go for something like this : http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caad8-6-tiagra-2013-compact-road-bike-ec042914

I love the look of the CAADs (and who wouldn't want to try and look a little like Peter Sagan), but they're a tad out of my price range at the moment. All depends how generous the 'rents are feeling for my birthday.

Also I'm thinking sizing might be an issue, especially if I end up buying online. I'm fairly average height (ok, a bit short) at 5'8"ish but I'm short in the leg and long in the torso. Typical sizing suggests a 54cm frame which should give ample TT length but I might lack standover clearance and I don't want to look like a gimp with only 2 or 3 inches of seatpost showing.

My old man's the same height and proportions as me so I'll find out what size he has and use that as a guide.

really need to get my bike out again, got it two summers ago and due to the shit summer last year id didn't get used at all.

Sam, completely agree with you. I'm 5.95 and on standard frame geometry I fall between 54 and 56 - I went 56 (Trek) and its fine with plenty of seat post. There are plenty of online calculators which take into account leg/arm length to ensure you get the best fit. Get the Mrs Sam to measure you.

As for price only you know what you are happy to spend and the only advice I can give is that when I bought mine for an extra £200 I could've got a carbon frame and I couldn't afford or justify at the time.  However despite loving my bike if I had the chance again I would spent the extra money and pay it back.  And that CAAD looks so good.

http://www.zinncycles.com/ncalroad-ulltimarev.html

I know what you mean about stretching the budget, if I don't then I'll only regret it later. If I had it my way I'd have no limit and whack it all on the plastic but circumstances dictate otherwise.

Turns out the old man has a compact frame so that doesn't really help me with sizing.

Sizing is key to comfort and it really changes bike to bike. I sat on a 54 inch Orbea recently and it felt the same at my 56inch Trek. When you are spending that much you need to get it right.  Better to get advice. I heard the Leisure Lake Bikes in Cheltenham are quite good.

Gaaargh, so many choices.

Compact, double or triple?

Obviously MTB gearing is a lot lower, but on my 22x32x42 I hardly ever use the 22. It's got 11x32 on the back, so dropping down to something like 11x28 isn't going to be a huge issue.

Defo not double, either compact or triple. If you are a decent biker of reasonable fitness I'd go compact. Around Swindon the only time you'd need a triple is Ogbourne - Aldbourne Hill

Have you found a bike then Sam ?

Nope. Still torn.

Want to make sure I get the right one. With the budget I have it's really on the border of good frame & components/low gruppo or okay frame & poor components/good gruppo.

Its a tough balancing act and a task I don't envy you.

Have you looked at Ribble ? Planet X ?

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/road-track-bike/ribble-sportive-7046?part=BB13RIBSPORTIVE7046&sub=conf_BBRA&bike=1

As a middle aged fat bloke with dodgy knees, I'm trying to cycle to and from work a few times per week to lose a bit of weight and thought it would be cool to set myself targets.

My normal 'loose' target has been to get to work in about 35-40 mins and, when I get on a main stretch to go no slower than 23mph and try an get over 30mph every now and again. But I've noticed that I am starting to get lazy and getting a 'that'll do' attitude when I start to get tired.

I've got a really cheap, 10 year old bike computer, which records speed, time etc, but was reading today about Garmin's etc. I don't think I can justify the cost of something like an 810, as I only travel the same route and am not really fit enough to do much more.

I then read about Strava and saw that you could download an app to your phone and get the phone to track your movements then upload it to a website. I thought I could try this and then race myself every day.

Do any of you have experience of these types of apps or bike computers? If so, what would you recommend in my situation?

NMH - I have got a Garmin 500 which is just superb. It does all the usual - speed, distance, time, heart rate, cadence, calories, direction, lap and so many more. You can then upload the ride to Garmin Connect, Strava, MapMyRide etc to analyse it.

It has a virtual training partner so you can use a course or map a route - in your case to work and then enter a speed you wish to complete it in, then start off and race the virtual partner.

They don't come cheap but it is fantastic. Try HandTec.com

Maybe worth trying Strava out on your phone first. If you like the 'features' like being able to see all kinds of different stats, average speeds, top speeds, PBs over certain segments etc. then it'll give you a good feel for it.

I used to use it a lot, then gave up because my phone got old and shit and it started really draining the battery. I think once I get the roadie I'll be investing in a Garmin.

Totally agree with this get a compact.  I have got a triple and it's fine but would like to upgrade and it's whole new group set.  The thing I find is when I ride with people on compacts it feels shameful to use the granny ring so find myself trying to keep pace with them on the middle ring even though the bottom on that is a lot higher that bottom on a compact.

I must admit I only use strava on my phone,  got a wireless computer for speed etc but battery doesn't last long so tend to just do by feel and upload at end.  Would like a garmin but with the ankle biter can't really justify the cost at the moment.

Plus without the computer telling me present speed whilst I ride I don't have to see how slowly I was grovelling in the lakes on Saturday.... No legs and not a good ride!

This!! Except when they have to get off and walk when you still have extra gears  ;D

I managed to win a Go Pro Helmet Cam which I sold and funded my Garmin. Have to say though I wouldn't be without it.

That Ribble bike builder is extremely tempting for all the upgrades.

Their frames are made by Dedidiacci (sic) so good quality, but the builder does get the price up. Been tempted myself.

Its great, gives you a good indication of price points and what you can get.

Good bikes as well. Pity you can't deselect items.

Thanks chaps. Havrnt looked at the difference between Garmin 500, 510, 800 etc, but see they aint cheap! Is there a cheaper version? Whats the Cadence stuff for?

Just priced up one of the sportive frames at a tad over £700 with Tiagra and Shimano R501s. Dangerously close to buying.

On the other hand, if this Merida didn't have crappy 8 speed Sora I'd buy it in an instant with the Alex R450 rims (only 470g!).

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Merida-Race-Lite-900-2013-Road-Bike_55257.htm

I use a Garmin Edge 200. I think that was the base model when I bought it. Doesn't do cadence or heart rate, but you can do the virtual training partner that Bewster mentioned above. About £100 new, £50-60 on ebay.

The edge 200 is the cheaper version, no hrm  or cadence. Cadence is good for training  or turbo sessions.

Depends what is important to you.

That's got the shifters that are below sora. The good thing about Ribble is that you can spec up the bike with exactly what you want/can afford.

Don't forget you'll need pedals/shoes. Wiggle DHB shoes are a good start with basic shimano SPD SL

Think I'll give the Strava app a go. I think I'll be able to use that to record the ride and upload it. I'll then stick with my 10 year old Sigma to see what speed I'm doing.

Its tempting... thats a lot of bike for the money!

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPWHT/planet_x_pro_carbon_franko_bianco_race_road_bike

It's been that price for a while now.

Had a butchers around Hargroves earlier, but bar a couple of CAAD 8s and Spesh Allez's there's nowt of much interest :(

Hargroves is shit, I have just down the road from my office. Unhelpful, unfriendly and patronising.

Just found the "Special Editions" section on Ribble.

All of this for £601.99:

Ribble 7005 Sportive Frame 52cm (C-Top)
Ribble 7005 Sportive Carbon Road Forks 1 1/8" ITS
Ribble Headset Branded Ribble 1 1/8" Hidden (ITS) 45 x 45
Shimano Tiagra 4600 10 Spd Double Groupset
Shimano 4600 BB Cups (34/35/4500 double/triple) Eng
Shimano Tiagra 4600 Brakes
Shimano 10 Spd Tiagra 4600 Cassette 11-25
Shimano 10 Speed 4601 Tiagra Chain
Shimano Tiagra Double 4650 10 Chainset Compact 172.5 34/50
Shimano Tiagra 4600 10 Double Front Gear Braze-on
Shimano Tiagra 4600 10 Spd Rear Gear Short
Shimano STI Levers Tiagra 4600 10 Speed with cables Double
ITM Pr Whls Aero 2.4 8/9/10 Shim
ITM Alutech Wing 6061 31.8 Bars White 42cm
ITM Alutech 6061 31.8 Stem White 100mm
Selle Italia X1 Flow Saddle White
CSN Superleggera Alloy Seatpillar Black 31.6 400mm
Continental Ultra Sport Rigid Tyre White/Black 700x23mm
Yaw Butyl Inner Tube 700x18/25 SV42mm
ITM Cork Embossed Handlebar Tape Black

That's a great deal Sam. As long as its the right size

They've a fairly decent sizing guide. I'm between 52 and 54 and they recommend going with the smaller size if in between. I can always change the stem length.

Looks like a deal that, tiagra is good kit so I'd say go for it. Good scope for cheap upgrades if you want to as well.

That's one of the "summer specials" so no real upgrade choices except for colour and length of some components.

Frame seems to get good reviews. Rims aren't the best but they can be updated later. Probably going to order it tomorrow.

Need to get some SPD shoes and pedals though.

Shame I didn't get anything sooner, my old man invited me out on a club run tomorrow.

Good job Sam, looks like a bargain tbh. Tiagra g/s is £300 alone.

Do you semi pros notice any difference from the upgrades?

As already answered :


I upgraded my wheels earlier this year, they have better hubs so roll better and longer, they are stiffer and lighter so easier to go up hills. So yes providing the gap between the part replaced and part upgraded is big enough.

Sorry that's my bad English (I blame typing on a phone!) I meant that the important bits (frame and group set) look great and if you choose to upgrade wheels in say 12 months around 100 quid will get a great set!

Bloody ironically after posting this my phone gps had a hissy fit this morning and failed to record my ride which was a lumpy one, I can work out the distance and time but not the height which is a bit of an arse.

Maybe I better get a Garmin!  ::)

I cant get Strava to work! Keeps saying 'Location services are disabled. Would you like to enable them to record Strava activities.' I click yes and it takes me to the Location services which are all ticked.

Does your phone actually have GPS?

I assume so as it has 3 settings for it and can find me on Google Maps.

Nearly bought the Ribble but something stopped me. Not sure what.

Keep seeing new bikes that I hadn't considered before, or bikes that have been reduced which take my fancy, which is making me even more undecided. For example I've spied a Felt and today seen a Giant Defy 2 and GT GTR 3 with Tiagra for less than £650.

The wife?  :)

Maybe you just want to be sure you are doing the right thing. I do the same thing, and did it over buying my wheels.

Also, buying some thing like a bike on line is a big risk when you haven't ridden it. I think you will go round in circles as the whole bike/gruppo/equipment combination issue will drive you mad and sooner or later you'll have to make a decision. 

For some reason I don't like GT or Giant bikes, although Giant they have good reviews - just a personal thing.

I'm not really drawn to the straight lines of the likes of Felt, Giant or GT. Absolutely love the Italian frames. If I could get a Bianchi within my budget I'd have it in an instant.

Agreed. Hargroves have a Bianchi Via Nirone Sora for £699

I want a Scott Sub 10 for me pub bike - it's a belter !

*Gulp*

I've finally bitten the bullet and clicked buy...

On the Ribble?

Nope. Gone for the Vitus Zenium VRS. Mix of 105 & Tiagra for £680, plus I actually love the looks too.

Nice. Superb colours as well. Good choice Sam, think you've made the right choice.

I'm up w/e of the 31st if you fancy a ride.

Quite possibly. Need to sort out some pedals and shoes this weekend.

OK let me know. Check out wiggle, they had shimano SPD SLs for around £20 and dhb shoes. You can also go via top cash back.

Sam..

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/SHFIRSRCS/fizik_r3_road_cycling_shoes

Absolute bargain (in red) for some top notch shoes...

Only thing stopping me splurging out on them at the moment is my new wheels that I'm getting parts for and built. Anyone recommend a decent wheel builder around these parts? Mitchell's?

Great spot. That's amazing saving, a bit bright

Silver R3 SLs for a tenner more for something a little less noticeable (slightly)

If the red ones are still about in a month I might have to get them to match the hubs on my new wheels.

Check the bargains spotted thread on bike radar forum..commuting chat section. Costs you more money seeing bargains too good to miss than you need.

Cheers for that.

Red hubs? What did you go for ?

These monkeys...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-New-410g-MTB-Novatec-Mountain-bike-DISC-hubs-D711SB-D712SB-Shimano-SRAM-/271246814230

Lashed to some H Plus Son - Archetype rims. Yumbo. To go on my Genesis Croix de Fer, so needed disc hubs. Those novatecs are supposedly superb for the price, just as good hope hubs but half the price. A wheel builder I've chatted to on the bike radar forum raves about them. Should help shed some weight off my steel beast. Planning on joining Swindon road club for some spins on a Saturday morning soon too, flying from Purton to Nationwide House 5 days a week is getting a bit boring now.

Very bling !!

Are the changing rooms at NH still hotter than the sun or have they managed to find the thermostat ?

The new machine has arrived 8)

Going to pop out later and scope out some shoes and pedals so I can get out on it properly, but had a quick blast around the block with my flats on it earlier and loved it.

Excellent stuff - good times ahead !

Good stuff! Just remember from experience, pretty ladies, clipless pedals and traffic lights often end in disaster!  :D :D

If you are ever in Lancashire/Cumbria and fancy some proper hills give me a shout.... I will be the one labouring....

Seconded  ;D

I attempted the round the IOW ride on Saturday - had to abandon as the weather really closed in and it was really nasty/dangerous on some exposed roads. Fuck me the IOW is very hilly.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/360470136

It's going to take a while for me to get used to the compact gearing after spending years on a mountain bike. Although the weight difference should help. Being the geek that I am I weighed it earlier at 8.4kg (including the heavy flat pedals). That's a 5kg saving over my MTB!

Thats quite a saving. At least you are going the right way, going Road to MTB must be a bitch

Took a trip to Origin this afternoon only to find they were shut  ::) So much for using a LBS.

That looks very sweet.....

Does any of the other MAMILS out there fancy a TEF mini league for the vuelta on velogames, if so I will set up a mini league but don't want to be William no mates...

Go on then.

League code is 21220428

I hate this thread.

I hate it because I am so envious. I love cycling but it just isn't practical in this stinking great congested, polluted, humid city.

I hope you all get punctures tomorrow.

Didn't think that Swindon had got that bad...  ;)

Done.

I'm in.

Yet there are 9 million cycles in Bejing, another overcrowded polluted humid city. :D

Have to say, I'd have thought cycling would be the ideal vehicle for such a place..as long as you wear a mask. but I know fuck all about Bangkok, so won't comment.

The traffic is way to dangerous, I'd probably hyperventilate if wearing a mask when exercising and arriving at your destination drenched in sweat makes it impractical as a means of transport.

http://travel.cnn.com/bangkok/play/cycling-bangkok-not-just-insane-266276

Yeah, right.

A couple of locations that might be suitable for biking. What you need to take into account is that you need to get there first.


Somebody writes an article trying to promote cycling in Bangkok and they need to include an example that 'isn't the perfect place to ride a bike'. Hardly a ringing endorsement.

I happen to actually live here Reg and don't need an article to tell me how it is here. Even walking is too much depending on the distance. Every cunt just jumps in a taxi, bus or motorbike as the climate is just not suitable.

Plus, and putting aside the dangers and the climate, riding around the city just would not be at all enjoyable.

 Fair enough...there's no way, I'd go out on Swindon's roads...but fortunately there's a decent network of tracks and other off road oportunities.

There's no way I'd ride a bicycle in Bangkok, the cars and motorbikes are dangerous enough there!

To anyone interested Merlin have some shimano offers on this weekend.

Cheers - good one

Shoes came this morning \:)/

Spent half an hour out in the garden practicing clipping in and out. Just about got the hang of it, going to pop out later for a proper spin. Twisting my heel out to unclip seems to have aggravated an old ankle injury slightly, but think it's going to be a case of just MTFU and deal with it.

You have to change your thinking processing from stop-brake to stop-unclip/brake.
The worse thing you can do is panic when you realise you haven't unclipped. Either keep going if possible or get alongside a car to lean on. Always have a favourite side to unclip, most people's is left and its away from traffic, but mine is my stronger right foot. Also, youtube has some cleat set up guides- I'd advise to watch and do as to avoid toe numbness and hotspots. Apart from that - Enjoy !

Injuring yourself trying on a pair of shoes.

Only on the TEF

Not exactly, but thanks for your concern David.

Going to open a book on when the first time that you stop at traffic lights forgetting to unclip will be :)

Nearly did it at the first junction at the end of my road :D

Can't be all that unfit - managed some top 50s on Strava on my first time out.

Trust me it will involve a pretty lady in a car smiling at him at the wrong time.

or the little boy next door asking why you fell off your bike (technically I was still on my bike)  ;D

Hubs came today, look damn nice.

Heat in the changing rooms changes seemingly at random. Some days it can be quite cool in there, then the next, roasting. The locker room/ hanging rails situation is a disaster now though. If you don't have a locker, which is a vast majority. All there is to use is two 1 meter long rails to hang stuff on. No space to let stuff dry, going to be awful when the weather starts turning shite. I'll be hanging my soaking bib shorts from the stairs in protest until they give us some decent space again.


You'll be surprised how soon you get completely used to having to unclip every time you stop. One thing I will say, when the day does finally come when you get your foot stuck, like someone has already said, don't panic, even when you're about to hit the deck. The trick is to fall off as nonchalantly as possible, as if its all part of the plan to onlookers. You'll know when you're about to go down, just accept it and you'll be fine. It's only happened to me once, luckily in the dark, but infront of a queue of traffic. I knew I was going down and just went with it, no point making a song and dance about it on the way down. Didn't hurt at all surprisingly. I think it's like what they teach you about falling when skiing, if you tense up, you've got more chance of doing damage to yourself than being loose. Plus you look like an even bigger twat panicking, furiously tugging at the pedal to no avail as you flop off.

These days I just try and track stand to avoid fucking about with unclipping.

Oh so tempted......http://www.mtbe.co.uk/bianchi-c2c-via-nirone-t40151.html

Get it for nearer £400 and it'd be a great deal. New bar tape, white seat post and that'd look great.

As Sam said. You are paying for the frame and not equipment. The upgrade potential is huge though.

it really it mental. the towel racks won't allow anything to dry and they're squished together.

lycra is acceptable to go to meetings in right?

Christ, I'm not even thinking of buying it.....not a hope in hell of that deal passing scrutiny.....just saw it and thought 'bike porn'

Spectacularly embarrassing fail this morning.

Bought a new track pump during the week and thought I'd check the pressures and put a bit of air in the tyres before I went out today. First foray with presta valves - cue pump head emptying all air from the tyres and then refusing to lock onto the valve meaning I couldn't pump them back up :doh: Grabbed my hand pump but that was as equally inept at the job.

Rather sheepishly wheeled the bike to the LBS where they kindly pumped them back up for me and I invested in a much better pump. Very good job that I did because I suffered my first puncture about 8 miles into my ride and that would've been a very bad time to find out that my pump was useless.

It happens to us all. Did you get a Joe Blow ?

I cycled a section of the south downs way on Wednesday - got a puncture after 30 miles and was in the middle of a field in the blazing sun. In my haste I managed to completely miss the hole with the patch.  Managed to get to a pub so I could sort it out properly. Every cloud............

Don't know what that is but it sounds like something I want.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/?s=joe+blow

No, a Spesh hand pump. Nice and narrow meaning it fits well under the bottle cage plus it made short work of getting the tube up to decent pressure.

Going to return the track pump (was only one of the Lidl specials) and invest in a better one.

can recommend the JBs, I've had mine years.

Same here plus a little spesch one under bottle cage and co2 blower.

Are CO2's any good. When I reflated my MTB tyre the other day I popped into a garage to check it and it was only 50% inflated. I was wondering if a co2 pump would be better ?

Touching every piece of wood to hand I have never used mine,  but don't think I could get close to 100psi with the little pump I carry.

Have used a mates and worked really well got road tyre up to proper pressure no worry,  main problem is not blowing the tube up!

I need to replace my rear mech on my MTB and I am being offered the option of short cage or long cage.

My understanding that as I am running a triple at the front and 8 at the back I'll need a long cage ??

Any views ?

this is good
http://forums.mtbr.com/drivetrain-shifters-derailleurs-cranks/when-use-long-cage-vs-short-cage-derailleur-205890.html

Cheers, That is very detailled !

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/23936407

Bit of a bolt out of the blue, but chapeau to Fernando Alonso.

I heard this, when watching the Vuelta...well pleased, I'm hoping it stays as Euskaltel....despite being moved to Asturias.

What I've always liked most about Euskaltel...is they seem to compete, without necessarily always winning, but representing the region is the main thing, and so developing young cyclists.

Am thinking about cycling to work from Calne to Devizes, but the road from blacklands to the golf club concerns me (hilly, narrow and some nasty blind bends). Anyone ridden that route before?

Absolutely love my CO2 pump.
(But I do get the CO2 cylinders from work for free)

How come ?

I'd like to think so....think people staring at my package as I wonder about the office might get a bit uncomfortable though. Although a few of my jerseys are probably nicer than my shirts.


With the co2 pumps, they're great, but don't rely on them as a sole means of pumping up tyres. In my experience, and I think it's backed up scientifically, tyres don't stay at a high pressure for long compared to your standard air. Something to do with the pure co2 being 'thinner', so can leak through tiny gaps easier or quicker than standard air.

I've noticed my tyres going a little soft after pumping them up with a co2 canister to 100psi or so, within a couple of days. Using a standard track pump, I haven't needed to give my tyres a pump for about 2 weeks, after about 75 miles a week.

I'd be more worried about the 361...you can avoid that by going through Roundway...but it's a steep bugger hill out of there. Only done the the track up to the golf club from there...but the tracks to Heddington and Stockley might provide an alternative.

Enjoying the vuelta despite only local interest being Nicolas Roche. I was actually shouting Tony Martin to the line after his 170k time trial. Extraodinary.

That was agonisingly awesome, we're told that a lone rider just can't go out and ride away from the peloton for any great length, Martin nearly did it...I was gutted he got caught with about 3 metres to go after 170 in front.

Nothing against Roche, but regard Irishmen as being just like any other European. My interest is now with Chris Horner...nearly 42 and won that stage up yesterday's wall...being a yank, you have to wonder if he's clean, hopefully so, because it's good to see the likes of him and Jens still going.

Martin vs. Wiggins at the TT World Champs later this month should be interesting.

Martin is obviously back to form after a poor TdF and Wiggins stuffed (an admittedly poor) Cancellara by nearly a minute in the TT stage at the Tour of Poland.

Cancellara has looked good so far in the Vuelta, doing massive turns on the front up the climbs.  I've no idea what the course is like for the Worlds, and whether it might suit some more than others.

Pan flat.

Prime for Martin to get that 58T chainring on again.

Off road I'd go stockley - heddington - over roundway.

58T - ouch, my knees hurt at the thought

There's about a 500m gap between metalled surfaces back of Oliver's Castle...there are footpaths connecting so may be OK. A bit circuitous for a daily commute, but a pleasant route get into/out of Devizes along Kand A towpath

Well, well. The Worlds are definitely going to be interesting after today's showing from Cancellara.

I work in the brewing industry and we use in in some dispense systems