Cycling

[fuzzy]

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 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  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.

[Samdy Gray]

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.

[fuzzy]

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 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

[4D]

My chain has started jumping between gears, any tips?

[Samdy Gray]

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

[pauld]

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.

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

[Samdy Gray]

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

[Samdy Gray]

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

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

[4D]

Thanks

[Batch]

My chain has started jumping between gears, any tips?

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....

[fuzzy]

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.

[4D]

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

[fuzzy]

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 web site.

[horlock07]

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 web site.

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

[Bewster]

I recently took delivery of a new bike a Wilier Izoard XP Ultegra which is a) stiffer than my Cannondale, b) has better wheels than my 'Dale and c) has a compact chainset.

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