Pedal Power Thread

AndyB1976 said:
How do you guys keep cool on the trainer? Floor standing or 'clip-on' fan?
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2 dirty great remote controlled floorstanding fans, and still end up mopping the floor afterwards.

for video's to ride to - have a look at the "sufferfest" - downloadable, burn 'em to a dvd-r or whatever - loud motivational music, real race footage that keeps you interested, all on-screen instructions. Just wish they'd come up with something that linked to the Tacx and controlled the resistance tbh!
 
TriggerHappy said:
CX are definitely the more versatile option, but if versatility is the aim then a mountain bike with locking suspension and a choice of knobbly and slick tyres opens the most doors. Orbeas are lovely bikes though, and the pleasure of riding a proper road bike makes it more than worthwhile if you have no intention of going onto any rough stuff. The only slight disadvantage is how the road bike handles ice because of the narrow, slick tyres, but on London roads that shouldn't be nearly as much of a problem as on country lanes.

For a full mudguard set have a look at this: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/crud-roadracer-mk2-mudguard-set/
It's a fiddly thing to install, but it doesn't require mudguard mounts, can fit on most road bikes and has very long blades to cover more of the wheel. They get rave reviews from most people. I intended to buy a set this winter but instead persevered without any at all. My back and shins get muddy but I don't care too much!

Basically, just go for it :D
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Thanks Jamie - I've ordered it! Hopefully have it within the next two weeks once the C2W is all processed (when it will no doubt be snowing)! I think I knew after I'd taken it for a test ride I was going to get it - I'm not sure if it was the placebo affect but the acceleration seemed out of this world compared to hybrid.

You've now got me thinking about a turbo trainer. There are two options from here. 1, my wife kills me. 2 my wife kills you. Or maybe 3 a bad combo of 1&2. I'll let you know what she decides!

Thanks for the link re the mudguards - I'll have a look once the bike is in my possession.

Also got some MTB SPDs, looking forward to my first fall already!
 
akr said:
Thanks Jamie - I've ordered it! Hopefully have it within the next two weeks once the C2W is all processed (when it will no doubt be snowing)! I think I knew after I'd taken it for a test ride I was going to get it - I'm not sure if it was the placebo affect but the acceleration seemed out of this world compared to hybrid.

You've now got me thinking about a turbo trainer. There are two options from here. 1, my wife kills me. 2 my wife kills you. Or maybe 3 a bad combo of 1&2. I'll let you know what she decides!

Thanks for the link re the mudguards - I'll have a look once the bike is in my possession.

Also got some MTB SPDs, looking forward to my first fall already!
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Get some pictures up for me once it arrives!

I think an indoor trainer is definitely the way to go if you're serious about getting fit and keeping fit. They start around £120 but at that price point they're loud and not particularly road-like.

Unfortunately I can't help you with the wife situation...she's your problem :P

I jumped in at the deep end with clipless pedals and bought a set of speedplay straight away, one tumble onto the tiles in my kitchen the day I got them, 3 on my drive at the end of rides, and an embarrassing one at some roadworks with workmen (not directly caused by the pedals, but the floundering to get up once I was in the mud and nettles was all the pedals!) and I think I've finally got the hang of them (until next time). On the plus side tumbling to the side is basically painless because it happens in an embarrasing slow motion topple that you just can't prevent :D

Because I'm a light rider and the speedplay have a fairly stiff entry it took me 3 days of clipping in and out, wedged between the foot of the bed and the windowsill, to finally loosen them off and break in the clips enough to feel safe on the road. The MTB SPDs are meant to have a much smaller learning curve, though.

The difference between flat pedals and being clipped in is huge. You feel connected to the bike every time you try and put the power down or the road gets a bit bumpy, and you also get none of the pedal skipping under your foot as the chain bites on a new gear which used to drive me spare having to reposition my foot all the time! I'd never go back now.
 
TriggerHappy said:
Get some pictures up for me once it arrives!

I think an indoor trainer is definitely the way to go if you're serious about getting fit and keeping fit. They start around £120 but at that price point they're loud and not particularly road-like.

Unfortunately I can't help you with the wife situation...she's your problem :P

I jumped in at the deep end with clipless pedals and bought a set of speedplay straight away, one tumble onto the tiles in my kitchen the day I got them, 3 on my drive at the end of rides, and an embarrassing one at some roadworks with workmen (not directly caused by the pedals, but the floundering to get up once I was in the mud and nettles was all the pedals!) and I think I've finally got the hang of them (until next time). On the plus side tumbling to the side is basically painless because it happens in an embarrasing slow motion topple that you just can't prevent :D

Because I'm a light rider and the speedplay have a fairly stiff entry it took me 3 days of clipping in and out, wedged between the foot of the bed and the windowsill, to finally loosen them off and break in the clips enough to feel safe on the road. The MTB SPDs are meant to have a much smaller learning curve, though.

The difference between flat pedals and being clipped in is huge. You feel connected to the bike every time you try and put the power down or the road gets a bit bumpy, and you also get none of the pedal skipping under your foot as the chain bites on a new gear which used to drive me spare having to reposition my foot all the time! I'd never go back now.
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Being clipped in does worry me slightly, especially when I get into central London and there are lights every 50 metres so I wanted something easier to unclip - as you say the MTB variant are meant to be easier for this and I can hopefully walk a bit in the shoes.

I will definitely get some pictures up when it arrives! The depressing thing is I cycle or walk pas the shop on my way to \ from work and it's going to kill knowing it's in there!
 
akr said:
Being clipped in does worry me slightly, especially when I get into central London and there are lights every 50 metres so I wanted something easier to unclip - as you say the MTB variant are meant to be easier for this and I can hopefully walk a bit in the shoes.

I will definitely get some pictures up when it arrives! The depressing thing is I cycle or walk pas the shop on my way to \ from work and it's going to kill knowing it's in there!
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The biggest tip I'd give you is to get used to unclipping the same foot every time you slow down to a couple of miles an hour. I do it with my left foot, so my instinct is always to lean my weight slightly to the left side so that even if my foot doesn't come out it means I'm falling left to the kerb rather than right into the road.
 
deffo +1 with the left foot unclipping - I use Shimano Road pedals, and I reckon I go through maybe 3 cleats on the left foot to one on the right, purely because the right foot stays clipped in for the entire ride (unless I have to climb off for a "comfort break", "visitation of the P*n*t*re* Fairy" or Cafe stop)
 
TriggerHappy said:
The biggest tip I'd give you is to get used to unclipping the same foot every time you slow down to a couple of miles an hour. I do it with my left foot, so my instinct is always to lean my weight slightly to the left side so that even if my foot doesn't come out it means I'm falling left to the kerb rather than right into the road.
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Thanks both - that is a great tip - I was slightly concerned about falling into the road as opposed to kerbside. I expect however I'll probably get fellow cyclists left and right who will prop me up as I tumble! :)
 
akr said:
Thanks both - that is a great tip - I was slightly concerned about falling into the road as opposed to kerbside. I expect however I'll probably get fellow cyclists left and right who will prop me up as I tumble! :)
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Or you'll take them all out in a game of cyclist dominos :lol:

You'll be fine though. After a week it'll be 2nd nature and you'll reap the benefits of being clipped in.
 
modern pedals are so much easier to clip in/out of compared to the first generation ones - and in fairness, I still think that even the first generation Look pedals were easier than Toeclips/Straps when in combination with the old-school shoeplates - once you were in those, you really were in them!
 
Learn how to track stand and you'll rarely need to unclip. You'll get used to clipping in after a while anyway...after a fall or 2!
 
Mark, out of interest what's your training routine to have achieved such a big leap in your FTP?
 
TriggerHappy said:
Mark, out of interest what's your training routine to have achieved such a big leap in your FTP?
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Well - it helped that I was starting from being a complete wreck, at least 70kg overweight, and post op. recovery from a knee injury... To be honest, I just followed the plans emailed to me by the physio in charge of my recovery, but the bulk of it was lots and lots of steady z1 and z2 mileage (I covered over 12,000km last year on the bike, and a good 9 of that was "long steady distance", until the physio was sure that my knee could take more "structured" training. Best advice I could give you is find a good trainer let them work out a plan that'll work FOR YOU...
 
I guess you could say I'm into pedal power as I work at BETD Goldtec and I'm the CNC machinist/programmer and I make hubs, axles etc etc so here's some of my bikes - my Turner 5 Spot
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My Merlin Oreas ti hardtail
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My Cove Stiffee
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Going to order a brompton s3l tomorrow! I know it may not be quite the same as the fancy carbon wotsit bikes here but having stolen my wife's bike in Friday it's a blast to ride in London and great for the commute. It will join Charge Scourer which is great for longer rides round town.

Mind you a 3 speed Brompton is quite quick and a bit like riding a bmx when I was a kid!
 
neil_g said:
getting the hot pink one? :D

they always impress me how quick and easy they fold/unfold. bloody expensive though!
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They are very well engineered. Apart from the mudguards! And either blue or a left field orange choice. ;)
 
akr said:
Am about to pull the trigger on my first road bike, an Orbea Aqua 105. Going for last year's model as it's about £300 cheaper than this years, and therefore also within my C2W scheme allowance. Was considering a CaaD 8 Tiagra as well but my local shots don't do them and I would prefer to buy locally.

It is in many ways totally irrational. It's main use will be for commuting (6-7 miles each way), on London roads. I also plan 1-2 triathlons this year but in no way shape or form will I be competing on any sort of decent level (though I hope to beat my brother and brother in law).

I really should be going for a CX bike. The Orbea only goes to 25mm, cannot have full mudguards. The CX makes sense on many levels.

But the Orbea looks nice and feels nice to ride (though not quite used to this odd riding position yet).

Anyone want to talk me out of it \ talk some sense into me? This is definitely a want over need.
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This is exactly the bike I have, I got an ex demo (only actually ever demoed by me) for a am absolute steel. I have to say I've been nothing but impressed by it, lovely bike.
 
Well here's my latest addition to the growing collection of cycling gear.

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It's a Cycleops Jet Fluid Pro. I've only had a quick 20 minute spin on it so I can't say too much but it's lovely and smooth, and quiet enough that I needn't turn the TV up beyond what I usually listen to it on. Please excuse the terrible photo and messy room, it's a very temporary setup!

I think I've already doubled what I initially intended to spend on everything, and a Garmin gps is high on the list of next purchases.
 
Has anyone got any good recommendations for road tyres? Looking to use my bike get fit after winter's pound pile on and won't a good tyre for mainly road use, bike has 26 inch rims.
 
Andy_S_T said:
This is exactly the bike I have, I got an ex demo (only actually ever demoed by me) for a am absolute steel. I have to say I've been nothing but impressed by it, lovely bike.
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Just waiting to be able to go and collect mine, at least it's been snowing which means I probably would not have been out on it yet - would love to get it this weekend but think it will be another week.

Did you upgrade anything on the bike?
 
TriggerHappy said:
Well here's my latest addition to the growing collection of cycling gear.

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It's a Cycleops Jet Fluid Pro. I've only had a quick 20 minute spin on it so I can't say too much but it's lovely and smooth, and quiet enough that I needn't turn the TV up beyond what I usually listen to it on. Please excuse the terrible photo and messy room, it's a very temporary setup!

I think I've already doubled what I initially intended to spend on everything, and a Garmin gps is high on the list of next purchases.
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Is there a hobby in the world that does not lead to virtual bankruptcy. Honestly I thought photography was bad enough, and now I'm just scratching the surface with bikes and the money you can spend is outrageous! :)
 
akr said:
Just waiting to be able to go and collect mine, at least it's been snowing which means I probably would not have been out on it yet - would love to get it this weekend but think it will be another week.

Did you upgrade anything on the bike?
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I've changed the tyres and the brakes. The original tyres weren't that bad, but as the rear was starting to go I replaced them both with continental gp's. I changed the brakes as I had a set of genuine shimano 105 calipers in the garage so swapped them to match. Nothing wrong with the original Orbea ones though.
 
Just completed my first interval session on the new trainer. Only a 30 minute spin but with 5 hard sprints in the middle I can sure feel it in my legs now. I'm absolutely loving the convenience of being able to cycle whenever the mood takes me, and having my hi-fi and TV next to me takes the edge of the suffering I can inflict on myself :D
 
How does it feel on the trainer compared to being on a road? Is it like running on a machine rather than the pavement?
 
TopBanana said:
How does it feel on the trainer compared to being on a road? Is it like running on a machine rather than the pavement?
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That's probably the closest comparison you can make. Resistance wise it feels very nice. The Jet Fluid - like many other fluid trainers - is calibrated so that the speed relative to exertion (aka power-curve) are as similar as possible to being on the road so pedalling feels as it should. The only difference that jumps out beside not having the wind on your face to keep you cool is just how smooth it is. I've never ridden on a road as smooth as the trainer feels, which I suppose is a good thing because you don't have to endure the bumps and vibrations through your hands and bum.
 
Had a trainer, hated it, just boring. No incentive to carry on or do more than you want to do. I just get on my bike and go for a ride.
 
robj20 said:
Had a trainer, hated it, just boring. No incentive to carry on or do more than you want to do. I just get on my bike and go for a ride.
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That's fine, if the roads aren't under 6" of snow (or a couple of feet of water in some cases!) - but it's difficult to keep to a properly structred training program with the weather we've been having, plus last winter I was injured, which meant I couldn't ride outdoors, but could at least ride on the trainer and keep the legs going a little - 2 hour+ "no handsies" on the road or trail are a bit beyond my bike handling skills...
 
The good thing about trainers is that you can do very intense targeted workouts that needn't taken as long as a normal ride because you aren't limited by the terrain around your house and you have no need to hold a little back in reserve to make sure that you can get home. If you're just sitting on a trainer for several hours at a time spinning away then it's going to be boring. If you setup a few different interval workouts to do throughout the week then it's varied and intense enough that it doesn't get boring - just painful - and for 2 or 3 sessions a week you don't need to spend more than 45 minutes on the trainer to get considerable results.
 
I've no doubt the pace and interval work on the TT has helped my riding but its has to be blowin its nuts off, snowing or heavy rain to get me to set up the Trainer....Sufferfest or watching tour highlights always helps relieve boredom...cant beat the open road tho!!

Plus i need a TT tyre and cant be arsed changing one everytime!
 
ian-83 said:
Has anyone got any good recommendations for road tyres? Looking to use my bike get fit after winter's pound pile on and won't a good tyre for mainly road use, bike has 26 inch rims.
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I use Schwalbe Lugano's - £11 a tyre and they've been brilliant...apart from the turbo trainer wearing them down i've had no problems on the road!
 
C2W Voucher has come through, hopefully get the bike tomorrow:)
 
I went out regardless.

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Found the very deep snow days the best, really hard going so a great work out, together with the low grip i thought it really improved my balance.
 
Looks like you had the right tool for the job - not like us on skinny slick tyres!
 
Get a cheap MTB for winter then. There is nothing that can beat going for a long ride then having no choice but to ride all the way home, on a trainer you give in way before you would have outdoors.
 
akr said:
C2W Voucher has come through, hopefully get the bike tomorrow:)
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Got my voucher yesterday morning, and am collecting my bike in the morning :0)
 
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