Pedal Power Thread

If it's basically pro-kit then that'll explain why it costs 20 times more than I paid for my jerseys!
 
TheBigYin said:
Usually it's because the 'bars are lower relative to the saddle height on a roadbike, which tilts the upper body further forward and puts a little more weight onto the hands/arms. If the bike's been properly fitted, the reach and saddle/bar drop should have been optimised for your build and reach, and you will get used to it. sore/numb hands are often due to the "death grip" that riders new to road bars seem to think is essential due to the faster/twitchier steering of a road bike. I'd personally prescribe some decent well fitting mits (ok, given the time of year - gloves) and if that doesn't help - perhaps try something like the Specialized "bar phat" gel insterts that go under the tape. I've one bike that's got oversize ally bars and after 60-70 miles it would get a bit painful, so I added a set of the bar phat gels, and it seemed to cure it. The Dolan doesn't suffer from that, the carbon bars seem to smooth things out much better.
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Thanks to you and trigger. Had thought it was that is just need to get used to it.
 
Aaah! Strava updated without telling me! It all looks funny and kind of sinister in its new black and orange guise!
 
Just seen this thread. Don't have photos of my bike at the moment, though I should considering how long I've had it.

It's a Specialized Rockhopper FS from 1999 in Team Red. I upgraded the wheels in 2000 and brakes in 2001 so the beauty has Mavic 521 DH wheels with XT Hubs and Magura Raceline HS33 brakes.

Lovely stuff.

Currently it serves my 3 mile ride to work and 3 mile back home again.
 
First audax done. Wet, windy and slightly hypothermic at the end but I had a great time!
 
Well it's bye,bye Ridley but also hello Ridley as I've an Icarus sls frame on it's way and hopefully it's the right size(well I checked on Ridleys own chart with my inside leg and height measurements so it should be:suspect:).Will be taking most of the bits off the phaeton and then hopefully selling the frame on.
It was annoying me more and more about the size and I also saw this pic;

IMG_5837-1-620x406.jpg


and it was :love:.Now obviously it won't be to that spec but with a bit of careful buying I can get a close approximation of the look.It may take a while to do but hopefully should be reasonably straight forward.
The only downside is that I will be bikelesss for a while and just as I was doing some regular rides but I suppose it's best to do it now when the weather is closing in than to leave it until next year.
 
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menthel said:
First audax done. Wet, windy and slightly hypothermic at the end but I had a great time!
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Looks nice on Strava :)
Need to get back on bike again...its been long time....
Even if my wrists are still not fully OK.
 
bastic said:
Looks nice on Strava :) Need to get back on bike again...its been long time.... Even if my wrists are still not fully OK.
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It was good fun, despite the weather. A bit hilly but not bad and the camaraderie was great. I can recommend audax!
 
TheBigYin said:
I must start looking into those again... I think I'm up to handling the distance now.
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100km isn't too bad. The problem seems to be that most audax organisers like hills. Lots if them. Usually with a bloody great big one right at the end!
 
that hasn't slipped my attention - lots of the ones around here seem to start on one side of the pennines and cross over to t'other, then come back via another even hillier route...
 
TheBigYin said:
that hasn't slipped my attention - lots of the ones around here seem to start on one side of the pennines and cross over to t'other, then come back via another even hillier route...
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This one had all the hills (apart from the one up out of Hastings) all in the second half. What it did feature was a long leg along the coast with very steep dutch hills and accompanying driving rain. The coast from Hastings along to Winchelsea Beach is very exposed and flat behind so the wind really gets up! Mind you, cycling in that kind of weather and enjoying it (in a strange way) does make me feel better about taking it up as a hobby. Rule #5! ;)
 
Time for the insurance renewal on the bike is coming up, and I thought I'd have a quick look online at the one linked on the CTC website (cyclecover) and for the Dolan and the new Cannondale for 1 year it's £315 !!

Now, I insure a Audi A3 1.8 Quattro fully comp. for about a tenner more than that, frankly, I'm not massively impressed. So - anyone with any recommendations - preferably ones where you've claimed through and it went smoothly - there's no point in saving a tenner a year if they won't pay up if you need 'em...
 
check out M&S house contents has quite good cover on it. just check on bike values
 
Paul_W said:
check out M&S house contents has quite good cover on it. just check on bike values
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I've only just renewed house insurance for the year, but may try em next time... Anyone know what the upper limit of value they'll cover. The other two are only just over a grand so they shouldn't be a problem, but the Sunday best bike may just make em choke a bit... (especially if I'm working on a price to cover next years "summer wheels" - the RS81's C35's are currently calling my name...)
 
TheBigYin said:
Time for the insurance renewal on the bike is coming up, and I thought I'd have a quick look online at the one linked on the CTC website (cyclecover) and for the Dolan and the new Cannondale for 1 year it's £315 !!

Now, I insure a Audi A3 1.8 Quattro fully comp. for about a tenner more than that, frankly, I'm not massively impressed. So - anyone with any recommendations - preferably ones where you've claimed through and it went smoothly - there's no point in saving a tenner a year if they won't pay up if you need 'em...
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How much?
A while back when I was looking on CTC and insurer they offer, it was not bad.
Around £50-60 for carbon Ribble in London.

Way cheaper then my previous cycle guard
 
Went for a pootle round Richmond Park but legs felt dead. Not been on the bike since the Audax at the weekend and I think this shows me that I just have to keep the legs turning over.

Also, the weather is a pain in the arse. I was too hot in my bib knickers, ss base and ls torm top. Needed something a little cooler on.
 
Is there anywhere that sells protective clothing for the more rotund? My dad needs something that is suitable for a pensioner with a pork pie gut. Most of the racing protection systems are designed for the svelte. A compression top might be good but I can't see how they'd have room for a gut unless it squeezes around the back and turns into a hump and back protector...

I was looking at one of the chest protectors but that won't protect a shoulder (he's just dislocated his falling off this week) so he could do with something that would protect hips, arms and shoulders more than anything else.

Over weight pensioners don't seem the natural cycling customer so it's quite difficult to find anything that he would go out in or even fit in...

Looks like someone else saw the gap in the market and there now is a brand called Fat Lad at the Back.. http://fatladattheback.com/
 
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menthel said:
Went for a pootle round Richmond Park but legs felt dead. Not been on the bike since the Audax at the weekend and I think this shows me that I just have to keep the legs turning over.

Also, the weather is a pain in the arse. I was too hot in my bib knickers, ss base and ls torm top. Needed something a little cooler on.
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I have just put a pair of compression tights on under bib shorts, been good for cycling home late at night after work.
 
Well the new bike arrived:
http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m117b158s862p8095/SARACEN_Hack_2_Cyclocross_Urban_Bike_2013
Can't knock it as over £300 cheaper than other places. Had mudguards fitted by the shop but think will have to swap the front one as when I turn the bars, the mudguard hits my foot (not ideal).
Got one of those hornit bike horns, not the best sound but 140db and got to try it out earlier when some Jeremy Kyle fans decided to walk out in front of me (they even saw me but couldn't wait 2 seconds) obviously the McDonald's was getting cold. Anyway made them move a bit quicker across the road :-)
 
Who here cycles to work? I wonder if you could answer a question for me...how long does it take you from arriving at work to be sat at your desk ready to go?

Currently I walk to work which takes 15 minutes, which is hardly a big commute, but I quite like the idea of being able to hop on my bike and getting there a bit faster. Now I think I'll be able to cycle from door to door in 5-7 minutes when considering the cycle paths, traffic lights etc. but I'll have to wear one thing to cycle in and have my smart clothes to change into when I arrive. I don't imagine I'll be working up a sweat so a shower won't be necessary, but I will have to go by bike in all weathers so I might have to towel down my hair/face etc.

A big part of it is just the fact I really want a cyclocross bike for when the weather isn't quite so nice :D

I also crashed last weekend, but that's a whole other story!
 
TriggerHappy said:
Who here cycles to work? I wonder if you could answer a question for me...how long does it take you from arriving at work to be sat at your desk ready to go?

Currently I walk to work which takes 15 minutes, which is hardly a big commute, but I quite like the idea of being able to hop on my bike and getting there a bit faster. Now I think I'll be able to cycle from door to door in 5-7 minutes when considering the cycle paths, traffic lights etc. but I'll have to wear one thing to cycle in and have my smart clothes to change into when I arrive. I don't imagine I'll be working up a sweat so a shower won't be necessary, but I will have to go by bike in all weathers so I might have to towel down my hair/face etc.

A big part of it is just the fact I really want a cyclocross bike for when the weather isn't quite so nice :D

I also crashed last weekend, but that's a whole other story!
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Jim (Menthel) does so will no doubt be along soon.

I do but it takes me 30-35 mins to cycle in so I need a shower after.

I tend to leave my shoes at work, and my routine is get to office>leave bike inside>collect shoes>walk to gym 5 mins>shower and change 10-15 mins>walk back>5 mins so effectively around 20 mins for me.

I take all my clothes to get changed into in a backpack, however I am considering going in one day with everything for the week as I would love to be able to cycle without a backpack, much more enjoyable.
 
I commute to work by bike.
I do 4 miles in 13 mins on a mountain bike with road tyres.
I normally get to work by 6.45am and I'm swiped in and at my desk for a 7am start.
I like my shower in the morning but for me it's pointless doing it before I get to work as I work up a real sweat on my commute.
 
TriggerHappy said:
Who here cycles to work? I wonder if you could answer a question for me...how long does it take you from arriving at work to be sat at your desk ready to go?

Currently I walk to work which takes 15 minutes, which is hardly a big commute, but I quite like the idea of being able to hop on my bike and getting there a bit faster. Now I think I'll be able to cycle from door to door in 5-7 minutes when considering the cycle paths, traffic lights etc. but I'll have to wear one thing to cycle in and have my smart clothes to change into when I arrive. I don't imagine I'll be working up a sweat so a shower won't be necessary, but I will have to go by bike in all weathers so I might have to towel down my hair/face etc.

A big part of it is just the fact I really want a cyclocross bike for when the weather isn't quite so nice :D

I also crashed last weekend, but that's a whole other story!
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akr said:
Jim (Menthel) does so will no doubt be along soon.

I do but it takes me 30-35 mins to cycle in so I need a shower after.

I tend to leave my shoes at work, and my routine is get to office>leave bike inside>collect shoes>walk to gym 5 mins>shower and change 10-15 mins>walk back>5 mins so effectively around 20 mins for me.

I take all my clothes to get changed into in a backpack, however I am considering going in one day with everything for the week as I would love to be able to cycle without a backpack, much more enjoyable.
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Will I? ;)

I cycle 9 miles each way and I do so come rain or shine. I don't shower at work (I do so before at home) and no one has complained I smell yet. I am usually up and running after about 5 minutes of getting in. I would imagine with the length of your cycle a shower won't be a problem.

I bring my clothes in for the day in a backpack too but if I were more organised I would bring in a weeks worth and then not backpack it on the intervening days.

As for a cyclocross bike unless you are really offroading I don't think you need one. I really don't understand this CX as commuter thing at the moment. The roads are not great but they are hardly something that a decent tyre width and pressure on a road bike won't cope with!
 
All very interesting, thanks guys!

This leads us to our next question...which cross bike for £6-800? Ideally with disc brakes.
 
menthel said:
Will I? ;)
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Yes! ;)

menthel said:
I cycle 9 miles each way and I do so come rain or shine. I don't shower at work (I do so before at home) and no one has complained I smell yet.
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As someone who has officially had to speak to two people in my office about 'odour issues' after complaints from staff I am glad you don't work where I do, or do you? :suspect: :D
 
akr said:
Yes! ;)



As someone who has officially had to speak to two people in my office about 'odour issues' after complaints from staff I am glad you don't work where I do, or do you? :suspect: :D
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You may never know...

That and the can of deodorant I have at work! ;)
 
akr said:
Yes! ;)



As someone who has officially had to speak to two people in my office about 'odour issues' after complaints from staff I am glad you don't work where I do, or do you? :suspect: :D
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Back in the nineties I used to do 30 miles each way to work three times a week, and I definitely needed a shower after that (both before starting work and after getting home). The shower after the morning ride was one of the most enjoyable things about my working day.
It all depends on where you work though, and whether or not a pace has a shower, because at one place I used to have a "basin wash", which must have alarmed a few people using the loos.
 
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