Pedal Power Thread

bastic said:
Anyone considered buying replica gear from eBay?
There's plenty castelli gear for fraction off a price of original...tempted...
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The 'Monton' stuff is ok for the shirts, nothing fancy, no posh fabrics or anything, but ok summer kit... The winter stuff is crap -badly cut, iffy fabrics, just a waste if space, and the shorts/longs are worse.

I bought a couple of sets last year while I was dieting and losing weight so quickly I was the next size down before I'd got enough wear out of em to make buying the real stuff worthwhile... Now, I've stabilised a bit and it's worth buying proper kit... Top and bottom, you get what you pay for...

One little tip... If you like castelli stuff, but it's a bit expensive, try the sportful brand... It's made by the same company, in the same factory, same sort of cut and technical materials...
 
cambsno said:
Bought a road bike recently. Went to top up the tyres earlier but the valve is different to my old MTB (which is the same as the wifes and kids bikes). The valve on the road bike seems thinner and longer... not the most technical of help but any ideas what that may be called so i can get a pump that fits!
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The ones with a screw bit on the top are called presta valves... The car type ones are called Schrader, lots of pumps will actually work with both types, usually with a reversible rubber 'Donut' in the direct connection head.
 
TheBigYin said:
The 'Monton' stuff is ok for the shirts, nothing fancy, no posh fabrics or anything, but ok summer kit... The winter stuff is crap -badly cut, iffy fabrics, just a waste if space, and the shorts/longs are worse.

I bought a couple of sets last year while I was dieting and losing weight so quickly I was the next size down before I'd got enough wear out of em to make buying the real stuff worthwhile... Now, I've stabilised a bit and it's worth buying proper kit... Top and bottom, you get what you pay for...

One little tip... If you like castelli stuff, but it's a bit expensive, try the sportful brand... It's made by the same company, in the same factory, same sort of cut and technical materials...
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not as much as I like Castelli - never had anything from them, but stomped upon fake gear while browsing ebay..
thanks for sportful tip, will go and have alook
 
Just taken cycling back up after 2 1/2 years, following my missus having 2 knee replacements in the same knee within 18 months, I did keep cycling but not as much as I used to do, anyway after all that time off I bought her a road bike as its much lighter than her old MTB and she really did surprise me, her first time on a bike, and whats more, her first time on a very light road bike..........she managed 50 miles this weekend, she has impressed me.
No record breaking speeds or distance but definitely going in the right direction.
 
bastic said:
Aldi will be selling their cycling gear from Thursday.
Anyone used them ?
I have heard good opinions but wanted to see if anyone from here used it ?
https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thursday-21st-november/
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got the bike stand from them good quality for the price not sure if it is on offer now

when i went in there was coppers all over the biking gear thought there had been a raid well technically there was they raided the bike gear lol
 
this years bib longs and jacket look to be a step up in quality from last year - at least in terms of the materials - certainly not bad for commuting or short ride stuff I'd say...

All I can say is get there early - last year there was a queue of bikies outside my local store a half-hour before it opened apparently...
 
TheBigYin said:
this years bib longs and jacket look to be a step up in quality from last year - at least in terms of the materials - certainly not bad for commuting or short ride stuff I'd say...

All I can say is get there early - last year there was a queue of bikies outside my local store a half-hour before it opened apparently...
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sounds like taking a day off from work ;)
 
TopBanana said:
Nice :) Wish my company were generous with leave (although I'm getting an extra 3 days next year for 5years service :))
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they gave me 5 extra for same 5 years :)
 
been on a spending spree

661 comp helmet

sixsixone_comp_shifted_full_face_mtb_helmet_2014_red_1.jpg


620mm scandium bar for the boys bike

zm_lge_CC-HR143162.jpg



new shifters etc

1 x Shimano SLX M675 10 Speed Shadow+ Rear Derailleur Long Cage
1 x Shimano SLX 10 Speed Cassette 11-34
1 x Shimano HG74 SLX 10 HGX Speed Chain
1 x Shimano SLX M660 10 Speed Gear Levers
2 x Shimano 10 Speed Chain Pin
 
There are some Pearl Izumi jackets and jerseys on sale - around £60 so good price I think...waiting for some money back and once I get it, will get one...

now lights...any good but not bank breaking lights ? need something for commute in london...
Thanks
 
Spendy, Spendy, Spendy...


CAADX_0-5.jpg by The Big Yin, on Flickr

Excuse the "cyclists garden", Wasihng line, Non-Aligned wheels, tyres, odd positioned cranks, strange gear selection and all the other cardinal sins of bike photography - it was just a full bike "record shot" before going out and getting it dirty. I did manage a couple of detail shots however...


CAADX_0-4.jpg by The Big Yin, on Flickr


CAADX_0-3.jpg by The Big Yin, on Flickr


CAADX_0-2.jpg by The Big Yin, on Flickr


CAADX_0.jpg by The Big Yin, on Flickr


CaadX_1 by The Big Yin, on Flickr

Sad to say, it'll never be that clean again...
 
Not a cyclist but that sure looks a beautiful machine! Disc brakes look wonderful so just hope they stop as good as they look.

Col
 
they're not bad - need a bit of an adjustment still to be honest - but for a roadbike, they're more about modulation, wet weather function, and not wearing the rims out in a single winter, like I've done over the last 2 years...
 
local cemetery has some short single track that's perfect for lewis to get to grips with off road cycling.

lewis with his new helmet
11012779046_6467c7f4ba_c.jpg

not to be outdone I had mine on too. keeps the ears and my bald head nice and warm :D
418d3540546411e38bfa12a09f5eb088_8.jpg
 
I went out for 20 miles this morning. It was seriously cold out for the first 20 minutes or so and I have to admit I did consider writing it off as a stupid idea as I was gradually losing feeling in my face but after another 20 minutes my body temperature had begun sorting itself out and despite definitely being a cold one (1 degree C here) it was a really nice winter's morning to cycle. Dry and sunny with a ground frost and some fog. Beautiful.

I definitely need to invest in some shoe covers though. I'm not a fan of numb toes, and even less of a fan of the feeling when they warm back up!
 
gloves...I need light but good gloves for the weather we have...
any ideas?
 
bastic said:
gloves...I need light but good gloves for the weather we have...
any ideas?
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I bought a pair of 3mm Gul Neoprene gloves from this place... went out for a couple of hours this afternoon and my fingers were warm as toast all ride. They're pretty much on a par with my castelli diluvio's but nearly 1/3 the price...
 
TheBigYin said:
I bought a pair of 3mm Gul Neoprene gloves from this place... went out for a couple of hours this afternoon and my fingers were warm as toast all ride. They're pretty much on a par with my castelli diluvio's but nearly 1/3 the price...
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look like a steal at that price
 
TheBigYin said:
I bought a pair of 3mm Gul Neoprene gloves from this place... went out for a couple of hours this afternoon and my fingers were warm as toast all ride. They're pretty much on a par with my castelli diluvio's but nearly 1/3 the price...
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Thanks
Will give them a go :)

How are they size wise?
Specialized size Mi were fine but some other makes have to be large...
 
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Pearl Izumi stuff is good. I have one of their wind/showerproff jacket jobbies and it is of very good quality, folds up very small too!

Back to the commute today- ultra slow after 2 weeks of no exercise and the high life! 3 days of wine tasting in 2 weeks may be to blame. As well as the piles of tasty food!
 
menthel said:
Pearl Izumi stuff is good. I have one of their wind/showerproff jacket jobbies and it is of very good quality, folds up very small too!

Back to the commute today- ultra slow after 2 weeks of no exercise and the high life! 3 days of wine tasting in 2 weeks may be to blame. As well as the piles of tasty food!
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I havent been on the bike for much...MUCH longer than that....
waiting for final bits and boobs to be delivered this week and with a bit of luck will be on bike this week..
 
managed a half decent distance on the new bike yesterday - have to say, those Sammy Slicks are a bit draggy compared to the road tyres I've been used to all summer...
 
bastic said:
I havent been on the bike for much...MUCH longer than that....
waiting for final bits and boobs to be delivered this week and with a bit of luck will be on bike this week..
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Lol, boobs! ;) Getting back on is the hardest bit I reckon. Did your wrist recover after the off?

TheBigYin said:
managed a half decent distance on the new bike yesterday - have to say, those Sammy Slicks are a bit draggy compared to the road tyres I've been used to all summer...
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If you will insist on buying some sort of funny knobbly bike! ;)
 
Certainly completely windproof and holds up to a good amount of rain before it gets wet, though obviously if you're in a downpour what you're going to need is a hardshell.
 
go try helmets on, decide which one fits properly and is comfortable, buy that, then come back with what budget you've got left and we can suggest something... in other words, don't skimp on a helmet for the sake of a jersey/jacket that it a nice colour :shrug:

I'm not saying spend potfuls of money on the helmet BTW, just make sure you get that right before anything else... you may find that the cheapest in the shop fits better than anything else... alternatively, you may find the only one that is comfortable is £130 :shrug: ... we don't know what shape/size your head is, so we can't recommend specifics.
 
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