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Recent comments

Reply to: TRP Hy/Rd mechanical interface hydraulic disc brakes 1 hour 33 min ago
I too am getting a set and

I too am getting a set and wondering about the long lever throw. Does anyone know if adding the shims (5 or 10mm)on my Ultegra shifters would help with this? Thanks
Reply to: Team Raleigh's Alexandre Blain stripped of Granfondo Milan Sanremo win - because he's a pro 1 hour 52 min ago
Nope, checked the rules, you

Nope, checked the rules, you need to be an FCI member or if from abroad a member of a national fed recognised by UCI (or failing that, take a day membership of FCI).

Sorry Lance
Reply to: Team Raleigh's Alexandre Blain stripped of Granfondo Milan Sanremo win - because he's a pro 2 hours 6 min ago
Yeah that sounds about right.

Yeah that sounds about right. So in theory, if Lance wasn't banned from almost everything, now he doesn't hold a pro license, could he race these kind of things as an amateur?
Reply to: Tour de France game - Pick three Frenchmen 2 hours 56 min ago
Sammy Windmill - 16 Nicolas

Sammy Windmill - 16
Nicolas Edet - 13.8
Sebastian Turgot - 17.1
Reply to: FS: Garmin Edge 500 3 hours 15 min ago
... and still available.

... and still available.
Reply to: Scotland's oldest cyclist hangs up his wheels - at 96! 3 hours 20 min ago
What a remarkable bloke.

What a remarkable bloke. Chapeau
Reply to: So did anyone else do the Vatternrundan in Sweden at the weekend? 3 hours 20 min ago
Good effort, that's a good

Good effort, that's a good weekend from Denmark! Glad you had a good ride. It was rather windy at out start, and all the way around, in our favour after 120km though.
Reply to: Dead keen newbie seeking sensible advice...or kick up the backside 3 hours 24 min ago
going to giant store

going to giant store tomorrow...tcr looks great!
Reply to: Building up a frame/Canyon seen on ebay 3 hours 30 min ago
So that Canyon frame went for

So that Canyon frame went for £571 (not to me.) This would make a very cheap build up of a nice bike. Thanks for the advise, I guess if I went for the frame route I would just have to put the time and money into getting the right BB tools and size and it should still be a lot cheaper than a whole new bike. I will keep looking.
Reply to: Dead keen newbie seeking sensible advice...or kick up the backside 3 hours 30 min ago
Simon E wrote:Carbon isn't

Simon E wrote:
Carbon isn't always better than aluminium but Giant are probably the best at building great carbon frames inexpensively.

If you really like the Defy and CAAD 8 then don't look any further, they are both superb bikes. Just toss a coin. If it lands 'wrongly' then you know which one you really wanted all along.

Though the money left over from the Cannondale gives you scope to get SPD shoes, nice bibshorts and a few other goodies...

If you're a new convert you'll need some comfy padded shorts. At the budget end I find Lusso great VFM, though the choice is vast. You don't have to spend a packet but comfy clothing does help on longer rides.

cheers simon good advice...
Reply to: Team Raleigh's Alexandre Blain stripped of Granfondo Milan Sanremo win - because he's a pro 3 hours 32 min ago
Good spot, I imagine it's the

Good spot, I imagine it's the same... though his last listed pro year is 2006 here. He'd be 34 now:

http://www.museociclismo.it/content/ciclisti/ciclista/32321-Gianmario-RO...
Reply to: Dead keen newbie seeking sensible advice...or kick up the backside 3 hours 33 min ago
Thanks Colin, good advice. I

Thanks Colin, good advice. I also know that in a years/two ill wish i went all out rather than buying and selling/loosing money/time hassle.

I dont think I need to over egg my pudding to Ultegra/Dura ace- my enthusiasms writing's cheques my ability cant cash, so would be very happy with 105/SRAM, which personally i thought was very good.

Much appreciated advice though...
Reply to: Dead keen newbie seeking sensible advice...or kick up the backside 3 hours 38 min ago
Al'76 wrote:Let's complicate

Al'76 wrote:
Let's complicate the issue just a little further http://road.cc/content/review/79975-giant-tcr-sl-2-2013
You're at that price point where you'll either get a good alloy frame and decent finishing kit or mediocre carbon. That said, if you can do £1,500 you could do much worse than http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-sp...
At the risk of asking the obvious, if you're a newbie, have you factored in the cost of helmet, glasses, jersey, bibs, socks, shoes, pedals, cages, bottles, multi-tool etc.?

Thanks Al76- i think its just made my confusion worse. I already have some kit from my MTB so literally just want to blow the cash on a bike-all the bits and bobs i can change as & when. Ive got a helmet, glasses & bottle so that will have to do for now.

From what Ive read Cannondale know how to make a great alu frame, Giant appear to be one of the better brands to look at with a "cheaper" carbon. I live near a Giant store so may well head back for a ride on the TCR- the Spesh I wasnt so keen on.

I did also try the Merdia Scultura comp 903 @ £1500- that went like a rocket...
Reply to: Team Raleigh's Alexandre Blain stripped of Granfondo Milan Sanremo win - because he's a pro 3 hours 41 min ago
If its the same Rovaletti,

If its the same Rovaletti, does he not hold a pro license anymore? He used to race pro around 2004ish with Ceramica
Reply to: Tips on 4th cat road racing 3 hours 42 min ago
I do the Litherland circuit

I do the Litherland circuit races up here on a £300 roadie, I notice the extra weight coming out of the hair pin, but other than that if you can do that pace you'll most likely keep up with a Cat 4 race. If it's anything like the one I do, group riding won't matter that much, it strings out into a single pace line, so you only have to follow a wheel. But other than that get stuck in, get points, and move up (It seems points are easier to come by in a circuit race than a traditional road race)
Reply to: Geraint Thomas says he's in top shape to support Chris Froome's Tour de France challenge 3 hours 51 min ago
iamelectron wrote:Can't wait

iamelectron wrote:
Can't wait to see Froome fail at the Tour (he will fail) and Brailsford forced to backtrack re Wiggins.

Blimey, what's he done to you - steal your girlfriend?

Obviously all the journalists and online betting sites are barking up the wrong tree with this loser. And Contador has got it wrong too, saying since late 2012 that Froome is his biggest threat. Doesn't know his bike racing, does he. Idiot.

All these people that have kicked Froomey's arse in time trials - who are they?

But Rodriguez, now much as I love him... time trialling with Froomey? Yeah, right.
Reply to: Tour de France game - Pick three Frenchmen 3 hours 54 min ago
Jean-Christophe Peraud Tony

Jean-Christophe Peraud
Tony Gallopin
Christophe Le Mevel

merci beaucoup
Reply to: Garmin to launch Edge Touring GPS computer 3 hours 56 min ago
mike_ibcyclist wrote:The

mike_ibcyclist wrote:
The battery obsession in the comments is funny. Welcome to the 21st century.

If its going to be for TOURING. It needs to be able to run from every day battery's.

You cannot just rock up somewhere, pitch your tent and plug into electric to charge things....
Reply to: planet x tubulars 4 hours 1 min ago
Sprinter Gatorskins on my PX

Sprinter Gatorskins on my PX wheels are indeed 22mm, so yes, would appear narrower than the 23mm I run on my clincher wheels.

However (and this is actually quite important), tubulars generally roll better than equivalent width clinchers and are more comfortable (despite higher pressures). I run mine somewhere around 100-120psi and they are super comfortable - better than any other tyre/wheel combination I own.

That said, you can also get 25mm gatorskins.

I will admit that gluing the tubs initially was a complex procedure to do right (despite a lot of research first) and it took a number of days to go from having bought the tyres to having them mounted on the wheels! But having learned a few tricks, I'll do it quicker next time...
Reply to: Bike food - recipies? 4 hours 8 min ago
farrell wrote:Pedals

farrell wrote:
Pedals wrote:
The saxo bank team chef brings out a book tomorrow to, the grand tour cookbook, will be popping in to my local book store see what food delights that holds!

Do you reckon he'll have the balls to put a steak recipe in?
Reply to: Video: Mike Cotty's 300-mile training ride 4 hours 11 min ago
fred22 wrote:Mike, are you a

fred22 wrote:
Mike, are you a vegan?

Hi Fred, I'm not a vegan. Why do you ask? MC
Reply to: Geraint Thomas says he's in top shape to support Chris Froome's Tour de France challenge 4 hours 18 min ago
Can't wait to see Froome fail

Can't wait to see Froome fail at the Tour (he will fail) and Brailsford forced to backtrack re Wiggins. The Sky Train is no longer a force and Froome's TT is more than beatable. J Rod, Bertie and Evans on the podium - not fussed at the order.
Reply to: Bike food - recipies? 4 hours 19 min ago
Sorren Malt Loaf - It's

Sorren Malt Loaf - It's amazing. I use it on every ride!
Reply to: Introducing the world's first carbon-fibre balance bike 4 hours 21 min ago
No. No. Oh alright then, I'll

No. No. Oh alright then, I'll bite...

David Portland wrote:

Also, what on earth is this dribble from the "Technology" page?

Borrowing the beauty of classic bicycles, the Petitpierre running bike’s natural style is unmistakable. In an interplay of opposites – acute angles and long, delicate curves – the elements harmoniously join together to achieve timeless exclusivity. Light is softly broken by clearly-defined angles, encircling the design in a display of elegance.

Good Lord.
Reply to: Dead keen newbie seeking sensible advice...or kick up the backside 4 hours 25 min ago
abudhabiChris wrote:Advice

abudhabiChris wrote:
Advice that I've heard newbies appreciate is to choose a bike and then get the one level up.

I think it's arguable about whether the the spec on the CAAD is better - it probably just comes down to Sram v Shimano preference and if you're new then you won't care.

The biggest difference is that the Giant is a carbon frame, and you may find that on longer rides it is more comfortable.

Good advice about the level up. I did that on my bike and haven't had to buy a new one. The thinking is that you will start to envy the things you didn't get, and you end of paying more when you make that next leap.

My GF bought an ALU bike. It road well, but once she got her carbon bike she wished she hadn't spent the money on the first - you immediately lose roughly £250-300 just by taking the bike home. If you buy it full price you might find that by the end of a year it's lost more if a sale version can be purchased for even less. So if you think you'll be moving up to another bike in a year or two, you may as well get that bike NOW and not waste the money.

Get the bike pretty much spec'd out if you can afford it. Personally I went for Ultegra rather than 106, Dura Ace is just too expensive for me, and so I don't feel like I have had to add anything to it....except wheels.

If you are happy with 106 (and actually, I think I could have been) then fine, but if you see yourself eying up the next spec, then you will probably look jealously on and sort of wish you'd gone that bit further. Happy spins.