Forum Replies Created
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I investigated the whole
I investigated the whole compact/triple ‘business’ when I bought a road bike and boy were there some megabytes of data on it. Opted for a compact in the end but where I live is pretty hilly so I’m occasionally out of the saddle. I was recently in the Vosges and Swiss Alps and triples were EVERYWHERE! Granted it’s a bit more ‘hilly’ but they were being ridden by ‘wiry’ locals who looked like they spent most of their spare time riding bikes. I remember a Dutch couple burning past me on a Cat 1 climb; I was in my lowest gear and they still had a few more to play with. I went into a local bike shop and was admiring a row of Orbea bikes (incl carbon); all fitted with triples and not a compact in sight. A friend of mine who has done the Etape and Marmotte said that he’d wished he’d had a triple on the final climbs. Not sure it matters what you’re riding but nothing beats overtaking someone on a hill riding a more expensive bike than yours.I use a Vaude pannier that
I use a Vaude pannier that converts into a rucksack when you’re off the bike. Lots of ‘slots’/sections for things and I think they do different sizes. Very sturdy and has a waterproof cover. I came off last year and the bike skidded across the road on top of the bag; not even minor damage. I think Altura have produced something similar. If you want holdall style panniers, then Ortliebs are the only option. Totally waterproof and ‘bombproof’. Mine are 15 years old and still going strong. I’ve seen some pretty stylish and functional Brooks panniers as well, but at a price! Panniers are the way to go and, contrary to some opinion, don’t slow you down. I’m sure it’s just ‘image’ for some people who can’t bear to look like a ‘shopper’.Have 2 bikes (road and
Have 2 bikes (road and hybrid), or perhaps one CX bike as a compromise. I have an old hybrid with mudguards, rack etc and a road bike. The road bike is for sportives, fitness and a bit of dry summer commuting. Winter, rain etc; out comes the hybrid. I have a 17 mile commute and after logging stacks of rides on both the hybrid and road bike, the difference between the average times is only 10 min. The middle section of the ride has minimal stops (lights, traffic etc) and that’s where the road bike makes up the time over the hybrid. If it was half the distance, or there were stopping points throughout the whole ride, there wouldn’t be much in it (bit of ‘tortoise and hare’). I’ve often thought about changing the hybrid for a CX bike but by the time you’ve added mudguards, rack and a D lock, it isn’t going to save a significant time over the hybrid and, being a new bike, will be more ‘nickable’.Short bits of chain trimmed
Short bits of chain trimmed off new ones to get them to the right length. A stack of spare brake blocks as a result of thinking I’d go through them at a rate of knots when riding in the Alps.I reckon the Genesis will be
I reckon the Genesis will be ‘ace’. I have an Equilibrium 20 (non-disc) and have been very happy with my choice. Clearance for mudguards is very handy for the winter and they don’t slow you down.iPad?…assume you meant
iPad?…assume you meant iPhone? Suppose you could fashion a way of putting an iPad on top of a Bar Bag, possibly one with a map pocket on it but then you may not be able to work the screen. iPhone works well with the Viewranger App, although if you keep looking at the screen it’ll burn up the battery in no time. Some good forum topics on maximising battery life, as well as use of Garmins. As far as I know the Wahoo computer just has speed, dist etc, but a display that has turn by turn navigation (and possibly maps?) can’t be that far away (smartphone doing the tracking/nav).2010 – motorist was jailed
2010 – motorist was jailed for life after chasing after a cyclist, who clipped his wing mirror, and deliberately killing him by running his car into him. My rule is if you have an argument with a driver, always have an escape route, even if it means a massive detour from your route or even stopping for a while. To some motorists a quick ‘side-swipe’ or ‘brake check’ is perfectly OK.Got to get this one off my
Got to get this one off my chest. To the complete Darwinian f#ckwit who was cycling on the A368 in Somerset last night (opp direction to me) at 2115 in dark clothes, no helmet, no lights, reflectors, nothing!…barely visible. WTF do you think you were playing at! Like me, every motorist who saw you (at about 2 car lengths!) must have said WTF!! and non-cyclists would have had ‘zero sympathy’ for reports of cyclists who get ‘totalled’ on the roads. Highly likely he’s never heard of this forum anyway.Al__S wrote:It’s quackery,
It’s quackery, pure and simple. Even supposedly “scientific” Garmin-Sharp employ a chiropractor. So much quackery and magical thinking going on.
Many years ago I suffered dreadfully with a slipped disc. The medics solution of physio and mind blowing painkillers didn’t do much, but a Chiropractor sorted me out. I still go 3 times a year for ‘maintenance’. On one of my recent visits I had a stiff neck that just wouldn’t go away. Chiro sorted it out. Works for some.Sorry I’m not a racer, but
Sorry I’m not a racer, but I’d say it’s a speed that you’re comfortable with and able to react to whatever situation you may encounter in the descent. Chris Boardman made a good comment on the ITV4 TdF coverage in that one thing he missed about being a pro was closed roads for a descent; not a luxury the rest of us enjoy! I’ve had plenty of ‘reality check’ moments (cars, gravel etc) from times where I’ve been tempted to throw caution to the wind and there are more than enough sad stories of people who have killed themselves on descents.Shades wrote:The ‘occasional’
The ‘occasional’ summer cyclists; kind of entertaining in a scary sort of way :O . Only a few more weeks and they’ll be hibernating again.In addition, I also notice a lot of ‘hardcore’ cyclists on my commuter route that seem to disappear once the darkness sets in. Perhaps they ‘retreat’ to indoor training and fair weather weekend riding.
The ‘occasional’ summer
The ‘occasional’ summer cyclists; kind of entertaining in a scary sort of way :O . Only a few more weeks and they’ll be hibernating again.Check out Genesis (steel
Check out Genesis (steel frame/carbon fork) who have quite a lot in your price range, including disc brakes on some models. I have an Equilibrium 20 (105 spec) and a random LBS (not the one I got it from) described it as the best all round bike for UK roads. Clearance for mudguards and you can put a rack on it as well. ‘Bounces’ over all the bumpy Brit roads we have to put up with. Steel isn’t slow either; you’ll be flying uphill past some ‘chubber’ on his £2500 (or more) carbon dream machine!Sheer bloody mindedness and
Sheer bloody mindedness and the ability to suffer. Also convince yourself that something awful will happen in your life if you climb off. I often wear my Alp d’Huez top, which would mean untold amounts of shame if I baled out!For short stops I use a thin
For short stops I use a thin cable (combination lock) ‘cafe lock’. Easily fits in a pocket or seat pack. If I’m stopping for longer and the bike’s out of sight, with a greater risk of theft, I’ve devised a way of carrying a mini U lock (Abus or Kryptonite do them). I use one of the strap-on (through the seat rails) seat packs, wedge the shackle between the seat and the pack, with the barrel in the seat pack. I put the U lock through the spokes and one of the seat stays (works OK with the average town bike stand); cafe lock to stop someone taking off the front wheel. I recently had a short ride back from a pub and, to save time, just shoved the shackle in a jersey pocket. Didn’t really notice it as much as I thought. The U lock is a bit of weight, but then rather that than having the bike nicked.
