[Other Sport] Cycling geeks

[teaboy]

Build yourself something.

You won't regret it, you'll never need a repair shop again, youtube will teach you, and if all else fails one of us MIGHT be able to help.
Most cycling forums have good second hand parts sections.

This entire rebuild came in at less than £100 with the original wreck being £250.

I'd change the bar tape.... ;-)

 

[1066familyman]

Great stuff, and we'll certainly see you coming!

You know what'll look nice on that...

As it happens I do have a little shopping list for it, but sadly I have to report that handlebar tape isn't on that list at the mo A saddle is though and I'd appreciate any recommendations from anyone for a good comfy one with £50 as my absolute limit.

I'm a little bit embarrassed by the colours as a certain football team immediately sprung to mind, but I can live with it. The spec for the price is what swung me (and the test ride of course) - almost complete Campag Centaur group set, Campag G3 Scirocco wheels, decent ali alloy 7003 frame with carbon forks and seat stays. I'd have never got near that on a new bike with my budget. I did plenty of research on Battaglin too and all reports were good.

My only trouble was that like Bold Seagull, having not ridden a road bike for years I had little to compare the ride to. The minute I sat on this thing it felt like it just wanted to race! I feel every bump in the road now though and it was a bit of a shock riding it home from the station as I had some tasty hills to go up (that's Hastings for you!) and I couldn't stay in the saddle and get up them even if I wanted to. Having a double rather than a triple almost left me with 'nowhere to go', but I made it anyway, albeit with legs seriously burning and feeling a little bit sick if I'm being truly honest. That's just more encouragement to get out on it loads though and build up some semblance of fitness.

Anyway, ramble over or else I'll be posting my Museeuw/Elm Grove pic again before I know it, and we don't want too many repeat photos on this thread now do we

 

[1066familyman]

Sorry, not guilty. I'm a serial fantasist on other websites, but came across this a little too late in the season. Greetings to all fellow albion-following cycle geeks - who'd have thought!?

Not me either! Again, I failed to get in at the start so thought I'd wait for next time (probably to miss the start again!)

The mystery continues then.

Meanwhile, welcome aboard Glanders.

 

[Stat Brother]

Re saddle I was going to say one will turn up here, soon enough.

BikeRadar.com View forum - Road parts
That Selle looks a bit ropey

Naturally I'm a Fizik kind of guy, but just so long as there's some padding you'll be fine.

You now need a track pump.
It's really important that you keep your tyres fully inflated or else you'll be in p word hell.

 

[1066familyman]

Re saddle I was going to say one will turn up here, soon enough.

BikeRadar.com View forum - Road parts
That Selle looks a bit ropey

Naturally I'm a Fizik kind of guy, but just so long as there's some padding you'll be fine.

You now need a track pump.
It's really important that you keep your tyres fully inflated or else you'll be in p word hell.

Thanks for the link. I think I might spend time on there instead of looking at the likes of wiggle as I do like a second hand bargain. Have to say that saddle wise I'm sort of holding out for a blue or red one as well as keeping it strictly Italia Yep, track pump is on the shopping list too

I'm confused on shoes too. I've never worn cleats in my life, always preferring trainers and toe clips. I'm reading that mountain bike shoes might be the way to go though as the pedals already on the bike will take them and you can walk around normally in them unlike cleats. Any ideas on the subject?

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

I'm confused on shoes too. I've never worn cleats in my life, always preferring trainers and toe clips. I'm reading that mountain bike shoes might be the way to go though as the pedals already on the bike will take them and you can walk around normally in them unlike cleats. Any ideas on the subject?

I'll draw your attention back to the rules, no. 34 is relevant here!

http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/

 

[1066familyman]

I'll draw your attention back to the rules, no. 34 is relevant here!

http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/

"There are no rules, rules are for fools" ( Johnny Rotten, I think?)

 

[Stat Brother]

Thanks for the link. I think I might spend time on there instead of looking at the likes of wiggle as I do like a second hand bargain. Have to say that saddle wise I'm sort of holding out for a blue or red one as well as keeping it strictly Italia

Just be warned there are people who either have no idea of the value, and over price (that's me being generous) or they know exactly what they have and are trying to screw over a newbie, (that's less than generous).
Although in fairness the usual people on the forum are pretty sharp on this, and do point it out.
Don't let me put you off though, it is where I got most of my second hand stuff from, dirt cheap.

I'm confused on shoes too. I've never worn cleats in my life, always preferring trainers and toe clips. I'm reading that mountain bike shoes might be the way to go though as the pedals already on the bike will take them and you can walk around normally in them unlike cleats. Any ideas on the subject?

Have you learned NOTHING on this thread.

Buy shoes that are to big, your feet will expand when exercising.
If they are too tight it'll cut off the circulation and your feet will freeze.

I picked up the bigger Delta (I think) Look pedals, they have a bigger surface area which I can use wearing shoes to pop to the shops.

Enjoy your first cleat fall, we all have stories it's a rite of passage.

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

"There are no rules, rules are for fools" ( Johnny Rotten, I think?)

Wasn't that Lance?!

 

[1066familyman]

It's the cleat fall fear that lies at the heart of me never have worn the things I think.

 

[1066familyman]

Wasn't that Lance?!

Very quick out the blocks there

 

[Stat Brother]

It's the cleat fall fear that lies at the heart of me never have worn the things I think.

We've all done it.
It should only happen once, twice for me, and the only thing you'll hurt is your pride.

 

[m20gull]

We've all done it.
It should only happen once, twice for me, and the only thing you'll hurt is your pride.

Me bad. Happened three times already. And yes, nothing hurt so far. First time I came to a t-junction and got distracted by a learner driving really slowly turning in front of me. Forgot that I had only one cleat out and went to put the wrong foot down! I came very close to falling through the open window of the car. I can still see the terrified look on her face.

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

It's the cleat fall fear that lies at the heart of me never have worn the things I think.

The key is to always take the same foot out, every time you stop. That way it's automatic.

 

[Woodchip]

Cleat falls do happen. Normally after an emergency stop for me.

I've done it mountain biking (into nettles) after I was on one of my old routes and the council had built some steps where a slope used to be. That caused much laughter to my friends and the couple we had just past.

I've also done it on the road bike after getting cramp. The car next to me saved me hitting the deck, but the driver looked a bit startled.

 

[Glanders]

Welcome.

Only 2507 posts to read, then a few questions to answer, then onto The Official 2012 Tour de France thread, and off you go.

Questions? Sounds a bit intimidating. Do I have to read all 2507 posts to work out what the questions are?

By the way, my tuppence worth for the saddle query is a fizik arione or old style flite, both do-able for about £30-40 on bike radar, eBay, tt forum etc. But most important is to get one that fits your arse, and that is unfortunately down to trial and error. Specialized do their saddles (toupe, alias etc) in a variety of widths and some shops offer test saddles. Alternatively, buy a few second hand and then chop the ones back out that aggravate your chalfonts. Bonne chance!

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

Questions? Sounds a bit intimidating. Do I have to read all 2507 posts to work out what the questions are?

There is just one question... Who is vivelepants?!

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

Following on from our earlier discussion. Sorry if it was the lance thread.

http://eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/blazin-saddles/really-won-tours-lance-153516263.html

 

[1066familyman]

Shopping for bits and bobs at the mo and Halfords (yes I know, but bear with me) currently have 25% off parts, accessories & clothing. Coming up unbeatable value compared to wiggle at the moment on the bits I need.

 

[1066familyman]

By the way, my tuppence worth for the saddle query is a fizik arione or old style flite, both do-able for about £30-40 on bike radar, eBay, tt forum etc. But most important is to get one that fits your arse, and that is unfortunately down to trial and error. Specialized do their saddles (toupe, alias etc) in a variety of widths and some shops offer test saddles. Alternatively, buy a few second hand and then chop the ones back out that aggravate your chalfonts. Bonne chance!

Nice one, thanks. Will have a search around. As you say, it's all about one that fits your own arse really which makes it a bit of a lottery, but recommendations still help