[Other Sport] Cycling geeks

[Fignon's Ponytail]

I was surprised too tbh - my legs aren't what they used to be I'll admit, but it really didn't feel like I was in a granny gear - even on the smallest ring at the front. Even if I try it on the flat it feels higher than it should be? (although the bike flies along beautifully using the rest) If the bike was for me then I would leave it as is tbh - but as its my 12 year old who will be riding, I think an easier ratio would be better to start with....

 

[1066familyman]

I was surprised too tbh - my legs aren't what they used to be I'll admit, but it really didn't feel like I was in a granny gear - even on the smallest ring at the front. Even if I try it on the flat it feels higher than it should be? (although the bike flies along beautifully using the rest) If the bike was for me then I would leave it as is tbh - but as its my 12 year old who will be riding, I think an easier ratio would be better to start with....

Could even be an 11-23 cassette then. Proper flat terrain sprinters cassette. Unusual to have that paired with a triple though.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

I'll have a look tonight & see - not sure what is original on the bike or what has been "upgraded" tbh. The Xenon rear mech is a 9 speed, yet the Sora shifters are only 8 - and I cant find any info about that years bike coming with Campag components at all. There's a chance that the cassette may have been changed too at some point as it was only a sub £400 bike anyway brand new. With a triple front they are usually aimed at beginners and use a wide spread ratio...
TBH, it wont need a lot of work to get it more suited to a 12 year novice if that's what's required. A new cassette and a long Tourney rear mech will probably give me change out of about £30-40?

 

[Motogull]

[MENTION=225]Hamilton[/MENTION], happy to be shortlisted for joining the Charlton fundraisers. Unless its raining.
[MENTION=435]Stat Brother[/MENTION], I had an attempt at Brasted Hill this morning. Its a bit of a handfull. Maybe I need to attempt it by not doing Ide first.

@Mystery Cockney fella who came to Kent this week, respect. I had a butchers, not an attempt, at Sundridge Hill. That's pretty evil too.

 

[Stat Brother]

[MENTION=225]Hamilton[/MENTION], happy to be shortlisted for joining the Charlton fundraisers. Unless its raining.
[MENTION=435]Stat Brother[/MENTION], I had an attempt at Brasted Hill this morning. Its a bit of a handfull. Maybe I need to attempt it by not doing Ide first.

@Mystery Cockney fella who came to Kent this week, respect. I had a butchers, not an attempt, at Sundridge Hill. That's pretty evil too.

C'est la vie, still a cracking ride with a great looking profile.

Now I've been to the area I'd imagine it's almost impossible to get straight to a tough climb without slogging over at least one decent rise.

 

[Motogull]

C'est la vie, still a cracking ride with a great looking profile.

Now I've been to the area I'd imagine it's almost impossible to get straight to a tough climb without slogging over at least one decent rise.

Thanks. Granny gear got me up Ide. Its a great work out but one that would give me real worries if I were ever to worry about not making it.

The A20/A25 offers a relatively flat ride to Brasted, but I wouldn't like the A21 junction as it is very fast there. I'll have a think.

 

[Stat Brother]

Thanks. Granny gear got me up Ide. Its a great work out but one that would give me real worries if I were ever to worry about not making it.

The A20/A25 offers a relatively flat ride to Brasted, but I wouldn't like the A21 junction as it is very fast there. I'll have a think.

Following on from [MENTION=13467]JoePrecious[/MENTION]' comments, I know we're all different but is that really likely in Sussex and Surrey?

How often do any of us finish a climb/ride slumped over our handlebars/top tube?

I have every confidence in all of us getting over 99% of S-E England's climbs, sure it might not be pretty, we'll not be getting KoM's awards, and our hearts and legs might not appreciate. But looking at your ride today, 51 miles, a couple of hundred feet short of 3k of climbing, at an average of 14.5, they're hardly the stats of a man who'll struggle on a tough climb.

Naturally there are climbs like Cobb Lane that touch 24%, and are too much for most of us (I have 1 success with 3 failures) but I think climbs like Ide's, Ditchling, Kidd's etc have many of us beaten before we set off.

 

[JoePrecious]

I bailed on the Beacon this morning. Was more tired than I expected, but more than that I just didn't fancy being the cyclist holding up the cars on a Sunday lunchtime! On my way down in the car earlier there were a couple of bikes going up with a few cars behind them barely moving and I just decided it wasn't worth it.

I think I'll have to plan an early climb in the spring.

 

[Motogull]

I bottled out yesterday morning. Maybe it was after a long week at work with children and Mrs M bringing bugs back to the home to run me down a bit, but at 6.30 yesterday, I was just too tired. I'm also tinkering with saddle height. Clutching at straws...

Quite why I can't do the hills I used to (or new ones like Toys and Brasted) I can't work out.

 

[Stat Brother]

I bailed on the Beacon this morning. Was more tired than I expected, but more than that I just didn't fancy being the cyclist holding up the cars on a Sunday lunchtime! On my way down in the car earlier there were a couple of bikes going up with a few cars behind them barely moving and I just decided it wasn't worth it.

I think I'll have to plan an early climb in the spring.

I hate having cars behind me and will do anything to wave them through.

I definitely think 'the smaller the car, the more room they need'.
I'm sure I've had little old ladies in their Micra's waiting for no oncoming cars on a flat stretch of road, who then overtake me but without pulling out or even getting close to the middle of the road.

 

[Motogull]

Lizzie A World TTT Champion.

 

[pb21]

Had a spoke breakage today whilst out riding, weirdly the front wheel but luckily near the end of the ride. Can anyone recommend a decent place to get a new spoke fitted in Brighton? It's a 'hand-built' wheel; h plus son rim on some non branded hub laced with Sapim C x rays.

I am always a bit unsure when it comes to wheels and bike shops, it's dark art wheel building/repairs and I don't really want anyone doing it!

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Had a spoke breakage today whilst out riding, weirdly the front wheel but luckily near the end of the ride. Can anyone recommend a decent place to get a new spoke fitted in Brighton? It's a 'hand-built' wheel; h plus son rim on some non branded hub laced with Sapim C x rays.

I am always a bit unsure when it comes to wheels and bike shops, it's dark art wheel building/repairs and I don't really want anyone doing it!

I've not been to Baker Street Bikes for a while, but they used to be famously the best wheelwrights - or at least one of them was.

http://www.bakerstbikes.co.uk/

 

[pb21]

That would certainly be the easiest option as it's near to work so could drop off at lunch etc.

 

[Motogull]

Any helmet arguments left have just been put to bed by that Tinkoff Paxo fella just hitting the deck.

 

[Motogull]

Lizzie A World TTT Champion.

Second. Damn you PCS. Why can't I edit that anyway?

 

[Zukey Seagull]

I just saw this at aldi and thought to share with everyone on here. I know its aldi and might be a bit cheap but I buy some stuff from aldi and I love it.
All cycling stuff on sale Thursday coming

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thur-24-sep/

 

[KZNSeagull]

Thought you might find this interesting. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...-two-years-to-see-his-team-lose-to-Japan.html

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Thought you might find this interesting. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...-two-years-to-see-his-team-lose-to-Japan.html

What a fantastic experience. I would love to have done that.

I suspect that his former profession is the reason that it was something that he could do, but most will never be able to, though.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I just saw this at aldi and thought to share with everyone on here. I know its aldi and might be a bit cheap but I buy some stuff from aldi and I love it.
All cycling stuff on sale Thursday coming

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thur-24-sep/

Thank you Zukey.

I am right in thinking that that is a wonderful price for a Garmin Edge 500, am I not?