[Other Sport] Cycling geeks

[ozzygull]

Damn good fun to watch though! [MENTION=19321]Pogue Mahone[/MENTION]

If I was with a club I would be seriously tempted to give it a go next winter...but when you see how tough cx is, you do kinda think "why are they putting themselves through it?"

I know what you mean, I have tried doing one race and to be fair I did enjoy but when the bell for the last lap the amount of relief I felt was immense. Strangely I thought I would try another one, but then some bugger knocked me off my bike when I commuting and I required surgery to re-construct my knee and never got round to it. You should give it a try, the achievement is finishing not where you finish.

My daughter as I mentioned in my previous post has been racing cyclo-cross since about 10 years old she is 17 now, but I still wonder why she does it. It's brutal. She was at a national race in Burnley, and it was a complete mud fest, worse then the picture I posted. She pushed her bike to the top of an extremely steep hill and then slipped all the way back to the bottom. I was watching and waiting for her to just give up and say "duck it", but she pick herself up and pushed back to the top of the hill. I do not know where she finished that day but I am more proud of her for that than any of the podium finishes she has achieved before or after.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Anyone else been watching Rick Steins Secret France, and been thinking..."That'd be a nice place to ride...and that'd be a nice place to ride....ooh, and that'd be a nice place to ride....?

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

"Everesting"....not something I can really see the point of tbh - but good on them if thats what they wanted to do! Think I will stick to just once every 20 years up the Beacon....

https://www.cyclist.co.uk/news/7440/everesting-ditchling-beacon-i-just-wanted-to-own-the-hill

 

[Blue&WhiteSea]

Anyone got any experience of planetx bikes, I'm tempted by the London road (either SRAM rival 1 or the SL force1, if the medium frame is big enough for me as height wise I'm between the medium and large).
Will be used almost exclusively for commuting and will replace a 7 year old entry level trek that was always probably a bit small for me.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Anyone got any experience of planetx bikes, I'm tempted by the London road (either SRAM rival 1 or the SL force1, if the medium frame is big enough for me as height wise I'm between the medium and large).
Will be used almost exclusively for commuting and will replace a 7 year old entry level trek that was always probably a bit small for me.

Not myself, but my best mate bought one of their carbon bikes a couple of years ago and loved it....til he was sideswiped by a car and had it written off! I've seen loads of Planet X bikes out on the roads and trails, & whoever I've spoken to has been really pleased with them...so that speaks volumes for the brand. Im currently contemplating their Spitfire Ti as my next road bike, literally half the price of all the other Ti bikes out there, and has rave reviews. Honestly dont think you will go wrong with the London Rd as a commuter at all....decent looking bike.

Here's the Spitfire...approx £1500 - & designed by Mark Reilly...frame designer / builder extraordinaire based in Brighton.

 

[Stat Brother]

Anyone got any experience of planetx bikes, I'm tempted by the London road (either SRAM rival 1 or the SL force1, if the medium frame is big enough for me as height wise I'm between the medium and large).
Will be used almost exclusively for commuting and will replace a 7 year old entry level trek that was always probably a bit small for me.

There's a couple of PlanetX's on this board and I believe the owners are very happy.
My mate Phil oddly went from an old entry level Trek to a London Road and was happy enough, even though he did sell it soon after, but that's more to do with him being a serial bike buyer.

 

[Stat Brother]

My bike malaise, expanding tummy and exponentiation increasing post count might have found a saviour.
From of all places Beast Sussex, proving there has to be something attractive across the boarder:-



https://road.cc/content/tech-news/2...ew-steel-graveladventure-bike-british-company

 

[1066familyman]

Anyone got any experience of planetx bikes, I'm tempted by the London road (either SRAM rival 1 or the SL force1, if the medium frame is big enough for me as height wise I'm between the medium and large).
Will be used almost exclusively for commuting and will replace a 7 year old entry level trek that was always probably a bit small for me.

I built this up from a brand new frame I bought on clearance from Planet X a couple of Christmas' ago. I ride it every day for commuting, in all weathers, and it's my Winter bike for 'proper' rides as well. I love it!, although I'm probably in love with the Campag I put on it more I think

A couple of things:

1) Tyre clearance, once I'd put on full mudguards, wasn't quite as much as I'd hoped for.

2) The head set is an odd size and I was limited to just one that fits....an FSA model.

3) Before fitting the Bottom Bracket I had to have the frame re threaded and faced up. Cheap enough at my Lbs though, and I'm told not uncommon on new frames, even very expensive ones.


As you're buying a complete bike then none of the above are a concern to you. I have Sram Rival on my Summer bike as that's what it came with (2nd hand bike) and although I prefer Campag, I'm still happy enough using Sram, so a recommendation there too.

So in summary, I'd say buy with confidence if my Planet X experience is anything to go by. Value for money with Planet X is brilliant.

 

[Motogull]

Have some of this.

This morning, 1/4 of a mile from sir Julian's gaff I had that 'ah fukk' sensation. It was the front. Yes, the front. So a tube change indoors, with a nice warm water hand wash and a track pump for proper pressure. As good as it gets. The puncture entity gave me a little Crimbo kindness.

I know full well though that the next one will be the rear, miles from home in shite weather etcs.

 

[banjo]

Have some of this.

This morning, 1/4 of a mile from sir Julian's gaff I had that 'ah fukk' sensation. It was the front. Yes, the front. So a tube change indoors, with a nice warm water hand wash and a track pump for proper pressure. As good as it gets. The puncture entity gave me a little Crimbo kindness.

I know full well though that the next one will be the rear, miles from home in shite weather etcs.

You do seem to like a puncture Moro.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Dont know if anyone else caught it last night, but there was a good documentary called "The Road will Decide" on BBC One Wales at 9pm. A film crew followed G on this years race to see whether he could retain his title.....worth a watch on catch-up / iPlayer if you're interested.

 

[strings]

Dont know if anyone else caught it last night, but there was a good documentary called "The Road will Decide" on BBC One Wales at 9pm. A film crew followed G on this years race to see whether he could retain his title.....worth a watch on catch-up / iPlayer if you're interested.

Hoping to catch up tonight. Might even jump on the turbo too!

 

[Ninja Elephant]

How did this thread drop to page 9?!

During a drunken rampage on friday night/saturday morning, I made the brilliant decision to challenge my mate Oldham Rob to a race. Brighton to Norwich, The Cycling 2. We rode there in 2014 before the 3-3 draw under Sami, and we're heading back in April. This time - it's a race. For me to win over the two days would require a monumental effort, significant training beforehand and the perfect physical condition.

So - first things first, I need to get myself some cleats and get crank up the cycling skills. Recommendations very much required - I know nothing about the world of cycling accessories. OR training for a 160 mile ride over two days. Is it a case of get as many miles in as possible, featuring some ******* hills throughout? Or is there a more subtle way of building cycling strength, endurance and speed?

Cheers in advance!

 

[Stat Brother]

How did this thread drop to page 9?!

During a drunken rampage on friday night/saturday morning, I made the brilliant decision to challenge my mate Oldham Rob to a race. Brighton to Norwich, The Cycling 2. We rode there in 2014 before the 3-3 draw under Sami, and we're heading back in April. This time - it's a race. For me to win over the two days would require a monumental effort, significant training beforehand and the perfect physical condition.

So - first things first, I need to get myself some cleats and get crank up the cycling skills. Recommendations very much required - I know nothing about the world of cycling accessories. OR training for a 160 mile ride over two days. Is it a case of get as many miles in as possible, featuring some ******* hills throughout? Or is there a more subtle way of building cycling strength, endurance and speed?

Cheers in advance!

If you want 'pedals for life' get these:-
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/PELOKE2MAC/look-keo-2-max-carbon-pedals

Failing that get a set of the 'copies', something like this would be fine:-
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/PEVPR73/vp-r73-look-keo-compatible-road-pedals---black

Then GREY Look Keo cleats, or again a cheaper knock off version if you prefer.

Finally you'll be after some shoes.
Sadly for you it'll be impossible to get my shoes, but there's plenty of deals around.
If you're 'between sizes' or have slightly wider feet it might be an idea to up size.

 

[Stat Brother]

As for training.

Don't knock yourself out.

Little and often, with a gradual increase will be fine.

Lose some weight.

Don't sweat the distance, it's not that far, esp as you've don't it before.
If you were really committed you could knock it out in a day!!

 

[Ninja Elephant]

Cheers [MENTION=435]Stat Brother[/MENTION] - what's the deal with the pedal and the shoes, is it a uniform fit or is there more to it? I've not gone with proper clip ins before, are there compatibility issues I need to be wary of?

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Cheers [MENTION=435]Stat Brother[/MENTION] - what's the deal with the pedal and the shoes, is it a uniform fit or is there more to it? I've not gone with proper clip ins before, are there compatibility issues I need to be wary of?

The shoes are okay with any pedals, because you fix cleats on to the bottom of them.

The cleats are pedal-specific. The most popular road bike choices are Shimano SPD-SL (as opposed to SPDs, which are for MTB pedals) and Look Keo. I have both - on two different bikes. The Shimano ones are marginally easier to walk in, but that apart, I have no preference for either.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

The shoes are okay with any pedals, because you fix cleats on to the bottom of them.

The cleats are pedal-specific. The most popular road bike choices are Shimano SPD-SL (as opposed to SPDs, which are for MTB pedals) and Look Keo. I have both - on two different bikes. The Shimano ones are marginally easier to walk in, but that apart, I have no preference for either.

Ok - so I need to snap up the shoes, the pedals and the cleats as three items. I'll give it a whirl and report back, cheers.

 

[Stat Brother]

Ok - so I need to snap up the shoes, the pedals and the cleats as three items. I'll give it a whirl and report back, cheers.

Yes, they will make a big difference to your riding, if you've never cleated before.

There should be a tidy boxed deal for pedals and cleats priced at around £25, if you'd like to do it on a budget.
If tomorrow something important comes I'll find you a link #TeamDisassociation.

A hunted down, heavily discounted pair of shoes might be available for around that price too, but you will find a decent entry level pair for £50.

There's a bit of a science to fitting the cleats which you should pay attention too, your knees will be thankful.

And finally you will have an 'unclipping' fall.
Please tell us about it, they are usually quite funny!

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Yes, they will make a big difference to your riding, if you've never cleated before.

There should be a tidy boxed deal for pedals and cleats priced at around £25, if you'd like to do it on a budget.
If tomorrow something important comes I'll find you a link #TeamDisassociation.

A hunted down, heavily discounted pair of shoes might be available for around that price too, but you will find a decent entry level pair for £50.

There's a bit of a science to fitting the cleats which you should pay attention too, your knees will be thankful.

And finally you will have an 'unclipping' fall.
Please tell us about it, they are usually quite funny!

Yep, [MENTION=13055]Ninja Elephant[/MENTION], got to get the cleats at the right angle so that you don't feel that your knees are twisting. I angle mine so that my feet are as 'outward' as possible, others like it straighter.

Trial and error, then readjustment, is what it is all about.