Road Cycling

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
20,701
Location
England
It's all about getting a balance Roady - you need time with the family, you shouldn't though feel guilty about getting a bit of 'me time'. I try to do as much as I can around the house when I'm not cycling so when I am cycling the Mrs isn't left with a million house jobs, but as said - my daughters are bike nuts so my wife is completely outnumbered. :p

Oh gosh I've happened across a new Scott Foil 20 (ultegra) 2017 for a silly price. I've started to dream the dream - you know the one where you imagine how much faster you'd be on the new bike and it's all you can think about. :(
 
Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
10,632
Location
Notts
Have lost 3kg over the past 6 weeks through diet improvements and more riding. From 84kg down to 81. Not aiming for drastic weight loss, have preferred for it to be gradual. Will be interesting to see where I end up!

Hell of a lot cheaper and more beneficial than losing it from the bike!
 
Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
4,617
Have lost 3kg over the past 6 weeks through diet improvements and more riding. From 84kg down to 81. Not aiming for drastic weight loss, have preferred for it to be gradual. Will be interesting to see where I end up!

Hell of a lot cheaper and more beneficial than losing it from the bike!

That's around £3000 of bike you've shed there, easy.
 
Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
8,420
Location
Hereford
It's all about getting a balance Roady - you need time with the family, you shouldn't though feel guilty about getting a bit of 'me time'. I try to do as much as I can around the house when I'm not cycling so when I am cycling the Mrs isn't left with a million house jobs, but as said - my daughters are bike nuts so my wife is completely outnumbered. :p

Oh gosh I've happened across a new Scott Foil 20 (ultegra) 2017 for a silly price. I've started to dream the dream - you know the one where you imagine how much faster you'd be on the new bike and it's all you can think about. :(
Yeah, I guess the struggle I'm mostly finding is a real lack of time. I really shouldn't have much to complain about with my <10 minute commute! But working 8-5:30ish and Harry going to bed at 6.30 really doesn't leave time for man of the 'noisy' jobs at home in the evenings. They're generally getting all crammed into the weekends!

How silly is silly... What colour? That deep purple glossy look seems a bit gash online but in the flesh it's really nice! DO IT! :o

If his first words are Bianchi or Colnago or something like that, you can lean back and feel really proud :D
Haha, we're getting quite a bit of "sssshhh ssssh pppp" hissing kinda noises, so think it could be Specialized? :cool: ;)

Have lost 3kg over the past 6 weeks through diet improvements and more riding. From 84kg down to 81. Not aiming for drastic weight loss, have preferred for it to be gradual. Will be interesting to see where I end up!
Good work, well done! Gradual is much better and healthier.

Even after my week away I was 'only' 77kg on my return. Would expect that mostly water from travelling and less riding, so should be somewhere near 75kg by the end of this week. Only reason I've digressed slightly is my post yesterday talking about Rapha Large & Medium shorts, I actually wore the medium Core I own to work today (most comfortable of my shorts so wearing for some sit bone relief!) and they fit better than I remember. Considering I'm 2-3kg heavier than last year (with less fitness) it's a surprise. Still don't think I'm near to fitting in a Castelli Medium though, or a less stretchy Rapha Medium.

Found a crack in the frame of my old 80s road bike :c It's been a good run, but it might be time to join the 21st Century...

W8HjIz9l.jpg
Allez? That yours or a google image? Looks quite arty! ;)
Finally got a better bike of sorts built up, bit old frame and a pic n mix of parts but it works well :)


*steerer to be cut tomorrow. Ran out of time in work.
Forgot to comment on this before mate!

Great build, always loved the look of the Felt AR but don't recall seeing one with the rear wheel cutaway/aero shield quite like that? Looks quick! :D

The black & grey combination looks great, would say it's 'on trend' with some of the current designs from Cannondale/Giant but with the cable routing behind the headset that was something only generally seen on older aero frames?
 
Last edited:
Associate
Joined
12 Nov 2016
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172
Location
Dorset
Don't worry about chest and maybe not so much hips when buying shorts, just waist and maybe leg.

Castelli medium will probably fit you best, although may be a little loose on your thighs. Small might fit too but the straps would probably be too tight on your shoulders. I wear a Castelli Large and I'm 31-32" waist, 5'8" ish. I can fit in a medium but the legs are just too tight on my thighs, although straps felt ok. I've got short legs so my torso is quite long so you might be ok. A Rapha medium fits me almost as well as a Large. Might be worth a look as they do some of their shorts in 'long' leg versions. :cool:

The Evoluzione 2 are good shorts, I have a pair. Although the straps are quite pronounced and strong, so if they where tight they would dig in quite a bit without that much stretch. In mine only part of the strap is mesh, in other shorts far more of the strap is mesh and more forgiving/stretchy.

Must say for how much I paid I wasn't expecting much but they are great. I see what you mean about the straps but since I'm mostly legs they are just a bit firm but not too tight. Fit really sung on my legs.

Don't get why people complain about european sizes being too small they are brilliant.
 
Associate
Joined
22 Dec 2005
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1,196
Location
Cardiff
Must say for how much I paid I wasn't expecting much but they are great. I see what you mean about the straps but since I'm mostly legs they are just a bit firm but not too tight. Fit really sung on my legs.

Don't get why people complain about european sizes being too small they are brilliant.

Because most people are not built like you :confused:
 
Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
21,047
Although I'm in a bit of a dilemma about my riding/training. Basically there's a 100 mile ride this coming sunday and I'm so short on training I'm not sure it's a good idea...
Just ride it - it's not as though it's a ranking competition : Last over the line, is still over the line :p
 
Associate
Joined
12 Nov 2016
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172
Location
Dorset
Because most people are not built like you :confused:

you're built like a worldtour climbing specialist. They're designed specifically for you...

Yeah I know just joking. Kinda hit the lottery when its come to my build.

Hah, it's Google images of the bike thinking about buying. Allez Elite Red Hook. Always thought I'd want something a bit more versatile but who an I kidding, I like to go fast.

I'm planning on spending a fair chunk of money from my summer job on a new bike. This bike also caught my eye, specialized always seem to make bikes that look great to me. I'm also tempted my canyon though either endurance AL 7.0 or if I earn enough a CF 7.0 cause carbon.
 
Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
8,420
Location
Hereford
One for the aero weenies. Think I might be a bit out of my depth here though. :o

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/zuvvi/media/bc_files/road/2018/Mens_time_trial_entry_list_2018.pdf
Guys I know riding it did a recce today (if this is the course?): https://www.strava.com/activities/1663279797/segments/41688245551

Looks like Charlie Tanfield (Harrys brother) has the segment KOM with a 15:32 (wow). Something to aim for! :D

Don't get why people complain about european sizes being too small they are brilliant.
Glad you find them good, I struggle on the KISS seatpads used when riding for multiple hours but have various pairs with that pad I use for commuting.

The complaints around sizing is the fact they're 'Italian' (or such) and a Medium in most cycling kit is more like a Small in 'normal' clothes. Think most guys who consider themselves 'not-fat' get a bee in their bonnet when they have to buy XL shorts because they like beer & sausages and otherwise wear medium everything else.

Just ride it - it's not as though it's a ranking competition : Last over the line, is still over the line :p
Pffft, that's ripe coming from you! ;)

Also gives Roady an excuse to spend the day wheel sucking :D
My problem is most the guys I'd generally ride with are better at sucking my wheel than I am theirs! :rolleyes: :o

@Roady just carry your momentum for 100 miles. You'll be fine!:D
If only it was all down hill...! Maybe I can pump the inclines like MTB?

To be fair the route is mostly shared with the 50 & 70 mile routes so I can ride 45 miles of the 100 and still chicken out to do the 70... #backupplan!

Hah, it's Google images of the bike thinking about buying. Allez Elite Red Hook. Always thought I'd want something a bit more versatile but who an I kidding, I like to go fast.
Colours are a bit pastel-y too hipster-ish for me...

Although the Allez comes in so many funky colours & options, your possibilities are endless! ;)

https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=137841
https://www.reddit.com/r/Bikeporn/comments/5za7we/custom_specialized_allez_sprint_red_hook/
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/569775790344773893/
https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gea...ed-hook-with-custom-allez-sprint-track-bikes/
 
Soldato
Joined
11 Sep 2009
Posts
13,911
Location
France, Alsace
I've been on a bike rotation this week, so far each bike has had a day out on the commute :D made me realise I need to replace the BBs on the ultimate and aeroad though, and just ordered a couple of chains for them too. They're done over 5k each now which would have @Roady twitching. While I'm doing it, I might change the chain ring on the front of the Aeroad & get a new cassette, but I would like a more black one compared to the 9000 Dura Ace silver. I could go 9100, but wondered if the rotor ones are any good? Or any others that are nice and black?
 
Soldato
Joined
24 Apr 2013
Posts
3,067
I wouldn't change a front chain ring or BB after 5000km or 5000mi!

Original BB in my race bike now has 14k miles on it. Still fine.
5k miles should see no reason for a cassette or front chainring change even with below par bike maintenance.

I could go 9100, but wondered if the rotor ones are any good? Or any others that are nice and black?

I am possibly moving to Rotor 3D+ as have always fancied them. Plenty of options with Rotor and from anyone I know using them, they would not go back to Shimano. Establish if you want to go round or oval chain rings, then obviously how many teeth and then see what models fit within your budget. If I remember right you get 3D24 which is cheaper then the 3D+ which is higher end.... You can then choose on aero variant or not (more expensive) and also if you want MAS, which is their finer adjustment system allowing you to affix the oval (Q Rings) in a different area/angle.

If just for replacing a DA chainset and you don't want to go oval, I would just price up 3D+ non aero and non MAS with round rings in your preferred size.

What BB is on your bike? Rotor do a universal BB or you can use the relevant bearings to switch. I am BB86 so need some £40 bearings to do the job but there is places with charts to show you compatibility and what you need.
 
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