Road Cycling

uv

uv

Soldato
Joined
16 May 2006
Posts
8,435
Location
Manchester
chain links - isn't it just big-big, pull it taught, then add two links?

Also, I'm itching to get some oversize jockey wheels after seeing Chavanel's during the tour today!
 
Commissario
Joined
16 Oct 2002
Posts
2,650
Location
In the radio shack
Hopefully some of you will remember my efforts over the past couple of years - I'm very much a fair weather cyclist who won't even consider going out if there's inclement weather forecast.

I generally ride for a couple of months a year over the summer and that's it. I've been doing that for the last few weeks and this morning I did my longest ride so far and reached my highest average speed.

I know it's nothing compared to you 'proper' road cyclists but I did just over 25 miles at a tad over 14 mph average which I'm more than happy with considering I'm riding a hybrid (Voodoo Marasa). The Strava link is here.

Generally I've been riding up and down the esplanade/sea front but today I made a point of riding all the way along the road which was much nicer. The esplanade is a combined cycleway/footpath so it's quite legit for me to ride there but I'm always very cautious around people, slowing down to pass etc so it was a very welcome change to be on the road without kamikaze pedestrians.

I enjoyed it.
 
Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
10,632
Location
Notts
Hopefully some of you will remember my efforts over the past couple of years - I'm very much a fair weather cyclist who won't even consider going out if there's inclement weather forecast.

I generally ride for a couple of months a year over the summer and that's it. I've been doing that for the last few weeks and this morning I did my longest ride so far and reached my highest average speed.

I know it's nothing compared to you 'proper' road cyclists but I did just over 25 miles at a tad over 14 mph average which I'm more than happy with considering I'm riding a hybrid (Voodoo Marasa). The Strava link is here.

Generally I've been riding up and down the esplanade/sea front but today I made a point of riding all the way along the road which was much nicer. The esplanade is a combined cycleway/footpath so it's quite legit for me to ride there but I'm always very cautious around people, slowing down to pass etc so it was a very welcome change to be on the road without kamikaze pedestrians.

I enjoyed it.

All good stuff. Progression is great. Don't worry about what others may be clocking :)
 
Soldato
Joined
9 Nov 2005
Posts
8,618
Location
Southampton
Hopefully some of you will remember my efforts over the past couple of years - I'm very much a fair weather cyclist who won't even consider going out if there's inclement weather forecast.

I generally ride for a couple of months a year over the summer and that's it. I've been doing that for the last few weeks and this morning I did my longest ride so far and reached my highest average speed.

I know it's nothing compared to you 'proper' road cyclists but I did just over 25 miles at a tad over 14 mph average which I'm more than happy with considering I'm riding a hybrid (Voodoo Marasa). The Strava link is here.

Generally I've been riding up and down the esplanade/sea front but today I made a point of riding all the way along the road which was much nicer. The esplanade is a combined cycleway/footpath so it's quite legit for me to ride there but I'm always very cautious around people, slowing down to pass etc so it was a very welcome change to be on the road without kamikaze pedestrians.

I enjoyed it.

In this crazy heat, I've rarely averaged much faster than that myself on either bike, more power equals more heat generated... Which boldly goes nowhere in this heatwave, which typically means water consumption rate is much higher!

You will reach a point where miles just fly by, you upload your ride to Strava and wonder "how the heck was that ride [x] miles?!"
 
Commissario
Joined
16 Oct 2002
Posts
2,650
Location
In the radio shack
I got a 6th on a Strava segment today out of 1,614 attempts by 634 People. OK, it's only half a mile long along the esplanade and I had a tail wind but that's not bad for an old boy on a hybrid :)
 
Soldato
Joined
25 Sep 2006
Posts
14,349
more power equals more heat generated... Which boldly goes nowhere in this heatwave, which typically means water consumption rate is much higher!

Yes but no :p

Power = speed (generally ;) ) which equals higher airflow thus more cooling. /trollface

Water consumption in the current heat is ridiculous but other than being a bit uncomfortable keeping moving has been key. And I sweat. A lot.
 
Don
Joined
19 May 2012
Posts
17,054
Location
Spalding, Lincolnshire
So all my parts arrived today.

Removed old chain with link removal tool no issue.
Got the cassette changed relatively easily despite poor freewheel remover and chain whip.

However, now temporarily stumped as can't undo one of the crank arm bolts. Am using a 14mm socket on a 3/8" ratchet, turning anti clockwise, but the drive side one just won't move (and unfortunately my fingers did... straight onto the chainring eek).

Have soaked with wd40, and will give another go tomorrow. Other than more leverage (breaker bar, and maybe a bit of pipe over the crank arm if I can get them) and manning the **** up, is there anything else I can try?

Edit:
Got some big cable ties I might try to secure the crank arm to the frame.
 
Last edited:
Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
4,617
So all my parts arrived today.

Removed old chain with link removal tool no issue.
Got the cassette changed relatively easily despite poor freewheel remover and chain whip.

However, now temporarily stumped as can't undo one of the crank arm bolts. Am using a 14mm socket on a 3/8" ratchet, turning anti clockwise, but the drive side one just won't move (and unfortunately my fingers did... straight onto the chainring eek).

Have soaked with wd40, and will give another go tomorrow. Other than more leverage (breaker bar, and maybe a bit of pipe over the crank arm if I can get them) and manning the **** up, is there anything else I can try?

Edit:
Got some big cable ties I might try to secure the crank arm to the frame.


once upon a time I ended up using two 6-foot lengths of scaffold bar, one over the socket wrench and one over the crank.....
 
Soldato
Joined
23 Nov 2004
Posts
10,646
I use a box of catalogues in work.

Left hand pedal flat against it horizontally so any force down on the bolt will make the left hand crank want to go somewhere it cant and it keeps the bike on the ground too.
 
Don
Joined
19 May 2012
Posts
17,054
Location
Spalding, Lincolnshire
once upon a time I ended up using two 6-foot lengths of scaffold bar, one over the socket wrench and one over the crank.....

I use a box of catalogues in work.

Left hand pedal flat against it horizontally so any force down on the bolt will make the left hand crank want to go somewhere it cant and it keeps the bike on the ground too.

Thanks for tips - colleague at work has some scaffold pole that he is going to bring round tomorrow so will give that a go (and gives a day for the WD40 to try and penetrate, and my hands to recover slightly!).

To avoid the new ones seizing, what should I be using? Copper or Lithium grease? Anti-seize or something else?
 
Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
4,617
I use a dab of copper on threads, lithium is for bearings really, but it's better than nothing in a pinch.

WD40 is rubbish as a penetrant, better than nothing, but not even on the same page as plus gas.
 
Soldato
Joined
25 Feb 2004
Posts
18,139
Location
Hampshire
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