Road Cycling Essentials

[Damien] · 29 Oct 2012 at 19:12

Guys, can you give me any tips on new wheels for my CX bike?

Mine have gone out of true already and I've had the bike about 2mths (15st of awesomeness bouncing over potholes...).

I'm not going to buy straight away, because I'll give it a couple of re-truing cycles first and get some wear out of the hubs but eventually I'll be after some decent ones. My current set are 24 spoke front and 32 spoke rear, DT Axis 1.0. I'm running 32mm tyres at the mo and don't see me changing that much unless it's for narrower ones if I know I'm doing a race on pristine tarmac or something.

Obviously lighter ones would be better but I value strength over weight.

platypus · 29 Oct 2012 at 19:13

ShiWarrior said:
Im a bit thick here, those lenses look cool

i wear Glasses (tried contacts and i hated them) so what are they exactly? A while ago i was looking for sunglasses that people wear when they cycle but i cant wear any

I have, amongst my several pairs of glasses/sunglasses (being married to an optician has its perks

) a rather lovely pair of Uvex glasses, with reactive lenses that are hydrophobic and anti-reflection coated. I won't mention what they cost but you don't need to go uber expensive. Why can't you wear them?

Shamrock · 29 Oct 2012 at 19:31

ShiWarrior said:
Im a bit thick here, those lenses look cool

i wear Glasses (tried contacts and i hated them) so what are they exactly? A while ago i was looking for sunglasses that people wear when they cycle but i cant wear any

How do you mean you can't wear any? I never cycle without eye protection now, it's just not worth the risk of losing an eye from some debris flying up.

Since I don't want to use contacts and I cannot afford laser eye surgery the cheapest option was Rx inserts which you can see on the top of the case in my photo. The much more expensive option is where they directly glaze the lens with your prescription, but I don't think the inserts are that bad.

There are cheaper options for the actual glasses, but the Vortex lens is photochromatic, hydrophobic, anti-reflective and anti-scratch.

Lopéz · 29 Oct 2012 at 19:35

I read loads of negative comments on RX inserts on the internet but I've been using mine for 6 months and have absolutely no complaints. I'd never cycle in normal specs nowadays.

ShiWarrior · 29 Oct 2012 at 19:38

sorry shamrock, what i ment was i cant wear normal sunglasses, or cycling sunglasses etc as i already wear glasses, so are those like sun glasses or just for protection again debris etc?

Shamrock · 29 Oct 2012 at 19:52

These would let you see at your prescription while protecting your eyes from debris and sunlight.

I went for the photochromatic lens so I didn't have to worry about switching lenses for different conditions. These lighten or darken depending on the amount of light so they work well in cloudy/dull light right up to very sunny. At night I'd use the completely clear lens though.

The Rx insert does have a bit of fisheye effect going on due to them being more curved than normal glasses, but it's not really a problem compared to not being able to see very far at all without them.

King85 · 29 Oct 2012 at 20:07

Could you not get some of the sports over glasses to wear, I know a few guys who I play basketball with have these. In the winter I'd have clear lenses over sunglasses as they don't make it look more dreary lol

[DOD]Asprilla · 29 Oct 2012 at 20:14

platypus said:
Trouble with that is you start to get rubbing with multiple layers..

Oh lawdy I'm so excited for my new job. I can start talking about lycra again.

Nah, no rubbing with bib tights over bib shorts, just toasty warm plums.

Vonhelmet · 29 Oct 2012 at 20:30

Well, that was disappointing. Set off for a ride and got about 2 minutes from home when I realised the back tyre was flat. Walked the bike home and took the wheel off and checked it all. No sign of anything in the tyre or tube and the tube was staying up when I pumped it up. I think it's the valve that's a bit wonky and knackered, rather than the tube, so I may have to replace it anyway. I've put it all back together and I'll see how it is tomorrow.

Still, it's all good practise. I've not changed a tube in years and not done one on that bike at all, so probably worth having a go at home rather than my first time being by the roadside in the pouring rain 10 miles from home.

And yes, it'll also teach me to give the tyres a proper check before setting off in the future!

syke · 29 Oct 2012 at 20:44

oli collett said:
Don't know if they're any good, but it's £335 here:
http://www.freeborn.co.uk/elite-qubo-wireless-digital-trainer

ShiWarrior said:
Just had a chat with my Step Dad (about turbo trainers) who is a professional swimming coach and has family members who are keen cyclists are and some of which are proffesionals (retired now) and he said to me the best thing to do first is try out rollers and the fixed ones, but he seems to think the rollers are much better becuase they are true to road and will give you more confidence and balance and teqnique

so the first thing i will do now is try and find a shop that will let me try out both, ive emailed the shop where i got my bike from as I think they probabally will.

and when i do get one, hes going to help me with my training, cant wait!

Ah, I paid £180 IIRC a couple of months ago - but this was more trade price. I was looking at the rollers but went for the trainer out of ease and comfort really. Takes a few seconds to clip it in and can get going - handy to keep the bike stored in the garage too

I also want it for fitness more than anything, so don't wanna be worrying about falling on my face while using the rollers

Vonhelmet · 29 Oct 2012 at 20:48

I'm thinking of pinching my mum's 20 year old exercise bike. I don't think it's been used in those 20 years! Would at least keep my options open throughout winter.

cork-spotters · 29 Oct 2012 at 22:01

I know it's been asked on here a bit, but could someone link me to a good rear bike light I could clip to my saddle bag?

godinman · 29 Oct 2012 at 22:04

Also, can anyone recommend a decent cheap recovery drink?

InsomniaCalls · 29 Oct 2012 at 22:04

RSP Astrum

Vonhelmet · 29 Oct 2012 at 22:05

Milk

It's got sugar, fat and protein. Boom.

godinman · 29 Oct 2012 at 22:06

Yeah, but I want MOAR!! Plus, I mix it with milk anyway..

Hamster · 29 Oct 2012 at 22:08

InsomniaCalls said:
RSP Astrum

I've still not come up with a good way of fixing the Astrum onto my seatpack so that it shines horizontally rather than flopping down towards the ground.

godinman · 29 Oct 2012 at 22:08

Saying that, I'm having some milk now, cheers!

ShiWarrior · 29 Oct 2012 at 22:11

syke said:
Ah, I paid £180 IIRC a couple of months ago - but this was more trade price. I was looking at the rollers but went for the trainer out of ease and comfort really. Takes a few seconds to clip it in and can get going - handy to keep the bike stored in the garage too

I also want it for fitness more than anything, so don't wanna be worrying about falling on my face while using the rollers

i thought about falling off, but you will soon get ued them !

but i havent got the luxery(spelling?) as i have to lock up thhe bike outside the shed every night and put the tainer in the bedroom, also id have to keep changing the skewer, but i thought about getting another wheel but i dont want to keep adjusting the deralier all the time

[DOD]Asprilla · 29 Oct 2012 at 22:16

godinman said:
Also, can anyone recommend a decent cheap recovery drink?

Recovery Drink

It hydrates better than water and even has minor pain relieving qualities.