The biking thread
- Thread starter Bram Turismo
- 4,879 comments
- 268,689 views
- 12,895
- Cambridge
- Moglet85
- Moglet
I found these in one of the local woods:
I haven't got any air yet but I have been hitting the smaller ramps and rolling them to get used to the elevation change. I'm also hitting an average ride distance of 29 miles, with 60% of this being off road on single track and through fields and the other 40% on cycle paths. 👍
Unfortunately my full susser might be out of action for a little bit as the chainring bolts were coming loose on my last ride, one of them fell out without me noticing.
Time to buy some more by the looks of it!
I haven't got any air yet but I have been hitting the smaller ramps and rolling them to get used to the elevation change. I'm also hitting an average ride distance of 29 miles, with 60% of this being off road on single track and through fields and the other 40% on cycle paths. 👍
Unfortunately my full susser might be out of action for a little bit as the chainring bolts were coming loose on my last ride, one of them fell out without me noticing.
Time to buy some more by the looks of it!
- 1,433
- Germany
- psychoazubi
Anyone participating in the 24h race (or shorter races) on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 4 weeks? I'll go for the 75km category as I didn't have much time to prepare. Only had one competition on the Hockenheimring this year, next one is a triathlon in 2 weeks. Looking forward to it, got my first race bike this year. Was only driving Mountainbikes so far.
In case anyone is interesed, here is the website: www.rad-am-ring.de
In case anyone is interesed, here is the website: www.rad-am-ring.de
- 5,987
- Finland
I've been looking at some narrower tyres in order to give my 29er hardtail (sacrilege, I know) a bit more on-road abilities without rendering it completely useless on gravel so I guess cyclocross rubber is the way to go. Something along the lines of Continental Cyclocross Speed, Schwalbe Sammy Slick or Specialized Trigger might do the trick pretty well - or will the only result be a total loss of comfort as the ride becomes rock hard and no real speed advantages are to be seen? The current tyres are 29x2.0 Specialized Fast Traks which are probably from the faster end of the scale already when it comes to 29er tyres.
- 35,372
- Downtown North Dakota
- Cy-Fi
@Greycap - how about a WTB Nano Raptor?
Bead through the middle for on road speed but also decent tread on the sides for off road.
Bead through the middle for on road speed but also decent tread on the sides for off road.
- 10,836
- Belgium
- bramturismo
Today's ride was 72km at 27.50 km/h average. I've been sick last week so I still feel slightly out of shape. My goal for this year would be 100km at 28 km/h average, so there's still work to do! And I still need to lose at least another 5kg...
I think I rode around 2h30min or so. I only wanted to go for an hour so I didn't bring any food. It's firing back at me now, though!
My bike is built in Belgium, and this week I found a Belgian family company that builds carbon wheels. Fully customizable clinchers, too bad they're ~900 euros a set...
I think I rode around 2h30min or so. I only wanted to go for an hour so I didn't bring any food. It's firing back at me now, though!
My bike is built in Belgium, and this week I found a Belgian family company that builds carbon wheels. Fully customizable clinchers, too bad they're ~900 euros a set...
- 10,836
- Belgium
- bramturismo
Today's ride:
Distance: 93km
Avg Speed: 27 km/h
Getting closer to my first goal, but not quite there yet. I think I also need to search how much I should feed my body during the ride. I took some food and plenty of water with me, yet I still feel my legs had too little fuel after 2h30min. Luckily I didn't feel nautious when I came home, so it was definitely wise to at least bring some food with me.
I've also started to mix in 2 days with leg exercises in the gym with cycling, consisting of alternating leg presses, romanian deadlifts, lunges, and calves raises on the leg press. Trying to complement both with eachother, hoping to see some effect in the near future.
Also, I love my Granville. Put around 600-700km on it since I bought it, and it's only now that I'm really getting comfortable with it. Absolutely fantastic thing to ride!
Distance: 93km
Avg Speed: 27 km/h
Getting closer to my first goal, but not quite there yet. I think I also need to search how much I should feed my body during the ride. I took some food and plenty of water with me, yet I still feel my legs had too little fuel after 2h30min. Luckily I didn't feel nautious when I came home, so it was definitely wise to at least bring some food with me.
I've also started to mix in 2 days with leg exercises in the gym with cycling, consisting of alternating leg presses, romanian deadlifts, lunges, and calves raises on the leg press. Trying to complement both with eachother, hoping to see some effect in the near future.
Also, I love my Granville. Put around 600-700km on it since I bought it, and it's only now that I'm really getting comfortable with it. Absolutely fantastic thing to ride!
- 12,895
- Cambridge
- Moglet85
- Moglet
Some photos of me and the general ride yesterday, it was a free open day at the local mountain bike center.
It was a great day out despite the 10km route being overgrown and boring to ride. Luckily the other sections including the tabletops more than made up for it and I managed to beat my best time on 'Devil's Spine' by getting more air than I expected off one of the mounds and almost going over the bars
The section in question is this but it's now surrounded by hedges and shrubs:
I also gained a lot of faith in my Continental Mountain King 2's over the hard packed stuff, not once did they even give a hint of letting go. It's a shame they're not as good on loose gravel.
It was a great day out despite the 10km route being overgrown and boring to ride. Luckily the other sections including the tabletops more than made up for it and I managed to beat my best time on 'Devil's Spine' by getting more air than I expected off one of the mounds and almost going over the bars
The section in question is this but it's now surrounded by hedges and shrubs:
I also gained a lot of faith in my Continental Mountain King 2's over the hard packed stuff, not once did they even give a hint of letting go. It's a shame they're not as good on loose gravel.
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- 7,872
- Horbury, West Yorkshire
- GTP_Sprite
Total madness...
@Greycap how about Kenda Smallblock 8?
http://road.cc/content/review/6490-kenda-small-block-8-700x32c-tyre
@Greycap how about Kenda Smallblock 8?
http://road.cc/content/review/6490-kenda-small-block-8-700x32c-tyre
- 12,895
- Cambridge
- Moglet85
- Moglet
I ended up going to Swinley Forest this weekend:
27.2 miles of fast, sweeping bends, big drops and nice berms coupled with some neat technical sections towards the end. I loved every minute of it and I'm hoping to go back this weekend. One of the guys I ride with also took this neat photo of me:
27.2 miles of fast, sweeping bends, big drops and nice berms coupled with some neat technical sections towards the end. I loved every minute of it and I'm hoping to go back this weekend. One of the guys I ride with also took this neat photo of me:
- 30,004
- Thailand
Fond a cool site that can plot pretty accurate routes if any one is interested. I expect there are many out there but this is the first one I've seen that has such good details. www.plotaroute.com
- 7,872
- Horbury, West Yorkshire
- GTP_Sprite
What do our Aussie friends think of this?
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...lmet-laws-do-more-harm-than-good-senate-hears
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...lmet-laws-do-more-harm-than-good-senate-hears
- 5,491
- Vic, Australia
- gundalini
It's an interesting one @Sprite that pops up quite often here.
I'll say firstly from a personal perspective it doesn't bother me as I would wear one regardless of the law.
I do however resent constant intervention from governments, let people make there own choices it's their life and health on the line. I'm old enough to remember when the law was introduced in 1990, at the time I thought 🤬 you I'll make my own choices thanks. A helmet back then was around the $50 mark and the fine was $15, my thinking was I can get caught here three times and still be ahead. Out of interest I was fined three times between the introduction of the law and turning 18 and getting my driving licence and stopped riding.
Crazy thing is as a child I could ride without a helmet but now I can't, some call it progression I suppose.
Anyway the article goes on about the law hindering people from riding. There's two sides to that, there is now more cyclists on the road here than ever but does is stop the casual cyclist?
I would see to an extent yes, the majority of cyclist you see here are of the serious nature and mamils like myself. I remember as a kid you would ride everywhere with the other kids, doesn't seen to be so common nowadays.
It does however definitely stop tourists hiring bikes and riding around, Melbourne over the last few years introduced a bike rental scheme for that purpose. You mainly see them at the parking stations and never being ridden. Take me as an example, on a recent trip to Sydney I probably would have hired a bike for s few hours but as I didn't have my helmet with me no thanks. I'm not about to use some skanky helmet the hire company gives you.
Long story short let people (especially adults) make there own choices and I'll keep wearing mine. 👍
I'll say firstly from a personal perspective it doesn't bother me as I would wear one regardless of the law.
I do however resent constant intervention from governments, let people make there own choices it's their life and health on the line. I'm old enough to remember when the law was introduced in 1990, at the time I thought 🤬 you I'll make my own choices thanks. A helmet back then was around the $50 mark and the fine was $15, my thinking was I can get caught here three times and still be ahead. Out of interest I was fined three times between the introduction of the law and turning 18 and getting my driving licence and stopped riding.
Crazy thing is as a child I could ride without a helmet but now I can't, some call it progression I suppose.
Anyway the article goes on about the law hindering people from riding. There's two sides to that, there is now more cyclists on the road here than ever but does is stop the casual cyclist?
I would see to an extent yes, the majority of cyclist you see here are of the serious nature and mamils like myself. I remember as a kid you would ride everywhere with the other kids, doesn't seen to be so common nowadays.
It does however definitely stop tourists hiring bikes and riding around, Melbourne over the last few years introduced a bike rental scheme for that purpose. You mainly see them at the parking stations and never being ridden. Take me as an example, on a recent trip to Sydney I probably would have hired a bike for s few hours but as I didn't have my helmet with me no thanks. I'm not about to use some skanky helmet the hire company gives you.
Long story short let people (especially adults) make there own choices and I'll keep wearing mine. 👍
- 7,872
- Horbury, West Yorkshire
- GTP_Sprite
I agree @Shaun in the UK we don't have any helmet laws but if I was road riding or MTB'ing every day I'd wear the appropriate head gear. An increase in said activity increases the chance you may come off.
For a quick casual ride to the shop or to the park with family etc which is once a week then I see no harm in not having a lid.
I also agree with part of the article which says the government need to spend more on facilities for cyclists in general rather than the cost of policing the silly laws. This goes for UK too.
Where I'm at in Yorkshire we have a lot of bikes going through my village from serious groups of Roadies to your casual small groups of MTBers who are heading to the local woods and trails. We also see a lot of families with small kids heading to the parks or canal tow paths and dedicated scenic bike routes.
If we introduced the same laws here I can say for sure it will be all the casual riders who would disappear. Which is I guess the worries in Australia and the negative impact of health (although I'm sure they do other things and biking is just one thing and not sure how much of an impact it will have on health).
For a quick casual ride to the shop or to the park with family etc which is once a week then I see no harm in not having a lid.
I also agree with part of the article which says the government need to spend more on facilities for cyclists in general rather than the cost of policing the silly laws. This goes for UK too.
Where I'm at in Yorkshire we have a lot of bikes going through my village from serious groups of Roadies to your casual small groups of MTBers who are heading to the local woods and trails. We also see a lot of families with small kids heading to the parks or canal tow paths and dedicated scenic bike routes.
If we introduced the same laws here I can say for sure it will be all the casual riders who would disappear. Which is I guess the worries in Australia and the negative impact of health (although I'm sure they do other things and biking is just one thing and not sure how much of an impact it will have on health).
- 12,895
- Cambridge
- Moglet85
- Moglet
We need less casuals clogging up the trails and going slowly so I'm all for it 
I jest, but I think the way the UK approaches it is pretty good and most people tend to wear helmets when appropriate. I did see some lads down at the jump gully at Swinley earlier doing huge jumps without helmets on though, which worried me a bit. Still, it's their health.
I jest, but I think the way the UK approaches it is pretty good and most people tend to wear helmets when appropriate. I did see some lads down at the jump gully at Swinley earlier doing huge jumps without helmets on though, which worried me a bit. Still, it's their health.
- 35,372
- Downtown North Dakota
- Cy-Fi
I've been on the hunt for a road bike for a while and came across this one today. Assuming I'm correct and it is a 1999 model (the color is wrong for a 2000), it's sporting Ultegra components, which I'm lead to believe is quality. I'm waiting on a reply as to frame size, which would be a deal breaker, but if it's in the 56cm range (how much of a difference would 54 or 58cm make? I really have no idea), is that a decent bike to jump on for a first real road bike?
Edit: Got a response. Apparently it's a 66cm!
Edit: Got a response. Apparently it's a 66cm!
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- 5,491
- Vic, Australia
- gundalini
@TB
Frame size is very important on a road bike, the top tube is the one that's best to look at as this determines how far you are going to be stretched out.
You can always small frame bigger (longer stem, seat post set back etc) but you can't make a big frame smaller if you get my drift. A jump from 54 to 56 can be significant, 54 to 58 is huge. Do you know your measurements and have an idea of frame size you need? If not start here.
Road bike are inherently uncomfortable, it's the nature of the beast. Running over a pebble can feel like running over a boulder hence getting the bike the most comfortable to start with being important. You will however get used to it so don't let that put you off at all.
The bike you linked is more of a time trial bike and honestly avoid for a first bike, re comfort or lack of it. Multiply for a time trial bike. On to the components yep Ultegra is quality stuff, the Shimano running order is.
Dura Ace
Ultegra
105
Tiagra
Sora
Then the stuff you would find on a Walmart bike.
Keep in mind Shimano are the masters of trickle down tech so last generation Dura Ace is like current Ultegra, Ultegra like 105 etc etc.
The components on the listed bike are about 3 generations old Ultegra so around the quality of today's Sora, the current Sora is probably a bit better tbh. Not that there is anything wrong with that until you hit the Walmart stuff all Shimano's gear is of pretty good quality. 👍
The price of bikes falls quicker than an out of control satellite re-entering the atmosphere so keep looking and you'll soon get a very good bike at a great price. Lot's out there of from people who have great intentions of riding and buying a high end bike only to ride it half a dozen times. You don't need to spend a fortune to get started, that can come later.
Don't hesitate to yell out if you have any questions, I'll do my best to help and answer as honestly as possible.
Give me 6-12 months and I'll have you in lycra.
Edit: Just saw your edit and 66cm, yikes the guy must be a giant or at least of @Mike Rotch proportions.
Frame size is very important on a road bike, the top tube is the one that's best to look at as this determines how far you are going to be stretched out.
You can always small frame bigger (longer stem, seat post set back etc) but you can't make a big frame smaller if you get my drift. A jump from 54 to 56 can be significant, 54 to 58 is huge. Do you know your measurements and have an idea of frame size you need? If not start here.
Road bike are inherently uncomfortable, it's the nature of the beast. Running over a pebble can feel like running over a boulder hence getting the bike the most comfortable to start with being important. You will however get used to it so don't let that put you off at all.
The bike you linked is more of a time trial bike and honestly avoid for a first bike, re comfort or lack of it. Multiply for a time trial bike. On to the components yep Ultegra is quality stuff, the Shimano running order is.
Dura Ace
Ultegra
105
Tiagra
Sora
Then the stuff you would find on a Walmart bike.
Keep in mind Shimano are the masters of trickle down tech so last generation Dura Ace is like current Ultegra, Ultegra like 105 etc etc.
The components on the listed bike are about 3 generations old Ultegra so around the quality of today's Sora, the current Sora is probably a bit better tbh. Not that there is anything wrong with that until you hit the Walmart stuff all Shimano's gear is of pretty good quality. 👍
The price of bikes falls quicker than an out of control satellite re-entering the atmosphere so keep looking and you'll soon get a very good bike at a great price. Lot's out there of from people who have great intentions of riding and buying a high end bike only to ride it half a dozen times. You don't need to spend a fortune to get started, that can come later.
Don't hesitate to yell out if you have any questions, I'll do my best to help and answer as honestly as possible.
Give me 6-12 months and I'll have you in lycra.
Edit: Just saw your edit and 66cm, yikes the guy must be a giant or at least of @Mike Rotch proportions.
- 1,407
- Gold Coast, Australia
- Paintguzzlinpete
- RepairedCarrot8
Picked up a few bikes recently to try get active. Need a pump and a helmet and I can start riding a road bike I got given, also picked up a couple of mountain bikes. I have a few mates that got pretty expensive downhill bikes but turns out the things hardly leave the pavement so I got a couple of 90's mountain bikes so me and the missus can go for a bit of an explore too.
For some reason I'm really liking the 90's bikes, I got an IBOC Mongoose and another one that is a bit of a generic frame but has some good quality stuff on it. Picking up a '93 Kona Cinder Cone project in a couple of weeks. Anyone into the old school stuff?
For some reason I'm really liking the 90's bikes, I got an IBOC Mongoose and another one that is a bit of a generic frame but has some good quality stuff on it. Picking up a '93 Kona Cinder Cone project in a couple of weeks. Anyone into the old school stuff?
- 12,895
- Cambridge
- Moglet85
- Moglet
I did a skills course at UK Bike Skills this weekend, and had a huge amount of fun. I managed to clear a 6ft tabletop after many many attempts, got more comfortable with big berms at high speed and leaning the bike, and did a steep drop in which I video'd. It may not seem that steep or big but it took me ages to work up to doing it! I'm very pleased with my progress so far, this time last year I was still slowly riding around doing cross country only! This was filmed on the 2nd day when I was linking it up with the rest of the trails:
- 1,046
- Nottingham
So guys my budget increased slightly and I went and purchased a 2015 Specialized Pitch 650b. Great bike however a week into owning it, the bottom bracket is squeaking and making funny sounds.
- 10,836
- Belgium
- bramturismo
The goal for this year was to average 28km/h over 100km.
Today I averaged 30km/h over 105km.
Beer's on me tonight, lads!
Today I averaged 30km/h over 105km.
Beer's on me tonight, lads!
boiltheocean
Premium
- 7,756
- Samoa
Been on this for the past 6 or so months. My first 29" build and it's an absolute blast to ride. Back to hardtail too after about two years on a Yeti 575.
boiltheocean
Premium
- 7,756
- Samoa
32 to a 36-11 10-speed cassette. Looks very small on those wheels but is pretty good all-round. The 160mm discs looks stupidly cute, so I swapped them out to 200mm XT rotors on either end. Stops on the spot but look just as ridiculous as 160mm.
Going to the On-One shop on Saturday to have a look, and probably walk away with the Titus Fireline Evo. It's basically the Titanium version of that frame and they're selling it for an unbelievable £500 at the moment.
Going to the On-One shop on Saturday to have a look, and probably walk away with the Titus Fireline Evo. It's basically the Titanium version of that frame and they're selling it for an unbelievable £500 at the moment.
- 805
- NJ
- alpacaflip1
@Moglet awesome stuff! I also can't stand how stuff always looks so small on video haha.
A clip on my favorite trail. It not a hard or crazy trail, but has a nice fun flow. I need to start recording again, because I've improved a lot over the last two years, and barely recorded anything..
Took this shot a couple weeks ago, because I liked the way the sun was hitting the trees in my back yard one morning; while walking my dog.
I posted this in the Halloween thread too. Me next to Aaron Chase (Redbull rider). I was riding in my costume all day haha. And sadly that is the end of the downhill season here.
A clip on my favorite trail. It not a hard or crazy trail, but has a nice fun flow. I need to start recording again, because I've improved a lot over the last two years, and barely recorded anything..
Took this shot a couple weeks ago, because I liked the way the sun was hitting the trees in my back yard one morning; while walking my dog.
I posted this in the Halloween thread too. Me next to Aaron Chase (Redbull rider). I was riding in my costume all day haha. And sadly that is the end of the downhill season here.
boiltheocean
Premium
- 7,756
- Samoa
Sweet themed costume! Chase is a legend. Easily one of my favourite riders ever.
Update on the Fireline, I bought one, not from the store though. Although On-One have the warehouse about 50m away from the store apparently they can't go get stuff from it to bring to people in the shop. The shop itself barely has much in, so I honestly don't know why they bother with it. Now I've got to sit on my hands for a few days waiting for the frame to arrive through the post.
Update on the Fireline, I bought one, not from the store though. Although On-One have the warehouse about 50m away from the store apparently they can't go get stuff from it to bring to people in the shop. The shop itself barely has much in, so I honestly don't know why they bother with it. Now I've got to sit on my hands for a few days waiting for the frame to arrive through the post.
- 35,372
- Downtown North Dakota
- Cy-Fi
A new possibility appears! On the plus side, it's the correct size this time.
Decent ride for a first foray into road bikes? I know the components aren't "the best" but for me I don't see that as being absolutely necessary. Thoughts?
Also, maybe it's just my old school thinking but does the top post make it look like a girls bike? The images from the manufacturer's site don't appear quite as pitched.
Decent ride for a first foray into road bikes? I know the components aren't "the best" but for me I don't see that as being absolutely necessary. Thoughts?
Also, maybe it's just my old school thinking but does the top post make it look like a girls bike? The images from the manufacturer's site don't appear quite as pitched.
