The biking thread

[Neal]

I could recommend some good slicks or if you're going with the semis again then Maxxis Detonators are a great choice, my last bike ran over 5'000km on a set with a little tread but mostly slick.

Maxxis tyres are boss...and the logos on the sidewalls look cool too

EDIT: Nice to se another road biker on the boards, as currently it seems to be just Submerged and myself!

Don't forget Evan and Bram, also of the 357km I've done this year only 25km of that has been on dirt so I'm 93% roaddie...just without the shaved legs and team colours lycra


My SPD pedals and shoes arrived yesterday which I fitted last night, I think I've got the cleat position about right so will try them out tonight to check. The first time I got on the bike to check the position I hadn't tightened the cleats up enough and couldn't unclip as they weren't moving with the shoes so had to take the shoes off while sat on the bike. It was trickier than I was expecting and I ended up falling over in the kitchen still clipped in

 

[W3H5]

Evan and Bram don't come in here often, that's why I didn't think to mention them!

 

[Neal]

True, I'll let ya off then

 

[ExigeEvan]

I lurk!

But with a marathon at the end of May and atrocious Welsh weather I can't say I've cycled since mid January.

My SPD pedals and shoes arrived yesterday which I fitted last night, I think I've got the cleat position about right so will try them out tonight to check. The first time I got on the bike to check the position I hadn't tightened the cleats up enough and couldn't unclip as they weren't moving with the shoes so had to take the shoes off while sat on the bike. It was trickier than I was expecting and I ended up falling over in the kitchen still clipped in

Oh dear, you clipped both in straight away! One at a time to test!

 

[Neal]

Sometimes I'm not the sharpest knife in the draw!

 

[Aldo]

Don't forget Evan and Bram, also of the 357km I've done this year only 25km of that has been on dirt so I'm 93% roaddie...just without the casual bumming after rides. 👍


My SPD pedals and shoes arrived yesterday which I fitted last night, I think I've got the cleat position about right so will try them out tonight to check. The first time I got on the bike to check the position I hadn't tightened the cleats up enough and couldn't unclip as they weren't moving with the shoes so had to take the shoes off while sat on the bike. It was trickier than I was expecting and I ended up falling over in the kitchen still clipped in

Looooooooooool

 

[SuBMWaru]

Yes, that I do agree with.

It is more for climbing uphills and it is more for a beginner's level of cycling.

At the moment, I'm not finding it uncomfortable to use the gears yet as I haven't got the cardio and power yet to really highlight the gears shortfalls yet. No doubt that once I do, I will start complaining about them! So far, I'm not there yet.

With the bar mirrors are they actually easy to use?

Yeah. Just give the sora sometime and you'll find it's weaknesses. And the bar mirror is a Mirrcycle. I also bought this from REI as well. Do you have those where you live?

 

[SuBMWaru]

I have the same issue with taxis, there aren't any loggers in this city.

I could recommend some good slicks or if you're going with the semis again then Maxxis Detonators are a great choice, my last bike ran over 5'000km on a set with a little tread but mostly slick.

How do you train?

I live in a mountain city so there are plenty of large, steep hills to climb when I'm not commuting, and even on my commute. When the weather picks up and spring comes around I'll be back to the interval training on those bad boy mountains.

EDIT: Nice to se another road biker on the boards, as currently it seems to be just Submerged and myself!

I train by riding! I love my organized rides and dont think I have or ever will ride alone. It's just better with other people. But because I live in the suburbs and any sort of riding requires a drive out of town to the country I do ride a bit on an indoor trainer spin machine thing. It's beats the tires but because I plan on keeping this bike (I collect) It doesn't bother me that some trainer miles are uncounted.

 

[Neal]

I saw your new pedals/ shoes in the other thread Neal - interested to hear how you get on with them [/T.Rex]

I did my first ride with them tonight and it went pretty well. It did feel a bit weird not being able to fidget on the pedals but I soon got used to it and there were no embarrassing falls at junctions I can definitely see how you can put more power down and pedal more efficiently with the stiff soles and being able put more force into the bottom, up and top of the stroke plus you feel loads more connected to the bike which was one of my main reasons for getting them. My left leg felt great but the outside of my right knee felt a bit sore towards the end of the ride so I've tweaked the cleat position, I'll go for another short ride in the next couple of days to make sure I've got it right before Sunday's "big" ride.

 

[Bram Turismo]

I find uphills offer a great workout if you tackle them properly.

The best way is to ride the hill gently in the highest gear and once you're familiar with it you can try taking it on at a higher pace and getting the full benefit of uphill riding.

The thing about riding hills is that it's a completely different work-out than riding on a flat stretch of road and keeping up a high speed.

Riding hills is all about being light as a rider and having high stamina and endurance. Riding flat stretches can be equally as brutal if you pick a speed of say 45 km/h, and you force yourself to keep this speed for a given distance. This kind of exercise is all about strength and beating the pain.

Being on the heavy side myself, and having lifted heavy weights in the past I struggle more with hillclimbing than I do with interval training.


Oh, and don't worry about me not having been around a lot in this thread. As Evan, I lurk. But the snow has just melted from all the roads now so I plan on taking my bike to the shop possibly this weekend for a big maintenance. I need a new chain, new tires and new brakes. Then I'm about set to start the season 👍

And I also kind of REALLY want the new outfits from Omega-Pharma Quickstep

 

[W3H5]

I don't ride so fast, around 35kpm is my average pace but on the uphill climbs I have the advantage of being a tad over 60kg and have a high level of stamina. My legs probably, at this stage, aren't powerful enough to average 45kpm on the flats but as I gain weight I've noticed that most of the muscle building has happened on my thighs, so who knows?

EDIT: Clocked a new work - home record of 27:06 over the 14km of hills. Well chuffed. Seems all the extra calories are paying off. I don't even feel very tired now and I was really giving it some. Still know I can go faster, though.

I passed a group of cyclist, which is a rare occurrence, old folk mainly, and all I can imagine they saw was a brightly coloured blur fly past with the rest of the traffic at around 60kph!

 

[Submerged]

Hm, the weather was nice again, decided to go out early this morning to get some miles done before the lessons.

My dad came along as well (62 yrs old this year) and he did well, doing 21 miles (33.6 km) at an average of 14.6mph (23.36 kph). It was a good route, pretty flat as Strava said it was only 500-odd ft elevation gain. It did feel pretty flat.

Apart from those god-damned humpback bridges. Anyone have any actual idea how to get over it safely, while still being glaringly visible to other road users WITHOUT actually losing too much speed? These are proper country roads though, so I guess its always best to be cautious and slow than to scream your way through it.

I did notice that after a time of doing a fairly slow steady paced cycle, trying to up the pace a bit on a still flat part of the road was actually a bit of a shock and slightly uncomfortable. Maybe still need to work on a bit of stamina for now and changeable pace work!

Apparently the weekend will be wet.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Very jealous, Submerged.

Great day for a cycle, and I'm bunged up with a cold.

 

[Neal]

Awesome ride at Coed Llankendoddsdadsdogsdeadglla today. Cleaned everything which is a huuuuge improvement on the last time I went but still not a fast overall time due to plenty of stopping for chatting, energy gels and for everyone else to catch up with me Here is the total ride on Strava but what I'm most proud of is coming 12th out of 58 on the new B-Line descent, climb, descent I lost most of the time to the leader on the time on the climb but he's like a machine or something and I held my own on the down stuff.

What really made the ride an enormous laugh was finally getting over my mental block about jumps and getting some proper air. Admittedly in reality there was probably less air than I felt like I was getting but I cleared a few table tops which felt boss!

 

[Aldo]

Your ride at Coed Llankydonkeydicksanddogsbollocksdeadlalllallllalallalla sounds great mate! 👍 Huge effort on the Strava leader boards as well.

Nice one getting some air! Actually clearing table tops rather than landing on the top feels really good.
I was down in Wales and I think I got a picture of you jumping...

The guy at the side is loving it!

 

[Neal]

Yeah that's me

I forgot to mention I fell off 3 times at 0mph due not unclipping from pedals, the worst/best one was infront of a reasonable crowd and because my foot was trapped under the bike I couldn't unclip without help so resembled a tortoise on its back in the sun until people stopped laughing.


Edit: Here's a video from yesterday at Llandegla taken by one of the guys we were talking to, I'm not on it but gives an idea what it was like.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Yeah that's me

I forgot to mention I fell off 3 times at 0mph due not unclipping from pedals, the worst/best one was infront of a reasonable crowd and because my foot was trapped under the bike I couldn't unclip without help so resembled a tortoise on its back in the sun until people stopped laughing.

You need to loosen them, now!

 

[W3H5]

I was actually a cyclist today. Having been racing the computer everyday to work and set a new fastest time I managed to destroy my thighs. Last night I got a massage and used some sports gel to help.

This morning the legs felt OK but I knew I needed a warm down session. So 40km just being a cyclist. No racing traffic, no uphill sprints, no down hill top speed trials, now sweating, no lane hogging and essentially no hard exercise.

It's not easy, going slow, I mean. The bike is telling me "This is a down hill stretch. Crank up a few gears and take on that Mondeo, see what it's made of." and I'm telling myself "Take it easy, Shem, don't exert yourself."

The bike lends itself to high speeds, naturally, it's a road tourer and is meant to be ridden like it's been stolen. The gears feel like they're tailored just to my cadence/ power abilities. The bearings must be coated in unicorn oil because I swear I could have rolled half the journey. It's coming up to 230km on the computer, and I must have done a couple of hundred before the computer was installed.

Tomorrow I'm going to give it a clean and, hopefully, my Teflon chain lube will arrive and I can coat the gears and what not.

Also, at the request of most of my family and due to the fact that I don't loathe myself any more and I'm quite enjoying life since I've been off the booze, I've decided to buy a lid. I looked at a few and found that Specialized seem to offer a good range within my price band. I need something that isn't too bulky. It needs to be aerodynamic like me. Plus I've got a fat load of hair to stuff into the thing so it needs to be practical.

This is one I found for around £50. What do you guys think? Any suggestions?

 

[Neal]

Looks like a nice lid shem, Specialized make good ones.

You need to loosen them, now!

They already are on the lowest tension I think I've had enough embarrassment to remember I'm clipped-in in future!


EDIT: More monkeying around...possible language warnings

 

[Submerged]

W3HS, when you're coasting or just taking it easy, just look around (not too much..)

Try and take in some of the sights around your place (hopefully not an concrete eyesore or the back of a bus!).

Its good practice to do that though, as it makes you appreciate the original reason that bikes were invented. To get from A to B and actually see a part of the landscape itself. Also, CQ gotta have so many changes from month to month, surely there's insane amount of high-rises that are growing a level a week or something that is equally impressive to actually see?

I was told that a 200 kilometres highway system was finish and completed (with many bridges) in 6 months near Shanghai. The high rise near the place I was living in, before I arrived, had a level built every week. 20 floor building. Ironically when I was there, that building work right there just suddenly stopped. Obviously the owners knew I was there for some reason...

But yes, its dead boring going slow when there's nothing to look around apart from the public's appreciation of your highly toned arse and legs....

Edit: That helmet will sort you right out and it got loads of holes for ventilation! Get it! With CQ heat index for Englishmen being well off the scale, you'll be thanking your lucky stars you got one of those.

Air it out afterwards of course, unless you want it to smell really really really manky...

 

[SuBMWaru]

Just remember not to look around too much when moving quickly!! I learned the hard way with many many near misses

 

[W3H5]

Its good practice to do that though, as it makes you appreciate the original reason that bikes were invented. To get from A to B and actually see a part of the landscape itself. Also, CQ gotta have so many changes from month to month, surely there's insane amount of high-rises that are growing a level a week or something that is equally impressive to actually see?

Absolutely!

I usually use the river road which offers me quite a nice view but having seen it so many times its like riding down Embankment in London everyday and getting bored of the sights.

There is quite a lot of building work going on and it does shoot up quicker than one can imagine! The things is, I usually have a look when I'm going past at high speeds as there isn't much to see but a few builders lazing around with smokes hanging from their mouths.

Edit: That helmet will sort you right out and it got loads of holes for ventilation! Get it! With CQ heat index for Englishmen being well off the scale, you'll be thanking your lucky stars you got one of those.

Air it out afterwards of course, unless you want it to smell really really really manky...

I'm paid tomorrow so that will be my first purchase of the month. I looked at a few cheaper ones but decided there was no point going cheap on something that could potentially mean the difference between death/ brain damage and getting away luck with a few cuts should the worst happen.

 

[Neal]

Good news regarding the broadcast of the DH World Cup, it was pretty much confirmed already but good to have finalised. After watching 3 Mintue Gaps and that Danny Hart video I might watch some of it this year.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) is delighted to confirm that the Red Bull Media House GmbH (RBMH) is the new official media partner of the RockyRoads UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano.
Under this new partnership, RBMH will provide media services including HD TV production, webcasting and content syndication. Live streaming of all the World Cup Cross-country Olympic, Cross- country Eliminator and Downhill races will be featured on www.redbull.com/bike and www.redbull.tv. The UCI and RBMH will collaborate closely to ensure that coverage of these events will be more dynamic, innovative and viewer-friendly, providing fans with unforgettable images of racing action.

RBMH will produce the official international live signal as well as highlight programmes that the UCI will provide to TV channels on all continents. Overall TV production will be improved with High Definition images and an increased number of cameras at events.

RBMH, which replaces Freecaster.tv as exclusive live streaming partner, will also hold worldwide non-exclusive internet rights to the UCI BMX World Championships as well as selected media rights in
certain territories for the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.

UCI President Mr Pat McQuaid welcomes the latest partner for the new-look mountain bike series: “The RockyRoads UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano has been given a boost for 2012, and with RBMH on board, we can be sure that top quality images of this series can reach fans throughout the world. This exciting World Cup series deserves innovative media coverage of the highest standard. With RBMH we have found the perfect solution. This new partnership can only serve to further develop our leading mountain bike series.”

 

[alpacaflip]

Went for my first ride on my Yeti this year on Wednesday. Was really fun and filmed it. Didn't upload the other path yet though.


Excuse my breathing on the one part lol. If you have ever ridden a bike with 9 inchs of travel up even the smallest hills, it's a pain.

 

[Aldo]

Good news regarding the broadcast of the DH World Cup, it was pretty much confirmed already but good to have finalised. After watching 3 Mintue Gaps and that Danny Hart video I might watch some of it this year.

Hoping they get Rob Warner on the commentary team. The man's a legend!
I'll remember to wave at the cameras at Fort William.

 

[W3H5]

Question: I'm looking to buy some clipless gear. I've spotted a pair of Specialized touring shoes with the cleats for a good price and plan to buy them.

I don't, however, plan on dropping a bomb on Specialized pedal too and have seen some Shimano's (SPD M540) that are within my price range.

What I want to know is are these compatible, does anyone know? I read up on the pedals and it says that they should only be used with Shimano shoes but I guess that's just to make more sales. I don't want to buy them both if they don't fit, obviously, and because I'm ordering online I can't try before hand.

On a side note, Mrs Shem has said it's Neal's fault for making me want them after I saw his on here and felt that I needed a set myself!

Also, in other news, I should be ordering my lid today but am yet to find out which size head I have. I think I'll pop into town and try some on in my local bike shop.

 

[boiltheocean]

You suspect correctly, it's just to try make more sales. As far as I'm aware cleats are a standard size across all mtb shoes.

 

[W3H5]

Well, they're tourers but have the same 2 bolt system. I guess I'll by them and find out.

 

[Neal]

Nice vid alpacaflip, the trail is infinitely drier than where I was at the weekend! What camera are you using?

Hoping they get Rob Warner on the commentary team. The man's a legend!
I'll remember to wave at the cameras at Fort William.

According to the comments on the Pink Bike article based on Rob Warner's twitter it looks like he's doing it I'll be flying to Menorca the weekend of Fort Bill so I'll miss it but I'm sure someone will spot you and start a new fad in the edit my picture thread

What I want to know is are these compatible, does anyone know? I read up on the pedals and it says that they should only be used with Shimano shoes but I guess that's just to make more sales. I don't want to buy them both if they don't fit, obviously, and because I'm ordering online I can't try before hand.

On a side note, Mrs Shem has said it's Neal's fault for making me want them after I saw his on here and felt that I needed a set myself!

Also, in other news, I should be ordering my lid today but am yet to find out which size head I have. I think I'll pop into town and try some on in my local bike shop.

Yay, I'm (in)famous with GTP partners Those shoes and pedals will definitely work together and it shows the pedals come with the cleats so it's all good. Trying the lid for size before you buy is always a good idea, I went to a bike shop to do it recently as I'm planning on getting a new one at the end of the month.

 

[Aldo]

According to the comments on the Pink Bike article based on Rob Warner's twitter it looks like he's doing it I'll be flying to Menorca the weekend of Fort Bill so I'll miss it but I'm sure someone will spot you and start a new fad in the edit my picture thread

Win! Haha I'll be too busy taking photos to be waving at the cameras tbh!