The biking thread

I just had problems getting the right tension on the derailleur and chain. Before I figured out the problem, the chain was really loose. I figured out how to get it after taking a break.

Ah glad you got it sorted out. 👍

Had a similar issue the other week swapping over the parts to my new frame. Chain was really loose then I remembered the frame was smaller. Measured and compared the rear chainstays and sure enough there was a fair difference. Checking by using the full link overlap method as explained here (about a third of the way down) sure enough two links needed to be removed from my chain.

Hope that was on a national road :P

TBH I'm not sure what the limit was. It was out in the sticks though so pretty sure it was at least 80. :sly:

Glad it was just a timely-reminder rather then a report from the hospital 👍

Thanks. 👍
I don't use a heart rate monitor but I didn't need one to know that it was racing for a minute or two afterwards.
 
Ufff i found it, never mind :)

Cool specialized. I like white colors, because i can see all the dirt and mud, bike suppose to be dirty ;)
 
Nice dirt jumper Fazerfan.

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Had some fun at the pump track yesterday.
 
Sorry if the image is too big.

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I've been looking at Plasti dip as a way to change the color of my commuter from this dusty red color to a flat gray minimal color. Is it even a good idea to use this on my frame?

I'm also thinking of getting some black rims for my bike in the future. I think it'll look really nice and fresh.
 
After the purchase of a car-bike rack this week, I figured it was time to pull finger and get back in the saddle!

After some much needed maintenance, including a rather bodge but effective truing of the rear wheel via some gentle taps with a rubber mallet, I was out on the road for the first time in 3 months..

The lungs were burning after 5km and I packed it in after 8km, but small steps is the goal. I've set myself the goal of 400km for the next few months. I just want to get back to where I was 18 months ago, but not put too much pressure on myself so that I end up not-enjoying it any more.
 
After the purchase of a car-bike rack this week, I figured it was time to pull finger and get back in the saddle!

Good to hear mate. 👍

After some much needed maintenance, including a rather bodge but effective truing of the rear wheel via some gentle taps with a rubber mallet, I was out on the road for the first time in 3 months..

:odd: but eh, whatever works. :lol:

The lungs were burning after 5km and I packed it in after 8km, but small steps is the goal. I've set myself the goal of 400km for the next few months. I just want to get back to where I was 18 months ago,

It's a start mate, been there done that.
I've never set myself distance goals in the purest form so to speak. When starting I would say to myself 30mins will do to start, that soon became 1 hour. I found by sticking with a time limit the distance increases anyway as your fitness levels go up.
What was 20km in an hour became 25 which became 30 and so forth.

Nowadays I aim for 2 hour sessions minimum although sometimes due to time restraints I can only manage an hour. Anything under that I tend not to go after factoring in time to squeeze into the lycra before hand and the compulsory wind down coffee once finished back at home. The time soon adds up and with a family I can't spend most of the weekend doing bike stuff for myself.

but not put too much pressure on myself so that I end up not-enjoying it any more.

Very important, it's all about enjoying it. What better way to get out an see a bit of the countryside.
No good pushing yourself so hard at the start that you soon get jack of it and can't be bothered. As it stands now if I don't get out for an absolute minimum of once a week (more is better though) I start to get a bit cranky.


On my front the saddle I ordered after deciding the current one wasn't going to get any more comfortable even after setting up my bike properly arrived on Friday.

It's been blowing a gale all week here but that didn't stop me getting out to test it. Initial impressions are very good.
By looking at it and feeling it there is no way I would have thought it would be more comfortable than the outgoing saddle but it is. Still no leather sofa but the improvement is huge.

From what I've read on the net about saddles it's all about how your sit bones interact with the saddle and this one just seems to fit me better. Also you can feel it flex a bit more when going over bumps.

The red and black also looks striking on my bike. :sly:
 
:odd: but eh, whatever works. :lol:
Maybe 'gentle' is a stretch of the truth...:D

Shaun
Anything under that I tend not to go after factoring in time to squeeze into the lycra

:scared: :P

Apart from the health and personal objective aspects, it's also a more viable alternative to slobbing at home playing BF3...

Shaun
On my front the saddle I ordered after deciding the current one wasn't going to get any more comfortable even after setting up my bike properly arrived on Friday.

I must confess, I have never understood how less padding = more comfortable. The rationale about soft tissue vs bone makes sense, but, just look at it!

phillkillv2
I guess I'm not the only person that's been there and done that.
I'm a bit ham fisted when it comes to odd jobs, so I was pleased as punch about it. Cured my squeaky rear brakes too!
 
Did 3 mtb rides with clipless pedals now and it really makes a difference while climbing.
On most climbs I can use a higher gear, and I can manage other climbs where I previously had to dismount halfway up.
Drawback is that the increase in climbing speed takes up more energy though, but the needed fitness will come in time.
 
This will be my latest purchase. I'm honestly getting tired of riding these 10 speeds I have. I'm just going to stow them away as a project or something.

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Richie Porte said.

“but that’s just how he rides, with his head down. I train with the guy everyday and he’s forever just riding into you, but that’s just how he rides.”

:lol: Keep calm and look at stem.

I'm actually a bit guilty of it myself, especially on a long run into a strong headwind. Head down (look at stem) concentrate on keeping a constant cadence while trying to ignore the pain in my legs and the wind that is annoying the crap out of me.

As you said though, not a good idea in traffic :dopey:.
 
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Great video CheersMate!


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Picked up this sweet Cannondale Chase today from pro rider Harlan Price. Already had it on dirt jumps, and it feels awesome.👍
 
For some light entertainment ...

Haha, that's funny, thanks for sharing. :lol:

I went for my first 30 mile cycle today. It was beautiful weather today with very little wind. Makes a change. I had three very steep hills that all climbed from sea level to over 900 feet which was fun. Passed a lady walking her dog and she smiled and laughed at me panting trying to push on up. I must have looked like a dog myself the sweaty state I was in!

I was asked if I'd like to join a group of guys that are all cycling 70 miles from Inverness to Keith, (Scottish Highlands), this Saturday, but with very little notice I wasn't able to get the time off work. Shame! I can't wait to start doing distances like that!
 
How many of you guys cycle to actually get places?

Took my road bike to aussie rules training today, took as long as it does to drive, not difficult either. However, the roads aren't the best.

I do have a 🤬 mountain bike in the garage, needs some TLC and brakes might need bleeding, but next time I think it'll be the weapon of choice.
 
Work is a bit too far to do with a bicycle.
Outside of offroading, I mostly take the bike for distances less than 2km.

If I'm going to friends, I don't want to get there all sweaty. + going by car leaves the option to go out later (I don't drink, so I'm often the designated driver)
 
I cycle to get around as much as possible. The times that I don't are because of distance, needing to be fresh and well presented, or needing to carry things. Small errands are all done by bike.

I can get to most local places quicker by bike than by car, and (the best part) once I've arrived I don't need to look for a place to park, just lock the bike up and go off to do my business.
 
ExigeEvan
How many of you guys cycle to actually get places?

Mostly no.
Now that the sun is starting to rise earlier though I plan on riding to work every now and then (52km).
I'll leave the bike at work overnight and ride it home within the next couple of days.
 
Everywhere, though not posessing a car sort of forces this, meaning it's up to me to sort transport out. But work is only 4km, and I'm quite happy to cycle for an hour or so if I have to go do stuff, with a bag on my back carrying spare clothes

That's not likely to change either, I use it for everything really.

On a personal biking note, using Strava is rather addictive, racing for KOM's is good fun. No properly long hills around where I live, but some gradient up to 18% in parts keeps it interesting :lol:
 
Pretty interesting. I was thinking about riding to college every once and a while, but my clothes would be ruined by my torrential sweat. If it finally cools off I'll probably consider it again. Fall needs to hurry. I need that cool weather in my veins.
 
I would bike more going places but living in the middle of nowhere, and starting on a long, steep hill that is a dead end road kills me.
 
I pretty much always travel by car if I need to go somewhere, there are too many asses on the roads I wouldn't be able to stand cycling around town. When I go for rides I always take the quiet lanes and B roads in the countryside.

Plus when you have to be at work for 5am, and getting up at 4am, the last thing you want to do is cycle. Believe me.
 
I used to cycle to high school with a couple of friends during our first few years but we all ended up walking after people would go and deflate everyone's tyres in the bike shed. 👎 I also used to cycle to work all the time as it's not far away but during the summer I wouldn't be presentable enough as I'd get so sweaty so now I'll either walk, or if it's wet weather I'll drive.

I bought a road bike for more exercise as I didn't find running alone satisfied my thirst for long distance sports. I wouldn't take my Specialized to work either, I wouldn't trust it be safe from theft or possible damage since I couldn't keep an eye on it the whole time I'm working.
 
Any of you guys night ride? I find the cool night air very relaxing before a good nights sleep.
 
Sometimes, mostly to and from the pub. I go for a ride at sunrise quite often, which is a nice way to start the day. My problem is that once I'm on the bike, I go into time trial-racing-PR mode and what was supposed to be a calming ride ends up being an all out sprint.
 
Well to me, considering how sketchy my area is on the road even during the day, I would never ride during the night even with my reflectors, and strips.

I go into time trial-racing-PR mode and what was supposed to be a calming ride ends up being an all out sprint.
This happens to me every single time.
 
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