The biking thread

Shaun
Might just need a good adjustment rather than replacement mate.

First are they centered properly, meaning both pads come into the rim at the same time?
Next pad to rim distance, this is a bit of personal preference. I like them as close as possible really without rubbing the rims while leaning hard into a corner. Means pretty much as soon as I pull the brake levers slightly the brakes are starting to work, does help to have very true wheels for this scenario though.
Lastly and often overlooked toeing in the pads can help a lot depending on rim/pad composition. Rather than typing out an explanation here's a quick and good video explaining it.
All that assumes that your cables are in good knick also.
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I made sure (with a tiny adjustment) that each pad was equal distance from the rim leaving ~1-1.5mm of gap. The pads have run pretty low on the front but perhaps they could use adjusting so that they're a bit sharper. They might last for a few more months before I'm grinding metal. I'm going to try and get it in the shop and hopefully the mechanic will spot if there's a problem without me mentioning it. There may be a trace of slack in the cables since I haven't had a play with them and all the travelling may have played about with the slack.

After all the excitement I've built up waiting for this chance to ride I hope the roads aren't too harmful to my rims.

Edit: so the bike guy was a dead end, only open when everyone is working? pfffft.
I picked up a new set of pads for the front brake from a local rental shop which have done the trick but the spokes and gearing will have to wait to get adjusted. I think I'll be fine to ride to work tomorrow if I keep it under 30kph
 
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alpacaflip


Was towards the end of the day so I was getting really tired and I cased a jump and got a bad rebound. Thought I was going to get bucked off. Bit hard to tell in video, but when I don't clear it my rear tire bounces back into the air.
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Haha that was close! Nice track there, bit jealous 👍

Recently a new mountainbike park has been build not too far from me, going there sometime soon. Word goes they spent over a million Euros, not sure what it would cost to build a park but it sounds expensive.

Got me a new frame :D Put all the stuff (except barings etc) from my old frame on this One (haha ;) )
 
First day of commuter cycling in Chiang Mai, Thailand:

The morning ride was a breeze, very little traffic at 6:30am and not too hot. Getting out of the city was a bit tricky since there is a one way system around it and I had to double back to get my exit. Once out of the city it was a few km and a couple of sets of lights to the highway. I skipped the second and third sets of lights (bikes/motorcycles aren't prohibited from doing this here) and was able to keep a fair 30kph on the highway straight to school. No issues with the bike, only slight lack of stamina compared to what I was expecting, but that'll improve.

The way home was through heavier traffic and I got held at a few more sets of lights I the highway. It was much hotter so I kept a slower pace, just keeping up with the grandmas on their little Hondas. I can say there is certainly a lot more danger I the way back into the city but I feel confident that I'm aware enough of what and what not is going to cause me problems.

Computer readout (not too impressive):

Total distance: 23.20km
Ride time: 54.08 (22m there, the rest returning)
Max @ 44.4kph
Average speed: 25.7kph

There isn't any sight of even the slightest incline anywhere on this route so given that my previous commute was a massive hill climbing session everyday I think this commute will have to be a high speed session, once I'm back on form, of course, which may be a few weeks from now.
 
terminator363
...getting a fixie.
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terminator363
...getting a fixie.
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terminator363
... a fixie.
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terminator363
... fixie.
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embarassed-for-u.gif


:lol:
 
Why not hahaha I need a street bike :D I love the feel of fixed-gear anyways. I live the feedback from the rear tire. Besides it's a lot lighter because the of all the removed mechanical parts.

Besides, these are the kind of birds you get when riding fixed gear:
original.jpg
 
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I'm going to say that I reckon an everyday, steel street fixie (not a pro bike) will weight twice as much as an everyday, aluminium street geared bike, even with the road bike having extra parts. I could be wrong but the last time I picked up a fixie it was twice as heavy as my own bike which isn't really light itself coming in at nearly 10kg.
 
W3HS
I'm going to say that I reckon an everyday, steel street fixie (not a pro bike) will weight twice as much as an everyday, aluminium street geared bike, even with the road bike having extra parts. I could be wrong but the last time I picked up a fixie it was twice as heavy as my own bike which isn't really light itself coming in at nearly 10kg.
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Isn't really light? I think 10kg is very light... I went from aluminium frame to steel frame, little bit more weight but the drive is so much better 👍
 
W3HS
10kg is light compared to a mountain bike, but on the road every gram counts. I'm lucky that I tip the scales at under 70kg so the combined weight of me & bike is still relatively low.
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Bike and I = 67.7kg.
I may have the height and stature to match the Columbian climbers but I certainly don't climb in the mountain goat manner that they do.
As for my bike it could easily enough be brought down to the 6.8kg UCI weight limit. I'm just not prepared to drop another couple of grand into it swapping out wheels and a few other bits and bobs.

@terminator363 for the fixie go an old school steel lugged frame. Apart from the cool factor it will more more comfortable and durable for commuting on.

Also looking forward to the Tour starting this weekend. @Emptyone are you going to get the time to head up and see some of it live?
 
7.2 kg bike :P though I tip the scales at 73/4 because I'm tall at 6ft 1 and like food :lol: so not a proper mountain goat at all!

No Tour for me, I'm in the Dolomites the next two weeks and then the Pyrenees after, so just miss the Tour twice :dunce:
 
Emptyone
7.2 kg bike :P
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Nice 👍, you must have put it on a slight diet as it was 7.5kg without the pedals when you bought it.

No Tour for me, I'm in the Dolomites the next two weeks and then the Pyrenees after, so just miss the Tour twice :dunce:
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Shame about missing the tour but please please tell me that's a cycling trip you're going on.
 
Shaun
Nice 👍, you must have put it on a slight diet as it was 7.5kg without the pedals when you bought it.
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I think it's 7.2, last time I checked it was, maybe my scales are lying to me? :odd:

Shaun
Shame about missing the tour but please please tell me that's a cycling trip you're going on.
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Well not specifically cycling either of them, Dolomites is walking with maybe a day on a hire bike, and Pyrenees might have two days.

Yes I wish I had my bike with me, so much.
 
Ee by gum kudos for so many of the locals turning out to watch the race.

I have spotted a few chaps on the side of the road looking a bit like this though. :scared:

attachment.php


Probably not a bad idea that once you reach the stage that you need to tuck yourself into clothing that the lycra is given a wide berth.

The racing has been good so far, stage two sorted a few out. Pretty lumpy for an early stage of the tour.
 
Sprite
Just watching the TDF and enjoying it, especially going past and through towns I live and work in. Someone on Twitter posted this pic and I think it was worth sharing.
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It's been through both my home town (twice) and my adopted home town the past couple of days, so i've watched a lot of it live and on TV. The crowds have been insane!
 
@Shaun a friend of mine hasn't been on a bike in years and has let himself set seed like the proud gentleman in your pic. He was at the race on both days waring Team Sky jersey and shorts.

It makes me chuckle.

A work colleague was also there with his bike and his new Spider-Man Jersey and followed the race from Leeds to Harrogate on day 1. Now he is a big ex-navy chap and a bit top heavy but rides on a daily basis. He was telling me that there are rumours abound, about a Yorkshire race to be set up so it fits sometime in the season.
 
:lol:
Not sure if it's a photoshop or not but it regularly does the rounds on various biking forums.
 
I signed up for Strava last night. I won't be using it until next week when I switch phones but I'm hoping it's as good, if not better, than my previous tracker.

After having got into a rhythm with my daily commute now I'm finding that I rarely use anything other than the top gearing. When I have to stop completely (which isn't often) I just switch down to the smaller crank sprocket to make pulling away a bit easier but for the most part I'm on front big, rear small gears and am enjoying it. It can be a little harsh on the knees (at slower speeds/ cadence) but I prefer having to push hard low-down than reaching 35kph and be spinning madly. I could always use the rest of the cassette but what's the fun in that?

Also hoping tomorrow will allow me a chance to get the wheels trued and the gearing fixed so that I can have 100% confidence if I feel like going faster than normal.
 
Sean Kerr. Will probably be running it from Tuesday onward.

Bare in mind I'm mostly a commuter cyclist so my results will be mostly consistency over high speed or distance.

Looking forward to getting it running for when I take on Doi Suthep once I'm fit enough I a few months. I was invited to ride it tomorrow with a club but neither me or the bike are ready, the bike actually going in today for some TLC.

Yesterday evening on the way home from work I saw guy behind me on a race bike. He came past me so fast. I was at around cruising speed (~35) and as he came past, said hello and proceeded to tow me up to 50 without me putting in much more effort. I drafted him for another 2km to the lights topping out at just under 60 and we said goodbye.

I'm used to drafting large vehicle and motorcycles but this guy was so powerful he really made me up my game just to stay in his slipstream. Must. Ride. Harder. :)
 
W3HS
Sean Kerr. Will probably be running it from Tuesday onward.

Bare in mind I'm mostly a commuter cyclist so my results will be mostly consistency over high speed or distance.
Click to expand...

Added. 👍
I often don't bother comparing my rides via average speed and whatnot, too many variables like the wind for example.
I know within myself if it's been a hard ride that I pushed myself on. Sometimes pushing hard can still result in a lower ave speed but that's how it is.
Besides I'm out there to enjoy myself.
 

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