Need to sort the bike out

[rafiki_]

Choice of a nice comfy mountain bike or the roady bike, with its cheesewire saddle, paper thin tyres and lack of crawler gears. Both will need a good service and some TLC to get them up to snuff. Will start the training on the mountain bike, to ease my @rse into shape, then will get on the roady bike when the roads and weather improve. Will have to invest in some new gel insert shorts too. I doubt my old ones will fit

 

[fireball]

For shorts & kit - DHB (wiggle own brand) is pretty good VFM (no connection).

I'm just reducing my training for now - I'll complete 5k miles in 2014 by the end of the week ...
I'll not bother with a target distance for next year - 100 miles a week is not difficult, but you have to keep at it and tbh I could do with a break from that...

 

[rafiki_]

For shorts & kit - DHB (wiggle own brand) is pretty good VFM (no connection).

I'm just reducing my training for now - I'll complete 5k miles in 2014 by the end of the week ...
I'll not bother with a target distance for next year - 100 miles a week is not difficult, but you have to keep at it and tbh I could do with a break from that...

Crikey, 100 a week? That would 6 or 7 hours for me. I just don't have the time, as I do a lot of travelling, UK and abroad, so don't often get an evening at home unfortunately. I will build up to 40 miles a weekend, but unlikely to see that until April/May.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

That's more than enough Rafiki.... if you can do 40 miles, you'll make this distance without too much trouble... (maybe just a sore backside!)

 

[rafiki_]

That's more than enough Rafiki.... if you can do 40 miles, you'll make this distance without too much trouble... (maybe just a sore backside!)

Yep, agreed, I've done similar distances in the last, but I was regularly getting 20-30 miles a week on my legs, which I currently struggle to get done these days.

 

[DJE]

I know that some of you serious cyclists will be bringing some exotic machinery along but I am proposing to do the ride on this:-

What will the rest of you be riding?

 

[oGaryo]

What will the rest of you be riding?

I'll be using the Boardman Hybrid again, I know it's a Halfords special but it's a great bike for the price, very light, quick and has received many a good review

I have clipless pedals fitted now so will be one of the numpties wearing cycling shoes and lycra

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

I'll just bring my 5 year old Specialized Allez... its just a cheap(ish) everyday bike for me now, and doesn't get looked after particularly well... but its comfy and geared for steady progress.... my carbon bikes are all a bit too extreme for riding outside of races, as you get off 'em stiff!

 

[rafiki_]

I have a Dawes Comp bike, bottom end of their range, 12 years or so old, but hasn't had a great deal of use, as I normally use my Trek MTB locally. Front wheel probably needs a rebuild, as the rear collapsed a couple of years ago. I have Look clipless pedals and Scott shoes. I will not be bulging out of Lycra, as I will not impose this on anyone! T shirt and baggy shorts for me.
I'm hoping that we will have one or 2 cars supporting the event with a mechanic, and some spare tubes etc, for those odd things that can go wrong. Will also need to restock on the energy drinks, and munchies.

 

[[2068]]

Cannondale Synapse 105 - the ability of the rider has some way to go to match the bike.
The disc brakes are particularly useful on those long, fast descents that I frequently make on Hayling Island (maximum elevation: 6ft )
On the upside, the Shimano "ClickR" pedals do actually work quite well: it's very easy to unclip when you need to.

 

[fireball]

Ah - didn't realise you were local - you could've come out on our little club ride this morning ...

 

[rafiki_]

Cannondale Synapse 105 - the ability of the rider has some way to go to match the bike.
The disc brakes are particularly useful on those long, fast descents that I frequently make on Hayling Island (maximum elevation: 6ft )
On the upside, the Shimano "ClickR" pedals do actually work quite well: it's very easy to unclip when you need to.

Nice bit of kit!

 

[[2068]]

Ah - didn't realise you were local - you could've come out on our little club ride this morning ...

In 2018, maybe, at the current rate of progress

 

[fireball]

In 2018, maybe, at the current rate of progress

Just meet us at Havant Leisure Centre- 0855 on a Sunday morning out of the TT season ....

Actually, joking apart - we also often run a social ride - much slower, shorter and with a coffee shop stop ....

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Just meet us at Havant Leisure Centre- 0855 on a Sunday morning out of the TT season ....

Actually, joking apart - we also often run a social ride - much slower, shorter and with a coffee shop stop ....

You mean you do some rides without stopping for coffee and cake????????? how very very sad!

 

[fireball]

You mean you do some rides without stopping for coffee and cake????????? how very very sad!

Well, I stop for coffee. At the end of the ride ... Otherwise it's usually a non-stop 40-50 miles - although we do stop at some junctions and wait at the top of hills ..... If you're not the last one up you get time for some food

Socials are at the pub ... Like tomorrow evening - bike is sorted, along with ice spike tyres - just in case!!

 

[z1ppy]

Ok... So thinking I might change my bike but so many to choose from and not keen on spending a fortune.

I am 6 ft and of larger build (used to be a number 8 in the rugby team) currently have a specialised mountain bike with road tyres fitted.

I'm finding the position uncomfortable and upright on longer rides and the front suspension is draining a lot of energy and for no benefit..

Any suggestions as Iam not an out and out racer and post this ride, the bike will be used for pub commutes....

 

[fireball]

Look for a tourer or perhaps a cx with disc brakes... They can take the wider tyres but you still get the drop bars for different hand positions and they're quick!

 

[oGaryo]

I'd borrow someone else's bike with drop bars before buying Howard, you may find it makes things worse for you. Have you checked the setup of your existing bike, it may simply be a case of adjusting seat height and position? I ride a cheap Boardman Hybrid Comp picked up for 240 beer chits on Ebay, love it, it's a racing bike with straight handlebars light and very quick

 

[rafiki_]

A

Ok... So thinking I might change my bike but so many to choose from and not keen on spending a fortune.

I am 6 ft and of larger build (used to be a number 8 in the rugby team) currently have a specialised mountain bike with road tyres fitted.

I'm finding the position uncomfortable and upright on longer rides and the front suspension is draining a lot of energy and for no benefit..

Any suggestions as Iam not an out and out racer and post this ride, the bike will be used for pub commutes....

Howard, I am of a similar height, and was a prop in rugby! I have both an MTB with front susp and a lightweight road bike. The MTB is more comfortable to ride, but the road bike better for distances as being lighter etc consumes less energy. Both give me back ache after about an hour, but I know from experience that this will improve as I put more training miles on. I think you are going through the early "breaking in' gripes we all go through. The front susp on your MTB should not be sapping energy, it sounds like it needs stiffening up. In order to try someone else's bike, you need one with the right frame size. Not always so easy.