[Other Sport] Cycling geeks

Indurain's Lungs · Jul 24, 2014

Stat Brother said:
If only it were that easy!!

I do have a secret weapon (final card to play)
I changed the gearing on my main bike putting a bigger ring on the back, at the expense of the smallest.
My commute Bianchi is traditional.
So once it's properly fighting fit I'll have a crack on that, it definitely rides faster than my carbon bike.

Surely that gives you a smaller gear? How will that make you go faster?

Any tractors on that stretch that you can draft? My 2nd place in a hill out of Southampton is courtesy of a small lorry that was slow to pull away up the hill!

Stat Brother · Jul 24, 2014

Indurain's Lungs said:
Surely that gives you a smaller gear? How will that make you go faster?

Any tractors on that stretch that you can draft? My 2nd place in a hill out of Southampton is courtesy of a small lorry that was slow to pull away up the hill!

Spot the tired man, who has no chance in remembering the actual gear ratio numbers, so for arguments sake:-

My carbon Bianchi now has a 13 to 29 teeth ten speed.
My commute Bianchi has the traditional 11 to 27 teeth.
(As said I can't remember the exact numbers but do know I lost the 'sprinting' gear to gain a climbing one).

Both bikes have a standard front drivetrain.

My Alloy 7000 commute Bianchi has certainly felt faster than my carbon bike, even before the gear change.
So I'm hoping to be able to squeeze a handful of seconds by swapping bikes, once the commute is fighting fit, again.

Ideally I should draft Colin, but that could get very very messy with a busy roundabout on the finish line.

Indurain's Lungs · Jul 24, 2014

If you're spinning out the 52/13 then fair play to you!

Stat Brother · Jul 25, 2014

Indurain's Lungs said:
If you're spinning out the 52/13 then fair play to you!

Oh lordy no, that's not happening.

Yesterday, on the 1 mile segment that I went for, my cadence did max out at 112.
So I'm hoping that kind of effort in a tougher gear on a rigid bike, will get me the few seconds I need.

It's either that or lose 3 stones in weight, and nobody wants to do that.

Mr Banana · Jul 25, 2014

Anyone got any opinions on these Andre Bikeys? I know this is a bit of a lazy Kanchelskis. In return for any advice I can offer tremendously in-depth advice on running or music. Or I'll repay in hugs and/or beer and/or chocolate. Humble thanks

http://g-whizzcycles.co.uk/?product=claud-butler-urban-400-2013
http://g-whizzcycles.co.uk/?product=apollo-firecracker

Bad Ash · Jul 25, 2014

Mr Banana said:
Anyone got any opinions on these Andre Bikeys? I know this is a bit of a lazy Kanchelskis. In return for any advice I can offer tremendously in-depth advice on running or music. Or I'll repay in hugs and/or beer and/or chocolate. Humble thanks

http://g-whizzcycles.co.uk/?product=claud-butler-urban-400-2013
http://g-whizzcycles.co.uk/?product=apollo-firecracker

You linked 2 very different bikes. One looks like a hybrid with no suspension and the other is a mountain bike with full suspension.

What sort of cycling are you looking to do?

Mr Banana · Jul 25, 2014

Bad Ash said:
You linked 2 very different bikes. One looks like a hybrid with no suspension and the other is a mountain bike with full suspension.

What sort of cycling are you looking to do?

Bit of commuting across town, bit around the seafront, maybe the odd meander to Lewes and that sort of thing. I'm not fussy but want summat that will do the job without imploding. Pathetically grateful for any advice, especially as I know these requests are tiresome.

Pogue Mahone · Jul 25, 2014

Mr Banana said:
Bit of commuting across town, bit around the seafront, maybe the odd meander to Lewes and that sort of thing. I'm not fussy but want summat that will do the job without imploding. Pathetically grateful for any advice, especially as I know these requests are tiresome.

For what it's worth, my advice would be to stay well clear of Apollo - heavy, cheap tat - the very worst of what Halfords has to offer.

The Claud Butler seems expensive to me, although it's claiming to be brand new.

Hang around here long enough and one of the uber-Geeks will post links to far better deals on eBay! So, Mr. B, watch this space.

Mr Banana · Jul 25, 2014

Pogue Mahone said:
For what it's worth, my advice would be to stay well clear of Apollo - heavy, cheap tat - the very worst of what Halfords has to offer.

The Claud Butler seems expensive to me, although it's claiming to be brand new.

Hang around here long enough and one of the uber-Geeks will post links to far better deals on eBay! So, Mr. B, watch this space.

Thank you thank you thank you, if ever you're in need of a beer at Falmer etc...

Stat Brother · Jul 25, 2014

Mr Banana said:
Anyone got any opinions on these Andre Bikeys? I know this is a bit of a lazy Kanchelskis. In return for any advice I can offer tremendously in-depth advice on running or music. Or I'll repay in hugs and/or beer and/or chocolate. Humble thanks

http://g-whizzcycles.co.uk/?product=claud-butler-urban-400-2013
http://g-whizzcycles.co.uk/?product=apollo-firecracker

Ok so your description of use equates to:-

No suspension.
No fat tyres.
No chunky saddle

Looking at the road bikes on g-wizz I'd say they are very expense, unless they take offers.

The CB you flagged up is teeny-tiny.
Assuming your not this is nearer the mark:-

http://g-whizzcycles.co.uk/?product_cat=racing-road#quickview/5/

Mightily expensive, but that's the style of bike you should be looking at, assuming you don't want to join us as a full on roadie.

Mr Banana · Jul 25, 2014

Stat Brother said:
Ok so your description of use equates to:-

No suspension.
No fat tyres.
No chunky saddle

Looking at the road bikes on g-wizz I'd say they are very expense, unless they take offers.

The CB you flagged up is teeny-tiny.
Assuming your not this is nearer the mark:-

http://g-whizzcycles.co.uk/?product_cat=racing-road#quickview/5/

Mightily expensive, but that's the style of bike you should be looking at, assuming you don't want to join us as a full on roadie.

I thank you sir. Please claim multiple sherries off me at any time. Have you got anywhere you would recommend? I will halt my amateur questions after this.

Stat Brother · Jul 25, 2014

Mr Banana said:
I thank you sir. Please claim multiple sherries off me at any time. Have you got anywhere you would recommend? I will halt my amateur questions after this.

First off this is what we do, many an NSC'er is now on 2 wheels after starting with 'amateur questions'.

All we have so far is your after a bike for urban riding and commuting.

So what sort of budget are you looking at?
Is there anything specific you are thinking about, panniers etc?
Anything you've seen already?
Might you develop cycling into a 'thing' and ride just for the sake of it?
Even though clearly you're physically fit with a sunny disposition, and a hankering for pink lyrca, but would the bike be part of a fitness regime, or just pootling.

Bold Seagull · Jul 25, 2014

Mr Banana said:
Bit of commuting across town, bit around the seafront, maybe the odd meander to Lewes and that sort of thing. I'm not fussy but want summat that will do the job without imploding. Pathetically grateful for any advice, especially as I know these requests are tiresome.

Those 2 you posted looked quite small. For someone around 5'2" - this is a bargain - http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-road-bike-black-id_8239801.html

This will survive all sorts including gravel tracks and paths.

Mr Banana · Jul 25, 2014

Stat Brother said:
First off this is what we do, many an NSC'er is now on 2 wheels after starting with 'amateur questions'.

All we have so far is your after a bike for urban riding and commuting.

So what sort of budget are you looking at?
Is there anything specific you are thinking about, panniers etc?
Anything you've seen already?
Might you develop cycling into a 'thing' and ride just for the sake of it?
Even though clearly you're physically fit with a sunny disposition, and a hankering for pink lyrca, but would the bike be part of a fitness regime, or just pootling.

Thank you so much. I love the word pannier, I didn't believe it was a word until my mate who's hassling me to get a bike assured me it was. Anyway.

I don't really have any spondoolies but I've read all the cycle sages spinning get-what-you-pay-for yarns and I reckon I could go up to £300ish if it avoided buying a piece of inoperable junk frowned upon by the whizzing fraternity. But I'd rather not spend more than half that. If I could get an old-but-reliable banger for £100 that'd be orgasmic.

I'm almost certain it'd be a "thing" as I love pretty much anything outdoors and it allows me to socialise with what mates I have while wearing earphones, which is pretty much the dream.

I'm reasonably fit and do loads of other sports but I'm not one for being slow or gentle on a bike.

Humble thanks again 8:0)

Bold Seagull · Jul 25, 2014

Mr Banana said:
Thank you so much. I love the word pannier, I didn't believe it was a word until my mate who's hassling me to get a bike assured me it was. Anyway.

I don't really have any spondoolies but I've read all the cycle sages spinning get-what-you-pay-for yarns and I reckon I could go up to £300ish if it avoided buying a piece of inoperable junk frowned upon by the whizzing fraternity. But I'd rather not spend more than half that. If I could get an old-but-reliable banger for £100 that'd be orgasmic.

I'm almost certain it'd be a "thing" as I love pretty much anything outdoors and it allows me to socialise with what mates I have while wearing earphones, which is pretty much the dream.

I'm reasonably fit and do loads of other sports but I'm not one for being slow or gentle on a bike.

Humble thanks again 8:0)

It's not easy getting something reliable for that money. I did get my '83 Holdsworth for about £170, and it's served me faithfully for well over a year now and the Reynolds 531 frame is a beaut to ride. Does need the odd tinker, but it cruises around.

You might find something like this http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/white-raleigh-reynolds-lightweight-racing-bike-700c-vintageretro-student-commuter-road-bicycle/1073892592 only needs a couple of cables, maybe a new chain, and you've got yourself a nice and fast, comfortable bike that to be honest, will probably be a lot better than some of the heavy £200 new bikes around.

Stat Brother · Jul 25, 2014

Mr Banana said:
Thank you so much. I love the word pannier, I didn't believe it was a word until my mate who's hassling me to get a bike assured me it was. Anyway.

I don't really have any spondoolies but I've read all the cycle sages spinning get-what-you-pay-for yarns and I reckon I could go up to £300ish if it avoided buying a piece of inoperable junk frowned upon by the whizzing fraternity. But I'd rather not spend more than half that. If I could get an old-but-reliable banger for £100 that'd be orgasmic.

I'm almost certain it'd be a "thing" as I love pretty much anything outdoors and it allows me to socialise with what mates I have while wearing earphones, which is pretty much the dream.

I'm reasonably fit and do loads of other sports but I'm not one for being slow or gentle on a bike.

Humble thanks again 8:0)

A sliding scale down from £300 puts you more into the realm of Gumtree and the Friday ad.
Ebay is pretty expensive.

[MENTION=18774]Rugrat[/MENTION] bought a decent road bike for £300 recently, (I don't know if he's still scared of it or not) so they are out there.

A rough gem bargain will be hard to find, even more so if you decide to go down the road bike route.
A flat bar like you originally posted might be easier to come by at a cheaper price.

One other thing, just out of interest.
Is English your second language? :lol:

1066familyman · Jul 25, 2014

Mr Banana said:
Thank you so much. I love the word pannier, I didn't believe it was a word until my mate who's hassling me to get a bike assured me it was. Anyway.

I don't really have any spondoolies but I've read all the cycle sages spinning get-what-you-pay-for yarns and I reckon I could go up to £300ish if it avoided buying a piece of inoperable junk frowned upon by the whizzing fraternity. But I'd rather not spend more than half that. If I could get an old-but-reliable banger for £100 that'd be orgasmic.

I'm almost certain it'd be a "thing" as I love pretty much anything outdoors and it allows me to socialise with what mates I have while wearing earphones, which is pretty much the dream.

I'm reasonably fit and do loads of other sports but I'm not one for being slow or gentle on a bike.

Humble thanks again 8:0)

Not sure on sizing, but I reckon this could tick a lot of your boxes: http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/carrera-virtuoso-road-bike/1074288288#gallery-item-full-2

Yes, originally from Halfords, but don't fret, it's not an Apollo and all the reviews are good at least: http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/...kes/product/review-carrera-virtuoso-09-34691/

Rugrat · Jul 25, 2014

Stat Brother said:
A sliding scale down from £300 puts you more into the realm of Gumtree and the Friday ad.
Ebay is pretty expensive.

[MENTION=18774]Rugrat[/MENTION] bought a decent road bike for £300 recently, (I don't know if he's still scared of it or not) so they are out there.
:

I love it and the scariness is all part of the experience. Now I feel I missed out on my prime years, being an old geezer. Had this been 10 (cough) years ago I think I could have given Chris Boardman a run for his money

So if it's any consolation to [MENTION=3736]Mr Banana[/MENTION] my £300 got me an ultra light, perfect nick, flying machine. I just persevered on eBay and all done in 3/4 weeks

Motogull · Jul 25, 2014

Despite not being able to ride 2 days on the bounce, I've got a bit of a meaty ride (for me) planned for tomorrow. So today I told myself to take it easy on my commutes. Nice idea. Strava confirms a few achievements, not least PRs up the climbs.

:facepalm:

1066familyman · Jul 25, 2014

Motogull said:
Despite not being able to ride 2 days on the bounce, I've got a bit of a meaty ride (for me) planned for tomorrow. So today I told myself to take it easy on my commutes. Nice idea. Strava confirms a few achievements, not least PRs up the climbs.

Don't knock it Moto. Good work :thumbsup:

What ride you got planned for tomorrow?

At some point I want to do a 70 odd miler I've got in my head taking in Jevington/Alfriston and Heathfield area but in reverse and longer from the way I went at High & Over before. No chance me doing it until this weather has broken though. I can't take the heat at all and so haven't been near the bike in a week after last Sunday nearly killed me!, except for rides round the block to test the adjustments I've made with a new saddle and handlebar stem. When I do finally get out again it'll be for some shorter hilly circuits again first.

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