The Cycling Chat Thread
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beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
Holy shit, just looked at my power meter data from the “cafe sign sprint” we always do. Peak power of 1353W 
Zwift training really works
Zwift training really works
60 miles/3000ft, 32 degrees C. I’ve drunk 7 litres of fluid and I’m still thirsty. Absolutely ruined
Chapeau mate.
existentialist
Tired and unemotional
Isn't that about 2hp?Holy shit, just looked at my power meter data from the “cafe sign sprint” we always do. Peak power of 1353W
Zwift training really works
ETA: 1.827hp
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
For about 1 secondIsn't that about 2hp?
ETA: 1.827hp
Dogsauce
I’ve got Skol but I’m not a Scholar
or buy another bike that already has them fitted. A simple solution.
Dogsauce
I’ve got Skol but I’m not a Scholar
I’ve had some more adventures on the rusted ‘holiday bike’ since the chain was replaced. Rode back from the place we’d been staying in the mountains on Wednesday, decided to take a more direct route and eschew the nice tarmac cycle track on the old railway line down the valley, instead heading up to the highest lump nearby which was 830m high (fairly flat at the top so roads right the way up). A nice slog up through forest on near-deserted but decent roads, lots of wiggling about but not too many mega steep ramps (think I only walked one bit).
On the way down from the top the rear mech on this piece of shit mountain bike fell apart while I tried to change gear, jockey wheel had come unscrewed and the cage for it twisted. I freed the chain which sagged almost down to the floor. Still at about 600m up, descending to the coast with about 35km to go. Bike couldn’t be propelled but I figured gravity could get me most of the way there. Strava had again chosen a nice off-road section on a barely rideable forest track for the next 5km, some of which was bare rock, but the smoother bits were OK apart from the worry of the baggy chain catching on something. Then across three valleys with long walks up each in 30 plus degree heat.
Later on the ride I found on the very slight downhill or flat sections I could get a little bit of propulsion out of the chain if it was on the largest rear cog as it would pull a bit then slip which improved the rate of progress slightly. A nasty headwind coming off the sea meant the last (flat) stage was hard work, but limped home three hours after stuff broke.
anyway, I managed to stick a small bolt through the jockey wheel yesterday and it held out for a 55km ride this afternoon, nothing else fell off.
Quality components. An ‘EMT’ groupset, whatever the fuck that is.
Still kind of fun to ride on dusty forest tracks and gravelled roads, and coasts nicely on the downhills, though I am worried it could take me down the road labelled ‘buy an expensive gravel bike’
It‘d be nice if I could go home and enjoy the smoothness of my nice road bike, but the gears on that are a bit fucked too at the moment (replaced cable for rear mech but can’t get the indexing right), plus I need to quarantine for two weeks so turbo is all I’ll be doing.
On the way down from the top the rear mech on this piece of shit mountain bike fell apart while I tried to change gear, jockey wheel had come unscrewed and the cage for it twisted. I freed the chain which sagged almost down to the floor. Still at about 600m up, descending to the coast with about 35km to go. Bike couldn’t be propelled but I figured gravity could get me most of the way there. Strava had again chosen a nice off-road section on a barely rideable forest track for the next 5km, some of which was bare rock, but the smoother bits were OK apart from the worry of the baggy chain catching on something. Then across three valleys with long walks up each in 30 plus degree heat.
Later on the ride I found on the very slight downhill or flat sections I could get a little bit of propulsion out of the chain if it was on the largest rear cog as it would pull a bit then slip which improved the rate of progress slightly. A nasty headwind coming off the sea meant the last (flat) stage was hard work, but limped home three hours after stuff broke.
anyway, I managed to stick a small bolt through the jockey wheel yesterday and it held out for a 55km ride this afternoon, nothing else fell off.
Quality components. An ‘EMT’ groupset, whatever the fuck that is.
Still kind of fun to ride on dusty forest tracks and gravelled roads, and coasts nicely on the downhills, though I am worried it could take me down the road labelled ‘buy an expensive gravel bike’
It‘d be nice if I could go home and enjoy the smoothness of my nice road bike, but the gears on that are a bit fucked too at the moment (replaced cable for rear mech but can’t get the indexing right), plus I need to quarantine for two weeks so turbo is all I’ll be doing.
BigTom
Well-Known Member
Free bicycle repair scheme up to value of £50 goes live in Scotland
Cyclists will be able to get free bicycle repairs worth up to £50 from today under a new scheme.
www.scotsman.com
Scotlands £50 bicycle repair scheme goes live. No vouchers, just first come first served until the fund has run out of money. But only about 100 shops doing it, which doesn't seem like a lot? weepiper do you know about this?
weepiper
I fix the machines that fight climate change
I have literally just been reading a news article about it which is the first I'd heard of it. We are not participating currently. Am going to show the boss and see what he thinks, but tbh we are completely drowning in work anyway so I think the answer might well be that we will carry on not participating, and leave it for other shops to take advantage of in the hope it will take some pressure off us!Free bicycle repair scheme up to value of £50 goes live in Scotland
Cyclists will be able to get free bicycle repairs worth up to £50 from today under a new scheme.
Scotlands £50 bicycle repair scheme goes live. No vouchers, just first come first served until the fund has run out of money. But only about 100 shops doing it, which doesn't seem like a lot? weepiper do you know about this?
maomao
普費斯
Third proper ride and first chance to get on the big chainring. Ugh, the front mech is rubbing already. The back gears are just too widely spaced for comfort, I should do a proper gear map rather than just flicking randomly. I really need a proper pump, the back tyre was complaining under the weight of all the shopping. And the handlebars need sorting soon. I feel like I'm riding a Harley and anything over half an hour is going to be very tiring on hands and arms.
Had my new Aldi cycling undies on though which made it all much more of a pleasure and the frame is lovely and light and stiff. Could still accelerate slightly uphill when I needed to and have been doing my neck stretches so I can now look behind me without falling over.
It didn't feel too hard either. It was less than three miles each way and it felt less effort than going to Lidl on foot this morning which is a good sign. Have to work on confidence though, still not happy round traffic. And cars are genuinely bigger now aren't they? I never mind pulling into a parking space to let a lorry or van past but I had to do this a couple of times for what looked like just bigger than normal passenger cars. That grates a little bit. Do not feel up to a rainy commute any time soon. Am genuinely 'on holiday' for four weeks now rather than furloughed or redundant so I'll be trying for a proper ride three times a week as well as more short shopping trips for getting used to bike lanes and parking in my area.
Had my new Aldi cycling undies on though which made it all much more of a pleasure and the frame is lovely and light and stiff. Could still accelerate slightly uphill when I needed to and have been doing my neck stretches so I can now look behind me without falling over.
It didn't feel too hard either. It was less than three miles each way and it felt less effort than going to Lidl on foot this morning which is a good sign. Have to work on confidence though, still not happy round traffic. And cars are genuinely bigger now aren't they? I never mind pulling into a parking space to let a lorry or van past but I had to do this a couple of times for what looked like just bigger than normal passenger cars. That grates a little bit. Do not feel up to a rainy commute any time soon. Am genuinely 'on holiday' for four weeks now rather than furloughed or redundant so I'll be trying for a proper ride three times a week as well as more short shopping trips for getting used to bike lanes and parking in my area.
Pgd
Well-Known Member
Went on my first Polesden adventure this morning on the gravel bike (see #4054). Headed east on the roads, Box Hill zigzag then down to Betchworth & along A25 to Reigate. Then fun stuff on the way home.
Last time I was up Colley's Hill (on foot), just before lockdown, I noticed an older man coming up the hill (from the Simpson memorial) on a mountain bike. I was impressed, and thought it'd be fun to try it myself when in the area. Tried it. Not fun. Soooo steep & gravelly. I had to push up the steepest bit. Either my dude was absolute nails, or he'd simply re-mounted after the last gate and coolly pootled on across the open ground, just like I did
Rest of NDW was fun though. Flat-ish and mostly good width. Denbies was a problem though. Firstly, the NDW bridleway is crazy steep & gravelly. I chickened out and used the service road. Then right at the top, there's a sharp turn onto a stony track, and I changed down too quickly and got my chain properly wedged between cassette & spokes. It would. not. come. out. Best part of an hour I was there, trying different angles (didn't want to pull too hard & cause damage) and getting increasingly freaked out and grease-ridden. In the end, pulling extra hard did do the trick though. Phew! Lesson learned...
Work & kids means not gonna have too much time to pootle, sadly, so I'm planning to try two more big trips while I'm here: south towards Leith Hill, and west towards Newlands Corner.
I'm very happy with the bike, having come from a flat-bar hybrid, but I'm beginning to see why some folk see gravels as neither fish nor fowl. For me though, so long as I accept its limitations, it's a nice relaxed intro to drop-bars and "road"-style geometry/gearing.
Last time I was up Colley's Hill (on foot), just before lockdown, I noticed an older man coming up the hill (from the Simpson memorial) on a mountain bike. I was impressed, and thought it'd be fun to try it myself when in the area. Tried it. Not fun. Soooo steep & gravelly. I had to push up the steepest bit. Either my dude was absolute nails, or he'd simply re-mounted after the last gate and coolly pootled on across the open ground, just like I did
Rest of NDW was fun though. Flat-ish and mostly good width. Denbies was a problem though. Firstly, the NDW bridleway is crazy steep & gravelly. I chickened out and used the service road. Then right at the top, there's a sharp turn onto a stony track, and I changed down too quickly and got my chain properly wedged between cassette & spokes. It would. not. come. out. Best part of an hour I was there, trying different angles (didn't want to pull too hard & cause damage) and getting increasingly freaked out and grease-ridden. In the end, pulling extra hard did do the trick though. Phew! Lesson learned...
Work & kids means not gonna have too much time to pootle, sadly, so I'm planning to try two more big trips while I'm here: south towards Leith Hill, and west towards Newlands Corner.
I'm very happy with the bike, having come from a flat-bar hybrid, but I'm beginning to see why some folk see gravels as neither fish nor fowl. For me though, so long as I accept its limitations, it's a nice relaxed intro to drop-bars and "road"-style geometry/gearing.
weepiper
I fix the machines that fight climate change
Take it to a bike shop and ask them to check if the gear hanger is straight. You shouldn't be able to overshift into the spokes if it's all set up correctly and even if it wasn't bent before (the stop screws on the rear mech might just not be adjusted right) it probably is now as a result, and the next time you do it you might not be so lucky - it's very common for people to bring us a bike with a mangled rear mech and chain and broken spokes because the mech has got caught, dragged right up into the spokes and snapped off. It can often be a very expensive fix.Went on my first Polesden adventure this morning on the gravel bike (see #4054). Headed east on the roads, Box Hill zigzag then down to Betchworth & along A25 to Reigate. Then fun stuff on the way home.
Last time I was up Colley's Hill (on foot), just before lockdown, I noticed an older man coming up the hill (from the Simpson memorial) on a mountain bike. I was impressed, and thought it'd be fun to try it myself when in the area. Tried it. Not fun. Soooo steep & gravelly. I had to push up the steepest bit. Either my dude was absolute nails, or he'd simply re-mounted after the last gate and coolly pootled on across the open ground, just like I did
Rest of NDW was fun though. Flat-ish and mostly good width. Denbies was a problem though. Firstly, the NDW bridleway is crazy steep & gravelly. I chickened out and used the service road. Then right at the top, there's a sharp turn onto a stony track, and I changed down too quickly and got my chain properly wedged between cassette & spokes. It would. not. come. out. Best part of an hour I was there, trying different angles (didn't want to pull too hard & cause damage) and getting increasingly freaked out and grease-ridden. In the end, pulling extra hard did do the trick though. Phew! Lesson learned...
Work & kids means not gonna have too much time to pootle, sadly, so I'm planning to try two more big trips while I'm here: south towards Leith Hill, and west towards Newlands Corner.
I'm very happy with the bike, having come from a flat-bar hybrid, but I'm beginning to see why some folk see gravels as neither fish nor fowl. For me though, so long as I accept its limitations, it's a nice relaxed intro to drop-bars and "road"-style geometry/gearing.
Leafster
.
I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your first ride out on the North Downs. I've encountered a couple of very steep gravelly tracks on my patch too but not actually on the NDW. One short stretch is on NCR21 but I've never seen anyone ride on it - there's an alternative detour which is less steep but longer and I've seen people ride up and down that instead. The other, just north of the NDW, which I encountered on a ride back, is so narrow that I reckon that if I'd tried to cycle up it, my handle-bar would have caught on the barbed wire fence if I'd had even the slightest wobble.Went on my first Polesden adventure this morning on the gravel bike (see #4054). Headed east on the roads, Box Hill zigzag then down to Betchworth & along A25 to Reigate. Then fun stuff on the way home.
Last time I was up Colley's Hill (on foot), just before lockdown, I noticed an older man coming up the hill (from the Simpson memorial) on a mountain bike. I was impressed, and thought it'd be fun to try it myself when in the area. Tried it. Not fun. Soooo steep & gravelly. I had to push up the steepest bit. Either my dude was absolute nails, or he'd simply re-mounted after the last gate and coolly pootled on across the open ground, just like I did
Rest of NDW was fun though. Flat-ish and mostly good width. Denbies was a problem though. Firstly, the NDW bridleway is crazy steep & gravelly. I chickened out and used the service road. Then right at the top, there's a sharp turn onto a stony track, and I changed down too quickly and got my chain properly wedged between cassette & spokes. It would. not. come. out. Best part of an hour I was there, trying different angles (didn't want to pull too hard & cause damage) and getting increasingly freaked out and grease-ridden. In the end, pulling extra hard did do the trick though. Phew! Lesson learned...
Work & kids means not gonna have too much time to pootle, sadly, so I'm planning to try two more big trips while I'm here: south towards Leith Hill, and west towards Newlands Corner.
I'm very happy with the bike, having come from a flat-bar hybrid, but I'm beginning to see why some folk see gravels as neither fish nor fowl. For me though, so long as I accept its limitations, it's a nice relaxed intro to drop-bars and "road"-style geometry/gearing.
I guess it's still very early days for me but perhaps, in time, I'll manage them.
Pgd
Well-Known Member
Thanks -- yes, I will asap. That's what the YouTube vids I frantically loaded were saying too.
I know the limit screws are supposed to stop overshifting, but I know (in hindsight) I properly crunched those gears and figured I kinda deserved it. Should the screws make it literally impossible to de-chain, even if mistreated?
maomao
普費斯
First ten mile plus ride today and jesus that hurt more than it should have. And took about ten minutes longer than I expected. Starting to get used to traffic again, not jumping out of my skin every time a car comes within two feet of me anyway. Stopped for all the traffic lights which is a new thing for me. I'm grateful for the breather these days though. Ended up on a scarily narrow and steep bridge (over railway) at one point but that's just bad planning. Won't go that way again.
Not happy with my helmet today, should have got a sportier one. It kept slipping down towards my eyes but I think I've sorted that now I've had a proper look at it. I suppose second hand helmets don't sell well for obvious reasons (don't know if it's had a knock or not). I'm lumped with it for the moment though as I'm pretty skint.
Hands went rather numb about halfway through though so sorting the handlebars is pretty urgent. Also really need a proper pump, it won't go much further on the air it was sold with.
Have just realised my brakes are hydraulic. Which is probably very efficient but it's one more thing I don't know how to fix myself anymore. I suppose the internet will tell me how.
Not happy with my helmet today, should have got a sportier one. It kept slipping down towards my eyes but I think I've sorted that now I've had a proper look at it. I suppose second hand helmets don't sell well for obvious reasons (don't know if it's had a knock or not). I'm lumped with it for the moment though as I'm pretty skint.
Hands went rather numb about halfway through though so sorting the handlebars is pretty urgent. Also really need a proper pump, it won't go much further on the air it was sold with.
Have just realised my brakes are hydraulic. Which is probably very efficient but it's one more thing I don't know how to fix myself anymore. I suppose the internet will tell me how.
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
The brakes are easy. You change the pads occasionally and that’s it.
maomao
普費斯
Don't you need to tighten the water (oil?) or something? I never had anything hydraulic before.
The brakes are lovely though. And have just thought if I do have a bump and wreck a rim I'll be able to get it home without taking the brake off.
BigTom
Well-Known Member
No, the hydraulic fluid will stay in the tube and only really needs anything doing to it if you have a leak for some reason.
However I have found that when I take out the wheel, the brakes sometimes need pumping a few times to start biting at their usual point.
Cid
Proper break this time
Nope. I mean it’s kind of good practice to bleed them once every year or two, but honestly they generally look after themselves. Bleeding is pretty easy in any case... also finding maintenance tips is much easier these days with YouTube. Park tool channel guy with moustache is a legend.
Oh and gcn has some good stuff. But I find park tool are a fair bit better for maintenance.
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Cid
Proper break this time
Yeah, also after cleaning and the like they can squeal a bit, I find that generally goes pretty quickly though, I imagine heat burns off any water etc. Should watch out for contamination while lubing though... I usually wrap some clingfilm round them. Though I do kind of have a suspicion this is exaggerated (I mean think how much oil and shit there is on wet road surfaces).
Cid
Proper break this time
Tilt that saddle down if you value your er... whatever you have downstairs. *by down I mean approximately level with the ground.
I wonder whether old tit helmets and uniforms are still impersonation... it would be unreasonably fun pootling along blowing a whistle and saying ‘ello ello ello, what’s this then?’
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maomao
普費斯
In my day I had a copy of this (different year/cover though) for everything:
The Usborne Book of Bikes | eBay
Find great deals for The Usborne Book of Bikes . Shop with confidence on eBay!
www.ebay.co.uk
I remember it had a page on bleeding hydraulic brakes and it looked a proper pain in the arse. They're probably a bit better and lighter these days though or they wouldn't be on so many bikes.
Cid
Proper break this time
Back might also be seat height and various other things, but yeah - tilting it down definitely a good starting point.
Cid
Proper break this time
In my day I had a copy of this (different year/cover though) for everything:
The Usborne Book of Bikes | eBay
Find great deals for The Usborne Book of Bikes . Shop with confidence on eBay!www.ebay.co.uk
I remember it had a page on bleeding hydraulic brakes and it looked a proper pain in the arse. They're probably a bit better and lighter these days though or they wouldn't be on so many bikes.
I was kind of surprised by how easy it was... I did get the bleed kit specific to my brakes, which probably helped a bit, but isn't strictly needed. I was also amazed that you can just swap hoses over without spilling anything. Not something you're ever likely to need to do (my mate's g/f's new bike had the brakes set up continental style), but good to know.
And tbh the only reason I bled my brakes was because I'd had my bike stored upside-down in a shipping container for a couple of years. Had never felt the need when riding it regularly.
maomao
普費斯
I finally got a proper track pump with guage which arrived this morning and ran out to sort my tyres out. I knew they were low from riding it but when I got the pump on the back wheel it was reading under 20 psi. Maybe I'm not as out of shape as I thought.
Have also taken 10cm off the handlebars which looks about right but I really can't be arsed riding anywhere until the temperature's back under 30. Apparently bar ends are deeply unfashionable these days (half the online shops don't even seem to sell them) but short of buying new bars and levers I don't see what the alternative is. I broke both wrists nearly twenty years ago (not a bike accident) and flat bars just don't work for me.
Maybe I'm not as out of shape as I thought.Have also taken 10cm off the handlebars which looks about right but I really can't be arsed riding anywhere until the temperature's back under 30. Apparently bar ends are deeply unfashionable these days (half the online shops don't even seem to sell them) but short of buying new bars and levers I don't see what the alternative is. I broke both wrists nearly twenty years ago (not a bike accident) and flat bars just don't work for me.
