The Cycling Chat Thread

[beesonthewhatnow]

Watch this guy on the new King Alfred cycle trail. Isn't this a bit problematic ? Imagine if there were more than 1 cyclist and you're a walker. These are essentially footpaths as far as I can see.


There is no 'gravel' in South East England particularly so all this 'gravel' bike stuff is a bit of a misnomer where I live.

What’s wrong with that

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

I'm not the target market but I can't stand those overpriced steel bikes. Triple the price of a Giant TCR and nowhere near as good.

My gravel/commuter is steel and it’s flipping lovely.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

How fast do you reckon he’s going? Looks definitely more than about 10mph

A whole 10mph? What recklessness

 

[Cid]

My gravel/commuter is steel and it’s flipping lovely.

Yes but it didn't cost £3k just for the frame.

 

[Orang Utan]

A whole 10mph? What recklessness

It is on a path

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

It is on a path

My 6 year old goes faster than that on paths and bike lanes etc. If there's people up ahead, he slows down a bit.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Yes but it didn't cost £3k just for the frame.

True, but if I had the cash I'd be straight on the phone to a custom builder getting something made

 

[Cid]

I quite like an overpriced steel bike myself

What was that ludicrously expensive one you had in? Was that custom carbon?

 

[weepiper]

What was that ludicrously expensive one you had in? Was that custom carbon?

Yep. This is it

 

[Orang Utan]

My 6 year old goes faster than that on paths and bike lanes etc. If there's people up ahead, he slows down a bit.

That was kind of random. 15 then. 20 is certainly way too fast

 

[Cid]

Yep. This is it
View attachment 263337

It's... not the most exciting of designs. I suppose you could argue it's 'deliberately understated', but it's also very green. Also the fact the stem just looks like any old stem bothers me a bit.

 

[Cid]

This ridiculous bike thing has sent me off down a bit of weight weenies (it's a forum) rabbit hole... People speccing out Specialized Aethoses to stupidly low weights. 802g wheels? Not each, 802g wheelset. Cranks that cost almost as much as my bike. And this, an Ax-lightness based build that someone got in at under 4kg (never intended to be ridden apparently).

Hill climbers, madness.

 

[weepiper]

It's... not the most exciting of designs. I suppose you could argue it's 'deliberately understated', but it's also very green. Also the fact the stem just looks like any old stem bothers me a bit.

It's what the guy wanted though (the paint job is totally to order as well as the frame geometry...) It's nicer in the flesh. It's also offensively lightweight.

 

[Dogsauce]

This ridiculous bike thing has sent me off down a bit of weight weenies (it's a forum) rabbit hole... People speccing out Specialized Aethoses to stupidly low weights. 802g wheels? Not each, 802g wheelset. Cranks that cost almost as much as my bike. And this, an Ax-lightness based build that someone got in at under 4kg (never intended to be ridden apparently).

Hill climbers, madness.

why the hell wouldn’t you ride it? Fear that it isn’t strong enough or just building it for the sake of it? Seems crazy not to take it out.
Looks great too.

The difference between that bike and my bike I could probably achieve just be eating a bit less for a few months.

 

[Cid]

3.795kg daily ride... Looks beautiful imo, must have been a lot of work.

Tiny pedals though.

 

[Artaxerxes]

Look at these absolute cunts

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

3.795kg daily ride... Looks beautiful imo, must have been a lot of work.

Tiny pedals though.

How do those pedals work? Is there some sort of cleat system for them?

 

[Cid]

How do those pedals work? Is there some sort of cleat system for them?

These I think. Yes, they have a cleat system.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

These I think. Yes, they have a cleat system.

"It's not clear if they would disengage in a crash"

I'll pass I think

 

[sleaterkinney]

3.795kg daily ride... Looks beautiful imo, must have been a lot of work.

Tiny pedals though.

That saddle looks like hard work too. It must have cost a fair bit too. Can you really justify spending a lot to shave a kg or two off?

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

That saddle looks like hard work too. It must have cost a fair bit too. Can you really justify spending a lot to shave a kg or two off?

It's a bit like people with top end hifi's - you can spend an awful lot of money for very little actual real world benefit.

 

[Dogsauce]

3.795kg daily ride... Looks beautiful imo, must have been a lot of work.

Tiny pedals though.

they could knock a few more grams off by using a shorter seat post, looks way too long.

 

[Dogsauce]

It's a bit like people with top end hifi's - you can spend an awful lot of money for very little actual real world benefit.

A few years ago I was buying lighter bits and pieces for my bike (mostly ebay) and it was working out at about a quid for every gram saved. Having a shit before going out for a ride probably saved me the equivalent of £50 or something.

 

[Cid]

Oh it’s totally mad. But I appreciate the engineering side. I think it’s more legit than much of the marginal gains stuff. I mean a gram is a gram, ceramic speed on the other hand are just frauds.

 

[weepiper]

Stay local order lifted in Scotland today so me and Mr W popped across the Forth to Culross for some sea air and a scone

 

[miss direct]

My bike is in for repairs. Thanks for the £50 voucher, government. New chain, new back tyre, new handlebar grips - I'll have to pay about £10 on top but I'm happy with that.

 

[likesfish]

Just turned an old backpack into a pannier brought some hardware off eBay and used a Christmas tree advert to make the pack a bit stiffer.

 

[Artaxerxes]

So this week I've been finding out that bikes do actually need licenses and registration in parts of the US and it's absolutely as depressing as it sounds.

 

[Winot]

So this week I've been finding out that bikes do actually need licenses and registration in parts of the US and it's absolutely as depressing as it sounds.

Jesus fucking Christ. I wish I hadn’t clicked through to that because I’m now angry and depressed in equal measure.

 

[Mation]

What do people think of cycling across non-toucan pedestrian crossings? I know it's against the Highway Code, but is it illegal?

I've seen lots of cyclists doing it, e.g. here, to get to the road that runs along the right side of the Tesco. (Cyclist in this streetview pic has dismounted.)



I did it once, having come out of the park just behind the cyclist in the pic, and sheepishly following someone else, but it didn't feel right and I've worked out another way to get across, here.

But in terms of general principles, is it dangerous and shite?