The Cycling Chat Thread

[sim667]

Mines definitely a presta..... its that little screw bit at the top that broke.

I've never changed a tube before, so I can tell this is going to be fun..... Im trying to make a concerted effort to get back on my bike and stay on my bike at the moment..... I basically used to live on my mountain bike as a teen, before I discovered raving.

 

[fen_boy]

Sometimes the valve cores are replaceable, like this

Make sure you haven't just unscrewed the core and it really is broken. You can just screw the core back in if that's what's happened.

 

[Sprocket.]

Just back from a quick spin, lovely morning.
20km in an hour and five mins including a stiff 4 metre climb (that's rare around here) to being 1 metre below sea level for a couple of km.

 

[sim667]

Sometimes the valve cores are replaceable, like this

Make sure you haven't just unscrewed the core and it really is broken. You can just screw the core back in if that's what's happened.

It had kind of broken, and then this morning it exploded away. I've had the bike 4 years and never replaced the tyres or the inner tube so it's not the end of the world.

I've just realised I forgot to buy one of those tools to get the tyre off the rim though

 

[weepiper]

It had kind of broken, and then this morning it exploded away. I've had the bike 4 years and never replaced the tyres or the inner tube so it's not the end of the world.

I've just realised I forgot to buy one of those tools to get the tyre off the rim though

Tyre levers. You can use dessert/table spoon handles if you're careful. Turn the spoon upside down so the lip of the handle sits the right way to lift the tyre bead over the rim. Don't go all Incredible Hulk with them though or you can damage the rim/tyre.

 

[sim667]

Tyre levers. You can use dessert/table spoon handles if you're careful. Turn the spoon upside down so the lip of the handle sits the right way to lift the tyre bead over the rim. Don't go all Incredible Hulk with them though or you can damage the rim/tyre.

I think I've actually done that before (using spoons, not damaging the rims).

 

[Orang Utan]

.

 

[Dogsauce]

Don't use you're best spoons either, you'll bend them (I've wrecked a couple on the rare occasion I've had to take one of the Marathons off).

 

[sim667]

Don't use you're best spoons either, you'll bend them (I've wrecked a couple on the rare occasion I've had to take one of the Marathons off).

I don't have "best spoons" they're all hand me downs with the remains of an ikea pack I bought ten years ago (most of which I imagine are festering under my housemates bed).

 

[Dogsauce]

I have an assortment of shitty spoons too, but I still have some that are 'best' amongst them. I think the Gulf Air one is my favourite as it's midway between a regular spoon and a teaspoon, so versatile. I've no idea where they've all come from, I don't think I've ever bought any of it, just accumulated through shared houses and parental cast-offs. The ones my ex left behind (cast-offs from her parents) usually get puncture duty by virtue of their sturdiness and pointed end. #meandmyspoons

 

[Artaxerxes]

10k ride today after a couple of weeks on evenings and no cycling and my first wound, hit a curb to slowly and managed to go arse over tit, was only a little un as well. Nettles on one leg, scratch on t'other.

Bloody things only small but must be deep as its still occasionally leaking after 3-4 hours.

 

[Dogsauce]

I did a club social today out to the Cafe at Bolton Abbey & back. Passed by Lizzie Armitstead going at a fair pace on the backroad between Otley & Ilkley.

The 'new' bike goes up some hills like they just aren't there, it's amazing. Just 8 secs away from a personal best on one six-minute climb where I was relaxed and chatting to someone the whole way up.

 

[souljacker]

Just got a new (to me) fancy road bike, a Trek 1000SL. I couldn't actually work out how to change down on the gears at first.

Anyway, what acessories do I need? Bottle of chain lube? Puncture kit? I really have no idea. Also, anyone recommend a good site for beginners maintenance and riding tips? All the 'beginners' one say things like 'take it easy on your first climb up an Alp' which isn't the 'beginner' level I had in mind.

 

[The Boy]

Just got a new (to me) fancy road bike, a Trek 1000SL. I couldn't actually work out how to change down on the gears at first.

Anyway, what acessories do I need? Bottle of chain lube? Puncture kit? I really have no idea. Also, anyone recommend a good site for beginners maintenance and riding tips? All the 'beginners' one say things like 'take it easy on your first climb up an Alp' which isn't the 'beginner' level I had in mind.

Zinn and the art of [whatever]bike maintenance is a good maintenance bible if you can get it cheap.

What sort of riding tips are you looking for? If it's about keeping safe and stuff then I can recommend Cyclecraft by John Franklin. Or Bikeability or something like that. Definitely by John Franklin anyway.

edit: Deffo cyclecraft

 

[Sprocket.]

Just got a new (to me) fancy road bike, a Trek 1000SL. I couldn't actually work out how to change down on the gears at first.

Anyway, what acessories do I need? Bottle of chain lube? Puncture kit? I really have no idea. Also, anyone recommend a good site for beginners maintenance and riding tips? All the 'beginners' one say things like 'take it easy on your first climb up an Alp' which isn't the 'beginner' level I had in mind.

A decent pump, at least 1 spare inner tube, a puncture repair kit with tyre levers and a under saddle bag to keep them in. Along with a couple of cable ties should be all you need for shorter local rides.
If it is of any interest Aldi have a cycle tool kit on sale this week for £14.99.
There are enough bits to tackle a lot of jobs and I have used the one I have many times.
Just ride and enjoy as much as possible.

 

[souljacker]

Zinn and the art of [whatever]bike maintenance is a good maintenance bible if you can get it cheap.

What sort of riding tips are you looking for? If it's about keeping safe and stuff then I can recommend Cyclecraft by John Franklin. Or Bikeability or something like that. Definitely by John Franklin anyway.

edit: Deffo cyclecraft

Its maintenance tips I'm after really but also things like what sort of cycling clothes are good but won't make me look like a tit. Will try and get a copy of Zinn as it's been recommended by a mate too.

 

[steeeve]

Zinn and the art of [whatever]bike maintenance is a good maintenance bible if you can get it cheap.

What sort of riding tips are you looking for? If it's about keeping safe and stuff then I can recommend Cyclecraft by John Franklin. Or Bikeability or something like that. Definitely by John Franklin anyway.

edit: Deffo cyclecraft

I got a copy of zinn from a charity shop for a fiver its great. Sheldon Brown website also has just about all the info you'd ever need

 

[sim667]

First day back on bike yesterday, 2 car doors opened on me, and one cyclist undertaking me as I go to make a left turn..... My ride is only 5 minutes for fuck sake

edit: yes I was indicating the left turn.

 

[Orang Utan]

Ride further out!

 

[sim667]

Ride further out!

I was quite far out, one of them overtook me, forcing me to the left to avoid getting knocked out, pulled over across the front of me, and had his door open before the car had even stopped.

 

[han]

My first Dunwich Dynamo on Saturday. Yikes! It's the staying up all night that'll be the challenge, really.

I did 100 miles in prep a couple of weeks ago and have been doing regular 50 mile rides every few weeks, so I think I'll be ok in terms of the distance . It's just the wanting to go to sleep bit... hmm. V excited though!

 

[Dogsauce]

Every year I say I'll do that, but fitness is nowhere near this year, still only managing half-century rides and feeling fucked the next day. The doctors told me after my operation last year that I might find myself more tired and take longer to recover from exercise, and I'm worried that's what's happening. Hopefully I can still build up some stamina and get some better distance in.

Had a nice ride after work tonight, did a 38km loop, 1hr12, sweating like a hog in this heat and wishing I'd had a drink beforehand. A few nice sprints where the mood took me and a handful of cups on that which mustn't be named. Sometimes I really love my new bike.

 

[tommers]

My first Dunwich Dynamo on Saturday. Yikes! It's the staying up all night that'll be the challenge, really.

I did 100 miles in prep a couple of weeks ago and have been doing regular 50 mile rides every few weeks, so I think I'll be ok in terms of the distance . It's just the wanting to go to sleep bit... hmm. V excited though!

You'll be fine. I did it without any extra training, just my commute which was about 15 miles all in at the time. Once you get to the food stop that's the back of it broken.

It's getting back that's the pain.

 

[braindancer]

My first Dunwich Dynamo on Saturday. Yikes! It's the staying up all night that'll be the challenge, really.

I did 100 miles in prep a couple of weeks ago and have been doing regular 50 mile rides every few weeks, so I think I'll be ok in terms of the distance . It's just the wanting to go to sleep bit... hmm. V excited though!

Looking forward to it also - will be my second.... I was doing lots of longish rides but it's tailed off in the last month or so but I reckon I'll be fine.

Last time my chain broke 4 times! First time on the sharp hill out of Finchingfield. This year I'm hoping for no mechanicals - I have a new chain, front chain ring and rear cogs.... but I'll be taking a chain tool and some spare links for sure....

I'm also hoping to actually spend a bit of time chilling in Dunwich. Last year my pal dropped out so I set off with a bunch of pros who were kind enough to offer me a lift home afterwards. However, they were fucking fast and dumped me on Lea Bridge Road. They got to Dunwich hours before me and so by the time I got there they wanted to head off straight away. This year I'm doing it with my Dad....

I wouldn't worry too much about wanting to go to sleep - I found the whole thing such a buzz that even though I felt physically tired I never felt sleepy.

Looks like it will be warm with a tail wind.

Bring it on!

 

[steeeve]

When changing a cassette should I be changing the chain at the same time?

 

[Sprocket.]

When changing a cassette should I be changing the chain at the same time?

I would if the chain is worn or very dirty. You should be able to get through three chains before cassette wear becomes an issue.
Banging miles in through the winter wears chains and sprockets at a more advanced rate due to salt and grit.

To be certain of hassle free cycling if you are unsure I would change both, a tad more expensive but that is nothing to being stuck miles from home.

If you have two chains you can swap them regularly to cause less wear to your sprockets.
If you use KMC chains they are easier to change but I understand that fitting these with Shimano cassettes can result in less smooth gear changes.

 

[fen_boy]

If you're changing the number of teeth on the cassette you'll need to do something about the chain, either add/remove links or change it.

 

[steeeve]

If you're changing the number of teeth on the cassette you'll need to do something about the chain, either add/remove links or change it.

I'm going from 12-25 to 11-28. Is it as simple as adding 3 links?

 

[fen_boy]

I think you need a new chain at the appropriate size rather than adding links. That's what park tools say here http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/chain-length-sizing

 

[steeeve]

I think you need a new chain at the appropriate size rather than adding links. That's what park tools say here http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/chain-length-sizing

cheers, their formula works out that I need a 53 inch chain