The Cycling Chat Thread

[nick]

desperately awaits arrival of an expert but....

On mine I always find that you can pop the tyre back into place with just the track pump, or a CO2 canister blast.
I believe you can also get shock pumps that make it easier.
I did buy something called an Airshot on black Friday (when it was half price), but have not had to use it

 

[DJWrongspeed]

Had my first puncture with my Panaracer Race Evo Ds. Weirdly couldn’t see what caused it. Anyway highly recommended winter/endurance tyres. It’s been 1000s of miles without a puncture.

The roads in rural Kent are terrible.

 

[DownwardDog]

now I've popped the tyre off and broken the seal how would I go about resealing it?

Compressor or CO2 canister if you don't have a compressor. Hairspray + lighter technique if you're feeling bold and lucky or you hate your eyebrows anyway.

 

[Fuzzy]

Compressor or CO2 canister if you don't have a compressor. Hairspray + lighter technique if you're feeling bold and lucky or you hate your eyebrows anyway.

I carry co2 cannisters. do I need to apply anything to the tyre/rim to stick them together?

 

[nick]

I carry co2 cannisters. do I need to apply anything to the tyre/rim to stick them together?

I haven't.
Most of your tubeless punctures won't need you to take the tyre off the rim: Just re-gas it and give the wheel a spin to spread the gunk.

 

[sleaterkinney]

We managed to get new set on with just a normal pump, easy if they're hooked.

You can also get those inserts that mtb cyclists have.

 

[DownwardDog]

I carry co2 cannisters. do I need to apply anything to the tyre/rim to stick them together?

No. The air pressure will push the tyre walls out. I like to do it with the bike in a stand and the valve at the 12 o clock position. That way you get a minor gravity assist to seal the section of the tyre near the valve.

 

[weepiper]

New bike day. Can't ride it for a while because I've injured my knee

 

[braindancer]

Oh dear - I acquired a hand me down smart trainer and got zwift. I never understood why anyone would want to ride a bike inside but after trying it have to say its actually kind of fun! I was on it every day this week (though have just been for a proper ride to keep it real).

Zwift tells me I hit 50mph coming down box hill - that would never happen in real life ....

 

[pbsmooth]

I know someone who had a similar experience. Just the convenience is half of it I guess. I don't get one now partly because I'm worried I'd never get on the bike again. That said, the main thing I enjoy is the scenery and getting out in the countryside. also I have no money.

 

[Cid]

Oh dear - I acquired a hand me down smart trainer and got zwift. I never understood why anyone would want to ride a bike inside but after trying it have to say its actually kind of fun! I was on it every day this week (though have just been for a proper ride to keep it real).

Zwift tells me I hit 50mph coming down box hill - that would never happen in real life ....

Yeah, I like mine... Think main benefits are riding when the weather is shit and being able to properly tailor your training. I mostly use custom workouts, which admittedly increase the boredom factor a bit, but are great for consistency. Even for people who aren't really training to anything specific (which, tbh, is me) pretty handy. E.g if you've been ill or had to take while off the bike for other reasons, it's pretty simple to structure rebuilding your fitness. Here in Sheffield outdoors you hit steep hills pretty quickly which can be draining both physically and mentally if your form isn't good. Also training techniques like steady state (long rides under FTP, good for improving lactate response) can be tricky outdoors.

Of course there's a degree to which riding in the environment you're going to ride in is er... good prep for riding in it. But can be vulnerable to overtraining or over-exerting in specific sessions. So in a sense quite good that these days I don't really want to do winter outdoor rides; summer is for pushing yourself a bit, then winter something a bit more structured and sustainable.

 

[sleaterkinney]

It can get boring though so just stick something on the tv.

 

[Cid]

With steady state I find I can actually read for a fair bit of it. Reading time seems to go faster than watching time as well... quite awkward holding a book mind you, might try and work out some kind of kindle bar mount.

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

Just when I was thinking about getting back on my bike after a couple of years I found out a friend crashed his new bike the day after he bought it and broke his knee. Can't walk for six weeks

That's my confidence shot to pieces.

 

[braindancer]

With steady state I find I can actually read for a fair bit of it. Reading time seems to go faster than watching time as well... quite awkward holding a book mind you, might try and work out some kind of kindle bar mount.

Reading wow - that's not something I thought to try. I have found it a good way of catching up with podcasts though.

I can see a fan is going to be in order - I've been sweating like I've never sweated before and that's in a pretty chilly garage in February....

I find it difficult to find time for as much cycling as I used to. For many years I cycled 20 miles a day for commuting and did long weekend rides on top - regular centuries etc. I'd always thought that as my kids got older I'd have more time - but now they are 15 I find they actually need me around more than ever - and it's really hard to find the time for long rides. I also work from home now most of the time and when I go to work I go on the train as it's 60 miles away....

I'm always beating myself up about not doing enough cycling and putting pressure on myself to get out and ride more (or ride longer). I reckon Zwift will help me. I'd done 100 miles of cycling by Friday - all at much higher intensity than I'd do outside - so on Sunday I could just pop out for 25 miles of country lane action without putting any pressure on myself to do more....

 

[Cid]

Reading wow - that's not something I thought to try. I have found it a good way of catching up with podcasts though.

I can see a fan is going to be in order - I've been sweating like I've never sweated before and that's in a pretty chilly garage in February....

I find it difficult to find time for as much cycling as I used to. For many years I cycled 20 miles a day for commuting and did long weekend rides on top - regular centuries etc. I'd always thought that as my kids got older I'd have more time - but now they are 15 I find they actually need me around more than ever - and it's really hard to find the time for long rides. I also work from home now most of the time and when I go to work I go on the train as it's 60 miles away....

I'm always beating myself up about not doing enough cycling and putting pressure on myself to get out and ride more (or ride longer). I reckon Zwift will help me. I'd done 100 miles of cycling by Friday - all at much higher intensity than I'd do outside - so on Sunday I could just pop out for 25 miles of country lane action without putting any pressure on myself to do more....

Well the basic metric for steady state - beyond FTP figures - is 'could you just manage a short conversation?', so reading can be a bit tricky, but is possible. And, once you get into 2 hours+ of that, find it needs more variety. For HIIT stuff obviously reading would be daft. Yes, a fan is essential I think... I've got a fairly substantial industrial Honeywell job. Large fans do ironically tend to heat up the space a bit, but less of a problem in a garage than an insulated flat. Probably some more efficient than others.

 

[Dogsauce]

I’m after some advice from the more mechanically minded.

I got a free shit mountain bike (left out on the street with a note on it) for the Mrs to use as a pub bike / something to ride in the forest with the kids.

The front brake is missing some kind of bracket/rod thing on each side to hold the blocks, does anyone know what this specific part is called so I can try and buy replacements? I’m hoping I don’t have to buy the full assembly. It’s an apollo bike and gears are Shimano, but brakes have no obvious branding.
the missing part goes in the oval hole in the callipers. Picture of the back brake (which has the part) below.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

I’m after some advice from the more mechanically minded.

I got a free shit mountain bike (left out on the street with a note on it) for the Mrs to use as a pub bike / something to ride in the forest with the kids.

The front brake is missing some kind of bracket/rod thing on each side to hold the blocks, does anyone know what this specific part is called so I can try and buy replacements? I’m hoping I don’t have to buy the full assembly. It’s an apollo bike and gears are Shimano, but brakes have no obvious branding.View attachment 364044
the missing part goes in the oval hole in the callipers. Picture of the back brake (which has the part) below.

View attachment 364045

V-BRAKE OR CANTILEVER BRAKE BLOCK-BRAKE SHOES-BRAKE PAD MOUNT HOLDER BOLT

V-BRAKE OR CANTILEVER BRAKE BLOCK/BRAKE SHOES/BRAKE PAD MOUNT HOLDER BOLTTHIS BOLT IS USED ON MOST POST-TYPE V-BRAKES AND CANTILEVER BRAKE

bankruptbikeparts.co.uk

 

[Dogsauce]

Also after some tyre advice. The rear tyre on my MTB has disintegrated to the point that the inner tube is now poking through so I need a new one, but my tyre knowledge is limited to road bikes and commute bikes (Shwalbe Marathon mandatory).

The existing tyre which came with the bike is an SWorks renegade (26 x 1.9) which they don’t seem to make anymore. What would be a good replacement? The bike is set up as a lightweight cross country machine which seems to suit me (prefer bumpy tracks to overtly technical or downhill stuff) though something a bit more knobbly might mean I slip on rocks a bit less.

 

[Dogsauce]

V-BRAKE OR CANTILEVER BRAKE BLOCK-BRAKE SHOES-BRAKE PAD MOUNT HOLDER BOLT

V-BRAKE OR CANTILEVER BRAKE BLOCK/BRAKE SHOES/BRAKE PAD MOUNT HOLDER BOLTTHIS BOLT IS USED ON MOST POST-TYPE V-BRAKES AND CANTILEVER BRAKE

bankruptbikeparts.co.uk

Cheers. Ordered, just under a fiver with postage. Everything else seems OK on it, no rust on the chain or anything, tyres are good (once I’d put a bit more air in) - I half suspect someone saw on the street and took the brake blocks! Weighs a ton though but a suitable tool for the job.

 

[Fuzzy]

Oh dear - I acquired a hand me down smart trainer and got zwift. I never understood why anyone would want to ride a bike inside but after trying it have to say its actually kind of fun! I was on it every day this week (though have just been for a proper ride to keep it real).

Zwift tells me I hit 50mph coming down box hill - that would never happen in real life ....

welcome to the zwift club. I'm a daily zwifter pretty much although still did about 3,000 miles outside last year as well. loads to explore on the platform. I discovered racing last year which has been fun and would recommend.

 

[Artaxerxes]

Also after some tyre advice. The rear tyre on my MTB has disintegrated to the point that the inner tube is now poking through so I need a new one, but my tyre knowledge is limited to road bikes and commute bikes (Shwalbe Marathon mandatory).

The existing tyre which came with the bike is an SWorks renegade (26 x 1.9) which they don’t seem to make anymore. What would be a good replacement? The bike is set up as a lightweight cross country machine which seems to suit me (prefer bumpy tracks to overtly technical or downhill stuff) though something a bit more knobbly might mean I slip on rocks a bit less.

I use Land Cruisers on mine but I stick to towpaths and the odd bit of light mud rather than anything advanced

Land Cruiser Plus Bike Tyre

Buy your Schwalbe Land Cruiser Plus Bike Tyre - Tyres from Wiggle. Our price . Free worldwide delivery available.

www.wiggle.co.uk

Before that I used a Marathon I think - this looks like the updated version https://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-marathon-almotion-evo-tyre

 

[braindancer]

welcome to the zwift club. I'm a daily zwifter pretty much although still did about 3,000 miles outside last year as well. loads to explore on the platform. I discovered racing last year which has been fun and would recommend.

Not sure I'm ready for racing! I've done a lot of cycling but I've never been remotely quick....

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Not sure I'm ready for racing! I've done a lot of cycling but I've never been remotely quick....

Just lie about your weight like most people racing on Zwift do, bingo, instant speed

 

[nick]

Dunno if this belongs here or in Tech?

Just heard the annoying Godaddy advert on LBC. The one where they say how they helped Look mum no hands

Look mum no hands has permanently closed

 

[braindancer]

Just lie about your weight like most people racing on Zwift do, bingo, instant speed

Good suggestion!

 

[nick]

Good suggestion!

This explains why in the couple of times I have raced, i got lapped by OAPs.
(Obviously it isn’t because I am overweight and unfit)

 

[Artaxerxes]

Saw someone on this sort of thing at Liverpool st yesterday and it just looked like an absolute ball ache.

 

[weepiper]

Saw someone on this sort of thing at Liverpool st yesterday and it just looked like an absolute ball ache.

Dear God that is a horror show.

 

[spitfire]

There's a lad that comes down Haggerston BMX track on one of these super high home made bikes. Does the track on it as well. I'll try and get a pic next time.

Was probably the guy you saw at L St, right area.