The Cycling Chat Thread

[Dogsauce]

I was aiming for 4000, at 3505 at the moment and have generally been doing 100 a week, mostly through commuting. Losing the best part of three months after being knocked off hasn't helped things. I'm moving to London in a couple of weeks until the new year too, so not sure I'll make it as there isn't much riding to be had there.

I'm also aiming for 100 KOMs at the moment, I was doing well this month with 1 per day for a sustained period taking me up to 80, but I haven't ridden since Thursday as I'm caught up in kitchen building and working on site (with a van or car) all week. Suddenly feel very demotivated about riding, might be the clock change and temperature drop, plus generally feeling a bit run down, I might have been overdoing it with the daily sprints.

I've got some new wheels (Krysium Elites) and an 11-23 sat waiting to be attached at home too.

 

[braindancer]

I'm also aiming for 100 KOMs at the moment, I was doing well this month with 1 per day for a sustained period taking me up to 80, but I haven't ridden since Thursday as I'm caught up in kitchen building and working on site (with a van or car) all week. Suddenly feel very demotivated about riding, might be the clock change and temperature drop, plus generally feeling a bit run down, I might have been overdoing it with the daily sprints.

80 KOMs? Jesus. I have ZERO. I'm definitely no sprinter...

 

[Dogsauce]

80 KOMs? Jesus. I have ZERO. I'm definitely no sprinter...

It's easier in the north, loads with hardly any on. Most only a few hundred or low thousands, but I picked one up the other day where I was 1 out of 2! I'll pick fights I know I can win.
(Strave thread is >>>> )

 

[plurker]

It's easier in the north, loads with hardly any on. Most only a few hundred or low thousands, but I picked one up the other day where I was 1 out of 2! I'll pick fights I know I can win.
(Strave thread is >>>> )

Don't be thinking about coming down here with yer Northern wheels and getting cocky now Dogsauce, y'hear

 

[iamwithnail]

I was looking something up for a part I needed the other day (battery pack for my lights) and the first result was the EBC , and it reminded me of weepiper

 

[Dogsauce]

Don't be thinking about coming down here with yer Northern wheels and getting cocky now Dogsauce, y'hear

Col du fucking pentonville will be mine, from both directions. Just waiting for the right wind.

 

[Mr Moose]

London badly needs the segregated cycling lanes. They are nearly complete around Vauxhall, but it worries me how bikes and pedestrians will interact there. Cyclists can get a lot of speed up over the bridge, but sometimes there is a press of dozens of people crossing the road. Everyone, on foot or bike has to stop for each light or there will be conflict.

 

[Orang Utan]

Has anyone cycled the Lea River path from Tottenham to Limehouse after dark? Thoroughly recommended for getting spooked by ducks landing on the water, encountering ghostly apparitions swanning about on the river, passing hippy BBQs and impromptu rap battles under overpasses, watching small homely boats lit up by stoves and Xmas tree lights and trapping through tunnels lit up like a Michael Mann movie. Go very slow and be careful though!

 

[The Boy]

just noticed my bike has another rear puncture. That's three now.

Further investigation required.

 

[Sister Midnight]

Check u got rid of original cause.... Also that brake pads not rubbing side walls...

 

[The Boy]

Check u got rid of original cause.... Also that brake pads not rubbing side walls...

Yeah, i checked the inside of the trye and rim thoruoghly when I repaired the last puncture, but must have missed something. Need new tyres anyway, so will order them today and that will hopefully be that.

 

[The Boy]

Also: anyone care to recommend a decent set of lights? The pair I have aren't great and, while I only don about a mile of my 8.5 mile commute on roads they probably need an upgrade. Also don't want to be *that* guywith the blinding lights on the bike paths tho./

 

[iamwithnail]

I have this on the front and one of these on the back. The front one is a bit much (if also splendid at the same time), and I try and keep it angled down on the cycle paths, although I'm 75% on roads, in London. It's absolutely, far and away the best bike light I've ever had though. Battery usually lasts 3-4 days of 6 mile each way commutes. The one a couple down the range is also very good, though. Amazon for ease of linking, obviously.

 

[weepiper]

I've got one of these on the front and it's been excellent, good battery life, several brightness levels to choose from and a flash option for dusk. And one of these on constant and one of these on flash on the back. When the rear ones die I plan on replacing them with a Moon light like iamwithnail has.

 

[iamwithnail]

I've actually got two moons on the back atm, because I've got Mrs W's one as well as she's not cycling just now. I am That Guy.
(Just reading the review of my light on Road.cc. Probably don't buy that, shows how rubbish the lights I had before were...)

 

[The Boy]

New tires, tube repaired and wheels fully pumped up ready to go. Take dog out an hour later and rear wheel is flat again. Starting to get annoyed now.

 

[Sister Midnight]

Spokes poking thru?? How annoying!

 

[The Boy]

Shoddy repair. Rear tire remains fully filly over twenty four hours later, so hopefully that is that. If I get another slow puncture i guess I'm gonna have to start investigating the rims properly.

 

[The Boy]

Am also toying with the idea of a new bike in January sales. But I keep swaying between a lovely new road bike or being sensible and getting another cross bike with guard and rack mounts but with disc brakes

 

[weepiper]

Am also toying with the idea of a new bike in January sales. But I keep swaying between a lovely new road bike or being sensible and getting another cross bike with guard and rack mounts but with disc brakes

*whistles innocently*

Cannondale Synapse Alu Adventure '16

 

[Winot]

I'm thinking of getting a Brompton for the family to share - me and Mrs W now if we want to go out after work on the lash (and get the tube home) and the Winotettes for when they're teenagers.

Did a bit of research and it looks like the sizing works, but fuck me they're expensive compared to a few years back. Do they ever go on sale (eg for last year's mode) or are they always full price?

 

[The Boy]

*whistles innocently*

Cannondale Synapse Alu Adventure '16

That's veeery pretty, but a little over my budget. Reckon I'll maybe manage to stretch to about 600 sheets - hence buying in January when places are trying to get rid of last year's models in the hope that I can find a bargain.

 

[The Boy]

I'm thinking of getting a Brompton for the family to share - me and Mrs W now if we want to go out after work on the lash (and get the tube home) and the Winotettes for when they're teenagers.

Did a bit of research and it looks like the sizing works, but fuck me they're expensive compared to a few years back. Do they ever go on sale (eg for last year's mode) or are they always full price?

I had a look at Bromptons a while back - other half was looking at applying for a job in Glasgow but was before she learned to drive, so I suggested bike-train-bike. No idea if they go on sale, but they are indeed pricey. Think Dahon are even higher price, iirc.

 

[Sister Midnight]

Bike sales seem to be on now!
Bromptons don't really seem to go on sale (they used to have a couple of colours a bit cheaper each year) - they also hold value quite well 2nd hand...

 

[The Boy]

Took the tram to school today. I somehow developed a puncture as a result.

*sigh*

 

[colacubes]

I'm thinking of getting a Brompton for the family to share - me and Mrs W now if we want to go out after work on the lash (and get the tube home) and the Winotettes for when they're teenagers.

Did a bit of research and it looks like the sizing works, but fuck me they're expensive compared to a few years back. Do they ever go on sale (eg for last year's mode) or are they always full price?

Bromptons are actually pretty heavy. I struggle to lift and carry the OHs for a reasonable distance if I borrow it and I'm pretty fit. He has the bog standard one but I think there's a lighter more expensive one. Just worth considering as far as the teens are concerned. Otherwise they're excellent bikes, and yes expensive but last and hold their value well. My OH's one is nearly 10 years old and apart from a pedal coming off last year has had no major problems at all and is still in really good nick

 

[Winot]

Bromptons are actually pretty heavy. I struggle to lift and carry the OHs for a reasonable distance if I borrow it and I'm pretty fit. He has the bog standard one but I think there's a lighter more expensive one. Just worth considering as far as the teens are concerned. Otherwise they're excellent bikes, and yes expensive but last and hold their value well. My OH's one is nearly 10 years old and apart from a pedal coming off last year has had no major problems at all and is still in really good nick

Yeah I was looking at the titanium one, but adds £600 to price

 

[colacubes]

Yeah I was looking at the titanium one, but adds £600 to price

Bloody hell Didn't realise it was quite that much

 

[Crispy]

*whistles innocently*

Cannondale Synapse Alu Adventure '16

Oh that is a lovely bike. I might *might* be in the market for a new bike soon, but not at that price

 

[sleaterkinney]

Am also toying with the idea of a new bike in January sales. But I keep swaying between a lovely new road bike or being sensible and getting another cross bike with guard and rack mounts but with disc brakes

If it's a proper cross bike it will have weird mtb gearing though. I dunno why people think that road bikes are so delicate, they can put up with a lot.