TZ Cycling/Bike Appreciation thread!

[xxnick1975]

Sounds a great deal but did you mean SL7 Comp, as I think the Pro is a lot dearer.

I bought a second hand Trek Domane SLR with Di2 and carbon wheels for c£2.2k a couple of years back and thought that was good value then as new prices are just crazy so your mate's done well regardless (the Tarmac's too harsh for my old part time cyclist body!).

Still available at Evans and others, heavily discounted, I think. I'm seriously considering it!

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[higham5]

Sounds a great deal but did you mean SL7 Comp, as I think the Pro is a lot dearer.

.

Dave you are correct, I didnt realise there was such a spread in the SL7 range.

It does seem that now we can all get a lot of bike for our money. It will interesting to see the effects of challenger brands such as Winspace will have on the bike market.

Now if only they would offer Specialised Creo 2’s at half price I would be all over them. I could even match my wife on the 15-20% hills we have here, as she romps away on her Specialised Vado SL whilst I grovel up the climbs.

Steve

[higham5]

Matthew Van der Pol bossing the World Championships last Sunday. He rode the 60 mins of mud and turmoil wearing no other than a €300,000 Richard Mille. The guys has class , turns up in a Lambo , smashes the opposition and trousers a very nice appearance fee at the early races. He certainly is a force to deal with.

https://www.richardmille.com/friends-and-partners

[cbh]

Now Cav's retired they had to plonk it on someone's wrist!

[pete-r]

Just a heads up to anyone considering a Swytch kit, I'm having utterly crap support.

I bought it December 23 and asked them about charging, they advised to charge the battery after every ride so I do.

I use it maybe 4-5 days a week, 4 miles and flat-ish route to work so low assistance needed. It's been brilliant until recently.

Over the last few weeks the battery has really dropped away, within 30 seconds I'm showing one bar down, and hills are becoming a pain because once the assistance dies your having to push the motor too.

Raised with Swytch and got trapped in an endless AI bot chat, emailed them and got a cut and paste email saying to reset it, don't use in cold blah blah.

I've done everything they ask and have asked them if they can have the battery back to be checked, but they always take about 3 days to reply so the conversation been going on for about a fortnight getting nowhere. I honestly feel they are trying to wear me into conceding.

I can't find any phone info, and if you only get a year of good running from the battery, I would say avoid!!!

[MadeOfCheese]

Hmm, that’s interesting.

I did buy a kit but haven’t fitted it yet. I don’t expect to use it that often, but if support is lacking that’s not a good sign.

[pete-r]

If you're using it less, I'm not sure that will make things better or worse.

The pen pal support is excruciating to be honest.

[xxnick1975]

Not great.

Sounds like the battery's dead.

To be fair if you have charged it everyday for a year it will be.

All bit disappointing really and not good for the environment, which cycling should be!



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[pete-r]

I've now been waiting 5 days for a reply to my last email asking if the battery could be checked to see if it's faulty. Overall I'd say avoid Swytch.

I can't even complain as I can't see any route to take. I might have to try posting negative comments on their socials to get a response.

[Saint-Just]

You could try the Consumer Rights Act 2015 regarding durability.

[pete-r]

They got back to me quickly on that one, they said there's is no need to return the battery, just dispose of it responsibly.

Also sent me a link to their upgrade products WTAF!?!?!?!

[higham5]

We maybe / possibly/ hopefully will be getting the grand depart in 2027. My money is on Yorkshire, they did a cracking job last time, have the terrain and have proven with the Tour de Yorkshire they have the organisational skills.

[trident-7]

We maybe / possibly/ hopefully will be getting the grand depart in 2027. My money is on Yorkshire, they did a cracking job last time, have the terrain and have proven with the Tour de Yorkshire they have the organisational skills.

Yeah, but we don't want the whole world to know how awesome Yorkshire is

[alfat33]

Yeah, but we don't want the whole world to know how awesome Yorkshire is

Too late for that. Some of the yellow bikes are still there from last time…

[xxnick1975]

Yeah, but we don't want the whole world to know how awesome Yorkshire is

Ha! The irony!

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[Montello]

Yeah, but we don't want the whole world to know how awesome Yorkshire is

Said no Yorkshireman ever …

[PawG]

Finally some sunshine!




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[higham5]

Ha! The irony!

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When the grand depart started in Leeds I went to spectate on both days. At the front of the caravan was a Yorkshire Tourist board vehicle with a big letter Y . There was a guy in the vehicle shouting Yorkshire, Yorkshire, Yorkshire, nothing else. He was out both days , same script!

Now thats what you call a proud Yorkshire man;)

[Bravo73]

We maybe / possibly/ hopefully will be getting the grand depart in 2027. My money is on Yorkshire, they did a cracking job last time, have the terrain and have proven with the Tour de Yorkshire they have the organisational skills.

Looks like Edinburgh:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/...s/cx2gyx704pvo

[xxnick1975]

When the grand depart started in Leeds I went to spectate on both days. At the front of the caravan was a Yorkshire Tourist board vehicle with a big letter Y . There was a guy in the vehicle shouting Yorkshire, Yorkshire, Yorkshire, nothing else. He was out both days , same script!

Now thats what you call a proud Yorkshire man;)

I've met him. He has a large family with the same endearing habit, and loads of friends just like him.

God's own country apparently.....

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[monogroover]

Fitted a Schwalbe Lugano II to my rear Roubaix wheel, to match the Lugano (I) I had spare and fitted to the front. The II apparently has inferior puncture protection, but better rolling resistance compared to the I.

I'm disappointed by all the flashing (as I believe it's called). The little protrusions from the moulding, and the little fin that's formed from rubber seeping into the seam in the mould. Probably doesn't make a practical difference but I may go round them all with a sharp knife, or a guitar string cutter anyway. Carefully.



The Specialized tyre it's replaced was in shocking condition, I knew it had a few cracks but hadn't noticed that bits of the fabric were exposed until I had a closer look. Fortunately it didn't provoke a puncture.

[oliverte]

I'm a big fan of vintage racing bikes with carbon wheels, so here's how my 80s Rossin looks now

Yes it's still slow and heavy, yes it's too expensive to ride anywhere without worrying but yes I love it

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[cbh]

Those wheels on that bike are wrong on so many levels

[higham5]

Please release that derailleur tension, big ring on the front , nearly on the top of the rear.

Nice Rossin, I was offered one when I bought my steel Colnago. However I just didnt understand enough of these vintage classic to take the plunge. Turbo saddle as well, excellent

[wallyuk]

Good job it's a wall piece. That rear pad alignment looks alarming. I would recommend old alloy rim wheels, silver stem and a retro seat post. The Push are very soft, galvanically fuse with metal frames and have a troublesome swaddle clamp that just slips. But a lovely project.

[oliverte]

I've actually just taken it out for a 10miler, it rode great.

The push seatpost doesn't really work, I need a period correct Rossin one.

I am becoming one of those bores who waxes on about the 'feel of steel' but these old racing bikes are fabulous.

Shame most of them don't get ridden

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[xxnick1975]

I've actually just taken it out for a 10miler, it rode great.

The push seatpost doesn't really work, I need a period correct Rossin one.

I am becoming one of those bores who waxes on about the 'feel of steel' but these old racing bikes are fabulous.

Shame most of them don't get ridden

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What tubing is it? Columbus?

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[den77]

I'm a big fan of vintage racing bikes with carbon wheels, so here's how my 80s Rossin looks now

Yes it's still slow and heavy, yes it's too expensive to ride anywhere without worrying but yes I love it

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Lovely looking bike, only one thing better than a full vintage bike and that's a neo-retro bike IMHO.

[pete-r]

Anyone here know much about the cycle to work scheme?

Does the scheme apply to a bike on sale, or only to something full price?

I've found an electric MTB 40% off, if I could use the scheme it would be about 65% off the RRP.

[deepreddave]

Does the scheme apply to a bike on sale, or only to something full price?

Not an expert on C2W but pretty sure it includes bikes at sale prices, just be mindful that that retailer may seek to add c10% to cover the commission charged by the C2W scheme provider, especially if they've already heavily discounted the retail price. Still a great saving though.

[oliverte]

What tubing is it? Columbus?

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Yeh columbus, don't think it's super high grade, SLX or Matrix

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[Toddy]

Anyone here know much about the cycle to work scheme?

Does the scheme apply to a bike on sale, or only to something full price?

I've found an electric MTB 40% off, if I could use the scheme it would be about 65% off the RRP.

You.need to ask the shop.itself as it varies. Ive been using it for years now, think I've only ever bought one bike using the C2W but I get all my components, clothing, wheels, computers etc with it. Give them a ring and see what they say, they may well add 10% on for a sales bike.

[pete-r]

Some to my local bike shop, seems fairly straightforward.

Works out at 42% off any bike at retail or sale price.

I think a new ride will be incoming soon just in time for summer 😁

[pete-r]

Morning all, can anyone confirm a tyre question please because I'm clueless with bike bits.

As detailed above I've bought this cube reaction e-mtb and want to swap the nobbly tyres for something better for road use.

https://www.cube.eu/uk-en/cube-react...-n-gold/808230

The tyres are showing as 2.6 on the cube site, but the urban tyres are mainly 2.0 or 2.2.

Will these fit ok and should I go skinnier 2.0 or for the 2.2 as closer to the 2.6?

Sorry if this is a moron question...

[gunner]

Both would be fine but 2.2 may sit better on the width rim you have.

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[pete-r]

Thanks.

[higham5]

Agree with gunner , hope Im not stating the obvious but 2.6 is the tread width in inches. Anything less than a 2 will struggle to fill the rim and will have little sidewall. There are lots of city type tyres which are faster rolling and more comfortable for road use.

I would keep the Shwalbe nobblies in case in the future you want to do some mild off roading.

Nice bike and just in time for summer ( he says typing this on a wet Good Friday) :)

[pete-r]

I've ordered the 2.2 so hopefully a good fit.

I will keep the nobbly tyres as you say in case I want to use off-road or if I get a damaged tyre.

Returning my old featherweight from e-kit to passive will be an interesting change.

[PawG]

Bluebells are out




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[alfat33]

I’ve enjoyed following this thread for years, so I thought I’d post a picture of my Boardman Team Carbon. I bought it second hand about 8 years ago and have added various second hand bits over the years - only the pedals and consumables are new. The wheels changed the whole riding experience dramatically.

It’s deeply unfashionable - rim brakes, dodgy paint scheme and Tiagra based groupset. I decided to embrace the yellow flash look this year with an upgrade to yellow bottles and cages and new yellow fade bar tape, which have given me massive aero gains.

I try to get out round the hills of south Herts twice a week for an hour or so but aim for longer rides in the summer when I can. Hertfordshire is a brilliant place for riding as many of you will know, if you like short, steep hills and don’t mind sudden dodgy road surfaces.

I still have a dream of a proper bike fit followed by a purchase of a Pinarello X or maybe a Basso but for now I’m still enjoying the riding as much as ever.

[barreti]

I have an old Defy here at our holiday house in Spain. It's aluxx with Tiagra gears and rim brakes and is completely stock except I changed the wheels to Hunt. Although after so many issues with the rear wheel which had spokes falling out periodically that I've changed that too and can't say I'm impressed with Hunt wheels in general despite having 3 sets.
Anyway, back to the bike...
The gears are buttery smooth, the stock seat suits my bum and it rides really well around the huge hills around here which helps massively with my fitness for the club rides at home.

[monogroover]

I’ve enjoyed following this thread for years, so I thought I’d post a picture of my Boardman Team Carbon. I bought it second hand about 8 years ago and have added various second hand bits over the years - only the pedals and consumables are new. The wheels changed the whole riding experience dramatically.

It’s deeply unfashionable - rim brakes, dodgy paint scheme and Tiagra based groupset. I decided to embrace the yellow flash look this year with an upgrade to yellow bottles and cages and new yellow fade bar tape, which have given me massive aero gains.

I bought a rather more modest Boardman with the same colour scheme myself about eight years ago, pictured here not long after I got it. However I had the opposite idea, I wanted to tone the yellow down a bit! So it has plain tyres now, and black handlebar tape.

[higham5]

I’ve enjoyed following this thread for years, so I thought I’d post a picture of my Boardman Team Carbon. I bought it second hand about 8 years ago and have added various second hand bits over the years - only the pedals and consumables are new. The wheels changed the whole riding experience dramatically.

It’s deeply unfashionable - rim brakes, dodgy paint scheme and Tiagra based groupset. I decided to embrace the yellow flash look this year with an upgrade to yellow bottles and cages and new yellow fade bar tape, which have given me massive aero gains.

I try to get out round the hills of south Herts twice a week for an hour or so but aim for longer rides in the summer when I can. Hertfordshire is a brilliant place for riding as many of you will know, if you like short, steep hills and don’t mind sudden dodgy road surfaces.

I still have a dream of a proper bike fit followed by a purchase of a Pinarello X or maybe a Basso but for now I’m still enjoying the riding as much as ever.

Yellow bar tape and large bottles are guaranteed to save you significant watts due their aero characteristics:). On a more serious note your saddle seems very far back on the clamp. It might just be the angle of the photo, but I have snapped the rails on my seat when its been the other way eg too far forward. As I say it might just be the angle of the photo, are you within the small scored lines on the seat rails ?

[monogroover]

Yellow bar tape and large bottles are guaranteed to save you significant watts due their aero characteristics:). On a more serious note your saddle seems very far back on the clamp. It might just be the angle of the photo, but I have snapped the rails on my seat when its been the other way eg too far forward. As I say it might just be the angle of the photo, are you within the small scored lines on the seat rails ?

I have my saddle set up like that on a couple of my bikes (set back a bit more than might be considered usual). If you aren't heavy (I'm about 70kg) you'll be OK, depending on the strength of the rails and seat clamp. Not all saddles have the indicators on the rails. Actually looking closer the one in the pic looks to be within the acceptable range to me.

[alfat33]

I bought a rather more modest Boardman with the same colour scheme myself about eight years ago, pictured here not long after I got it. However I had the opposite idea, I wanted to tone the yellow down a bit! So it has plain tyres now, and black handlebar tape.

That’s the look. I toned it down for a long time, black everything, even thought about covering up the yellow flashes. But this year I thought f*** it, I’m an old git, no-one cares what my bike looks like. So on with the yellow, and a Cycology City of Angels jersey to go with it.

[alfat33]

On a more serious note your saddle seems very far back on the clamp…As I say it might just be the angle of the photo, are you within the small scored lines on the seat rails ?

Thanks for checking, it’s a fair question. I am in fact on the limit - leading edge of the clamp is level with the last scored line on the rail. I was careful to check. Really I need a frame with a slacker seat post angle, but I knew nothing about bike geometry when I bought it. Overall I got fairly lucky, I’ve ridden 100 miles on it and not had any serious pains at the end (just knackered). I know what I’d buy different next time though.

[xxnick1975]

Yellow bar tape and large bottles are guaranteed to save you significant watts due their aero characteristics:). On a more serious note your saddle seems very far back on the clamp. It might just be the angle of the photo, but I have snapped the rails on my seat when its been the other way eg too far forward. As I say it might just be the angle of the photo, are you within the small scored lines on the seat rails ?

Might be the photo, looks like a lay back post to me, if you zoom in

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[higham5]

Thanks for checking, it’s a fair question. I am in fact on the limit - leading edge of the clamp is level with the last scored line on the rail. I was careful to check. Really I need a frame with a slacker seat post angle, but I knew nothing about bike geometry when I bought it. Overall I got fairly lucky, I’ve ridden 100 miles on it and not had any serious pains at the end (just knackered). I know what I’d buy different next time though.

No worries, with mine being too far forward the force is such the manganese? rails snap, mines gone twice! I know what you mean about cycle geometry, its only the last two bikes Ive bought had any form of bike fit. The previous ones were purely , “ that looks the business, how much?” ;)

[JonRA]

In amongst all the beautiful - and often very expensive - bikes on this thread, my 'new' bike is at the other end of the price spectrum. Bought from eBay a couple of weeks ago, it has had a bare metal respray, new steel fork, new wheels, tyres, inner tubes and cables, plus everything else rebuilt. The guy that sold it is retired and does it for the love of doing it rather than to make money. The asking price was a shade under 53gbp - I didn't insult him by making an offer... As for the ride, it's great although the friction gear change requires a bit of technique!

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[wileeeeeey]

What a find of an eBay seller. That looks great.