Reply With QuoteHere's mine
Cube LTD SL 29. It's a 2015 model bought earlier this year.
20 years or so back I was an avid mountain biker. These days its more riding the trails around Ash Ranges and Deepcut but with a bit of technical stuff every now and then.
See, you're disregarding your dad's advice alreadyOriginally Posted by Montybaber
, or, as they used to shout at you back then 'Change down, you're mortgaging your health with those big gears, lad'.
Like warns74 says, everyone falls off early days on SPDs. Does anyone on here remember the great Sean Kelly doing a demonstration (to Paul Sherwen and Phil Liggett if I remember, on Channel 4's 1980s coverage of the TdF) of how to fall off a bike properly without damaging the bike?
It was truly hysterical to watch as the multiple Green Jersey winner contrived to fall sideways and roll over, lifting the bike into the air and keeping it aloft and pristine! Oh happy days.
Here's mine
Cube LTD SL 29. It's a 2015 model bought earlier this year.
20 years or so back I was an avid mountain biker. These days its more riding the trails around Ash Ranges and Deepcut but with a bit of technical stuff every now and then.
Latest addition, picked it up from Bournemouth on Friday (some of it fitted in the car, a lot did not). Morning of carpentry later and off to the docks in glorious sunshine for a pint. Today is a good day.
Need to get a Brooks Swallow in honey ordered and I will be done.
One of the best bikes in world ! I have a clockwork and used it day in day out for 3 years through sun, rain and snow for getting to/from work and taking the kids everywhere. Ended up only using the car once a month. Perfect.Latest addition, picked it up from Bournemouth on Friday (some of it fitted in the car, a lot did not). Morning of carpentry later and off to the docks in glorious sunshine for a pint. Today is a good day.
I am very sure it will be one of your best ever purchases.
Love it! What's it like to ride?
This is my latest bike for commuting along a dirt track and some rough pathways. It's a Giant Roam, a hybrid type....
This is me on my road bike, a Giant Defy which has well over 3,000 miles on it now....
And last but not least is my old Raleigh pub bike....
Cheers,
Adam.
First ride was scary! Soon realised that the issue was steering tube slack and added a spacer from the parts bin. After that crisp as a well done chip. You do have to 'plan' your turns a bit though.
Couple of years ago I went to an 'urban down hill' event in Cardiff. Basically they private booked a multi-storey car park and raced (with a few jumps) from top to bottom. One guy did it on a Bullitt, they are that capable once set up correctly.
Went down a flight of stairs on mine today (by Brewery and Kitchen here in Gloucester) and giggled like a fool. Awesome bike!
My three year old has badgered me to death today. Four rides out and he keeps yelling 'Corners Daddy! Faster!)
Had the kids cover on mine and with two kids in front the handling gets really good. Without the weight you need 30mins on it just to get used to the turn in.
Many people really get into their Bullits
https://m.facebook.com/LarryVsHarryCargobikes/
Ha, rather you than me!
I really like the idea of a cargo type bike for nipping to the shops and taking the kids to school. I've got a trailer but it's folded up to fit in the garage so it takes a little while to set up.
Lovely looking bike, hope you continue to enjoy it.
I have a Boardmam hybrid comp (my 1st hybrid following a few mountain bikes) it's my daily commute (only 3 miles) but recently took a little spill in the wet and I've kind of lost my confidence (yes at 48)- constantly thinking that the bike does not feel right
It's running Vittoria Zaffiro 28-622- just wondering if there was somthing more 'stable'
It's all road riding on crappy a roads usually in the wet
Thanks
Know how you feel, I got wiped out by a car doing my commute at Christmas and just trying to get back into it.
I've always had a love for schwalbe marathons, bomb proof tyres, never had a puncture and they have good traction. They are quite heavy though if that bothers you
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I can echo all of the above. I run the marathon plus, and have them pumped quite high, which limits its adhesion in wet conditions. I just ride a lot more slowly and carefully.
Pumping tyres up too high means less grip, a supple tyre carcass that can deform easily means more grip, that's why cheap commuting tyres with stiff carcasses and hard rubber to resist wear feel so horrible on the road. And that siping (tread) is there to appease the weak minded into thinking their tyre will grip more when the reality is it would take speeds of 70mph and upwards to get a cycle tyre to aquaplane.
For zooming around the city I like Halo Twin Rail Couriers (Berlin edition). Grippy, roll well and just about the most puncture proof I've used.
I recently replaced the Mavic Aksion tyres on my road bike as they were showing signs of wear. They were pretty decent tyres, which were 23mm and I ran them at @ 105/110psi. After some research I'm now using Continental GP4000Sii tyres. Allegedly 30% more grip, 25% less rolling resistance, 5% improved wear. All down to the Black Chilli compound they are made from. Also they can be run at lower pressures and therefore more comfortable. So I fitted the 25mm size, and have been riding on them at 90psi. I have to say that the claims for these tyres seem to be true, they feel grippy, roll nice and fast, and are noticeably more comfortable.
F.T.F.A.
I'm running exactly the same. Would be even better if I had slightly wider rims.
A neighbour (fellow OAP) has a pretty nice Bianchi. When I asked him earlier, in the spring, if he was 'getting out much', he told me 'no' because the weather was too cold for his tyres to warm properly.
Looking a bit cloudy here, might switch to intermediates.
Currently using (non-folding) Continental Gator skins. Started on 23s, through 25s and now on 28s. They are very comfortable on my old Crosslight.
There is no correlation between the tyre size changes and my waistband, I'll have you know.
Have swapped for a slightly shorter stem (age and infirmity), and dropped the saddle a few mm., and it feels surprisingly more compact now.
I went from GP4000 to Mavic yksiom tyres and find them more grippy, roll amazingly well too. Admittedly these were not GP4000 II so unsure if there is much of a difference.
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I've used many different tyres over the years.
i was Nutrak Marathon (the first kevlar belted tyres in the world) when they came out - what a revelation - I actually wore a set of tyres out rather than having to replace due to puncture holes!
I moved to Hutchinson U (with the blue sidewall stripe) which were fast and light (21mm - skinny and hard!). Only had one puncture - that was when I ran over a broken bottle which literallly sliced the tyre in half!
been running Conti GP4000s and now GP4000sii for the past 10 years or so - I really rate them. The sidewalls are a bit fragile (and can get cut by things) but in terms of rolling resistance and grip they are far and away the best tyres I've ridden. I've recently switched to 25mm as well (thanks to the roads in the Lothians) and they are not only more comfortable but feel faster too (apparently wider tyres = lower rolling resistance - I found it hard to believe but... science!).
I would consider the new Vittoria Graphene tyres (which are, apparently, amazing) and the new Hutchinson Fusions. The Bontrager R4 320 is supposed to be pretty good too.
[Edit] Forgot - Michelin Pro4 Endurance are worth a look too.
I'll probably stick with what I know though.
(Note - none of the above tyres are "cheap" - but why would you economise on your only contact points with the road?)
Cheers,
Mark C
Last edited by markc; 5th July 2016 at 09:47.
Well I picked up my Colnago frame this weekend and its a belter. Just need to kit it out now with everything else. Any more pointers regarding setup are more than welcomed ;-)
Which model Colnago?
Campag groupset and wheels - goes without saying really. Chorus is the sweetspot I think, although Record is a little prettier (and pricier).
Finishing kit - I'm really impressed by the Fizik stuff at the moment, although Deda and 3T do some lovely kit (and keeps it mainly Italian!)
The rest is down to personal preference.
Oh, and you can't just say you picked up a Colnago frame and don't provide pictures!
Last edited by Meesterbond; 5th July 2016 at 11:27. Reason: Need pics...
My Genesis Equilibrium disc. By far and away the nicest bike I have ever had, I much prefer to aluminium and carbon and I have had high end of both. Currently running Vitoria Rubino Pros in 25mm. Was quite comfy for a 300k ride.
I have never tried the GP4000Sii although the reviews are unanimous in their praise.
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Haven't taken any more yet, still just this one the original pic I was sent. Its an EPQ.
PS. Re the Conti GP4000Sii tyres, I forgot to say that they (folding version) are very easy to get on and off the rim, at least on the Campag Zondas I have anyway.
I gave up on the foldable Conti GP4000Sii's after a few sidewall blowouts. I'm on the wired Gatorskins now which are harder to remove but just feel a more solid tyre overall... (Probably all in my head but that's the important place!)
Cheers,
Adam.
ok ,been away from road bikes for close to 33yrs ,must admit things have moved on a bit.So in a bid to keep fit and save my knees due to 5 a side football, I have just purchased this , see how i go on! (still not sure if I can wear lycra yet though)
I intend to fit Gatorskins to my wet/winter bike when the current Schwalbes are done. However I'm restricted to 23mm as 25mm wont fit with Crudguard RoadracerIIs on the bike.
I'm using 25mm Conti 4000s ii tyres. They are definitely good but I've picked up a few punctures as bits of flint seem to get through. Had a high speed rear blow out last week on these. Previous tyres were Specialized Roubaix Armadillo Elite 23/25. Not one puncture in 2 years but these have been relegated to my turbo trainer bike now. Will try gatorskins next I think.
Same here. Sidewall blowout at 40mph on a brand new GP4000Sii while descending a mountain so I switched to Michelin Pro 4s after reading about a few issues like this on the web.
Try the Rubinos or any Michelin. Gatorskins are god awful with no feel.
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Brompton Ti 2spd here.
Oh. Also Ti Sunday road bike.
Oh. Also the single speed i made at Dave Yates build your own bike week. If your into bikes and you get the chance do it....
Pics when i can work it all out
I saw a semi recumbent tandem the other day. First I've ever seen. I did a double take.
Good luck everybody. Have a good one.
I don't believe you that that actually exists. I shall google it. :)
Running 23mm GP4000S-II's find them wonderful, would go to 25m but my TCR advanced doesn't seem to have enough clearance. To change them at about 3,000km and in 12,000km I've had 2 puncture, both on tyres over 2,800km - so seems fair enough to me.
Was it a Hase Pino? I've always wanted one of those but they're not cheap.
Quick snap of my daily ride – an old 1987 Raleigh Quadra frame, powdercoated and dressed with period 'Super Course' decals. Rear hub is a two-speed Sturmey 'kickshift' so it looks like a singlespeed but has an extra gear. One of a collection of restored vintage bikes including Holdsworth, Colnago, CIOCC, TJ Quick, Peugeot and AS Gillot among others (as it stands I have more bicycles than watches, for now at least!). Happy to post pics of others if interested.
Yes please. I quite like vintage bikes.Quick snap of my daily ride – an old 1987 Raleigh Quadra frame, powdercoated and dressed with period 'Super Course' decals. Rear hub is a two-speed Sturmey 'kickshift' so it looks like a singlespeed but has an extra gear. One of a collection of restored vintage bikes including Holdsworth, Colnago, CIOCC, TJ Quick, Peugeot and AS Gillot among others (as it stands I have more bicycles than watches, for now at least!). Happy to post pics of others if interested.
+1
Nice... very nice actually, one of the simpler paint jobs you find on Colnagos but the better for it. Glittery red with white panels - lovely.Haven't taken any more yet, still just this one the original pic I was sent. Its an EPQ.
I'm currently discussing my new frame over email with the potential builder in Italy... Just agreeing the geometry (and the price!) and then we'll start the clock.
Steel rather than carbon but there is still something about Italian bikes...
+2
I love little details like the two speed kickshift. And I think I'm in the mood for another project bike - one of my nephews is taking my 1980s "fixed" Raleigh with him when he goes to university in October.
I have a 2015 tcr advanced 1 and put some 25mm conti yesterday, done 2 short rides and not noticed any clearance issues
I can't see your picture.
Better?
In the 1990s someone (well, sometwo) were time-trialling a tandem in which the the stoker sat at the front, but faced backwards, towards the steersman, for aerodynamic effect.
I jest not; it looked horrific (there was a photo in Cycling weekly). I can't remember whether it was refused entries or the stoker just went mad, but it didn't appear often. Have tried in vain to find the photo, but still Googling and will post when I do.
If you like vintage here's my pub and shopping bike for the last couple of years;
Unfortunately having just bought a Bullitt (must take a nice shot now it's been graced with a Brooks Swallow) I've put the MOP (Mad Orange Postie) up on eBay. Not putting in a link as I'm fairly sure it's not good form to do so.
I don't think this is what you're describing but it's another way of doing it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5unMlXg6WL4
Don't want to interrupt the flow of this thread (he says, doing precisely that) but if you were looking at a starter road bike for someone who is fit but has no idea about cycling, which would be your choice around £300?
Triban 500se
Or
13 Intrinsic Alpha
Sorry for thread drift.
I'd say the Triban as I think others on here have tried and liked; also FWIW I think the Alpha is trying a bit too much to be flash with the behind the fork aero brakes and paint job. I used to despair that lower end groupsets might be, like cheap alloys on cars, made out of cheese, but I have been proved wrong, as they seem relatively indestructible, and are now a lot better cosmetically. Also carbon forks usually give a more comfortable ride than alloy, so the Triban would score there.
I suppose there's a better chance of testing Halfords' customer service by taking the Alpha into the local branch if anything seems amiss, but on the other I'd think you wouldn't lose much when you came to upgrade from the Triban, and it would be easier to live with in the cred/snob stakes than a bike with a known humble place in the Halfords bike hierarchy
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