Cycling - NLC

[kerryxeg]

I'm no expert by any means, but enjoy experimenting, so a few comments which you can take as you wish.

Bike frame - there is good carbon and poor carbon frames, there is nothing wrong with the construction, just one has better technology (weave) than the other and you'll notice the difference in the handling. So if at the low end of the scale a good alu frame may well be better.

Wheels dependent on your cycling needs, routes, speeds etc. Aero wheels have benefit, but I've been told only over 18mph. Personally with the back roads I use I'm more concerned about damage - so use a composite wheel Dura Ace with clinchers (40mm section). The wheels will also take tubs, but that's not helpful when you get a puncture. My mate has used carbon wheels, but they can be a PIA. He had a set of PlanetX wheels, which bend when he stood on the pedals resuling in brake rubbing etc. I can't say I was impressed with the quality and didn't notice any real benefit. The other issue with carbon wheels is braking - braking is much poorer in the wet and if you are switching wheels you should have a set of pads specifically for the carbon wheels. Some wheels also have a limited load rating!

I did notice a big difference between lower end chain sets and top of the range ones. The materials get lighter and the machining better as you go up the range. I found the 2nd top in the range tended to be a sweet spot - money vs technology. You get most of the better machining, and some of the materials. You can also pick an mix eg, Dura Ace rear block - upgrade the bit that wear.

At the end of the day it's good fun experimenting, but it's very dependent upon what your after - speed, reliability, keeping up with mates, looks etc.

[Rag_It]

164miles this weekend alone.

Those of you that know me will know...I'm all the gear; nae idea but I fancy upgrading or changing.

164 miles in a weekend, that is VERY impressive. Have you packed your family off on holiday without you and been training with Mr Arnot!!!

Good effort G!

[Gareth]

Again, I'm no expert but I just like to rule out not having the right tool for the job so it all comes down to my fitness
Dark had some good comments and I've taken them on board.
As Kerry points out, clinchers I believe are mostly suited to the amateur due to the braking surfaces. As I understand full carbon are crap when braking. I'd of bought those £300 Shimano RS80 but they don't look "deep and aggressive enough"

Dave, I was doing Ride the north.
Simon's too strong for me to train with him.

[scott_e]

Re wheel set. A mate just fitted these:

Campagnolo Zonda Clincher Wheelset
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/campagnolo-zond ... -wheelset/

Weight (g): 1550
Wheel Size: 700c (622)

I was really surprised how light they were for £288.

Be interested to know how everyone thinks they compare to the Shimano Dura Ace 9000 C35 Clincher Wheelset 2013 you referred to Mark.

[Rag_It]

G, how was RideTheNorth? Just checked it out, the Etape twice over two days......

How was it, would love to know as might be a good target for next year?

[Gareth]

RtN was a challenge.
I was a broken man after first day. No crazy hills but it tired me out.
Day two with some big hills, wind and tiredness made it very tough.
Very well organised. Every stop had free refreshments (bars/drinks/coffee/banana etc)
400 riders.
Great scenery and roads.

[Doc883]

I noticed the RtN on http://bikeeventsscotland.com/ just the other day and really fancy that for 2014. The Skye Sportive also on my list to do
http://www.handsonevents.co.uk/?page_id=24

[111Robin]

Best upgrade unfortunately is the hardest, improve your fitness. Us mere mortals won't make much difference by changing components. That said I like my bike bling as much as the next person so have di2 on both bikes. Doesn't make me any quicker but saves faffing around with gear adjustments every so often. Next best is weight loss, that will come with the improved fitness. I thought about aero wheels but decided not to, too small a gain for the spend. I weigh 56kg, can't really reduce it unless I remove a body part so I'm working hard on improving sustainable power output. Plan is to train harder this winter and attend some training camps early next year and see how I get on. If you want to spend some cash, get a turbo for the winter and combine this with weekend rides, you'll really feel the benefit next spring.

[Gareth]

65kg....56kg.....are you boys starving midgets?

[111Robin]

65kg....56kg.....are you boys starving midgets?

Not that far from the truth

[pete]

65kg....56kg.....are you boys starving midgets?

My thoughts exactly, affected by crosswinds my arse. What you dwarves need is some pies.

[Rag_It]

RtN was a challenge.
I was a broken man after first day. No crazy hills but it tired me out.
Day two with some big hills, wind and tiredness made it very tough.
Very well organised. Every stop had free refreshments (bars/drinks/coffee/banana etc)
400 riders.
Great scenery and roads.

How long did each 80+ mile day take?

81miles stopping once for a pish, takes it out of me, just wondering if this is a race, as in everyone gunning for sub 5hr times sub 4 in some cases!? Or whether it could be done at a more leisurely pace over both days? Happy to sign up for it next year if you fancy it again? Little SE team?

Dave

[Gareth]

RtN was a challenge.
I was a broken man after first day. No crazy hills but it tired me out.
Day two with some big hills, wind and tiredness made it very tough.
Very well organised. Every stop had free refreshments (bars/drinks/coffee/banana etc)
400 riders.
Great scenery and roads.

How long did each 80+ mile day take?

81miles stopping once for a pish, takes it out of me, just wondering if this is a race, as in everyone gunning for sub 5hr times sub 4 in some cases!? Or whether it could be done at a more leisurely pace over both days? Happy to sign up for it next year if you fancy it again? Little SE team?

Dave

I was sub 5hrs first day and about 5.35 for second day (was late switching on Garmin hence showing 79 miles)
I don't tend to sweat but pish for Scotland....nice!

Friday:



Saturday:

[Dominic]

Best upgrade unfortunately is the hardest, improve your fitness. Us mere mortals won't make much difference by changing components.

That is the most sensible thing I have heard in a long time! We always have a sense of satisfaction on our cross bikes when we overtake guys on their super fancy road bikes

If you want to spend some cash, get a turbo for the winter and combine this with weekend rides, you'll really feel the benefit next spring.

Or get some decent lighting, and winter cycling clothing and keep up with the cycles. No such thing as the wrong weather - just the wrong clothes,... although from experience, gear / brake cables have potential to freeze and stick below about -5 C.

[Dominic]

RtN was a challenge.
I was a broken man after first day. No crazy hills but it tired me out.
Day two with some big hills, wind and tiredness made it very tough.
Very well organised. Every stop had free refreshments (bars/drinks/coffee/banana etc)
400 riders.
Great scenery and roads.

How long did each 80+ mile day take?

81miles stopping once for a pish, takes it out of me, just wondering if this is a race, as in everyone gunning for sub 5hr times sub 4 in some cases!? Or whether it could be done at a more leisurely pace over both days? Happy to sign up for it next year if you fancy it again? Little SE team?

Dave

When I did the Trossachs Ton (101 miles - 3500ft of accent) it took us 8 hours, including lunch and rest stops. We were on mountain bikes for that. I was tempted to give it a go this year on a more appropriate bike, but never quite got round to it...