The Cycling Thread

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Dave

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Thought I'd start a start a thread for all those cyclists who get to work by bike, ride for pleasure or just like to get muddy to discuss bikes, gear etc.

So what bike you got, what clothes do you use and and what do you carry your stuff in?
 
Wear lycra, from padded shorts/jersey, long sleeved jersey, tights, windproof gillet, jacket (non windproof), windproof jacket, windproof tights & bib tights, mitts, winter gloves, arm/leg warmers, lyrca & windproof cap, motorcycle baraclava, thermal underwear, waterproof jacket, trousers, overshoes, gloves.

Not at the same time ;-) Carry stuff either on pannier & rack bag, or trailer.

Don't have a car.
 
I can't be doing with all the gear. I usually just wear something lightweight, and use a small backpack. I ride a Trek 750 hybrid shipped from the USA. The brakes are back to front over there - did you know that? Typical!

But I'm only a fair weather cyclist really.
 
I've been mountain biking for 20+ years now so as you'd expect have built up a fair amount of kit. Also have a road bike (flat bars) which I use mainly to keep fit.

Bikes are:
Specialized Stumpjumper FSR (Full Suspension) which I've now had since Aug 2006 - normally I'd have bought a new bike by now but I love it so have been just upgrading bits as and when I need them. New set of Mavic wheels this year, plus stripped old paint off and polished frame then clear lacquered it to give it a unique look.

Giant FCR3 - had since 2009, my road bike. So much faster and easier to ride on the road, love it and quite tempted to get a full road bike one day, but this will do me for another couple of years.

Kit - essentials are Helmet & Gloves. Both bikes have Crank Bros SPD style pedals so always wear proper cycle shoes with cleats. CamelBak Mayhem hydration rucksack that also carries all my tools, spares and snacks. Had a Garmin GPS for trails, but sold recently as use iPhone to record my routes mow with the EndoMondo app, and multimaps for OS maps.

Clothing - I'm not a Lycra lover, but have some lycra undershorts with padding I wear most of the time. Over that normally wear baggy shorts, a loose fitting cycling jersey (Fox, Oakley etc) and have a Royal water proof jacket with detachable sleeves to convert into a bodywarmer.

I think that's everything...
 
Specialized something or other hybrid-type bike. Been gathering dust for a whle but getting out on it again now. No special (ha ;)) gear. Doing a 14 mile road route every few days. Thinking about ditching the train and cycling to work some days - 14-miles each way - only on a main-ish road though.
 
I haven't been cycling as much as I should...

P1010736.jpg


I have a 12 mile commute, and it's been tough getting back into cycling every day :(

I have Assos lycra bib shorts and jersey. I bought a little saddle pouch which is good for weekend rides when I just want to carry my phone, keys and wallet. For the commute to work I take a backpack with a change of clothes.

I bought some overshoes and mudguards, but I ended up driving over winter and I'm not in any rush to start ruining my chain set etc.. So I'm very much fair weather.

I have a cateye speedometer to keep an eye on my cadence! and some exposure race lights which weigh as much as the bike :)

---

it's a thread like this that might actually give me the enthusiasm to get back on it... :)
 
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I can't be doing with all the gear. I usually just wear something lightweight, and use a small backpack. I ride a Trek 750 hybrid shipped from the USA. The brakes are back to front over there - did you know that? Typical!

But I'm only a fair weather cyclist really.

Depends on the weather.

Hot and sunny - short sleeved jersey and short
Wet and cold - full waterproofs
Freezing cold -thermal underwear, windproof bib shorts, windproof cap, jacket.

And inbetween depends, gillet, jacket, etc..

also once you start carrying stuff in panniers, you will no longer use backpack. Panniers are so much safer, and comfortable. Better handling, lower COG, less strain on your back and bum, can look around easier, can get something quicker etc.
 
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Ride an Iron Horse Bootleg 3.0 built from the frame up by my own fair hand. Plenty of bling with hand built wheels and red anodising :p


DSC_5020 by Hook Design Alter - Hitby, on Flickr


DSC_5017 by Hook Design Alter - Hitby, on Flickr

As for gear - camelbak is a must, Assos early winter gloves and Defeet woolie boolies for the winter, padded shorts with baggies over the top year round. Spuds for pedalling and a Garmin 305 for bragging about metres climbed :)
 
Specialized Rockhopper and Allez here... nowt special but they both do their job very well. Had been MTBing for years, but then stopped (learnt to drive at 17!) and now started again. Had the Rockhopper for just over a year, and its done some great rides, but where I live its take a bit of effort to get out to them hills. Bought my first racer at Xmas, and been using that more, I have been doing 20 - 40mile evening rides on it, plan to do some Sportives this Summer including a 100 mile roadride, which I did on my MTB last year :) - hoping for a decent time this year!!!

Early May we did the Coast-to-Coast - Way of the Roses, 170miles from Morcambe to Bridlington, 3 days, camping - what a great laugh that was, love to do a similar thing again. Used rack and panniers.

I tend to wear more casual and budget cycling gear, only Lycra is short inners, then baggy shorts, cycling top, breathable water-proof, Aldi cycling socks and Aldi thermals for winter rides - these are great and prove you dont have to spend £££s to ride.

I don't tend to carry much on rides, Camel Back for MTB (tools/drink etc), small seat packof tools on racer + pump + bottle of water.

Really enjoying it at the moment, and its a great break from the chaos of family life... although my 7 year old is now really getting into it and starting to come out on rides more which is great :)

Just wish I could get out more on my MTB.

Happy to help anyone with cycling questions on these forums...
 
Bikes:
Giant Trance X1 - XT/SLX, Fox Float/Vanilla, Hope/Mavic 717 wheels, Formula Oro brakes, Schwalbe tyres, etc etc

Ragley mmmbop - XT, Mavic Crossrides, Fox Float, Avid brakes, Continental tyres...

Kit (that goes with me on every ride):
Crank Bros multi-tool, spare tubes, pump and patches, some tasty snacks and a water bottle (given up on camelbaks) . All in a small rucksack. Clothing wise: Giro Hex helmet, Endura gloves, shorts and top (and some padded under shorts), Salomon Gore-tex boots. Have a RaceFace waterproof for when it lashes it down.

I do 2 or 3 off road rides a week usually between 15-20 miles (lots of night rides during the winter) and track rides on Endomondo on my iPhone.

trance.jpg
 
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Bike to work on a boardman road competition,or carrera fury mtb wearing royal mail uniform.(inc my own helmet and small back pack)

Bike at work using a pashley mailstar again using royal mail uniform. I carry my stuff(letters etc) in the tray on front of my bike(washing up bowl) and yet more mail and packets in panniers on the back of bike.

Bike for fun 2-3 days a week. 5-10miles if off road or 30-100miles if road riding. Off road, wearing baggies and thin layers and small seat bag for tools/spares,bits and bobs. Road riding,padded lycra normally under baggies and race jersey and small rucksack for my tools/spares and bit and bobs. Also musn't forget small amount of cash for cafe stops.

Whenever i ride i always wear sunglasses of some sort,as i'm forever getting asstd bugs etc in my eyes.

Really must try some spd pedals and shoes tho.
 
Bikes:
Giant Trance X1 - XT/SLX, Fox Float/Vanilla, Hope/Mavic 717 wheels, Formula Oro brakes, Schwalbe tyres, etc etc

Ragley mmmbop - XT, Mavic Crossrides, Fox Float, Avid brakes, Continental tyres...

Kit (that goes with me on every ride):
Crank Bros multi-tool, spare tubes, pump and patches, some tasty snacks and a water bottle (given up on camelbaks) . All in a small rucksack. Clothing wise: Giro Hex helmet, Endura gloves, shorts and top (and some padded under shorts), Salomon Gore-tex boots. Have a RaceFace waterproof for when it lashes it down.

I do 2 or 3 off ride rides a week usually between 15-20 miles (lots of night rides during the winter) and track rides on Endomondo on my iPhone.

image


It's nice to see a mtb that is actually dirty/used properly
 
I have a 12 mile commute, and it's been tough getting back into cycling every day :(

Ooh - a few questions if I may :)

- How long does that take you roughly?
- Do you have shower-facilities at the work-end?
 
Bike to work daily 13-20 mile round trip depending on how energetic I feel

Only bike is a Specialized Sirrus Sport (Hybrid). Bought using the Ride to Work Scheme a year or so ago and used at least 5 times a week since. I started off using a rucsac but soon got fed up with the sweaty back and neck ache so switched to panniers. I have a Raleigh ali beam rack and double panniers. Beam rack is great as its a quick unclip for when I'm out on my own for fun and only need a small saddlebag. Would have gone for Toppeak but a bit procey

Bike is completely stock apart from SKS full length mudguards. Also swapped out the tyres after a few punctures in the rain for some reinforced Schwalbes. Absolute bugger to fit but well worth it. Not had a puncture since I fitted them last Autumn

I tend to ride 4-5 times a week to work and then out for fun, mainly on my own, at weekends before the family get up. Leaving the house at 7am and back for 10. Really explored the local area in Surrey and love riding all the canals near where I live.

A mate and I did a 90 mile ride of the Downs Link from Guildford to Shoreham and back a few weeks ago. Furthest either of us had done in a day and were pretty proud of ourselves

get most of my clothing cheap from Wiggle - tend to go cheap end - Altura or dhb. Hoping to swap out trainers and toeclips for proper shoes and spd's at some point. I also dont wear any protective head gear - cant stand it and as an ex-motorcyclist I'm not convinced on the level of protection most cycling helmets provide

I have an iphone so wear that on a neoprene armband. I like to listen to music to get me motivated :)
I also use imapmyride to gps my routes and give me updates over the headphones every 2 miles. Its also good to go on the website after a good ride and check out the data and see a 3d flyby of your route using Google Earth
 
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I ride to work daily on my Specialized Allez road bike (it is a 16 mile round trip). I also have a Planet X Stealth TT bike that I use for training on the weekends. I am doing the London Triathlon next month on it and then my next event is Ironman NZ 2012.
For commuting I wear a lycra top and baggy shorts (cause I need the pockets). I also wear a small backpack on my commute to carry my work shirt and lunch in. I have shower facilities in the office and keep my shoes, towel and trousers at work.
I am currently looking for a lighter frame for my road bike, it is a hige difference going from the TT bike to the road bike. I might even try out one of the cheap chinese carbon frames from ebay.
 
It's nice to see a mtb that is actually dirty/used properly

Lots are - most of us are OCD with the sh*tShifter straight after a ride though :D

edit: here you go -

bikedirty.jpg


and where do you go to get it like that?


biketop.jpg
 
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wow some of guys really cycle!

I've got a specialised hardrock that I use for commutiing around 5 miles each way. I lock out the suspension, the stock tyres (fast trak) are pretty fast rolling but plan to get slicks at some point.

:hiya:
 
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Got two bikes, a 2011 Boardman Hybrid Pro and a '99 Sunn Urge UN hardtail with road slicks (probably switching back to MTB tyres now I've got the Boardman).

Been cycling for ages, nothing serious but just for pleasure. Done a few London2Brightons and some other longer (50+ miles) charity distance rides. Also started to commute to work as often as possible this year to try and keep use of the car down.

Not got any serious kit, only a Gore Cosmo jacket which is fantastic, Shimano SPD shoes and two Kryptonite New York locks which weigh about as much as both my bikes put together.

Used to do a lot of kitesurfing, still do a fair bit, but as the water quality's got worse over the past few years I'm trying to switch to more cycling for fitness. Still a good combination of sports though - kiting when it's windy, cycling when it's not :smashin:


sunn2.jpg



bmp.jpg
 
Lots are - most of us are OCD with the sh*tShifter straight after a ride though :D

edit: here you go -

image


and where do you go to get it like that?


image

That makes me want to go out for me afternoon blast.

How do you get on with your nobby nics, tried em once for about a month and got punctures nearly every other ride?
 
Ooh - a few questions if I may :)

- How long does that take you roughly?
- Do you have shower-facilities at the work-end?

Takes me about 50mins going into work and an hour going home.

We have shower facilities but I've not had cause to use them yet. I just have a wash in the sink and sit under the hand dryer for a couple of min.

It helps having the road bike, i used to get quite sweaty over 5 miles on a mountain bike.
 
That makes me want to go out for me afternoon blast.

How do you get on with your nobby nics, tried em once for about a month and got punctures nearly every other ride?

I ride them tubeless with Stan's fluid and I've never had any bother. It's a cracking tyre to be honest, plenty of grip when it's needed but still relatively fast rolling.

Couldn't go back to tubes now
 
Takes me about 50mins going into work and an hour going home.

We have shower facilities but I've not had cause to use them yet. I just have a wash in the sink and sit under the hand dryer for a couple of min.

It helps having the road bike, i used to get quite sweaty over 5 miles on a mountain bike.

yup so much more efficient, going to work you don't want to tire yourself out so cycle slower. On a MTB you'd be virtually going at walking pace
 
How do you get on with your nobby nics, tried em once for about a month and got punctures nearly every other ride?

Just got a pair of these today... I hope they dont puncture easily :confused:

I thought they would be a worthy upgrade, and it means my Mrs can have my Specialzed tyres, as the ones on her Carrera Vulcan are huuuuuuuge.
 
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^You wouldn't be from the NW would you?
 
I bought a specialized allez last year via my works cycle scheme. It's a fairly decent road bike and suits my needs, I've thought about upgrading some of the components but have decided I don't use it enough to justify the expense. At the moment I'm aiming for a twice weekly commute. I do a 24 mile round trip which is about 45 mins each way, oxfordshire countryside, a couple of hills. My work does have a shower but I usually can't be bothered with it and just use body wipes. I don't wear the 'proper' outfit becasue I tried it on in evans and I my missus said I looked silly and I felt stupid in it anyway. So I wear a light pair of 3/4 length shorts and a thin berghaus top. Giro helmet of course. I recently got some spd pedals and a pair of specialized mtb shoes with carbon soles, these have been excellent so far. I also recently bought one of those tubular neck scarf things which keeps the lower part of my face warm as even this morning it was quite cold when I set off. I've also got a small and streamlined Deuter RaceX back pack as I like to ride light as possible. Still need to buy lights/high vis/mud guards for the winter but I kept putting those purchases off last year so that I had an excuse not to cycle. Another useful gadget I've started using is the MyTracks android app which tells me my speed and maps my route etc.
 
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