Question for cyclists

[funflair]

Wow Martin amazed at your carbon skills, top bloke !!!

But carbon disc brake rotors, you gotta be mad

Just the centre on the one in the photo the disc is still the original Shimano XTR, the truth is I bought the wheels 6 bolt brake fixing and I bought the XTR group set then got my tools out to assemble it all, oops Shimano spline on the brakes so thinking cap on and as work was paying it was a good product development challenge.

Once I had the carbon centre I started experimenting with different disc materials and had some high temperature resin so gave it a go, first time out to try in anger I pulled up really hard at the bottom of a fast descent and then jumped off a grabbed the carbon front disc and it was only just warm then grabbed the back one as comparison and I had the print of a Shimano disc burnt into my fingers for a week, so far so good so next was a bit descent but using the front brake to keep the speed down all the way and this obviously built up too much heat and pfft lever back to the bars but a quick pump and it was back but still a failure, mark 2 was a titanium disc onto the carbon rotor but that tended to pick up the titanium in the pads and the started to chuck titanium sparks out the front, very cool but not production friendly so I scrapped the idea.

I will add that the carbon chain rings started as a similarly daft idea but worked and eventually caught on to the point that all the GB olympic track bikes use them and lots of time trial riders use them as well.

Martin

 

[kevenh]

A lot of people have gone on about shorts. Believe me you don't want to see me in Lycra. Any one got a link to shorts for cycling that look like normal shorts?

The Lycra part with the moulding can be a base layer.
Then add shorts or in winter trousers as you prefer.
I rarely go Lycra naked. Mostly only on our hottest summer days when using the road bike.


Going on a tangent I have some Sky riding shirts. When I got them I was riding for sky ?
But only as staff on their “social” London to Brighton or London to Oxford rides

Occasionally the last year’s Sky Team bikes were available to buy. Still ~£10000 needed tho, iirc
£140000 list for new.

 

[Innkeeper]

Oh and seeing as you shown yours.

My BSO

 

[Ridgeway]

you can buy padded under wear and then just wear regular shorts over the top, or as mentioned use cycling shorts and then long regular shorts over them. Just avoid any regular under wear if you go for the cycling shorts.
Ps: most people that avoid Lycra quickly convert after a few months, they swallow their pride as comfort becomes the priority ?

 

[Landy Andy]

Oh and seeing as you shown yours.

View attachment 378131
My BSO

Doesn’t look like you needed padded shorts, as you’ve padded you seat. ??

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[Innkeeper]

Doesn’t look like you needed padded shorts, as you’ve padded you seat. ??

My bum would disagree with you ??‍
Just released you may mean my 10p from Co OP check out saddle cover

 

[PhilMary]

Time to upgrade?!!!
View attachment 378069

No just enjoy.
Phil

 

[62253]

Have a look at Planet X Bikes. You get much more for your money. You will get a Shimano Ultegra equipped bike for £1500 whereas you will pay double that from one of the more recognised brands eg; Specialized, Canondale, etc.

 

[Paddywack]

Have a few apps on my phone so I can see am getting fitter.
But it is good fun

I find that it is very easy to start going down the route of measuring progress by how much quicker you did the ride compared to last week, beware pretty soon you get into diminishing returns and it is easy to become disillusioned. I've done it in too many sports and it encourages you to just do junk miles and after a while drift away from the activity.

My advice would be ditch Strava, HRM etc and just go out for a ride, if you are feeling good sprint a couple of landposts or to the top of the hill, do an extra little loop to make the ride longer, explore little lanes that you don't know. Enjoy the bike and the feeling of freedom it provides, measure progress by how long you've been out and was it enjoyable. Let your body tell you if you're overdoing it - you're not doing the TdF so you don't need a heart rate monitor to tell you that you're knackered - you'll know.

In time you'll want to upgrade the bike and even wear lycra shorts for your comfort and you will notice that these things make the ride different. Like finding enjoyment in exploring alpine roads in both a motorhome or performance sports car.

 

[MattR]

I find that it is very easy to start going down the route of measuring progress by how much quicker you did the ride compared to last week, beware pretty soon you get into diminishing returns and it is easy to become disillusioned. I've done it in too many sports and it encourages you to just do junk miles and after a while drift away from the activity.

My advice would be ditch Strava, HRM etc and just go out for a ride, if you are feeling good sprint a couple of landposts or to the top of the hill, do an extra little loop to make the ride longer, explore little lanes that you don't know. Enjoy the bike and the feeling of freedom it provides, measure progress by how long you've been out and was it enjoyable. Let your body tell you if you're overdoing it - you're not doing the TdF so you don't need a heart rate monitor to tell you that you're knackered - you'll know.

In time you'll want to upgrade the bike and even wear lycra shorts for your comfort and you will notice that these things make the ride different. Like finding enjoyment in exploring alpine roads in both a motorhome or performance sports car.

Getting fit isn't just about getting knackered... a HRM can make training more effective. Strava some sense of community and shows improvement nicely. Each to their own though

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[Paddywack]

Getting fit isn't just about getting knackered... a HRM can make training more effective. Strava some sense of community and shows improvement nicely. Each to their own though

I'm not disputing that HRMs don't have their place, I spent my formative years with my training programme determined by the dreaded Polar and I still use my Suunto watch's function occasionally- mainly in the morning to check resting HR to see if the hangover has cleared.

I just think someone just getting interested in cycling shouldn't get hung up on the numbers, alternatively they could go all out and get a power meter!

And my views on Strava is all down to sour grapes, as I got older and fat all these young pups stole my segments - although obviously on a tail windy day.

I've been out today for the first time this year on my summer bike, I've had quite a lay off due to injury and a big building project. If I had measured progress by any means other than the smile on my face and the wind through my hair it would have been a disappointing ride reinforcing that I'm two stone overweight. But by ignoring the numbers I could just enjoy the empty roads and brilliant weather and not beat myself up that I was slower than last year.

 

[MattR]

I'm not disputing that HRMs don't have their place, I spent my formative years with my training programme determined by the dreaded Polar and I still use my Suunto watch's function occasionally- mainly in the morning to check resting HR to see if the hangover has cleared.

I just think someone just getting interested in cycling shouldn't get hung up on the numbers, alternatively they could go all out and get a power meter!

And my views on Strava is all down to sour grapes, as I got older and fat all these young pups stole my segments - although obviously on a tail windy day.

I've been out today for the first time this year on my summer bike, I've had quite a lay off due to injury and a big building project. If I had measured progress by any means other than the smile on my face and the wind through my hair it would have been a disappointing ride reinforcing that I'm two stone overweight. But by ignoring the numbers I could just enjoy the empty roads and brilliant weather and not beat myself up that I was slower than last year.


View attachment 379003

I don't disagree - I'm sitting here this evening thinking of my Strava times today - in 25 miles I only achieved 1PB a few 2nd places and a few 3rds - the vast majority were not anywhere near my previous speeds. It tells me that I should stop snacking so much and do more activities ... I don't live by the numbers but they are a good motivator to lose lbs and gain fitness.

 

[kevenh]

IMO A bike GPSr that you’ve got routes on and/or saving tracks is more useful than Strava alone.

If people are looking to use cycling to get healthier it is easy to start on short flat routes. Record your progress and extend when you need extra difficulty.

Hills are good for fitness. The horrible up hill bit is a place where you can see progress. You’ll find you’re not using the granny gears after a few attempts.

And Strava can accept the GPSr tracks when you want to add that mostly fun progress tracker.