Silly commuting racing

esamenoi

hehe I sing to my self.. only when my iPod dies though... Which really annoys me. But today oh wait yesterday now I passed about 6 people =D first time its really happend on my commute to college. was good. One guy tried to keep up then I just flicked up a couple of gears and sped off :P

m0scs

Discovered after my ride on Friday that my rear wheel was not true and on inspection that 2 spokes were broken. :twisted:

Rear wheel is now with LBS for repair so no cycling for me this weekend.

I seem to break alot of spokes, its it just me or does anyone else have this problem?

LBS said again "MTB wheels not desined for heavy road use etc."

I think they are trying to sell me a road bike.

Was very tempted to take out their Spec Roubiaux for a spin but resisted the urge.

Rich158

m0scs wrote:

Discovered after my ride on Friday that my rear wheel was not true and on inspection that 2 spokes were broken. :twisted:

Rear wheel is now with LBS for repair so no cycling for me this weekend.

I seem to break alot of spokes, its it just me or does anyone else have this problem?

LBS said again "MTB wheels not desined for heavy road use etc."

I think they are trying to sell me a road bike.

Was very tempted to take out their Spec Roubiaux for a spin but resisted the urge.

Sounds like BS to me. Given the loads mountain bike wheels come under they should be more than capable of withstanding road use , so long as they are built correctly.

ansbaradigeidfran

+1 on the BS. MTB wheels should be built to deal with more in the way of knocks and stresses, as they're meant to be ridden down bumpy trails and over ledges and the like. In comparison a road must be a cakewalk.

cjcp

At what pressure are you running your tyres though? If it's too high, this could be a reason why you're breaking spokes.

m0scs

Hi Cjcp

Im running the tyres at about 100 psi. Conti Gator Ultras which are rated at 110psi max

Often they are slightly lower than this as I only check them one a week or so.

The guy at the shop said that always replace spokes with brass heads as they are apparently stronger but Im getting at bit cheesed off having spokes brake. That said the wheels have done about 2500 miles since march all on road with high pressure road tyres.

I expect it is due to the high tyre pressure, low profile tyre 1.2 inch im using thats not helping and using the bike with the suspension locked out most of the time.

I may resort to putting the Spec Nimbus 1.5 in back on which give a more comfortable ride but are slower.

Also thought about getting some 29er wheels but not sure if they are made any differently to a standard 26 mtb wheel.

cjcp

Moscs - the only time I've broken spokes on my mtb is when I've been on the road and pumped them up hard. Didn't have lock out suspension either. Part of it was possibly due to the age of the wheels.

If the 1.5s are slower, you'll just have to work harder, right? :twisted:

m0scs

Hi Chris

Yes thats right. I bought the Gators for their puncture protection and speed. This is ok in the summer but not such an issue in the winter months.

Im going to swap the tyres and put the Spec nimbus tyres on and run them for a while to see how I get on.

Still thinking about some 29ers though

Rich158

m0scs wrote:

Hi Chris

Yes thats right. I bought the Gators for their puncture protection and speed. This is ok in the summer but not such an issue in the winter months.

Im going to swap the tyres and put the Spec nimbus tyres on and run them for a while to see how I get on.

Still thinking about some 29ers though

Be carefull with 29ers, the general consensus is that they are not as strong as 26" wheels, although any wheel is only as good as the build. A badly built 26" wheel will not be as strong as a well built 29er. From the sounds of it, it may well be worth trying a different shop

simon_ramsey

Can you fit 29er's to a standard MTB ?? I would have thought you would have issues with Wheel/Tyre clearance ?? Also the rims would be in the wrong place for the brake blocks (not an issue if you have discs). I could be talking BS but it doesn't seem right :shock:

ratherbeintobago

simon_ramsey wrote:

Can you fit 29er's to a standard MTB ?? I would have thought you would have issues with Wheel/Tyre clearance ?? Also the rims would be in the wrong place for the brake blocks (not an issue if you have discs). I could be talking BS but it doesn't seem right :shock:

Wold have thought they'll be OK provided you don't use too chunky tyres - Mavic make these:

http://www.mavic.com/mtb/products/speed ... 625.1.aspx

which seem to be purpose-designed for running 700C road tyres on an MTB.

RBIT

gert_lush

Overtook my first SCOOTER yesterday..wooohooo

..........now technically I wasn't commuting

..........and technically I only got about 500m before the downhill then turned to an uphill and he overtook be back, and no amount of effort and grunting could keep me with him, but hey it put a huge smile on my face
I have to say I was a bit surprised, so much so that when I came steaming up behind him i almost ran into the back of him as I ditherered as to the best place to overtake :roll:

lost_in_thought

itboffin wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

itboffin wrote:

LiT's how can your FCN be 7 that's false advertising surely!

Well, I start at 5 - faux single speed (dirty/functional), baggies +1, then panniers +1 = 7

I could argue that my cycling sandals are not evidently clipless, but I don't wear them in winter. Summer will see my FCN return to an 8.

Does the Bowery count as Faux or Proper rapid?
Notice the part chromed forks & stays, now I'd say "tarty shiny fixies" - busted!!!

FCN = 5 -1 for ridiculous GI

Er ITB, have you actually seen my bowery? Litts's's's's one would be tarty (because he's a tart) with its white tape and saddle (but mostly because he's a tart)...

Mine has a pannier rack, a bungee permanently attached to it (to attach things to the top of said rack), and is filthy to the extent where you can only just see that the forks are chrome-coloured... unless it's rained recently.

So yeah. Dirty/functional. I win. And there's not a 'massive GI' correction, I'll have you know!

Although I did have some guy on a surly pull alongside me at the lights this morning and say 'that's a massive gear you're riding, what is it?'

me: '88-ish'

him: :shock:

:twisted:

lost_in_thought

don_don wrote:

Don't you just hate it when that happens? You spend the rest of the day kicking yourself for missing out, then itching to get back on the bike to make up for it

Forecast is nice this weekend LiT (at least over here in Yokelbury) - no doubt you'll get out for a spin?

I did get out for a spin, yes! And a run. And walked the dog. And then another spin. Yokelsford was lovely this weekend!

Hurrah!

Feltup

m0scs wrote:

I live in Hemel Hempstead and took a ride in the direction of Chesham today via all the back roads for a change. There are some big bad hills round there. Didnt see another soul on a bike for the entire 20 mile ride.

According to my Polar computer the max incline was 22%, not sure what that means, I just know its the steepest Ive ever climbed, hurt my legs and I very nearly ran out of gears. I contemplated getting off and walking at one point but then MTFU and got on with it.

DDD if you need some hill training for SCR 09 there's plenty out this way.

Funnily enough I ended up out Chesham way too on my tour of the Chilterns. Had the company of a couple of roadies for the first long climb up the Stoner Valley. I don't often cycle with other people as I never know when I am going to get the free time so it was nice to see how I am doing against more seasoned riders. As the hill steepened up the lad on the front gradually eased out a lead on me. It was tempting to put a bit more effort in to hold him but I knew they were doing a shortish loop and I had my mind set on doing 60 more miles. Glad I didn't when I ended up in Wendover and still had 1000ft of ascent between me and home (quads were starting to burn!). In the end I clocked up 3,800ft of ascent so getting there in my attempt to learn how to climb hills. I've got my eyes on a climb in N Wales east of Dolgellau, it looks properly evil :twisted: with 300m of climbing mostly at 1:7 and above :shock: Bwlch y groes, anyone done it?

Sacked off the commute this morning when I noticed the road outside my house was glistening with frost. Last time I tried cycling when the road was like that I ate tarmac. :roll:

itboffin

Nope sorry that story doesn't wash, chrome covered by panniers or otherwise is still "TART ALERT" + half link chain + fixed and GI 88+ = super fast quasi track speed FCN penalty adjustment required.

I on the other hand have a 1980's Raleigh 531 steel frame "single speed" badly hand painted red with GI 75 = dirty functional yeh! signature FCN changed accordingly.

Rarp!!!! :P

lost_in_thought

itboffin wrote:

Nope sorry that story doesn't wash, chrome covered by panniers or otherwise is still "TART ALERT" + half link chain + fixed and GI 88+ = super fast quasi track speed FCN penalty adjustment required.

I on the other hand have a 1980's Raleigh 531 steel frame "single speed" badly hand painted red with GI 75 = dirty functional yeh! signature FCN changed accordingly.

Rarp!!!! :P

I'm deicding to ignore you - my SS definitely does not fall under the 'real men, messengers, tarty shiny fixies' description of the 'proper rapid SS'.. I am not a real man, not a messenger, and the bike is definitely not tarty or shiny!

My FCN self-assessment stands...

gtvlusso

3 this morning.

2 MTB's with panniers and slicks, 1 x roadie flatbar with panniers.

Whats with all the panniers people - isn't a 15 kilo backpack good enough for you......am I a masochist?

V cold in Brizzle.....V icy at 7am!

ansbaradigeidfran

Don't know Bwlch y Groes, sorry. I know the nearby Bwlch Oerddrws (Cold Door's Gap) by car: it's part of the North-South A470, between Dolgellau and Mallwyd. That hits 1:5 in places as it climbs to a height 360m. It's evil by car, and could be quite interesting on a bike. I was once a passenger in an underpowered pea-green peugeot 307 that had to do the last hundred metres or so in first gear.

If you feel really mad, it's close enough to Bwlch y Groes to do both of them in a day...

Feltup

ansbaradigeidfran wrote:

Don't know Bwlch y Groes, sorry. I know the nearby Bwlch Oerddrws (Cold Door's Gap) by car: it's part of the North-South A470, between Dolgellau and Mallwyd. That hits 1:5 in places as it climbs to a height 360m. It's evil by car, and could be quite interesting on a bike. I was once a passenger in an underpowered pea-green peugeot 307 that had to do the last hundred metres or so in first gear.

If you feel really mad, it's close enough to Bwlch y Groes to do both of them in a day...

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Do ... ended-loop

that is the planned route, should be good training if I manage to get a place on the Fred Whitton.

biondino

Hello everyone. Back from a wonderful romatnic weekend in devon and Dorset with zero exercise and enormous amounts of eating. Currently 9 pounds above my summer low :shock:

Cycled in today - only made one w4nker gesture, which isn't too bad!

ChrisLS

...nose pressed to icy window..."mum, can I go out on my bike and play?"...

..."no, I've told you before, it's too icy, you'll hurt yourself"

(...I had a very strict mother, and I can't shake her off...)

...oh well, back to my colouring books...

linsen

biondino wrote:

Hello everyone. Back from a wonderful romatnic weekend in devon and Dorset with zero exercise and enormous amounts of eating. Currently 9 pounds above my summer low :shock:

Cycled in today - only made one w4nker gesture, which isn't too bad!

My weight fluctuates by that every week!
Aren't we supposed to have a bit more padding over the winter?

Rich158

Feltup wrote:

that is the planned route, should be good training if I manage to get a place on the Fred Whitton.

I'm aiming for a place next year as well, or alternatively the lakeland loop. I've been told that nothing can prepare you for Wrynose or Hardknott Pass :? , and having driven over both would have to agree. Getting a few Sportives under your belt with some good 1:16-1:20 ish climbs would be the best bet, that's what i plan to do, plus an awful lot of prayer

m0scs

Feltup wrote:

m0scs wrote:

I live in Hemel Hempstead and took a ride in the direction of Chesham today via all the back roads for a change. There are some big bad hills round there. Didnt see another soul on a bike for the entire 20 mile ride.

According to my Polar computer the max incline was 22%, not sure what that means, I just know its the steepest Ive ever climbed, hurt my legs and I very nearly ran out of gears. I contemplated getting off and walking at one point but then MTFU and got on with it.

DDD if you need some hill training for SCR 09 there's plenty out this way.

Funnily enough I ended up out Chesham way too on my tour of the Chilterns. Had the company of a couple of roadies for the first long climb up the Stoner Valley. I don't often cycle with other people as I never know when I am going to get the free time so it was nice to see how I am doing against more seasoned riders. As the hill steepened up the lad on the front gradually eased out a lead on me. It was tempting to put a bit more effort in to hold him but I knew they were doing a shortish loop and I had my mind set on doing 60 more miles. Glad I didn't when I ended up in Wendover and still had 1000ft of ascent between me and home (quads were starting to burn!). In the end I clocked up 3,800ft of ascent so getting there in my attempt to learn how to climb hills. I've got my eyes on a climb in N Wales east of Dolgellau, it looks properly evil :twisted: with 300m of climbing mostly at 1:7 and above :shock: Bwlch y groes, anyone done it?

Sacked off the commute this morning when I noticed the road outside my house was glistening with frost. Last time I tried cycling when the road was like that I ate tarmac. :roll:

Some of those roads were very dodge over the weekend. I took a drive in the car yesterday retracing the route I rode on Friday, when coming down one of the steep slopes near Lay Hill, the car lost all traction and just slid sideways for a bit before regaining its composure. Was glad I wasnt on the bike.

Sounds like you did some serous hill climbing Feltup. I think Gore Hill out of Amersham towards Beaconsfield is the mother of all hills round that way, but Wendover is pretty tasty too.

All good fun in a masarcistic sort of way

BTW Rear wheel is now fixed. LBS says that 29ers will not fit my frame so bang goes that idea.

Will be sporting a fatter road tyre at a lower pressure for the winter months, which will hopefully help with the current spoke snapping problem.

Feltup

Rich158 wrote:

Feltup wrote:

that is the planned route, should be good training if I manage to get a place on the Fred Whitton.

I'm aiming for a place next year as well, or alternatively the lakeland loop. I've been told that nothing can prepare you for Wrynose or Hardknott Pass :? , and having driven over both would have to agree. Getting a few Sportives under your belt with some good 1:16-1:20 ish climbs would be the best bet, that's what i plan to do, plus an awful lot of prayer

If only I was 15yrs old again! I cycled Wrynose east with my cousin on a 42x21 gear, no fear of hills back then although I did throw up at the top from the exertion. I think I might have put the family off their picnic :oops:

lost_in_thought

linsen wrote:

biondino wrote:

Hello everyone. Back from a wonderful romatnic weekend in devon and Dorset with zero exercise and enormous amounts of eating. Currently 9 pounds above my summer low :shock:

Cycled in today - only made one w4nker gesture, which isn't too bad!

My weight fluctuates by that every week!
Aren't we supposed to have a bit more padding over the winter?

It's insulation, not padding!

That's why I can sit outside in a short-sleeved top while the rest of you wusses are shivering in jackets...

martinc

the icy road out of my window (and seeing 3 car crashes yesterday!) persuaded me to go for the commute on the mtb rather than racer this morning. blimey it's hard work. 15 miles on a full susp with knobblies. I was broken when i got to work.
and i got scalped by a girl. at least she was on a racer, not a shopper with a wicker basket on the front.
ah well, richmond park was particularly beautiful this morning and at least i wasn't spitting tarmac.

Feltup

m0scs wrote:

Some of those roads were very dodge over the weekend. I took a drive in the car yesterday retracing the route I rode on Friday, when coming down one of the steep slopes near Lay Hill, the car lost all traction and just slid sideways for a bit before regaining its composure. Was glad I wasnt on the bike.

Sounds like you did some serous hill climbing Feltup. I think Gore Hill out of Amersham towards Beaconsfield is the mother of all hills round that way, but Wendover is pretty tasty too.

All good fun in a masarcistic sort of way

BTW Rear wheel is now fixed. LBS says that 29ers will not fit my frame so bang goes that idea.

Will be sporting a fatter road tyre at a lower pressure for the winter months, which will hopefully help with the current spoke snapping problem.

I think Saturday had better road conditions than Sunday, at least it defrosted everywhere even if it was still very damp. Picking out rougher bits of tarmac on the climbs was the order of the day to stop the back wheel spinning up!

I don't really know the roads around that area very well so was just following my nose and looking for the biggest climbs I could see. Where is Lay Hill?

Glad the back wheel is fixed. I was wondering about running a 25 on the back for the remainder of the winter; a bit more grip would be lovely after having a sphincter winking two wheel drift in High Wycombe :shock: Closest I have come to falling off on the road but somehow staying on.

Rich158

Feltup wrote:

Rich158 wrote:

Feltup wrote:

that is the planned route, should be good training if I manage to get a place on the Fred Whitton.

I'm aiming for a place next year as well, or alternatively the lakeland loop. I've been told that nothing can prepare you for Wrynose or Hardknott Pass :? , and having driven over both would have to agree. Getting a few Sportives under your belt with some good 1:16-1:20 ish climbs would be the best bet, that's what i plan to do, plus an awful lot of prayer

If only I was 15yrs old again! I cycled Wrynose east with my cousin on a 42x21 gear, no fear of hills back then although I did throw up at the top from the exertion. I think I might have put the family off their picnic :oops:

Sounds like fun, I'm always up for a bit of pain and suffering . If only the new bike had a 3 ring set up, I'm never going to make it with 39x25 as my lowest gear. It's particualarly vicious putting them about 100 miles in as well :evil: