Silly commuting racing
Comments
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MTB-Idle wrote:Ha no, wasn't me but a mate sent me a pic of that
It was 40C in Alicante yesterday, just walking around was a struggle screw riding a bikeRule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.0 -
Nice ride in, Seems quieter than last week. New set of wheels on today, so a lovely new freewheel buzz was my soundtrack to the office. Even the headwind didn't bother me.0
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Agreed on the oddly quiet point, have private schools finished up?
I got the commuter back up and running having found the snapped gear cable was inside the STI, so with internal cables this means stripping bar tape and part dismantling the lever to get the head out along with the outer inevitable getting screwed by having to pull the ruined end through the whole length of it!
Else thousands of fairweather types, thankfully avoiding the Stockwell meat grinder meant all were left far behind at that point.If I know you, and I like you, you can borrow my bike box for £30 a week. PM for details.0 -
MTB-Idle wrote:I'm in Avignon this week with the bike. Unfortunately it seems to have coincided with the hottest temperatures ever recorded in France
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48795264
(Scroll down to see Carpentras get a mention, that's where we are getting the train to and starting our rides).
Needless to say but it's very difficult to ride. The ascent of Mont Ventoux from Bedoin on Wednesday took me four hours instead of the two last year on the first leg of the Cingles. I was also totally broken at the top having consumed about six litres of water along the way (although I recovered for the camera). No way could I have attempted another ascent never mind two more...
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzNFZdhlBj4 ... y0trlwlonl
Back home tomorrow.
Was in Provence all last week too. Highest recorded temperature I got was 44 degrees :shock:
Needless to say I felt it this morning, but still dispatched all-comers on the Col du Jzed #VentouxLegs0 -
Choppers were out in full force this morning. Embankment in particular was crowded with clowns who have no idea how to overtake without causing carnage.0
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Odd noises started from disc brake at the end of last week - finally got some time to take a look at them and turns out I've worn right through the pads and have started biting on one arm of the return spring.
I'm new to the disc brake malarky, but is 3,000km (mostly commuting) normal? I swear I got a lot more life out of my rim cartridges.
On a related note, if anyone here is due to replace a worn out 160mm disc I'd be interested in taking it to try out for a week or so once you're done with it. I built my own bike up and specced 140mm front and back. Seems fine to me but am curious about whether the larger disc up front makes a difference.0 -
There's a whole range of different pad materials with different tradeoffs between longevity and stopping power. I don't really understand all the options, though I *believe* sintered pads last longest. That said, on a couple of occasions I've managed to destroy 2 brand new sets in less than 40 mins of wet/gritty off-road riding...hopkinb wrote:dekant wrote:
I'm new to the disc brake malarky, but is 3,000km (mostly commuting) normal? I swear I got a lot more life out of my rim cartridges.
3000km is a good result for organic pads used for commuting in all weathers. I've burned through a set of pads in far less.Pannier, 120rpm.0 -
What model of brake are they? I found my old mechanical shminao's didn't last particularly long with a stop start commute because the caliper only pulled on one side so they wore unevenly. Hydraulic/dual pull lasts a fair bit longer, I've found about 2k miles with some pretty aggressive braking (I do like a stoppie...)0
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dekant wrote:
On a related note, if anyone here is due to replace a worn out 160mm disc I'd be interested in taking it to try out for a week or so once you're done with it. I built my own bike up and specced 140mm front and back. Seems fine to me but am curious about whether the larger disc up front makes a difference.
Depending on how your brake caliper is fitted to the frame don't forget you will probably need a new caliper mount as well. My knowledge is only related to MTBs (albeit 18 years of disc brakes) but I don't think you can just stick a larger disc on there without moving the caliper out too.
However, once you manage it then yes, a larger disc deffo enhances braking performance but again check whether there are any limitations on the frame/fork as you may be putting forces through the fork that it wasn't designed for.FCN = 40 -
This is the same for road/CX bikes, but with one notable exception: Flat mount front calipers are attached via a standard adaptor that is reversible, so you can switch between 140 and 160 simply by turning the adaptor around. This only works for flat mount, and only for the front brake, but is well worth knowing if you have a modern road/CX frame and want to try switching between 140 and 160.MTB-Idle wrote:Depending on how your brake caliper is fitted to the frame don't forget you will probably need a new caliper mount as well. My knowledge is only related to MTBs (albeit 18 years of disc brakes) but I don't think you can just stick a larger disc on there without moving the caliper out too.Pannier, 120rpm.0 -
Thanks for the responses guys!
It is a Shimano 105 hydraulic R7020 caliper - so it is the new flat mount design with reversible adapter. Totally possible to stick a 160mm on the fork, just I'm not sure if it will bring any benefit given traction is the limiting factor anyway.
I think the biggest issue is heat dissipation but according to shimano, the latest icetech rotors are specced to work at 140mm all round as long as you're not really heavy or intending to continually drag the brakes down long alpine descents (i.e. a nervous descender).
Since then however, the world tour seems to be standardising on 160mm front and 140mm rear so I expect that will become the standard in time. I just thought 140mm looked better and shimano said it was ok..
Wrt to the pad material - it was an organic pad L02A. As it's the front one it's probably worth sticking with that rather than getting the longer life sintered ones bring. Also sounds like I'm on the money, if not better, for how long they've lasted so I guess that's just life with discs.
Still surprising compared to how often I changed rim cartridges and then it's more like £20 vs £8 but hey ho.0 -
On the flip side, replacement rotors are 5-20 quid and take 5 minutes to swap, vs 50-200 quid (or more) for replacement rims and 1-2 hours (or more) to swap.dekant wrote:Still surprising compared to how often I changed rim cartridges and then it's more like £20 vs £8 but hey ho.Pannier, 120rpm.0 -
dekant wrote:
Totally possible to stick a 160mm on the fork, just I'm not sure if it will bring any benefit given traction is the limiting factor anyway.
I think the biggest issue is heat dissipation but according to shimano, the latest icetech rotors are specced to work at 140mm all round as long as you're not really heavy or intending to continually drag the brakes down long alpine descents (i.e. a nervous descender).
yeah thanks TGOTB, I didn't realise these new road discs had that functionality so that's one less concern. I maintain though that the bigger the disc the more force it will exert, the easier you will stop. Something to do with distance from the centre of the wheel even though the caliper is putting the same amount of force on the disc rotor.
Heat dissipation is an issue on long alpine descents. Again I have suffered this whilst MTB'ing and it's errr....quite scary when the transfer of heat from the rotor to the caliper boils the hydraulic fluid meaning the lever pulls back to the bar and you suddenly have no brakes...
It has only happened to me when the pads are low (stock pic) and therefore heat transfers quicker to the caliper and hydraulic fluid. I only let that happen once circa 2006 and I soon learned not to run the pads low for alpine descending.FCN = 40 -
MTB-Idle wrote:dekant wrote:
I'm new to the disc brake malarky, but is 3,000km (mostly commuting) normal? I swear I got a lot more life out of my rim cartridges.
When I spend a week downhilling on the MTB in t'alps I can burn through a set of pads every two days :shock:
adds to long list of why MTBing is not for meRule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.0 -
hopkinb wrote:dekant wrote:
I'm new to the disc brake malarky, but is 3,000km (mostly commuting) normal? I swear I got a lot more life out of my rim cartridges.
3000km is a good result for organic pads used for commuting in all weathers. I've burned through a set of pads in far less.
3000km seems pretty good, I cant get rim blocks to last more than 1000km, but its all about weight isnt it, me + rack+ panniers + stuff in panniers + bike thats not exactly light to start with + puncture proof tyres + half kilo of water, thats alot of weight to stop start all the time on a commute in all weathers.
my disc pads feel like they last alot longer, but theres a different technique/feel to how I use them, you could absolutely hammer them I think if you wanted and they wouldnt last much longer than the rim blocks, but I tend to ride my road bike in a different style to commuting its not so reliant on having to brake hard to slow down all the time if you follow what I mean.0 -
MTB-Idle wrote:pads are low (stock pic)
Judging by the set I took off, there's loads of life left in those!0 -
Went for a lap of the park last night with a motley collection of colleagues, should have gone for a pint afterwards but I'd forgotten it was my wedding anniversary. Had to wait at the top of dark hill for one of our number and then we took him to Ladderstile Gate to get some water. But he came out with us unlike those that were all mouth but turned out to be trouserless. He rode in again this morning and says he will do it again. Hopefully I'll manage a beer next time.
Got close passed by an HGV going up Sawyers Hill, big bloke on a road bike on his tri-bars blowing out his aris as he went by. I was taking it relatively easy knowing I was dragging one of my colleagues along so I resisted the urge to accelerate again and pass the guy, turned out I'd already dropped my colleague so I could have gone.
Lovely weather for riding in last night and this morning, dry and not too warm.0 -
Veronese68 wrote:Went for a lap of the park last night with a motley collection of colleagues, should have gone for a pint afterwards but I'd forgotten it was my wedding anniversary. .
Ouch! Not in the doghouse for that I hope!
Nice ride home last night was interrupted by a knocking headset when braking. Backed it off as a result. New wheels were super whooshy though which made me smile. Took the CS7 route in this morning many choppers about, feels like part of the tube population got brave and rode in.0 -
Nice weather, too many fair weather types, I have to keep telling myself not to complain and it's a good thing in the long run.If I know you, and I like you, you can borrow my bike box for £30 a week. PM for details.0
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Not liking the 2-way traffic on Tottenham Court Road now. Used to be 3 lanes of one way traffic, but now is 1 lane each way with no cycling provision (and the bus lane has gone).
You used to be able to get a good run and fairly whizz up it, now its traffic and hold-ups all the way along. I guess these changes are in preparation for when Oxford Street is pedestrianised, but that particular road had already been snarled up.
Yes, lots of choppers about, but for some reason this morning i perceived a reduction in cyclists jumping red lights.0 -
Is there a fountain at Ladderstile?Veronese68 wrote:Had to wait at the top of dark hill for one of our number and then we took him to Ladderstile Gate to get some water.0 -
Choppers out in full force this morning.
Dropped my bike off for a new chain to be fitted, turns out the cassette is fairly worn too so am getting that also done. I'll be the one this evening with a sparkly cassette, fellas.0 -
First road based commute for a while today and I was a bit late in. Traffic was pretty bad in Norbiton where the cycle lane is being built on london Road but then I guess the traffic was always bad there at 8am anyway?0
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Had my derriere handed to me on a plate this morning - someone on here I presume. All the way from Kingston gate to Hammersmith bridge I was like a fish on a hook. Generally a few metres back, occasionally getting a bit of draft, and once in front for a couple of hundred yards. Every time he wanted to actually try, I was gone.0
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2 minute job with a quick clip!Kingstonian wrote:Choppers out in full force this morning.
Dropped my bike off for a new chain to be fitted, turns out the cassette is fairly worn too so am getting that also done. I'll be the one this evening with a sparkly cassette, fellas.0 -
Rural Hazard #94
5 minute wait for around 200 head of cattle to cross in front of me this morning. Did glance behind to make sure they weren’t completing a circuit...Location: ciderspace0 -
monkimark wrote:First road based commute for a while today and I was a bit late in. Traffic was pretty bad in Norbiton where the cycle lane is being built on london Road but then I guess the traffic was always bad there at 8am anyway?
Yep, always a bit of a black spot, and the poor road conditions don't help.
I really don't like that road, so if I find myself the other side of Fairfield or at the Kingfisher Centre, either with the kids or on my own, I take the bike lane through town to Kingston train station and take the bike lane under the railway bridge.FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0
