She's wasn't happy!

matt581

I finally brought my new road bike on Saturday, it went down well when I got home and said the girlfriend ‘ Guess what I’ve brought?’ I probably should have talked to her about it first but hey, the damage is done know and she has kind of forgiven me.

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2008

Any way the reason for my post was I normally ride mountain bikes and brought a road bike for commuting. The only thing is I’m a bit worried about pot holes, obviously I try and avoid them at all cost but how much abuse can the wheels take? I’m nervous of every bump in the road as it might damage the wheels, I’m used to big chunky mtb wheels. Their Shimano WHR500.

nolf

My Mavic aksiums are really incredibly tough, but only within limits. I avoid potholes wherever possible, other than that bunnyhopping and shifting your weight around all help. Ride a bit more centrally as well, pohtoles tend to be at the edge of roads.

BUICK

Just aim to be observant and choose your path on the road! I hit a pothole a week or so ago in the dark with my rear wheel on a cyclocross bike (so much sturdier wheels than a dedicated road race bike) and have permanently damaged said wheel. They've trued it up but the rim has a dint it didn't ought to have

simplesimoncardiff

You'd be suprised how much they can take! If you notice the spokes loosen off, take it easier...

chuckcork

Pinch flats are more likely to be a problem....

matt581

cool, thanks for the tips. I try and keep out of the way but its not always easy when you have traffic trying to push you over.

RSV_Ecosse

matt581 wrote:

cool, thanks for the tips. I try and keep out of the way but its not always easy when you have traffic trying to push you over.

Hi matt, I'm a newcomer to road cycling too, just started commuting this week on an 18 mile route, a particular stretch of which is currently covered in major road works and is unavoidable. The road surface there is a bit of a nightmare in some stretches and although they are putting in a good cycle path on both sides, its a bit of a mish mash of finished/unfinished parts just now.

I'm finding the same thing, trying to strike a safe and balanced medium between staying out of the gutter and away from the drains and potholes as well as keeping good, safe road positioning is difficult, but i guess it comes with road experience.

Nice Cube, btw. 8)

My missus was somewhat similar in attitude when I told her I was buying my Pinarello FP1.

"Wot's one of them, then?" she asked.

Her jaw kinda dropped when I let her see it on the LBS website. :shock:

alfablue

matt581 wrote:

cool, thanks for the tips. I try and keep out of the way but its not always easy when you have traffic trying to push you over.

Yes, but you have to try and be an assertive rider, ride at least 1 metre from the kerb or parked cars (the door zone), to avoid all the drains and most of the rough stuff, and where the road narrows, pull out to the "primary" position, i.e. the centre of your lane. If you don't, cars will squeeze past.

Case in point, cycling over the narrow bridge at Postbridge, Dartmoor on Sunday, it is only wide enough for one car, I took the centre and the car coming the other way stopped and gave way. My girlfriend was about 20 metres behind, hugged the side going over the bridge and the car tried to squeeze past her so close she had to get off!

Your riding style can actually encourage risky overtakes.

gtitim

So she wasn't happy. I'll have to bear this in mind when I buy my next bike, although a wise man once said...

"It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission"

dazzawazza

After a while you get to know most of the bad pot holes on your commute.
The odd new one will appear occasionally and may be un-avoidable the first time if traffic is heavy.

Bengdogg

I treat my road bike like i would a motor bike, i avoid grids and pot holes, white lines when wet and dont go up and down kerbs on it. my mtbs i rideover stuff untill it throws me over the the bars