The ultimate SCR tool?!

24

Comments

  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    [Tim] wrote:
    It is a steal for £100! I might buy one 'just in case'

    It does bring me to a new topic: What is the most over specced commuting machine? For example I am currently commuting on my 'good bike' which is a Cervelo S1 in TT mode (forward seat post position), with no spacers under the stem, tri bars, pro race 3 tyres and in full Lycra with no bottles or luggage. This is because I'm fine tuning set-up etc. ahead of my first race of the season in a month or so.

    I am using this awesome set-up to cover a massive 12-15km each way at an average speed of over 32kph (30mph).

    Seems a touch over the top possibly.

    Sweet Jesus!

    *hides.
    32kph=20mph. 30 would be protour standard ;)
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    georgio15 wrote:
    [Tim] wrote:
    I am using this awesome set-up to cover a massive 12-15km each way at an average speed of over 32kph (30mph).

    Seems a touch over the top possibly.

    what do you mean 32 kph (30 mph). 32 kph is 19.88 mph and 30 mph is 48.28 kph?

    Good point... 19mph is a slightly less impressive average!
  • Feltup
    Feltup Posts: 1,340
    I know you lot are 30 miles away in London but I am sure I just heard a massive sigh of relief from somewhere :D
    Short hairy legged roadie FCN 4 or 5 in my baggies.

    Felt F55 - 2007
    Specialized Singlecross - 2008
    Marin Rift Zone - 1998
    Peugeot Tourmalet - 1983 - taken more hits than Mohammed Ali
  • [Tim]
    [Tim] Posts: 64

    Good point... 19mph is a slightly less impressive average!

    Yup - I wish I was hitting 30mph.

    I blame typing quickly as the boss was coming back into the room to check on drawing progress . .
    Eau Rouge wrote:
    As for most overspecced commuting machine, it's only on loan, but a Wilier Le Roi with Racing Zero wheels, full Record groupset, Look and Ritchey WCS trimmings is perhaps a tad too much for the 2.5 miles into work in the morning.
    NICE!
  • Greg T
    Greg T Posts: 3,266
    [Tim] wrote:
    I blame typing quickly as the boss was coming back into the room to check on drawing progress . .

    Are you a professional Gun Slinger - Like the man with no name in "pale rider"
    Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.

    What would Thora Hurd do?
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Greg66 wrote:
    If it's nice enough to sit outside on friday, I've promised the Morpeth-ers I'll bring the Maxima. This means I'll commute on it. For 7 miles. :oops:

    Sweet. I'm riding in on Bike 2 at the mo, so we can leave them to scamper and gambol together...

    Let's hope Jash doesn't bring the Prince. If there's three of them it's inevitable that they'll fight.

    I might bring Il Principe*, perhaps even with his Aero Wheels on - just to really take the pi$$.**

    *Il Principe doesn't do fighting, he has his minions to that for him - FP 1,2,3 & 5.

    **although I won't be able to pi$$, I'll be too busy keeping an eye on my bike

    :lol::lol:

    Sounds like a pose-off to me! And yeah, I'm not good at letting it out of my sight right now... will have to bring a really big lock!
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    You win the pose off - yours goes all the way up to 11. I'm stuck with lowly Chorus...
  • White Line
    White Line Posts: 887
    Wow! :shock: It's better value than that Lidl bike a few weeks back!
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    neil_laing wrote:
    [
    1) If you're a triathlete, do you not already have an aero tri bike? You can TT on that.

    Sold my Cervelo to pay for a new kitchen......

    My fixie is an ex TT frame - nice geometry for commuting and so on.

    I think I am gonna buy the frame and see where I go. I have enough spares for a fixed build.....!
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    JonGinge wrote:
    Whenever I think about getting a TT bike reality kicks in and says: (a) how many times a year would I ride it?

    +1. Have suspended participation in tris and club TTs until time permits, oh, what's it called? Ah, training.
    (b) but look at all those eejits on their TT bikes going at 15mph in RP while on the tri-bars,

    When you pass them when you're on the tops or the hoods, you have to wonder what's going on there. I've often thought that its training to get used to the position. Generally though, I'm unconvinced about the benefits of a full TT bike round RP given the inclines, the corners and the cross winds.
    (c) remember how much fun it was caning guys in full aero TT gear while on a road bike.

    I once got a great deal of pleasure absolutely toasting a chap on what looked like a Softride with a rear disc wheel during the bike leg of a duathlon. IIRC, my joy was short-lived as a couple of guys from Ful-on-tri and Thames Turbo flew past me like bats out of hell. There's always somebody faster!
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    I'm not sure if i'd need the 53 (M) or the 56 (L) I currently ride mostly 56cm and one 54cm both feel fine, different types of bike mind you.

    Advise please....?

    Must have TT bike before starting new job :wink:
    Rule #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.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    itboffin wrote:
    I'm not sure if i'd need the 53 (M) or the 56 (L) I currently ride mostly 56cm and one 54cm both feel fine, different types of bike mind you.

    Advise please....?

    Must have TT bike before starting new job :wink:

    You need to avoid over-stretching, or indeed going too far the other way. Attach some tri bars to your present frames to see how they feel. Alternatively, balance yourself against the wall and place your forearms on your handlebars to see how that feels. It's a little artificial, but might give you some insight to the difference between the two frames. You may be able to correct any over stretching with a shorter stem (e.g. 10cm).
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    cjcp wrote:
    itboffin wrote:
    I'm not sure if i'd need the 53 (M) or the 56 (L) I currently ride mostly 56cm and one 54cm both feel fine, different types of bike mind you.

    Advise please....?

    Must have TT bike before starting new job :wink:

    You need to avoid over-stretching, or indeed going too far the other way. Attach some tri bars to your present frames to see how they feel. Alternatively, balance yourself against the wall and place your forearms on your handlebars to see how that feels. It's a little artificial, but might give you some insight to the difference between the two frames. You may be able to correct any over stretching with a shorter stem (e.g. 10cm).

    I've been dabbling with a longer stem and resting my forearms on the Trek recently, it's pretty comfortable when "getting it on" so to speak.

    I think 53 would be too small, damn this Internet online trickery
    Rule #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.
  • bratboy
    bratboy Posts: 82
    I have a Ribble Deda Scandium SC61.10a sloping frameset in white, which I use for crits, TTs, Tris, and commuting - it fit nicely, it's light and pretty quick for an all rounder. The finish isn't brilliant but it was less than £300 nad the build comes in at about 7.5kg which is light enough.

    This looks like it'll be Ribbles own tube 7005 alu set, which the get produced in Italy. There's very little detail for sizing or geometry. Quality wise, I would guess it's likely to be the same as there very popular winter training frame, and as mentioned what do you expect for just over £100.
    SC61.10a: FCN 3, with clip-on guards for winter
    Uncle John: FCN ?? knobblies, or 'fat' slicks n guards

    If you haven't tried these things, you should.
    These things are fun, and fun is good.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    I'm guessing it'll be similar to the Dolan frames, just received an email from Ribble 15% off & free delivery this bank holiday :lol:
    Rule #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.
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    JonGinge wrote:
    Whenever I think about getting a TT bike reality kicks in and says: (a) how many times a year would I ride it?

    +1

    I'm not helped by the fact that I would only settle for one of these, a decision I freely admit, based on nothing more than aesthetics.

    pinarello-montello-fp8.jpg

    *drooooooooooool.
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    See now me, I like this one:

    orbea-ordu-300.jpg
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    So back to these carbon fibre socks where could one get a pair made :wink:
    Rule #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.
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    itboffin wrote:
    So back to these carbon fibre socks where could one get a pair made :wink:

    They already exist, well kinda:

    ...Campy's Carbon Winter Socks use integral carbon fibres in the fabric to act as an anti-bacterial agent for added hygene....

    http://www.awcycles.co.uk/category/Cycle_Clothing/Socks_and_Under_Garments_41/Carbon_Winter_Sock,_C291/1438/index.aspx




    [/quote]
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    See now me, I like this one:

    orbea-ordu-300.jpg

    +1. It's a beaut.

    http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/p ... ordu-21356
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    itboffin wrote:
    So back to these carbon fibre socks where could one get a pair made :wink:

    They already exist, well kinda:

    ...Campy's Carbon Winter Socks use integral carbon fibres in the fabric to act as an anti-bacterial agent for added hygene....

    http://www.awcycles.co.uk/category/Cycle_Clothing/Socks_and_Under_Garments_41/Carbon_Winter_Sock,_C291/1438/index.aspx



    [/quote]

    I don't care what it's made of. It'll stink to high hell after it's been inside my cycling shoes.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    itboffin wrote:
    So back to these carbon fibre socks where could one get a pair made :wink:

    They already exist, well kinda:

    ...Campy's Carbon Winter Socks use integral carbon fibres in the fabric to act as an anti-bacterial agent for added hygene....

    http://www.awcycles.co.uk/category/Cycle_Clothing/Socks_and_Under_Garments_41/Carbon_Winter_Sock,_C291/1438/index.aspx



    [/quote]Got me one of their Carbon racing jersies. Does seem to work.
    The Descente carbon jersey not so much :cry:
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • See, now, I used to have one of these softriderocketwing.jpg

    Since selling it, there hasn't* been a single day when I've thought "Damn, if only I had the Softride to use".


    Bottom line is that TT bikes are fugly. Some are less fugly than others, but they're all fugly.




    *Except, possibly, at the height of my croked back episode.
    Swim. Bike. Run. Yeah. That's what I used to do.

    Bike 1
    Bike 2-A
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    My colleague says the ultimate tool is the guy commuting on the TT bike...

    Made me chuckle! :lol:
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    Greg66 wrote:
    See, now, I used to have one of these softriderocketwing.jpg

    Since selling it, there hasn't* been a single day when I've thought "Damn, if only I had the Softride to use".


    Bottom line is that TT bikes are fugly. Some are less fugly than others, but they're all fugly.




    *Except, possibly, at the height of my croked back episode.

    Dear God that is ugly.

    So did you ever commute on it?
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    My colleague says the ultimate tool is the guy commuting on the TT bike...

    Made me chuckle! :lol:
    That's what I was expecting this thread to be about TBH
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    JonGinge wrote:
    My colleague says the ultimate tool is the guy commuting on the TT bike...

    Made me chuckle! :lol:
    That's what I was expecting this thread to be about TBH

    Further to the above I'd add that the ultimate tool may in fact be the guy commuting on a softride.

    Dear god that thing's awful-looking. What's so good about it?
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155

    Further to the above I'd add that the ultimate tool may in fact be the guy commuting on a softride.

    Dear god that thing's awful-looking. What's so good about it?

    Nothing.
  • Feltup
    Feltup Posts: 1,340
    JonGinge wrote:
    My colleague says the ultimate tool is the guy commuting on the TT bike...

    Made me chuckle! :lol:
    That's what I was expecting this thread to be about TBH

    Further to the above I'd add that the ultimate tool may in fact be the guy commuting on a softride.

    Dear god that thing's awful-looking. What's so good about it?

    It's not public transport
    Short hairy legged roadie FCN 4 or 5 in my baggies.

    Felt F55 - 2007
    Specialized Singlecross - 2008
    Marin Rift Zone - 1998
    Peugeot Tourmalet - 1983 - taken more hits than Mohammed Ali
  • Dear God that is ugly.

    So did you ever commute on it?

    Yep. For a few weeks when my Condor road frame was having bits melted out of it and being resprayed. And when I had back trouble, it was a softer ride (clue's in the name) than a road bike.

    Really not fun in traffic. close to 80 degree (virtual) seat post angle; you feel like your head is forward of the front axle when you stand up. Twitchy handling at slow speed to boot.

    Wind it up, and it was fun though.
    Swim. Bike. Run. Yeah. That's what I used to do.

    Bike 1
    Bike 2-A