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Rob Spedding, Editor, Cycling Plus
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Who invented the skip?
Mary Poppins invented the skip....or was it that woman from the Sound of Music?
I really like the looks at the pro bikes and their measurements, as obviously it's interesting to compare your setup to theirs, especially when you're the same build. But one crucial bit of information is never mentioned - shoe size and cleat position. I'd love to know where Cancellara stands (literally!) on the mid-foot cleat argument, for instance, and have a few pics showing the pedal technique of the rider in question.
Having had back problems earlier this year, I flipped my stem so that it rises up instead of sloping down (only about 5%) but I still struggle to spend long periods on the drops when riding into a headwind.
Any tips?
cheers,
Alex
ps am doing core exercises to help protect my back, on advice from a physio, which seems to be working.
GT Timberline (2000)
Lapierre Zesty 214 (2010)
Cube Attempt (2010)
Harry Hall single speed conversion (197/8?)
I own as part of my "Fleet" a Raleigh Airlite X cyclocross bike I have had for just over a year now. It gets used mainly for commuting but has also ventured offroad although no racing as yet, hopefully this winter! For the money it has been excellent apart form one thing, the brakes. I have never been impressed either with feel or power and now want to upgrade.
Considering the use, do I stay with canti brakes such as Avid Shorty or go for the ones I do like look of, TRP CX 9? Plus BMX mini V brakes have also been mentioned as an option. Any guidance would be appreciated.
:?
Although I do like the Goblin/Hobgoblin debate. anyway, which one is harder in a fight?
Be easy on me for this one , but I'm just getting into Sportif riding ... I have a new frame ( a carbon Ribble ) and wanted to ask your opinion on the gear to "hang" on it . Could anyone tell me the difference between say Campagnola Record and shimano Duraace ? People have told me that Shimano isn't really that much good and won't last very long , but what's the general opinion on here ?
Thanks in advance !
Anyway I would like advice on what I would need to do to get my average speed up to competitive levels. Once the spring arrives im hoping to get more cycling done but as I stated in another thread, going further is relatively easy but getting faster is a censored . I know about drafting techniques but I mean my own actual speed.
I own a 2012 Giant Rapid 3. http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... ifications with the addition of SPD pedals. not sure if this bike will be comfortable enough to cycle this many miles. Ideally I would like to buy a proper road bike, but my finances do not make this possible. As a compromise I am thinking of converting the bike to dropdown bars, and changing to SPD-L pedals instead.
Some help with this would be very much appreciated, thanks
Buy a calculator. After that rate if will take ten days.
Simon (ToC #500)
I was given a lenzyne pump for christmas and want to mount it on the bike as I am concerned that if I have it in the back of my shirt and crash it may impale me!! ( Or am i being a Nancy)
I was thinking about putting it behind the seat post and making a bracket, or would it better or make no difference on the downtube.
If you're racing - you don't need one. If you're not racing - aero doesn't matter.
What is the best pre race meal for a TT ?
I carried a pump on my seat tube every time I raced. Got me out of trouble three times (but not the time that I forgot to put an inner tube in my back pocket)
I never did - nor did anyone else I'm aware of while racing. The following car usually had a radio and people usually got a lift back, somehow. I only ever recall flatting in two races, once with neutral service, and the other time was right by the HQ anyway.