Planet Rugby Forum

cheese cutter wrote:

BlackMac wrote:

cheese cutter wrote:Where were you riding, BlackMac?

The Revolution Cyclocross bike I bought a couple of months ago. One of Edinburgh Bicycle's own makes.

*ahem*
Where abouts?

I have a revolution Cuillin mtb - the Revolution range is great value for money.

I ride in the Pentlands a bit - they're a real asset for Edinburgh.

Shit sorry

Down the A702 then across to Mountain Cross, f**ked about on some back roads and then across to Peebles and back up. The road from Peebles to Penicuik is murder, long straights and into the teeth of the wind all the way.

^^ good effort Mac

You'll doubtless be pleased to learn that the winter jacket crisis has been resolved by the acquisition of an Endura FS260 Pro Jetstream windproof jacket, in black:



Seems like it should do the trick, I can't imagine I'll need owt else unless it gets silly cold. Endura sizing is a bit ridonculous, I had to get XXL and it's still, ahem, quite a snug fit.

Yes. It's Endura's sizing that's the problem.


First spill in a while yesterday; fast descent, round a wide-swinging left hander, a white Nissan pickup coming up the hill somehow manages to come way over my side leaving me with about 18 inches of Tarmac at 40 miles an hour. My correction takes me right to the edge, and my front wheel's in the mud with me over the bars and onto the gravel at the edge of the road. Good size blemish on the knee and some cuts and scrapes, but other than an overwhelming desire to track down the owners of every white Nissan pickup in the zip code, Sarah Connor style, no lasting effects.

DOB wrote:Yes. It's Endura's sizing that's the problem.


First spill in a while yesterday; fast descent, round a wide-swinging left hander, a white Nissan pickup coming up the hill somehow manages to come way over my side leaving me with about 18 inches of Tarmac at 40 miles an hour. My correction takes me right to the edge, and my front wheel's in the mud with me over the bars and onto the gravel at the edge of the road. Good size blemish on the knee and some cuts and scrapes, but other than an overwhelming desire to track down the owners of every white Nissan pickup in the zip code, Sarah Connor style, no lasting effects.

DOB - sounds like you were very fortunately to get away with scraps and bruises, a trip down the road at 40 is no joke. Stay safe out there guys, the winter combination of dark mornings/evenings and damps roads is not a good cycling cocktail. I'll stick with the boredom of my turbo-trainer during the week, Texan drivers are not very good at the best of times....

Womack wrote:You'll doubtless be pleased to learn that the winter jacket crisis has been resolved by the acquisition of an Endura FS260 Pro Jetstream windproof jacket, in black:



Seems like it should do the trick, I can't imagine I'll need owt else unless it gets silly cold. Endura sizing is a bit ridonculous, I had to get XXL and it's still, ahem, quite a snug fit.

I got an Altura windproof jacket and skullcap free (worth £60) with a 6 month subscription to a Cycling magazine (£22) - cycling plus IIRC. I've already cancelled the next direct debit so reckon I've got a bargain.

Why would anyone buy a cycling jacket in black??

Vanity over sanity

waguser wrote:Why would anyone buy a cycling jacket in black??

Vanity over sanity

Like all the sad twats riding about in Team Sky, Garmin and other pro jerseys. I even saw some tit last week in a Team Sky Rainbow jersey.

I'm like a ninja out there, baby

I've got a flourescent bag condom and flashing lights, and I cycle on well-lit roads. I'm also the proud possessor of a large, gleaming white face. You're right, there's a bit of vanity involved in that I don't want to look like a copper or a railway worker, but as acts of recklessness go it's a long way down the list.

Anyhoo, it's got reflective panels and shit.

Womack wrote:I'm like a ninja out there, baby

I've got a flourescent bag condom and flashing lights, and I cycle on well-lit roads. I'm also the proud possessor of a large, gleaming white face. You're right, there's a bit of vanity involved in that I don't want to look like a copper or a railway worker, but as acts of recklessness go it's a long way down the list.

Anyhoo, it's got reflective panels and shit.

Being the sanctimonious prick I am I am going to roundly chastise you.

Those reflective panels on black jackets are nowhere near as effective as High vis yellow.

Personally I also have the high vis bag condom and lights as well as an Altura yellow high vis
but as a driver find that high vis yellow is the most effective

Womack wrote:I'm like a ninja out there, baby

I've got a flourescent bag condom and flashing lights, and I cycle on well-lit roads. I'm also the proud possessor of a large, gleaming white face. You're right, there's a bit of vanity involved in that I don't want to look like a copper or a railway worker, but as acts of recklessness go it's a long way down the list.

Anyhoo, it's got reflective panels and shit.

Studies have actually shown that black jackets with proper reflective panels are better at night that some of the poorer yellow flourescent jobs. Our force actually purchased as high vis jacket a few years ago that more or less rendered you f**king invisible in front of cars!!

BlackMac wrote:

Womack wrote:I'm like a ninja out there, baby

I've got a flourescent bag condom and flashing lights, and I cycle on well-lit roads. I'm also the proud possessor of a large, gleaming white face. You're right, there's a bit of vanity involved in that I don't want to look like a copper or a railway worker, but as acts of recklessness go it's a long way down the list.

Anyhoo, it's got reflective panels and shit.

Studies have actually shown that black jackets with proper reflective panels are better at night that some of the poorer yellow flourescent jobs. Our force actually purchased as high vis jacket a few years ago that more or less rendered you f**king invisible in front of cars!!

Driving home last night I was shocked to see a series of 3 tiny little red blinking lights ahead of me... and not much other indication of anything being there. As I got closer I saw they were tourers (ie, as opposed to tourists, with panniers etc) with dark coloured jackets that had some white strips, but no reflective quality to them. Busy highway, no street lighting, and only a pair of cateye LEDs for visibility makes for a bad combo.


Spyglass, I was very lucky, but thinking about it, not nearly as lucky as that pickup driver who only met a Schwinn coming round that corner and not another Nissan. Visibility wasn't an issue, it was a little after 5 pm, we're at about the same latitude as southern Spain, and clocks haven't gone back here yet; it was definitely still light-lens sunglasses conditions.

waguser wrote:Why would anyone buy a cycling jacket in black??

Vanity over sanity

I usually have at least 2 lights on the back of the bike, 1 on the bars and 1 on the helmet. I do wear a white jacket, but I doubt its the first thing drivers notice.

BlackMac wrote:

cheese cutter wrote:

BlackMac wrote:

cheese cutter wrote:Where were you riding, BlackMac?

The Revolution Cyclocross bike I bought a couple of months ago. One of Edinburgh Bicycle's own makes.

*ahem*
Where abouts?

I have a revolution Cuillin mtb - the Revolution range is great value for money.

I ride in the Pentlands a bit - they're a real asset for Edinburgh.

Shit sorry

Down the A702 then across to Mountain Cross, f**ked about on some back roads and then across to Peebles and back up. The road from Peebles to Penicuik is murder, long straights and into the teeth of the wind all the way.

BM, not trying to sound smart, but when you are as big a sail as we are on a bike, the weather forecast is your friend in respect of always make sure the frickin wind is behind you on the return leg

i drive down that road a lot to inners and glentress, and it has all the hallmarks of being a bastard into the wind, you got it done though

fisgard792 wrote:

BlackMac wrote:

cheese cutter wrote:

BlackMac wrote:

cheese cutter wrote:Where were you riding, BlackMac?

The Revolution Cyclocross bike I bought a couple of months ago. One of Edinburgh Bicycle's own makes.

*ahem*
Where abouts?

I have a revolution Cuillin mtb - the Revolution range is great value for money.

I ride in the Pentlands a bit - they're a real asset for Edinburgh.

Shit sorry

Down the A702 then across to Mountain Cross, f**ked about on some back roads and then across to Peebles and back up. The road from Peebles to Penicuik is murder, long straights and into the teeth of the wind all the way.

BM, not trying to sound smart, but when you are as big a sail as we are on a bike, the weather forecast is your friend in respect of always make sure the frickin wind is behind you on the return leg

i drive down that road a lot to inners and glentress, and it has all the hallmarks of being a bastard into the wind, you got it done though

Well if you were down that way on Friday you might have noticed the blubbering wreck sitting fecked on the grass verge on the hill up to Leadburn. It's actually quite funny seeing the real cyclists doing a double take as I pass, with a "what the fudge is he doing on a bike" look.

Reading blackmac's tale reminds me how pig-headed stubborn we can be at times, but all for the sake of adventure and personal achievement. Even just having a little rest, which is entirely sensible, now and then would help but we often see it as 'for the weak'.

Did something similar twice in New Zealand, once on a long hike where my legs felt like wet noodles and yet I wouldn't let myself stop for more than a five min break in the final couple of hours. Other time was walking from one town to another after a massive flood in Northland because the bus wasn't coming that day and I wasn't patient enough to hitch (after getting only one short lift after the first 20 cars) and wouldn't succumb to phoning my next destination to ask for a pick-up or re-arrange our planned meet-up to another day. (I'd agreed to WWOOF it on a farm.)

Have yet to do that on the bike over blackmac's distances and conditions, but am not so good about bringing food so probably will. Did a 30km to rugby in the summer, stood in the sun for three hours coaching, and biked the same distance home into a slight headwind, slightly uphill. Was mostly in an urban environment, and did have my wallet on me, but refused to stop for food until I got home. Stupid. ... but what a rush when I finished!

Nieghorn wrote:Did a 30km to rugby in the summer, stood in the sun for three hours coaching, and biked the same distance home into a slight headwind, slightly uphill. Was mostly in an urban environment, and did have my wallet on me, but refused to stop for food until I got home. Stupid. ... but what a rush when I finished!

...of blood, to your head, resulting in you fainting half-in, half-out of your front door and waking up 2 hours later not entirely sure where your trousers were?

BM, get shot of your bike, get down to alpine at inners or glentress and pick up an ex-hire off roader, you live in the best part of the uk, europe or arguably the world for options in going off road, with the trails at glentress and the downhill at inners, plus ready access to the natural stuff in the pentlands, arthurs seat, and the rest of scotland as well, its frickin criminal to waste that access opportunity, and when you come off, (its not if, its when) you will feel like it did in yer rugby days

I suggest trying to start an Edinburgh cycling cabal or two, one road and one Glentress, once the weather improves next year (once I am fit enough not to embarass myself!)

fisgard792 wrote:BM, get shot of your bike, get down to alpine at inners or glentress and pick up an ex-hire off roader, you live in the best part of the uk, europe or arguably the world for options in going off road, with the trails at glentress and the downhill at inners, plus ready access to the natural stuff in the pentlands, arthurs seat, and the rest of scotland as well, its frickin criminal to waste that access opportunity, and when you come off, (its not if, its when) you will feel like it did in yer rugby days

Yeah, right. My back is so dodgy I have to take care stepping of a high curb nowadays. The thought of going over the handlebars of a bike scares me witless.

Spend lots of time walking the dog about those areas though.

I was worried all the way home last night that I wasn't visible enough.

f**king Waguser

frillage wrote:I suggest trying to start an Edinburgh cycling cabal or two, one road and one Glentress, once the weather improves next year (once I am fit enough not to embarass myself!)

Are you a roadie or mtb rider Frills?

blindcider wrote:Okay, think I have decided on the FELT Z85. Nice spec (Shimano 105's, Mavic wheels) a comfortable ride and £925.

http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2013/Ro ... s/Z85.aspx

Spoiler: show

Now ordered this one from Bristol Triathlon shop as my cyclescheme voucher arrived on Friday. Delivery next week and apparently I will be the first in the South West to have one in Charcoal/Green rather than Black Red...



New Helmet and lights to round out the £1000

Back on the bike commute for the first time in 6 weeks today

Womack wrote:I was worried all the way home last night that I wasn't visible enough.

f**king Waguser

Sorry dude

That's OK. I've invested in a brighter front light so now have two up front (one flashing, one solid), and some reflective arm thingies so that my arm signals are more visible. I think that should be OK, I'm pretty careful anyway so not too concerned, but just got a bit worried about being SMIDSYd by cars coming the other way.

blindcider wrote:

blindcider wrote:Okay, think I have decided on the FELT Z85. Nice spec (Shimano 105's, Mavic wheels) a comfortable ride and £925.

http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2013/Ro ... s/Z85.aspx

Spoiler: show

Now ordered this one from Bristol Triathlon shop as my cyclescheme voucher arrived on Friday. Delivery next week and apparently I will be the first in the South West to have one in Charcoal/Green rather than Black Red...

New Helmet and lights to round out the £1000

BS -
Good looking bike, you can't go wrong with the new 105 stuff. With a compact crank and a 12-32 cassette you could climb anything!

Spyglass wrote:

blindcider wrote:

blindcider wrote:Okay, think I have decided on the FELT Z85. Nice spec (Shimano 105's, Mavic wheels) a comfortable ride and £925.

http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2013/Ro ... s/Z85.aspx

Spoiler: show

Now ordered this one from Bristol Triathlon shop as my cyclescheme voucher arrived on Friday. Delivery next week and apparently I will be the first in the South West to have one in Charcoal/Green rather than Black Red...

New Helmet and lights to round out the £1000

BS -
Good looking bike, you can't go wrong with the new 105 stuff. With a compact crank and a 12-32 cassette you could climb anything!

Not with my legs

I went mountain biking yesterday in rainy conditions on the Salève. I fell and grazed my knee so badly that a little blood was emitted.

I no longer like cycling and shall stick to crochet.

blindcider wrote:

Spyglass wrote:

blindcider wrote:

blindcider wrote:Okay, think I have decided on the FELT Z85. Nice spec (Shimano 105's, Mavic wheels) a comfortable ride and £925.

http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2013/Ro ... s/Z85.aspx

Spoiler: show

Now ordered this one from Bristol Triathlon shop as my cyclescheme voucher arrived on Friday. Delivery next week and apparently I will be the first in the South West to have one in Charcoal/Green rather than Black Red...

New Helmet and lights to round out the £1000

BS -
Good looking bike, you can't go wrong with the new 105 stuff. With a compact crank and a 12-32 cassette you could climb anything!

Not with my legs

Anything you can't climb in a 34x32 isn't worth climbing anyway.



And Zappa, a scarf is inappropriate cycling clothing anyway, so you're probably better off.

Just bought a truing jig, so that I can stop paying £15 a go each time I need to fit a new spoke.

Anyone got any good guidance about how to use one?

Womack wrote:You'll doubtless be pleased to learn that the winter jacket crisis has been resolved by the acquisition of an Endura FS260 Pro Jetstream windproof jacket, in black:



Seems like it should do the trick, I can't imagine I'll need owt else unless it gets silly cold. Endura sizing is a bit ridonculous, I had to get XXL and it's still, ahem, quite a snug fit.

Fine Scottish company so sizes may not suit the lardy English.

Am thinking of replacing with a Shimano 105 & same BB from Chain Reaction Cycles.
Any views?

I've never seen a crank snapped like that. If you're in the big ring I presume you weren't climbing something steep at the time? I once had my outer chainring buckle completely pulling away from a traffic light, but I didn't know that failure mode was possible.

A 105 would do the job. BB designs are so brand specific now I wouldn't know where to tell you to start. It's be a shame if you had to replace the whole bottom end because of that.

bealonian wrote:



Am thinking of replacing with a Shimano 105 & same BB from Chain Reaction Cycles.
Any views?

Jeez that's not nice, I've only ever seen that happen to those stupid fixies.

It would be cheaper to replace just the cranks, upgrade if pos.. Going for the whole Simano change out, may cause you to have to shell out for a new rear cassett and chain as well.

Changing chainrings doesn't mean needing to change the cassette or chain. You should change the chain whenever it stretches a bit for definite, but if you stay ahead with changing the chain, you'll get plenty of years of wear out of the rings and cassette.

DOB wrote:I've never seen a crank snapped like that. If you're in the big ring I presume you weren't climbing something steep at the time? I once had my outer chainring buckle completely pulling away from a traffic light, but I didn't know that failure mode was possible.

A 105 would do the job. BB designs are so brand specific now I wouldn't know where to tell you to start. It's be a shame if you had to replace the whole bottom end because of that.

Not climbing anywhere. Put the hammer down to overtake someone after the lights and was left connected by my SPDs but not much more.

I'd contact Boardman if that is the stock part.

bobbity wrote:I'd contact Boardman if that is the stock part.

You mean Halfords

bealonian wrote:

bobbity wrote:I'd contact Boardman if that is the stock part.

You mean Halfords

Try them, if not CCR are doing some pretty good deals on FSA carbon cranks at the mo.