The official cycling thread

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 4:20 pm

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.

AYEAYE · Post by **AYEAYE** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 4:21 pm

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.

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 4:25 pm

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.

bealonian · Post by **bealonian** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 4:26 pm

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.

bobbity · Post by **bobbity** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 4:26 pm

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

bealonian · Post by **bealonian** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 4:49 pm

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

You mean Halfords

AYEAYE · Post by **AYEAYE** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 5:08 pm

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.

mikerob · Post by **mikerob** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 5:13 pm

Womack wrote: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.

There's a good article here about SMIDSYs using points learned from training pilots and applying them to the road.

http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/raf-pilo ... -cyclists/

bobbity · Post by **bobbity** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 5:37 pm

bealonian wrote:
bobbity wrote:I'd contact Boardman if that is the stock part.
You mean Halfords

They're the seller, but I'd skip right past them.

bealonian · Post by **bealonian** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 5:49 pm

bobbity wrote:
bealonian wrote:
bobbity wrote:I'd contact Boardman if that is the stock part.
You mean Halfords

They're the seller, but I'd skip right past them.

I've emailed both. Boardman are very sly about not leaving any contact details on their website.

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 6:00 pm

bealonian wrote:
bobbity wrote:
bealonian wrote:
bobbity wrote:I'd contact Boardman if that is the stock part.
You mean Halfords

They're the seller, but I'd skip right past them.
I've emailed both. Boardman are very sly about not leaving any contact details on their website.

Let us know what they say. After seeing your post I checked the Diamondback I just bought for my wife; exact same Vero crank. Now, I'm sure she's not going to be putting quite the same pressure on it as your good self, Beals, but I'll feel a lot better about things if I know it's a one-off and they're not snapping all over the place.

How long have you had it, incidentally?

bealonian · Post by **bealonian** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 10:29 pm

DOB wrote:
bealonian wrote:
bobbity wrote:
bealonian wrote:
bobbity wrote:I'd contact Boardman if that is the stock part.
You mean Halfords

They're the seller, but I'd skip right past them.
I've emailed both. Boardman are very sly about not leaving any contact details on their website.
Let us know what they say. After seeing your post I checked the Diamondback I just bought for my wife; exact same Vero crank. Now, I'm sure she's not going to be putting quite the same pressure on it as your good self, Beals, but I'll feel a lot better about things if I know it's a one-off and they're not snapping all over the place.

How long have you had it, incidentally?

Bought the bike in April 2011. Probably done about 4/5000 miles as it's primarily used on the daily commute.

Boardman have forwarded the pics onto FSA. Will advise as I hear more.

Have been looking at the 105 cranks on CRC and the only compact 2 ring models I can find state 10sp, while my cartridge is a 9sp.
Does the cartridge have to match the crank spec or would I need to replace that as well? I assume that the gear indexing is all based on the rear mech anyway, so wonder whether it really makes a difference

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 10:38 pm

bealonian wrote:Have been looking at the 105 cranks on CRC and the only compact 2 ring models I can find state 10sp, while my cartridge is a 9sp.
Does the cartridge have to match the crank spec or would I need to replace that as well? I assume that the gear indexing is all based on the rear mech anyway, so wonder whether it really makes a difference

8/9/10 spd shouldn't make a difference with cranks/chainrings. Only difference I can see it making might be the adjustment of your front derailleur, but to my knowledge the spacing from one to the other shouldn't matter. Sheldon Brown has a good article about compatibility between systems from 6 up to 11 speeds, front and back.

Yesterday I took my "new" (to me) Campagnolo 8 speed setup out for its first spin; Campag ergo shifters, 8spd cassette and derailleurs, and Shimano 8/9-speed chain, all matched with a 1980s 6-speed Biopace 105 39-52 chainset. Everything worked fine.

Nieghorn · Post by **Nieghorn** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 11:32 pm

Want ...

Mr. Very Popular · Post by **Mr. Very Popular** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 10:36 pm

Thinking of getting a turbo trainer,are they okay for a HT mountain bike?would I need to put slicks on it?

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 10:37 pm

Mr. Very Popular wrote:Thinking of getting a turbo trainer,are they okay for a HT mountain bike?would I need to put slicks on it?

Yes. Yes.

bobbity · Post by **bobbity** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 10:40 pm

A slick, yes. I've been using one for a few weeks now.

Mr. Very Popular · Post by **Mr. Very Popular** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 10:43 pm

DOB wrote:
Mr. Very Popular wrote:Thinking of getting a turbo trainer,are they okay for a HT mountain bike?would I need to put slicks on it?

Yes. Yes.

Thought so, cheers.
Just watching the Bradley wiggins Doco at the moment,excellent programme with great insight into the man,the part when Froome went on the climb and left him was very interesting.

Mr. Very Popular · Post by **Mr. Very Popular** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 10:51 pm

bobbity wrote:A slick, yes. I've been using one for a few weeks now.

Think I'll just get a spare back wheel,riding on wet Irish roads in December on slicks probably wouldn't be a great idea.

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 10:54 pm

Mr. Very Popular wrote:
bobbity wrote:A slick, yes. I've been using one for a few weeks now.
Think I'll just get a spare back wheel,riding on wet Irish roads in December on slicks probably wouldn't be a great idea.

1.5"/2" Slicks are grand on wet roads. It's what they're built for.

Laurent · Post by **Laurent** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 11:14 pm

Mr. Very Popular wrote:
bobbity wrote:A slick, yes. I've been using one for a few weeks now.
Think I'll just get a spare back wheel,riding on wet Irish roads in December on slicks probably wouldn't be a great idea.

fell twice last year on slicks

once on black ice. second on oil .

no need for anything else.

BlackMac · Post by **BlackMac** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 1:27 am

Cycling obsession going well. Now looking to graduate to a proper pair if cycling shoes, probably a set of mid range Shimanos. Any tips about the best set up of pedal, seems to be a choice between the SPD and Look style. The easiest to unclip in an emergency might be a big factor!!

Bindi · Post by **Bindi** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 2:02 am

BlackMac wrote:Cycling obsession going well. Now looking to graduate to a proper pair if cycling shoes, probably a set of mid range Shimanos. Any tips about the best set up of pedal, seems to be a choice between the SPD and Look style. The easiest to unclip in an emergency might be a big factor!!

Road or mtb? I use crankbrothers egg eaters for mtb - they work in the mud. I have speedplays for road, they're not cheap, but double sided and much easier to clip into than normal road pedals but have a much bigger contact area due to the cleat than mtb pedals, so no sore feet. Can lean over a bit more in corners too. I think most top TDF riders use them (according the their spiel)

Womack · Post by **Womack** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:24 am

Nice ride in this morning - cold, clear and still. A welcome change from last night's cyclone.

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:33 am

Bindi wrote:
BlackMac wrote:Cycling obsession going well. Now looking to graduate to a proper pair if cycling shoes, probably a set of mid range Shimanos. Any tips about the best set up of pedal, seems to be a choice between the SPD and Look style. The easiest to unclip in an emergency might be a big factor!!
Road or mtb? I use crankbrothers egg eaters for mtb - they work in the mud. I have speedplays for road, they're not cheap, but double sided and much easier to clip into than normal road pedals but have a much bigger contact area due to the cleat than mtb pedals, so no sore feet. Can lean over a bit more in corners too. I think most top TDF riders use them (according the their spiel)

I've had Looks in the past and currently ride SPDs. I have to say with a stiff soled shoe I don't see how you'd have a problem with the "platform size," but I see enough people going on about it and Shimano themselves make big platform pedals that there must be something to it.

Main advantage of SPDs is the option of a recessed cleat. My (road) shoes have enough rubber either side of the cleat that I don't click on concrete when walking around at a stop.

Brazil · Post by **Brazil** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:44 am

My new bitch:

Although it has campagnolo wheels

Having slight issues with the back wheel, almost certainly due to putting it back on wrong after a puncture but, that aside, it is f**king awesome.

Edit: It is also white.

Womack · Post by **Womack** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:50 am

Blimey, that looks a bit fancy.

You'd better have a read through the rules - riding a bike like that carries with it certain responsibilities and obligations...

cheese cutter · Post by **cheese cutter** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 11:12 am

Womack wrote:Nice ride in this morning - cold, clear and still. A welcome change from last night's cyclone.

I stepped outside this morning with the good intentions of a pleasant 45min ride in via an old train line cyclepath here - it started hailing at the exact moment the door clicked shut so I settled for a cold, wet 10 min sprint instead.

What wet weather leggings do people wear? Am in the UK so any recommendations from there are welcome. I wear fleece long johns if it's dry but I'm looking for some good wet weather breeks.

Seez · Post by **Seez** » Tue Nov 27, 2012 10:18 pm

bealonian wrote: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?

Use oil such as 3 in 1 on the threads.

If you are using round rather than bladed spokes, stick some tape on the spoke parallel to the rim before tightening. The spoke & nipple will often twist a bit before the spoke tightens into the thread, the tape shows you how much it has twisted. e.g. if you want to tighten a spoke one 1/4 turn, wait until the tape stops twisting, then do your 1/4 turn, then back off until the tape is parallel to the rim again. With bladed spokes you can see when they are twisted although tape will make it more visible.

Seez · Post by **Seez** » Tue Nov 27, 2012 10:19 pm

A new low.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfyC6NJqt2o

Imagine what the streets of shoreditch will be like if this goes into production

. Laura Trott looks good in their other video though.

guy smiley · Post by **guy smiley** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 12:12 am

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 12:26 am

guy smiley wrote:

Someone tell them to stick to the cars.

Womack · Post by **Womack** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 10:49 am

Seez wrote:A new low.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfyC6NJqt2o

Imagine what the streets of shoreditch will be like if this goes into production . Laura Trott looks good in their other video though.

Just why?

Womack · Post by **Womack** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 10:50 am

DOB wrote:
guy smiley wrote:
Someone tell them to stick to the cars.

By 'eck that's ugly.

Would probably go down well with yer urban renegade type cyclist who likes to tool about on full suss MTBs with motocross-style mudguards, no doubt thinking themselves the biggest badasses on the road.

Brazil · Post by **Brazil** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 10:59 am

Womack wrote: Would probably go down well with yer urban renegade type cyclist who likes to tool about on full suss MTBs with motocross-style mudguards, no doubt thinking themselves the biggest badasses on the road.

Right until I burn past them as they toil up London Bridge like an asthmatic Soviet grandmother

Mitty's Boat · Post by **Mitty's Boat** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 11:09 am

Womack wrote:
DOB wrote:
guy smiley wrote:
Someone tell them to stick to the cars.
By 'eck that's ugly.

Would probably go down well with yer urban renegade type cyclist who likes to tool about on full suss MTBs with motocross-style mudguards, no doubt thinking themselves the biggest badasses on the road.

But at least they lined up the valve stems at 12 o' clock - a lazy omission that seriously compromised my own bike's credibility. It was the bike porn equivalent of stray twat hairs.

Mat the Expat · Post by **Mat the Expat** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:41 am

I quite like it

Seriously, I need to get some new handlebars that angle back a bit - getting seriously sore wrists

Womack · Post by **Womack** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 6:30 pm

So, Londoners - who cycled in this morning then? I braved it in 3/4 length lycras - saw one hardy soul in shorts whose legs were a fetching shade of puce.

Just contemplating the ride home and hoping that this morning's north wind hasn't a-changed during the course of the day.

Seez · Post by **Seez** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:25 pm

Rode from home to the station and then from Waterloo to the office. Fortunately remembered the seal skinz socks but face was a bit frozen.

Laurent · Post by **Laurent** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:38 pm

Cycled to the bottom of the street then walked past the spot were I fell last year. Got back on the bike after.

Would have taken a tumble with work laptop and >2000€ of camera gear