Planet Rugby Forum

Posted: **Sun Oct 28, 2018 1:05 pm**

I hear you, I'll have to see. Maybe ask around on some bike forums, but I felt my hands wanting grip closer to shoulder width. I can imagine with the larger wheels that wider bars make sense but I feel there's gotta be a compromise here.. 1GxjVCU7zo.

Edit: some YouTube stuff on it...

https://youtu.be/1GxjVCU7Zck

Narrow is better for XC apparently, which is what I do a lot of.

Posted: **Sun Nov 04, 2018 3:34 pm**

I used the 50t at an xc track on Sat, so will keep the 32t 50 t combo, only other option is 2x on front and that ain't happening (as yet).

The new bike is outrageous, an 8.7kg 29er. Unreal to ride, just stunning!

Posted: **Sun Nov 04, 2018 11:16 pm**

I was idly looking on the Battaglin site when I came across this.

1987 IS THE REPLICA OF STEPHEN ROCHE'S TRIPLE CROWN FRAME, BUILT TO ORDER AND WITH ONLY 187 PIECES AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE.

There is one sitting out in my garage, except I bought mine in in 1989 in Chicago and competed on it for three years. I got in touch with Battaglin a while back about restoring it, but nothing came of it. I think I may get in touch again

Posted: **Mon Nov 05, 2018 12:55 am**

That's a thing of great beauty.

I'm doing some work in a week for a place that restores vintage bikes. The guy could either give you an offer on buying it, or a quote on restoring it

Posted: **Mon Nov 05, 2018 12:51 pm**

ukjim wrote:get in touch with argos cycles. http://argoscycles.com/

they are one of the few places that can rechrome the rear triangle.

make sure you are sitting down when they tell you how much it will cost.

We have horses. I am inured to getting shocks when told prices.

Edit.
I have looked at the site, looks interesting, thanks. HH, I'd be interested in details of the chap you'll be doing work as well.

Posted: **Mon Nov 05, 2018 6:25 pm**

I was stopped for a coffee once and a guy came up riding a 65th Birthday Battaglin. It’s possibly the most beautiful bike I’ve ever seen in real life.

http://officinabattaglin.com/special-collection/

That’s a bike that ought to have delta brakes on it.

Posted: **Fri Nov 23, 2018 5:25 pm**

Just received a pair of Continental GP4000sII from Merlin Cycles, and the day after I ordered them Conti announced they’re discontinuing the 4k and introducing the 5000s. Any roadies on here should stock up now on the 4k if you’re nervous about what changes will come.

Posted: **Fri Nov 23, 2018 6:29 pm**

DOB wrote:Just received a pair of Continental GP4000sII from Merlin Cycles, and the day after I ordered them Conti announced they’re discontinuing the 4k and introducing the 5000s. Any roadies on here should stock up now on the 4k if you’re nervous about what changes will come.

I'd agree, Vredstein stopped the Fortezza Tricomp and the replacement was nowhere near as good.

Posted: **Sat Nov 24, 2018 3:09 am**

I am about to (Finally!) start commuting to work 3 days a week on a bike.

I was looking at the Reid Granite 3 but a friend is a distributor of Bombtrack bikes and can get me one wholesale.

Looking at their Gravel grinders - any one heard anything about them?

Spoiler: show

Not sure about the single front ring

Spoiler: show

Posted: **Sat Nov 24, 2018 6:59 am**

Cant say I know much about gravel bikes and commuting distance by bike, but why buy a bike designed for off road gravel tracks, for commuting on tarmmac? Why not buy commuting bike, with decent panniers, so you don't have stuff on your back? Also gears, why buy a single on the front, which will widen the gaps between gears on the rear? Narrow ratios are way nicer to have....

Posted: **Sat Nov 24, 2018 8:06 am**

Leffe wrote:Cant say I know much about gravel bikes and commuting distance by bike, but why buy a bike designed for off road gravel tracks, for commuting on tarmmac? Why not buy commuting bike, with decent panniers, so you don't have stuff on your back? Also gears, why buy a single on the front, which will widen the gaps between gears on the rear? Narrow ratios are way nicer to have....

I prefer a heavier bike for commuting with Disc brakes. Also, this can be used for off-road.

And I said I wasn't sold on single on the front.

My preference is this:

Simply put, Gravel-grinders (AKA All-Road, Adventure Road or Dirt-Road-Racers) are like a beefed-up Road bike, built to handle the rigours of off-road use. If you’re familiar with the CX (Cylcocross) category which are designed for tight handling and sharp climbs, Gravel-grinders are in the same league but designed for performance over longer distances.

The features that make these bikes perfect for dirty distance racing across varied terrain also make them perfect for all-conditions commuting. So whether you have a fast 15 kilometre daily ride over less-than-perfect tarmac, or want to get out and explore a range of off-road terrains at the weekend - the Granite 3.0 is the one bike that will reliably take you there and get you back again.

Posted: **Sat Nov 24, 2018 12:23 pm**

I was gonna buy a gravel bike for commuting, basically it's nice to have a sturdy bike, with a bit of performance and with the comfort of slightly wider tires (and I would have also tried out a few trails). Resistance in the household means I had to pick my battles. Dunno if I'm arsed with a commuting bike with panniers, looks shite to me. Currently commuting on my road bike, some punctures have really given me the hump though.

Posted: **Sat Nov 24, 2018 12:26 pm**

Bullettyme wrote:I was gonna buy a gravel bike for commuting, basically it's nice to have a sturdy bike, with a bit of performance and with the comfort of slightly wider tires (and I would have also tried out a few trails). Resistance in the household means I had to pick my battles. Dunno if I'm arsed with a commuting bike with panniers, looks shite to me. Currently commuting on my road bike, some punctures have really given me the hump though.

Seriously I have never had a puncture with schwalbe marathon tyres

Posted: **Sat Nov 24, 2018 12:33 pm**

Yeah but they are slow as. For 'promuters' like me, it's GP4000s year-round and reap the benefits of cornering grip and low rolling resistance*. But not for much longer it seems.

*Any time saving from going quicker may or may not be offset by having to fix punctures from time to time

Posted: **Sat Nov 24, 2018 12:36 pm**

I commute on a 48-17 and have been looking at 1x to give a little bit of variation for the wetter and winder seasons. The less bits to wear out the better and the gravel ranges look ideal especially when the potholes are hidden in the wet and dark.

Posted: **Sat Nov 24, 2018 12:39 pm**

Yeah I've got 4000s on at the moment and they're just coming to the end of their lifespan. I use my bike for commuting and weekend fun so not sure I'd want to lash some marathons on. Probably would try them if I get a dedicated commuting bike though.

As an aside, the 17km each way commutes are great for maintaining the auld fitness.

Posted: **Sat Nov 24, 2018 12:39 pm**

Might it be worthwhile getting some “commuting” wheels? Take up less space than a whole bike. Swap out at the weekend for a road ride.

Now here’s the clever bit; you actually buy a super fancy pair of road wheels (Ksyriums, or Zipps, or whatever) and the stock wheels that came with your bike become your Monday-Friday wheels (with a pair of 28c Gatorskins or Marathons on them for puncture-proofing and pothole-beating) while your new ones are your weekend wheels.

Posted: **Sat Nov 24, 2018 1:28 pm**

Womack wrote:Yeah but they are slow as. For 'promuters' like me, it's GP4000s year-round and reap the benefits of cornering grip and low rolling resistance*. But not for much longer it seems.

*Any time saving from going quicker may or may not be offset by having to fix punctures from time to time

I'm a commuter myself and what I don't want is to have replace a tube on the way to the office.

Posted: **Sat Nov 24, 2018 3:07 pm**

DOB wrote:Might it be worthwhile getting some “commuting” wheels? Take up less space than a whole bike. Swap out at the weekend for a road ride.

Now here’s the clever bit; you actually buy a super fancy pair of road wheels (Ksyriums, or Zipps, or whatever) and the stock wheels that came with your bike become your Monday-Friday wheels (with a pair of 28c Gatorskins or Marathons on them for puncture-proofing and pothole-beating) while your new ones are your weekend wheels.

Now that is an idea I like. Had been considering it since wheels were my most likely upgrade in 2019. Bit easier to store which is a plus when you have a missus that jus about barely tolerates a bike in the hallway.

Posted: **Sat Nov 24, 2018 3:25 pm**

Bullettyme wrote:
DOB wrote:Might it be worthwhile getting some “commuting” wheels? Take up less space than a whole bike. Swap out at the weekend for a road ride.

Now here’s the clever bit; you actually buy a super fancy pair of road wheels (Ksyriums, or Zipps, or whatever) and the stock wheels that came with your bike become your Monday-Friday wheels (with a pair of 28c Gatorskins or Marathons on them for puncture-proofing and pothole-beating) while your new ones are your weekend wheels.
Now that is an idea I like. Had been considering it since wheels were my most likely upgrade in 2019. Bit easier to store which is a plus when you have a missus that jus about barely tolerates a bike in the hallway.

Yup. And then when you finally move into a bigger place “now can I get that commuting bike you wouldn’t let me buy before, so I’m not locking up the good bike at work...?”

Posted: **Mon Nov 26, 2018 2:09 am**

And after doing a test-ride out to my new job (hence the commute), the realities of needing a gravel-grinder are there.

The bike path disappears for 3/4 of the route - it's supposedly a shared path down the main arterial corridor from the south. Much of the pathway has 2" minimum between slabs every 10m. Horrendous.

I'm actually going to have to detour by 4km to get onto the one, global grade segregated bike path which runs parallel to my route.

On the plus-side, there is a swish new bridge right into the secure bike parking (in a carpark) on the 3rd floor. I get an extra secure spot with a swipe card.

Looking forward to it nonetheless.

Posted: **Mon Nov 26, 2018 4:18 pm**

Sounds like you need somethign that's quite robust then! A mate of mine has a Canondale gravel bike with a Leftie; he loves it in fairness and uses it to commute.

Posted: **Tue Nov 27, 2018 6:02 am**

Leffe wrote:Sounds like you need somethign that's quite robust then! A mate of mine has a Canondale gravel bike with a Leftie; he loves it in fairness and uses it to commute.

TBH, whilst I like the look of the Bombtrack, I've done a lot of research on the Reid and it's a local made bike with a store I can go and check it out.

Posted: **Tue Nov 27, 2018 7:06 am**

The Reid looks good. My question would be is it worth paying nearly double for the 3.0 over the 2.0, if the only difference comes down to 105 vs Claris. You can buy a full 105 group for less than the change between.

Posted: **Tue Nov 27, 2018 7:34 am**

DOB wrote:The Reid looks good. My question would be is it worth paying nearly double for the 3.0 over the 2.0, if the only difference comes down to 105 vs Claris. You can buy a full 105 group for less than the change between.

I am going to persist with my MTB until the new year - I'm hoping they bring out a 4.0 and drop the price on the 3.0

Posted: **Tue Nov 27, 2018 7:40 am**

They’ve just released a new 105. You’ll have more luck buying the 2.0 and getting a 105-5800 group for <$400.

Posted: **Tue Nov 27, 2018 7:45 am**

DOB wrote:They’ve just released a new 105. You’ll have more luck buying the 2.0 and getting a 105-5800 group for <$400.

Sounds good - I'll have a look

Posted: **Mon Dec 10, 2018 5:35 pm**

How's the winter going for everyone (in the NH)?

Had the day off today so went up the mountains. Got perfect conditions; not too cold, no wind, bright and no rain. But my condition was the most questionable, amazing g how a few weeks really affects you. Still getting some decent winter KMs in on the commute, and the odd Saturday or Sunday if the conditions are right (yeah yeah I'm fairweather).

Over 5000km for the year, hoping to get as close to 6000km as possible in the last few weeks of the year.

Posted: **Mon Dec 10, 2018 6:43 pm**

Bullettyme wrote:How's the winter going for everyone (in the NH)?

Had the day off today so went up the mountains. Got perfect conditions; not too cold, no wind, bright and no rain. But my condition was the most questionable, amazing g how a few weeks really affects you. Still getting some decent winter KMs in on the commute, and the odd Saturday or Sunday if the conditions are right (yeah yeah I'm fairweather).

Over 5000km for the year, hoping to get as close to 6000km as possible in the last few weeks of the year.

Living in Houston the winter is great for me, we have a few more rain interruptions than the summer, but otherwise it's good riding weather. I'm currently at 7,800 miles for the year, I'll probably end the year with 8,300+ miles if the weather cooperates over the Christmas break.

Posted: **Mon Dec 10, 2018 10:23 pm**

Bullettyme wrote:How's the winter going for everyone (in the NH)?

Had the day off today so went up the mountains. Got perfect conditions; not too cold, no wind, bright and no rain. But my condition was the most questionable, amazing g how a few weeks really affects you. Still getting some decent winter KMs in on the commute, and the odd Saturday or Sunday if the conditions are right (yeah yeah I'm fairweather).

Over 5000km for the year, hoping to get as close to 6000km as possible in the last few weeks of the year.

I've just bought a Turbo trainer for the first time to try and retain some fitness over winter. I really can't see another way despite how tedious they are. I'll give Zwift a try.

Just back from 1 month cycling in Vietnam, Lao & Thailand. Some pretty tough days as there's plenty of hilly terrain however the 1500km covered means I'm going to end up just short of 5000km for the year (unless you include cycling round town and to the pub/rugby) but will be close.

Posted: **Tue Dec 11, 2018 1:19 am**

Weather's not really an obstacle to riding right now, though the fires would have been. It's more an issue of time not being my own at the moment with 2 kids and a 3rd on the way. So I just get to look at bikes online and dream about rides I'd love to... HOLY SHIT THERE'S A NEW LEGO MOUNTAIN BIKE!!! I MUST HAVE IT!!! WHERE CAN I GET ONE?

Posted: **Tue Dec 11, 2018 2:37 am**

Someone's just uploaded an old bicycle guide to Gutenberg with the ultimate in hipster fixies (can't believe I haven't seen modern versions of these!)

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/58444

Edit: seems I can’t link pics... chainless bikes and other old school specs here: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/58444/58 ... 8444-h.htm

Posted: **Tue Dec 11, 2018 8:25 am**

Have now converted to MTG, so getting a good spin every Sat still. Single spinning class sun and a double spinning on Wed. We'll this is the plan...

Here are a couple of NL MTB single track courses that I go to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLRtZ6IkJjU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YsVQjSb1-w

Posted: **Tue Dec 11, 2018 8:39 am**

Bullettyme wrote:How's the winter going for everyone (in the NH)?

Had the day off today so went up the mountains. Got perfect conditions; not too cold, no wind, bright and no rain. But my condition was the most questionable, amazing g how a few weeks really affects you. Still getting some decent winter KMs in on the commute, and the odd Saturday or Sunday if the conditions are right (yeah yeah I'm fairweather).

Over 5000km for the year, hoping to get as close to 6000km as possible in the last few weeks of the year.

Trapped femoral nerve has meant I haven't been on the bike for a month, really painful. Weight starting to go up which is never ideal.
Applying for VIP spot on the London 100, that will be my main target for next year and cracking <5 hours. The weather put pay to that this year.

Posted: **Tue Dec 11, 2018 8:48 am**

Way down on my goal for the year having done about 2,000 miles.

Bucket list target is to do LEJOG next July with 2 good friends which means some serious training in the new year.

Given the current state of the roads round here, seriously contemplating a gravel bike as N+1.

Posted: **Tue Dec 11, 2018 9:10 am**

DOB wrote:Weather's not really an obstacle to riding right now, though the fires would have been. It's more an issue of time not being my own at the moment with 2 kids and a 3rd on the way. So I just get to look at bikes online and dream about rides I'd love to... HOLY SHIT THERE'S A NEW LEGO MOUNTAIN BIKE!!! I MUST HAVE IT!!! WHERE CAN I GET ONE?

Congrats DOB, another one in the trailer will definitely maximise the fitness gainz!

Posted: **Tue Dec 11, 2018 9:27 am**

Nieghorn wrote:Someone's just uploaded an old bicycle guide to Gutenberg with the ultimate in hipster fixies (can't believe I haven't seen modern versions of these!)

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/58444

Edit: seems I can’t link pics... chainless bikes and other old school specs here: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/58444/58 ... 8444-h.htm

They were actually not displaying, then they were - odd.

The drive shaft one you see in the NL, apparently they're very good but they are entirely enclosed.

There's a big scene here for bikes that look like these old designs, low swung bars and big springs on the saddles.

Posted: **Tue Dec 11, 2018 10:27 am**

Have just been commuting most days, 23 mile round trip. Very flat and stop start, OK for maintaining a bare minimum fitness but I've still been piling on a bit of weight. Will look to get out on the MTB at least once a week in addition to the commute once Xmas is out of the way. Milage this year won't be a high, but will have been boosted by the last few months of commuting.

Posted: **Mon Dec 17, 2018 11:44 am**

Came a cropper this morning again. Waiting for a red light to turn green and a delivery van cut the corner and hit me square on. I was completely stationary. Absolutely terrifying but no damage to the bike, but some bruises. He said it was my fault, suppose I was quite far forward but I don't think it was particularly hard to see me and not crash into me. Maybe my bike is cursed? Two accidents this year.

Posted: **Mon Dec 17, 2018 11:50 am**

Bullettyme wrote:Came a cropper this morning again. Waiting for a red light to turn green and a delivery van cut the corner and hit me square on. I was completely stationary. Absolutely terrifying but no damage to the bike, but some bruises. He said it was my fault, suppose I was quite far forward but I don't think it was particularly hard to see me and not crash into me. Maybe my bike is cursed? Two accidents this year.

Did you bother reporting it? If he has cut the corner it is his fault regardless of where you are, particularly if you are stationary. Assuming its urban then its likely to be on CCTV.

People that drive for a living should be held to a much higher standard than everyone else as well IMO

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