Any little gains with these ideas.

[Kbrook]

I have been road biking for about 3 months or just less. I am addicted, if I am not riding I am on the forum searching for my next bike or tips on how to climb better or go a bit quicker. In those 3 months I have gone from just under 16st to just under 14 and a half, and my average speed has gone from about 13mph to yesterday's 16 mph over a 40 mile route in the wind. So I am well pleased so far.

I find I cant really do to long rides on consecutive days my legs still need a rest, by long rides I mean anywhere from 35- 60 miles. Is that normal or do some on here do that on consecutive days ?

I would still like to climb better, I still find myself in my bottom gear quite often spinning up hills, but there have been occasions when I have been in bottom gear out of the saddle just to turn the pedals. Don't like that feeling as being clipped in I know what will happen if I stop! My gearing is now ok I have a compact front and a 12/28 rear, so that should be ok for anything should it not? Also like having the feeling of having a gear in reserve as well!

A couple of questions, I am currently using SPD mountain bike style pedals with the two cleat shoes, will switching to the road specific pedals and shoes deliver more power or not make a blind bit of difference?

I have weighed my bike and with pump, saddle bag etc it weighs 24.4 LBS is that heavy? I am currently looking a new bikes or just upgrading my wheels which weigh in at 2.1kg according to the Ribble site, are they heavy, any potential gains to be made there?

 

[ianrauk]

A couple of questions, I am currently using SPD mountain bike style pedals with the two cleat shoes, will switching to the road specific pedals and shoes deliver more power or not make a blind bit of difference?

No difference what so ever.

 

[HLaB]

I have been road biking for about 3 months or just less. I am addicted, if I am not riding I am on the forum searching for my next bike or tips on how to climb better or go a bit quicker. In those 3 months I have gone from just under 16st to just under 14 and a half, and my average speed has gone from about 13mph to yesterday's 16 mph over a 40 mile route in the wind. So I am well pleased so far.

I find I cant really do to long rides on consecutive days my legs still need a rest, by long rides I mean anywhere from 35- 60 miles. Is that normal or do some on here do that on consecutive days ?

I would still like to climb better, I still find myself in my bottom gear quite often spinning up hills, but there have been occasions when I have been in bottom gear out of the saddle just to turn the pedals. Don't like that feeling as being clipped in I know what will happen if I stop! My gearing is now ok I have a compact front and a 12/28 rear, so that should be ok for anything should it not? Also like having the feeling of having a gear in reserve as well!

A couple of questions, I am currently using SPD mountain bike style pedals with the two cleat shoes, will switching to the road specific pedals and shoes deliver more power or not make a blind bit of difference?

I have weighed my bike and with pump, saddle bag etc it weighs 24.4 LBS is that heavy? I am currently looking a new bikes or just upgrading my wheels which weigh in at 2.1kg according to the Ribble site, are they heavy, any potential gains to be made there?

Lots on here (and cyclist elsewhere) do consecutive days but they have built up to it, don't expect it to come overnight; you are making good progress and eventually you may want tol do consecutive days to.

12/28 with a compact will be able to get up all things in time. As to running out of gears I hate that too and try to get in the habit of flicking up gear when I stand up or the going gets easier so I always have at least one to fall back onto.

As to pedals the switch to road from mtb wont make any difference the shoe might, road shoes can be stiffer. If you like the spd mtb system, more walkable etc try getting a stiffer soled pair of mtb shoes. FWIW I use Specialized BG Sport MTB shoes.

24.4lbs (11kg) is not the lightest or heaviest its about the middle of the ground and take away the extras its quite light. A wheel upgrade will be the best upgrade IMO if you like the frame.

 

[Kbrook]

Cheers, I am now thinking new wheels rather than new bike for now, at least I can reuse the wheels when I do change. Best wheels suggestions at a sensible price, max about £200 I suppose. How much to change the cassette over to the new wheel?

Mind you I have just seen a picture of a Kuota carbon... Like that a lot!

 

[Sittingduck]

LBS should be able to swap a cassette over for no more than about a tenner, imho. There will be loads of different answers to the best wheels question but I would personally just keep on doing what you are doing and keep on going through the Winter. You will likely be fitter by the time the Spring comes, so treat yourself to new wheels then, if you still feel you need them? Spend money on decent tyres when the current ones wear out. RE the mileage - Rome wasn't built in a day... just carry on and listen to your body. If you feel tired - take a rest day.

 

[Kbrook]

Thanks for that help, very sensible. Can I ask an unrelated question, is there a site that lists all sportive type events, I thought that the British cycling site did, but just discovered a sportive King of the Pennines that is run by Evans that is to on there, and another nearby that also isn't on there. Do they have to run by them to be on here? Is there a more complete list of events?

Ps dont think I am up to the King of the Pennines event just yet!

 

[HLaB]

Cheers, I am now thinking new wheels rather than new bike for now, at least I can reuse the wheels when I do change. Best wheels suggestions at a sensible price, max about £200 I suppose. How much to change the cassette over to the new wheel?

Mind you I have just seen a picture of a Kuota carbon... Like that a lot!

A couple of times in the distant past I've hed a cassette/freewheel that I couldn't remove and got a shop to loosen them and they've done it free of charge Its not a complicated time consuming job so I doubt a good lbs would charge much.
Mavic Askiums, Fulcrum 7, Planet X Model B's and Campag Khasims are all good wheels without going overboard on price; well within your budget, like but as SD says treat yourself to them in the new year

 

[Sittingduck]

Thanks for that help, very sensible. Can I ask an unrelated question, is there a site that lists all sportive type events, I thought that the British cycling site did, but just discovered a sportive King of the Pennines that is run by Evans that is to on there, and another nearby that also isn't on there. Do they have to run by them to be on here? Is there a more complete list of events?

Ps dont think I am up to the King of the Pennines event just yet!

I believe Cyclosport.org is what you require...

http://www.cyclosport.org/

 

[Kbrook]

Cheers sitting duck

 

[vickster]

Thanks for that help, very sensible. Can I ask an unrelated question, is there a site that lists all sportive type events, I thought that the British cycling site did, but just discovered a sportive King of the Pennines that is run by Evans that is to on there, and another nearby that also isn't on there. Do they have to run by them to be on here? Is there a more complete list of events?

Ps dont think I am up to the King of the Pennines event just yet!

Cycling Active always has a list of sportives, plus other good route ideas. Cycle-route.com also good for self guided routes

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Cheers, I am now thinking new wheels rather than new bike for now, at least I can reuse the wheels when I do change. Best wheels suggestions at a sensible price, max about £200 I suppose. How much to change the cassette over to the new wheel?

Mind you I have just seen a picture of a Kuota carbon... Like that a lot!

Buy the tools do it yourself, it's one of the easiest jobs to do on a bike, if you can change a tyre you can change a cassette. Once you have the tools you save a tenner each time.
@Sittingduck
I am in the wrong business £60 an hr, where do you go to have cassettes changed, shouldn't take more than 10 mins, I can strip mine clean each cog and reassemble in pretty much that time, mind you took me absolutely ages to track down a creak.

 

[Sittingduck]

Buy the tools do it yourself, it's one of the easiest jobs to do on a bike, if you can change a tyre you can change a cassette. Once you have the tools you save a tenner each time.
@Sittingduck
I am in the wrong business £60 an hr, where do you go to have cassettes changed, shouldn't take more than 10 mins, I can strip mine clean each cog and reassemble in pretty much that time, mind you took me absolutely ages to track down a creak.

I change mine myself but was working on the assumption that the OP doesnt have a chain whip or lockring tool. You're right in that it's a simple and quick job but even LBS guy has to eat! Not worth doing any work for less than a few quid, is it...

 

[Kbrook]

Ordered a chain whip and lock ring tool so I shall do it myself. £7.35 from ebay!

 

[Mickthemove]

The British cycling website lists all sportives, you just have to filter it using the search facility down the left, bit fiddle but worth using that search filter.

 

[Rob3rt]

Quite frankly, the only real answer to this thread is ride your bike, more and more! You are, with the greatest respect, operating a fairly conservative level (as can be expected for someone with 3 months cycling experience) but improving at a considerable rate. Buying new wheels, new pedals, a different cassette etc is not really going to help you ride 60 miles on consecutive days or go up hills at that much quicker! Any minimal gain will be short term.

Ride your bike more and lose 2 stone and you will be going much better!

No difference what so ever.

Certainly not at that sort of level. Maybe minimal difference for a powerful rider.