Bike question

[vickster]

Join a road club !!, not good enough for that !!

They have different levels and speeds. Otherwise there are more touring or freewheeling groups. And one off sky rides

Just avoid the racing groups and chain gangs

How far and how fast do you ride currently?

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Kona seem to have a good reputation as a brand and the Jake seems popular with owners when what CX threads come up.

 

[Mikesshed]

Tyres are Continental Speed king, come with the bike, I am very much a beginner, only started riding 2 weeks ago, just around local roads, about 2 miles, felt like death after, just did 7.5 miles, some hills, didnt stop for any, felt OK, can go further

 

[Mikesshed]

I have a triple at front, only used the middle one so far, top one seems scarily fast, resisting using small one

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I have a triple at front, only used the middle one so far, top one seems scarily fast, resisting using small one

Don't feel that using the inner ring is wrong, correct gearing gives you a fully usable range for all conditions, I ride a triple and use all but the really low gearing (and it really is low for a road bike), having said that I do tend to ride on the middle front ring 80-90% of the time, but this is simply because of how I have set the gearing up over the years, but I will (and do) use the inner ring for better cadence control up longer climbs (not that we have any here), range and ratios thats the beauty of triples, I have been looking a CX bikes and very few have triples (at my price point) so looking at another £200+ to convert one.

 

[Mikesshed]

I do think of the inner ring as a bit defeatist, but did use it the other day, just to try, changer seemed to struggle getting it back again, will get the hang of that, will use the inner ring now, when needed, my only limit is me, I intend to go and go and go, need padded shorts though

 

[Profpointy]

I do think of the inner ring as a bit defeatist, but did use it the other day, just to try, changer seemed to struggle getting it back again, will get the hang of that, will use the inner ring now, when needed, my only limit is me, I intend to go and go and go, need padded shorts though

. If you're struggling with the next gear up you're simply using the gears wrong - using the right gear isn't "defeatism" it's just being efficient and hence able to go further and faster. I do understand the psychology though, with my old 10 speed, I didn't like to onto the very lowest gear, as I felt I'd then have nothing in reserve - this is of course nonsense

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@Mikesshed have a look at these great value http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CLPXRLBS/on-one-raceline-bib-shorts and good I have three pairs.

 

[Mikesshed]

Certainly is all in the mind, which is holding me back, I will not allow myself to be held back

 

[vickster]

Just use the gears to ride comfortably on the terrain you are riding Of course going up steep hills might be decidedly uncomrtable and indeed hard/impossible on the lowest gear you have!

If struggling to change between chain rings, you may need to do some adjustments to the bike

 

[Mikesshed]

Need to gear up, still in Jeans!, need short and something to hold stuff in, food, puncture repair, tools, inner tubes

 

[vickster]

Saddle bag and a tri bag for stuff. Or if planning longer trips with a big lock etc, rack and panniers

Nothing wrong with riding in jeans if comfortable, we all did it as kids :-)

 

[Nibor]

you would be surprised what some folk fit in a jersey pocket

 

[Mikesshed]

Never had a Jersey with a pocket !

 

[vickster]

Just be wary of putting hard stuff in there, especially a smart phone! Bananas ok, just squish if landed on!