Jargon

[Paul Narramore]

Since returning to cycling after a fifteen year break, I've realised just how much jargon there is. I've Googled AUDAX and now know what that is - long distance rides - but what on earth is FNRttC?

In my youth we used the words BONKING which mean't standing up on the pedals when riding uphill and BONK BAG, a thin cotton bag often called a MUSETTE carried on yer back.

What ever happen to CAMPAGNOLO or CAMPAG, the by-word in derailleur gears. Once Shimano became popular, did they go bust or are they still going?

I'm also puzzled by cycling shoes and pedals - see I told you that newcomers were often mystified - it's often assumed on websites and magazine that we know what everbody's talking about - I used to have ordinary steel pedals with shoes plus Christophe toe clips. The really keen riders had proper cycling shoes with small steel plates which had a groove in them. Now there seems to be a whole variety of pedals some look so small they appear painful. Some it seems you twist your foot to escape from, some seem to have devices buried in the sole of the shoe, and as for toe clips there are now half clips without straps. Please explain.

 

[garrilla]

Friday Night Rides to the Coast.

Many will now HONK up a hill getting out of the saddle and grind the bike into the road. For most, to BONK in the morning would be to take a training ride on just a cup of coffee and eat a light breakfast afterwards.

A BONK BAG is condom where I come from.

CAMPAG is still going, and is still the cream of the crop, but other manufacturers are more prevelent at the bottom end of the market.

Those Steel plates with grooves in them still exist but are mainly worn by bearded touring types. Now-a-days, cyclists who want to be fixed to the bike use CLIPLESS which, ironically enough, have a CLEAT that CLIPS IN to a PLATFORM and requires no STRAP or CAGE like in the olden days of yore. ALternatively, there are the modern vinyl moudled CAGE that attach to a flat PEDAL and provide some stability and support.

 

[accountantpete]

I wouldn't worry, just get a compact with sloping downtube geometry,carbon forks with a-head steerer,spd-sl's,campag record 11spd groupset,veloflex records and a pair of Zonda's with G3 on the rear.

Simples

 

[Randochap]

I also used to use leather shoes (festooned with "breathing" holes), aluminium cleats (I favoured the long TA "Anquitil" model), Christophe clips and Alfredo Binda straps.

Things have moved on. All these are now considered museum pieces, except by a few retro aficionados.

I've certainly used clipless pedals/shoes for 17 years ... and I was a late adopter. I also came late to "indexed" gearing.

Though I also have bikes with Shimano components, my main bikes, including my titanium "Randonnee" (another term for audax rides) are Campag equiped. Campag remains IMO the cream of the crop in competitive circles. However, and unfortunately, Campag do not provide for the tourist market.

The lowest stock campag gear is 27."

To "bonk" still means to run out of fuel. Unpleasant feeling. Follow the "eat before you're hungry" dictum and avoid it.

 

[Velorum]

I still use non indexed gears and toe clips/straps on my 1983 Galaxy and see no reason to change.

I also am still rather attached to 27" wheels.

I suppose I will have to accept the fact that I am living in a time warp.

So be it.

 

[youngoldbloke]

OP Paul, FYI, FNRttC = Friday Night Ride to the Coast. Useful thread for you at the moment = http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=2324
To get back up to speed, take a few minutes (hours) trawling through the many websites out there - The bike porn of the brands, components manufacturers such as Shimano, Campagnolo, Sram, Park Tool, etc etc, and the big online suppliers' lists - Wiggle, CRC, Ribble, PBK, etc etc, and you will soon get a feel for how things have changed, technology-wise, and fashion-wise. There has never been so much information so easily available .

 

[youngoldbloke]

- forgot to mention - also at the moment loads of Eurobike 09 show reports and pictures - have a look at Road CC, RCUK, Bike Radar, etc etc .......

 

[raindog]

In my youth we used the words BONKING which mean't standing up on the pedals when riding uphill and BONK BAG, a thin cotton bag often called a MUSETTE carried on yer back.

We always used to say honking when I were a lad for riding out of the saddle up hill, so maybe you misheard that one? Bonking out always was, and still is, not eating enough food and going all weak and trembly as a result.

I remember musettes as well, just enough room for a spare tub, a pump and a jam sammo.

 

[arallsopp]

Howdo.

Possibly a useful thread on acronyms here.

As for FNRttC. Well, its about the most fun you can have on two wheels, and for that reason, some people bring 3.

Oh, and welcome aboard! Please don't mind us if we bewilder you. We're friendly really.