Show us your.......newbie progress! [4 Sep 2012 - 4 Oct 2014]

[Nigelnaturist]

I know I know! I should count my blessings. Once upon a time we had a great gardener, a good window cleaner and a lady who did a smashing job of cleaning the house. It's hard finding these people in a little village in the sticks. If we moved into town it would be easy. I have no idea why anyone in this part of the world should be unemployed (apart from illness/disability, age infirmity etc) if they can turn their hands to odd-jobbing. People here just cannot get small jobs carried out and it is blooming frustrating. We can do all these things ourselves of course but a) we hate all of them and b) we are at a time of our life when we want to chill a bit. Actually I'm lying - we are just lazy B's!

Only problem is there is so much health and safety and basic qualifications needed so there is no come back on the person doing the job. I do hope you get things sorted though.
@Mo1959
I am impressed with these shoes, I know they arn't road shoes, but look better than the ones I had, I also found because they are stiffer I was getting a better cadence and it seemed more power getting to the rear wheel, also less movement in the shoe, less movement on the pedal, it's all got to help.
The first part of my little jaunt was into a very stiff headwind (much the same as last night though a little stronger) and then a bit of steep climb (this is after removing a tree trunk that was half way across the carriageway) so the first two 5km splits were a little slow but after that the next two were 17.6mph and 17.5mph with an avg cad of 86 and 88, the final split was 16.7mph 88rpm but this included the climb up to the house, with a little shopping, so I had mudguards, rack and panniers for all the way plus a little shopping for the last mile, overall 16.43 miles @ 15.8 avg cad 83. No quicker than most of my rides, but certainly a lot smoother for the most part.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Just like to add too what @BrianEvesham has said....Good luck to all doing the London ride 100 this w/end hope it all goes well and above all have fun

Ditto

I am but @Nomadski recommends the multi-direction release ones. I'm sure he'll fill you in soon, although may be a little busy over the next couple of days (London100)

To be honest you get used to them, I have had a couple of close calls one nearly but the gate post helped.

 

[Nomadski]

A ticking over ride last night http://app.strava.com/activities/71475502

One thing i would like to change though is getting some clipless pedals and shoes Currently using my MTB pedals at the moment and they really are begining to hurt my feet.

Maybe somthing like these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-r540-spd-sl-sport-pedals/

And these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-m10-mountain-bike-cycling-shoe/

As others have pointed out, you have got SPD-SL pedals and SPD shoes there.

My shoes are Shimano RT82 - http://www.tweekscycles.com/Product...d Bike Shoes&gclid=CNr-86q937gCFfMdtAod_EoAWw

They have the best of both worlds, they are light, thin and stiff as hell, like typical road (SPD SL) shoes, keeping your foot nice and flat, minimising arcing, while at the same time they have recessed cleat positioning like MTB shoes (SPDs).

The pedals I have are Shimano M540 - http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k417/a970/pd-m540-pedals-silver.html which are light and double sided.

As with any SPD combo, get the multi release cleats and set release tension on both sides of pedals to the lightest and the words 'clipless moment' will have no meaning to you. (http://www.tweekscycles.com/Product...Pedal Cleats&gclid=CIaUgpS_37gCFYfMtAodGEAAfA).

Anyone who has purchased these will tell you they should be THE defacto standard with any SPD shoe.

If you go with SPD SL then cant really help you as never been in that camp, there are little advantages to each system historically (SPDs used to all be big MTB type trainers and not stiff) but IMO the only single advantage left in SPD SL is they are slightly more adaptable with having 3 connections to the shoe, so slightly more adaptable to positioning.

Also consider if you want dual sided pedals like mine are, or single sided ones. Do you want to nip to shops for bread with trainers on, with your bike? You can get single sided SPD or SPD SL pedals.

Just make sure you choose the pedal, then the right type of shoe.

andifyouchoosespdgetmultireleasecleats!

 

[stevey]

As others have pointed out, you have got SPD-SL pedals and SPD shoes there.

My shoes are Shimano RT82 - http://www.tweekscycles.com/Product.do?method=view&n=3390&g=330332&p=330322&c=215&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Base&utm_campaign=Road Bike Shoes&gclid=CNr-86q937gCFfMdtAod_EoAWw

They have the best of both worlds, they are light, thin and stiff as hell, like typical road (SPD SL) shoes, keeping your foot nice and flat, minimising arcing, while at the same time they have recessed cleat positioning like MTB shoes (SPDs).

The pedals I have are Shimano M540 - http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k417/a970/pd-m540-pedals-silver.html which are light and double sided.

As with any SPD combo, get the multi release cleats and set release tension on both sides of pedals to the lightest and the words 'clipless moment' will have no meaning to you. (http://www.tweekscycles.com/Product.do?method=view&n=3468&p=32833&c=215&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Base&utm_campaign=Pedal Cleats&gclid=CIaUgpS_37gCFYfMtAodGEAAfA).

Anyone who has purchased these will tell you they should be THE defacto standard with any SPD shoe.

If you go with SPD SL then cant really help you as never been in that camp, there are little advantages to each system historically (SPDs used to all be big MTB type trainers and not stiff) but IMO the only single advantage left in SPD SL is they are slightly more adaptable with having 3 connections to the shoe, so slightly more adaptable to positioning.

Also consider if you want dual sided pedals like mine are, or single sided ones. Do you want to nip to shops for bread with trainers on, with your bike? You can get single sided SPD or SPD SL pedals.

Just make sure you choose the pedal, then the right type of shoe.

andifyouchoosespdgetmultireleasecleats!

Thanks @Nomadski for the detailed response appreicated will have a look at the shoe's and cleats/pedals you mentioned

 

[User28924]

Good ride today, got a bunch of PRs for the first time in a while; found a great descent nearby that's a huge amount of fun. I felt very worried hitting a corner at 30mph, exhilarating at the time, thought about the potential consequences after: I think I'll brake earlier next time. Had the beginnings of a headache half way round, but I think it was dehydration fortunately (never thought I'd say that!).

Hope everyone's enjoying their rides!

http://app.strava.com/activities/71674906

Edit:

Thanks @Nomadski for the detailed response appreicated will have a look at the shoe's and cleats/pedals you mentioned

I've been using
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-r20c-carbon-road-cycling-shoe/
and
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-r540-spd-sl-sport-pedals/

Had them for a 1000 miles, and they've been great so far (throwing it out there!).
Oh, also, it's perfectly possible to cycle a few miles in trainers on those spd-sl pedals I linked too. It is however damned impossible to walk any distance in the shoes; up and down a few flights of stairs is all I do in them, to get in and out.
.

 

[Nomadski]

Thanks @Nomadski for the detailed response appreicated will have a look at the shoe's and cleats/pedals you mentioned

I think @themosquitoking has got similar shoes to mine, but they have a little more grip on the shoe (like regular trainers). Not that I have had any issue with slippage in mine, but just to give you options may be worth hearing from him once he returns from fixing his puncture ridden cycling holiday venture at the weekend (he did 15 miles and had 5 punctures...!).

Ill try find his particular brand for you to peruse.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@Nomadski well I currently have these pedals shimano-a530

Double sided, and just got these shoes HBH MTB Cycling Shoes For £34.95

 

[Nomadski]

@Nomadski well I currently have these pedals shimano-a530
View attachment 27130
Double sided, and just got these shoes HBH MTB Cycling Shoes For £34.95
View attachment 27133

I believe they are the same pedals as @themosquitoking. If they are the double sided variety. Seem like very nice pedals, basically mine with the shell around it to give it an SPD SL appearance.

Good shoes, certainly better than mine for walking in wintry conditions, only thing why I wouldn't get them is they are back to the larger MTB style of shoe almost, its a personal preference thing but I prefer as slim and streamline as possible. Probably why I went with ones without large grips on the bottom.

 

[boybiker]

I've missed out on some miles today as I didn't go to work due to a job interview. I've got to go to the post office collection place to collect a parcel tomorrow so I will get a few miles under my belt. Last month was my first 1000KM month which I'm pretty happy with.

Good luck to everyone taking part in Ride London, I'm sure you will all do fine .

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I believe they are the same pedals as @themosquitoking. If they are the double sided variety. Seem like very nice pedals, basically mine with the shell around it to give it an SPD SL appearance.

Good shoes, certainly better than mine for walking in wintry conditions, only thing why I wouldn't get them is they are back to the larger MTB style of shoe almost, its a personal preference thing but I prefer as slim and streamline as possible. Probably why I went with ones without large grips on the bottom.

I agree personal choice, I have a correction to make about the pedals they are single sided cleats and flat on the other, though to be honest I never have used the flats, apart from when they have presented themselves on the flat end, usually when setting off from a junction, though the tendency is to present the cleat side, just me being naff with pedals. I think the A520 is a better looking pedal.

I do go to the photo group, and the therapy group so I need something I can walk in, compared with what I had HBH Leisure Cycling Shoes

they are a completely different animal good support, good fit and they seem to transfer more power to the wheel, or maybe I was just having a good ride.

Edit, I did have clips when I first got the above.

 

[shelliemac]

I've missed out on some miles today as I didn't go to work due to a job interview. I've got to go to the post office collection place to collect a parcel tomorrow so I will get a few miles under my belt. Last month was my first 1000KM month which I'm pretty happy with.

Good luck to everyone taking part in Ride London, I'm sure you will all do fine .

Good luck for interview and well done on 1000KM month. I am aiming for 100miles a month LOL

 

[RWright]

I got in a late ride, took off without front headlights and ended up riding a lot of the ride in the dark with only a tail light, not smart I know but it could have been worse The state has cleaned up my bypass track They mowed it, got all the busted tires and wires, and about every bit of the paper, it is the cleanest I have ever seen it. It made riding in the dark much less of an adventure. Now I can even consider going to a softer compound tire too. I am going to call the DOT lady Monday and thank her and tell her they did a great job. I may even ask her if she has ever considered running for Governor.

 

[Mo1959]

(he did 15 miles and had 5 punctures...!).

Maybe you could also find out what tyres he was using so we can all avoid them!

 

[Twotter]

I'm very much a beginner to cycling and so far my longest ride was 17 miles two weeks ago, which took me 90 minutes on my old mountain bike fitted with road tyres. Since then I've not ridden at all as it has been windy and I've not felt comfortable on the roads, even the quiet ones we have here in Fenland. But after a sleepless night I thought what the heck and braved a bit of wind. Managed 12.4 miles (the .4 matters!) in just over an hour with half of that into a headwind. Sore butt, aching palms and feeling rather tired, but happy to be riding again

 

[Nigelnaturist]

One other thing with the new shoes, loads of creaks have gone.