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

[Nigelnaturist]

Well my B.B. is goosed after only 5,500 miles as far as I can remember, I did 5473 on the one I got last year for a the lower geared chainset, I replaced that about May with the original which has done 4,716 miles since then, plus what I did on it from 2008 to July last year (2012).
More expense.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Did my usual Weds run to Chertsey. While there got a call from Dad (91 years old) can I come. Unfortunately at his age these are coming too frequently.
I went, he was expecting the Doc, nurse came (for a different issue), Aobut to leave and the Doc came. Unfortuantely I expect more of these.
We to Chemist and back and then back home
14.5 miles at 12 mph

My knee is still playing up - this dates back to Sun before last. I will have to ease of on cycling to try to improve it. Dog walkng does not help either.
Might get elasticated knee support.

Sorry to hear about your Dad, it was the same with mine, though not as old. It at times like these you want to perform well, not because of speeds distances ect. just so you know you can be there.

 

[fivepence]

Managed get out for a few miles this afternoon in the rain and wind. Looking outside now it seems to be clearing off - those are the breaks

http://www.strava.com/activities/87965470

 

[Mo1959]

Well my B.B. is goosed after only 5,500 miles as far as I can remember, I did 5473 on the one I got last year for a the lower geared chainset, I replaced that about May with the original which has done 4,716 miles since then, plus what I did on it from 2008 to July last year (2012).
More expense.

This is the side of cycling that I worry about too. People who only cycle shortish rides very occasionally can probably get years out of components that those of us doing biggish miles are only getting months out of The other day when I was out and the roads were very wet and mucky I could actually start to hear the chain getting gritty and grinding a bit. Everything just wears out so much quicker when you are putting miles in in all weathers unfortunately.

I can only real afford one smallish expense each month. My Durano Plus are starting to look a bit square, especially at the back. 5600 miles on them and I feel I should probably replace them next month rather than risk starting to get punctures in the nastier weather.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

This is the side of cycling that I worry about too. People who only cycle shortish rides very occasionally can probably get years out of components that those of us doing biggish miles are only getting months out of The other day when I was out and the roads were very wet and mucky I could actually start to hear the chain getting gritty and grinding a bit. Everything just wears out so much quicker when you are putting miles in in all weathers unfortunately.

I can only real afford one smallish expense each month. My Durano Plus are starting to look a bit square, especially at the back. 5600 miles on them and I feel I should probably replace them next month rather than risk starting to get punctures in the nastier weather.

You can get a new for the front and move the front to the rear.
I can get a cheap BB from halfords for a £10 but its unlikely to last any longer, though I dont think it's any lower quality.

Just ordered this one
http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/165/bbun53b13/shimano-un55-square-taper-bottom-bracket.html

Leaves me just enough to get some new front brake blocks.

 

[stevey]

Just an update went to local decathlon show the o/h the tribans, does not like the colour..... so i have given up for now when she see's one she likes i'll know
On the other hand i have whittled down my choice of N+1 bikes to these

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Merida-Race-Lite-904-2013-Road-Bike_55258.htm

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-Caad8-Tiagra-2013-Road-Bike_56418.htm

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Defy-1-2014-Road-Bike_64838.htm

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Felt-F75-2014-Road-Bike_67291.htm

Unfortunatly LBs by me doesn't stock any of these and the other one doesn't allow test rides.....

So will be a case of online ordering

 

[Stonechat]

I have as a sort of exercise looked at road bikes in case I get a bike to complement my hybrid.
I have to eliminate all 2 chainring bikes as they don't give me the gearing I have now to get me up hills
Smallest chainring at front = 28
Largest at back = 30
I know I can change gears, seems to be pointless to get something that needs changing though

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I have as a sort of exercise looked at road bikes in case I get a bike to complement my hybrid.
I have to eliminate all 2 chainring bikes as they don't give me the gearing I have now to get me up hills
Smallest chainring at front = 28
Largest at back = 30
I know I can change gears, seems to be pointless to get something that needs changing though

The bike you buy is just the starting point. I started riding last year with a 26x34 at one point, these days very rarely do I use the 30x28, even the 40x28 ( or 30x21 which i would use instead as I then have options either side of it) I can climb everything around here, well with in a short ride.
You can get a 9sp 11-34 cassette which on a compact double is 26.3" compared with your 24.55" though it might entail putting a rear M.T.B. mech on. Staying with a triple 9sp (new Sora) the rear mech only does upto 27th the tiagra I belive will do 32th. and a 30x32 gives you 24.66", so you may need to change something to get low to 26"
A 10 sp tiagra should give you the options of either a 30x32 (24.66") or 34x32 (27.94"), though I believe you would need to change the cassette as most road bikes wouldn't come with this as standard, though I might possible be wrong as I dont know all the combinations that suppliers offer.

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/9-speed-tiagra-11-32.117720/

 

[stevey]

Been given the green light to order..... Next year for the summer, (may/june) start saving then.

 

[stevey]

Is in Wales for the day .... Aberystwyth to be exact now to find a bike shop.... ..... Would love to tackle some of the hills.....

 

[Stonechat]

I am going to have cyclin pause to try to improve my knees better.

Is in Wales for the day .... Aberystwyth to be exact now to find a bike shop.... ..... Would love to tackle some of the hills.....

I admire the enthusiasm for hills.
I can never quite get that. I am pleased with the progress I have made but it is still a big weakness. As you may have seen , I am having a few days off to see if knees will improve.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I am going to have cyclin pause to try to improve my knees better.

I admire the enthusiasm for hills.
I can never quite get that. I am pleased with the progress I have made but it is still a bog weakness. As you may have seen , I am having a few days off to see if knees will improve.

It takes time, took me a long time.

It were a bit parky and windy this morning. Initially I thought my lower average speed was do to the wind, but when I put the data in the spreadsheet I climbed 60.81ft/mile which is just over 14ft/mile more than my average. So quite happy with 14.3mph over 31.3miles and just over 2,000ft gain, considering the wind on top.

 

[Goonerobes]

The wind certainly made for an interesting ride on todays little jaunt, especially the cross winds when me & the bike combined weigh less than 80kgs!

http://www.strava.com/activities/88177702

 

[Nigelnaturist]

The wind certainly made for an interesting ride on todays little jaunt, especially the cross winds when me & the bike combined weigh less than 80kgs!

http://www.strava.com/activities/88177702

My bike would need to weigh less than 4Kgs

 

[Goonerobes]

My bike would need to weigh less than 4Kgs

Its probably all those conkers you've got in your pockets Nigel!