Team BKool CycleChat

[<Tommy>]

He'll need a rack for all those shorts and saddles he is trying!

In light of this I've got a second suggestion.

 

[AAAC 76C]

In light of this I've got a second suggestion.

View attachment 348668

A Portaloo!

 

[AAAC 76C]

the toupe is very good I have the comp gel version before that I had the giant sl contact which I often got numbness with
not with toupe

I wear a toupe as well.
Keeps mi bonce toasters mate

 

[AAAC 76C]

[QUOTE="TurboTommy, post: 4771512, member: 46579]Not trying to scare you but I'd definitely buy a few pairs in different sizes and styles, pick a favourite, and send back the ones that don't work for you.
.[/QUOTE]

Two's up on your sweaty cast offs!

 

[AAAC 76C]

[QUOTE="TurboTommy, post: 4771512, member: ]Gloves are going to be important too.[/QUOTE]

Yep, Tom Boonen once told me that. Wouldn't do a Paris Roubaix without the best!

 

[AAAC 76C]

**UPDATE**

Boardman Carbon repair complete. paint job and lacquer complete. Rebuild complete. Set-up complete.

Real world test of 50 miles tomorrow..... erm.... ... .. . I'll get back to yer..

PS. For those amongst you who apprecatiate consistency.. I went to the pub today..

And what happens when you touch up a Boardman.
Does the monotone go up an octave?

 

[AAAC 76C]

For those that have not guessed, there is a Red Wine thing going on here.
I've been god for weeks now but have slipped back into depravity again on account of not getting a blue hat.

Edit. Remove god, insert good (getting above my station, again).

Edit, Edit: No way would God slip back into depravity on account that he has not been there before.

 

[berty bassett]

Still not certain if I can do the DD, but prep is going well, 320 miles in Majorca done including mountains, 83 mile flat sportive done, new bike with 29 cassette (but messed up and is running 52/36 on the front!). 23c fast rolling tyres at 100 psi. New saddle seems to be ok, new chaomis cream is good. Smaller saddle bag to stop me carryng extra unnessecary weight sorted. Many left over apple crumble flavoured gels from Majorca. Weight stable at 74kg.

I am guessing you are running campag
i dont know what the gradients are on this DD but i went up the lake district last year and found some 33%
i was running the same sort of ratio as you and it wasn't very nice at all - i have always took the 34 inner ring off and replaced with either 36 or 38 as there aint no proper hills around here but i am going to put 34 on for DD
i have at least one spare one if you want it - goes out to anyone else as well - campag only though
Also whorty i would consider detachable rear mudguard cos if its raining the arse gets soaked and adds to problems - if its sunny ( hahaha sunny in Wales !) soon take it off
getting nervous now

 

[Whorty]

Hi all

@Whorty I have the 'conti four seasons' on my commuter and they're very decent. Somewhere between the 'gp4k's' which are quicker but not as durable, and the gatorskins which are more durable but not as sprightly. As others have said get 25's rather than 23's.

With regards the saddle I'd get on the case asap mate. Give yourself a chance to test ride more than one over a decent distance out on the road. As AAAC said cushioning level can be overrated. It's definitely a see what fits your butt best thing. More expensive doesn't mean better, probably just lighter.

I'd say don't scrimp with the bib shorts though. You can pay more depending on the label attached but it's vital you're happy with the padding and fit. If either of these things are a bad fit it can cause big problems. Not trying to scare you but I'd definitely buy a few pairs in different sizes and styles, pick a favourite, and send back the ones that don't work for you. Just buying one pair is a bit of a punt in my opinion.

Gloves are going to be important too. I don't know what Halfords range is like but I'd try a few pairs. Personally I've gone back and fourth a bit but I think on balance I prefer the ones with gel in the palms as opposed to different variations of padding.

I'd leave the rack at home too mate. How much do you really want to carry? As kipster says there's a danger you load up with things on principle but don't really need. A saddle bag and a cycling jersey with back pockets should do nicely.

Thanks TT, so things there I hadn't considered (like gloves). Also I have padded shorts currently and not bibs - are bibs better then?

Def looking at the 4 seasons to replace my 23 gatorskins. I'll get a saddle bag and/or handlebar bag. Need a rain top too although holding off on that until week of ride and I have idea what weather will be like.

Cheers all.

 

[bobinski]

Thanks TT, so things there I hadn't considered (like gloves). Also I have padded shorts currently and not bibs - are bibs better then?

Def looking at the 4 seasons to replace my 23 gatorskins. I'll get a saddle bag and/or handlebar bag. Need a rain top too although holding off on that until week of ride and I have idea what weather will be like.

Cheers all.

Good call on the tyres- my experience is gators are lethal in wet conditions and give a hard ride. If 28 4s will fit then get 'em!

Apparently 25 ride as 27 on most runs so 25 would be good

Bibs all the way- read CW as before. TT's advice to try several to get right sie is gold. You don't want to be castrated by a too tight pair of bibs.

 

[Bored Man]

Good call on the tyres- my experience is gators are lethal in wet conditions and give a hard ride. If 28 4s will fit then get 'em!

Bibs all the way- read CW as before. TT's advice to try several to get right sie is gold. You don't want to be castrated by a too tight pair of bibs.

Maybe that's the answer Andy?

 

[bobinski]

https://on.readly.com/GB/magazines/time-inc-uk-ltd/cycling-weekly-magazine/2017-04-20/34

Hope this works

 

[Brusgaard]

Tragic news about Scarponi. R.I.P.

 

[Bored Man]

Tragic news about Scarponi. R.I.P.

WoW - just read that.. sad news.

 

[AAAC 76C]

Tragic news about Scarponi. R.I.P.

And I was watching him live in action just yesterday in the Tour of the Alps where he rode well.
What a difference a day makes.

Sadly it would be interesting to know the circumstances of the accident with the van.
It often scares me when I think how I used to cycle on country roads without a thought about traffic and how you always think vehicle drivers have seen your on the highways . Then you drive your car and think what-if?