Zwift Chat

[mjd1988]

Funny you mention automatic car transmission. Had that, hated it.

I'm with @JuhaL - always thought I'd hate automatic but when I actually go it...love it. Can't see me justifying getting di2 anytime soon though. Been on turbo for first time in 9 days and no mission of an outside ride anytime soon!

 

[BurningLegs]

I'm staying mechanical 😎

Something I love about my mechanical setup is how infrequently I have to charge it.

 

[Joffey]

Something I love about my mechanical setup is how infrequently I have to charge it.

I probably charge mine less that you have to change the cables… but that’s cos I am lazy

 

[alex_cycles]

I probably charge mine less that you have to change the cables… but that’s cos I am lazy

One thing I will say though is that on the group rides I've been on over the last 3 years at least 4 times someone has had a gear failure issue that traced back to discharged batteries (although at least one of them was SRAM - which is a bit less serious because they have two batteries and can be swapped).

For me that isn't a reason not to get them, but it's a reason to be a bit less careless about battery charging

The thing I don't quite get is why it's so expensive, when the components are basically the same as you have in an average RC plane...
A couple of servos
A microcontroller
Transmitter/Receiver (or wired buttons)
Battery/ies

If I had a dev bike I'd be tempted to have a crack at rolling my own.

 

[Legs]

I rode the Tiny Races last night, which was sort-of fun! I think the courses were supposed to be the same as the only other time I’ve done the Tinies, around Urukazi, but I think some of them were misconfigured (race 3 seemed very much like race 2 but a bit longer!). Anyway, it was a complete painfest, I failed to get to the finish with the front group in any of them, but it’s done a power of good for my Race Ranking (even in the race where I finished dead last!)

 

[alex_cycles]

I rode the Tiny Races last night, which was sort-of fun! I think the courses were supposed to be the same as the only other time I’ve done the Tinies, around Urukazi, but I think some of them were misconfigured (race 3 seemed very much like race 2 but a bit longer!). Anyway, it was a complete painfest, I failed to get to the finish with the front group in any of them, but it’s done a power of good for my Race Ranking (even in the race where I finished dead last!)
View attachment 688599

Race 3 was meant to be "Island outskirts". I noticed on your Strava that it was Mech Isle Loop again.
Love the Tinies. Total smashfest.

 

[CXRAndy]

I rode the Tiny Races last night, which was sort-of fun! I think the courses were supposed to be the same as the only other time I’ve done the Tinies, around Urukazi, but I think some of them were misconfigured (race 3 seemed very much like race 2 but a bit longer!). Anyway, it was a complete painfest, I failed to get to the finish with the front group in any of them, but it’s done a power of good for my Race Ranking (even in the race where I finished dead last!)
View attachment 688599

Tim, you're ranked B category. That's why you got lots of ranking points.

You had good W/kg, but were just out powered in Watts. Some big Watts coming from very light riders ahead of you

 

[Legs]

I’d rather race up in A and get the expected smashing, than try riding in B and risk not being up at the sharp end! Now that Zwift have rejigged the cat boundaries there are some ridiculously strong Bs (like the 100kg chap who’s got a 1min power over 900W)

The races are short enough that I was only getting dropped within the last 1500m, so not too dispiriting. Still coughing a bit, and with Friday’s Z2 ride in my legs, I’m nowhere near the form I was in a month ago…

If Jo comes home from Hull this evening I might get the chance to go out on the road. Weather is looking shocking for tomorrow!

 

[CXRAndy]

Had my own Crit race this morning, Italian tune up for the sportive.

Honestly needed a race after a few weeks of Z2

Came 12 from 90 riders pleased 😁

Actually there were 5 50+ ahead of me, and all of them are just turned 50


not late 50s like little old me🎻🎻🎻

So by my reckoning I came 🏅 for my self selected age group.


View: https://youtu.be/m0xVaG0QLy4

 

[Peter Salt]

One thing I will say though is that on the group rides I've been on over the last 3 years at least 4 times someone has had a gear failure issue that traced back to discharged batteries (although at least one of them was SRAM - which is a bit less serious because they have two batteries and can be swapped).

For me that isn't a reason not to get them, but it's a reason to be a bit less careless about battery charging

The thing I don't quite get is why it's so expensive, when the components are basically the same as you have in an average RC plane...
A couple of servos
A microcontroller
Transmitter/Receiver (or wired buttons)
Battery/ies

If I had a dev bike I'd be tempted to have a crack at rolling my own.

You're completely wrong about the price, Alex.

Electronic shifting components don't cost the same to make... They are, in fact, way cheaper to manufacture than traditional groupsets. That's the number one reason for brands pushing them - the margins are colossal.

I'm hoping that, in the long run, things will go the same way they did with things like wrist watches - electronic shifting will become the default for bikes, even BSOs, but the really fancy stuff will be mechanical.

To me, it's a matter of preferences and taste. I'm not saying that Di2, eTap, EPS, etc. is bad - it's just not for me. But that's because I'm this weird individual that gets genuine pleasure from using well-made, well-functioning, traditional machines - that take advantage of a good design, manufacturing precision, and simple laws of physics to do what they need to do. Pulling a lever, that activates a cable and moves the derailleur, actually adds to the experience of cycling for me - gives me a feeling that electronic shifting simply doesn't. I value that more than anything.

 

[alex_cycles]

You're completely wrong about the price, Alex.

When I said it's expensive I mean expensive for us to buy, not for them to make.
Are you saying Di2 is cheaper than cabled to buy? I don't think it is.

I hope you're right with your long-term prognosis too. The only "danger" is we become like it is with cars, everything is black box and you have to go to a dealer to get it sorted.

 

[CXRAndy]

When I said it's expensive I mean expensive for us to buy, not for them to make.
Are you saying Di2 is cheaper than cabled to buy? I don't think it is.

I hope you're right with your long-term prognosis too. The only "danger" is we become like it is with cars, everything is black box and you have to go to a dealer to get it sorted.

It used to be very competitive if you bought the last series Di2 system. I got a set of hydraulic Di2 levers for my 🛒 bike for £170 from Germany. Then COVID hit and prices have never come back down. The same items now are over £300.

 

[alex_cycles]

It used to be very competitive if you bought the last series Di2 system. I got a set of hydraulic Di2 levers for my 🛒 bike for £170 from Germany. Then COVID hit and prices have never come back down. The same items now are over £300.

You don't just buy shifters though do you? The main difference is in the front and rear derailleurs.
This is what I'm talking about. A fairly large price difference. And there may well be wiring and junction boxes etc on top of that. In any event it seems the best way to buy into these things is to get them with a new bike.

 

[Norry1]

I'm paying £1,450 for 12 speed Ultegra Di2 fitted.

Dura Ace was quoted at £2,950 fitted.

Anyone want a second hand 2019 Dura Ace Groupset?

 

[Legs]

If Jo comes home from Hull this evening I might get the chance to go out on the road. Weather is looking shocking for tomorrow!

Bugger, she’s not going to be back until 8:30 or so. Maybe a nice ride in the rain tomorrow morning?