Cycling - NLC

[s29ttc]

How far a cycle would you normally ride, and in what time? Are there many hills etc on the routes?

Well since you asked......

Last Sunday I rode 100 miles from Glasgow to Edinburgh including 6000ft of ascent in 5 hours 35 mins!

Good news on ordering the bike!

Come on, I think the phrase walk before you run comes into this. I thought 10-15 mile cycle on a weekend would be my starting level. Other thing I need to consider is what I need to start and have drawn up a list. Anything I should consider?

Helmet
Water bottle and holder
Multitool kit with alan keys etc for adjustment.
Tyre tool for removal of tyre
Spare inner tube
Pump
Saddle bag
Clothing? What is essential? Don't like the idea of me in Lycra, what can I get away with?
Cycle computer for distance/speed etc
Basic pedals

Future consideration is pedals and shoes for the clip in bit.

[SteveJB]

On the clothing front, padded shorts are essential and if you don't want the lycra look, you can get long shorts with a padded insert. Often referred to as MTB 3/4 length shorts I think. A decent top with the pocket in the back and a packable waterproof/windproof jacket that you can stick in it and your good to go.

[douglasgdmw]

Future consideration is pedals and shoes for the clip in bit.

Would recommend you get clip-in pedals from the start as the amount of effort you need to put in is less. Just been through this with Sandra as we just got her a road bike for the commute.

After much discussion we went with road pedals http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... ess-pedals

However on my mountain bike I have this (as I don't like clipped in on the descents so have the best of both worlds) http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... g-clipless however they may be a pain on a road bike and you may be better with double sided clips.

Remember you can use mountain biking pedals on a road bike as ther is no hard/fast rule but road pedals are probably lighter and more efficient.

George

[s29ttc]

Thanks for the kind assistance. Silly question but is it an universal clip on all shoes or manufacture specific? What is there to look out for, do I go with what looks pretty? For example are these fit for purpose?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec025554

I thinki was told the pedals are circa £50' what is there to lookout for there?

[douglasgdmw]

Pedals are more manufacturer specific.

Hopefully this will help:
http://www.tenerife-training.net/Teneri ... ity-guide/

No expert but like everything else the more money you pay then the better the components you get, lightness and slickness of bearing. However I suspect that spending around £50 will get you a good pedal/cleat. (when you buy the pedals you get the cleat to fit into your shoes).

The Look one that we got Sandra are seemingly a good pedal (especially as they were £10 cheaper in the EBC sale) and more than adequate for her bike (Specialised Secteur Elite). We went up slightly in price but that was because the bearing was slightly smoother for a small increase in price.

One thing to bear in mind is what you will be doing after you get off the bike, road cleats are essentially a platform on the front so it can make it awkward walking afterwords (especially on tiles if your office has them) whereas with Shimano MTB Cleats are more recessed so you can walk reasonably easily.

George

[douglasgdmw]

Should have mentioned about the shoes:

The shoes you have selected are pretty good but you may want to consider a ratchet system for the top strap. Velcro is fine but the ratchet system means that I feel a lot more snug in the shoe as you just have to click it in for each notch until it feels tighter:
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... elite-shoe

However if the ones you mentioned fit fine then there's no reason to dismiss a velcro strap.

George

[scott_e]

Can anyone tell me if i can fit these tyres:

Schwalbe Marathon Plus Smartguard City Tyre
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-marath ... city-tyre/

on (26” wheels) Carrera Kraken MTB
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... aken-10013
(specifically Black 700 x 25mm version of the tyre .... looking to go as narrow as possible but not sure if the rims support it)

Currently have 26x1.75 version on the bike .... overinflated.

Not got that Road Bike just yet ...

[scott_e]

Can anyone tell me if i can fit these tyres:

Schwalbe Marathon Plus Smartguard City Tyre
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-marath ... city-tyre/

on (26” wheels) Carrera Kraken MTB
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... aken-10013
(specifically Black 700 x 25mm version of the tyre .... looking to go as narrow as possible but not sure if the rims support it)

Currently have 26x1.75 version on the bike .... overinflated.

Not got that Road Bike just yet ...

Sorry - A 700c tyre will not fit on a 26" wheel.

[thesurfbus]

If you don't want to spend a lot on pedals, then these are amazing value http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EXUSTAR-BLACK ... 3a788b4e81, I have them on my winter bike and they are lasting longer than the KEO Classics that they replaced.
Also I don't rate the Ratchet System on my Specialized shoes, its fine for getting them tight however I find it a pain to release the ratchet.

[Dominic]

How far a cycle would you normally ride, and in what time? Are there many hills etc on the routes?

Well since you asked......

Last Sunday I rode 100 miles from Glasgow to Edinburgh including 6000ft of ascent in 5 hours 35 mins!

Good news on ordering the bike!

Good effort!

[jason]

Other thing I need to consider is what I need to start and have drawn up a list. Anything I should consider?

Helmet
Water bottle and holder
Multitool kit with alan keys etc for adjustment.
Tyre tool for removal of tyre
Spare inner tube
Pump
Saddle bag
Clothing? What is essential? Don't like the idea of me in Lycra, what can I get away with?
Cycle computer for distance/speed etc
Basic pedals

Always carry a puncture repair kit too. In case you're unlucky enough to puncture more than once on a ride

Future consideration is pedals and shoes for the clip in bit.

Since you're 'new to this', go to a shop and have them talk to you about the options - show you the shoe types (road vs mtb) and the cleat/pedal types (road vs mtb vs different makes). Only way you'll get a proper idea and be able to make an informed decision on what suits your needs

Cheap, basic pedals with toe-clips could be a sensible, economical first choice until you have ridden a bit and know what you want out a cycling shoe. You don't *need* any specific clothing at all on Day One. Just get out there and enjoy your new bike, the 'gear' will then naturally evolve with you.

[s29ttc]

Thanks all for the fantastic advice on getting started. In conclusion I will look at the following with the bike:

Helmet
Water bottle and holder
Multitool kit with alan keys etc for adjustment.
Tyre tool for removal of tyre
Spare inner tube
Pump
Saddle bag
Puncture Repair Kit
Cycle computer for distance/speed etc
Pedals - Review pedal varieties available and make informed decision based on detail provided in shop/and advice given.
Gloves
I am sure anything I forget I can add on as time passes and I understand the needs, there will probably be further equipment I want to buy as I begin to understand how serious it becomes.

For anyone else who is interested, I did find a nice article showing the progression of pedals:

http://bicycling.about.com/od/allabouty ... pedals.htm

There seems to be a good comprimise in the Hybrid Pedals for the best of both worlds:

[meatball]

My mate got a cube peloton race (105 groupset) for £900, a fantastic deal!

[s29ttc]

Well I can confirm that shortly after this I bought the Cannondale bike. Went all out got pedals, clippy shoes, helmet, shorts with gel bits, water bottles, saddle bags, trip computers, lights etc and I am absolutely loving it. Not been out much at the start of this week but week previous was out most nights doing between circa 8-15 miles and covered about 60-70 miles so far. I will try post some pics up of the bike but absolutely loving it and even get cravings to go out!

[scott_e]

Still on this road bike thing. Think I have narrowed it down to:

Trek Madone 3.5 Compact 2013
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec040347

Focus Izalco Pro 3.0 Force Compact 2013
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... force-c-13

Why these bikes ? , the 2012 model of each was in the top 5 of BikeRadars top bikes of 2012 and the manufacturer claims the 2013 model is the same as the 2012.

Using to compute 100 miles per week in all weathers (unless icy therefore will take the Carrera).

Trek
- Shimano 105
- 8kg
- £1800
- 300 Series OCLV Carbon

Focus
- SRAM Force Double Tap
- 7.2kg
- £2099
- UCI-registered carbon frame that adorns the Focus Team bikes ridden by the pro riders of Teams Katusha and Acqua & Sapone on the major Tours.

Thoughts please on the above ?

Thanks again
Scott