J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

13 mile Circuit of Manchester airport today, had a mooch at the viewing park, looked at Zulu Kilo (Trident Three), Concorde and a nice ladies Chebs, trundled over to J4ckos Mates house, then checked my mum and dads house (on hols) and back via the offy, very nice ride and missed the rain.

moneys

iTrader: (5)

i take my dog for walks on my bike, he runs along side, we generally do about 5mph and that way he is walking at a fast pace so it keeps him fit as well as myself. ive now just got a seat for the back for my son so he now comes along as well. its great when the weather is nice like it hasbeen lately, ive now got a thule roof rack so i will be going further a field with them shortly and getting out on some really nice runs

Clarebabes

I bought one of these at the weekend:


Wish I could cycle to work every day, but my plan is to get here and back one day in August. It's 18 miles via the ring road that i use, but I reckon it's quite a few less if I use a more direct route.

I am in training at the moment and did 10 miles on Saturday around the Althorp estate area (few hills!) and about 6 miles yesterday.

The difference in speed and effort is amazing. I reckon my mountain bike weighs twice as much as this baby!

DCI Gene Hunt

How much was it?..... is it really that much different in weight?

Clarebabes

It's rrp is £400, but I didn't pay that much - thanks to Dave, I haven't paid anything yet

Anyway, I think the weight is one issue which makes it easier, but it's also the thin tyres, they eat up the miles on a flat road with less effort required. Mountain bikes aren't best for the road, even though I've managed for ages with just a mountain bike!

I wasn't ready for a full-on racer - and I'd look silly in lycra, so this was a good compromise. It looks pretty too with its metallic blue paint

Clarebabes

Just thought I'd update on my bike and how fab it is. Did a couple of rides on it this week and last week, one of 10 miles, one of 14 miles. Seat is a wee bit uncomfortable But I'm getting used to it!

Just working up the courage to ride to work on it. I'm sure I could do it, it's just that there's no info on the web about cycle lanes in Northampton. Does anyone know of anything?

Clare

P.s. lost about 6lbs so far and counting, but this is including swimming 1 or 2 times a week too.

dpb

Getting your dog ta pull you along is actually cheating ...!

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Well done, I am having a week off as have been on Jury service Mon to Wed and will start again next week, wife and kids are away so makign the most of the peace and quiet.

ScoobyWon't

26 days since starting cycling again, two-three times per week, I've covered 254 miles and lost 2 stone!

Clarebabes

2 stone? You have been eating as well, haven't you?

ScoobyWon't

Nope, I've been doing a Snazy

Bonehead

Despite a sinking cold I took my bike apart on sunday and gave it a top to toe clean up/service with the intention of cycling all week.
Gave it a miss on the first day as I felt too rough but then ended up working nights!
Gonna take the bike out for a spin in a bit to make up

Clarebabes

Oh right. Please remember to post your progress on a daily basis from now on...

jjones

16 miles tonight including one monster 16% hill (that i walked up 40% of! )

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

Okay - work has let me down with the Cycle to Work scheme

So... I need some help. I need some hi vis gear that can keep me cool in the summer but allow water-proofing when it gets wet.

Also, can I simply swap my razor sharp tyres for wider ones? Like the 28c ones fitted to the Badboy mentioned earlier?

Going to sort out the lights when it darker (got some okay ones now)

I'm considering a hybrid like the Bad Boy as I am getting a large amount of overtime coming and could sell my road bike to offset the costs.

I really need to start cycling with a vengance as I've not reguarly cycled in like I intended to, so... help?

SiPie

ALTURA VELOCITY JACKET 50% DISCOUNT !!!! - £30

Kieran

Great price on the above at the moment, only downside is that you end up just as wet underneath it with your own sweat...........good visibility though and waterproofing for autumn/summer.

I just carry the above in the event of it pissing down and use a workies hi-vis waistcoat (£5.99) worn over a good cycling top in the summer

Should have no problem swapping over to 28 tyres, pretty certain most wheels will take both 23 & 28.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Kieran,

I am really enjoying my Bad Boy

Wasnt sure at first, especially since the first one was extra large and I felt a bit stretched, got the next one down and after some faffing due to an out of true wheel I started using it, done a few days on it and compare dto the racer it feels great, especially since I have adjusted the levers a few degrees down, got a decent seating position and put the speedo on (Halfords, 10 quid, T-cutted Halfords logo off)

It seems fast which seems weird to say seeing as its got me as the motive power whatever, but it seems to covert more energy into forward motion, I expect this is as the frame is stiffer and perhaps a better gear train/lighter wheels.

Am averaging 13.1 mph with the fastest so far of 31.2 on my commute, getting faster, hoping to average 15 mph, on the flat I get between 14 and 20, 16/17 seems a good compromise between effort and speed.

With the Bad Boy, change the pedals, the ones out of the box are weird, I swapped them for some standard MTB ones, will get some shoes and SPD's soon, the brakes are Avid Juicy 3's which are ok once bedded in but I might pop the Mono minis off my MTB onto it seeing as I am not using it. Its isnt the most forgiving ride, quite direct steering and a hard ride, but I see this as a tradeoff for effeciency, I could use a full susser MTB but I want to get to work before lunchtime.

For the road/commute, I have tried racer, MTB and hybrid and there is only one way to go for me, I love Racers and MTB's but a Hybrid is prefect for what I do.

Panniers next, after the pedals/shoes, to drop the weight down a bit.

Not been cycling as much due to hols, jury service etc but really enjoying it now back at work and the journey doesnt seem at all daunting anymore, getting my head round the thought of Autumn and Winter commuting as well, will need some decent weather gear and lighting.

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

J4CKO - thanks. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply as you have. I've got some money coming my way next month (back dated pay-rise from FEBRUARY, ovetime and fuel expenses) so I can afford up to £700 for a new bike.

I've been pointed to a Trek Soho 4.0 (for £700 oddly enough) which looks very much like the Bad Boy and I can get from Samways who are a very good cycle shop in Derby.

I really think the hybrid (street / urban / whatever) style is the way to go and after looking at the bikes, they really do look good and should last.

Next thing will be the clothes - and Sipie - thanks: the Altura look superb and just right for what I need (saw them at Samways as well)

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Kieran, that Trek looks lovely but,

"Shimano R505, mechanical disc w/Tektro alloy levers"

Ewwww

I am being a bit unfair here as they may be fine (better than the Juicy 3's) but the Mechanical disks I had were ****, I nearly ended up in the river Bollin due to the Tektro ones on my Mountain Bike, that and my over confidence and stupidity.

Otherwise it looks great.

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

You mean I should look for the hydraulic ones instead?

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

Evans Cycles | Scott Sportster P1 2008 Hybrid Bike | Online Bike Shop

what the heck size is XL??????

SiPie

In my opinion ... a resounding YES.

Personally I haven't tried cable operated discs but from all I've heard and read, it's a case of ON or OFF.

There seems to be little or no progression which seems similar to driving my wife's old Renault Megane that had the most abrupt/sharp brakes in the world. Switch this to a push bike on a wet road and it's the last thing you want

Juicy 5's seem to be a good benchmark for hydraulic brakes (make sure you get an Avid bleed kit in reserve) and Juicy 3's acceptable.

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

Okay - so the second bike is a better option... and if XL is 23" my 32" inside leg (6' tall) should be spot on.....

Hmmmmmm......

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

XL was too big for me, even though I fit it I felt stretched, try the large size if possible, I am just over 6 ft, much happier on the lge vs the xl. I buy 33 leg trousers.