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Your cycling
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| ianrussell |
Posted on 10-09-2013 13:27
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3440
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PCM$: 200.00
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SportingNonsense wrote:
TheManxMissile wrote:
I wish they made Strava for Windows Phone  I could really do with the extra motivation at the moment to get out on the bike... This knee thing has totally killed my summer riding, and frankly i will only get out three times a week at best once im back at uni...
Get Endomondo. Record the rides on that, export them, and upload them to Strava. I think a couple of users mentioned doing that earlier in the thread, and Ive started using Endomondo on my Android and doing the export/upload to Strava thing as the Strava app was playing up.
This. I'm doing it and Endomondo works great (apart from the crazy elevation data I get but Strava shows about the right figure anyway). Once you've completed the ride go to the Endomondo website export the ride and then over to Strava and import it, it really is that simple (thankfully for me  ). |
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| CrueTrue |
Posted on 10-09-2013 14:43
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 29989
Joined: 20-10-2006
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So, I've asked for help on the subject before, but now it's serious 
As a motivation to finish my thesis, I promised to get myself a race bike once done. I'm completely clueless on what to look out for, though, since I've never had one before and aren't really into the tech part of cycling.
Anyway, it does appear that it's recommended to get a gear group better than Sora and perhaps also better than Tiagra, so I've looked for bikes with Shimano 105 and found the following three. Are they any good? Is one better than the other?
Focus Culebro SL 3.0
Scott Speedster 20
Giant Defy 1
I'm also keen on the Canyon Roadlite Al 6.0, but due to my inexperience I really prefer non-internet shops. Canyon don't have any shops in Denmark, but what speaks in its favour is that the bike is very highly rated in reviews. |
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| Strydz |
Posted on 10-09-2013 14:49
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Team Leader
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CrueTrue wrote:
So, I've asked for help on the subject before, but now it's serious
As a motivation to finish my thesis, I promised to get myself a race bike once done. I'm completely clueless on what to look out for, though, since I've never had one before and aren't really into the tech part of cycling.
Anyway, it does appear that it's recommended to get a gear group better than Sora and perhaps also better than Tiagra, so I've looked for bikes with Shimano 105 and found the following three. Are they any good? Is one better than the other?
Focus Culebro SL 3.0
Scott Speedster 20
Giant Defy 1
I'm also keen on the Canyon Roadlite Al 6.0, but due to my inexperience I really prefer non-internet shops. Canyon don't have any shops in Denmark, but what speaks in its favour is that the bike is very highly rated in reviews.
I would stay away from the Scott as I know some folk who have had speedsters and they just ain't that nice a ride (there higher end models are good) heard good things about Focus. I currently have a Giant (TCR) and have money down another TCR SL, I have ridden the Defy and they are a lovely machine, the only reason I went the TCR is the aggressive geometry. I say you can't go wrong with a Giant
Hells 500 Crew and 6 x Everester
Don Rd Launching Place
Melbourne Hill Rd Warrandyte
Colby Drive Belgrave South
William Rd The Patch
David Hill Rd Monbulk
Lakeside Drive Emerald
https://www.everesting.cc/hall-of-fame/ |
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 10-09-2013 22:18
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5220
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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CrueTrue wrote:
So, I've asked for help on the subject before, but now it's serious
As a motivation to finish my thesis, I promised to get myself a race bike once done. I'm completely clueless on what to look out for, though, since I've never had one before and aren't really into the tech part of cycling.
Anyway, it does appear that it's recommended to get a gear group better than Sora and perhaps also better than Tiagra, so I've looked for bikes with Shimano 105 and found the following three. Are they any good? Is one better than the other?
Focus Culebro SL 3.0
Scott Speedster 20
Giant Defy 1
I'm also keen on the Canyon Roadlite Al 6.0, but due to my inexperience I really prefer non-internet shops. Canyon don't have any shops in Denmark, but what speaks in its favour is that the bike is very highly rated in reviews.
It's hard to advise you here...
Thing is you've never really cycled, so even though you're ready to invest a certain sum, it's hard to tell if it's going to be a good investment or not. Face it, cycling might bore you and then you'll seldom ride, so any of the examples you've shown will be too expensive if it's for a 2h ride every other Sunday morning.
On the other hand, not investing enough might soon turn out to be annoying if you really enjoy it.
If I were to buy a bike equipped with Shimano stuff (not happening as long as Campy is around, yes I'm considered a weirdo by all those I've told that to), I'd indeed avoid the lowest quality groups which are Sora and Tiagra. 105 has evolved through the years, but some guys used to ride with that 15 years ago, and it was already very decent.
I'm not sure how many gears each of them has, but I reckon most Shimano groups have 9, perhaps only Dura Ace and Ultegra have 10 now, whereas Campy has 11 on its three finest groups.
You live in a flat country, so it's not really an issue, but it could potentially be.
As for the frame, I'd say steel is too heavy, carbon doesn't last very long when used intensively, aluminium, possibly with a carbon fork is the best compromise for most people.
Then geometry is a matter of taste and how much your body can cope with. Not everyone will feel comfortable with an almost horizontal back during three or four hours.
I've never ridden any of the four models, so I couldn't say how they feel and what they're actually worth. I read Specialized get quite praiseful reviews for their mid-range models. Check them if you can.
Personally, I walked into a shop, talked to the vendor, and he offered to mount me a bike from one model of frame, then buying a group and all the bits needed (handlebars, saddle, wheels, etc.). I think it was quite good for the price, probably better than a bike of one given brand I'd have gotten for the same price.
Edited by Aquarius on 10-09-2013 22:20
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| ianrussell |
Posted on 10-09-2013 23:02
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3440
Joined: 09-10-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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CrueTrue wrote:
So, I've asked for help on the subject before, but now it's serious
As a motivation to finish my thesis, I promised to get myself a race bike once done. I'm completely clueless on what to look out for, though, since I've never had one before and aren't really into the tech part of cycling.
Anyway, it does appear that it's recommended to get a gear group better than Sora and perhaps also better than Tiagra, so I've looked for bikes with Shimano 105 and found the following three. Are they any good? Is one better than the other?
Focus Culebro SL 3.0
Scott Speedster 20
Giant Defy 1
I'm also keen on the Canyon Roadlite Al 6.0, but due to my inexperience I really prefer non-internet shops. Canyon don't have any shops in Denmark, but what speaks in its favour is that the bike is very highly rated in reviews.
No direct experience but I'll add that everyone seems to agree that 105 is the sweet spot between component price, performance and durability. That said if I were embarking on my first road bike I'd go for a much cheaper entry level machine and see how things pan out first.
I've seriously looked at the budget Specialized range, from the entry level Allez up, with the idea that the frame is decent enough to stick with while upgrading around this as and when (although maybe I'd just end up buying bigger and better off the peg a couple of years after?  ).
However, given I'm riding a rusted Scott Sportster hybrid bike which weighs a few pounds shy of Bert Grabsch (better for my fitness I keep telling myself...) I'm probably not the person to take definitive advice from |
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 10-09-2013 23:09
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5220
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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I used to think the same about the extra weight when I was riding a steel frame, but actually it's the power you produce (and for how long) that makes you a better cyclist or the cyclist you are.
It'd only be relevant to carry extra weight if you were somehow forbidden to drop a group you're riding with when you'd actually be much stronger than them.
Otherwise you just ride faster with a lighter bike, or are less tired at a given speed. |
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| ianrussell |
Posted on 10-09-2013 23:09
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3440
Joined: 09-10-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Embarassingly pleased to get my first top 10 on a climb on Strava today, allegedly putting out 400 watts (rider + bike = HEAVY) for my mammoth 3 minute effort
Totally admit to being the saddo who soft(ish) pedalled to the climb just to get on the leaderboard but am hoping now I have my (completely meaningless, virtual) trophy I can get over it and behave like a grown up from now on
Either way Strava is flagging more local climbs and I'm riding more often and harder in general so all good. |
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| ianrussell |
Posted on 10-09-2013 23:10
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3440
Joined: 09-10-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Aquarius wrote:
I used to think the same about the extra weight when I was riding a steel frame, but actually it's the power you produce (and for how long) that makes you a better cyclist or the cyclist you are.
It'd only be relevant to carry extra weight if you were somehow forbidden to drop a group you're riding with when you'd actually be much stronger than them.
Otherwise you just ride faster with a lighter bike, or are less tired at a given speed.
I choose not to read this post so I can continue kidding myself and save some money, thanks |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-11-2024 21:33
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 10-09-2013 23:11
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5220
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400 during 3 minutes is far from bad if you don't compete in the sumo category.
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| ianrussell |
Posted on 10-09-2013 23:15
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3440
Joined: 09-10-2008
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Aquarius wrote:
400 during 3 minutes is far from bad if you don't compete in the sumo category.
Not sure how accurate Strava power data is. They state that it's close to SRM but difficult to know unless someone has a power meter to compare the default calculations with. I'm not hugely overweight or anything but it's given me some extra motivation to drop the 8-9 pounds of holiday weight that's for sure. |
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 10-09-2013 23:23
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5220
Joined: 29-11-2006
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It looks fairly reliable at rather low speeds, given your weight and the weight of your gear have been properly set.
Now, in windy regions like Northern Europe (including here) the wind messes with the indirect calculations. I've apparently done an astonishing number (446 W) this evening on 2 minutes or so when I was actually only riding at a strong tempo.
Then an actual effort got totally underestimated (even though I set a KOM ) : 299 Watts during 4 and a half minutes. Most likely I did something like 300 on the first one, and 350 on the second.
There's also one thing I've mentioned, sometimes it totally miscalculates things. I did an uphill sprint at something like 570 Watts during 47 seconds. I set a better mark, achieving 45 seconds, and without changing any weight setting, the power became 365 Watts or something like that.  |
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| ianrussell |
Posted on 10-09-2013 23:29
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3440
Joined: 09-10-2008
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Aquarius wrote:
It looks fairly reliable at rather low speeds, given your weight and the weight of your gear have been properly set.
Now, in windy regions like Northern Europe (including here) the wind messes with the indirect calculations. I've apparently done an astonishing number (446 W) this evening on 2 minutes or so when I was actually only riding at a strong tempo.
Then an actual effort got totally underestimated (even though I set a KOM ) : 299 Watts during 4 and a half minutes. Most likely I did something like 300 on the first one, and 350 on the second.
There's also one thing I've mentioned, sometimes it totally miscalculates things. I did an uphill sprint at something like 570 Watts during 47 seconds. I set a better mark, achieving 45 seconds, and without changing any weight setting, the power became 365 Watts or something like that.
Ahh, interesting so usually there or thereabouts but with some idiosyncrasies thrown in.
Certainly mine and the bikes weight are accurate with the latter weighing in at 13.5 kg's - around the farm tracks I would back my bike in any head on collisions with wandering livestock up to the size of a large cow...
If I can get back to a better weight, and see the difference, it might give me the nudge to save for a bike that drops a further 8 or so pounds too.
Edited by ianrussell on 10-09-2013 23:43
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| Bosskardo |
Posted on 11-09-2013 06:58
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Sprinter
Posts: 1559
Joined: 07-04-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Just wondering if anyone have a really light bike? Not close to this one for sure:https://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/ar...ike-36902/ but maybe sb has close to 5kg?
Mine is around 9kg. Not light but I do ok in races and not too much hills in Estonia. Will have to upgrade when I get older but right now I seem to get by. BTW Estonian Senior Sport (age 19-29) Champion in road race. Gave up on racing Elite Championship. But the bikes are better at the Senior Championship.
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| titleist82 |
Posted on 13-09-2013 15:55
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 754
Joined: 03-04-2007
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Has any of you experience with Tacx CR Trainers? https://www.tacx.com/
Could you explain me the differences among different models? Which one would you recomend? |
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 13-09-2013 22:29
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5220
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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I have a Satori one and am quite happy with it. It's quite noisy to be honest, but nothing like the Elite I used 12+ years ago, which had a turbine instead of a flywheel and was even much more noisy. Dearest condoleances to my neighbours-at-the-time's hearing.
The criteria to choose a home trainer is that it must offer a feel that's as close as possible to riding on the road.
Differences between models are the type and weight of flywheel, the difficulty controller, etc.
edit : I've eventually received my Garmin Edge 510. It connects with virtually everything (mobile phone for weather forecast, RPM sensor, heart rate watch, po<er meter that I don't have yet, etc.).
Out of the box, loaded, turned on... Settings menu. Erm. Must be something with my fingers ?! Validated. Wait I didn't even click anywhere near the validation button. WTF.
Some time using Google later, it turns out it's a recurrent problem with that serie. The touchscreen goes nuts, no way to fix it, even through a reboot.
I ordered it one month ago, it was shipped 2 weeks later and I only got my hands on it tonight. It's frigging Friday evening, so I won't be able to call the vendor before 3 more days.
Looks like I'm not going to use it before Xmas or so.
I'm livid, to put it charitably... I thought I'd smash it against the wall, but that was before I found some people on Google facing the same problem.
Meanwhile, a guy who won 1st cat races this year and took part in some 2.2. ones had smashed a couple of my Strava KOM last week. I've gotten the shortest ones back.  The shortest of the two was even done with some headwind.
Edited by Aquarius on 13-09-2013 22:38
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| wogsrus |
Posted on 14-09-2013 13:59
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1200
Joined: 12-01-2013
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Too much uni work has meant l havent been able to get so far this weekend... |
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| dienblad |
Posted on 17-09-2013 16:25
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3772
Joined: 10-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Bought myself a new MTB today, to prevent myself of getting bored because of the terrible weather in the upcimong winter and becoming as fat as Jan Ullrich every winter.
https://www.mantel...td-29-race
Only changed the shifters and front derailleur from SLX to XT. It'll be ready in 1 week!!
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| ianrussell |
Posted on 17-09-2013 20:15
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3440
Joined: 09-10-2008
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Tried to sneak in a post work ride this evening and don't know whether to bemoan my bad luck or be thankful for my good.
The bad being a puncture just as I crested a hill in the pouring rain, cue desperate efforts to slow the bike down as it snaked down the descent. Just when I've signed up to the extender challange on Strava too and when I was all of a third through the 35km ride.
The good being I didn't crash, I haven't had a puncture for over a year (thank you Specilized Armadillo's) and I came to a stop at literally the front gate of a little train station just 2 stops from my home town, with the once an hour train due in under 5 minutes! The fact I remembered my train pass for just such an emergency helped too.
As for the puncture the culprit was a very sharp little stone - the Armadillo's look in good enough nick so hopefully I just got unlucky this time round. Either way I don't get many opportunities to get out so it's hurt my efforts to pack in a mammoth 250km this month
Edited by ianrussell on 17-09-2013 20:20
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| ianrussell |
Posted on 17-09-2013 20:18
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3440
Joined: 09-10-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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dienblad wrote:
Bought myself a new MTB today, to prevent myself of getting bored because of the terrible weather in the upcimong winter and becoming as fat as Jan Ullrich every winter.
https://www.mantel...td-29-race
Only changed the shifters and front derailleur from SLX to XT. It'll be ready in 1 week!!
Nice looking bike - enjoy the mud! |
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 18-09-2013 06:51
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World Champion
Posts: 14236
Joined: 20-06-2011
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dienblad wrote:
Bought myself a new MTB today, to prevent myself of getting bored because of the terrible weather in the upcimong winter and becoming as fat as Jan Ullrich every winter.
https://www.mantel...td-29-race
Only changed the shifters and front derailleur from SLX to XT. It'll be ready in 1 week!!
That looks nice indeed, good to see more bikers here, i dont know what are these road freaks talking about here.
Edited by Avin Wargunnson on 18-09-2013 06:52
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