Bicyclist thread

[ste]

I pretty much always wore pink cycling socks before I got the shoes.



I have a pink purse that my phone and superglue / sealant / valve tool etc goes in too.

[Rich B]

Well I think they’re very pretty Ste.

[ste]

Thanks Hun x

[ste]

Have my latest installment of OCD:

I recently set out to make the CAAD12 more comfortable. It's a great bike but compared to the Supersix it has a harsher ride that adds to rider fatigue. Main culprits in my opinion, other than the less compliant frame of course, were the saddle, seat post and bars. If I could improve the comfort of those and obviously save some weight too (this is WW right?) then that would be a win.

I love the Berk Lupina on my Evo. It's the comfiest saddle I've ever used. Not only due to shape but because the rails and saddle shell are so compliant too. So I removed the Fizik Arione R1 and swapped a Berk on. I'd previously tuned the Fizik, removing the Fizik badge and seatbag mount off the rear.



Fizik Arione R1 (tuned): 145g




Berk Lupina (padded, thin model, round rails): 96g (Interestingly my other padded Lupina weighed 85g on the same scales...)

Difference: -49g



For the 25.4mm seat tube of the CAAD, there's still not a massive choice. I went with the 'default' Hylix carbon, partly because at £44 (UK) delivered the weight / price ratio is really good.



Standard Cannondale post, cut down with Di2 battery mount removed: 202g




Hylix: 173g



Hylix cut down: 145g

Difference: -57g

The yellow CAAD came with a set of 3T Ergonovas. Unfortunately they were 42cm ones and I prefer 40cm. I have 40cm Ergonova Ltds on the Supersix and they're really comfortable (they're also 168g). The carbon dampens road buzz and vibrations and takes the harshness out of the ride. I decided to save a few quid over the Ltds, especially as I found a set of Ergonova Team Stealths in 40cm in a sale.



3T Ergonova Pro (42cm): 323g




3T Ergonova Team (40cm): 198g

Difference: -125g

Total: -231g

So, mission accomplished, the ride comfort is noticeably better. Weight reduction is obviously always good too. And I think the bike looks better.








New weight is 7.86kg



...which for an alu disc bike on Ultegra isn't bad.

Lots more to do though...

[mik]

That frame is crying out for speedholez.

[ste]

This frame is because the last one developed speedholez.

[unzippy]

All those things swung me. I'm hoping to just enjoy it more and more.

And that's what it's all about

[JLv3.0]

My cycling shoes have broken. Soles and uppers have decided to part company.

I expect your unending support at this time.

Sidi carbon ones. Do it, you tart.

This happened actually - thought they'd match my motorbike boots nicely.

Look away now, Ste and MTBers:



My motorbike boots



See - it makes sense.

IN MY MIND.

[NotoriousREV]

lolz

[ste]

Totally makes sense JL and they're good shoes. Those particular ones look like they've timewarped from the '90s, but still good shoes.

[JLv3.0]

All the shoes I like look like that. The really modern ones look unfeasibly gay to me for some reason - and I'm mentally stuck in the 90s anyway because everything was better.

[ste]

Amen.

[JLv3.0]

* high five *

[McSwede]

I'm looking to buy a bike for my daughter (soon to be 5) one of the bikes I'd looked at was a Specialized https://www.specializedconceptstore.co. ... oaster-16/ This bike has a coaster brake and I just wondered if any of you had any thoughts on the pro's/con's of this vs normal brakes or even any other suggestions from when you've gone through the same process with your little ones.

[ste]

Normal brakes are easier.

Can she already ride a bike? If not, whatever you do, don't get something with stabilisers. Get her abalance bike first or get a small bike that you can take the cranks off until she's mastered balancing. It makes the learning so much more fun for them and a much nicer and quicker process.

As for bikes, the usual suspects are Isla Bike, Frog, Hoy or Early Rider. All nicely made, none of them particularly cheap to initially purchase, but overall ownership cost is low as you can sell them on and get back most of the purchase price.

For that age and 16" wheels my kids had an Isla Bike CNOC 16. It was a superb little bike, really lightweight and with small controls that they coud operate.

Don't get anything with added features. They don't need suspension or gears and bikes with those will be worse than a really well made, simple bike made from lightweight materials and components.

Shame she isn't slightly older, we have an Isla Bike Beinn 20 that we'bve just finished with and I need to get around to advertising for sale.

[ste]

I did this to the Black-Inc yesterday.



Off out for a ride on it now as I'm 'WFH'...

[JonMad]

+ 1 for avoiding stabilisers. Our daughter had a balance bike but only used it a bit. After that she just pushed around on a little bike with the pedals in place. One day she just started pedalling.

Shame she isn't slightly older, we have an Isla Bike Beinn 20 that we'bve just finished with and I need to get around to advertising for sale.

Might be interested. Is it purple? We have a handful of small bikes of various sizes in the garage but none of them are a decent make.

[McSwede]

Normal brakes are easier.

Can she already ride a bike? If not, whatever you do, don't get something with stabilisers. Get her abalance bike first or get a small bike that you can take the cranks off until she's mastered balancing. It makes the learning so much more fun for them and a much nicer and quicker process.

As for bikes, the usual suspects are Isla Bike, Frog, Hoy or Early Rider. All nicely made, none of them particularly cheap to initially purchase, but overall ownership cost is low as you can sell them on and get back most of the purchase price.

For that age and 16" wheels my kids had an Isla Bike CNOC 16. It was a superb little bike, really lightweight and with small controls that they coud operate.

Don't get anything with added features. They don't need suspension or gears and bikes with those will be worse than a really well made, simple bike made from lightweight materials and components.

Shame she isn't slightly older, we have an Isla Bike Beinn 20 that we'bve just finished with and I need to get around to advertising for sale.

Thanks Ste. I've ordered her a balance bike to get started on then look at a proper bike for Xmas time. Makes sense when you look into it to go for balance bike rather than stabilisers as the transition to proper bike will be more natural.

[ste]

Had an awesome ride, beautiful sunny day here. Even finished it off with a pint in a beer garden. WFHFTW.

Might be interested. Is it purple? We have a handful of small bikes of various sizes in the garage but none of them are a decent make.

It's red. It's been used well but really well maintained. I have the original tyres it came on that did a few miles but it's now on a set of proper Continental Explorers to make it much more capable offroad. Can come with both sets.

Don't seem to have many pics of it, but can take some. This is it halfway up Cissbury:



Daughter not included.

[JLv3.0]

Fence included?