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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2013 16:33:18 GMT
Afternoon.....
So, two days in and two rides I'd like to pick your brains please....
1. What is the optimum way of dealing with potholes and the likes - I mean the unavoidable ones.
2. With the Triban 5a I have the toe-clip pedals (not cleated ones). When I stopped on my ride and restarted I had one foot 'clipped' and the other on the pedal 'free'. I found that my 'free' foot went slightly forward on my pedal and it felt much more natural and efficient. Is this normal - and / or is it related to the size of my feet? N.B. I'm not wearing cycling shoes at the moment - awaiting delivery of a pair that come with free pedals and cleats (probably not the best but within my budget).
3. Braking - is it normal to feel vulnerable in the first few rides and want to be on the brake a bit? I had a couple of downhills on today's ride and had visions of me having a meeting with the road....
4. Rain - with the weather set to change from tomorrow is there anything I need to do different? Any traction issues etc?
5. Tyres - how often should I check the pressure?
Thanks for any help.
Steve.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2013 17:37:34 GMT
1. - potholes - advanced observation and avoid. you should always be able to avoid them, if you need extra space, just confuse a motorist by indicating right and downwards and come out and go around it. otherwise treat it as a reserve speed bump, slow down and don't sit in the saddle, but do what feels right to aid removing as much pressure from the bike as it comes out and up back onto the road surface, but with enough observation unless the road is dire, you should be able to avoid the worst of them easily. 2 - I can only use toe-clips, and from what you are saying, I suspect you have the half size ones that came with the bike and they are simply not big enough for your foot size. I am a size 6-7 and they were not for me. 3 - the triban brake blocks are crap. everyone here will agree with that, upgrade them for something decent that gives you the confidence that they will actually work in the wet. my personal perference are SWISSSTOP Brake Pads Flash Pro GHP II green blocks www.bike-discount.de/shop/k331/a9282/brake-pads-flash-pro-ghp-ii-green-4-pcs.html?mfid=528 . Personally Ihave no issues in spending Β£16 on 4 brake pads that a) stop in the wet, and b) last for ages and ages, thousands of km's. Others like the clarks pads and some the salomon pads. there are a number of threads on here regarding them... 4 - cycling in the wet - it is the same as driving in the wet. slow down in advance of the corners, don't corner as fast and expect idiots on the roads. Otherwise a normal ride. 5. tyre pressures. interesting one. some say every day, some say every ride, I personally check them as and when I remember or if I notice my speed has dropped off and should not have. I find about once every 2 months is fine on my T3, but I have fitted Schwalbe Durano Pluses and have Schwalbe inner tubes which don't lose much pressure.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2013 17:39:53 GMT
Oh and with regard to cycling in the wet - remember motorists are idiots on the whole and use your lights. anything that can make you more visible will help and reflective gear is only of any use if the motorists around you are actually using their lights, so play safe and don't rely on someone else for your safety. It is your safety, so you should be responsible for it.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2013 18:13:54 GMT
Great reply and very much appreciated. Are the blocks easy to fit? As you can gather - I am a complete novice to all of this.
Steve.
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Post by djtwigster on Jul 24, 2013 18:36:04 GMT
1. - potholes - advanced observation and avoid. you should always be able to avoid them, if you need extra space, just confuse a motorist by indicating right and downwards and come out and go around it. otherwise treat it as a reserve speed bump, slow down and don't sit in the saddle, but do what feels right to aid removing as much pressure from the bike as it comes out and up back onto the road surface, but with enough observation unless the road is dire, you should be able to avoid the worst of them easily. 2 - I can only use toe-clips, and from what you are saying, I suspect you have the half size ones that came with the bike and they are simply not big enough for your foot size. I am a size 6-7 and they were not for me. 3 - the triban brake blocks are crap. everyone here will agree with that, upgrade them for something decent that gives you the confidence that they will actually work in the wet. my personal perference are SWISSSTOP Brake Pads Flash Pro GHP II green blocks www.bike-discount.de/shop/k331/a9282/brake-pads-flash-pro-ghp-ii-green-4-pcs.html?mfid=528 . Personally Ihave no issues in spending Β£16 on 4 brake pads that a) stop in the wet, and b) last for ages and ages, thousands of km's. Others like the clarks pads and some the salomon pads. there are a number of threads on here regarding them... 4 - cycling in the wet - it is the same as driving in the wet. slow down in advance of the corners, don't corner as fast and expect idiots on the roads. Otherwise a normal ride. 5. tyre pressures. interesting one. some say every day, some say every ride, I personally check them as and when I remember or if I notice my speed has dropped off and should not have. I find about once every 2 months is fine on my T3, but I have fitted Schwalbe Durano Pluses and have Schwalbe inner tubes which don't lose much pressure. Good, sound advice there satnav, very informative, cheers.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2013 18:59:13 GMT
1. Potholes are nightmare, and worse than ever with cash-strapped councils. Good advise above is make sure to look well ahead. Give yourself plenty of time to react and I think do not overreact. Taking the chance with damaging your wheels is better than swerving dangerously with cars around. The other tip some people learn, is to bunny hop over the hole. Normally only doable with road cleats.
2. Your spot on about the cage being to small. I thought the same when I had mine on but I thought it was due to my big feet...and you know what they say about men with big feet?! bigger toe cages needed. Good job on the road shoes, unless they are really crap, you will not regret it.
3. I'm taking SNSSOs advice and as others have done, will replace the standard break blocks soon. I've had mine on for a while and even though they still grip, downhill they are not great.
4. I'm going to be an old fart here and tell you to take it easy or if anything stay off the bike when it's wet. Honestly it is very very easy to slip off on road tyres with even slightest drizzle. Although with experience you'l be more confident and can venture out more, I know riders with 30 years experience who make it a rule of not cycling in the wet because of near misses. Not to put you off but just be careful is my point. Last time I got caught out in the wet, my back wheel skidded on a manhole cover (Tokyo drift style) which gave me a wee scare.
5. On the tyre pressure, it depends how often you are going out and for how long and what type of tubes you have. I find with the cheap tubes I have on now, once a week I will need to inflate. It doesn't go down all that much but I like it fully inflated so least rolling resistance. My recommendation, with or without cheap tyres is check regularly to make sure the bike is at it's optimum.
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Post by oldtimer on Jul 24, 2013 19:18:44 GMT
Not much to add except to welcome you to the club. Newbie to roadbiking myself 7 months ago, and now getting on for 2000 miles. It's all weird! Potholes are a b*****r , wet roads are scary, ( I'm convinced I'll fall off on every corner, and motorists are twazzocks (or some of them are!). Fully in agreement with putting lights on (big flashing ones) as soon as visibility falls,changed my brake blocks to Clarks (as already recommended in ones of these threads) and like them a lot. tyre pressure..... I check mine at least once a week. Cleats? brilliant (I can stand up!!) I ride defensively (assume I'm going to get squashed one way or another) and thank as many motorists as I can (trying to educate my local people to 'think bike')
Enjoy!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2013 20:39:38 GMT
Totally agree with most points here. Potholes seem to be becoming a regular pain in the proverbial. Just try and look ahead and plan a way through. If you do hit one just try and get as much weight off the wheels as possible. Brakes forget the stock ones and change them. I've got Clarks gold pads (most pads will actually slot into the the triban carriers, if you don't want to change the whole thing) Rain. Just take your time. Plan your turns. Take it steady. Brake in a straight line as much as possible. I would much rather go out in a down pour than in drizzle. When cornering in the wet or the dry always have the outside peddle down so more weight will be transfered to the wheels giving a more planted feel. As for the pedals wouldn't know about the cages as I took mine off as soon as I got the T3 home. Welcome to the forum. And have fun
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