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Post by goffski on Aug 21, 2013 9:25:05 GMT
I actually don't find the turbo too boring, i only spend an hour max on it and just watch TV or something. Last winter i watched the 2012 Tour De France DVD over and over again (should have really got the extended 14hr version) i find that watching cycling motivates me a little more. Think this year now i'm a bit fitter i'll try out these Suffer Fest (looked a bit too tough last year!)
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damo6
Peloton Rider
Posts: 294
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Post by damo6 on Aug 21, 2013 11:49:44 GMT
Seeing how its getting noticeably darker that much earlier now (hence the frequent sprint finishes to get back the last few nights) a turbo trainer may well be next on my list -anybody got any decent idea's for around £100 or less?
Also as up to now I've been a fair weather summer cyclist what are the essential winter items I may be needing to avoid freezing to death in the midst of deepest darkest winter?
cheers
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Post by goffski on Aug 21, 2013 13:10:56 GMT
Seeing how its getting noticeably darker that much earlier now (hence the frequent sprint finishes to get back the last few nights) a turbo trainer may well be next on my list -anybody got any decent idea's for around £100 or less? Also as up to now I've been a fair weather summer cyclist what are the essential winter items I may be needing to avoid freezing to death in the midst of deepest darkest winter? cheers I picked this one up from Decathlon last year, they had it on offer a couple of times for £129.00, but it's possible they're not selling it anymore.
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Post by captslog on Aug 21, 2013 13:46:33 GMT
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Post by goffski on Aug 21, 2013 14:59:03 GMT
Never used rollers but there's a bit more concentration involved in riding the rollers than a turbo and as far as i know takes a little practice.
No need for another tyre, i used the factory tyre all winter and is was fine. Only changed them come spring as i was putting new wheels / tyres combo on the bike. You do get a little tyre wear but nothing to worry about. As i now have a spare factory wheel i might put a turbo tyre on this but to be honest not sure it's actually worth it, come spring i'll probably be putting new tyres on anyway.
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Post by captslog on Aug 22, 2013 12:57:05 GMT
Never used rollers but there's a bit more concentration involved in riding the rollers than a turbo and as far as i know takes a little practice. No need for another tyre, i used the factory tyre all winter and is was fine. Only changed them come spring as i was putting new wheels / tyres combo on the bike. You do get a little tyre wear but nothing to worry about. As i now have a spare factory wheel i might put a turbo tyre on this but to be honest not sure it's actually worth it, come spring i'll probably be putting new tyres on anyway. Little being the operative word. It is tricky for the first couple of minutes or so but after that it gets easier. I can reach for a cup of water off the adjacent bench (rollers are in the shed) and I'm at the point where I can do "hands in the air finish", albeit for a second or so. I'm pretty certain that if you have commercially made rollers, its easier still. Mine are homemade and there was good deal of R+D involved setting up belts, distances etc. whilst riding, which made the learning curve very steep. What I can't do is stand on the peddles. This results in instant loss of tyre contact with the rear rollers, which makes the front stop too which equals crash!
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Post by spaceflightorange on Aug 23, 2013 7:33:25 GMT
My turbo is in my "office" so I stick Netflix on the iMac and use a set of Bluetooth headphones to drown out the turbo noise. Oh, and a fan pointing right at me.
For commuting I used my hybrid last year but that's gone now. I have a pair of winter wheels that will go on my T7a and just be keeping it clean. If the snow or ice hit ill be getting the MTB out.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2013 9:52:39 GMT
I commuted all of last winter, except for one day, on my T3. Mudgaurds, good lights and a hi-viz jacket help. Make yourself seen - don't rely on passive reflectives (that requires the drivers to have their lights on to see you). I have Schwlabe Durano plus tyres on my T3 (700x25c) and cycling when there is ice around is no different to driving when there is ice around. slow down carefully on the straight, don't lean into bends if there is a risk of ice on the corners, don't try accelerating quickly (not that I can anyway) and give yourself extra time. Never had an incidents and motorists were exceptionally helpful the entire time (including the day they found me cycling up a country lane on the wrong side of the road unable to get back over to my side due to a half mile of ice - the car simply stayed behing me and waited after I pointed at the ground, then did a cut throat motion across my neck and shook my head).
The only day I did not use my T3 was when there was physically a layer of snow across the entire road - then I went out on my mtb with studded tyres (Schwalbe Marathon Winters) instead and simply allowed even more time than usual.
To be honest - having commuted through winter for many many years (+10 years) your biggest issue is not snow or ice, it is torrential and continuous rain for days on end. Through winter, I use full waterproofs if it is raining when I set out. There is nothing worse than getting home soaked to the skin AND freezing cold. Soaked, I can deal with, but it is the cold that is the killer - and you will find cycling in winter is slower anyhow, simply due to the colder weather, so again, expect your speeds to be (slightly) lower and allow more time, otherwise, just get on with it.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2013 12:59:21 GMT
Oh - and I forgot to add, treat yourself to some good waterproof, thermal gloves - get one size too big so you can put some liners (such as merino wool mountaineering ones) on underneath as well... your fingers will thank you very quickly for money well spent. (I use Endura Luminite Waterproof gloves www.evanscycles.com/products/endura/luminite-waterproof-glove-ec040023 but have also happily used Endura Strike Waterproof gloves as well which are basically the non bright version of the same glove). Good to about -5C without liner and -10C with liner factoring in windchill. After that I use waterproof ski-ing gloves....
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2013 19:36:07 GMT
Getting out on the bike is still best, I reckon. But to the original question...I bought my Triban 3 last Autumn and rode when I could through the Winter. About half way through I made two purchases which really helped. Overshoes helped my freezing feet (more of a problem with clipless pedals, I think), and mudguards stopped a recurrence of a seized-up derailleur (clogged with water and road salt thrown on by the front tyre). On the subject of making indoor cycling bearable: I'm tempted by this: lifehacker.com/5989669/researchers-claim-to-discover-the-single-most-efficient-exercise-regimenIt won't get the miles in the legs, but might help with any weight-related exercise goals and help develop some fast twitch fibres...
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