mpj
Peloton Rider
Posts: 40 
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Post by mpj on Sept 3, 2019 8:56:01 GMT
I've had my T3 for a long time and think that it's a great bike - upgraded the wheels to Fulcrum 5s and put a Charge Scoop on it, otherwise pretty stock. I'm doing some work as a cycling guide - LEJoG etc and found that I was having problems with sore hands, particularly after putting in 130km days on some of the more beaten up roads in Scotland. Bars triple wrapped and running 25mm Conti GP4000s, so not much more I could do  Decided to upgrade to something a little more robust/sturdy and have gone for an Btwin Ultra 520 AF GF and am delighted with it - particularly the supple Belgian AL frame and 28mm tyres (option to go up to 30mm - hurrah). Add a set of Raceblades and it's good to go :-) What has struck me is the conversation on here around Decca branding and perception. I've been surprised at how the perception of Btwin as a low end brand would affect folks buying choices. Uninformed riders could easily make the mistake I suppose, but even some of the informed forum members on here are discussing issues - it'll be interesting to see how the VR brand plays out. On the tours I encounter a wide range of riders (some with very expensive bikes) and only ever get positive interest in my trusty red T3. Looking forward to seeing what they make of the 520 ;-) |
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Post by derekv4 on Sept 4, 2019 13:30:19 GMT
Bars triple wrapped and running 25mm Conti GP4000s, so not much more I could do Could lower your seat post to throw more weight on to your butt and less on to your hands |
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mpj
Peloton Rider
Posts: 40
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Post by mpj on Sept 4, 2019 14:32:21 GMT
Fair point - I've already swapped the stem for something shorter and with more rise, basically the same effect of putting me more upright as you've suggested. The Fulcrum 5 front wheel is radially spoked, which makes it stiffer than a British Rail pork pie crust (one for our older members) - great wheels, but little "give" for endurance rides. In addition, there's only so much that I can expect of the budget carbon fork on the T3. I've also dropped my front tyre pressure as low as I can without getting an unacceptable level of pinch flats. The final ingredient is that I have some arthritis in my hands - it's not bad, but the "chatter" coming through from the poor road surfaces exacerbates it, particularly in the base of my thumbs I'm setting the 520 up in much the same way as the T3 and am hoping (haven't had chance to test it fully yet) that the combination of larger tyres, cross laced wheels and better frame/fork will make the difference. Depending on how I find it I may go up to a 30mm tyre at the front. Will report back if anybody is interested :-) |
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Post by derekv4 on Sept 4, 2019 15:17:31 GMT
Larger volume tyre at lower pressure will definitely improve comfort, but if your ride position is wrong you're only putting a "sticky plaster" on your wound so to speak
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Post by Paulinblack on Sept 4, 2019 16:17:59 GMT
Always wanted an AFGF (for the disc brakes) - But it came out a year too late and with no mudguard eyelets.  Now if I could get a Van Rysel Ultra with discs and Di2 I will be thinking N+1 very strongly! |
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mpj
Peloton Rider
Posts: 40
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Post by mpj on Sept 4, 2019 20:37:02 GMT
Larger volume tyre at lower pressure will definitely improve comfort, but if your ride position is wrong you're only putting a "sticky plaster" on your wound so to speak Derek, I'm pretty happy that I've got my saddle height right, but will have another look at my reach as part of setting up the 520. Do you have any suggestions for good info sources on this? |
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mpj
Peloton Rider
Posts: 40
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Post by mpj on Sept 4, 2019 20:45:46 GMT
Always wanted an AFGF (for the disc brakes) - But it came out a year too late and with no mudguard eyelets. Now if I could get a Van Rysel Ultra with discs and Di2 I will be thinking N+1 very strongly! Ha, yes, the disc brakes were a big factor for me too. No more scary, wet weather, descents  The lack of mudguard eyelets is less of an issue to me; I'm used to Raceblades on my T3 and they do a good job, so will just put them on the 520 as well. |
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Post by chas on Sept 5, 2019 9:28:10 GMT
I've also been getting tingly fingers after long rides, it was the main reason I put Tri bars on my RC520 but the aero advantage into the headwind on PBP was a real bonus. Having done a couple of long rides in the Scottish Borders I must sympathise, (my left fingers and toes are still tingling from a 600k ride in the Borders over a year ago) the roads surface is awful to ride on. Compared to Derbyshire roads they are much better maintained with far fewer potholes but they use a coarser stone which gives a rough surface even on some newly laid tarmac I rode on.
I wouldn't expect much difference from the frame or wheels (they will be stiff to transfer disc braking forces) but big soft tyres are wonderful. 28mm gp4000s come up about 31mm on modern wide rims and I ran mine about 60/70psi. Unfortunately with audax rides taking me down some rough routes I found I was getting a few punctures and have now gone to Mitchelin Kryllion endurance which are more true to size and I've run them a little harder.
You could try different mitts, or even no mitts as hands and feet can swell on long rides and the constriction can cause numbness (I went up a size in mitts) and always take my shoes off during breaks. Keep moving your hand position and maybe work on your core strength?
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mpj
Peloton Rider
Posts: 40
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Post by mpj on Sept 5, 2019 9:52:59 GMT
I've also been getting tingly fingers after long rides, it was the main reason I put Tri bars on my RC520 but the aero advantage into the headwind on PBP was a real bonus. Having done a couple of long rides in the Scottish Borders I must sympathise, (my left fingers and toes are still tingling from a 600k ride in the Borders over a year ago) the roads surface is awful to ride on. Compared to Derbyshire roads they are much better maintained with far fewer potholes but they use a coarser stone which gives a rough surface even on some newly laid tarmac I rode on. I wouldn't expect much difference from the frame or wheels (they will be stiff to transfer disc braking forces) but big soft tyres are wonderful. 28mm gp4000s come up about 31mm on modern wide rims and I ran mine about 60/70psi. Unfortunately with audax rides taking me down some rough routes I found I was getting a few punctures and have now gone to Mitchelin Kryllion endurance which are more true to size and I've run them a little harder. You could try different mitts, or even no mitts as hands and feet can swell on long rides and the constriction can cause numbness (I went up a size in mitts) and always take my shoes off during breaks. Keep moving your hand position and maybe work on your core strength? Yep to surfaces (a pronounced buzz), and the Scottish roads get worse as you go further north. Maybe the coarse compound stands up to freezing weather better? The 520 has Mavic Yksion Elite Guard 28mm tyres and I'll see how I go on those and play with the pressures as you have, maybe try running the front at 75psi initially - I like GP4000s but will bear your Mitchies in mind as well. Need to replace my gloves over the winter - any suggestions on padded gloves that have worked well for you? Finally, I'm going to do some core work and look carefully at my reach too. Suspect that I'm going to find small, incremental, improvements from all of the above and the rest will be down to ibuprofen and Rule #5 ;-) |
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Post by derekv4 on Sept 5, 2019 10:49:12 GMT
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Post by phred1812 on Sept 5, 2019 12:04:11 GMT
I turned up for my club night on Tuesday and was astonished to see a new member turn up on a RED (lower case)T3. Not only that, it was immaculate and completely original even down to those horrible wheels and tyres. She couldn't believe that there was club originally founded by owners of these beauties and that there was team kit which I still have and wear occasionally. I told her to look after the bike as it would start to become a collector's item soon |
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Post by chas on Sept 6, 2019 8:23:26 GMT
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Post by derekv4 on Sept 6, 2019 8:34:28 GMT
For me the cure for tingly hands/fingers was to go down to a narrower bar, 40cm width, short reach, shallow drop. Bike came originally with 42cm wide bars and my hands were too splayed out putting undue pressure on them
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mpj
Peloton Rider
Posts: 40
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Post by mpj on Sept 6, 2019 11:33:20 GMT
Interesting explanation one on the road surfaces :-) Cool, will look at the gloves and tape. Your point about hands and feet swelling throughout the day is a good one. I routinely slacken off my shoes in the afternoon, but hadn't considered my hands. Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) similar to aspirin and I only take it intermittently at low dose (200mg). Agree that routinely taking big doses (400-600mg) regularly is not a good idea for a number of reasons, gastric effects, systemic effects like kidney and cardiovascular plus the fact that you can do yourself damage by masking pain and overdoing it. |
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mpj
Peloton Rider
Posts: 40
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Post by mpj on Sept 6, 2019 11:37:15 GMT
For me the cure for tingly hands/fingers was to go down to a narrower bar, 40cm width, short reach, shallow drop. Bike came originally with 42cm wide bars and my hands were too splayed out putting undue pressure on them Hmm, interesting, the 520 has 420mm handlebars too. I've already ordered a shorter stem with more rise and am going to drop my saddle slightly, but will bear this in mind as well :-) |
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