Two wheels bad

Campy is way better than Sh*mano in my experience. Needs much less adjustment, seems to last longer, better quality. It is also better designed (well in my opinion - I mean the Ergo levers are way better and more comfortable than the STI ones - and they don't have cables erupting everywhere either! It's also way more classy. OK in some cases it's more expensive (but it is Swings & Roundabouts - I've seen some Campy stuff like Cables and hoses being cheaper than the Sh*mano stuff) but I think for the added benefit I've found from it definitely make the extra cost well worth paying. I run Centaur (cross/Winter bike) & Record (Road Racing Bike)

Have got Ultegra on my time trial bike though, it does run ok, but if I had it built up from spec instead of getting it off the shelf on offer I think I would prefer to be running Campy on it.

XT stuff is good on the mtn bike, but then I've never ran SRAM Mechs or Shifters. I would say that the SRAM chains are a lot better than the Sh*tmano ones too - they seem to split and rejoin better, and with the powerlink it makes removing them for cleaning a lot easier.

Generally I would say I use the stuff with the Campy on a lot more, so it's not even a case of one taking more of a hammering than the other. The time trial bike gets used only for that, and obviously a few runs, but has needed way more adjustment than the road bike which is used several times most weeks (indeed virtually every day in the summer)

As for those mudguards, well last night when my lights died I had to take a detour along an old overgrown and muddy railway line (sections closed to the public too so not as if the drains had much maintainance either). Yet despite this the wheels are encrusted in much, but the frame and the rest of it was pretty much clean!! Definite plus in my book as it means I just have to wipe the few mud spots off, and wash the wheels - rather than the whole bike all the time which I had to do with the previous winter one!

Any cycling forumites up for the Tan Hill 211K Audax on the 27th of April from Padiham in Lancs? Not a race but it's nice to get back 1st. Good leg stretcher for the injured or as a recovery session between races - 3700 metres of climbing so could be likened to a CL?

Brett - good training ride on the fixed :D

That's mi birthday!! Errr... and also the PPP same weekend! :eek:

Else I'd be there!!

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Originally Posted by Ady In Accy

Any cycling forumites up for the Tan Hill 211K Audax on the 27th of April from Padiham in Lancs? Not a race but it's nice to get back 1st. Good leg stretcher for the injured or as a recovery session between races - 3700 metres of climbing so could be likened to a CL?

Brett - good training ride on the fixed :D

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Just been reading about the audax races and how popular they are becoming( in Northern Wheel - CTC Manchester mag - excellent read).

Fair play to you getting round this one.

Personally, I was excited about going out on the bike today, only to Prestwich and back to buy some new hilly socks. 7 mile round trip, no overshoes, no rain jacket, and no rain !!!!:)

Was a bit windy though.

Rob Jebb interview:cool:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/cross.php...rob_jebb_jan08
Not a bad lad if he likes pots of tea and bacon butties;)

Incase anyone's interested, here's a shot of the winter/cross bike set up in the cyclocross mode. Damn fast even with knobblies, had it on the old railway line, up through some old field lanes and through some techincal bits (including riding down a flight of steps), and it handles really nicely!

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Originally Posted by AllanT

Incase anyone's interested, here's a shot of the winter/cross bike set up in the cyclocross mode. Damn fast even with knobblies, had it on the old railway line, up through some old field lanes and through some techincal bits (including riding down a flight of steps), and it handles really nicely!

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Looks a belter AllanT, do you do a lot of cross, ever done the 3 peaks cyclocross?

There's not much of a cross scene over here, though they're hoping to start a cyclocross league over here next winter. I wanted a crosser though, but couldn't justify one until I wrote off my old winter bike - so I bought a crossframe, built it up with the bits off my old winter bike, got a new set of wheels, and brakes, and so that's the result.

Haven't done the 3 peaks yet, but it is on the list to do!!

What I like about them are that they are so fast and yet versatile - means I can ride long distances quickly on road, and still be able to go up dirt tracks when I like (something I wouldn't do on my bling road bike).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AllanT

There's not much of a cross scene over here, though they're hoping to start a cyclocross league over here next winter. I wanted a crosser though, but couldn't justify one until I wrote off my old winter bike - so I bought a crossframe, built it up with the bits off my old winter bike, got a new set of wheels, and brakes, and so that's the result.

Haven't done the 3 peaks yet, but it is on the list to do!!

What I like about them are that they are so fast and yet versatile - means I can ride long distances quickly on road, and still be able to go up dirt tracks when I like (something I wouldn't do on my bling road bike).

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Got two, one with gears i bought specifically for the 3 peaks, gained an entry last year but it was cancelled two weeks before (devastated) but got a definate place for this year, and one singlespeed that i use for work and general training, love it and definately got stronger using one gear, bling road bike's only been out once this year and mountain bike is collecting dust in cellar. Think i'm a compulsive bike hoarder:eek:

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Originally Posted by merrylegs

Got two, one with gears i bought specifically for the 3 peaks, gained an entry last year but it was cancelled two weeks before (devastated) but got a definate place for this year, and one singlespeed that i use for work and general training, love it and definately got stronger using one gear, bling road bike's only been out once this year and mountain bike is collecting dust in cellar. Think i'm a compulsive bike hoarder:eek:

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The weather is improving, and I am thinking it will not be long before the bling bike makes an outing from underneath the dust sheets. I am vowing this year to make myself stronger, faster and fitter. But then don't we all!!

I quite like the look of the Paris Roubaix, and the Tour, OK I will probably never get to the standard to ride the real one, but I like the idea of going out close to the race and riding ahead of it along all of the route.

Going to flog one of the mtn bikes as I don't really use it, if I can get a decent price for it, I think I will invest in a rear disk and deep section front wheel for the time trial bike, and maybe aero chainrings.

Of course there's no point in buying all the gear unless I start doing the training to deserve it again.

I am thinking hmm single speed fixed as well, but I don't think I have the room or the funds at the moment. Want a turbo trainer bike too, but I am guessing I don't have the space for that. I have a cracked frame from the winter bike, and did wonder about building some sort of setup by integrating it into the turbo trainer. Then I also have a spare hardtail frame and forks with enough bits to rebuilt it into a whole bike too...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AllanT

The weather is improving, and I am thinking it will not be long before the bling bike makes an outing from underneath the dust sheets. I am vowing this year to make myself stronger, faster and fitter. But then don't we all!!

I quite like the look of the Paris Roubaix, and the Tour, OK I will probably never get to the standard to ride the real one, but I like the idea of going out close to the race and riding ahead of it along all of the route.

Going to flog one of the mtn bikes as I don't really use it, if I can get a decent price for it, I think I will invest in a rear disk and deep section front wheel for the time trial bike, and maybe aero chainrings.

Of course there's no point in buying all the gear unless I start doing the training to deserve it again.

I am thinking hmm single speed fixed as well, but I don't think I have the room or the funds at the moment. Want a turbo trainer bike too, but I am guessing I don't have the space for that. I have a cracked frame from the winter bike, and did wonder about building some sort of setup by integrating it into the turbo trainer. Then I also have a spare hardtail frame and forks with enough bits to rebuilt it into a whole bike too...

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Like Armstrong say's 'It's not about the bike' get out training and suffering, always enjoy watching Paris Roubaix what a monster of a race, got a few of them on dvd, favourite one is 2004 when Roger Hammond came third, brilliant:cool:

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Originally Posted by merrylegs

Like Armstrong say's 'It's not about the bike' get out training and suffering, always enjoy watching Paris Roubaix what a monster of a race, got a few of them on dvd, favourite one is 2004 when Roger Hammond came third, brilliant:cool:

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Indeed it's not about the bike. But new bling kit can give you an extra incentive to get out training....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AllanT

Indeed it's not about the bike. But new bling kit can give you an extra incentive to get out training....

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That's why my bank balance is in worse shape than my legs:D

I'm getting good kit now while I can afford it, and will make it last for years. So I guess I will go from being a youngish cyclist who has a lovely bling light carbon fibre bike, to being an old git still riding around on 40 year old bikes...

Hmm once I have those wheels though, definitely going to rain in the expenditure, and if I built a single speed going to make sure I spend as little as possible on it (aren't SS's supposed to be built out of old odds and ends lying around anyway??....)...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AllanT

I'm getting good kit now while I can afford it, and will make it last for years. So I guess I will go from being a youngish cyclist who has a lovely bling light carbon fibre bike, to being an old git still riding around on 40 year old bikes...

Hmm once I have those wheels though, definitely going to rain in the expenditure, and if I built a single speed going to make sure I spend as little as possible on it (aren't SS's supposed to be built out of old odds and ends lying around anyway??....)...

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Yeah and there low maintenance as well, unlike the wife, stay single pal;)

God I seem to be doing a good job of that at the moment!! Met someone who is into cycling, climbing, running and the outdoors, but it's not going to happen, so at the moment there's absolutely no risk of me ending up with one (unless Stolly's daughters are interested... :-P )

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AllanT

God I seem to be doing a good job of that at the moment!! Met someone who is into cycling, climbing, running and the outdoors, but it's not going to happen, so at the moment there's absolutely no risk of me ending up with one (unless Stolly's daughters are interested... :-P )

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Oh no, not Stolly's daughters again, think they are out of bounds, he is a protective father, admire him for that:cool:

It's ok, sure he can't ride a bike fast enough to catch me!!.. :-P

It would be good training time trialing at 40mph... ;-)

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Originally Posted by AllanT

It's ok, sure he can't ride a bike fast enough to catch me!!.. :-P

It would be good training time trialing at 40mph... ;-)

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lol It would be his longest post on Stolly's running adventures, with no time for pictures:D

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Originally Posted by merrylegs

lol It would be his longest post on Stolly's running adventures, with no time for pictures:D

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hmm a race across 5 continents, night and day with no time for sleeping, eating, or anything else...

Sounds like fun...

(actually the RAAM is on the to do list as well, but that costs a bomb), unless I could get a few friends to help out on the cheap. Did have one mate who had a camper van and said that he reckoned we could get across America on less than a grand. Sounds like a good challenge to me!!...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AllanT

hmm a race across 5 continents, night and day with no time for sleeping, eating, or anything else...

Sounds like fun...

(actually the RAAM is on the to do list as well, but that costs a bomb), unless I could get a few friends to help out on the cheap. Did have one mate who had a camper van and said that he reckoned we could get across America on less than a grand. Sounds like a good challenge to me!!...

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I admire your ambitions, hope you do it one day;)

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Originally Posted by merrylegs

I admire your ambitions, hope you do it one day;)

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Circumnavigating the globe on a road bike would be excellent!!!

Wonder how long it would take??

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Originally Posted by AllanT

Circumnavigating the globe on a road bike would be excellent!!!

Wonder how long it would take??

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Depends on how many fat birds you met on the way;)

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Originally Posted by merrylegs

Depends on how many fat birds you met on the way;)

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Only petite ones for me mate! Preferably of the running, climbing & biking type...

are there any other forumites who are doing the Paris-Roubaix Cyclosportive in June? Only held every two years, you get to do the full pro course (all 260km), all the pave, finish with a lap of the velodrome and clean up in the famous showers... tougher than the etape in my book.

I posted this in the Training thread on cycling but probably would have been better here.... really wanting to know if anyone has done it and/or has any advice (tyres etc).. have ridden Tour of Flanders cyclosportive but apparently the Paris-Roubaix cobbles are a completely different ball game.

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Originally Posted by nikalas

are there any other forumites who are doing the Paris-Roubaix Cyclosportive in June? Only held every two years, you get to do the full pro course (all 260km), all the pave, finish with a lap of the velodrome and clean up in the famous showers... tougher than the etape in my book.

I posted this in the Training thread on cycling but probably would have been better here.... really wanting to know if anyone has done it and/or has any advice (tyres etc).. have ridden Tour of Flanders cyclosportive but apparently the Paris-Roubaix cobbles are a completely different ball game.

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What's the latest you can book for it?? How about getting a group of us together to go and do it - could we have a team or not? Will hopefully be bike fit by summer. Thinking if I did go, I will be using the cross bike for it (with the road wheels on) rather than my ultra expensive bling bike!!!..

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Originally Posted by AllanT

What's the latest you can book for it?? How about getting a group of us together to go and do it - could we have a team or not? Will hopefully be bike fit by summer. Thinking if I did go, I will be using the cross bike for it (with the road wheels on) rather than my ultra expensive bling bike!!!..

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not sure, can't imagine its a big rush as the sportive is in June... here's the link for the official French site (some very dodgy translation)

http://asso.nordnet.fr/vcrcyclotouri...008Anglais.htm

I'm going with Sports Tours International and producing a feature for 220 Triathlon.. link for Sports Tours is,

http://www.sportstoursinternational....cyclo-sportive

would be great to get a team/group together. I rode my cross bike for Tour of Flanders and it was great... was also very glad of gearing on the Bergs. Not so sure about Paris-Roubaix as you've got over 200km of regular road.

http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/ar...ttr=editorial1

entry forms out for this one now............you up for this Merry??

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Originally Posted by emmilou

http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/ar...ttr=editorial1

entry forms out for this one now............you up for this Merry??

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i hope your doing the 100:eek:

Of course!!! ;)

I can feel a cunning plan for a Yoredale / Pendle Pedal 100 combo coming on d;-]

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Originally Posted by emmilou

http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/ar...ttr=editorial1

entry forms out for this one now............you up for this Merry??

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Would have done that but sadly it's on the day i come back from camping in France:( Good luck emmi;)

Hmm. Might come out of 'road bike retirement' for that one... Not really done much on the bike this year after o.d. ing a bit last year.

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Originally Posted by fishbulb

Hmm. Might come out of 'road bike retirement' for that one... Not really done much on the bike this year after o.d. ing a bit last year.

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Should have kept an eye on your o.d.ometer, mate:D

Two wheels bad??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uPznTbus3g

:eek:

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Originally Posted by dominion

Two wheels bad??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uPznTbus3g

:eek:

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One wheel bloody amazing:eek: ;) :cool:

Just wondering, I am supposed to be going for a ride with a gorgeous woman soon. Should I wear lyrcra shorts and top, or an all in one skinsuit??....

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Originally Posted by AllanT

Just wondering, I am supposed to be going for a ride with a gorgeous woman soon. Should I wear lyrcra shorts and top, or an all in one skinsuit??....

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Depends on what you look good in and what's easier to get out of, for a quick shower after of course;)

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Originally Posted by merrylegs

Depends on what you look good in and what's easier to get out of, for a quick shower after of course;)

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One piece = quicky zip down to get out....

Better not suggest a shower when I'm cleaning the bike down - might get a hosepipe turned on me to cool my youthful ardour....

Hmm this is where my turbo trainer sessions are a little lacking I think...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRzTATrG70o&NR=1

Perhaps I should join a spin class.....