Cycling thread

[Disgruntledgoat]

On a lighter note, my annual Friday night of madness at the Gent Six is up tomorrow.

This guy (Hambini) is putting out some interesting stuff at the moment - he's an engineer (in the aerospace industry I think) who takes piss-boiling exception to the nonsense some high end bike companies talk about aerodynamics, as well as their manufacturing standards. Goes to town here on a cervelo frame (lots of swearing).



He also has access to a wind tunnel, and absolutely panelled the Watts-saving claims of some wheel manufacturers. He clearly believes the best defence to libel is the truth, as he's been threatened with legal action to pipe him down but appears NEA.

DD and Garmin riders have been moaning about Cervelo for years. A real shame as their early stuff was great. I had the original aluminium soloist and it was a game changer.

 

[Black Belt Jones]

On a lighter note, my annual Friday night of madness at the Gent Six is up tomorrow.



DD and Garmin riders have been moaning about Cervelo for years. A real shame as their early stuff was great. I had the original aluminium soloist and it was a game changer.

Seems like press-fit bottom brackets on carbon frames cause a lot of aggravation. I'm not bothered with the odd creak on the mountain bike or cross bike as they get ridden in the filthiest conditions. The road would be a different story - I'm not much of a roadman, but if I spent 3 grand on a frame I'd be expecting an absolute Swiss watch performance. That's a long term purchase.

 

[Disgruntledgoat]

Seems like press-fit bottom brackets on carbon frames cause a lot of aggravation. I'm not bothered with the odd creak on the mountain bike or cross bike as they get ridden in the filthiest conditions. The road would be a different story - I'm not much of a roadman, but if I spent 3 grand on a frame I'd be expecting an absolute Swiss watch of a bike. That's a long term purchase.

Never seen the point of press-fit. There was absolutely nobody clamouring for a new standard to the 65mm, 24mm axel screw in and then the industry suddenly comes up with 5 new crazy BB designs.

I really hate the bike industry.

On a lighter note, off at the Six Day tomorrow and Saturday. Once the Rapha crowd over for the weekend pass out about 11, it's the best night of the year.

 

[sbbefc]

I have a threaded BB, is it worth replacing them on a fairly regular basis? Even before it starts creeking? I ask because my bike just feels so much more sluggish these days. Im just trying to figure out ways to improve the performance of the bike.

 

[Disgruntledgoat]

I have a threaded BB, is it worth replacing them on a fairly regular basis? Even before it starts creeking? I ask because my bike just feels so much more sluggish these days. Im just trying to figure out ways to improve the performance of the bike.

You'll normally feel if it needs replacing if you grab the cranks and feel any sideways movement.

How long/how far have you had the bike ?

 

[sbbefc]

You'll normally feel if it needs replacing if you grab the cranks and feel any sideways movement.

How long/how far have you had the bike ?

I've had the bike around 5 years now. Id say I do about 6000ish km a year on it. I want to avoid buying a new one if I can help it.

 

[Disgruntledgoat]

I've had the bike around 5 years now. Id say I do about 6000ish km a year on it. I want to avoid buying a new one if I can help it.

BB is pretty cheap these days, probably around £15.

After 30,000km you'll probably enjoy a new casette, chain, chainrings and cables. That'll make it feel brand new.

 

[Black Belt Jones]

Never seen the point of press-fit. There was absolutely nobody clamouring for a new standard to the 65mm, 24mm axel screw in and then the industry suddenly comes up with 5 new crazy BB designs.

I really hate the bike industry.

On a lighter note, off at the Six Day tomorrow and Saturday. Once the Rapha crowd over for the weekend pass out about 11, it's the best night of the year.

Are you going to the velodrome for the event itself, or is it more everyone is out on the ale in Ghent? Sounds like it'll be a great weekend.

The bike industry just seems cannibalistic - like it's crucifying shops and no one seems to be able to make money selling bikes to compete with online retail. But bike mechanics isn't seen as a skilled trade so customers aren't prepared to pay a serious labour rate for repairs. Plus five different standards for a bottom bracket means holding stock is pointless. Proper roadshop near me is touching cloth for these reasons, be surprised if it's there next year.

Saying that I was talking to a guy who is opening a shop in S Manc / Cheshire to try and capture the rapha espresso crowd - the ferrari dealership model. Rather him than me, but he's chosen a decent spot for it at least.

 

[Black Belt Jones]

I've had the bike around 5 years now. Id say I do about 6000ish km a year on it. I want to avoid buying a new one if I can help it.

Do you have a decent set of wheels? Good wheelset can transform a bike if you felt like spending a bit of money, but not new bike money.

 

[Disgruntledgoat]

Are you going to the velodrome for the event itself, or is it more everyone is out on the ale in Ghent? Sounds like it'll be a great weekend.

The bike industry just seems cannibalistic - like it's crucifying shops and no one seems to be able to make money selling bikes to compete with online retail. But bike mechanics isn't seen as a skilled trade so customers aren't prepared to pay a serious labour rate for repairs. Plus five different standards for a bottom bracket means holding stock is pointless. Proper roadshop near me is touching cloth for these reasons, be surprised if it's there next year.

Saying that I was talking to a guy who is opening a shop in S Manc / Cheshire to try and capture the rapha espresso crowd - the ferrari dealership model. Rather him than me, but he's chosen a decent spot for it at least.

Normally go friday, saturday, sunday... But just friday and saturday this year (It gets harder every year... the city sent the e-mail for 2020 tickets today!

This is not to say I won't be on the ale in Gent but that's just a friday

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Do you have a decent set of wheels? Good wheelset can transform a bike if you felt like spending a bit of money, but not new bike money.

The whole bike industry has turned into a dentists wet dream with the amount of (often ridiculous) stuff you can spend obscene amounts of money on. It's moved a long way from the sports working class roots.

 

[sbbefc]

Do you have a decent set of wheels? Good wheelset can transform a bike if you felt like spending a bit of money, but not new bike money.

THey're re Ultegras so not too bad I guess. But again, they're like 4 years old now.

BB is pretty cheap these days, probably around £15.

After 30,000km you'll probably enjoy a new casette, chain, chainrings and cables. That'll make it feel brand new.

Yeah I've pretty much replaced everything except the BB which is a bit too much of a faff to replace. I have the part but its a nightmare to get off and its not creeking just yet.

 

[Disgruntledgoat]

THey're re Ultegras so not too bad I guess. But again, they're like 4 years old now.



Yeah I've pretty much replaced everything except the BB which is a bit too much of a faff to replace. I have the part but its a nightmare to get off and its not creeking just yet.

Hub service couldnt hurt. And check your rim wear too!

 

[Black Belt Jones]

Just caught up watching last weekend's cyclocross world cup - Good God van der Poel is another species. It was at Koksidje in Belgium which is famous for its sandy sections - vdP missed the first three WC races so is gridded third row, huge disadvantage. There's then a big crash going into the first corner which he gets trapped behind, gets rolling fifth from the back of the entire field - obviously race over as far as a good result is concerned. Nah - he overtakes THIRTY NINE riders on the first lap to get up to second, then takes the lead and rides it in untouched for the win.

The guy who took the heaviest fall in the crash, Tim Merlier, was properly off the back with what looked like a sore head, and got it together to finish 9th which was a huge ride.

 

[Peter The Dog]

is there a better feeling than latex on the skin?