Cycling thread

[Armel]

That first video is absolutely savage - hope he got up OK as he was prob doing 30 mph. Looks like the speed bump did it.

Titanium frames are prob the most beautiful I've seen anywhere - love the raw colour and they're often put together by bespoke craftsmen. Read so many posts of broken / cracked frames, though, think it's a risky proposition for a mountain bike. Don't know if it's something inherent material, or that small operations can't do quality assurance the way the big corporations can with their manufacturing.

Ti on the road you would expect more durability so prob a better bet.

He was okay afterwards.

Probably that I think. It’s supposed to be quite difficult to weld titanium, so you’d have to x-ray the welds or something. Extra important for mountainbikes. Especially if you do something like Downhill etc...

Another cracked one:

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

If you're bike shopping then have a look at gravel bikes. This is a new niche invented by the bike industry, but unlike most of their marketing nonsense it actually makes sense. Basically how many people who own mountain bikes actually want to put them through their paces on rough, technical terrain, get the suspension working, frame flexing etc? It's probably a minority - people are more interested in just riding out in the countryside on bike paths, farm tracks and the gravel roads you have in the US and you don't need a mountain bike for this.
What is needed here is something like a cyclocross bike, but with comfier geometry [less tall, longer wheelbase] - hence gravel bikes. Frame will take big tyres for comfort, nice geometry for riding all day, and will be drilled for a rack for longer, touring-style trips. Really like this style of bike as I think it's extremely versatile and fits the type of riding most people actually like doing.

Some examples

Thanks man; digging on that Giant...gonna' have to check these out.

 

[Armel]

Have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this year’s Paris-Nice. For sure, arguably the better riders are currently at the Tireno but the strength of the peloton doesn’t influence the excitement value of the race.

Brilliant weather today:

 

[Armel]

Starting to become a thing nowadays (look at the bottom right picture; the front chain-ring):

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Starting to become a thing nowadays (look at the bottom right picture; the front chain-ring):

Is that a single chainring? You'd imagine on many of the flatter days there isn't really much use for a small chainring.

 

[Armel]

Is that a single chainring? You'd imagine on many of the flatter days there isn't really much use for a small chainring.

Yes. I know they use it in CX and MTB; but on the road I think it's a bit strange since you have less gears. I suppose there are also some other downsides since there's only a handful of teams using it so far. One of the above riders' chain went of today, that's how I noticed it.

Possibly good for TT, because of the shape.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Interesting analysis done by someone on the career trajectories of various well known riders over the past few decades or so.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Who does everyone pick for MSR this weekend? If the weather in Britain is any guide, it'll be a cold one.

 

[Black Belt Jones]

The evergreen Valverde....

No idea for MSR tbh, I'd make the hugely unoriginal pick of Sagan if I had to bet - just seems that he's really good strategically now to match his physical talents. Some of his world champ wins were masterful racing, and everyone is usually in the mix at the end of MSR.

 

[Black Belt Jones]

Yes. I know they use it in CX and MTB; but on the road I think it's a bit strange since you have less gears. I suppose there are also some other downsides since there's only a handful of teams using it so far. One of the above riders' chain went of today, that's how I noticed it.

Possibly good for TT, because of the shape.

Surprised to see that tbh - must be quite a specific course elevation profile.
All my stuff is single ring, but that's because I don't own a road bike Actually just fitted a double to the CX for this year's Fred Whitton. 11 at the back gives pretty good range, but still not enough for hilly road riding.

Even despite the range issue, most roadies are really picky about jumps between ratios - the pros pedal like a Swiss watch, they won't be happy with gaps in a cassette.

 

[Armel]

Interesting analysis done by someone on the career trajectories of various well known riders over the past few decades or so.

*De Vlaeminck.

Valverde will keep rising; even though he's almost 39 (25 April). I expect he's going to obliterate everyone again in Huy.

Who does everyone pick for MSR this weekend? If the weather in Britain is any guide, it'll be a cold one.

The obvious ones are Sagan, Démare, Kwiatkowski, Viviani and maybe Kristoff.

So I'll choose somebody else for fun; maybe Alaphilippe/Gilbert. They like cold weather and rain. MSR is always a bit of a casino. If
Gaviria was present I would have chosen him.

 

[Armel]

Milan San Remo will be the first race with a video-ref.

Interesting to see how that will turn out. Last year they said that everyone who rode on the sidewalk would get picked out of the race, initially they did but since then their stance has sofftened. Happened a few times already this year and only fines ... Same for bike paths.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Interesting to see Greipel and Cav seemingly get over the Cipressa without too many issues.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Cavendish has a horror crash. Absolutely awful.

 

[Bruce Wayne]