Numpty IM Bike Thread - Page 11 - Triathlon

cougie

pirate

26/07/2005 at 15:42

A roof would be a good idea Jj - I'll get busy with my meccano.

Bike etiquette also says that dark coloured shorts are the best to wear. Anything else goes transparent.

Welsh Alex

26/07/2005 at 15:42

Was thinking I could start out on my trusty 20 year old Dawes Galaxy. It's not like I am going to be fast anyway.

Would be handy with the panniers anyway.

Is there a cycle-touring version of IM ? You know, gotta do a brass rubbing on the way round and stop for a swift cream tea ?

fat buddha

26/07/2005 at 15:42

the other thing you can also take into account with frames - male or female - is that you can adjust stem length, stem height, seat post (some are bent so reversiable), seat placing on the rails etc...........all this will also give you additional positions to suit...........but the best way to go if you want to pay the dosh is getting a custom made frame which is based on a whole load of measurements including inner leg measurement, arm lenght, shoulder width, riding style etc etc...............

ultimately it's the frame that counts - the kit can be specced to suit preference and wallet

Gumps

26/07/2005 at 15:44

http://www.setavento.com/

Custon Ti. Pics of mine in a few weeks :-)))))

cougie

pirate

26/07/2005 at 15:45

Alex - I'd start off with that no problem. At the moment you want to build miles in the legs and get used to handling a bike again and stuff. No need to jump in with a carbon lo pro this week.

Get some miles in and enjoy.

Calf

pirate

26/07/2005 at 15:45

don't tri and run (I think) make Tri bikes to measure for 500 notes?

candy ollier

26/07/2005 at 16:00

"carbon lo pro"???

cough *graham norton*

cougie

pirate

26/07/2005 at 16:03

Yeah - you know - like Binky ?

;-)

Welsh Alex

26/07/2005 at 16:04

Gotta get back in to it really. Up to about 15 years ago I used to cycle a lot and was in to strenuous touring. Sort of 1200 miles per 14 days stuff.

Since then work etc etc. Only the odd 5 or 10 miles.

candy ollier

26/07/2005 at 16:05

i'm sure she'd be offended to be described like that though, not to say bewildered.

she's "a black one"

Gumps

26/07/2005 at 16:06

oo'er. In that case I've currently got "a black one" from Planet X telling me it wants a home

MMmmm Universal Twinkler

26/07/2005 at 16:06

'strenuous touring' ... LOL!

Welsh Alex

26/07/2005 at 16:09

High pressure stuff you know. 15 Mars Bars per day and only the pub for comfort in the evening.

brownyboi

26/07/2005 at 18:36

Well, I'd just like to thank all the bike numpty masters for their invaluable advice - it worked a treat when I went to the bike shop - I was able to talk about groupsets and compact chainrings and stuff! I think I fooled 'em!

Although I kind of strayed onto talking about Campag gear which might have been a mistake cos it was outside of my blagging knowledge.

Does this mean that I graduate from Numpty Bike School, or do I still have a long way to go?

haileunlikely

26/07/2005 at 19:32

Looks like you are doing well, just one thing, its ok to fool others but more importantly you've got to fool yourself.

quimby

26/07/2005 at 21:30

Gear changing mechanisms. Can anyone give us a description about the variety out there? Last time I had a road bike, both levers were on the down tube (the diagonal bit that goes from beneath the handlebars to the bottom bracket). When I came to test ride my Trek 1000, I was startled to find that I had to use the brake levers and some little nubbins on the brake lever hoods.

This system is Shimano Sora FlightDeck (or so it says on the hoods). The left brake lever controls the big chainring. To move from a smaller chainring to a bigger one, I push the brake lever rightwards, towards the centre of the handlebars, until the chain ascends, then release. To move the chain to a smaller chainring, I press a little nubbin on the inside of the hood, pretty much under my thumb if I'm riding on the hoods. To change the rear cogs, I do a similar thing, in a mirrored way, with the right brake.

Would anyone like to describe the alternatives, and the pros & cons of each? This may get complicated as we get into the tri-specific options, but I think it's a valid topic for bike numpties; I was completely thrown by an entirely different system than that with which I'd grown up.

brownyboi

26/07/2005 at 22:53

Ahh... I see I still have a lot to learn, Grand Master...

haileunlikely

26/07/2005 at 22:59

So, recommendations for tools for the saddle bag please. I'm sorted for innertube, tyre levers and puncture outfit, and i've got one of those Alien multi-tools which seems a bit bulky, will a couple of allen keys do me instead?

Bouncing Barlist pirate

pirate

26/07/2005 at 23:07

Park Tools are really good, some have intefral tyre levers, Shimano do a good range of saddle bags.

Bouncing Barlist pirate

pirate

26/07/2005 at 23:08

Sorry meant Specialised do a good range of saddle bags.