Page 5 • The cycling thread • Non-Gaming • Travel • Eurogamer.net

Angel_Treats 12 Dec 2008 10:49:52 11,070 posts
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I'll probably end up replacing it with a Cat Eye, I have one of those as my front light and it's brilliant, super bright and the batteries haven't needed replacing in over a year. I know bike lights are thief magnets but I really didn't think this one was - an Argos special (it came in a pack of two, one front, one rear, for about �6.99), covered with muck and with the casing a bit loose, who would want it?

pistol 12 Dec 2008 11:02:54 13,018 posts
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Angel_Treats wrote:
I'll probably end up replacing it with a Cat Eye, I have one of those as my front light and it's brilliant, super bright and the batteries haven't needed replacing in over a year. I know bike lights are thief magnets but I really didn't think this one was - an Argos special (it came in a pack of two, one front, one rear, for about �6.99), covered with muck and with the casing a bit loose, who would want it?

You'd think they'd only nick stuff that's useful but I think some people just do it for the sake of it.

I never use lights myself as I only use my bikes on training rides in the daytime. Spend the winter evenings on the trainer and do roughly 100 miles at the weekend split over 2 days. Weather permitting..

DugBriderider 12 Dec 2008 12:05:02 851 posts
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I have cycled to work on and off for couple of years, I do more now cos my car is long term sick. Waterproof trousers is a must. Can anyone reccomend a good front light cos out here in the sticks dark is dark.

I'm lucky in that a brought my bike at auction of stolen bikes, I got 12 bikes for �8 I never lock it up cos it cost nothing. I've had to replace a few parts and now its getting annoying to ride. Soon I will have to buy a new one but a �300 bike will just get me paranoid.

pistol 12 Dec 2008 12:08:42 13,018 posts
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DugBriderider wrote:
I have cycled to work on and off for couple of years, I do more now cos my car is long term sick. Waterproof trousers is a must. Can anyone reccomend a good front light cos out here in the sticks dark is dark.

I'm lucky in that a brought my bike at auction of stolen bikes, I got 12 bikes for �8 I never lock it up cos it cost nothing. I've had to replace a few parts and now its getting annoying to ride. Soon I will have to buy a new one but a �300 bike will just get me paranoid.

I have a �2K carbon road bike and a �600 Trek aluminium road bike. They never leave my sight.. ;-)

angeltreats 12 Dec 2008 12:12:18 2,601 posts
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Something like this? Cat Eye lights are really good.

Not being funny but �300 really isn't that much for a bike! Mine was about �250 (Ridgeback Comet) and I wouldn't really want a more expensive one. I'd like a nice fast road bike but a) they cost too much and b) I carry far too much shit around with me in panniers and it would defeat the purpose really to have a lovely fast road bike and then weigh it down with panniers and racks.

PiD 12 Dec 2008 12:18:31 3,564 posts
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Jeez, in the scheme of things �300 isn't a whole lot for a bike. Good quality bikes are a fair whack more.

One of the guys in the office got some neat little LED lights from Evans for �15 and they have a weird elastic strap. Found em

angeltreats 12 Dec 2008 12:19:59 2,601 posts
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I have some of those, I keep one at work for emergencies in case I forget to carry a light with me and have to cycle home in the dark. Great little things they are.

pistol 12 Dec 2008 12:29:18 13,018 posts
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angeltreats wrote:
Something like this? Cat Eye lights are really good.

Not being funny but �300 really isn't that much for a bike! Mine was about �250 (Ridgeback Comet) and I wouldn't really want a more expensive one. I'd like a nice fast road bike but a) they cost too much and b) I carry far too much shit around with me in panniers and it would defeat the purpose really to have a lovely fast road bike and then weigh it down with panniers and racks.

I have these two

Trek 5.1

Scott CR1 Pro

I have the black and yellow Scott and it's awesome. They use them on the Tour and they were pretty revolutionary when they first appeared on the Tour 3 or 4 years ago. The Scott only weighs 16.5 lbs.

PinkSpider 12 Dec 2008 13:06:55 3,349 posts
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I got some topeak lights. (very bright). The back one has a rubber band type thing which straps around the seat and stays on and the front has a strap which easily goes on.

�21 in pcword, got em on ebay for �11 new

DugBriderider 12 Dec 2008 13:12:25 851 posts
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I know its not much but it's �300 I havn't got at the moement, If I keep my job (Employer is on the rocks) then I will take the plunge after the Xmas.

That Cat Eye looks the business, I'm not kidding about the dark even the lunar cycle makes a big difference.

pistol 12 Dec 2008 13:33:51 13,018 posts
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DugBriderider wrote:
I know its not much but it's �300 I havn't got at the moement, If I keep my job (Employer is on the rocks) then I will take the plunge after the Xmas.

That Cat Eye looks the business, I'm not kidding about the dark even the lunar cycle makes a big difference.

Riding and tennis are my 2 sports so that's the only reason I've spent so much. Otherwise I'd probably just get a run of the mill racer.

mattigan 12 Dec 2008 13:44:48 1,428 posts
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PinkSpider wrote:
Question: what do those type of pedals 'do'. Only ever really used bmx/ mountain bike pedals...

When used in conjunction with the little metal bit (cleat - they come with the pedals) that bolts to the special shoes you need to use this type of pedal, they effectively stick your foot to the pedal, allowing you to both push down on a pedal with one foot whilst simultaneously pulling up on the other pedal.

This gives you about a 20% increase in efficiency whilst pedalling. Think of it like this, you get into work in the same time for 20% less effort or 20% faster with the same effort. They come in extra handy on hills too.

Put it this way, once you move to this type of pedal you will never go back to the old way.

And before you ask, you twist your heel away from the bike to 'unstick' your foot from the pedal.

PinkSpider 12 Dec 2008 13:51:24 3,349 posts
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Ah, they sound alright. If you fall I imagine your foot would twist out? (I've fallen off thanks to various things quite a lot recently).

Really want �400 for a new bike

And then a few hundred for a fixie.

smoothpete 12 Dec 2008 13:55:28 37,743 posts
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You bright-lighted cycling bastards temporarily blind me every single night when I'm walking home. You don't need 10 million candlepower lights

pistol 12 Dec 2008 13:56:03 13,018 posts
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mattigan wrote:

PinkSpider wrote:
Question: what do those type of pedals 'do'. Only ever really used bmx/ mountain bike pedals...

When used in conjunction with the little metal bit (cleat - they come with the pedals) that bolts to the special shoes you need to use this type of pedal, they effectively stick your foot to the pedal, allowing you to both push down on a pedal with one foot whilst simultaneously pulling up on the other pedal.

This gives you about a 20% increase in efficiency whilst pedalling. Think of it like this, you get into work in the same time for 20% less effort or 20% faster with the same effort. They come in extra handy on hills too.

Put it this way, once you move to this type of pedal you will never go back to the old way.

And before you ask, you twist your heel away from the bike to 'unstick' your foot from the pedal.

Use these on both my bikes and I'm so used to them now I really couldn't ride with anything else. Agree with everything said above. Take a little bit of getting used to, but after a while it will just click (pardon the pun). I use these shoes but they are for not for general muck about riding.

http://www.thetristore.com/newproductsthumbs/proroad08.jpg

Mine are the white ones. Cost around �150 and are carbon.

There are loads of much cheaper pairs for both mountain and road bikes. A good place to start would be Shimano shoes and cleats.

mattigan 12 Dec 2008 14:04:36 1,428 posts
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PinkSpider wrote:
Ah, they sound alright. If you fall I imagine your foot would twist out? (I've fallen off thanks to various things quite a lot recently).

Really want �400 for a new bike And then a few hundred for a fixie.

Not always, but you learn pretty quickly to twist out at the meer sniff of danger, although when getting used to them you will come to a stop at the lights, forget to unclip and slowly fall over sideways, it happens to everyone once or twice.

I got one of these and it's awesome, of course I have now pimped it with white tyres and a brookes saddle

pistol 12 Dec 2008 14:07:41 13,018 posts
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mattigan wrote:

PinkSpider wrote:
Ah, they sound alright. If you fall I imagine your foot would twist out? (I've fallen off thanks to various things quite a lot recently).

Really want �400 for a new bike And then a few hundred for a fixie.

Not always, but you learn pretty quickly to twist out at the meer sniff of danger, although when getting used to them you will come to a stop at the lights, forget to unclip and slowly fall over sideways, it happens to everyone once or twice.

I got one of these and it's awesome, of course I have now pimped it with white tyres and a brookes saddle

When I first got mine I stuck my bike on a trainer and practiced taking em on and off. After a while it just became second nature. Just get into the habit of clipping them out before you get to any junctions. But even the best riders will fall off with their feet stuck.

caligari 12 Dec 2008 14:11:30 17,956 posts
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Oh dear.

I didn't realise I needed special shoes for these pedals. ;_;

billythekid 12 Dec 2008 14:16:17 12,595 posts
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mattigan wrote:

PinkSpider wrote:
Ah, they sound alright. If you fall I imagine your foot would twist out? (I've fallen off thanks to various things quite a lot recently).

Really want �400 for a new bike And then a few hundred for a fixie.

Not always, but you learn pretty quickly to twist out at the meer sniff of danger, although when getting used to them you will come to a stop at the lights, forget to unclip and slowly fall over sideways, it happens to everyone once or twice.

I got one of these and it's awesome, of course I have now pimped it with white tyres and a brookes saddle

Someone done it in front of me a few weeks back! It was fucking funny.

pistol 12 Dec 2008 14:29:30 13,018 posts
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caligari wrote:
Oh dear.

I didn't realise I needed special shoes for these pedals. ;_;

You can pick up a half decent pair of Shimano's for around �40.00.

I started out with these and after a while upgraded to the carbon specialized pair. I still use these when I'm on the trainer.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/r075-road-shoes-ec008785

SooperCooper 12 Dec 2008 14:57:14 112 posts
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For lights I use two Tesco 3w cree Torches held on the bars with Jubilee Clips, very bright, cars normally pull over to let me pass! the people on the Bikeradar.com forums luv 'em. Only �10 each.

caligari 12 Dec 2008 22:35:53 17,956 posts
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pistol wrote:

caligari wrote:
Oh dear.

I didn't realise I needed special shoes for these pedals. ;_;

You can pick up a half decent pair of Shimano's for around �40.00.

I started out with these and after a while upgraded to the carbon specialized pair. I still use these when I'm on the trainer.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/r075-road-shoes-ec008785

Ouch - they look cool, but 40.00 is still pretty steep.

How exactly do you 'unclip' when you have to stop suddenly? I just have a feeling that I'd kill myself whilst trying to use them.

pistol 12 Dec 2008 22:38:41 13,018 posts
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caligari wrote:

pistol wrote:

caligari wrote:
Oh dear.

I didn't realise I needed special shoes for these pedals. ;_;

You can pick up a half decent pair of Shimano's for around �40.00.

I started out with these and after a while upgraded to the carbon specialized pair. I still use these when I'm on the trainer.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/r075-road-shoes-ec008785

Ouch - they look cool, but 40.00 is still pretty steep.

How exactly do you 'unclip' when you have to stop suddenly? I just have a feeling that I'd kill myself whilst trying to use them.

You just turn your ankle outwards and they pop out. You can adjust them so they are as loose or as tight as you like. I really couldn't ride without them.

caligari 12 Dec 2008 22:40:41 17,956 posts
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pistol wrote:

caligari wrote:

pistol wrote:

caligari wrote:
Oh dear.

I didn't realise I needed special shoes for these pedals. ;_;

You can pick up a half decent pair of Shimano's for around �40.00.

I started out with these and after a while upgraded to the carbon specialized pair. I still use these when I'm on the trainer.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/r075-road-shoes-ec008785

Ouch - they look cool, but 40.00 is still pretty steep.

How exactly do you 'unclip' when you have to stop suddenly? I just have a feeling that I'd kill myself whilst trying to use them.

You just turn your ankle outwards and they pop out. You can adjust them so they are as loose or as tight as you like. I really couldn't ride without them.

Hmmmm - tempting. The only bummer is that it means having to carry my 'real' shoes in my rucksack - which will be pretty 'weighty'.

mattigan 13 Dec 2008 08:12:04 1,428 posts
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Depends how much walking you are going to do, for commuting I would recomend that you actually get mountain biking shoes, they have a tread and recessed cleat mounting, meaning you can actually walk in them as well, they are also a little more flexible in the sole which also aids easy walking.

Road shoes are really ONLY for cycling not walking at all, I bought a pair and used them twice before putting them on ebay as I nearly fell flat on my face about 3 times while trying to walk the 20 feet from the bike rack to the lift at my work!

If you are new to the clipless pedal world, go with a cheap pair of mountainbiking shoes and a pair of SPD pedals which shouldn't set you back more than �60 if you shop around.

Also, keep your shoes at work for god's sake don't cart them to work every day! Same goes for anything else you can possibly avoid dragging about in your bike bag.

mattigan 13 Dec 2008 08:19:15 1,428 posts
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To clarify, the only stuff I lug to work is shirt, tie, pants & socks and the obvious bike paraphenalia (spare tube etc...)

Everything else is kept at work, suit, shoes, towel, toiletries.

PinkSpider 14 Dec 2008 10:44:45 3,349 posts
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mattigan wrote:

PinkSpider wrote:
Ah, they sound alright. If you fall I imagine your foot would twist out? (I've fallen off thanks to various things quite a lot recently).

Really want �400 for a new bike And then a few hundred for a fixie.

Not always, but you learn pretty quickly to twist out at the meer sniff of danger, although when getting used to them you will come to a stop at the lights, forget to unclip and slowly fall over sideways, it happens to everyone once or twice.

I got one of these and it's awesome, of course I have now pimped it with white tyres and a brookes saddle

I did that once when I was younger and my jeans got stuck in the chain (I used to be a, ugh... Mosher, god that sounds sad now).

Also; I have seen a Marin Bobcat, second hand for �250... it looks spiffy and I've decided if I get any monies on my birthday (even a fiver) then it shall be mine and the rest of the monies will come from my overdraft

caligari 30 Jan 2009 21:22:59 17,956 posts
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Hey chaps - I need to buy a new front cog thingy for the front of my bike -the bit on which the chain moves from 1 to 3 (wow - does that make absolutely ANY sense?). I'm pretty sure it's called the 'chainring'.

Anyway, my one has worn out pretty badly, and is causing my chain to slip when I'm changing gear or going up a hill - how do I work out what type I need to buy to replace my current chainring?

There are so many, and sooo many different sizes etc.

angeltreats 30 Jan 2009 21:47:51 2,601 posts
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No idea, sorry, but I thought I'd share that I've had four punctures within two weeks. I'm starting to think I have a mad stalker who's slashing my tyres.

caligari 30 Jan 2009 22:01:01 17,956 posts
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Hey Angel - get yourself some of these Schwalbe Marathon Plus puncture proof tyres. I've had them on since last Feb/March, and I still haven't had a flat tyre (touch wood).

The cycling thread • Page 5