Road Cycling

[philly169]

I've just picked myself up a road bike off eBay. I cycle to work a few times a week during spring/summer, 18 miles each way, on a Boardman Hybrid with panniers holding my work laptop and other bits but have decided to try a road bike to see if the more aerodynamic positon is more comfortable on a longer ride than sitting upright on a hybrid. The road bike is only a 2014 Carerra Zelos, so nothing special but i only had a budget of £150.

Annoyingly, my pannier rack won't fit my roadie so need to buy a new one!

I'm quite looking forward to taking it out when im not golfing to go on some big rides and hopefully, if i enjoy it, I may enter a few sportives.

Any other keen cyclists on here with any tips on road cycling, I'm still trying to work out my seat height and position, but won't find out how it feels until i get out there..

 

[bluewolf]

There are a few of us, but we tend to keep it to ourselves now to avoid the usual arguments regarding just who owns the roads.

 

[philly169]

There are a few of us, but we tend to keep it to ourselves now to avoid the usual arguments regarding just who owns the roads.

Horse riders.... obviously... lol

 

[Alex1975]

Well.... Na ill leave it

 

[Tarkus1212]

Philly, if you take your bike up to the bike shop at Grafham Water then for a nominal fee they'll do a health check on it and set it up in the optimum riding position, plus they'll probably have the pannier rack you're after.

 

[patricks148]

i would look to join a cycle club, most will have at least one group club ride a week, and that will soon sharpen you up.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Top tip:

Ride 2 abreast so that car drivers are forced to slow down and go round you.

It's in the highway code and you'll make lots of friends :thup:

I'm riding to work tomorrow, 70 mile round trip

 

[philly169]

Top tip:

Ride 2 abreast so that car drivers are forced to slow down and go round you.

It's in the highway code and you'll make lots of friends :thup:

I'm riding to work tomorrow, 70 mile round trip

Beats my 36 miler..

I quite enjoy going in on my hybrid, just wanting to see if the road bike position is more comfortable over a long distance.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I doubt you'll find a road bike more comfortable but certainly less tiring :thup:

 

[Deleted member 17920]

After not riding for over 15 years I bought a Boardman road bike last October, really enjoying been back on the bike again.

Now cycling 22 miles each way to work, took me 1hr 3 mins this morning, the car journey was 40 mins so saving a fortune in fuel and getting fit at the same time. Bonus.

 

[philly169]

Yeah, I find that a normal drive can be anywhere from 45 minutes - over an hour, if i have no plans in the evening cycling is a great change from sitting in traffic.

 

[sev112]

If you have gear then the road bike is unlikely to be more comfortable or effcient than the hybrid. If you are actually riding without the attachments the road bike will be a revelation
I have panniers on my clunky mountain bike , but keep the road bike lean
Suggest get the hybrid set up for work commutes and use the roadie at weekends

 

[D4RK1]

How big is your laptop. Can you know drop it in a backpack? Save buying new panniers.

 

[philly169]

If you have gear then the road bike is unlikely to be more comfortable or effcient than the hybrid. If you are actually riding without the attachments the road bike will be a revelation
I have panniers on my clunky mountain bike , but keep the road bike lean
Suggest get the hybrid set up for work commutes and use the roadie at weekends

Hi have a boardman hybrid as well that has panniers attached.

How big is your laptop. Can you know drop it in a backpack? Save buying new panniers.

Yeah, I think I will definitely try carrying on my back, its a pretty bulky one which is a pain. but I'm going to try leaving it at work for days i know i don't need it at home.

 

[bobmac]

Whatever you decide on............. watch where you're going

[video=youtube;6o3B601Ndsg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o3B601Ndsg[/video]

 

[PhilTheFragger]

One reason why I won't cycle anymore is the state of our roads.
In Buckinghamshire the number of potholes especially on back roads , but also on main roads is appalling, they are always around 2 feet from the kerb a number of times I have been driving and seen a cyclist swerve in front to avoid a pothole.

Good luck, but not for me, not here

 

[Deleted member 17920]

Whatever you decide on............. watch where you're going

[video=youtube;6o3B601Ndsg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o3B601Ndsg[/video]

ouch. That's a long time to be looking down and not looking where you are going.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Unfortunately it's pretty much the same everywhere Phil It does take a certain amount of planning so that you don't move out suddenly in front of motorists.

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

Just got myself a road bike (Triban 500se), got to try and get fit enough to make the most of it now!

Any good bike forums/tips for beginners to road cycling? Used to cycle everywhere up to the age of 17, then (weirdly) stopped....

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Try wheelsuckers.co.uk