New to cycling

[Syndrome]

Pros: smooth operation, whisper quiet and it appears faster than the old mountain bike

Cons: no shock on the front fork and rock hard tyres means you feel everything.

Not used to the vertical position of the handbrake levers and a lot of force needs to be applied to get the disc brakes to do any serious retardation.

[GTpilot]

Did the shop explain you need to bed the disc brakes in properly? They often fail to do this, and if you don’t do it, you will end up with bad braking and squealing brakes which is annoying as hell. The process is similar to a car you need to find a slight hook and go through a process of moderate braking one brake at a time, do each brake about ten times. Them repeat the process again from a faster speed on a slightly steeper hill (ideal) with firmer braking. Never come to a complete stop and do each brake separately. Road disc brake are usually garbage until they are bedded in.

[Syndrome]

No they didn't. No wonder they feel so wooden.

[Syndrome]

Found videos on YouTube about how to bed the disc brakes. Seems better now and not as wooden feeling.


However, today I had my third ride and discovered the gears won't change on the front derailleur. Wow. This video may explain what is the problem as the symptoms are the same as my bike. Back to the bike shop tomorrow.

[Captain Stubing]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Found videos on YouTube about how to bed the disc brakes. Seems better now and not as wooden feeling.


However, today I had my third ride and discovered the gears won't change on the front derailleur. Wow. This video may explain what is the problem as the symptoms are the same as my bike. Back to the bike shop tomorrow.

Are you sure it's not just an incorrectly adjusted shifter cable?

I had to hose down my 'old' bike yesterday, so I could loan it to my 21yo son and take him for a ride. It's been sitting idle for about 3 years. My son bragged to me that he does 15-20 k's on the bike in the gym, and since I have to get back into riding for a 100km charity event, I took him for a ride.

After 23 km he finally worked out that you have to push a bit harder on the Ultegra shifters to make them do something.

We only went 25km, so I was having a good laugh at him, though he enjoyed the ride.

[GTpilot]

The newer Shimano front front derailers 91/68/5800 series have a crap pull design with no adjustment. Any bike mech will agree cabling and adjusting them is a nightmare. Chances are the cable has stretched slightly or pulled from the crimp screw.
The latest models are supposed to have changed but I’m not sure if that has flowed down from the Durace and Ultegra models yet.

[Syndrome]

All fixed. It was a loose screw on the rear derailleur which caused the cable to slip.

[prydey]

Always good when it's something simple.

[Syndrome]

When I was a kid both of my bicycles had Schrader Valves and I never had any problems putting air into the tyres. 20 years ago when I purchased my first Giant it came with Presta Valves. My new Giant also has Presta Valves. Hated them 20 years ago and still hate them today.

[NTF6]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

When I was a kid both of my bicycles had Schrader Valves and I never had any problems putting air into the tyres. 20 years ago when I purchased my first Giant it came with Presta Valves. My new Giant also has Presta Valves. Hated them 20 years ago and still hate them today.

Yep, they work perfectly fine in my car, bikes should still have them instead of those ****y little things.

[NTF6]

I’m about to pull the trigger on one of these to add to my stable.

[gossy]

Been using Presta Valves for years, much prefer them over Schrader Valves. What issues do you have trying to inflate with Presta Valve?

[NTF6]

Originally Posted by gossy

Been using Presta Valves for years, much prefer them over Schrader Valves. What issues do you have trying to inflate with Presta Valve?

They are fiddly
They don’t seal any better than schrader
They get stuck with Stan’s sealant
The little barrel can be a pain to undo with gloves on
All for what, 2 grams in weight?

[prydey]

Originally Posted by NTF6

They are fiddly
They don’t seal any better than schrader
They get stuck with Stan’s sealant
The little barrel can be a pain to undo with gloves on
All for what, 2 grams in weight?

I'm with gossy. I don't have any issues with presta valves. Full gloves or fingerless, although I do normally take full gloves off if I'm fixing a puncture so they don't get dirty.
Being able to lock them closed is a bonus esp if you lose a cap.
I use a decent floor pump at home too so never really have too much trouble getting air in.
Out on the road I use canisters and no issues there either.

[Captain Stubing]

Originally Posted by prydey

I'm with gossy. I don't have any issues with presta valves. Full gloves or fingerless, although I do normally take full gloves off if I'm fixing a puncture so they don't get dirty.
Being able to lock them closed is a bonus esp if you lose a cap.
I use a decent floor pump at home too so never really have too much trouble getting air in.
Out on the road I use canisters and no issues there either.

Plus one on the Presta valves! If topping up the pressure, undo the locking cap, press it to break the seal before you fit the pump.

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by gossy

Been using Presta Valves for years, much prefer them over Schrader Valves. What issues do you have trying to inflate with Presta Valve?

On my Giant ATX 860 I've always used an adapter so that the end of the valve has a Schrader fitting. But I still need to fiddle with the Presta valve as if it is not in the correct position no air will go into the tyre. Always used the air compressor to inflate the tyres but never knew how much to add so it was the old squeeze test to determine if tyres had enough air.

Now with the Giant Contend SL1 disc, I purchased a floor pump as I wanted to know exactly how much air to add. The bicycle shop told me the pump can fit to both types of valves. Got home keen to see what the pressure in my new bicycle had dropped to after three weeks. Remove the plastic cap, back out the Presta Valve, gave it a quick push to see air is coming out. All good. Put the pump end on the valve, lock the lever in place. Reading is zero. Hmmm. OK so it is not sitting properly. Take off the pump and reattach. Same. Tried several times and no luck. Then noticed my tyre was now completely flat. FFS. Maybe the pump is no good. Fit pump to Schrader Valve on car tyre - presto. It registers air pressure and I can add air to the car tyre. Check the information which was attached to the pump only to find no users instructions.

Back to the bicycle shop tomorrow.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

On my Giant ATX 860 I've always used an adapter so that the end of the valve has a Schrader fitting. But I still need to fiddle with the Presta valve as if it is not in the correct position no air will go into the tyre. Always used the air compressor to inflate the tyres but never knew how much to add so it was the old squeeze test to determine if tyres had enough air.

Now with the Giant Contend SL1 disc, I purchased a floor pump as I wanted to know exactly how much air to add. The bicycle shop told me the pump can fit to both types of valves. Got home keen to see what the pressure in my new bicycle had dropped to after three weeks. Remove the plastic cap, back out the Presta Valve, gave it a quick push to see air is coming out. All good. Put the pump end on the valve, lock the lever in place. Reading is zero. Hmmm. OK so it is not sitting properly. Take off the pump and reattach. Same. Tried several times and no luck. Then noticed my tyre was now completely flat. FFS. Maybe the pump is no good. Fit pump to Schrader Valve on car tyre - presto. It registers air pressure and I can add air to the car tyre. Check the information which was attached to the pump only to find no users instructions.

Back to the bicycle shop tomorrow.

What pump did you buy?

I have a topeak Joe blow. Never had an issue. I bought a cheap one to leave at my folks place. Ended up with similar issues you describe. Took it back and bought a dearer one. No more issues. I'd say the issues will be with your pump.

[Syndrome]

Just returned from the bicycle shop. And this is where things like basic instructions would be very beneficial.

The pump is a Giant Control Tower 1+.

From my experience when inflating tyres, as soon as an air hose is pushed onto the valve the air pressure can be measured. Apparently not with this Giant pump. Even though it has a pressure gauge it is not a pressure gauge. So when the pump is attached to the valve it will always read zero. You need to pump the handle a few times before there is any pressure registered.

Grrrr.

[GTpilot]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Just returned from the bicycle shop. And this is where things like basic instructions would be very beneficial.

The pump is a Giant Control Tower 1+.

From my experience when inflating tyres, as soon as an air hose is pushed onto the valve the air pressure can be measured. Apparently not with this Giant pump. Even though it has a pressure gauge it is not a pressure gauge. So when the pump is attached to the valve it will always read zero. You need to pump the handle a few times before there is any pressure registered.

Grrrr.

Presta generally works like that as tbose first couple of pumps break the valve seal. You are right though. Education is gold, shops don’t take that time with customers then complain why they buy stuff online. I’ll soend the time with my customers to explain what I have done and why. But also how to maintain and look after it.

[Syndrome]

I am enjoying the new bicycle. 300 km ridden so far. Speed, strength and stamina have all improved (a little bit).

[NTF6]

I’m just about to add this to my stable, should be here next week.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by NTF6

I’m just about to add this to my stable, should be here next week. image

Man thats a full on bike. Still can't bring myself to an emtb. Going to lbs ebike demo day this Sunday. Might convert me. But already having 2 enduro bikes in the shed.

[NTF6]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Man thats a full on bike. Still can't bring myself to an emtb. Going to lbs ebike demo day this Sunday. Might convert me. But already having 2 enduro bikes in the shed.

My other bike is an Intense Carbine Pro Build. This is way different and honestly so much more fun. My mate has two of them. We went out last Monday, what a blast. Some of the up and down goat tracks were a non issue, it’s a whole new world of riding. Intense blistering heat for 6 months in summer where I live means either you don’t ride or you ride at 4am when the temp drops to 30 degrees. This will enable me to ride more often and for longer which is what I love.

[Syndrome]

I am not pleased to see the stickers on my new bicycle are already showing signs of wear after only 2 months / 400km of use. The wear is on the outside of the chain stays and it appears the insides of my footware are the cause of the damage. Where can I order replacement stickers?

[roKWiz]

If your using cleated pedals, you might need to adjust the allen keyed bolts on your shoes. Its good to have your shoes square to the pedals as you spin them around. (Nice to have a little sideways float but not excessively towards the chain stay) Sounds like your foot is kicking in at the heel as your pedals go around.....making contact with the stay......

and if your not using cleated shoes/pedals, maybe you should be, as they are more efficient at spinning the pedals at a higher cadence. (crank/pedal speed)
As far as damaged chainstays there is always a Lizard Skin clear skin stick on chainstay protectors.
Fancy name for a clear sticker which covers the area and also help protect the stay from the chain wacking it on rough roads.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Its good to have your shoes square to the pedals as you spin them around. (Nice to have a little sideways float but not excessively towards the chain stay) Sounds like your foot is kicking in at the heel as your pedals go around.....making contact with the stay......
.

Not quite right. Your foot should be at its natural angle, even when clipped in.

[prydey]

Froome out of TdF after bad crash..
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-...tures/11204756

during a training ride, he's hit a wall at 60km/h! fractured femur, elbow and ribs. ouch. hope he recovers.

Thomas will no doubt get GC honours from the outset now.


Just on this team, not sure if anyone was aware that Sky pulled the pin on cycling late last year I think. Unlike other sponsors, Sky actually owned the team, and was responsible for all the contracts etc. There was a lot of questions over what would happen to the team, and if the contracts would become void, but they have had a saviour in the form of a Chemical company called Ineos. They have taken on the team and will honour all contracts etc. There is also a scary rumour that the budget could actually increase, even though Sky was already over double any other team.
https://www.ineos.com/news/shared-ne...-de-yorkshire/

TdF kicks off in 3 weeks. Many riders currently riding in the Du Dauphine which is on SBS at the moment.
https://www.criterium-du-dauphine.fr/en/

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by prydey

Not quite right. Your foot should be at its natural angle, even when clipped in.

Did you even read the bit about having a bit of float, as most pedals and cleats have this built in.

[Syndrome]

I received a Garmin Edge 530 for my birthday

[DJM83]

Looks like cycling has sucked you in aswell mate.
Enjoy.