New to cycling - Page 67

GTpilot · 04-09-2015, 06:31 PM

Mid-compact FTW 52/36 I run this on my TCR and it's awesome esp with a 28-11 rear.
I find now getting on my Azzurri with compact cranks the 34t is just too small.

Finally getting back into it after illness. Have also just booked 2 weeks on the Gold Coast with the family, so hoping to take one of the bikes up to do some early morning exploring whilst the missus and kids sleep in. Will miss the Bris- GC ride by one day, but will be there over GC600 w/end though.. Plotting how to convince the family it's a good thing to go to.

prydey · 04-09-2015, 06:52 PM

i have compacts with 11-28. i just figure i'll never spin out a 50-11 (unless flying downhill) so gearing wise, i'm well catered for. i can get up anything up to about 25% (as long as its not more than 100m or so

)

**Captain Stubing** · 04-09-2015, 07:03 PM

So your low gear is the same as mine, Prydey. I haven't found that it's slowed me down yet, but you do a lot more climbing than I do. I'm waiting for days off to try venturing upwards next week.

prydey · 04-09-2015, 07:20 PM

i should be in brisbane (greenbank) again this xmas/new years, and hopefully will have a bike with me again (have unfinished business on mt tamborine as i wasn't 100% when i rode it last year, and would like to do O'reilly's) so we should try to get a group ride going (you, me and lynton).

have started looking for a 2nd bike rather than transport mine up there, so if anyone up north comes across a reasonable bike (58cm or Large frame) for reasonable dollars, give me a yell, although i suspect shipping my own bike will be the likely scenario again.

**Captain Stubing** · 04-09-2015, 07:28 PM

Sounds good, I better start learning to climb!!!

GTpilot · 04-09-2015, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

i have compacts with 11-28. i just figure i'll never spin out a 50-11 (unless flying downhill) so gearing wise, i'm well catered for. i can get up anything up to about 25% (as long as its not more than 100m or so

)

Agree 100% I doubt anyone on here will spin out a 50-11 very much, me included. For me its more about that sweet spot at cruising speed. On a 34t I find I'm sitting in the last 3 cogs on the rear cassette, say 13/12/11, when I shift to the big ring then I'm sitting in the larger end say 25/23/21. I'm not really a fan of cross chaining ( or close to it) on my most common gears. I find with a 36, that sweet spot is smack in the middle of the cassette.

Running a 36/50 on Shimano crank, whilst doable, the ramping is not correct and shifting to the big ring you are prone to slippage, not a good thing if you are peddling with any load.

If I do hit the steeper hills, I have a 32-11 on my climbing wheelset for that..

geckoGT · 04-09-2015, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

i should be in brisbane (greenbank) again this xmas/new years, and hopefully will have a bike with me again (have unfinished business on mt tamborine as i wasn't 100% when i rode it last year, and would like to do O'reilly's) so we should try to get a group ride going (you, me and lynton).

have started looking for a 2nd bike rather than transport mine up there, so if anyone up north comes across a reasonable bike (58cm or Large frame) for reasonable dollars, give me a yell, although i suspect shipping my own bike will be the likely scenario again.

Sounds good Rob. I have found a new hill for you, a real feather in your cap so get training. It is the only HC category climb we have here, O'Reillys is a cat 1.

You will be happy I now have some gears more suited to climbs rather than the 11-23 I was riding up Tamborine when you were here.

prydey · 04-09-2015, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geckoGT

You will be happy I now have some gears more suited to climbs rather than the 11-23 I was riding up Tamborine when you were here.

you were very kind to me up tamborine.... i kept you waiting a bit more around Mt Coot-tha.

just for interests sake, here is a bit of a write up by a guy I know who did the Gold Coast Peaks challenge
http://www.adelaidecyclists.com/foru...mment%3A985093

geckoGT · 04-09-2015, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

you were very kind to me up tamborine.... i kept you waiting a bit more around Mt Coot-tha.

just for interests sake, here is a bit of a write up by a guy I know who did the Gold Coast Peaks challenge
http://www.adelaidecyclists.com/foru...mment%3A985093

I tried to look at that strava link you sent me but it did not work.

This is the climb I was talking about, https://www.strava.com/routes/2513513

Or if you want to make it a bit more of a big day out have a look at this one, https://www.strava.com/routes/2594717

geckoGT · 04-09-2015, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

just for interests sake, here is a bit of a write up by a guy I know who did the Gold Coast Peaks challenge
http://www.adelaidecyclists.com/foru...mment%3A985093

I just had a read of the article. I found his comments about Henri Roberts Dve interesting. I have climbed that hill a few times now, did it on a 39-25 initially and did not have fun, last time I did it was on a 39-27 and I was struggling to hit 10km/h up the steep parts.

prydey · 04-09-2015, 10:10 PM

my biggest ride to date is about 219km but only just over 2200vm. 3800vm is really raising the bar somewhat, and not meaning to sound defeatist, i don't think i'm ready for it just yet

i've done a few up around the 1700-1800vm in about 130km and its a big day in the saddle.

need to start ramping it up a little bit as i am hoping to do another double ton for next years tour down under community ride.

geckoGT · 04-09-2015, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

my biggest ride to date is about 219km but only just over 2200vm. 3800vm is really raising the bar somewhat, and not meaning to sound defeatist, i don't think i'm ready for it just yet

i've done a few up around the 1700-1800vm in about 130km and its a big day in the saddle.

need to start ramping it up a little bit as i am hoping to do another double ton for next years tour down under community ride.

Just playing with you, I think starting in the Gold Coast somewhere and riding up Best of All (the first link) and then back would be a good solid ride but within an achievable limit for you. Best of All is not a steep climb but it is long and results in 988m gained.

**DJM83** · 19-09-2015, 10:11 AM

Little teaser of what has appeared in the garage

gossy · 19-09-2015, 11:14 AM

Nice ^^^

Would that be a 2016 Giant Reign 2?

**DJM83** · 19-09-2015, 12:37 PM

Yeah mate it is. Picked it up yesterday. Local shop had a massive sale.

prydey · 19-09-2015, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

Little teaser of what has appeared in the garage

i wish things like that just 'appeared' in my garage, without things disappearing out of the bank account!

nice one.

**DJM83** · 19-09-2015, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

i wish things like that just 'appeared' in my garage, without things disappearing out of the bank account!

nice one.

Hahaha yeah funds did disappear, quite a few infact but worth every penny and it hasnt even seen dirt yet. Thing is its much different to ride even though both my bikes are very similar.
The dropper post is a kool device aswell, cant wait to hit some trails.

blueoval · 19-09-2015, 03:04 PM

Both those bikes look pimp Dallas.

**DJM83** · 19-09-2015, 03:49 PM

Thanks mate I love it. It's a weird ride with the wider bars and different geometry. The bright green must attract magpies swooped 3 times by the same one, first time this season.

**DJM83** · 20-09-2015, 12:40 PM

This bike is simply epic, totally different to my trance. It just soaks up the bumps dropper post is handy too.

MAGPIE · 22-09-2015, 07:45 AM

Nice bike, dropper posts rock.

Magpies not so much, got dive bombed last week on my first spring ride.

blueoval · 22-09-2015, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Nice bike, dropper posts rock.

Magpies not so much, got dive bombed last week on my first spring ride.

Yep I got swooped twice last Saturday from Magpies too. It's that kind of season again. Does the cable tie option work do you know?

MAGPIE · 22-09-2015, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

Yep I got swooped twice last Saturday from Magpies too. It's that kind of season again. Does the cable tie option work do you know?

Not sure, I mostly see touring cyclists using them obviously they are exposed to them all day.

It's only the first dive that bothers me, after that I'm expecting it.

blueoval · 22-09-2015, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Not sure, I mostly see touring cyclists using them obviously they are exposed to them all day.

It's only the first dive that bothers me, after that I'm expecting it.

Ok. Thats fair. I just dont like the look of cable ties hanging off my helmet so wont bother unless its a sure fire way of detering them. They make me nervous even if I am expecting them. Im concentrating more on getting attacked from behind than on riding which is annoying.

prydey · 22-09-2015, 12:41 PM

cable ties don't stop the swooping, they just raise the point of contact.

i'm too proud to ride with stuff like that on my lid

there are a couple of very aggressive ones around my area, and i've been smashed many times already, but it does get me trying new roads as i seek to avoid known magpie spots.

DBourne · 22-09-2015, 01:15 PM

They don't work, plus you look like an utter idiot..

I'm with Prydey, it'll just help you discover new routes

blueoval · 22-09-2015, 01:26 PM

At least Im not the only one who thinks it looks ridiculous. haha. Yes Im thinking of doing some areas I have done in ages that doesnt involve lots of trees. Maybe Outer Harbor or Glenelg etc.

GTpilot · 22-09-2015, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBourne

They don't work, plus you look like an utter idiot..

I'm with Prydey, it'll just help you discover new routes

Or use it as encouragement to smash that strava segment KOM.

**Captain Stubing** · 22-09-2015, 09:24 PM

As long as I've got eye protection I dont worry about them. They always swoop from behind and mostly just flick a wing at my helmet. I can laugh about tnat, although I did have one peck the top of my scalp through the helmet vent and draw blood - that bird seems to have been moved on since then!

DBourne · 23-09-2015, 03:05 PM

Most of them do, but there is one in Engadine that has a fetish for ears. My boss copped a bite to the ear, drew blood.

There's another one near me that sunk it's feet in to my back and headbutted me a few times.. Needless to say I chose to do an impromptu sprint session at the same time, coincidence?