I run a campag 53,42,30 with a 12-29 and veloce medium cage.

On proper descents I’m faster not pedalling over 26mph. The big ring is of use on those lovely very slightly descending smooth roads.

I’d not want to sacrifice the 29 on the rear. It’s only barely low enough to go seated up long 15% climbs without having to put too much work in for loooong rides.

But if you learn to read their body language and match yours to theirs

I find my shit dribbles dissapointingly out my shorts whereas their’s arcs about 3′.

I expect the retailer isn’t going to want them back as they’re used now

(did you not think that the big ring was a *tiny* bit bigger than expected though?)

Somehow the fact it was a double and the 30T got it passed me.

Twas purchased from Merlin – they will exchange the rings! They really are a great outfit!

44 – so what is considered a normal big ring. Toughen up tweetie pie

Obviously you are some 6/12hr XC master – care to post your results ?

You don’t have to outpedal cattle just be faster than your mate. Therefore the drill on being charged is to trip/shove your mate to the ground before you leg it.

If you can end up near Lambridge woods theres some really fun singletrack and a fast descent into henley from there.

The descent along the panel fence? Surely the fastest feeling descent in the area!

It’s likely that you’ll have to head out on the Fairmile (use the cycle path on the right it’s a shit road) and turn right up the Assendons. A link to Bix/Nettlebed and you’re in business. Likely you’ll need lights.

I feel good now adsh as I cleared the wormsley climb you describe twice recently. It is s bugger though. Will have another go at stonor soon

I’ve cleaned it a couple of times in the last year but it’s a pig. I generaly hit something and bounce into the trough in the middle and then can’t reclip.

Where is this Stonor climb?

Stonor Chilterns, it’s not that long, but it’s pretty stern from the get go, and there’s a nasty little left hander in the middle that’s just a git, after that it’s just a slog up to the top.

I know where you mean but I think the harder is the southern end of Wormesly where you cross a private road and head up a tunnel which is very steep, loose and with a big trough in the middle and steep sides. When you get to the top you turn left onto a very steep metalled track.

Cool – mine’s small enough and on the rear so I’ve left it.

Pad float/play or loose disc/floating disc rivets. Mine was the rivets

Standing pushes a higher gear, lowers cadence but raises heart rate and lactic acid. If the slope and gearing allow you can with training get into the zone and stand for minutes on end around threshold IF you don’t go into the red. Most slopes and gears mean standing at VO2 max and recovering seated.

Working on the turbo and hill reps allows you to build both.

It needs to be cold for me to be able to wear it with a base layer. Even then I get quite sweaty in the arms but it is a great top.

A proper turbo session will have you thinking up excuses by the second interval of why you cannot continue. The low point is just before half way when you have more than the same again to come. If you don’t want to die at this point you are not working hard enough. I can’t understand how I ever get back on the *^$&ing thing.

Take care to warm up, warm down and stretch – it’s very easy to injure yourself if you don’t.

Would that be Londonderry?

Long 60m mtb loop..Ditched the heart monitor and went off perceived effort which anded up being hard but a lot faster. Forecast was for lots of rain – got baking sun.

A lot of good stuff from Goring train station. No substitute for a big OS map and pen. Grims Ditch and Wormesley are very good.

Tell me more about the awful bearing life.

I SOOO want a Helius RC I’ve even found out the price for a one off. Bad bearing life would save me a lot of cash!

I prefer the campag shift from the ‘button’ on the side and the ability to trim the front mech.

I got a wasp in through my open jersey which migrated (unknown to me) into my bibs. First I knew about it was the sting – only way to get it out was to undress while jumping around swearing.

I seriously worry about breathing in a bug as I generaly breathe through my mouth not nose.

STOP SHOUTING IN YOUR TITLES

Looks lovely but why no second set of bottle cages (I can’t see them)?

What is max tyre size?

Having allways had to pay duty (which is on the carriage too) plus fee for PO to pay it up front plus the VAT I elevted to get my 88bcd M985 30t from dulight in France. I paid £7 more than if I had been stung for the duty from US but they had stock, communicated well and post tracked. Took 4 days from order and I’d rather pay a bike shop (even a French one) than customs.

I highsided on a roundabout after some spirited cornering (translation – showing off). Not very fast but from quite a height. Big bang, saw double and groggy for 15s. Giro wrecked.

Would definately have been out cold without lid.

My flare is one of the first from approx 2years ago.

As it came it wasn’t fully waterproof and suffered off road. I sent it back it was fixed but it has a habit of turning off which is intermittent.

Maybe the new ones are better but mine certainly needs a second light just in case. When working it’s great though the holder is slightly too down angled IMHO.

Yeah well I’m a keen cyclist and have some issues with sportives as I live in the chilterns. Signage litter, dangerous riding, multiple events some on the same day going in opposite directions.on the same course, routes including dangerous stretches of dual carriageway. The off road ones seem particularly. selfish- I’ve seen dog walkers literally marooned on bridleways while a 100 riders scream past without even a thankyou. I still.do the offroad ones but I do wonder sometimes.

What do you weigh?

Switched from FS?

I find my feet hurt more on a HT on long bumpy descents as I take the pressure of my butt by standing more = more pressure on feet.

My feet have got fitter. I think it’s a case of HTFU.

[/quote]My Hope freewheel has gone from quiet to almost silent… Does this mean it’s about to die?

Yes – when mine did this it then started to fail to pick up intermittently. The pawls were shagged. Take care it doesn’t pick up just when you really need drive!

Check the price of a replacement DT190 freehub before buying the actual hub. If memory serves the part alone costs more than a pair of Hopes.

DT240 – available in 6 bolt though axle choice a bit restrictive once made.

I started with a TMM gave up and went Lezyne alloy drive. The TMM foot tab sounds like a good idea but only because the pump is less efficient and needs it. The Lezyne gives more inflation and has an easier stroke so is quicker in my experience. A little fiddly on the unscrewing though(easy to take the valve core out if you’re not concentrating)

My TMM used to overheat/seize and take forever. I carried spare pump parts for it……

I went out on my bike, beasted myself up one hill to get in the mood then sat on the sofa watching for 3hours.

At various points the rest of the family came in (none are fans) and stayed.

For me it’s the most impressive sporting feat I’ve ever seen – makes Mo Farrar look like a child in comparison.

In yellow
Iconic stage
100th TDF
Could have played the time/sensible card
Nearly killed himself (I’ve heard he needed 5mins O2?)
Magnificent display of balls and aggressive riding
Nice and quiet off the bike
No stupid haircut/tattoos

Brilliant

I’ve got KCNC on one and ESI on another. Both are fine but the racers edge ESI are slightly more comfortable and seem more durable.

I’m 6′ and like a long TT. I tested a large and thought I would probably want an XL

The consequences of cable, heel and any other sort of rub is a little greater on a carbon frame so helitape is your friend

Ti stem and bars are very comfy – good job given their price!

Mine is set up as an XC trainer that can do a bit more. 6′ on a large with quite a drop to straight bars.

Love it – very fast, very capable and ensures I don’t go all WW on it.

6hr in the are you tough enough. I suspect not at 30C!

+1 assos mille

Bought summer 2010 washed on average 3x a week a small area of stitching coming loose in the pad.

Endura – bought late 2011 – large hole in crotch.

My longdistance HT has a saddle to bar drop of 2.5cm, my FS has 4.5cm. I can ride the HT for 8hrs without pins and needles, the FS starts to get uncomfortable.

I’d caution thinking something is right based on a short ride.

Mine’s creaking near the BB I’ve taken everything off down there and stuck it all back on and it’s still creaking. BB is silky smooth. I’ve removed the XCG, checked the chainring bolts. Gonna take off the carbon cranks and try alu ones from my FS. If that doesn’t work I’ll be taking the bike apart and checking every weld to satisfy my paranoia.

My Soul recently drove me mad with BB creaking. Finally cured by coating the chainring bolts and chainrings (mating surfaces to cranks etc)in antiseize.