‘when was the last time the TDF was won by less than a 1% margin?“

(does maths)
last year’s Tour was won in 91h 58mins, which is 5518 minutes, 1% of that is 55.18 minutes, the difference between 1st and 2nd last year was 39 seconds, so it was last year

28 riders finished within 1% of the winners time

and i said it was the accumulation of 1 per-cents, not saying aerodynamics was 1%, a more aero frame might be 1%, an aero wheel another 1%, a more aero helmet another 1%…..

“but do the aerodynamics of a frame really make a significant difference“

it can do, it’s all about the acculumation of 1% performance gains, and when you’re riding a bike 6+ hours a day for three weeks it all adds up

because carbon can be made lighter/stiffer/more comfortable/more aerodynamic and a whole bunch of other things that a Ti bike can’t be that are important in a race frame

they used to ride Ti frames when they were supposed to be steel bikes under the paint though

32:18, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.

Mainly used in the South Downs, but also used anywhere else the bike gets ridden, if i wanted to change gear to suit the conditions i’d take a geared bike :-)

Goldtech hub seconded

bought one for my Singlecross, er, over 4 years ago, laced it to an Open Pro rim, sold the Singlecross for a nicer SSCX, replaced the axle to fit the new 130mm rear end, bearings still as good as new

I’m 5ft 10″ and it’s a 56 for me, just to underline the fact that asking for bike sizing on the ‘net is about as much use as saying “I’m 5ft 9″, what shoe size am I?”.

“A lot of the crit road races i’ve seen (cat4) are only 30-40 min long?!“

that’s because they’re crits and meant to be short

i’ve been racing for 25 years, i always get nervous before a race

they were French and CRC have relaunched the brand

“WHy don’t I try a hybrid that would probably do me for a commute.“

he was right, unless it’s you that wants to appear very fashionable

“they seem to be protecting something that doesn’t exist any more.“

what’s that then?

as from this year flat bars will not be allowed

“Maybe they are designed more for MTBers rather than roadies and maybe that is why the Road.cc review wasn’t a glowing recommendation. Perhaps if someone from a more MTB background were to review it then it would score better? A review is just one persons opinion at the end of the day.“

the bike was tested primarily by someone that’s been riding mountainbikes for about 25 years, and cross bikes for about 15, and reviewed in the context and experience of all the bikes ridden over that time, and then the bike was lent to several other people with a background in both MTB and CX and their opinions incorporated into the review, as Cy says, an agreement has been reached to disagree on certain issues :)

"Well if your using a pipe cutter designed for alloy tubing in what way are you using the wrong tool? "

because pipe-cutters are very good at cutting, er, pipes which are usually made of very thin and ductile materials as opposed to steerers which are on the whole thick and hardened, tending to wreck a pipe-cutters blade, and as mentioned they leave a ridge that needs to be filed away before you can get the stem over

and let's not even think about the terminal damage a pipe-cutter can do to a carbon-steerer

in the OPs case it makes sense, as he has none of the tools, for him to get the right tools straight away rather than blunder into the usual STW bodge, and as mentioned, a hacksaw is quite a useful tool for other jobs

a cutting-guide for steerers (and handebars and even seatposts should you wish) is one of the best tools i've ever bought, it makes a potentially faffy and error-heavy job into a quick and easy affair, and the tool can be lent to friends in return for beer, it's paid for itself many times over in ease, efficiency and alcohol

i can't recommend the wrong tool for the job, but i can recommend you buy a hacksaw and a cutting-guide, you can use them in the future as well

"Lionel Ritchies 'When the going gets tough'."

that'll be Billy Ocean :-)

totally gripped for 25 years, used to time my mountainbike rides to finish as the 1/2hour Tour coverage started in the evening

to hide the needle marks

:-)

yes

where is the Monster, i can only see a 100km ride

if you have to ask strangers what to get for your soon-to-be wife may i suggest you shouldn't get married?

:-)

i use soap and water, same as i do on my orange, black, red and pink bikes

"I have no mates"

surely it's no so bad that you have to cruise sportives for talent?

:-)

are the roads closed for the event? no?
you'll just be riding around your local roads that you don't have to pay for any other day of the year, surely?

although why you feel the need to go for a ride to deliberately have to weave round a bunch of sportivistas is beyond me

Yes
Yes (Stanmer Park, Brighton)
Yes (everything's SS-able if you have the right gear/legs)

layback post and the seat all the way back on the rails here too, on all bikes – road, mtb, cx – geared or SS

i like to push from behind the pedals rather from above, maybe it's a roadie seated climbing thing

i've often pondered the fun and randomness of being a Bike For Hire at a 24hr event, especially at 3am

plenty of 'full-time' riders take time off the bike in the winter so they don't get tired and/or jaded, it's only the 'part-timers' that keep going

:-)

Zefal HPX.

proper size, made of metal, just works.

the pump you lend to someone who's been flailing about with a mini-pump for 5 minutes, out of pity, and a desire to get home.

Sandwell Park was flat, Eastnor isn't

yes

the one you want to afford :-)

KMC

(comes with split-link so you can clean it)

"Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative"

;-)

"what are the limitations of a single speed bike"

you

Kona Major One
Genesis Day One

put the bearings in dry and see which way works and which way makes a horrible graunchy noise

it depends entirely on what comics they are, they're probably worth far far less than you think

Harlequin Fat Chance…

Flowery Zinn…

(not strictly a paint-job as it was white with lots of stickers)

"Could I buy a new bolt to put it on the front?"

i'm sure you could, but knowing how much Mr Shimano doesn't like people taking his components apart too much…..

"That seems like a spectacularly dumb idea, but I can see it happening… "

maybe i should rephrase it by saying some people found the new dual-pivot rear brakes too powerful so they made them less efficient again

the rear has a shorter mounting bolt, and some rear brakes are made mechanically less powerful than the front to prevent skidding

get the Tektro CR520/CR720 cantis, far far easier to set up and a bit better performance

lightweight geared wheel of choice with cog and spacer kit