Naming a van is not how the rest of us christen a vehicle.

That was taken care of in week 1 ;)

I’m quite liking “The Shack” so far, inspired by IHN’s suggestions… Not too sure about any of the Czech connotations…

New gears always seem mechanical till they wear in a bit.

Nonsense. Ultegra should feel perfect from the outset.

Did you ream the ends of your cables properly? I’ve seen so many people suffering from poor shifting simply because the inner cable sleeve is fouling the cable.

I have various 105, Ultegra and Dura Ace groupsets and they all shift perfectly when set up correctly.

If it “slams” into gear when moving down the sprocket, just back off the inline adjuster slightly – it should just snick in with minimal noise.

qwerty – Member

More shonkyness from me…

Qwerty, can I ask where you found the templates for the Adirondack chair?

I looked at one but ended up going for the SWB Caddy. Lovely vehicle though. Not much smaller than a Transporter but they’re built far more “car-like”, like all the Caddy range.

I’ve got a set of brand new roof rails going cheap if you buy one… ;)

I tend to say “Near the top now mate” or something similar to try and assuage the feelings of superiority I feel when overtaking people on climbs.

I’m sure all they here is some smug, condescending nonsense but it makes me feel betterer.

One of my main reason for shaving is that gravel rash is very easy to clean and doesn’t get infected. It heals in a fraction of the time that it would if hairy.

So I’m not sure why more MTBers don’t shave as there’s still a big risk of gravel rash…

My tan started in April in Majorca and has just received a week-long alpine boost. I now look like I’ve been creosoted from just-above-the-knee to half-way-down-the-shin. Ridiculous.

A friend got burgled and the Police advised them to check the house over very carefully as burglars often left a “calling card” in the shape of a steaming turd in a random place.

Some days later it became apparent that they’d scooped the contents out of the margarine tub in the fridge, dumped in it, then carefully put the marg back in.

Not the sort of thing you want to discover whilst buttering your toast.

Friend of mine thought he’d avoid unclipping by leaning on one of those bollard/signs with a blue arrow at one of the area’s busiest junctions.

What he didn’t realise is that they’re mounted on a big spring. He did a complete cartwheel over the sign and landed in a heap, still clipped in.

To compound matters, the traffic island was covered in huge cobbles guaranteeing maximum bruising and the additional humiliation of trying to untangle himself in front of dozens of laughing commuters!

Cheers for the pointers, plenty of food for thought. The wooden crib design looks great but not really suitable for my garden…
Going to be a busy summer, can’t wait to get stuck in!

random walling stone, i didnt point the face, i tried to make it look like a dry stone wall so i just cemented the backs and sides of the facing stones. looks good now!

That sounds like what I’m hoping to achieve Al. Do you have any pics? Thanks for the link, I google-image-searched the plan and came up with this which looks quite useful…

PDF

I’ve seen the Allanblock website and it’s a pre-fab interlocking block system. I’m looking for info on building similar sorts of things using standard concrete block/stone.

Some good inspiration on there though…

The soil is heavy clay. It drains reasonably well due to the gradient and I’ll be putting lots of drainage in. This picture shows the type of terrain…

I basically want to create a flat area in the back corner (around the large sycamore tree), then another flat area where the path currently runs, so excavating back a bit to where the new retaining wall will be…

What about “Pretentious” and “Moi?”?

re. that picture of Wiggins, no one has a more sorted position IMO, flawless.

Wiggo has quite unusual proportions though, so not easy to replicate for most ‘average’ riders. He also rides much smaller frames than most 6’3″ blokes – he likes a shorter TT due to a short torso and long limbs.

Cancellara’s position is probably more attainable for most…

CB did a tad over 35mph for, um, a tad over 35 miles ON THE FLAT

Anyone can do 35 on a track ;)

I do wonder about this sort of thing when people start quoting their times for 10s and 25s.

The most reliable figures tend to come from “out-and-back” courses where the wind advantage is cancelled out. Alex Dowsett recently averaged 34.6153mph (!!!!) on an “out-and-back” course to smash the 10 mile record.

I mean seriously, lets stop to think about that for minute… 34.6mph for 10 frickin miles??? ON THE FLAT????? Unbe-frickin-lievable!

Njee’s article is quite an eye opener. Just shows how close to “competitive” you can get with just tri-bars!

I plan to TT next year – I’ve lost the hunger for racing, I feel like every race is just one closer to the inevitable BIG CRASH!

I’ve been pricing up the latest Dengfu carbon frame with 86mm carbon rims. Looks like I’ll be able to build one up and cancel out the cost by selling some racing bikes/kit…

Steve Peat Fender for me. This, combined with a crud catcher, means that a contact-lens wearer like myself can ride all year round without steamy glasses. They look a bit “special” but they’re absolutely brilliant.

Most of my MTB group now use them. You can spot the non-believers in the pub after our group rides – pink-eye and faces covered in mud!

At that price point, aluminum and a lot of carbon frames are going to be very harsh rides.

My experience of carbon frames in that price bracket is that they have a tendency to be quite comfortable but a bit sloppy in the BB. Although not necessarily enough to cause issues.

A couple of my riding buddies have Ribbles – a Sportive Bianco and a Grand Fondo (good value, comfortable, come with terrible wheels and tyres but serviceable finishing kit) and the Ribble R872 (excellent frame, slightly more aggressive, not overly harsh, stiff in the BB)…

You can spec any of these with full 105 at around your budget, but I’d put a bit more in to get better wheels and tyres.

TBH, you’re shopping in the most competitive price bracket due to C2W scheme, so in terms of VFM, you’re spoilt for choice.

People don’t seem to recommend Boardman any more, not sure why. Excellent frame and great value…

No matter what your frame geometry, you’re restricted/compromised by a few unavoidables. My stem length is dictated to a certain degree by my femur length. I need 130mm or I hit my knees on the bars when climbing out of the saddle.
My back would prefer 110mm, but I’ve just had to adapt. There’s no custom frame builder on earth that can alter the length of my thighs! :D

Caddy? Plenty of roof height which makes life a lot easier…

the answer is a bike that fits without compromise (565cm ETT, 16cm HT, 16.3cm setback, 73/73º 45º rake) i agree with the “making it fit” but only by the person wielding the torch/laying up the tube joints not somebody with a box full of stems

To be so certain of your “uncompromised” frame dimensions, you’d have to say that there is only one correct length of stem, which clearly there isn’t!
Yes, there are gaps between sizes, but we’re talking 2-3cms on seat or top tubes for most manufactures. So that puts you into the 10-15mm bracket to adjust up to or down to the size that you feel is missing in the line-up. Not much is it?!

You might have been put off by disparities in head-tube height which doesn’t always increase in proportion to the rest of the bike. The R5’s head tube does though, you should try one, you might like it. ;)

It sounds like your all right in some way. Kudos has a point to some degree on this issue (the quote) but this misses what should be the most compelling reason to go full custom, that being you will get a bike that fits better.

I’ll return the compliment and agree with you… Up to a point! :-)

I think there’s a bit of a hangover from the old days when a custom frame build was a common thing for keen cyclists to do, and it generally didn’t come at much of a premium as the same frame builders were churning out standard frames in exactly the same way.

But I’d say things changed in the late eighties/early nineties when frame builders adopted the A-head. It suddenly became very easy to make a standard frame fit anyone. And unless you have deformity levels of disproportion, or a very specific need, I don’t think there are very many people that can’t get a perfect fit “off the shelf” by altering stem, steerer and saddle layback.

Of course, a custom frame builder would dispute that, but the entire Garmin Squad look perfectly comfortable on stock R/S5s…

Not bollocks at all njee. The finishing kit and wheels makes a huge difference to the ride of a bike. A custom frame builder is limited in exactly the same way the the big manufacturers are when they produce off-the-shelf frames, ie every change in ride/handling has a knock-on effect to something else.
If you build too much compliance into the frame, you lose power. It’s very simple, and any frame builder that tells you otherwise is lying.

I’m confident that an off-the-shelf frame from a top manufacturer has been developed by the best riders, on the widest range of terrain and surfaces to be the absolute optimum it can be.

Sure, if I was a sprinter I’d be looking at Venges, Foils etc but for bikes that suit everyday riding, racing, training, sportives etc, I really don’t think there’s anything a custom frame builder can offer other than exclusivity.

Kudos – what did you think of the Colnago C60? That is the frame I could be tempted to replace my current Condor Moda with (not that this is likely to happen).

I loved it, very solid ride – similar to the Dogma in that respect. Couldn’t fault the geometry at all – I’d say that that is the area where the top frames have got it nailed. I get a bit skeptical when I hear reviewers saying that such-and-such a frame “turns in better” or twaddle like that – I’ve never ridden a top end frame that didn’t handle “just right” unless it was badly set up!

The Colnago and Pinarello just feel a bit duller than the R5 to me, very difficult to describe, but it just feels lighter and zippier when climbing out of the saddle. The Cervelo has a feeling that borders on the fragile, but it’s rigidity and accuracy in corners prove it’s far from fragile.

That sort of thing comes down to personal preference, but I would say all of those 3 – C65, 65.1 and R5 – have a definite edge over the other bikes in the pro peleton.

i’m intrigued how you can customise an off the peg frame better than somebody who can pick and choose from tubes and mitre them to whatever other tubes they choose? do you get your file out and whittle away at the inside?

I can’t for the life of me work out why you would think that was what I meant when I said “I customise the ride and fit with the finishing kit to a far more detailed degree than any custom frame builder could do with a frame”. It’s really not a very difficult sentence to understand, and it’s quite well written – even if I do say so myself.

If you have trouble with literacy etc, my advice would be to read things a couple of times, just to make sure you’ve got the right end of the stick. It saves you getting egg on your face :)

Have you ridden one Mr Smith? I rode one this morning. I rode a Scott Foil yesterday. I rode a Scott CR1 HMX on Saturday. I’ve ridden a Tarmac SL4, a Dogma 65.1, a Colnago C60, a Supersix Evo… Plus quite a few others.

The difference is far greater than the sum of bonded tubes, but if you want to simplify it, then fill yer boots.

I’m an average guy, with average proportions. An off the shelf frame works for me every time – I customise the ride and fit with the finishing kit to a far more detailed degree than any custom frame builder could do with a frame, safe in the knowledge that the frame has been developed to the highest possible standard.

I’ll probably go to Di2 10-speed now it has come down in price. The extra cog is not appealing.

I still think the mechs on Ultegra Di2 look a bit “special”. If they were as neat as the Dura Ace I’d be more tempted but they look far too clunky to put on a svelt racebike frame. That said, I’ll be putting it on my TT bike next year…

That extra cog is wonderful, it allows me to ride 53/39 and have 11-28 on the back, so basically compact-length gear inches at the bottom of the cassette without the big gaps between gears. I love it! (DA 9000 Mech on my bike)

You haven’t ridden my Defy Advanced SL

It was an SL. Dura Ace 10-speed with Cosmic Carbones… It’s a nice bike, but jesus, it’s butt ugly!

Got to agree with Geetee, the OP is already riding a pretty decent bike so I don’t think anything in the £3k bracket will be considerably faster.

Having said that, the Ultegra 11-speed mechanical is a big step up from the 10 (and considerably nicer than SRAM, IMHO of course), so I’d be looking at the best frame you can afford specc’d with Ultegra and nice wheels.

Had a little ride on a mate’s Foil yesterday and demonstrated how it’s possible to read the writing on manhole covers through your arse!

Christ that’s a harsh bike. He’s selling it after a year of getting battered – his lumbar can’t take any more!

You haven’t ridden my Defy Advanced SL

Not yours, but I have ridden one. Bit of an old fella’s bike if you ask me ;)

Has to be this!

Spend the change on a chiropractor ;)

They’re not the most aero, lightest, most features/buzz words, and far from the best finished.

– The R5 is arguably the lightest production road bike in the world (depending how you weight it, what hardware, what size etc, and this is ignoring the R5Ca wich is 100 grams lighter!)

– The R5 was voted the favourite pro-level frame in the peleton by World Tour riders for the last 5 years. If a pro was buying his own frame, it would more than likely be an R5.

– Having ridden lots of bikes, I can honestly say the R5 is the comfiest pro-level race frame I’ve ridden and it’s so stiff that it’s just not even an issue.

It has a magic carpet ride that you just don’t get on other bikes. I also have a CR1 back-up bike – identical build and geometry – and it feels numb and harsh in comparison. The R5 doesn’t claim to be an aero frame, but it’s definitely faster down a hill than the CR1 (back-to-back rolling start tests by me, free-wheeling, same conditions, tyres etc.) The R5 is faster by a significant margin.

So I’d say my opinion probably carries a bit more weight than the opinion of someone who’s probably never ridden an R5. Have you? ;)

Would probably fit with a 120 stem if you are sub 6′

I’m a shade under 6’1″ and had a Med/Large TCR. It was too small. I ride a Cervelo R5 and Scott CR1 in 56cm and they’re spot on for me (with 130mm stems). I like my frames on the small side but the TCR was just too small, I was very hunched and the front end was too low to get on the drops and breath at the same time.

I’d go Canyon (for value) or Cervelo (because they’re quite simply the best bike ever made).

They’re silently reciting the rules of grammar and spelling in their heads.

Anyone got a Scott foil 15? I’m tempted but have read that they can be harsh. Just wondering if that’s real, or just jurnos looking for something to say because all road bikes actually feel the same.

Ridiculously harsh and twitchy. IMHO, far too harsh to enjoy riding on UK roads. They’re a pure race bike really, great for smooth crit circuits but I’d go for something comfier if you want to enjoy your rides. Scott aren’t the best at making bikes comfortable, I have a CR1 which is fairly harsh considering its intended use.

That Canyon got 10/10 in last week’s <£2000 group test. I wouldn’t be looking anywhere else if I was shopping in that price bracket.

Thanks again mate, my biggest concern is riding off-road with the brakes back to front… Seems like an easy way to remove my front teeth!!

I can confirm it is no act, it was 6am too.

So are you saying he’s just an idiot all the time?

The village idiot act is wearing a bit thin. Comes across as trying too hard to be the character that TV loved and coming across as a bit of a bellend in the process.

I live locally so generally ride up from Longridge and onto the Fell at Cardwell Farm – that’s the grassy climb followed by the ride up alongside the wall to the Trig. It’s not a bad climb, even after rain – stay on the right of the wall though – it drains better.
There are 2 fire-road entrances, the Quarry near the top of Huntingdon Hall Lane or the one at the top of Kempel End. Both are a good starting point and once you get your bearings, you’ll be able to link a few climbs and descents together.

Gotta love Guy! Total legend

I thought he came across as a bit of a tool there. Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s an amazing rider, and it’s good to have “characters” in any sport, but I can’t help feeling he’s turning into a Guy Martin caricature and that everything is stage managed.

Connor and Michael looked pretty pissed off at him turning up late and trying to turn the winner’s press conference into a comedy publicity stunt, and I would be too. It was rather disrespectful to the winner and the race orgnisers.

I know he’s had beef with the organisers in the past, but he’s dropped a long way in my estimation after that little charade.

I was at the TT the weekend before last and watched the superstocks on Monday at Creg Ny Baa. Rather sobering when a rider doesn’t come round for his fourth lap. But I guess they wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t dangerous. RIP lads.

Lake Geneva looks beautiful, but 160 miles is probably a bit more than I’d be comfortable with! I’ll give that company a google though, cheers James!