For what it’s worth, I run Ultegra 10sp on a Croix de Fer and have just invested in a Sugini OX601D chainset, this runs 46/30 with an 30 on the back, I’ll see how it goes, but I’m thinking a 32 on the back and it’s all ultegra and good chain line!

Some are saying change the stock pads….but what too? And what what compassionless cables are recommended? Do the finned Shimano Pads fit, and would they make any real difference, I’m thinking for fast road touring/blasting possibly alpine type descents on road?

Apologies for hijacking the thread, just looking for some pointers/clarification!

Red

Bits n bobs for folk, not much medium, very few bibs if any…not as cheap as in the past apparently, I was told there wouldn’t be much more put out yesterday, but I reckon they will do as it’ll be rammed tomorrow!

Just be wary of folk making a fast buck off fellow forum members…stuff like that grips my S***!

So….HB-SC113, i’ve got the Campy parts for a set….where might I find the Hope alternatives?

Cheers,

Red

Hi,

Genius…thanks for that chap, I’ll go look….they’re about a year or two old….hopefully they’ll be the same!

Red

That’s cool, I’m juggling my CdF upgrades and rebuilding an aging Bianchi right now too, I’ve got bits all over the place!

One job at a time should be my motto, though it never will be! Think I’ll have to get onto Charlie the Bike, any other tips on where to get hold of the Salsa stuff?

Red

Somafunk….dibs on the woodchippers/choppers when you change em..:)

Red

+1 vote for Osprey, great quality & Design, best bladders out there, and as you say, take the price of the bladder off and the bags aren’t crazy prices!

IMHO..:)

Are these one time use or am I just the gullible one for trying it?

🙂

Cheers Dibs, so if I get the garmin it should work cross platform! Smashing!

I was just wondering if there were any other HRMs folk wore, I’ve never really used it for training but thought I’d give it a go!

Red

*typo….Rovinj

I loved Robinj in Istria years ago, this is more about exploring, still unsure about this Slovenia car insurance cover thing, going to have to delay my departure from Switzerland until the insurance company opens at 9am…grr!

Cheers folks…you’ve all just reinforced my thoughts….just planning a route on a Sunday night and have to check in the morning if I can drive through Slovenia with my insurance, it’s got the EU, Serbia and Croatia on the list, but no Slovenia…which seems a bugger!

I’m sure it’s possible, its not like they’re not linked, etc….doh!

Plan B if not….whatever that is!

Cheers,

Red

RealMan, loving your posts….this is my essential TdF reading..cheers fella!

🙂 😆 🙂

Not so sure about this….looks like the devils work! Beer comes from pubs in glasses…..that’s the fun of a trip out, sourcing nice pubs with closely related folks sitting at the bar…..I’m out!

Great summary as ever…I’m sat here, possibly about to miss the whole bloody show trying to decide which way to head and scream my lungs out!

Reckon the climb into Oughtibridge is going to offer a vacant spot of verge…here goes!

Aleez, allez…;)

+2 on the Ambit, though didn’t know about the Strava link thing..:)

Must get the instruction book out again.

That said, it works great in every sense, very well made and does what it says on the tin!

Here’s a bit of a leaflet with a decent map at the end….

http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/images/Handout%20web%20version_tcm44-246479.pdf

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I understand that the Woodhead/Holmemoss and Glossop roads will be closed to cars from 6am!

They’ve a load of buses ferrying folk in, so it’s that or on ya push irons..;)

Red

Was up there today, loads of roadies out, good to see….all the laybys, verges and entrances blocked by stones, signs all over….reckon it’s going to be mayhem, big screen scaffolding being erected at the top of Holme Moss….still puzzled where to go.

I’m stopping in Glossop and heading down early in the morning, am thinking somewhere on the rise towards Sheffield on the Woodhead, the descent looks and drove great, though I’m thinking the crowds might make it unbearable!

Think it’s given rain too…doh!

Red

Here’s one I’ve heard good reports of:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g806089-d2414111-Reviews-Greenhills_Holiday_Park-Ashford_in_the_Water_Bakewell_Peak_District_National_Park_Engl.html

Red

Great looking bike….that freeborn price seems a steal! I’m loving my 931 Croix de Fer, which I was comparing to the Tripster and it was a heads or tails thing, though I couldn’t find any little ones around in the ATR and the only CdF’s in 931 were the little uns….52cm, yes please, decision made (oh, that and a £250 trade in for a rusty framed thing with Evans, sealed the deal,)….and Like the OP, I think these bikes are the best of a ‘type’ so practical, so much fun and just beg to be ridden….who needs paint on a frame….;)?

Red

Cheers folks….I’ll go and check these out thanks!

Red

Smashing….looks a great bike, sounds fun too!

Red

Ian,

I kind of know you’re right, I suppose the responses have just confirmed to me that I need a couple of pairs of SPD pedals and shoes to suit, swap & change…road cleats just get in the way and make you walk like you’ve bad piles on ice!

Red

Haha on the Morrisons Mavics, I’d not thought until you said..;)

The M088’s look the part too….cheers guys!

Red

Cheers…more to check out, those AM45’s look a bit funny..;) Tahoes look good! The Rimes look good..but not cheap..:(

Great guys, cheers, I’ll go look at those suggestions…if you’ve wide feet, I’ll have some lovely wide Mavic road shoes for sale..;)

Oh, and yes, possibly some walking, hike a bike stuff here n there…not sure about the Cx running thing but they might be more specialist.

Giving how well it was received, the weather making it extra nice….I was told the organisors had taken a 5 yr option to run the event, so fingers crossed it will be continued to be supported..;)

Ps…it’s in Derbyshire not Yorkshire, though It does dip it’s toe into Gods own country..:)

I’m in the Croix de Fer gang, love it, very versatile, just dead good fun and seems very planted, and it’s got all the options you said above….new Genesis range due out on July 1st too…so either cheap 2014 models going cheap or see what the new range brings..;)

Red

…wondering why I threw all my old knackered stuff away

stevemakin….this is just a guess, but could it have been because it was all old and knackered..;)

Red

Ps….got chatting to Tim who runs Sword Cycles, he seemed to break the rich Londoner mould, dead nice fella, no hard sell and a seemingly good pedigree behind his work, ex of Mercian in Derby, local too…only based in Ashbourne….

http://swordcycles.co.uk/about/

It’s the first time I met him today, but happy to plug, make your own mind up, I’ve no connection with him..;)

Red

Hi,

I called in today on my way out for a ride, I could be cynical about the commercial side of things, however, it looking to be a fun filled cycling oriented event, free to enter, loads to see and do, all in all great for cycling, great for the area…here’s looking forward to next year….;)

Red

Cheers guys, my memories of southport are miles of sand with no sea all explored on a two week non stop rain holiday as a kid!

Looks like I’ll be heading south over the border or back towards Cheshire!

I did look at Formby sites, they just seem to be tin tents and the folk that like that kind of thing..;)

Hi Tim,

Formby isn’t a definite, just thought the sands might make a good spot for a visit etc. We’re not fixed there and North Wales is an option to head to on Saturday afters, fancy doing a night under canvas somewhere decent, be that views or just beer and then heading back towards Matlock…so it’s not as if we’ll not be able to go somewhere in the peaks…just trying to find those North West gems, if there are any..:)?

Red

Bumpety bump!

For me it was a Raliegh Grifter….surely a Rite of Passage Bike should be the bike that made you want to cycle….not the aspirational bikes that we’d all love to have, that’s something different altogether!

My Grifter was everything I ever wanted, got me into and out of loads of scrapes, made me giggle and also blow out of my arse at times when I road it….and there was the magic of finding it on Christmas morning and wheeling it out to try and ride in the slushy snow of the Sheffield streets…..pure magic!

Red

Wheels…I dropped a kilo going for some hope hoops and tubeless…that’s a lot of rolling mass and instantly noticeable!

Red