Bicycles 2011

PS I have just got a pair of Vittoria Open Pave's which have received rave reviews - not sure if they will be nearly as durable so may keep for the sunny ( !!) spring time.

Peter

My winter bike (Burls Steel) has mudguards. I've just fitted some of the new Crudguard RoadRacer ones, very light and simple to fit and give almost as much protection as the old SKS ones. Designed for bikes without the typical mudguard clearance (George/Winky- an option maybe?). I'm quite impressed, although I wonder how durable they will be.

On the subject of tyres I switched to some new wheels on the Parlee this summer; Dt Swiss Tricons which gave me a tubeless option with Hutchinson tyres. Anyone else gone down that route? I was sceptical and had my spare inner tube at the ready but have had absolutely no problems (even without using the fluid 'filler'). Lovely ride quality and the combo feels quick too; although how much of that is wheel vs tyre vs new kit always feeling better is another matter!

I am aware that I will almost certainly now get a puncture within a few minutes of home on my next ride as a result of this post...

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by northpole:
PS I have just got a pair of Vittoria Open Pave's which have received rave reviews - not sure if they will be nearly as durable so may keep for the sunny ( !!) spring time.

Peter

Nice, but they puncture very easily and can be a bugger to change on the side of the road, definitely not a thumbs only job.

quote:

Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
My winter bike (Burls Steel) has mudguards. I've just fitted some of the new Crudguard RoadRacer ones, very light and simple to fit and give almost as much protection as the old SKS ones. Designed for bikes without the typical mudguard clearance (George/Winky- an option maybe?). I'm quite impressed, although I wonder how durable they will be.

Bruce

Thanks Bruce. Let us know how they pan out. I saw a review of them and they certainly look well thought through. When my BMC gets demoted to winter status, they might just be the ticket.

quote:

Lovely ride quality and the combo feels quick too; although how much of that is wheel vs tyre vs new kit always feeling better is another matter!

They have received very positive feedback in terms of ride quality approaching that of tubs (I've not used either) so probably alot to do with the tyres.

Tyres to cycling are a bit like speakers to hi-fi - very difficult to reach a consensus!

Peter

quote:

Nice, but they puncture very easily and can be a bugger to change on the side of the road, definitely not a thumbs only job.

I have to say my dura ace wheels can be a complete nightmare to repair p***tures on - the rim profile does not seem to be compatible with any I have tried! When I ran Pro Race 3's, that was the pits - I ruined two tubes, gave up and went to my local bike shop. Their mechanic went through a further four tubes before he managed to fit the tyre! Loved the tyres but couldn't consider continuing with them.

Thanks for the tip on the Pave's - I'll save them for the R-Sys which seem to be more sympathetic in profile when the Corsa's wear out (they are very flimsy feeling when you get a p***ture).

Peter

quote:

Thanks Bruce. Let us know how they pan out. I saw a review of them and they certainly look well thought through. When my BMC gets demoted to winter status, they might just be the ticket.

Bruce/ Winky

Not sure if this link will work across the pond - hopefully so - a forum thread relating impressions of Crud Roadracer Mk2's.

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum...18891&highlight=crud

Peter

Conti's only for me, I got tired literally trying to get the bead of a Michelin on a rim, they were always too tight on Campy, Ksyriums, Shimano, etc. The Conti's stretch just enough, you can use one tire iron and your finger to change a tube.

Dave

Contis here too. I try others, but always come back.

This is my new bike for the next 5 years or so:


SCOTT Spark 10
10.4 kg carbon fully, very good single track steering in the woods of Holland.

Paul

quote:

Originally posted by northpole:

Not sure if this link will work across the pond - hopefully so - a forum thread relating impressions of Crud Roadracer Mk2's.

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum...18891&highlight=crud

Peter

Dear Peter,

Those look to have potential! I once had a front mudguard fold up on me and stop the wheel. Fortunately I was going slowly, and ever since I have had an allergy to them! Well not the really strong steel type fitted on old Raleight cycles, but the light-weight variety. Plus the clearances on the Carlton seem improbably small too me! but those Crud Roadracer Mk2 ones look to have addressed small clearances, safety if there is a collapse, and lightness all in one go! It would be daft not to fit them if the price is reasonable. They may look modern, but nothing wrong with modern when it is genuine progress!

Thanks for the advice on them.

ATB from George

PS: Their price is compelling at between £23 and £29.99. I'll order some on Tuesday.

quote:

Originally posted by winkyincanada:
Contis here too. I try others, but always come back.

And in a delcious irony, the side wall of my Conti GP4000 blew out 100m after leaving home this morning. It might have been frozen and brittle? Had to hike back and swap wheels.

quote:

Originally posted by winkyincanada:

quote:

Originally posted by winkyincanada:
Contis here too. I try others, but always come back.

And in a delcious irony, the side wall of my Conti GP4000 blew out 100m after leaving home this morning. It might have been frozen and brittle? Had to hike back and swap wheels.

What's the chances of that happening.

Luckily 100 metres isn't to far to hike.

quote:

Originally posted by fatcat:

quote:

Originally posted by winkyincanada:

quote:

Originally posted by winkyincanada:
Contis here too. I try others, but always come back.

And in a delcious irony, the side wall of my Conti GP4000 blew out 100m after leaving home this morning. It might have been frozen and brittle? Had to hike back and swap wheels.

What's the chances of that happening.

Luckily 100 metres isn't to far to hike.

No, it's not far. Still got where I was heading on time. Had a great ride. Chilly, with ice floating in Coal Harbour by the rowing club (NEVER seen that before - could have been movie fx? - Always possible in Vancouver), ice in a lot of the gutters and drains, but bluebird sky, dry roads and not a breath of wind.

quote:

Originally posted by winkyincanada:
Contis here too. I try others, but always come back.

Did you try Schwalbe Ultremo R1's?
I started to ride on these last year, and find them really comfortable and trouble free (so far).

BTW, you're lucky to be able to ride on jan 1st.
not likely here in Mtl.

quote:

Originally posted by pt109:

quote:

Originally posted by winkyincanada:
Contis here too. I try others, but always come back.

Did you try Schwalbe Ultremo R1's?
I started to ride on these last year, and find them really comfortable and trouble free (so far).

BTW, you're lucky to be able to ride on jan 1st.
not likely here in Mtl.

I tried the next model down, I think. They were OK but not noticeably different to my GP4000s. Wasn't there some recall or some such with the Ultremo R1s a couple of years back?

I run Schwalbe Marathons on my tourer, and they have been unbelievably good.

One thing here in Canada is that top of the line road clinchers are half the price they were in Australia .

The original Ultremo's were problematic.The R1's
the 'fixed' version.
I will try the Conti's when I have the chance.

quote:

Originally posted by pt109:
The original Ultremo's were problematic.The R1's
the 'fixed' version.
I will try the Conti's when I have the chance.

Ahh, Thanks.

If you try the Contis, go for the 4000S version, rather than the standard 4000. As my LBS put it, they are "well sticky" and they don't seem any less durable (blown sidewall notwithstanding ).

One of my bikes-



The frame is hand made to my specifications by Mercian's and built up by me. Used as a fast Audax/3 season commuting/winter turbo trainer bike.

One of 4 bike I own.

Karl

quote:

Originally posted by fasterbyelan:
One of my bikes-

The frame is hand made to my specifications by Mercian's and built up by me. Used as a fast Audax/3 season commuting/winter turbo trainer bike.

One of 4 bikes I own.

Karl

Nice. Really nice. What tubing is it made from?

(But what sort of winter bike doesn't have mudguards/fenders ? Oh wait, I see you say "3-season")

quote:

Originally posted by winkyincanada:

quote:

Originally posted by fasterbyelan:
One of my bikes-

The frame is hand made to my specifications by Mercian's and built up by me. Used as a fast Audax/3 season commuting/winter turbo trainer bike.

One of 4 bikes I own.

Karl

Nice. Really nice. What tubing is it made from?

(But what sort of winter bike doesn't have mudguards/fenders ? Oh wait, I see you say "3-season")

Hi,

Thanks for the comments.

The tubing is 853 Pro Team - quite stiff and very light. The frame is the smallest Mercian's could make so that makes it even more rigid but being steel it's still very comfortable (I've ridden hilly 300Km events without being unduly tired). The bikes weight is 8 kgs.

I have another Mercian which is better suited to rain and very hilly/ultra long rides - this one is 32 years old !

And yes STEEL IS REAL

Karl

quote:

Originally posted by fasterbyelan:

quote:

Originally posted by winkyincanada:

quote:

Originally posted by fasterbyelan:
One of my bikes-

The frame is hand made to my specifications by Mercian's and built up by me. Used as a fast Audax/3 season commuting/winter turbo trainer bike.

One of 4 bikes I own.

Karl

Nice. Really nice. What tubing is it made from?

(But what sort of winter bike doesn't have mudguards/fenders ? Oh wait, I see you say "3-season")

Hi,

Thanks for the comments.

The tubing is 853 Pro Team - quite stiff and very light. The frame is the smallest Mercian's could make so the makes it even more rigid but being steel it's still very comfortable (I've ridden hilly 300Km events without being unduly tired). The bikes weight is 8 kgs.

I have another Mercian which is better suited to rain and very hilly/ultra long rides - this one is 32 years old !

And yes STEEL IS REAL

Karl

853 is good stuff, and 8kg is very, very good for a steel bike.

I love the quietness of steel. Carbon just amplifies all the noises and road clatter but does ride nice and is light. My winter bike is steel (carbon seat-stays) but I don't get to really appreciate the quietness because of those damn fenders. A necessary evil here in "sunny" Vancouver.

quote:

Originally posted by fixedwheel:

quote:

Originally posted by Robbert:
Guess where this is ( yes that's me ) :

Can only be Mt. Ventoux.

2011, I might be able to get out on one of my bikes a bit more.

Have made a bit of a commitment with the purchase of some new lights.

John

Yes it is!!! This year I'm going to the Alpe D'huez. Also a great mountain to be climbing.


God luck and do you have a good preparation?

My trusty old Carlton will be treated to better wheels in the spring.



My carbon framed cycle by Time.



A few recent improvements, upgraded seat post, handlebars/stem and saddle.



These will be with me till either I or they conk out.

From naked steel to fresh paint