New to cycling

[blueoval]

not sure what I have then. I know its a Leyzyne branded one. I haven't had to use it yet, but I'll let you know what it's like if I do.

I'd say I've gone a bit over board with puncture repair options. I carry spare tubes, c02, mini pump, puncture kit, AND I run the Specialized Armadillio Elite All condition tires which has built in puncture protection on top. Overkill yes, but you can never be too careful especially with the level of debris you get in a bike lane.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by ratter

tyres will have a maximum pressure on the sidewall, do not exceed this as it may cause a blow out, if you are heavy you may need to run the max pressure

I'm a fat bastard so max pressure it is

[ratter]

thank god of the rest day with the tour, excuse to have a normal bed time

[blueoval]

haha, I hear you Mick, it was the first time I went to bed at 10pm in weeks.

But back at it again tonight.

[prydey]

with the ashes about to start, i'll know just how you guys are feeling over the next month or so.

night shift has prevented me from watching much of the tour so far.

[blueoval]

you should still get a highlights package in the early evening to watch if you wanted Rob. But yeah these late nights are starting to take its toll. 2 more weeks to go.

[LANKY 1]

Nice and handy you guys are talking about tyre puncture repair kits.
Can anyone give some things to look out for when looking at saddle bags,
I also found this which I also like: http://www.velogear.com.au/bike-acce...tle-large.html
Ive never had a puncture yet, but a repair kit is definitely next on the list

[ratter]

although I carry patches etc, it's easier to carry a spare tube on the road, if you want to patch a tube, do it at home where your not rushed and no pressure to get it right, well not as much as being stranded miles from home or the car

[bArNsY]

I usually carry two tubes, two CO2 canisters, two levers and $10 in a saddle bag at all times.
I would probably go something waterproof next time.
Make sure the saddle bag has some sort of reflective strip for added visibility at night time.

[blueoval]

I have the LARGE Topeak aero saddle bag. Its huge. About 2 litres once you extend it out.

Fits my phone, spare tube, 2 x C02, c02 inflator, 3 tire levers, repair kit, and has room for any other things I might be able to fit. Its big yes, but handy to stick stuff in there than in your jersey back pocket. As far as being waterproof, its pretty good at being water resistant. Ive had my phone in there all the time, did some wet rides of late, got home and the phone was dry.

http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Topeak-A...FSlepgoddjcA4A

[LANKY 1]

I noticed the saddle bags are mostly held on by a strap, does that mean they should be removed if you leave your bike unattended? looks like they could be easily stolen

[DBourne]

I've never bothered with a saddle bag.

I just throw all these in the back of my jersey:

- spare tube
- ziplock bag with 2x c02 canisters, tyre levers, c02 applicator
- phone (if long ride from home, if a work lunch ride I don't bother)
- mini pump (figure if the c02 doesn't work for whatever reason then I have the pump)

Maybe a saddle bag is a better idea then I don't have to think about it.. hmm..

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by LANKY 1

I noticed the saddle bags are mostly held on by a strap, does that mean they should be removed if you leave your bike unattended? looks like they could be easily stolen

Well yeah you can easily remove the saddle bag if you leave your bike unattended somewhere. But normally when you dont want to stop, you just leave it attached.

[DJR David]

Well after reading all 37 pages of this thread, it is time for me to save a few pennies for a bike. Looking at something to ride with the kids, and do a weekly ride into town. I had a look at the local Avanti shop yesterday and loved the look of this Blade 2. http://www.avantibikes.com/nz/bikes/...oad/blade-2-0/
I will of course, as everyone has suggested on previous posts have a good look around and try a few bikes before buying, which will be after I get from a holiday in September

[blueoval]

Thats a nice looking bike David, and no doubt will serve your purpose well.

Yes, when it comes to buying a bike, you need to shop around and look for a local bike shop you would be happy to return to for servicing and purchasing gear from.

When it comes to purchasing, always remember that if you buy other accessories with the same place you buy the bike from, there is greater chance of savings if you buy all in one hit. Helmets, gloves, pedals and shoes (if you go clipless), bottles, spare tubes, pumps, lights, repair kits, clothes, etc, etc. All this gear if bought up front will net a greater saving at the time you buy the bike.

[DJR David]

Magic, thanks for that. Had a look at my local Giant dealer today. Very friendly fellow helped me out, and we also talked about accessories as you said. Brand new Giant 2014 released last week. Loved this one, the cross-city http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/...1/14896/66372/
September might be an expansive month!!!

[blueoval]

I can vouch for the rapid fire shifters on the Cross City. I have these shifters and F&R derailleur on my Kona Dew Plus which is my other bike at home. Super fast and easy shifting. The Altus/Altera/Acera groupset isnt bad and is used by most entry level mountain bikes. So it should serve you well.

When you purchase, also consider some handle bar ends. They are great to have to give your hands another position to put them in. They are not expensive and offer a little bit of comfort to your hands and general positioning when you are out of the saddle and into a climb.

http://www.bicyclestore.com.au/pro-b...ht-forged.html

[LG17]

Originally Posted by DJR David

Magic, thanks for that. Had a look at my local Giant dealer today. Very friendly fellow helped me out, and we also talked about accessories as you said. Brand new Giant 2014 released last week. Loved this one, the cross-city http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/...1/14896/66372/
September might be an expansive month!!!

Nathan at The Bicycle Centre is indeed very helpful and friendly and Giant is a good bike

[DJR David]

Sweet, thanks for that gents!

Now how the bloody hell do I convince the wife that this is a good idea?!?!?!?!?!?

[prydey]

asking for forgiveness is easier than asking for permission my friend

[prydey]

just putting this out there

http://ride.jdrf.org.au/teamParticip...755_WTMZTNW4SR

donations over $2 are tax deductible and any and all donations are very much appreciated.

my daughter, who is now 13, was diagnosed with type1 diabetes when she was 5, and having the opportunity to now be able to participate in an event to raise funds for this cause means a lot to me.

even if you don't donate to me, you may know someone else participating in this event that could do with some extra funds, or you may even want to enter yourself. the more the merrier.

i have entered the full 160km distance so need to get pedalling in the next 20 weeks.

[StrikeTwiceXR6]

G'day guys!

Well I took the plunge today and purchased my wife and I a new bike :-)

It has been 10 years since I last purchased myself a road bike, which was a 2003 Giant TCR1. The Giant had a full Ultegra 18 speed groupset, aluminium frame with carbon forks. From 2003-2007 I would cycle roughly 500-600km per week at a computer average speed of 35-40km/h. Once I got my drivers licence, I sold my Giant which I would later learn was destroyed in an accident. I loved that bike and I upgraded the components to exhaust the potential of the frame. In the end, the biggest letdown with the Giant was that it was a bit tail-heavy, leaving it with the tendency to have the front wheel go from underneath it when cornering acutely (a few interesting roundabout incidents on my old Giant).

So, my wife and I have been looking for something to do together and cycling came calling again. We did a lot of shopping around and research online, geez you get a lot for your money these days compared to what I got for my money 10 years ago. We had many test rides over the course of a week at 5-6 different bike stores (one bike reminded me of the 335 GT R-Spec as it had red decals and black carbon finish). I started off trying a flat bar road bike, but found the racing heritage begging me to test ride. Scott, Giant, Fuji, Potenza are all fantastic bikes.........but then the BH frame (Spanish handmade brilliance) changed my mindset on what I was after, a bike that is BALANCED!

Off to the bike shop we went this morning and I was going there to have a look at the Scott CR1. Had a look at the Scott and a Fuji. The Fuji was nicely suited to my structure, then the guy at the shop asked if I had heard of Koga and he showed me the Koga Kimera Pro UD which is a handmade frame from the Netherlands. I went for a test ride on this bike and it is brilliant. Very rigid, responsive, and yet composed over spray seal and corrugated road surfaces. The deal was done on the Koga with Shimano Ultegra 20 speed mechanical groupset, Look Keo Classic Graphite pedals, and Louise Garneau shoes (these shoes are like gloves). The set-up weighed in at 7.6kg with an even weight distribution front to back.

My wife was happy to start with a Giant Cross City 2 (flat bar road bike). Happy and healthy days ahead!

[blueoval]

awesome work mate, and welcome back to the cycling foray. Yes, things have changed over the years, but all for the better. Better cycling friendly tracks, more cycling awareness, and more people being more healthier to help alleviate the obesity factor.

Be sure to post up pics of your new steed. Keen to see how these Koga frame look.

[sgt_doofey]

Originally Posted by prydey

just putting this out there

Good luck with that ride Rob. Have fun climbing Mengler's Hill!
A mate of mine here in the Barossa is doing it too. His daughter also has type 1. He's the guy I go riding with on weekends when I get time.

I'm in the process of gearing up, getting ready for the longer days so I can start doing more riding again. It'll be good to get back in to riding to and from work again.
Am awaiting the arrival of a saddle bag, CO2 canisters, valve adapter so I can use the air compressor to inflate the tyres and a new front light.

[LG17]

After all my doctor imposed timelines for this year have either failed or been put back, I'm finally allowed back on my bike!

A very strict and slow comeback however - I ride about 150m up the ever so slight slope from my front yard and roll back down. I'm allowed to do this in 2 groups of 6 repeats only each day.

At least it's a start!

[StrikeTwiceXR6]

Originally Posted by blueoval

awesome work mate, and welcome back to the cycling foray. Yes, things have changed over the years, but all for the better. Better cycling friendly tracks, more cycling awareness, and more people being more healthier to help alleviate the obesity factor.

Be sure to post up pics of your new steed. Keen to see how these Koga frame look.

Thanks buddy! The sales of bicycles are currently very strong across all the bike stores that my wife and I visited in the last week, which is great news with regards to managing the obesity epidemic. Weight has never been an issue for me though, I actually have the physique of a pro-cyclist, so putting weight on has always been a battle. I have a real strong cycling history in my family, I wish I took it up in my teens but athletics was my calling (competed as a 400 and 800m runner at the national level), and then progressed to competitive cycling in my early 20's. I'm real excited, I've been so consumed by the car scene these last 6 years, but getting back into cycling will be a great outlet :-)

I will get some pics up shortly, buddy.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

Good luck with that ride Rob. Have fun climbing Mengler's Hill!

menglers is optional, but there is a little voice in my head saying i have to do it. when i first started riding in november last year, i planned my rides to avoid hills. now they hold a certain allure. weird hey. just something about climbing and the satisfaction when you get to the top.

[sgt_doofey]

Oh yeah. That little sign at the top of Menglers is a badge of honor! I just know my mate is going to drag me up there at some stage. He's training for it.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4

[bArNsY]

Originally Posted by LG17

After all my doctor imposed timelines for this year have either failed or been put back, I'm finally allowed back on my bike!

A very strict and slow comeback however - I ride about 150m up the ever so slight slope from my front yard and roll back down. I'm allowed to do this in 2 groups of 6 repeats only each day.

At least it's a start!

Keep it up

[StrikeTwiceXR6]

Here is a cool video that demonstrates a carbon rim, made by Easton, being built from scratch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxTWSTo2_4Q