Plenty of good sound advice above.
Particularly agree that you need to go for distance first before worrying about speed.
As fitness increases cycling will become easier (and probably faster).
Try a really slow ride and see how you get on.
Pete
Search found 16 matches
- 16 Aug 2019, 9:33pm
- Forum: Health and fitness
- Topic: Energy on longer rides
- Replies: 32
- Views: 2602
- 5 Feb 2019, 9:45pm
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Cleat position
- Replies: 7
- Views: 2607
Re: Cleat position
Hi
Looking at the picture in the first post - your red mark on the left side of your foot is nearly right.
Position the bone (about one cm below your mark) directly in line with the pedal spindle.
That's a good starting point for fore and aft position, as the sole of the foot gets most power into the pedal.
Then, as others have said, establish whether your feet splay out, in, or are neutral. To do this either:
1. Sit on a high surface, e.g. kitchen worktop, and dangle the feet without shoes over the side - they will adopt their natural position.
2. Again with no shoes on, stand with feet shoulder width apart and jump in the air off both feet. Check their position on landing.
Probably best to do both.
Twist the cleat slightly from the straight ahead position if necessary to get the correct "splay". If the feet splay out, move the rear of the cleat towards the outside of the shoe and vice versa.
Ride A SHORT DISTANCE and adjust if required. If you want to encourage a knee injury ride a long distance in new cleats without proper fitting!
Hope this helps.
Please PM me if you need any more information.
Pete
Looking at the picture in the first post - your red mark on the left side of your foot is nearly right.
Position the bone (about one cm below your mark) directly in line with the pedal spindle.
That's a good starting point for fore and aft position, as the sole of the foot gets most power into the pedal.
Then, as others have said, establish whether your feet splay out, in, or are neutral. To do this either:
1. Sit on a high surface, e.g. kitchen worktop, and dangle the feet without shoes over the side - they will adopt their natural position.
2. Again with no shoes on, stand with feet shoulder width apart and jump in the air off both feet. Check their position on landing.
Probably best to do both.
Twist the cleat slightly from the straight ahead position if necessary to get the correct "splay". If the feet splay out, move the rear of the cleat towards the outside of the shoe and vice versa.
Ride A SHORT DISTANCE and adjust if required. If you want to encourage a knee injury ride a long distance in new cleats without proper fitting!
Hope this helps.
Please PM me if you need any more information.
Pete
- 23 Jun 2018, 3:19pm
- Forum: Cycling Goods & Services - Your Reviews
- Topic: crossfitperpetua
- Replies: 2
- Views: 992
crossfitperpetua
Hi
Check out https://www.crossfitperpetua.net.
After a fruitless two week search for a Trek Domane Disc, I established that there were none left in the UK until the 2019 model is launched.
I enquired about two different models at CrossFit, and they told me that both were in stock with immediate delivery. Both are discounted at around 25%!
Having taken a good look around the site, and noted the spelling mistakes, I decided it was indeed "Too good to be true!"
Think carefully before investing there?
Pete
Check out https://www.crossfitperpetua.net.
After a fruitless two week search for a Trek Domane Disc, I established that there were none left in the UK until the 2019 model is launched.
I enquired about two different models at CrossFit, and they told me that both were in stock with immediate delivery. Both are discounted at around 25%!
Having taken a good look around the site, and noted the spelling mistakes, I decided it was indeed "Too good to be true!"
Think carefully before investing there?
Pete
- 23 May 2018, 1:10pm
- Forum: Cycling UK Member Groups and Affiliates
- Topic: Is it just us, or do other groups find it difficult to get responses?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 15065
Re: Is it just us, or do other groups find it difficult to get responses?
Thanks for raising this issue.
If the senior managers of Cycling UK can't be bothered to reply consistently to their own members, it raises serious doubts about their ability to communicate to others outside the organisation.
Wake up Cycling UK and show a little interest in those that keep you in employment!
Pete
If the senior managers of Cycling UK can't be bothered to reply consistently to their own members, it raises serious doubts about their ability to communicate to others outside the organisation.
Wake up Cycling UK and show a little interest in those that keep you in employment!
Pete
- 3 Apr 2018, 9:43pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Custom Touring Bike : Top/Head Tube joint way lower to avoid slope?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2126
Re: Custom Touring Bike : Top/Head Tube joint way lower to avoid slope?
Hi
Take a look at the picture here:
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=121107&p=1222548#p1222548
Is this what you are referring to?
Pete
Take a look at the picture here:
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=121107&p=1222548#p1222548
Is this what you are referring to?
Pete
- 6 Jun 2015, 8:39pm
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Folder or S&S Couplings?
- Replies: 12
- Views: 2215
Re: Folder or S&S Couplings?
Hi
I had a titanium frame made in China for me by XACD, and this included S&S copies. Took it to Australia in a Dahon Airporter bag and the airline company (Emerites) simply treated it as a standard case.
I used cable couplers, obtained from SJS.
Disassembly about 15 minutes after a bit of practice, with reassembly 25 minutes or so.
Rides exactly the same as a standard frame.
Please message me if you want further details (like CAD drawing, photos, price etc.)
Pete
I had a titanium frame made in China for me by XACD, and this included S&S copies. Took it to Australia in a Dahon Airporter bag and the airline company (Emerites) simply treated it as a standard case.
I used cable couplers, obtained from SJS.
Disassembly about 15 minutes after a bit of practice, with reassembly 25 minutes or so.
Rides exactly the same as a standard frame.
Please message me if you want further details (like CAD drawing, photos, price etc.)
Pete
- 28 Mar 2014, 8:32am
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Which road bike to replace mtb
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1537
Re: Which road bike to replace mtb
Hi
Interesting points made by Brucey about positioning on the bike. Of course, it may work well for him but from my limited experience of fitting dozens of cyclists the majority benefit from bringing the saddle forward! As for 9 cm saddle to handlebar drop and having no weight on the bars - not my experience either. Comfort comes from an even distribution of weight (usually around 60% bum/40% hands) and a less extreme position. The photo used demonstrates a position that 99% of cyclists could not hold for more than a few seconds.
Pete
Interesting points made by Brucey about positioning on the bike. Of course, it may work well for him but from my limited experience of fitting dozens of cyclists the majority benefit from bringing the saddle forward! As for 9 cm saddle to handlebar drop and having no weight on the bars - not my experience either. Comfort comes from an even distribution of weight (usually around 60% bum/40% hands) and a less extreme position. The photo used demonstrates a position that 99% of cyclists could not hold for more than a few seconds.
Pete
- 29 Mar 2013, 9:15pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Marchisio, campy, alternatives.
- Replies: 5
- Views: 2457
Re: Marchisio, campy, alternatives.
Hi
I use a single Marchisio 28T sprocket with a Shimano cassette on a couple of my 9 speed bikes. It is ideal to use with the popular 12-25 cassette to give a lower gear. I ditch the top-but-one sprocket to accommodate it.
In fact, I now have a couple of spare 28T Marchisio sprockets if anyone wants to buy them.
Pete
I use a single Marchisio 28T sprocket with a Shimano cassette on a couple of my 9 speed bikes. It is ideal to use with the popular 12-25 cassette to give a lower gear. I ditch the top-but-one sprocket to accommodate it.
In fact, I now have a couple of spare 28T Marchisio sprockets if anyone wants to buy them.
Pete
- 7 Aug 2012, 8:36pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Brown bar tape availability [title changed]
- Replies: 22
- Views: 3346
Re: Brown bar tape availability [title changed]
Hi
I recently bought the honey brown Brooks tape to match my honey brown B17, but it is nowhere like the colour of the saddle (especially after giving the saddle a good proofing).
However, I also own a Brooks B17 Select, and this is a perfect match colour-wise. The two together look fabulous on the bike.
Of course, like you, I am still looking for some bar tape to match the honey brown saddle...
So the tongue-in-cheek answer is to buy a B17 Select and keep the Brooks tape!
Pete
I recently bought the honey brown Brooks tape to match my honey brown B17, but it is nowhere like the colour of the saddle (especially after giving the saddle a good proofing).
However, I also own a Brooks B17 Select, and this is a perfect match colour-wise. The two together look fabulous on the bike.
Of course, like you, I am still looking for some bar tape to match the honey brown saddle...
So the tongue-in-cheek answer is to buy a B17 Select and keep the Brooks tape!
Pete
- 29 Apr 2012, 10:19am
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Best frame pump to use with 'pip'
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1022
Re: Best frame pump to use with 'pip'
+ 1 for the Zefal HP.
Topeak also make a good frame fit pump, the Road Masterblaster - I bought one recently from Evans Cycles for £20
http://www.topeak.com/products/Pumps/Ro ... _framesize
Pete
Topeak also make a good frame fit pump, the Road Masterblaster - I bought one recently from Evans Cycles for £20
http://www.topeak.com/products/Pumps/Ro ... _framesize
Pete
- 8 Mar 2012, 8:08pm
- Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
- Topic: Traffic lights discriminate against cyclists!
- Replies: 41
- Views: 10363
Re: Traffic lights discriminate against cyclists!
Notified my LA about one set of unresponsive lights last night.
Let's see what happens...
Let's see what happens...
- 6 Mar 2012, 8:41am
- Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
- Topic: Traffic lights discriminate against cyclists!
- Replies: 41
- Views: 10363
Re: Traffic lights discriminate against cyclists!
As I said when introducing this topic a few days ago - isn't this an issue for the CTC to take up nationally?
Does it not constitute institutional discrimination against cyclists?
Traffic light sensors should be set to accommodate ALL road users, not just the heavy metal ones.
Pete
Does it not constitute institutional discrimination against cyclists?
Traffic light sensors should be set to accommodate ALL road users, not just the heavy metal ones.
Pete
- 1 Mar 2012, 1:21pm
- Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
- Topic: Traffic lights discriminate against cyclists!
- Replies: 41
- Views: 10363
Re: Traffic lights discriminate against cyclists!
I have raised the issue of unresponsive traffic lights more than once at the local Local Authority sponsored Cycling Forum (in this case Dudley MBC), but to date I can't see any improvement.
Pete
Pete
- 28 Feb 2012, 4:42pm
- Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
- Topic: Traffic lights discriminate against cyclists!
- Replies: 41
- Views: 10363
Traffic lights discriminate against cyclists!
Hi
Like most cyclists, I have welcomed the recent Times campaign for safer cycling. It has raised the public profile and generated some debate.
One area which always seems to polarise opinion is the humble traffic light - many motorists are of the opinion that we all ignore red lights. We all know that this only applies to a very small proportion of the cycling population, and reget that it gives us a bad name.
However, many traffic lights actually discriminate against cyclists! Strong words indeed, but how many times have you been stuck at a red light because the lights won't change for you? I have two such sets of lights on my daily ride, where I depend on a car or similar to change the lights for me.
Some traffic lights are on a timed system, but many are operated by sensors in the road surface on the approach to trigger a change. These sensors depend on a ton of metal to change the magnetic charge in an inductive loop, so what chance has a 15Kg bike got!
Surely, if a cyclist could change the sequence, this would eliminate many of the "red light" incidents that so infuriate motorists and it would also cut down our journey times.
A simple solution would be a button on the light itself to be operated by the cyclist in exactly the same way as a pedestrian crossing.
Is this another campaigning issue for the CTC and others to take up, or has this topic been aired before?
Pete
Like most cyclists, I have welcomed the recent Times campaign for safer cycling. It has raised the public profile and generated some debate.
One area which always seems to polarise opinion is the humble traffic light - many motorists are of the opinion that we all ignore red lights. We all know that this only applies to a very small proportion of the cycling population, and reget that it gives us a bad name.
However, many traffic lights actually discriminate against cyclists! Strong words indeed, but how many times have you been stuck at a red light because the lights won't change for you? I have two such sets of lights on my daily ride, where I depend on a car or similar to change the lights for me.
Some traffic lights are on a timed system, but many are operated by sensors in the road surface on the approach to trigger a change. These sensors depend on a ton of metal to change the magnetic charge in an inductive loop, so what chance has a 15Kg bike got!
Surely, if a cyclist could change the sequence, this would eliminate many of the "red light" incidents that so infuriate motorists and it would also cut down our journey times.
A simple solution would be a button on the light itself to be operated by the cyclist in exactly the same way as a pedestrian crossing.
Is this another campaigning issue for the CTC and others to take up, or has this topic been aired before?
Pete
- 2 Feb 2012, 1:08pm
- Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
- Topic: The Times Campaign for safer cycling
- Replies: 261
- Views: 27291
The Times Campaign -Cities fit for cycling
Hi
Some of you may have noticed the campaign launched by The Times today "Cities fit for cycling".
To get this debate up the political ladder there needs to be as many people as possible signed up.
Here is the link for you to follow if you agree with the sentiments:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cy ... y/contact/
It only takes a few minutes to complete, including a couple of lines to your local MP.
Pete
Some of you may have noticed the campaign launched by The Times today "Cities fit for cycling".
To get this debate up the political ladder there needs to be as many people as possible signed up.
Here is the link for you to follow if you agree with the sentiments:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cy ... y/contact/
It only takes a few minutes to complete, including a couple of lines to your local MP.
Pete