The cycling thread

[dubber36]

What sort of gearing has it got? The modern trend seems to be having a pair of tiny front chain rings and a 10/11 speed cassette with a huge range of ratios.

[Booth11]

What sort of gearing has it got? The modern trend seems to be having a pair of tiny front chain rings and a 10/11 speed cassette with a huge range of ratios.

It's got 3 chainring setup 22/30/40 and a 10 cassette at the rear, so plenty of gears for flat rural Kent      You're right the current trend is for condensed chainrings.

https://www.canyon.com/en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=3640

The wheels look massive compared to 26er's but I can already feel they will be well suited to more general off-road cycling and will munch the miles with ease.  Will try and get out on it this Sunday down at a local mountain bike trail.

[dubber36]

We've just got back from what must be the flattest part of France. I did one 53KM ride that contained a whopping 40m of climbing. This didn't stop me falling off and ending up going to hospital with a dislocated finger tho'. It was the most comical topple over you could imagine. I'd slowed to walking pace, looked behind to see where my wife and kids were, veered to the side of the road and got my pedal wedged on a ridiculously high kerb and couldn't unclip in time to save me from falling over. At least the only damage the bike suffered was a tear in the bar tape.

Despite the still sore finger, I got out yesterday and rode some much missed hills. The descents were quite sedate as my right hand was struggling to brake with any force, but at least my legs can still turn the cranks.   

[Booth11]

We've just got back from what must be the flattest part of France. I did one 53KM ride that contained a whopping 40m of climbing. This didn't stop me falling off and ending up going to hospital with a dislocated finger tho'. It was the most comical topple over you could imagine. I'd slowed to walking pace, looked behind to see where my wife and kids were, veered to the side of the road and got my pedal wedged on a ridiculously high kerb and couldn't unclip in time to save me from falling over. At least the only damage the bike suffered was a tear in the bar tape.

Despite the still sore finger, I got out yesterday and rode some much missed hills. The descents were quite sedate as my right hand was struggling to brake with any force, but at least my legs can still turn the cranks.

: D

Sorry, I've got to laugh!!  That horrible moment when you realise you're not going to get your foot out in time, and then wait for the inevitable to happen.  At least the bike is unharmed.

Seriously though, glad you are ok and hope your digit heals quickly.  Trust you had your travel insurance in order.  Hope you and the family enjoyed a good holiday.

[Wazzzer]

Bought myself a hybrid the other day for my relatively short work journey and so far I'm loving it. I mainly bought it as I use a ridiculous amount of petrol per month being lazy and just hopping in the car; sometimes it never even gets to temp which can't be good for it. I rent a garage behind my house so I can store it without clogging up my shed and having to haul it through the house twice a day

Anyways after borrowing my dads hybrid for a week I worked out that it was probably going to be the best route for me to take; I only ever used my old MTB on the road and I have no desire to go out through forests etc. I found a road bike to be a little harsh so the hybrid fitted the bill perfectly. I popped into my local Halfords and after much thought I ordered myself a Carrera Crossfire 2





Got it for £269 which I didn't think was a bad deal.

I added the mudguards and lock and also bought myself a helmet on their 3 for 2 offer. I've also bought myself a day glow waterproof jacket and some waterproof trousers ready for the inevitable wet and cold, next up is a decent pair of lights and some toe clips

I'm actually enjoying the ride to and from work and it takes me the same amount of time!

[dubber36]

That looks like a very useful tool for the job you bought it for. I'd consider fitting a pair of more road orientated tyres to make the commute a little easier.

Have you been fitted for it? I see so many people making hard work of riding because their seats are too low. Many still think that if they can touch the ground on both sides with tip toes when seated that they are right, but really they need to be higher than that.

[Wazzzer]

Cheers, different tyres are on my list, these seem to be a mix of both which aren't as quick as the  road tyres on my dad's old hybrid Marin.

I've got the saddle set so my legs are just under being fully extended when the pedal is at the lowest point and I can't touch the floor if I'm sat on the saddle, sound about right?

[dubber36]

Sounds pretty good. The next thing is the seat fore and aft. When your front foot is in the 3 o clock position, your knee should be directly above where your foot rests on the pedal.

[Wazzzer]

Awesome thanks mate, I'll have a look tomorrow when I'm on the way to work

[dubber36]

I went over the Longmynd in Shropshire today. It was the first time in about 20 years. I had to stop on the climb up from Asterton when a car came down towards me, then couldn't get started again. I had to walk about 30m until the gradient was a little shallower. Does that count as a fail? I bloody hope not.