The Velotard Thread.

[machin05]

GTFO. I just bought the same one!

Really!!?? :icon_lol:

Ridiculously good deal, tbf.

 

[Wombat del combate]

Exactly. I went to the local bike shop with the intention of doing some testing and they had nothing in and the salesman was dire, so I looked at other places with no success and prices rising for the spec I wanted (carbon frame, Ultegra groupset; Cube Agree looked good on that basis) so in desperation went to Boardman/Halfords and spotted that beast.

 

[machin05]

Di2 is an absolute revelation.

 

[machin05]

Exactly. I went to the local bike shop with the intention of doing some testing and they had nothing in and the salesman was dire, so I looked at other places with no success and prices rising for the spec I wanted (carbon frame, Ultegra groupset; Cube Agree looked good on that basis) so in desperation went to Boardman/Halfords and spotted that beast.

Got mine from Cycle Republic (same thing I suppose). Interest free finance over 3 years, even on the sale prices. Can't grumble really. The guy in the shop had no idea why they were all so cheap (most of the Boardman range was reduced by a huge amount) as they're not releasing new models until 2021.

Had a heart sinking moment when attaching one of the bottle cages as the bolt started cross-threading inside the frame nut. Just wouldn't catch, so kept backing it out and trying again, but no - thread fucked. Took it in rather sheepishly, whilst making out it wasn't my fault, and they sorted it there and then, no questions asked - they were able to tap/cut the thread back in. Massive relief as I'd been reading horror stories and people with similar issues. Messing with anything carbon still petrifies me!

It'll be strictly a dry weather bike so really praying for some decent weather over the next few weekends....

 

[Wombat del combate]

My first ride will be this weekend and I have thus deluded myself that with a carbon frame, Di2 and some deep rims I'll be bothering some Strava top tens.

Is yours setup to be sequential and switch between the chainrings?

 

[machin05]

My first ride will be this weekend and I have thus deluded myself that with a carbon frame, Di2 and some deep rims I'll be bothering some Strava top tens.

Is yours setup to be sequential and switch between the chainrings?

No. Out of the box the synchro mode isn't enabled and I've not played around with it yet. Only been out on it once and that was in the pitch black after I'd fucked up the bottle cage bolt. I wasn't really in the mood to mess around too much :icon_lol:

I like the sound of the semi-synchro though. Should take a lot of faff out of changing from one chain ring to the other.

 

[machin05]

It's the climbs that I felt the biggest difference. My Cube is 9.3kg (in reality probably closer to 10kg) and the Boardman is about 25% lighter - the difference is night and day. As soon as you get out the saddle and put some power through it reacts in a millisecond and responds with instant power transfer to the road. Great stuff.

It's more aero than my Cube too but I've not really put it to the test yet. I realised on my first descent that I couldn't reach/grab the brakes when I was in the drops wearing gloves! Couple that with going from discs to rim brakes, it was enough to jolt me into taking it a bit easier! I've adjust the reach now, mind

 

[Wombat del combate]

Got mine from Cycle Republic (same thing I suppose). Interest free finance over 3 years, even on the sale prices. Can't grumble really. The guy in the shop had no idea why they were all so cheap (most of the Boardman range was reduced by a huge amount) as they're not releasing new models until 2021.

Had a heart sinking moment when attaching one of the bottle cages as the bolt started cross-threading inside the frame nut. Just wouldn't catch, so kept backing it out and trying again, but no - thread fucked. Took it in rather sheepishly, whilst making out it wasn't my fault, and they sorted it there and then, no questions asked - they were able to tap/cut the thread back in. Massive relief as I'd been reading horror stories and people with similar issues. Messing with anything carbon still petrifies me!

I took mine straight to my mechanic. No way would I fuck about with something like that.

It'll be strictly a dry weather bike so really praying for some decent weather over the next few weekends....

And I'd just about managed to forget what state you let your bike get into a few years back...

 

[machin05]

I PR'd up Sutton Bank on my first try tho (and I could have given it more).

https://www.strava.com/activities/2794352921/segments/69627613480

I'm pretty far down the overall standings as it's a segment used in the Hill Climbing Championships!

 

[machin05]

And I'd just about managed to forget what state you let your bike get into a few years back...

:icon_lol:

I've been a lot more careful since (although my front shifter is fucked at the moment - not my fault)

 

[machin05]

They're useless. I never use the ones that are dotted up and down the Bham New Road. In fact, there is some brand painted pavement cycling infrastructure just before you get the Hagley Road Junction. I'll try and grab photo of it - it's ridiculous!

Was reading back through this thread and remembered this. They've updated Street View of the area now so you can see this radical new segregated cycling infrastructure for yourself. I'm so lucky to have access to such safe conditions as a vulnerable road user....

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.4...4!1sko-MPG4yK2leSgPKYFsbfQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

 

[MARKakaJIM]

Judging by the arrows to the fore of the segregated cycle lane I'd assume they want you to use the footpath to continue your journey in that direction rather than dropping onto the road.

 

[machin05]

The footpath isn't a designated shared space, so that would be illegal. And what should I do once I reach the end of the path by the pedestrian crossing?

The arrows actually point at a set of stairs :icon_lol:

 

[Kenny]

Presume it is pointing up the stairs towards a Car Dealership (or Johnny's Vegan Restaurant)...

 

[MARKakaJIM]

The footpath isn't a designated shared space, so that would be illegal. And what should I do once I reach the end of the path by the pedestrian crossing?

The arrows actually point at a set of stairs :icon_lol:

The arrows definitely steer you in that direction though, rather than on to the road and there's no dropped kerb either to allow that transition.

This is why I don't do road cycling, the whole thing just looks like it's designed to fuck off any party involved. I always feel it would make more sense to combine cyclists and pedestrians rather than cars and cyclists but mountain biking doesn't present such issues for the most part, I tend to just get in everyone else's way lying in a heap on the ground and the complaining about how everything is too complicated/expensive when I break it.

 

[machin05]

The arrows point in that direction as the official designated cycle route is up those steps and into Warley Woods. The pavement leading up to it is categorically not a designated cycle-way so the arrows aren't directing you onto the footpath.

Cyclists and pedestrians don't mix. They can't hear you, you can't hear them, they take up the full width, they don't have all round visibility, bikes are intimidating, way too fast to safely coexist etc.

Cycling on the road is absolutely fine providing you have the confidence to hold your position and know your rights. The only better solution is a proper segregated infrastructure. Painted lines on bits of pavement are absolute bullshit!

 

[lemonjelly]

I have a "road bike" though not one of these exceptional machines that machin & it appears wombat have treated themselves to (dunno how much of a bargain they got, but googling the bike made me aware that the retail price of their bikes is almost 2 grand more than I could afford or justify). I cycle through rush hour traffic to/from work. Despite my regular good intentions to expand on that, I haven't.

Footpaths round here aren't suitable for cycling. Tree roots, they're narrow, and too many pedestrians, especially the closer I get to work. There are cycle paths painted onto a couple of footpaths closer to work, but students just walk in them.

I'm frequently going past queues of traffic for most of the journey. The dangerous bits are when the cars are moving. For example, by the traffic lights, everyone wants to accelerate at full speed to get through the lights, which becomes risky. There's a couple of islands (and associated filter lanes). Car drivers are really really reluctant to let anyone past them, no matter what! Also, as per previous posts, drivers will also cut into the kerbs to prevent you passing there also.

On one particular road, it is actually easier, safer, and more pragmatic to cycle on the wrong side of the road.

It ain't all doom and gloom - one lady apologised to me the other day for cutting me up.

 

[machin05]

I will always try and acknowledge any driver who inches over to give me more room whilst I'm filtering down the middle of two lanes of queuing traffic - it helps having about 8 different flashing lights attached to your bike/body too! Likewise, I always give a little wave to the car I'm then pulling back infront of. As long as I make some kind of gesture or eye-contact I find the aggression and impatience dies down a little. Not always, mind, but quite often.

You still get the odd knobhead who close passes for no good reason - either they're completely unaware or they're doing it on purpose to prove some kind of pseudo-macho point. Plus the amount of people on their phones is abhorrent.

 

[machin05]

So, second ride out on the new bike didn't quite go to plan.

5 miles into a group ride and a badger ran out into the road on a downhill section. It just missed the back wheel of the guy in front of me, but I had no chance. From 20mph to 0mph in the blink of an eye. Bike flipped over, I smacked the ground pretty hard and the guy behind me crashed into my ribs.

Thankfully it was only really the brake lever/gear shifter that took the initial impact which knocked it crooked. Managed to mostly straighten it out at the road side and everything is working fine. Brakes, derailleur, gears all good etc. Can't see a scratch on the frame or components. Worst case scenario at this stage is a new shifter which is about £120 - a hell of a lot cheaper than it could have been!

Some nasty road rash on my knee and elbow which is a bit sore but fucking hell my ribs are causing me grief today! I can totally sympathise with whoever it was who was suffering with it on here the other day. Managed to crack my helmet in two places too - thankfully did it's job perfectly as my head must've hit the floor with some force. Jacket is completely ripped to shreds, and I've torn my leg warmers and gloves.

Stay safe kids!

 

[SLA]

I love that you make sure we know the bike is OK first!