The Velotard Thread.

[Johnny75]

For saddle fitment, I'd guess.

Load of nonsense though. Saddles aren't made to fit anybody specifically as saddle manufacturers aren't biomechanists, they tend to be product developers doing a job without the thought of where your pelvis is interacting with the EVA foam they have to have in their product to make it commercially viable. Pressure mapping for different riding styles on different saddles is as far as they go.

A professional fitter will only have knowledge on how your fit on a bike works to get the most efficient propulsion and they're bloody good at it too. Although the more expensive saddles are often a complete waste of money unless you're conscious of the amount of grams you need on your bike (in which case less foam, more carbon for the flex is the best, aids venous return and all that).

The best advice is to try as many saddles as you can on a bike in the shop that is as similar to yours as possible but you will never really know unless you ride it for a prolonged period of time.

 

[Keef]

The 2 saddles Ive had most joy out of are Rido R2,looks weird but is designed to take weight off the perineal area,they do a racing version as well,the other one is Brooks B17,but that's because I like to think of myself as a bike tourer and for that,Brooks is the best bar none,just takes a bit more looking after and a bit of breaking in due to it being quite thick leather

 

[lemonjelly]

Gonna get messy:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/50387501

 

[lemonjelly]

it's on strava, therefore it DID happen:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-50727330

gotta be more interesting than the election thread today...

 

[machin05]

The National Championships are coming to the Midlands! To coincide with the Velo Midlands, there will be the Time Trial on the 18th around Warwickshire and the Road Race on the 20th from Birmingham to Wolverhampton, including 5 laps from Compton, through Pattingham and Seisdon:

Got a feeling a lot of my commuting Strava segments are about to get DESTROYED!

 

[machin05]

https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2020/03/12/black-country-to-host-prestigious-cycling-road-race/

Classic E&S - it doesn't end at Aldersley Stadium, it finishes in the City Centre.

Will check back there in a couple of hours to read the comments....

 

[Pablowolf]

The organisers are brave, shutting down some busy roads there on a Saturday.

 

[machin05]

Did the Burway yesterday. Holy fuck it was brutal.

Check out my effort on this segment on Strava https://strava.app.link/fAgYlspbS4

 

[Paul]

Well done, can I just ask as a non cyclist......
What is this face ? :

 

[machin05]

It's my happy face

 

[lemonjelly]

went out on the bike last night as I ha only been out once in over a week. Really enjoyed the cycle, and needed the exercise! Definitely going out again tonight.
Anyway, I mentioned there was a hill I could never make it up on my old bike. So part way through last night I thought fuck it, gonna go see if I can climb it. And I did. I fucking made it. 2.5 years I cycled to work and never got up that hill.
Of course, it would have been quicker to have got off and pushed the bike up, but that isn,t the point. Fucking did it.

 

[machin05]

went out on the bike last night as I ha only been out once in over a week. Really enjoyed the cycle, and needed the exercise! Definitely going out again tonight.
Anyway, I mentioned there was a hill I could never make it up on my old bike. So part way through last night I thought fuck it, gonna go see if I can climb it. And I did. I fucking made it. 2.5 years I cycled to work and never got up that hill.
Of course, it would have been quicker to have got off and pushed the bike up, but that isn,t the point. Fucking did it.

Well done mate! Always great to overcome an old nemesis of a hill.

Did the Burway a couple of weekends ago (I think, completely lost track of days!). It was prior to the lock down, so was out with a group. That was a savage beast of a climb. Solid pain cave for over 15 minutes. The sense of achievement is unbeatable tho.

Been out a couple of times this week. The weather has been too good to stay in. Nothing too major. 20-25 miles. Don't want to be venturing too far from home in the current climate.

 

[jlo]

Finally decided to make a bigger investment in a bike now finances can allow, and moving away from very simple riding to (I hope) more committed and long distance riding, including commuting when we get back to that point.

But silly question time, I'm now moving to clipless pedals and that world, rather than just throwing trainers and flat pedals - there's lots of information out there and it just about makes sense - but for someone whose never used that setup theres so many types of pedals and shoes to choose from...where's a good place to start?

 

[lemonjelly]

Well done mate! Always great to overcome an old nemesis of a hill.

Did the Burway a couple of weekends ago (I think, completely lost track of days!). It was prior to the lock down, so was out with a group. That was a savage beast of a climb. Solid pain cave for over 15 minutes. The sense of achievement is unbeatable tho.

Been out a couple of times this week. The weather has been too good to stay in. Nothing too major. 20-25 miles. Don't want to be venturing too far from home in the current climate.

Yeah,
felt good.
I've been exploring round me a few times. cycled round bartley reservoir a few times, and also up to frankly beeches, where there are some awesome views.

@jlovatt, I'll wait for someone who knows what they're on about to comment.

 

[Johnny75]

Finally decided to make a bigger investment in a bike now finances can allow, and moving away from very simple riding to (I hope) more committed and long distance riding, including commuting when we get back to that point.

But silly question time, I'm now moving to clipless pedals and that world, rather than just throwing trainers and flat pedals - there's lots of information out there and it just about makes sense - but for someone whose never used that setup theres so many types of pedals and shoes to choose from...where's a good place to start?

I use MTB metal cleats. Pedals are about £20 and I use B-Twin shoes which cost about £30. They are easy to fit (make sure you grease the metal cleats before putting them in the soles of your new shoes.

The pedals are usually set to medium tension to start with. You can take that down to quite loose with a turn of an allen key whilst you're learning to use the new system.

If you have a turbo trainer I advise to use your pedals on that first as you can practice clipping in and out without falling off your bike.

If you don't then I suggest doing one foot at a time clipped in and practise stationary!!

When you start getting the hang of it you will fall over at some point as you take the wrong foot out at a junction. You'll feel a plum and almost everybody has done this. Learn how to fall off a bike!

Once you get used to it the difference between clipped in and using trainers is incomparable. Enjoy.

 

[machin05]

I use SPD-SL style pedals on both my road bikes. Not sure why. Always have and all the other roadies I know use the same. Decathlon have some decent options for shoes, their own brand BTwin and a few Shimano options. Problem I have is wide feet which a lot of cycling shoes don't cater for. Ended up spending a fair amount on my shoes last time I upgraded. Around £200 I think.

 

[PuntsWolf]

Another vote for SPD-SL. Get yellow cleats as most “float”.
Don’t know enough about about MTB SPD pedals, but if your planning on using your bike for long road rides then get The right pedals (SPD-SL, particularly as they are about £30 and I imagine you’ve invested considerably more than that in your bike.

But If you do mountain biking as well and want a dual purpose shoe/cleat then get MTB pedals.

And yes, you will fall off your bike at a standstill, more so commuting when you have to stop unexpectedly!

 

[Wombat del combate]

Definitely yellow cleats as they allow your foot some movement, six degrees IIRC. You can get other colours but they don't allow you as much which could/will cause you problems in terms of pain and potential injury, unless you have perfect souplesse. Also, consider slackening off the pedal/clip/whatever you want to call it as that will make it easier to pop your foot out and avoid those comedy slow sideways falls with you attached to the bike that only tend to happen with an audience.

 

[jlo]

Cheers guys, much more mixed replies elsewhere online - in fact slightly in the other direction. I'm going to be doing a fair bit of commuting in London in the longer term - so it seems like the SPD cleats might be better for that purpose, and then the opposite for longer rides.

Either way, when we do get back to it (and even now) I'm saving a tonne by not commuting on the tube so might just get both. It's useful to hear the various views, and not particularly bothered about falling off - I grew up with motorbikes and horses so have plenty of that experience!!

I'm looking forward to the extra power either way!

 

[Johnny75]

I use these they're not your usual MTB pedals and I use these shoes. I find them easier to walk in than standard road shoes and the metal clips mean the last a lot longer. Useful when you're commuting.