A little help from the cyclists please!!

Dragan

Right, in an effort to take some aspects of my training outside of my comfort zone I have foolishly signed up to do a charity cycle next year! It's from Malin Head to Mizen Head all along the West Coast of Ireland.

What I need is really some directions to good sites with programs aimed at building up long distance endurance cycling and also advice on the best type of bike to purchase for such an excursion?

I am a total cycling noob, so help me out guys!!!

rubadub

Most are going to say a hybrid bike or possibly a touring bike. A hybrid is a cross between a racer (road bike) and a mountain bike, some veer towards a mountain bike (MTB) and some more towards a racer. Usually the dearer it is, the more like a racer it is, not a fixed rule though.

I have a mountain bike and a hybrid. I cycle the MTB for enjoyment at weekends and the hybrid to commute and get places fast. A MTB is less efficient due to higher friction on the road with the tyres, and it being heavier. Though all bikes wiegh FAR less than what you had as a kid!

I am fairly handy at cycling now so if it was a charity race I might well go on the MTB, at my pace I would not be too much faster than the "untrained bunch". On the hybrid I would be annoyed at the lack of pace/energy expenditure. Also on the MTB you can take in scenery as you are not worried about destroying the wheels on our brutal roads.

If you go to they cycling forum they will ALL recommend against a MTB, due to the inefficienies. If your aim is fitness and therefore calorie burn then a MTB is ideal for many reasons,
Safer due to lower speed at the same caloire expenditure.
Safer due to it being more stable and strong.
Stronger bike- lasts more abuse and general wear & tear.
More flexible- you can go off road or up & down kerbs.

The only real downside is efficiency, which matters to people who race or want to get to work on time. I am now fitter and sometimes cycle to work on the MTB, it means I get more exercise. If I go on the hybrid I could travel further to get the same goal- BUT that means more wear on the bikes components, and increased risk of injury due to increased speed- and I have to keep the eyes on the road to avoid potholes etc.

If I was to choose only one bike it would be the hybird though, maybe a hybrid veering more towards a MTB.

I have a dawes 601 hybrid, if both my bikes were nicked and I was only allowed one it would be this (and I would buy from them)

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/index.html?pageTitle=Dawes_Discovery_401_Bike_2007&pageDesc=This_401_sits_in_the_middle_of_the_Discovery_range_and_has_the_Best_Balance_of_Features_Performance_&action=detail&maincatID=0&catID=&prodID=11767&brandID=

It has suspension which is inefficient- but it also has "remote lockout", which means the suspension can be locked or severely tightened by flicking a switch on the handlebars- come to a bad patch and turn on, turn off on a smooth road.

As for training, as you would probably advise for lifting- stop faffing about with theories/routines and get on the bike!;)

Just cycle everywhere! to the gym, shops, work. You get good in no time. As you are already fit you will probably have no bother with "charity cyclists"

yop

Best Of luck with it Dragan. Make sure u get the good shorts or u will have a Jonny Cash playing the "ring of fire" in your ear

Rubadub, Would you buy a bike online, or is it too chancey?

BossArky

Check out this book by Chris Boardman, the Complete Guide to Cycling. It is not exactly an intro to cycling but does give some interesting background and training tips towards the end that you may find useful as you get into your training.

Things to think about when buying a bike:

- Only buy one with slick tires if going for speed. A second set of semi slick may be useful for training in the rain.
- You will become adept at changing punctures, so but a few spare tubes and a good puncture repair kit complete with plastic wedges for getting the tube on and off.
- Get two water bottles and the associated stuff for clipping it onto the frame, you'll need this on long cycles.
- Get a saddle bag for holding stuff like phone, money, puncture repair kit. You don't want to have this on your back, rather under the cross bar or behind the saddle.
- Small pump to clip onto frame

You are probably going to feel like Batman with all these bits and pieces hanging off the bike but if you are stuck in the middle of nowhere you'll be thankful.

Personally I'd go for a very lightweight mountain bike with a frame of approx 12kg or less if possible, and slick tires with aerobars. Aerobars allow you to lie down and rest when going downhills, cause less wind resistance at high speeds and I find I can apply more power to the pedals when hunched over and tensed core than when sitting upright.

Things to think about when cycling:

- Don't attempt to push hard in top gear for ages. Go for a higher cadence by dropping down 2 or 3. This will help you maintain momentum when faced with slight inclines, plus you'll save energy in your legs and more importantly wouldn't mess up your knees.

No idea on cycling web sites.

noieralc

Congrats on signing up Dragan.
Friend of mine did this cycle last year and loved every minute of it.

Personally I would recommend a road bike(racer), you'll go miles further and faster! I changed from an MTB, on which I used to tootle around on, to a road bike six months ago and the difference is so big that I completed a couple of charity 100milers since!
Giant is a good 'starter bike' brand. With a charity cycle they'll insist you wear a helmet. Arm warmers a good idea in our so called summers. And a good weather proof jacket.
As for the training, cos you'll be cycling between 50 and 100 miles for five days in a row, you should probably build up your stamina and then do two or three days of long cycles back to back near the end of your training. It's like running, start off with what you can do, and gradually build it up.

And buy a decent pair of cycling shorts...your arse will thank you for it:D

Best of luck...and enjoy

Dragan

Hey guys, thanks a million for all the advice!

peterk19

Deffo go with a racer for that trip man its so much more efficient than a mtb i changed over from a mtb which i only used a couple of times a week to a racer a few months back and have been doing anything up to 300km a week for the past few weeks even sold my car i was using it so little,
as has been said get some good shorts and also base layer tops much more comfortable on long cycles

rubadub

yop wrote: »

Rubadub, Would you buy a bike online, or is it too chancey?

Yes I have got a few, and a few for mates. It will come boxed so you need to assemble it yourself, or pay a shop to do it. The advantage of buying in a normal shop is they should throw in some stuff free, they might change the tyres for you. I have never heard of a MTB coming with slicks and would definitely recommend them- A MTB with slicks is pretty much a hybrid as it is useless in the mud, yet still capable on the roads. Slick tyres on a car result in hydroplaning- skidding out of control- this simply cannot happen on a bike- most thread on bikes is there just to please the ignorant customer who thinks a tyre "needs" thread. People are always warning me about my "bald tires".

Also in a shop you will be properly fit for the bike- you can always then go buy it online!

winstanley and www.chainreactioncycles.com www.wiggle.co.uk are good sites, CRC is amazing for accessories, no hybrids really though. The savings can be HUGE, the VAT is less in the UK and the general RRP is much less too, I would say I saved 35-50% on most bikes I got.

I would strongly suggest puncture proof tyres too, continental gator skins, or specialised armadillos.

I have the use of a decent racer and cannot get up the same speed on it as my hybrid- it is simply too uncomfortable on the roads we have, my speed is limited by it being too uncomfortable and dangerous to do so.

Guys are recommending racers- they probably cycle in races or in cycling groups/clubs- that is a different ballgame to a charity cycle, it is like comparing a 100m sprint to a charity fun run.

Also Dragan is not some unfit bloke, and I also doubt he is like a 10 stone cyclist! a flimsy racer frame & components might not hold up to the weight well, which will include food & accessories.

BossArky

rubadub wrote: »

Slick tyres on a car result in hydroplaning- skidding out of control- this simply cannot happen on a bike- most thread on bikes is there just to please the ignorant customer who thinks a tyre "needs" thread. People are always warning me about my "bald tires".

I have to disagreed there. In the dry there is not too much difference between my slicks and semi slicks. Can still get a bit hairy if you have to decelerate from 40kmph to 0kmph for something unexpected.

In the rain my slicks give basically no grip. Cornering causes back wheel to skid out behind me if going to fast.

noieralc

Food and accessories can be held in the support vans, so all he really needs to carry is a spare tube, a little tool kit, phone and maybe a banana or bar! His pump and water will be attached to the bike, so no worries there.

As for what kind of bike to get, maybe if you know anyone with bikes you could borrow them for a spin and get a feel of what the differences are. Or most bike shops will let you out for a spin to see if the fit is good for you, so try a few different types.
Once you have gotten your bike though watch out for the etiquette:rolleyes: If you have an mtb or hybrid then all the people on road bikes will turn their noses up at you on the road. And if you get a road bike you'll be seen as 'one of the lads' and they'll all go out of their way to salute you:DI was amazed at the attitude change when I changed my bike!!

BossArky

noieralc wrote: »

Once you have gotten your bike though watch out for the etiquette:rolleyes: If you have an mtb or hybrid then all the people on road bikes will turn their noses up at you on the road.

That is why it is so much more satisfying to pass these guys on a mtb or hybrid!

rubadub

BossArky wrote: »

I have to disagreed there. In the dry there is not too much difference between my slicks and semi slicks. Can still get a bit hairy if you have to decelerate from 40kmph to 0kmph for something unexpected.

In the rain my slicks give basically no grip. Cornering causes back wheel to skid out behind me if going to fast.

Google will show up lots on the advantages of slicks. Sheldon Browns site is worth a look for all things about bikes. Here is a bit on slicks

http://sheldonbrown.com/brandt/slicks.html
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#tread

No tire is going to give good grip in the rain, just go slower!

That is why it is so much more satisfying to pass these guys on a mtb or hybrid!

Exactly, you see these lads now on their €2-3k bikes stopped at the traffic lights, lycra'd up like mick jagger, shaved legs, glasses and all the gear, sneering down their nose at your MTB, then you overtake them with easy and nearly always get a chase from them, me in an old tracksuit with a big back on my back. My mother was calling cycling "the new golf", and I think it is, all these unfit lads with too much money fork out a fortune on bike, and are slow as hell. Fair play for getting exercise, but shaving your legs and all that gear will not get rid of that belly any faster than going on a normal bike. Pro cyclists have good reason- where 0.1% increase in efficiency can count for something, but with some of these lads it is like putting a spoiler on the back of a tractor...

BossArky

Let me clarify; of course slicks are better in the dry.. I was referring to wet conditions.

Spoiler on a tractor

cormie

Dragan, how long is the cycle over how many days? I'd like to do something like this myself

Raam

A road bike is by far the best type of bike for an event like that. If it is set up correctly and if you put in the training hours, then it will be very comfortable.

noieralc

th

en you overtake them with easy and nearly always get a chase from them,

Hahaha, ok I'll admit to chasing ye guys....but the sight of a lycra clad girl catching up and passing out normally gets a good enough reaction to warrant letting ye off first at the lights:D:D

noieralc

Dragan,
Check out the cycling forum...there's some pretty knowledgable guys in there who could give you loads of advice

Reyman

Ask the guy in the shop to fit 'Kelvar tyres' on whatever machine you buy. No more punctures!

rubadub

BossArky wrote: »

Let me clarify; of course slicks are better in the dry.. I was referring to wet conditions.

Both of those articles were suggesting slicks are also better in the wet. I dont have much experience of slipping- I cycle a lot in the rain but I never go at a speed where I would notice a difference when cornering. Might be the fact most slicks are thinner tyres, so you overall have less contact, while the grip per squared mm might be more on slicks.

the sight of a lycra clad girl catching up and passing out

And they take after you like a donkey with a carrot in front of him! I have arrived in work in bits due to chasing down your sort! more when I was unfit, but you still get some fast ones. And I can forgive your leg shaving!;)

rubadub

King Raam wrote: »

A road bike is by far the best type of bike for an event like that.

For a 10 stone lad maybe, I am 12 and find them uncomfortable.

Dragan- how much do you weigh?

Raam

rubadub wrote: »

For a 10 stone lad maybe, I am 12 and find them uncomfortable.

ah you just aren't used to them!
I doubt it's anything to do with your weight, 12 stone isn't much. I'm a little over 11.

noieralc

And I can forgive your leg shaving!

I tend to go fastest when my legs are unshaven...theory being that the faster my legs are moving the less people can see of the hairiness:eek:That thought might slow you down next time and you'll be fine for work!

justsomebloke

rubadub wrote: »

For a 10 stone lad maybe, I am 12 and find them uncomfortable.

Dragan- how much do you weigh?

ha, I can tell you it is more then 12.

As it is a charity race I am gathering that someone who has done it before has roped you into in (probably J), so ask the people who have done the course before what type of bike they would recommend and if you can get a lend of road bike* and hybrid and find out which one you find more comfortable as you are going to be spending a lot of time using it

*you may need one with a reinforced frame to support your weight:D

rubadub

King Raam wrote: »

ah you just aren't used to them!
I doubt it's anything to do with your weight, 12 stone isn't much.

Yeah, 12 isnt much at all, thats what I was getting at, if I find it bad at that he might be well worse. Maybe I am not used to them like you say though, if speed is your thing then go for the road bike, I find the hybrid a good all rounder, fast and comfortable. And as I mentioned it is a charity race, I bet most will be on hybrids and going slow. Sometimes these races have different groupings so you join the group you fit best. If I was going around Ireland I would want to take in the views around me- other than scouring for potholes.

ha, I can tell you it is more then 12

Yeah- I think I saw a pic on the teamtest forum and he looked huge. I think some people might change their minds about a racer if they saw him.

One important point I didnt mention is gearing. Mountain bikes usually have low gearing ratios, and road bikes and hybrids have higher gearing. i.e. one turn of the pedal on a road bike is harder and gets you further. So for people with stronger legs a highly geared bike might be more comfortable, "grinding" rather than "spinning". My hybrid has a 48-11 ratio as the max gearing, which is high enough for a hybrid. You can get gearing changed but it is more cost to an off the shelf bike. Also a 48-11 ratio on a racer/hybrid is a higher gear than 48/11 on a MTB since the wheels are larger on a racer/hybrid, so one revolution makes you go further.

Raam

rubadub wrote: »

If I was going around Ireland I would want to take in the views around me- other than scouring for potholes.

a fair point

Dragan

cormie wrote: »

Dragan, how long is the cycle over how many days? I'd like to do something like this myself

I'm not entirely sure of the distances and breakouts. I'll pop off a mail to the organiser and let you know dude!

rubadub wrote: »

Dragan- how much do you weigh?

Right now I'm 17 and a half……by the time this rolls round I could conceivably be down to a mere 16?

Also, once again thanks a million to everyone! GabGab who posts here ( who i actually know in real life ) has offered me a loan of a Trek Hybrid, to see how i find it!!! Score!