Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
If we do not hit our goal we will be forced to close the site.

Current status: https://keepboardsalive.com/

Annual subs are best for most impact. If you are still undecided on going Ad Free - you can also donate using the Paypal Donate option. All contribution helps. Thank you.

I don't understand cyclo-cross bikes

2

Comments

  • #32
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,490 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    kierank01 wrote: »
    Ok, so what are 'hybrid' bikes for so?

    There is no sport which requires a hybrid (AFAIK). Hybrids are a form of utility bike.


  • #33
    billy.fish
    Closed Accounts Posts: 671 ✭✭✭billy.fish


    Hangove/wakeup fail this morning for me. Sorry folks!

    See you all next sunday if you are about.

    List of races are up now too!


  • #34
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,490 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    Missed it today also, away for the weekend.

    My Uncle John is due to arrive on weds, so am on my way to becoming your incompetent twin.


  • #35
    billy.fish
    Closed Accounts Posts: 671 ✭✭✭billy.fish


    We need a third member then we can be like the marx borthers

    I'll be Groucho


  • #36
    blorg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,995 ✭✭✭✭blorg


    What's the story with this then- is training every Sunday? Where, details details, I am keen to get going!


  • Advertisement
  • #37
    Morgan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,481 ✭✭✭Morgan


    More details of the Swords CC training here:
    http://www.madmtb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2865

    Midweek training on the southside starting soon-ish.


  • #38
    Raam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,318 ✭✭✭✭Raam


    How come no bottle cages?


  • #39
    RobFowl
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 11,672 Mod ✭✭✭✭RobFowl


    Raam wrote: »
    How come no bottle cages?
    UCI regulations, same reason there are no disc brakes allowed :rolleyes:


  • #40
    Morgan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,481 ✭✭✭Morgan


    Raam wrote: »
    How come no bottle cages?

    Bottle cages get in the way when shouldering the bike.


  • #41
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,490 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    AIUI, hot disc brake in the face is not nice, and bottle cages interfere with shouldering.

    If you get thirsty you can drink from a muddy puddle or cattle trough. :pac:


  • Advertisement
  • #42
    Raam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,318 ✭✭✭✭Raam


    In that case, I guess I should take my Ben-Hur style spikes off my wheel hubs


  • #43
    El Vino
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 395 ✭✭El Vino


    Lumen wrote: »
    Missed it today also, away for the weekend.

    My Uncle John is due to arrive on weds, so am on my way to becoming your incompetent twin.

    Keen to know what you think of the Uncle John, I am considering that or Kinesis Crosslight.


  • #44
    billy.fish
    Closed Accounts Posts: 671 ✭✭✭billy.fish


    UJC is a good bike

    Crosslight is a bit on the flexy side IMHO


  • #45
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,490 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    Still waiting for it to arrive, will post proper impressions then.

    The thing that sold me on the UJ was that (in addition to the good price) it appears to be specified for actual cyclocross, e.g. cantis rather than v-brakes, 36/46 chainset and choice of cross-specific tyres, but it also has eyelets for wheelbrows and a rack. You can also choose stem length and handlebar width, which saves hassle swapping parts over with a fixed spec bike.

    There is a Focus Mares in my household (similar price) and whilst it seems to do the job the spec is neither as focused or as practical as the UJ.

    Out of curiosity, are there many crossers using tubulars? A set of Dugast Rhinos or Tufo Primus on Kinlin TB-25s would be fun to play with, from what I've read. (yeah I know, I should just train more)


  • #46
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,490 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    Lumen wrote: »
    Out of curiosity, are there many crossers using tubulars? A set of Dugast Rhinos or Tufo Primus on Kinlin TB-25s would be fun to play with, from what I've read. (yeah I know, I should just train more)

    Bike arrived today. More spannering required than Wiggle, but easy enough anyway.

    I think I need to learn some mechanical sympathy before I buy fancy wheels.

    Time to upgrade....

    91107.JPG


  • #47
    blorg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,995 ✭✭✭✭blorg


    How did you do that?

    This is what I am hoping to give it a go on. Clearances are tight enough, mud may be an issue. My VN stands in reserve!

    th_IMG_4712.jpg


  • #48
    DirkVoodoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,506 ✭✭✭✭DirkVoodoo


    Jesus, did you use a tyre iron to get that on or what?

    What happened to your "real mechanics" don't need proper tools?

    Where are the rest of the photos??

    EDIT: It's called "bunnyhopfail", is that what actually happened? :)


  • #49
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,490 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    blorg wrote: »
    How did you do that?

    Bunnyhopping over the kerbs outside my house. I got a bit over-excited and possibly pinch flatted before hammering the next curb with a rear flat. Never had this problem on a road bike, thought 70psi was enough but obviously not.

    Quite impressed that I managed to disable the bike within 60 seconds of turning a wheel. :pac:
    blorg wrote: »
    This is what I am hoping to give it a go on. Clearances are tight enough, mud may be an issue. My VN stands in reserve!

    Should be fine for training at least.


  • #50
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,490 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    DirkVoodoo wrote: »
    Where are the rest of the photos??

    Will take some proper ones for Images of Beauty when I have better light.

    The paint job is actually really nice, but red doesn't photograph well.

    Pedals are bottom of the range eggbeaters.

    91116.png

    edit: driveside fail and granny ring in one photo!


  • #51
    blorg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,995 ✭✭✭✭blorg


    Real mechanics don't need proper tools like torque wrenches. If you have tightened something to the appropriate level thousands of times you will have it by feel.

    I don't have this broad range of experience so I need a torque wrench.


  • Advertisement
  • #52
    DirkVoodoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,506 ✭✭✭✭DirkVoodoo


    blorg wrote: »
    Real mechanics don't need proper tools like torque wrenches. If you have tightened something to the appropriate level thousands of times you will have it by feel.

    http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/upgrade/4223337.html?page=10

    My Torque wrench was used by some defunct airline (and probably needs calibration at this stage) and I'm glad those mechanics used them rather than tightened them by hand.


  • #53
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,490 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    FWIW, I've just posted a Focus Mares up for sale in the adverts subforum. :)


  • #54
    Caroline_ie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,400 ✭✭✭Caroline_ie


    Jesus Lumen! Do you really need that many kids bikes?


  • #55
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,490 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    Caroline_ie wrote: »
    Jesus Lumen! Do you really need that many kids bikes?

    Yeah, but imagine if Blorg had kids? It'd be like Robin Williams' house.


  • #56
    billy.fish
    Closed Accounts Posts: 671 ✭✭✭billy.fish


    First of the TUesday night sessions tomorrow in Knocklyon, 7pm, bring water, a smile, and bike :)


  • #57
    blorg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,995 ✭✭✭✭blorg


    billy.fish wrote: »
    First of the TUesday night sessions tomorrow in Knocklyon, 7pm, bring water, a smile, and bike :)
    Where exactly?


  • #58
    Morgan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,481 ✭✭✭Morgan


    There's a map here:

    http://mtbireland.com/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=974


  • #59
    niceonetom
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,833 ✭✭✭niceonetom


    Wow. I'm amazed at how stoical you are about totalling a rim straight out the box. I'd be bereft. At least you now know that you have absolutely no handling skillz so you should just work on your portaging.

    Looks like a cool bike. I'd really like a bike I could put some big tyres on and I think I'd get more use out of a cross bike than a MTB.
    Lumen wrote: »
    Yeah, but imagine if Blorg had kids.

    *shudder*


  • #60
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,490 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    niceonetom wrote: »
    Wow. I'm amazed at how stoical you are about totalling a rim straight out the box. I'd be bereft. At least you now know that you have absolutely no handling skillz so you should just work on your portaging.

    I'm philosophical, it was a cheapish lesson that there's no point in spending huge money on CX kit because it'll just get trashed.

    If I'd done it to my Powertap (which has replaced it) I'd have been a bit less relaxed. Hmm, some inconsistency there.

    Anyway, it was interesting to have power on Sunday's cross training. At one stage I was putting out about 300W on flat grass but only going about 10kph. I stopped to drag all the grass out of my brakes, and zoomed off (relatively). With the brakes let out a bit I had no clogging.

    So it seems you need a bit of clear air between pads and rims to avoid clogging, which means braking performance on the road (with brifters) is rubbish.


  • Advertisement
  • #61
    Raam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,318 ✭✭✭✭Raam


    Lumen wrote: »
    So it seems you need a bit of clear air between pads and rims to avoid clogging, which means braking performance on the road (with brifters) is rubbish.

    stop that


Advertisement