Observations after 300+ miles on the road bike

[Sonofpear]

Yeah that's one of the things I noticed when I got my road bike. Some of our roads are bloody awful.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Yeah that's one of the things I noticed when I got my road bike. Some of our roads are bloody awful.

It is a revelation. Also a great recommendation for the Fox Forks I have on the MTB

 

[Wankelschrauben]

Can you get gloves with padding around the inner and outer junction of the thumb and forefinger?

I'm not sure but the padding on mine do cover the flat of the thumb and the soft bit between the thumb and index finger has a thick microwipe area so it is not effectively gel padded but is padded to some extent.

I bought the Specialized BG gloves, the difference in the padding to the cheaper alternatives the store showed me was shocking and I've yet to have a numb hand whilst wearing them.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I'm not sure but the padding on mine do cover the flat of the thumb and the soft bit between the thumb and index finger has a thick microwipe area so it is not effectively gel padded but is padded to some extent.

I bought the Specialized BG gloves, the difference in the padding to the cheaper alternatives the store showed me was shocking and I've yet to have a numb hand whilst wearing them.

OK thank you I will have a look at them They sound like the type I am after!

Edit - Could you post a link to the ones you have as there seem to be many types of Specialized BG gloves.

 

[Wankelschrauben]

BG Pro gloves

This picture of the Specialized website shows the front of the glove also, I have the non pro version but the padded areas look to be in the same place which will give you an idea if they are what you need.

These are the ones I have

BG Non Pro gloves

 

[Angelfishsolo]

BG Pro gloves

This picture of the Specialized website shows the front of the glove also, I have the non pro version but the padded areas look to be in the same place which will give you an idea if they are what you need.

These are the ones I have

BG Non Pro gloves

Nice one. Thanks very much indeed

 

[MacB]

Errr no. It is a £200 Viking Giro d'Italia

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear......not that you bought a £200 bike....it's the upgrade potential you now have if you keep getting in to road bikes. Having just checked my crystal ball your future seems clear:-

1. probably a new wheelset as you'll read everywhere that they are the most noticeable upgrade/return
2. then you'll need some expensive rubber on the new wheels
3. shifters and drivetrain, something whizzy, 10 speed and STIs
4. might as well bung on a carbon seatpost
5. that new seatpost needs a better saddle
6. better forks, the road buzz removing properties of top end carbon forefront in your mind
7. maybe a fancy carbon stem and bars
8. now you'll take stock and realise you're only left with the original alu frame so maybe you need some carbon/ti loveliness to compliment all the bling you've been buying
9. Then it sinks in that you could have bought a complete new, higher spec, bike for less than all these upgrades have cost you

As a foot note you may decide to go new bike anyway and think you'll sell off all the lightly used, and expensive to buy, bling then you'll find that the classifieds are a harsh environment.

Glad you're enjoying the road bike

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear......not that you bought a £200 bike....it's the upgrade potential you now have if you keep getting in to road bikes. Having just checked my crystal ball your future seems clear:-

1. probably a new wheelset as you'll read everywhere that they are the most noticeable upgrade/return
2. then you'll need some expensive rubber on the new wheels
3. shifters and drivetrain, something whizzy, 10 speed and STIs
4. might as well bung on a carbon seatpost
5. that new seatpost needs a better saddle
6. better forks, the road buzz removing properties of top end carbon forefront in your mind
7. maybe a fancy carbon stem and bars
8. now you'll take stock and realise you're only left with the original alu frame so maybe you need some carbon/ti loveliness to compliment all the bling you've been buying
9. Then it sinks in that you could have bought a complete new, higher spec, bike for less than all these upgrades have cost you

As a foot note you may decide to go new bike anyway and think you'll sell off all the lightly used, and expensive to buy, bling then you'll find that the classifieds are a harsh environment.

Glad you're enjoying the road bike

I have some upgrades in mind but not as extreme your Crystal ball suggests.

I want to get 105 brakes.
Possibly a larger outer from cog or a freewheel that has a 11-28 instead of 14-28
That is it at the mo.

BTW thanks very much

 

[Wankelschrauben]

Perhaps the most ideal upgrade will be Soft brake pads.

The Salmon Kool Stop pads are very good and will happily send you over the handlebars with a decent tyre up front.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Perhaps the most ideal upgrade will be Soft brake pads.

The Salmon Kool Stop pads are very good and will happily send you over the handlebars with a decent tyre up front.

So I have heard. I may get some before the 100Km Challenge Ride as I have hammered the generic pads that came with the bike There is certainly a different art in road riding than MTBing (ignoring the obvious) when it comes to braking.

 

[MacB]

I have some upgrades in mind but not as extreme your Crystal ball suggests.

I want to get 105 brakes.
Possibly a larger outer from cog or a freewheel that has a 11-28 instead of 14-28
That is it at the mo.

BTW thanks very much

Just being helpful AFS, pooh pooh the crytal ball all you like, just don't come crying if you get overtaken by upgradeitis

Seriously though it does sound like it's given a whole new lease of life to your cycling. Are you getting a balance between MTB and Road or is it all road for the time being?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Just being helpful AFS, pooh pooh the crytal ball all you like, just don't come crying if you get overtaken by upgradeitis

Seriously though it does sound like it's given a whole new lease of life to your cycling. Are you getting a balance between MTB and Road or is it all road for the time being?

It's all road at the mo but that is because I need a new HollowTech II Internal BB on the MTB and can't fund it at the moment.

If upgradeitis does strike I shall blame you for planing the seeds of the idea

 

[MacB]

It's all road at the mo but that is because I need a new HollowTech II Internal BB on the MTB and can't fund it at the moment.

If upgradeitis does strike I shall blame you for planing the seeds of the idea

Have you burned through those cups I sent down already? if so that was bloody fast. I keep reading complaints about short life on the HII style BBs, one of the reasons I'm going with square taper on the new build.

 

[apollo179]

Whats the point of upgrading to a carbon seatpost ?

 

[Wankelschrauben]

It's lighter, and it looks cool.