Sometimes you've got to treat yourself

[SteCenturion]

I would love to hear about the ride of that thing @MickeyBlueEyes , but more importantly for me about the FFWD wheels & how you rate them.

I have been strongly considering either the FFWD F6R FCC or F4R FCC (full carbon clinchers) for some time now *but I don't know how I would get them past the Mrs*

Lovely bike btw.

 

[HLaB]

Looking forward to spinning this out on a Sunday Club run CK, when we've had some stable weather of course

Looks like the weather is going to turn cr@p midweek :-( Get it out tomorrow when the roads are still nice and dry :-)

 

[cyberknight]

Looks like the weather is going to turn cr@p midweek :-( Get it out tomorrow when the roads are still nice and dry :-)

Max of 4 degrees tomorrow , dry but feckin cold .I wimped out once this week on a commute as even though i had good kit the cold got to my bad hand and made the joint hurt for a few days .

 

[HLaB]

Max of 4 degrees tomorrow , dry but feckin cold .I wimped out once this week on a commute as even though i had good kit the cold got to my bad hand and made the joint hurt for a few days .

It is a chilly wind indeed but I'd rather it was dry than a wee bit warmer, pity the sun didn't stick round for the weekend :-/

 

[Bollo]

A smart beast to be sure. What is it you don't like about the Mavics? Are they SLS's?

SLEs supplied with the bike. I'd have loved to go for the Zipp 404 option but funds were being stretched as it was.

The wheels look the part, but most of the reviews I've read seem fair - they really to catch crosswinds. I've not ridden more modern deep section wheels like the Zipps so I can't compare, but after a few twitchy moments, I'm reluctant to set out on them if the forecast winds are higher than 12-15mph. Also, all the "wheel-system" guff is just marketing, at least where the tyres are concerned. The system Mavic tyres were shredded after a month of spiky Hampshire flint so I just replaced them with some Contis. You have to stick to the Mavic Exalith brake pads though, which aren't cheap. The braking noise from new wheels is quite frankly terrifying, although they do settle. Finally, I'm a bit underwhelmed with the build quality - the carbon valve hole isn't that robust and is easily cracked if the pump waggles during inflation. It's only cosmetic, but I'd have expected better.

You'll find the Mavic Cosmic Carbone range heavily discounted from a few retailers. Even so, I'm not sure I'd recommend them.

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

SLEs supplied with the bike. I'd have loved to go for the Zipp 404 option but funds were being stretched as it was.

The wheels look the part, but most of the reviews I've read seem fair - they really to catch crosswinds. I've not ridden more modern deep section wheels like the Zipps so I can't compare, but after a few twitchy moments, I'm reluctant to set out on them if the forecast winds are higher than 12-15mph. Also, all the "wheel-system" guff is just marketing, at least where the tyres are concerned. The system Mavic tyres were shredded after a month of spiky Hampshire flint so I just replaced them with some Contis. You have to stick to the Mavic Exalith brake pads though, which aren't cheap. The braking noise from new wheels is quite frankly terrifying, although they do settle. Finally, I'm a bit underwhelmed with the build quality - the carbon valve hole isn't that robust and is easily cracked if the pump waggles during inflation. It's only cosmetic, but I'd have expected better.

You'll find the Mavic Cosmic Carbone range heavily discounted from a few retailers. Even so, I'm not sure I'd recommend them.

I've got a set of SLS's which I bought last year and to be honest I've always loved them. The Mavic tyres were swapped for GP4000S2's pretty much straight away. Even though they've not seen Tarmac yet, this evening I've replaced the Hutchinson tyres off the FFWD's also for GP4000S2's. Unlike the Mavics, where a pair of tyres is on and off within ten minutes, the FFWD's took me almost an hour! I've never ever ever experienced tightness like it!

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

I would love to hear about the ride of that thing @MickeyBlueEyes , but more importantly for me about the FFWD wheels & how you rate them.

I have been strongly considering either the FFWD F6R FCC or F4R FCC (full carbon clinchers) for some time now *but I don't know how I would get them past the Mrs*

Lovely bike btw.

My first impressions of the FFWD's, tyres are an absolute thumb killer to take off and put on!

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

Crits or long road races ? Racing for yourself or part of a club/team? are you going to re-think your commute pragram?
My MTB club is getting a bit serious and noticed I had entered a enduro a while ago and have entered the first race of a MTB XC series. I have now been included in the race "team" got sent a email this morning for a team meet up and what my build up for the first race should be. They dont want me commuting on Friday but to rest up. Haven't the heart to tell them I'm just going for a giggle ( ok I admit it, and to see if I can kick some butt)
Enjoy the racing I found it a real eye opener when I had a go years ago as to what constituted a fast commuter and a fast racer, 2 different animails. Was quite shocked at the difference in standards, but from the sound of your commutes and activities may not be a shock to you.

Not really sure what type of racing yet. There's a few crits I've looked at but would be really interested in road racing. If and when I do I would be changing my commuting regime. I'd still ride each day but i'd throw specifics in there as part of a training plan.

 

[cyberknight]

I do have a copy of the time crunched cyclist if you want it .

 

[Bollo]

I do have a copy of the time crunched cyclist if you want it .

I don't have time to read that!

(I also have a copy and it's an interesting read, although it's not shy about selling itself in the American style. There are also few references to bessie mate Lance. From memory I think there's a section in there about using incorporating your commute into your training.)

 

[HLaB]

I don't have time to read that!

(I also have a copy and it's an interesting read, although it's not shy about selling itself in the American style. There are also few references to bessie mate Lance. From memory I think there's a section in there about using incorporating your commute into your training.)

Is that the one where you don't have to do too much training and you can supplement it with something else

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

First ride out on it today, and although I only put 30 miles in, it was 30 miles of absolute fun. Got the set pretty good, just dropped the saddle by 5mm when I got back but felt good. What did I think to the Di2? Awesome. Took a little time to adapt but the shifts are so crisp and quick I can see me wanting Di2 on everything I ride at some point..
Right, time to have a read on British Cycling about racing licenses....