Dec 21, 2023 at 09:38 PM
Bicycle Tech/Gear Discussion Thread
CYCPLUS Pump Portable Ultra-Mini
Dec 21, 2023 at 10:28 PM
I'm surprised it can generate enough of a blast to seat a tubeless tire.Mark Taylor said:I got one of these for traveling
CYCPLUS Pump Portable Ultra-Mini
Dec 23, 2023 at 08:51 PM
It’s obviously not meant to seat a tire
it’s a replacement for a CO2 cartridge
it’s a replacement for a CO2 cartridge
Dec 26, 2023 at 08:18 PM
My Sidi's are almost vintage now - purchased right after Moser raced in Prospect Park. I'd like to get a pair of specialized road shoes, but as I live on the moon (effectively) I need to order online.
What's the best option these days?
What's the best option these days?
Dec 26, 2023 at 08:54 PM
Competitive Cyclist has some pretty great discounts recently or directly from specialized. Both have good fast shipping and customer service is responsive if you have any issues.
Dec 26, 2023 at 11:26 PM
@ Jules
you actually posted the same question January 2022
guess the held out longer than you thought
you actually posted the same question January 2022
guess the held out longer than you thought
Dec 27, 2023 at 08:48 PM
So last Sunday I got a double puncture and I foresee new tires in my future sooner than I expected. My old bike could fit 25mm max, but my new bike is advertised to fit up to 34mm. Between 28mm and 30mm, which do people prefer?
Specialized lists that the wheels are compatible with tires ranging from 24mm-42mm so I don't think the wheels themselves will present any sort of limiting factor.
Specialized lists that the wheels are compatible with tires ranging from 24mm-42mm so I don't think the wheels themselves will present any sort of limiting factor.
Dec 28, 2023 at 12:15 AM
I've been on Corsa Pros for the last few months. No complaints and the tan walks look good. I would go back to GP5ks if I didn't have mounting issues.
Dec 28, 2023 at 12:20 AM
Ha! I bet I did. When the strap on my beloved Sidi's broke again (i've probably been through a half dozen replacement straps & buckles over the years) I decided to cave to the inevitable and roll down to the LBS. At least I can try that stuff on.Mark Taylor said:@ Jules
you actually posted the same question January 2022
guess the held out longer than you thought
Settled for some Shimanos, will do my best not to post a 7k word essay on them after a few rides.
Dec 28, 2023 at 01:26 AM
+1 on the Corsa Pros. If the choice is between 28 or 30mm, I would pick 28.Matt Budofsky said:So last Sunday I got a double puncture and I foresee new tires in my future sooner than I expected. My old bike could fit 25mm max, but my new bike is advertised to fit up to 34mm. Between 28mm and 30mm, which do people prefer?
Specialized lists that the wheels are compatible with tires ranging from 24mm-42mm so I don't think the wheels themselves will present any sort of limiting factor.
My next set would likely be Corsa Pro 26mm, which I prefer for racing in the park, and the kind of road riding we do around here -- have ridden 28 plenty too
Dec 28, 2023 at 01:41 PM
I was loving the Gp5000s also , the 28 mm ballon on my rims ,(which I like) but had a few cuts that weren’t sealing , right now the Schwalbe Pro ones seem good ,,also 28s
Dec 28, 2023 at 02:35 PM
Seems like 28s are the move. Both punctures ended up sealing (the rear far better than the front) so I'm just going to stick some tubes in them for now and once we're through winter, I'll switch em over to either the Corsa Pros or GP5000s in a 28mm
Dec 28, 2023 at 07:47 PM
At the risk of being an old "onion on the belt" codger... I remember putting conti 4 season gator skins on in October, training all winter, racing Battenkill, then all summer with never a flat.
Probably didn't hurt I was 20 lbs lighter then too
Probably didn't hurt I was 20 lbs lighter then too
Jan 03, 2024 at 01:37 AM
Gatorskins are my go to tires for the winter, but they definitely do not ride as nice as the 5000s. They have a noticeably harsher ride with the same width and pressure. It’s a worthy trade off for the reduced risk of having to fix a flat in freezing weather somewhere in NJ
Jan 03, 2024 at 07:21 AM
I also prefer sturdy winter tires - the slightly slower ride is compensated by the feeling of amazing fitness on that first spring ride after putting on those 5000s.
Jan 03, 2024 at 02:42 PM
+1 for the Conti 4 Seasons as a winter tire. You give up a bit of the puncture resistance offered by the gator skins but you get more comfort and grip
Jan 05, 2024 at 10:49 PM
Anyone deciding on tire width by invoking the rule of 105%?
Jan 05, 2024 at 10:52 PM
For some reason, I decided to check out the Van Rysel bikes on the Decathlon website.
Besides having a smokin' hot deal of $2k for an 18lbs carbon-fiber 105 bike, they have a small, but smart feature designed into their shipping boxes, in addition to shipping with a torque wrench. A cut-out spot in the side so you can use the bike box as a stand when assembling the bike. I tried to get the YouTube video directly for here, but haven't been able to find it on YT. If you go to the webpage, it's at about 52 seconds.
here's the Ultegra bike assembly video page.
https://www.decathlon.com/collections/road-gravel-bikes/products/road-bike-edr-cf-ultegra-disc-black-349670?#product-videos
here's the 105 bike, which they seem to be running out of for some reason. https://www.decathlon.com/products/van-rysel-edr-cf-shimano-105-carbon-road-bike-with-disc-brakes-324411?adept-product=van-rysel-edr-cf-shimano-105-carbon-road-bike-with-disc-brakes-324411&variant=40029547331646&adept_product_id=van-rysel-edr-cf-shimano-105-carbon-road-bike-with-disc-brakes-324411&source=search#product-features
Besides having a smokin' hot deal of $2k for an 18lbs carbon-fiber 105 bike, they have a small, but smart feature designed into their shipping boxes, in addition to shipping with a torque wrench. A cut-out spot in the side so you can use the bike box as a stand when assembling the bike. I tried to get the YouTube video directly for here, but haven't been able to find it on YT. If you go to the webpage, it's at about 52 seconds.
here's the Ultegra bike assembly video page.
https://www.decathlon.com/collections/road-gravel-bikes/products/road-bike-edr-cf-ultegra-disc-black-349670?#product-videos
here's the 105 bike, which they seem to be running out of for some reason. https://www.decathlon.com/products/van-rysel-edr-cf-shimano-105-carbon-road-bike-with-disc-brakes-324411?adept-product=van-rysel-edr-cf-shimano-105-carbon-road-bike-with-disc-brakes-324411&variant=40029547331646&adept_product_id=van-rysel-edr-cf-shimano-105-carbon-road-bike-with-disc-brakes-324411&source=search#product-features
Jan 05, 2024 at 11:15 PM
My first serious race bike was a €1000 Van Rysel 105 alu bike, which I got for €750 because my friend worked at decathlon at had a 25% discount.
Pretty sure it was the best bike at that price point by a lot. Never had any issues with it and it looked pretty good. I was also at my fittest when I had it so a lot of my PR’s on the Amstel Gold Race hills are still on this bike. 🥲
Not sure I’d ever consider one of their carbon frames as my next bike though.
Jan 06, 2024 at 12:45 AM
Legit good price.
Jan 16, 2024 at 03:15 AM
Got around to emailing Wahoo about my broken/non-charging Bolt2. Pretty sure it is out of warranty, but they asked for a few photos and details. After agreeing that it was faulty, they said they will send me a replacement, after I "disable" the non-charging one in the field (re: destroy the USB port with a screwdriver) and dispose it properly as ewaste.
I was honestly *this* close to getting a Garmin to replace.
I was honestly *this* close to getting a Garmin to replace.
Jan 19, 2024 at 08:31 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTKjdTBCw58I guess the idea is smoother is faster? I did not realize just how wide race road tires have become. The GCN video from a few months ago also called out how much more grip wider tires have - which makes sense. I might be the only fool still running 23/25mm tires.
Jan 21, 2024 at 05:55 PM
Was expecting a refurb or some other type of replacement but they sent a straight up brand new retail packaged Bolt2.David Yang said:Got around to emailing Wahoo about my broken/non-charging Bolt2. Pretty sure it is out of warranty, but they asked for a few photos and details. After agreeing that it was faulty, they said they will send me a replacement, after I "disable" the non-charging one in the field (re: destroy the USB port with a screwdriver) and dispose it properly as ewaste.
I was honestly *this* close to getting a Garmin to replace.
Jan 22, 2024 at 02:02 AM
I think it's actually quite a bit more complicated than they make it out to be. The interplay between the rim width and the tire width is important as it not only affects the real-world width of the tire and the aerodynamic dis/advantage of the width. And I am concerned that there weren't enough controls to make it entirely fair. A curvy course introduces the variable of what line one takes. Unless they were riding the white line teh whole way, taking the shortest line vs. the white line could easily be 20 seconds in five plus miles.David Yang said:
I guess the idea is smoother is faster? I did not realize just how wide race road tires have become. The GCN video from a few months ago also called out how much more grip wider tires have - which makes sense. I might be the only fool still running 23/25mm tires.
that written, in many cases, wider is faster. My guess is that most pro riders in most road racing are going more in the 25-28mm range as that's probably what their rims were aero-optimized for, and with racing speeds being faster, sometimes much faster, than they were going solo, the aero effect will be magnified.
FWIW, I"m going with 25mm tires most of the time--more aero (think rule of 105%). Latex tubes for racing. And hewing closely to the Silca tire pressure recommendations.
Jan 22, 2024 at 02:18 AM
Norcal's testing is far from scientific. It's barely better than GCN. I'd take it with a grain of salt.
Jan 23, 2024 at 01:20 PM
not cycling but interesting
https://youtu.be/BbiHG6s6J4M?si=ozu6ne_gC5k4uENt
https://youtu.be/BbiHG6s6J4M?si=ozu6ne_gC5k4uENt
Jan 28, 2024 at 01:54 AM
I've been running 28s for a year or two, after using 25s on my stock wheels. I was running Corsa tubed, then switched to Corsa Pros tubeless which I like a lot, but I got a large puncture on the pacific coast highway on the back tire in December that I couldn't get to seal. Luft in LA reccomended and set me up with the Conti GP 5000 AS TR as a replacement. Their mechanic said the ride quality was nearly as good as the Corsa Pro but had a lot more durability. In 2024 I'm going to do less racing and more bike trips and more long-term riding and training, so I may switch to that tire depending on how the next several months go.
I used to switch my carbon wheels out for aluminum with gatorskins during the winter (This is only my third or so winter riding a bike!) but this winter I feel lazy about changing my rim brake brake pads back and forth when I'm riding inside most of the time.
I used to switch my carbon wheels out for aluminum with gatorskins during the winter (This is only my third or so winter riding a bike!) but this winter I feel lazy about changing my rim brake brake pads back and forth when I'm riding inside most of the time.
Jan 28, 2024 at 03:05 AM
I'm not ready (mostly financially) for a new bike yet, but I think during or after this summer I will be. So, I wanted to ask your thoughts about building a new bike out from parts (not used) rather than buying something fully ready to go from a bike store or online (cough Canyon, cough Decathlon).
I know buying a fully built bike will be cheaper than building one, because of the economies of scale and the purchasing power that large bike brands have to set up fully set-up packages.
However, I have some thoughts:
1) After building out all of my track bike from scratch, and making a lot of upgrades to my pandemic era road bike starter bike (new bars, stem, cranks, gearset, and wheels) I am very particular about many aspects of what I want.
2) At my last bike fit, Redbeard recommended 165 mm cranks and 38cm bars. I've been using those dimensions for 18 months and love them. Switching to 165 cranks helped get rid of a nagging back pain and was a real gamechanger. 'm very attached to those dimensions, but most bikes my size come in 40cm / 170cm. So my thinking is, if I'm gonna have to switch out my cranks and bars, and eat the cost, why don't I just build everything the way I want it?
I'm a new head (only bought my first racing bike during the pandemic). What do the old heads and others think?
I know buying a fully built bike will be cheaper than building one, because of the economies of scale and the purchasing power that large bike brands have to set up fully set-up packages.
However, I have some thoughts:
1) After building out all of my track bike from scratch, and making a lot of upgrades to my pandemic era road bike starter bike (new bars, stem, cranks, gearset, and wheels) I am very particular about many aspects of what I want.
2) At my last bike fit, Redbeard recommended 165 mm cranks and 38cm bars. I've been using those dimensions for 18 months and love them. Switching to 165 cranks helped get rid of a nagging back pain and was a real gamechanger. 'm very attached to those dimensions, but most bikes my size come in 40cm / 170cm. So my thinking is, if I'm gonna have to switch out my cranks and bars, and eat the cost, why don't I just build everything the way I want it?
I'm a new head (only bought my first racing bike during the pandemic). What do the old heads and others think?
Jan 28, 2024 at 05:48 PM
If you know you're going to replace a few certain things like crank length or stem size you can ask the shop if a like for like swap would be possible at minimal or no cost (outside of labor). But if you know you're going to whole sale replace a lot of stuff may as well get the frameset and build it up to exactly your spec to begin with.
Coming from retromodding old steel frames when I first got into the hobby, I like building and maintaining my own so buying something off the shelf feels... weird.
Jan 28, 2024 at 07:21 PM
It depends on many factors.
It's not only how much stuff you're planning on changing, but whether or not a shop will work with you on it. Swapping cranks might appear easy, but not all shops have the mindset, or the capacity to sell the cranks they're left with--170s seem easier for a shop to sell, but they know their market. If you're upgrading to a crank-based power meter, they might be more willing. Once you get into bars, particularly if the bike has aero bars, it isn't so easy. It's re-taping at the very least, and with aero bars, it's pulling cables and housing and re-routing. So if it's an aero bar situation, you're probably better off building from parts.
Saddles, too. Lots of bike take-off saddles are not good re-sale items, so I wouldn't be surprised if a shop wouldn't want to do a swap here.
And if you like your components a whole lot, it might make sense just to buy the frame and move over all the parts--though these days BB's probably need to be bike-specific, and most-likely, you'll need another-size stem.
Looking at new rotor-disc bikes these days, I'm generally unimpressed with the wheel offerings. That alone might put me over to the build-up-myself camp.
Then again, if you want full-electronic 12-speed in the latest pro iteration, the complete bike can be easier.
It's not only how much stuff you're planning on changing, but whether or not a shop will work with you on it. Swapping cranks might appear easy, but not all shops have the mindset, or the capacity to sell the cranks they're left with--170s seem easier for a shop to sell, but they know their market. If you're upgrading to a crank-based power meter, they might be more willing. Once you get into bars, particularly if the bike has aero bars, it isn't so easy. It's re-taping at the very least, and with aero bars, it's pulling cables and housing and re-routing. So if it's an aero bar situation, you're probably better off building from parts.
Saddles, too. Lots of bike take-off saddles are not good re-sale items, so I wouldn't be surprised if a shop wouldn't want to do a swap here.
And if you like your components a whole lot, it might make sense just to buy the frame and move over all the parts--though these days BB's probably need to be bike-specific, and most-likely, you'll need another-size stem.
Looking at new rotor-disc bikes these days, I'm generally unimpressed with the wheel offerings. That alone might put me over to the build-up-myself camp.
Then again, if you want full-electronic 12-speed in the latest pro iteration, the complete bike can be easier.