Bikes designed for road use only. Could be any road-only bike, but typically means bikes optimized for speed / racing / club rides with drop handlebars, narrow tires and a crouched-forward rider position.
1
vote
2answers
39 views
Good Quality Road Platform Pedals?
I am trying to find good quality but not exorbitantly expensive platform pedals for a road bike. I tried Shimano SPD, but ended up concluding that for me it was more of a deathtrap. I did end up ...
0
votes
0answers
14 views
Long Quill Stem?
I picked up a used mid 1990s Serotta Colorado CSI (lugged steel) bike. It is a size 54L which in Serottas from that era means it has a 54 seat tube but a 55 top tube. The size was not intentional, it ...
5
votes
1answer
96 views
Number of gears for a racer
I am looking to upgrade my racer, I currently have a Bottecchia racer from the mid-80s and it has 14 gears. While looking around for newer racers I noticed that a number of them had 20 gears while ...
6
votes
2answers
126 views
Improving metabolic efficiency
I'm doing road cycling, on hills, over long distances.
Typically at the moment, I'll do two 30-40 mile evening rides in just under 2 hours. Generally either 50ft per mile climb or 100ft per mile ...
1
vote
1answer
72 views
Allen Coggan Table - Formula for a best fit to time frames
I'm sure lots of people are familiar with the Allen Coggan Relative Power table that then relates your 'score' to what category rider you are.
My question is that given rides/segments/hill climbs are ...
3
votes
2answers
149 views
Can a 10-speed mountain bike chain be used on a 10-speed road bike?
I would like to use a Shimano Deore XT Chain CN-HG94 on my road bike. Are there any differences between roadbike chains versus mountain bike chains that prohibit this?
Sample Road Bike Chains:
Dura ...
2
votes
3answers
154 views
What is the difference between race/road and cx bikes?
The only differences I know is that road bikes are often lighter and uses different set of brakes. But what else are the main differences?
3
votes
1answer
77 views
Grand Tours - Total Ascent (By stage, particularly the giro)
I'm looking for information on stages of grand tours, particularly the upcoming Giro.
I can find details of total distance by stage, and the amount of ascent on the key climbs of a stage, but I'm ...
0
votes
2answers
90 views
Upgrading my cockpit- brakes, stem and bars for longer reach
I want to upgrade my cockpit so that I have a longer reach. I currently use it as my city bike. Its an old vintage HR bates frame. Currently the stem is a little short. I want to change the bars - ...
-1
votes
1answer
77 views
Where should I sell my H.R. Bates frame? [closed]
I've been told very good things about this bike frame and there are a few sites devoted to it like: http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/builders/bates.html
I have been intending to upgrade and give ...
3
votes
3answers
168 views
What factors determine stem length ?
Recently I went to a local bike shop to get a bike fitting advice. After taking body measurements, I was given a frame size recommendation. According to that, seat tube size, top tube size and stem ...
5
votes
5answers
209 views
Can fresh hot asphalt damage slicks?
Today I was riding with my road bike when I suddenly hit a patch of hot asphalt. The day before the one side of the road was already filled with a hard first load, so I didn't think much of riding ...
1
vote
1answer
97 views
What could cause a screeching noise when going downhill without brakes?
Going downhill on my road bike with aero bars without applying brakes results in a terrible screeching coming from what seems to be the front wheel. Are the bearings going out?
6
votes
4answers
231 views
Is it worth time to rebuild an old steel frame?
I found an old Favorit racing bike. I didn't weigh it without all the parts but I find it pretty light, and it has a nice classic look. It is however really rusty (superficial damage only). Right now ...
5
votes
5answers
358 views
Hybrid or Road Bike?
I was given a Raleigh Venture comfort bike as a gift a few months ago, and took to riding very well. I am overweight, but dropping quickly. I started at 275 and sit around 250 now after two months of ...
-2
votes
0answers
194 views
What components do I need for a road bike that will endure touring on bad roads [closed]
I want to put together a road bike. However, what is the different between a standard road bike and one that will endure more rough conditions, further distances, etc that would be required for ...
5
votes
4answers
584 views
Is it better to get an entry-level carbon bike or a similarly priced aluminum bike?
I am going to buy my first proper road bike, and I have been comparing entry-level carbon frames with top-level aluminum frames in the same series (Giant Defy). What are the benefits of carbon vs. ...
2
votes
1answer
46 views
Turbo trainer compared to road / air resistence - Magneto Classic
For reasons I won't bore you with I have been confined to the garage for my training for the last six-seven months.
I have been using my road bike on a Cycleops magnetto classic (see: Here)
What I ...
2
votes
2answers
108 views
How can I tell what frame model/year this bicycle is? [closed]
There is a bicycle that is locally owned that I want to buy and the only information I have about the bicycle frame from the dealer is that it's just a OCLV 110. With a couple of zoom-ins and ...
-5
votes
1answer
76 views
Speed On a Road Bike [closed]
My old (But freakin' awesome) french road bike goes fast, considering that the only times im racing is pretty much against my friends who all have mountain bikes. Needless to say I always win. But I ...
-1
votes
2answers
188 views
Looking for the right bike
I have been needing a new bike and I need some help with what kind of bike I should purchase. I plan on riding on mainly paved side walks but when traffic is bad I need it to endure riding over curbs ...
3
votes
2answers
217 views
What Shimano jockey wheels are compatible with my old Shimano 105 9-Speed Derailleur?
I'm in the process of getting my Cannondale CAAD serviced, which I reckon is from about 2006 (I got it second hand). I have had the rear cassette and chain replaced, like for like, but the bike shop ...
3
votes
3answers
166 views
Sizing guide for road bikes vs mountain bikes
i usually take a 21 inch size in mountain bike, but I want to buy a road bike. I'm 6'2'' and have a 34 inch inner leg. How do the sizes translate from mountain bike to road bike?
Thanks
1
vote
1answer
148 views
Straight or Drop handlebars?
Can someone explain to me the pros/cons of drop or straight? I've never used drops before and have never owned a good road bike (just cheap mountain bikes) - I am buying a decent single speed soon and ...
3
votes
1answer
109 views
Electronic bicycling ranking for the office cyclists?
in the office many of us cycle to work. We though it would be cool to have ranking of cyclists with different sorting (distance, avg. speed and such). We can track our trips with Android or iPhone ...
2
votes
1answer
86 views
Derailleur Hanger replacement for GTS R5 road bike frame
I'm looking for an online site where I can buy a derailleur hanger replacement for my GTS R5 road frame.
The frame is the one in the picture ...
5
votes
2answers
361 views
Are road bikes durable for use on roads full of cracks and potholes?
I live in Reading UK and commute between home and workplace 5-6 days a week (round trip about 6-7 miles). I know that hybrids are good enough for pretty much anything, but I find road bikes really ...
8
votes
3answers
362 views
What cleaner and oil should I use on my bike chain
Hope everyone is well. I need to clean and oil my chain as its getting a little clunky when I’m changing gears. I have no idea what I should be cleaning it with and then what I should oil with. Any ...
2
votes
2answers
147 views
Uncomfortable road saddle, how to choose a saddle for my riding?
I have a selle royale laser saddle. Its pretty uncomfortable but not bad for pedalling. I would like to change my city road bike saddle. Does anyone have recommendations, and rules of thumb for ...
4
votes
6answers
446 views
How do I estimate how long it will take me to ride my commute?
How can a cyclist, new to commuting by bike and not all that experienced in riding, estimate how long a commute will take?
I have been riding for 4 days to and from work. 156km over over 4 days. I'd ...
1
vote
2answers
231 views
I need help on how to make my bike faster [closed]
Hi Just wanted to ask how to make my bike faster.
Do I change the front chainring to a larger one, if so do I have to get a whole new drive train or can I just get another shimano large ring. Can I ...
1
vote
2answers
110 views
Road bike for a 10 day trip in the Pyrenees and French rivera and other questions
I am planning a 10 day trip covering roughly between 500 and 600 kilometers, starting in the Spanish Pyrenees and finishing in Nice.
What kind of bike do you recommend me for such a trip? Obviously ...
6
votes
6answers
366 views
What is the most efficient way to ride up or down hills, and into or away from wind?
I'm trying to work out how hard I should push myself when riding up or down a hill. Similarly, how hard should I push myself when riding into, or away from, or perpendicular to wind?
My aim is to ...
2
votes
4answers
346 views
What will happen to a roadbike when rode on broken tar?
I am planning to buy a bicycle (either road-bike or MTB). I personally prefer road-bike.
I have to travel on broken tar to reach a smooth tar road.
On an average I will cycle 200 km per week out of ...
-2
votes
4answers
637 views
How many people use their mountain bikes for road riding? [closed]
In March 2012 I purchased a Cannondale Synapse Alloy 6 road bike. I put around 2100 miles on it during the year. This year I'd like to do a bit more mountain biking, but not any real hard-core ...
1
vote
1answer
100 views
Cross tires on a road bike
I want to buy a road bike for commuting, fitness, leisure, etc. and not for professional racing. However, because I live in a "wet" country, I would like to be able to change the tires into cross ...
0
votes
2answers
212 views
Life expectancy of a cycle tube and tire?
Can anyone please let me know the life expectancy (no of km or time period) of a cycle tube and tire?
Let us consider different cycles (MTB Hybrid Roadbike) and different terrain (off-road slightly ...
0
votes
2answers
205 views
Solutions for a slightly loose crown race
For a bike I'm building, I had my headset crown race press fitted to my fork crown by my LBS, along with my top and bottom cups into the headtube. The crown race was loose such that I could rotate it ...
0
votes
3answers
98 views
What are some Routes to riding from Los Angeles to San fransisco?
I'm a fixed Gear cyclist and I'm trying to set up a big ride with a group of friends from Los Angeles to San Fransisco. I am aware this is not an easy ride but we are willing to go, but I'm not sure ...
0
votes
2answers
186 views
Extend clearance for a 28mm tire
I tried upgrading to some 28mm but as you can see clearance is very tight. In some spots, the tire doesn't fully clear the brake (Tektro R350). The fork barely has enough clearance.
Is it worth ...
9
votes
7answers
610 views
Are today's bikes “better” than a few decades ago?
I'm looking to buy a road bike for commuting. There is a guy near me who finds older road bikes (e.g. from the 80's) and fixes them up. Are there downsides to getting an older bike (assuming it's had ...
0
votes
3answers
323 views
Front Derailleur Not Working
I recently bought a new bike off of BikesDirect.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/wellington2_IX.htm
However, no matter what I do, I can't seem to get the front derailleur to do anything. ...
6
votes
3answers
981 views
How can I tell if a bike is too big for me?
Today I disassembled my current fixed-gear, and reassembled all the parts in another frame, which I am considering to purchase.
The current owner of the frame warned me that it might be too big for ...
7
votes
2answers
159 views
Who has right of way at a staggered crossroad
I live in Manchester, United Kingdom.
I cycle to and from work everyday. On my route there is a staggered crossroad where I have to go straight on.
Above is the traffic lighted junction I have to ...
3
votes
4answers
209 views
Is a custom road frame worthwhile?
I've been riding a Marin San Anselmo hybrid for some 13 years and I'd guess I've done over 7000 miles on it almost exclusively on the road (and it's not my commuting bike).
I'm gradually doing more ...
1
vote
2answers
133 views
Bike fitting in the UK
As an keen but casual touring cyclist I'm interested in getting a little more competitive and also keeping myself comfortable over longer distances. So I'm considering getting professionally fitted, ...
36
votes
9answers
2k views
Protocol for downhill cyclist overtaking a car?
Last weekend, I was driving (yes in a car, something I rarely do) down a fairly steep and very curvy mountain road (thus with very poor sight lines/visibility ahead) when I noticed a cyclist in my ...
5
votes
1answer
246 views
How feasible is it to transfer modern (2010) components to a 90s frame (road bike)
My 2010 aluminum frame may be toast (stripped bottom bracket) and I was considering getting an older chro-mo frame and transferring the components to it. It's a racing/sport style with drop bars and ...
6
votes
2answers
458 views
Why choose a traditional frame over an aerodynamically streamlined frame?
I'm not talking specifically about triathlon frames, just frames which have aerodynamically shaped tubes. As I understand it, both types of frame are legal for road-racing under UCI rules.
So, why ...
3
votes
7answers
1k views
How much of a difference will I notice going from a Mountain bike to a road bike?
I have a Mountain bike with 1.95 tyres on it. Most of the cycle path I take into work is fairly well paved/asphalted, I'm not going over any dirt tracks or anything like that although there is the odd ...
