RE: PH Blog: pedal power
Discussion
An excellent piece, and really liking the positive comments.
I carry a DH bike on the back of my S2000. I know it's not an Elise but the thought is there I use a Saris Bones rack which is really good. I think with an Elsie you need to think more about where the weight is going to sit due to the fibreglass though.
I also carry my track bike on the passenger seat when I go to the velodrome! It just fits if I take the wheels off and am creative if which way to stick it in!
Oh and there's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of having more bicycles than cars and motorbikes. I recently trimmed my fleet of bicycles from 7 to 4 to go with the S2000 and a motorbike. My wife only breaks even with 2 bicycles, one car and a motorbike :-)
Sadly one of mine has been stolen recently. More shopping will be required :-)
AyBee said:
Dan Trent said:
Should've been clearer in the piece; born again roadie but long-time MTBer. And well-versed in inserting bikes into various unsuitable press cars! We got the Madone in the back of a 911 to get up to Bedford and I've had a Specialized Demo in the back of a Toyota GT86. Where there's a will and a 5mm Allen key there's a way! There's a guy rides at Aston Hill who puts his DH bike on a custom rack on an Elise...
Dan
Would love more info on this if possible please? Really want an Elise but have 4 bikes so carting them about is part of my life Dan
I use a Saris Bones rack which is really good. I think with an Elsie you need to think more about where the weight is going to sit due to the fibreglass though.I also carry my track bike on the passenger seat when I go to the velodrome! It just fits if I take the wheels off and am creative if which way to stick it in!
Oh and there's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of having more bicycles than cars and motorbikes. I recently trimmed my fleet of bicycles from 7 to 4 to go with the S2000 and a motorbike. My wife only breaks even with 2 bicycles, one car and a motorbike :-)
Sadly one of mine has been stolen recently. More shopping will be required :-)
Andy20vt said:
That's what I thought - a slight whiff of over optimism there I think. Despite being an experience MTB'er I think I'd be lucky to crack 30mph on most techy descents. 60mph - that's around the top speed of the TDF riders on some of the steepest and hairiest Alpine descents.
Riding road bikes though does make you a better car driver I think. It makes you more aware of the road surface, gives you a better spacial awareness and a better intuition of what other traffic is likely to do. Plus it makes you give other cyclists plenty of room and show them the courtesy they deserve.
Nope, was definitely nudging 60mph (It was measured using an old Cateye cycle computer, so a degree of inaccuracy may be apparent. I did test in on a measured mile and was within a few metres however). My record was set many moons ago on a rocky fire road, not technical, but with lumps and bumps. The descent was about 2.5 miles with a section in the middle with a grade of 1 in 4. Riding road bikes though does make you a better car driver I think. It makes you more aware of the road surface, gives you a better spacial awareness and a better intuition of what other traffic is likely to do. Plus it makes you give other cyclists plenty of room and show them the courtesy they deserve.
Edited by Andy20vt on Friday 22 February 09:35
Oh, and that was on a hardtail... Tange prestige steel framed team edition Marin with elastomer Manitou forks. Much better ride than alu frames, wish I still had it. Unfortunately I hit a car head on a year or two later, and made the frame about a foot shorter with a nice 'S' bend in the top tube!
Great article! But as a big bike geek I'm rather surprised by your choice of bike. Yes, Trek Madone/Domane are highly advanced frames used in the pro tour but so is everything else these days. Surely buying a Trek or Specialized is akin to a mid-range Ford Focus or Renault Megane. There are so many other interesting, niche bikes out there with more visual and technical appeal from brands overlooked by the average High Street shopper.
(And yes, before you all start, I know they're probably all still made in the same factory in Taiwan these days despite the Italian / Spanish / Belgian heritage etc etc).
(And yes, before you all start, I know they're probably all still made in the same factory in Taiwan these days despite the Italian / Spanish / Belgian heritage etc etc).
danlindfield said:
Great article! But as a big bike geek I'm rather surprised by your choice of bike. Yes, Trek Madone/Domane are highly advanced frames used in the pro tour but so is everything else these days. Surely buying a Trek or Specialized is akin to a mid-range Ford Focus or Renault Megane. There are so many other interesting, niche bikes out there with more visual and technical appeal from brands overlooked by the average High Street shopper.
(And yes, before you all start, I know they're probably all still made in the same factory in Taiwan these days despite the Italian / Spanish / Belgian heritage etc etc).
Meh, there's nothing wrong withe the big brands. They make great bikes that are great value compared to the Italians etc.(And yes, before you all start, I know they're probably all still made in the same factory in Taiwan these days despite the Italian / Spanish / Belgian heritage etc etc).
I ride a Pinarello coz I'm a complete slag, but I recognise the capability and the quality of everything from Trek to Boardman to Pinnacle.
danlindfield said:
Great article! But as a big bike geek I'm rather surprised by your choice of bike. Yes, Trek Madone/Domane are highly advanced frames used in the pro tour but so is everything else these days. Surely buying a Trek or Specialized is akin to a mid-range Ford Focus or Renault Megane. There are so many other interesting, niche bikes out there with more visual and technical appeal from brands overlooked by the average High Street shopper.
Nothing wrong with Meganes!Point taken though but I'm new to the whole roadie game and it's like entering a whole new world so I admit to playing it a bit safe. And I got a great deal! The knobbly tyred members of the fleet are a little more diverse, two of which were 'and welded in 'alifax and not Taiwanese!
Dan
I honestly meant to buy an elise, but got suckered into this because it really does manage to be incredibly practical..
Davsk1 said:
Get the Strava app for your phone, then every ride is like an unofficial time trial against other riders who have done the same sections of road. Quite addictive!
Garlick and I are both addicts! Borderline obsessional in my case - even to the point where I'm Strava-ing my Brompton rides to the station now.
Dan
AyBee said:
Would love more info on this if possible please? Really want an Elise but have 4 bikes so carting them about is part of my life
If you don't mind cutting a hole in the clam (
) then there's this: http://www.uniquerack.com/photos.htm, although it is $1500 (also )
EliseParts also do a luggage rack that you could probably adapt something onto: http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/16/610/s2-...
My road bike definitely gives plenty of feedback.
Unfortunately it's mostly "you weak, fat, blind, cack-handed, terrified buffoon, my gran could corner faster from the back seat of a tandem. Why don't you just give up on life and get the bus?"
. It does make me lust after a classic/caterham/motorbike though - something that's fun at low speeds and makes it very clear it's only you responsible for not stuffing it into a hedge. But something with a bit more noise where I can go fast uphill too 
Seconded on the "if you see a PH jersey and have a nice sounding car, don't be afraid to give it some beans as you go past"
Unfortunately it's mostly "you weak, fat, blind, cack-handed, terrified buffoon, my gran could corner faster from the back seat of a tandem. Why don't you just give up on life and get the bus?"
. It does make me lust after a classic/caterham/motorbike though - something that's fun at low speeds and makes it very clear it's only you responsible for not stuffing it into a hedge. But something with a bit more noise where I can go fast uphill too Seconded on the "if you see a PH jersey and have a nice sounding car, don't be afraid to give it some beans as you go past"
herebebeasties said:
AyBee said:
Would love more info on this if possible please? Really want an Elise but have 4 bikes so carting them about is part of my life
If you don't mind cutting a hole in the clam () then there's this: http://www.uniquerack.com/photos.htm, although it is $1500 (also )EliseParts also do a luggage rack that you could probably adapt something onto: http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/16/610/s2-...
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff