Road Bike - All advice welcome

[lufbramatt]

Yeah I don't think that's a snakebite, the cut goes in the wrong direction (a snakebite is where the rim slices the tyre so the cut runs parallel to the rim).

I agree with Yellowjack re. reflectors, but I would lose the ones off the wheels, that type have been known to come loose and jam in the wheel/frame, not something you want. If you ride at night replace them with the thin tube type ones which are more secure

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Salzmann-Reflector-Scotchl...

Whilst I get the point of pedal reflectors, in practice it's quite hard to implement if you ride in SPDs or other types of clipless pedals and I've never heard of anyone being stopped for not having pedal reflectors. If you're sensible and have decent lights and reflective clothing (i.e. make an effort) you'll be fine.

Edited by lufbramatt on Monday 6th July 08:57

[bakerstreet]

DozyGit said:

Thank you.

It was 100mm, thanks to the advice here, new 60mm stem is on order from CRC

60mm?? That is very short for a road bike. Are you very short? You may find the bike is very twitcy with something that short fitted. Have you not tried adjusting the saddle?

[Matt_N]

SixPotBelly said:

I haven't experienced the Claris I'm afraid. They're probably OK but I'd be inclined to spend enough pennies to get some that are reputed to be very good. My thinking being if you're going to change something you may as well only do it once. I was restricted to long reach calipers (my is frame designed for 28mm tyres and mudguards) so went for the BR-451. Otherwise I'd have bought the 105 5800 brakes for £20 each:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-105-5800-brake-cal...

Note that Shimano say they should ideally be used with matching levers for the correct pull ratio, but they say the same for my BR-451 calipers I kept my existing (Sora) levers with much success.

All Shimano brakes and levers have the same pull ratio so you can mix and match freely.

To the OP - A 60mm stem is way too short for a road bike and indicates a sizing issue with the bike if you feel you need to shorten the reach by that much.

Can you post up some pictures of you on the bike, side on?

[option click]

bakerstreet said:

60mm?? That is very short for a road bike. Are you very short? You may find the bike is very twitcy with something that short fitted. Have you not tried adjusting the saddle?

Saddle has nothing to do with reach.

[DozyGit]

cirian75 said:

Contis or Schwalbe are what I use

I'm using the Schwalbe Durano raceguard.

Thanks, two gator skins ordered.

[DozyGit]

pablo said:

A snakebite is where the tube gets trapped between the rim and bursts due to low pressure but it shouldn't damage the outer skin of the tyre, that looks like you've gone over something sharp due to the damage to the tyre.

Went back and found it, a drain grate with diagonal grates bigger than the tires!!

[DozyGit]

lufbramatt said:

Yeah I don't think that's a snakebite, the cut goes in the wrong direction (a snakebite is where the rim slices the tyre so the cut runs parallel to the rim).

I agree with Yellowjack re. reflectors, but I would lose the ones off the wheels, that type have been known to come loose and jam in the wheel/frame, not something you want. If you ride at night replace them with the thin tube type ones which are more secure

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Salzmann-Reflector-Scotchl...

Whilst I get the point of pedal reflectors, in practice it's quite hard to implement if you ride in SPDs or other types of clipless pedals and I've never heard of anyone being stopped for not having pedal reflectors. If you're sensible and have decent lights and reflective clothing (i.e. make an effort) you'll be fine.

Edited by lufbramatt on Monday 6th July 08:57

Yes thanks been cut by a metal drain grate! Went and had a look.

thanks, will buy these once I save a few pennies.

[DozyGit]

bakerstreet said:

60mm?? That is very short for a road bike. Are you very short? You may find the bike is very twitcy with something that short fitted. Have you not tried adjusting the saddle?

No I am 5ft 9", but my hands are small. Saddle is set for peddling and is fine. Thanks

[DozyGit]

option click said:

Saddle has nothing to do with reach.

I have set saddle for pedals and not for reach.

[DozyGit]

Update *****

Today the box arrived


Clarks brake pads, 60mm stem, new Clarks brake cable kit, brake ferules, Cross Top levers, Gel bar tape, Conti gator skins, conti tubes and SPD pedals.

First measured the stem, more out of interest.


Brake pads changed and short stem fitted;









Perhaps the big question is how was it?

Brakes; Thanks to the suggestion, they are a lot lot better!!

Stem; Well now the bike feels great, only went for a short test ride. The position on hoods is a lot nicer and slow speed handling has definitely improved, very stable now, can ride on the hoods just below a very slow walking pace. In the drops feels bit less, so, but still a lot better. Only went to a reasonable speed, seems OK to me, no big nervousness. Will do an extended ride sometime soon.

Thanks all for the suggestions, will keep you all updated.

[bakerstreet]

option click said:

Saddle has nothing to do with reach.

So if I slide my saddle all the way forward on the rails, the bars magically move closer! I apperciate that you are moving the pivot point of your hips forwards or backwards.

For the sake of the OP not getting a 60mm stem, I think my advice was reasonable. However, despite what everyone else said, he bought it anyway. Only ever seen one bike with a stem fitted that short and agree with what sonmeone else said, its a overall bikefit issue unless he has odd sizing, but at 5ft 9in, thats bang on average unless he as 4 ft of leg and the shortest torso ever.

A retul bike fit is the right way to go and it wouldn't surprise me if the 60mm stem ended up in the bin, but each to their own and if its working for him then he should crack on, but I still think around town a 60mm stem would make the bike very twtichy and even scarier at high speed.

[TwistingMyMelon]

I agree saddle setback is solely on legs, not on reach for bars, if you aren't doing many miles/new to cycling then you wouldn't notice, but still get aches/injuries/loss of power

I went from a 120mm stem to 90mm, noticed no real different, bike in fact felt more nimble .

Guess you can only see how it handles with a 60mm stem on, only thing I would be wary would be it might seem ok at first but easy to get caught out on sharp corners.

I've had similar issues to OP, bike slightly too big, shorter stem and shorter reach drops helped. I still needed saddle on near max setback due to thigh length and being comfortable . Part of me prefers frames that are too big as I am always between sizes I find

[DozyGit]

Matt_N said:

All Shimano brakes and levers have the same pull ratio so you can mix and match freely.

To the OP - A 60mm stem is way too short for a road bike and indicates a sizing issue with the bike if you feel you need to shorten the reach by that much.

Can you post up some pictures of you on the bike, side on?

Thanks, must have missed your post. Will upgrade. A bit difficult to take a picture side on but will try!

[DozyGit]

bakerstreet said:

So if I slide my saddle all the way forward on the rails, the bars magically move closer! I apperciate that you are moving the pivot point of your hips forwards or backwards.

For the sake of the OP not getting a 60mm stem, I think my advice was reasonable. However, despite what everyone else said, he bought it anyway. Only ever seen one bike with a stem fitted that short and agree with what sonmeone else said, its a overall bikefit issue unless he has odd sizing, but at 5ft 9in, thats bang on average unless he as 4 ft of leg and the shortest torso ever.

A retul bike fit is the right way to go and it wouldn't surprise me if the 60mm stem ended up in the bin, but each to their own and if its working for him then he should crack on, but I still think around town a 60mm stem would make the bike very twtichy and even scarier at high speed.

Thanks, I had already ordered it, by the time I had not thought about putting the length in here lol

[DozyGit]

TwistingMyMelon said:

I agree saddle setback is solely on legs, not on reach for bars, if you aren't doing many miles/new to cycling then you wouldn't notice, but still get aches/injuries/loss of power

I went from a 120mm stem to 90mm, noticed no real different, bike in fact felt more nimble .

Guess you can only see how it handles with a 60mm stem on, only thing I would be wary would be it might seem ok at first but easy to get caught out on sharp corners.

I've had similar issues to OP, bike slightly too big, shorter stem and shorter reach drops helped. I still needed saddle on near max setback due to thigh length and being comfortable . Part of me prefers frames that are too big as I am always between sizes I find

Good point, thanks, will try to slowly increase speed in corners to be 100% sure.