Road Bike - All advice welcome

[DozyGit]

Hi,
Just treated myself to a Carrera Vanquish.









I have checked all the bolts and made sure all are tight, fitted a couple of bottle cages and given it a good spray of GT85.

Set the seat, and while I wait for some SPD mtg style pedals, I have whacked on some Wellgo Alloy flats that were spare.

Took it for a few miles ride, now the acceleration is excellent. However I only feel completely stable and relaxed in the drops. On the hoods the bike doesn't seem to be as stable and the brakes just are too big for my rather small hands!! I can reach the levers, not a problem, but its so much of a stretch that there is insufficient leverage to generate enough braking force!

I was on the bike for about 40 minutes nearly all of it in the drops. Now I am not sure, if this is a normal position to be in, I feel fine so far, except some mild aches last night.

All advice is most welcome

[DozyGit]

ClassicMercs said:

I'm no expert on bike fit - but I would start with :
Moving the seat forward on the rails a bit to improve reach.
Flip the stem and whilst re-securing the bars just rotate a few degrees - the hoods do look low.
Try that - then prepare for more work.
The stem does appear quite long - too long for me on any bike - a replacement shorter stem.

I am assuming you have bought the correct size bike to start with - subject to some modification. I'm just about to take the plunge (again) and as usual its always reach that is the mod that I need to make.

And loose all the reflectors !

Hi Thanks, yes correct size bike, I managed to rotate the handlebar, will order a shorter stem to see.

Cool

All of the reflectors? Isn't it illegal without them?

[DozyGit]

SixPotBelly said:

You could try rotating the bars in the stem up a little so the hoods are higher and closer to you.

However my bike came with the same (or similar looking) Tektro brakes. After the first ride I took them off in favour of some by Shimano. I could reach them OK from the hoods, but I just couldn't generate any meaningful retardation unless I used them from the drops. Awful things, in my opinion. The Shimanos are much better, using the original levers. I still go into the drops on fast descents, in case I need to do any really hard braking, but am able to ride on the hoods the rest of the time.

ETA - And the brake pads too. Binned the supplied single piece blocks for cartridge style holders and pads. I went for Clarks. They were cheap and do the job.

Edited by SixPotBelly on Thursday 2nd July 08:03

Thanks.

Tried rotating till it was horizontal, and helped a bit, but now the drops are not so comfy.

What do you think of the Claris brakes, saw some on EBay.

I am going to order clarks ones, is it the 55mm ones?

[DozyGit]

numtumfutunch said:

GT85 isn't lube

Good luck

Thanks, what would you recommend?

[DozyGit]

Hackney said:

I'd definitely rotate the bars back a few degrees

Thanks,
Done, some improvement, but some discomfort in the drops now.

[DozyGit]

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.

And these are the pads I bought:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/clarks-road-brake-pad-hold...

Because they are a cartridge design you could then even slide better pads (eg Swisstop) into the Clarks holder if you wanted, but I haven't felt the need.

Thank you, Brake pads ordered, but callipers when budget permits, will keep you posted.

[DozyGit]

yellowjack said:

Plenty of (plain and much simplified) advice regarding ligts and reflectors here. Fill your boots...
http://www.ctc.org.uk/cyclists-library/regulations...

Basically, if you NEVER intend to ride during the "Hours of Darkness" (30mins after sunset, to 30mins before sunrise) then you require no reflectors or lamps whatsoever. After dark you need a red rear reflector, amber pedal reflectors, and a white front/red rear lamp.

In the UK 'The Pedal Cycles (Safety) Regulations' state that a new bicycle must be sold fitted with additional amber or 'white' reflectors fitted to the wheels and a 'white' front reflector, and I believe they require a bell too, but when in use these are not a legal requirement, even after dark.

The "get rid of the reflectors" thing? I don't really understand it. If there's even half a chance that you're going to be riding after dark you'll need them, for safety and compliance with the law. By all means, if you NEVER intend to ride after dark, get rid of them. But getting rid of them seems to be driven by only one thing - "because cool". Don't kid yourself that you're removing them so 'save weight' or to 'get more aero'. They'll not have much effect on either of those things. Personally, I'd recommend that you leave them where they are as the potential safety benefits after dark massively outweigh any perceived "coolness" or weight/aero benefits in normal use. Especially (and I sincerely mean no offence) when it's a bike from the lower end of the price spectrum, like your Vanquish. Looking at your photo, I'd slide the rear reflector down to the bottom of the seatpost, and flip the front one upside down (to hang below the handlebar) simply to 'tidy up' the aesthetic, and leave it at that

Thanks for the links and advice. I will leave them on. I am not bothered about weight or aero (firstly I need to achieve any significant speed ha ha), and as a first road bike, keeping cost down matters, not really bothered about looks.

[DozyGit]

cirian75 said:

my mountain bike was fully stripped of reflectors, I never even intended to ride it in the dark

My road bike, it has a full set of reflectors plus lights

OK cool

[DozyGit]

bakerstreet said:

Stem looks to be 100mm, which is pretty standard on off the shelf road bikes.

As for the brakes, try replacing the calipers with 105 brakes and swissstop pads and that should give you a bit more power and feel.

Get your self an app on your phone to track speed, distance etc etc.

I haven't had reflectors fitted to any of my bikes. I picked up a Brompton today. I noticed it has them fitted. It will probably be the only bike where I keep them on.

Thank you.

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

[DozyGit]

Further update:

After a bit more tweaking, bike feels better. I need a shorter stem, which is on order as well as new brake pads.

However disaster today, decided to take it out for a run today after the rain, and I must have gone over a manhole or something and the rear tire blew, 2-3mm cut up to the canvas?? and tube has snake bite style puncture. Only 1.5miles into ride! I was running rears at 100PSI and I am about 64KG, how a snakebite puncture??







I have ordered gatorskins, are the Kenda tyres so bad?

Many thanks for the help.

[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.

[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.