What's your cycling OCD?
Discussion
For me it has to be colour co-ordination.
Luckily I'm not talking every single nut/bolt/hub/spoke being exactly the same colour but I do have to have 'the look' just right, a perfect example being not running Vittoria Open Pave's as my winter tyres due to the green clashing with the colours on the rest of the bike.
Luckily I'm not talking every single nut/bolt/hub/spoke being exactly the same colour but I do have to have 'the look' just right, a perfect example being not running Vittoria Open Pave's as my winter tyres due to the green clashing with the colours on the rest of the bike.
- 5
TheFungle said:
For me it has to be colour co-ordination.
Luckily I'm not talking every single nut/bolt/hub/spoke being exactly the same colour but I do have to have 'the look' just right, a perfect example being not running Vittoria Open Pave's as my winter tyres due to the green clashing with the colours on the rest of the bike.
Yep same here lol. My hardtail is a red frame with blue levers, hubs, forks, spacers, pedals, grips etc. I even have blue panaracers for it. Luckily I'm not talking every single nut/bolt/hub/spoke being exactly the same colour but I do have to have 'the look' just right, a perfect example being not running Vittoria Open Pave's as my winter tyres due to the green clashing with the colours on the rest of the bike.
- 5
CoolC said:
Tyre logo's and wheel logo/valve MUST align.
Although I think that's a rule isn't it?
Rule #40 // Tires are to be mounted with the label centered directly over the valve stem.Although I think that's a rule isn't it?
"Pro mechanics do it because it makes it easier to find the valve. You do this because that’s the way pro mechanics do it."
Although I reckon that's b
ks, because to find the valve you just have to look for the metal thing sticking out of the inside of the rim. Pro mechanics do this because it shows that they've paid attention to the smallest detail, and also because it just LOOKS right.My cycling OCD is in a constant battle with my inner skinflint. It's really important to have such things as bar tape, saddle, and tyres colour coded. However, I bought some of the old Schwalbe Ultremos direct from Schwalbe UK, at the Denbies cycling event for the Olympic Road Race. Trouble is they only had the R1s left in Orange. I didn't fancy spending 3 times more to get the new ZX in white, but when it came to changing them over, the bike stood with a flat tyre for 3 days before I forced myself to get it done.
Ironically, I'm just getting used to the idea of ORANGE TYRES on my Black and White bike, and I need to take them off to replace them with last year's used Conti GP 4Seasons for winter
Colour matching extends to my pump (white Lezyne Road Drive) which is mounted to the bottle boss on the seat tube with a Black bracket, two Elite Custom White/Union Flag bottle cages, and I even bought two new Camelbak Podium water bottles when I found some with black/white graphics on offer in Evans Cycles. I've binned off my old helmet in favour of a Uvex Boss Race Helmet in 'carbon-look' White, and when I replace my shoes they'll have to be white and/or black too.
My next dilemma will be SPD-SL pedals. I bought a cheap set in a deal with my bike and shoes (which are blue), but now feel I need something a bit 'nicer'. I'm torn between Shimano's Ultegra pedals to match the full Ultegra groupset, or the Look Keo 2 Max in white to colour match the bike. Ultimately all these things will make little or no difference in terms of performance, but they just add a personal touch to the bike, and if you feel good about the bike, you tend to ride with a bit more 'spring in your step' and you are more likely to want to ride it in the first place.
I didn't think I had any obsessive behaviour to do with the bike until this thread posed the question. Now I know that I really am OCD about it. I once repeated the exact route of a 46 mile ride the day after I first did it, just because the first time I rode it my cycle computer was 'out of batteries', and I needed to know the mileage for my diary. How sad is that?
I refuse to discuss the subject any further, or I shall be in need of a therapist
Ironically, I'm just getting used to the idea of ORANGE TYRES on my Black and White bike, and I need to take them off to replace them with last year's used Conti GP 4Seasons for winter

Colour matching extends to my pump (white Lezyne Road Drive) which is mounted to the bottle boss on the seat tube with a Black bracket, two Elite Custom White/Union Flag bottle cages, and I even bought two new Camelbak Podium water bottles when I found some with black/white graphics on offer in Evans Cycles. I've binned off my old helmet in favour of a Uvex Boss Race Helmet in 'carbon-look' White, and when I replace my shoes they'll have to be white and/or black too.
My next dilemma will be SPD-SL pedals. I bought a cheap set in a deal with my bike and shoes (which are blue), but now feel I need something a bit 'nicer'. I'm torn between Shimano's Ultegra pedals to match the full Ultegra groupset, or the Look Keo 2 Max in white to colour match the bike. Ultimately all these things will make little or no difference in terms of performance, but they just add a personal touch to the bike, and if you feel good about the bike, you tend to ride with a bit more 'spring in your step' and you are more likely to want to ride it in the first place.
I didn't think I had any obsessive behaviour to do with the bike until this thread posed the question. Now I know that I really am OCD about it. I once repeated the exact route of a 46 mile ride the day after I first did it, just because the first time I rode it my cycle computer was 'out of batteries', and I needed to know the mileage for my diary. How sad is that?
I refuse to discuss the subject any further, or I shall be in need of a therapist

robpearson said:
Not convinced mine is really OCD, but that's probably the first sign, but it's suicide checks over the right shoulder. Do them all the time, also when driving cars, and it's definitely more than a cursory blind spot check.
I certainly wouldn't consider that to be OCD. A 'Chin on Shoulder' lifesaver is an essential riding skill. More useful in built up areas than quiet rural roads, but absolutely vital well in advance of any planned change of position, at potential pinch points, or prior to any manoeuvre at a junction.It's also good for s
ts and giggles, when you let the sweating mass of a mountainbiker think that he's about to drop you, all Lycra'd up, on your roadie. Just when he thinks he's bagged his points, and bragging rights at the trail centre, one last look to confirm his position, stand up and stomp on the pedals and 'Boom!' Hooked, reeled, and landed, safe in the keep-net.This shows how bad i am......its the gap between the rear wheel and the frame.a big gap is a no no for me.not good in bad conditions but that back tyre must be as close to the frame as possible my cannondale runs at about 8mm while my felt AR4 is closer maybe 5 mm........god im bad with this ocd.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff



bit odd like that at times I am!