The daily "I cycled to work" thread (Vol 2)
Discussion
My first 100 mile week for a while last week, just spent a few hours cleaning the bike up and found the back rim has deformed and split around 2 spokes and several others have cracks of various sizes. Salutatory tale - even if you're not going to clean it, give it a good look over every couple of weeks. Can't complain too much, it must have done 10k in the last 30 months.
What do I need to look for in a new wheelset? I suppose just get a straight replacement but is this an opportunity for something better than what Norco bunged on it from the factory?
Mainly commuting, 3k per year, rough pot holed London roads and some gravel. 700c X 25-35 tyres (25/28 for commute, 32/35 for weekend gravelly stuff). Disc brakes.
What do I need to look for in a new wheelset? I suppose just get a straight replacement but is this an opportunity for something better than what Norco bunged on it from the factory?
Mainly commuting, 3k per year, rough pot holed London roads and some gravel. 700c X 25-35 tyres (25/28 for commute, 32/35 for weekend gravelly stuff). Disc brakes.
2gins said:
My first 100 mile week for a while last week, just spent a few hours cleaning the bike up and found the back rim has deformed and split around 2 spokes and several others have cracks of various sizes. Salutatory tale - even if you're not going to clean it, give it a good look over every couple of weeks. Can't complain too much, it must have done 10k in the last 30 months.
What do I need to look for in a new wheelset? I suppose just get a straight replacement but is this an opportunity for something better than what Norco bunged on it from the factory?
Mainly commuting, 3k per year, rough pot holed London roads and some gravel. 700c X 25-35 tyres (25/28 for commute, 32/35 for weekend gravelly stuff). Disc brakes.
Hope 20fives...What do I need to look for in a new wheelset? I suppose just get a straight replacement but is this an opportunity for something better than what Norco bunged on it from the factory?
Mainly commuting, 3k per year, rough pot holed London roads and some gravel. 700c X 25-35 tyres (25/28 for commute, 32/35 for weekend gravelly stuff). Disc brakes.
Lots will recommend Hunt - but I just cannot see the value in absolutely generic parts packaged up with a 'brand' and then being sold for the same price as really pukka kit from people like Hope.
Or, someone like DCR who'll build you a set to your liking/use/budget.
Sway said:
2gins said:
My first 100 mile week for a while last week, just spent a few hours cleaning the bike up and found the back rim has deformed and split around 2 spokes and several others have cracks of various sizes. Salutatory tale - even if you're not going to clean it, give it a good look over every couple of weeks. Can't complain too much, it must have done 10k in the last 30 months.
What do I need to look for in a new wheelset? I suppose just get a straight replacement but is this an opportunity for something better than what Norco bunged on it from the factory?
Mainly commuting, 3k per year, rough pot holed London roads and some gravel. 700c X 25-35 tyres (25/28 for commute, 32/35 for weekend gravelly stuff). Disc brakes.
Hope 20fives...What do I need to look for in a new wheelset? I suppose just get a straight replacement but is this an opportunity for something better than what Norco bunged on it from the factory?
Mainly commuting, 3k per year, rough pot holed London roads and some gravel. 700c X 25-35 tyres (25/28 for commute, 32/35 for weekend gravelly stuff). Disc brakes.
Lots will recommend Hunt - but I just cannot see the value in absolutely generic parts packaged up with a 'brand' and then being sold for the same price as really pukka kit from people like Hope.
Or, someone like DCR who'll build you a set to your liking/use/budget.
RizzoTheRat said:
A fortnight ago I was cycling to work in a shirt, had to wear my coat today. Started raining just as I got to work which was good timing.
Working cross site quite a bit these days. 80 minutes on the bike today intotal, getting wet was inevitable. Will pack the water proofs and over shoes tomorrow, although weather report looking better. 
Not commuted this week yet 
Will do my 26 miles tomorrow.
Last week I got caught in my first proper down pour on my way to work. The rain was whipping my legs and worst of all was it washed hair gel out my hair which stung my eyes to high hell. Couldn't see a thing, so stopped every 50 yards to get it clear....won't make that mistake again......
I am usually more cautious to avoid such weather on my way to work (not bothered on the way back). I was a drowned rat when I got into work and 'everything' was drenched. Luckily it was not too cold.
Will do my 26 miles tomorrow.Last week I got caught in my first proper down pour on my way to work. The rain was whipping my legs and worst of all was it washed hair gel out my hair which stung my eyes to high hell. Couldn't see a thing, so stopped every 50 yards to get it clear....won't make that mistake again......
I am usually more cautious to avoid such weather on my way to work (not bothered on the way back). I was a drowned rat when I got into work and 'everything' was drenched. Luckily it was not too cold.
I went for the Hope 20fives in the end. Hope we're still living in 2020 in may 22 so the lead time of 3 weeks became 7 weeks due to lft COVID isolation.
2 weeks away with work and some WFH stuff recently means by the time I get back on the bike it'll probably be winter gear time.
Oh yes, and Oxford mudguards are a terrible fit.
2 weeks away with work and some WFH stuff recently means by the time I get back on the bike it'll probably be winter gear time.
Oh yes, and Oxford mudguards are a terrible fit.
Well, I've cycled pretty much every day since March this year. 7.5 miles each way, completely flat, so not too much of a challenge, weather notwithstanding. Usually ride into a South-Westerly and enjoy the tailwind on the way home.
Have invested in Sealskinz socks and gloves which have made the cold and wet days much more pleasant, and have taken a punt on some "Souke" branded thermal overtrousers which seem to be fairly waterproof, if a little warm.
Hoping to continue through much of the winter. I've been averaging 100 miles a week for most of the year, though I'm seeing that drop a little as we get the shorter days.
My aim was to make cycling the new normal commute, with driving becoming the exception, and that seems to have worked - using the car either feels like a treat or like weakness haha. Feel loads better for it, physically and mentally, and I've saved hundreds of pounds in fuel. Will need to invest a little TLC in the bike, as mentioned in another thread recently, it's at 9,000 miles on its original 105 drivetrain components, but even so, it's tremendous value for money, especially considering the number of social rides I've done as well
TL:DR - biking to work everyday has reaffirmed what I already knew; cycling is awesome!
Have invested in Sealskinz socks and gloves which have made the cold and wet days much more pleasant, and have taken a punt on some "Souke" branded thermal overtrousers which seem to be fairly waterproof, if a little warm.
Hoping to continue through much of the winter. I've been averaging 100 miles a week for most of the year, though I'm seeing that drop a little as we get the shorter days.
My aim was to make cycling the new normal commute, with driving becoming the exception, and that seems to have worked - using the car either feels like a treat or like weakness haha. Feel loads better for it, physically and mentally, and I've saved hundreds of pounds in fuel. Will need to invest a little TLC in the bike, as mentioned in another thread recently, it's at 9,000 miles on its original 105 drivetrain components, but even so, it's tremendous value for money, especially considering the number of social rides I've done as well
TL:DR - biking to work everyday has reaffirmed what I already knew; cycling is awesome!
Good going. I've commuted by bike most of my working life, and this year have been doing 4 or 5 commutes / week, about 40km each day. I made the mistake of believing the forecast this week and took the car in - which was a mistake. Traffic, parking costs and not feeling as awake at work. I find the commute tiring at times but its definetly a better option for me.
Picked up my new (to me) commuter bike this weekend just gone.
Boardman ADV 8.8 to replace my capable but limited Traban 100. Got it very cobwebbed and dusty for £350. Stem bolts are slightly rusty and the saddle is a little tatty, but it's cleaned up lovely, very pleased with it.
Feels a huge upgrade on the Triban. 3 mph average faster and 2 mins faster on my first 4 mile commute, and easily hit 30mph + whereas the Triban ran out of gears at 25mph or so. And the cable discs are a revelation compared to the crap rim brakes on the Trban, and not as underpowered as I expected compared to the MTB hydraulic brakes.
I wanted a gravel bike as i'm on the edge of Cannock Chase, so I can take in Forest roads if a longer ride interests me - Also have in mind longer endurance rides. My MTB rides tend to be between 15-25 miles, so it'll be good to get more miles under the wheels.
Boardman ADV 8.8 to replace my capable but limited Traban 100. Got it very cobwebbed and dusty for £350. Stem bolts are slightly rusty and the saddle is a little tatty, but it's cleaned up lovely, very pleased with it.
Feels a huge upgrade on the Triban. 3 mph average faster and 2 mins faster on my first 4 mile commute, and easily hit 30mph + whereas the Triban ran out of gears at 25mph or so. And the cable discs are a revelation compared to the crap rim brakes on the Trban, and not as underpowered as I expected compared to the MTB hydraulic brakes.
I wanted a gravel bike as i'm on the edge of Cannock Chase, so I can take in Forest roads if a longer ride interests me - Also have in mind longer endurance rides. My MTB rides tend to be between 15-25 miles, so it'll be good to get more miles under the wheels.
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