Cycling Thread - pleasure peddlers to serious cyclists sign in here!

OK, will get the newer one then as its only £6 more and I like the colours better!

What tyres would be good for it?

Thanks.

There's not much in it - the newer is perhaps better in that 8 speed is getting obsolete now so 9-speed parts will now be more available (I actually thought Acera didn't come in 9-speed but it seems to from that?) Nothing reallly in it - get the chaeaper and buy better tyres.

Hello, just found this thread. I'm hoping some of you knowledgable people might be able to answer a question for me. Thinking of gettign another bike (only have a mtb at the minute). Have been dithering over a hybrid or a road bike and think I've finally decided to go for a hybrid.

I love the look of the Specialized Vita Elite. Now I've found a 2011 model and a 2012 model. Same price but I do like the look of the 2012 colours better. However I'm sure on a forum somewhere yesterday I read the spec has changed for cheaper stuff on the 2012 model - can't find the thread/forum now.

If I list the specs can you tell me if its a big difference - should I get an older model if I can? From what I can see the main frame and forks are the same, but then other stuff like brakes, casettels, deraillieurs, etc are different. I guess stuff like this can be replaced if needed but if the spec on the older model are a lot better I ought to get that one. Thanks for reading.

2011 model;

Frame:Specialized A1 Premium aluminium, fully manipulated tubing, women's compact design, hourglass Speedstays, integrated headset, fender and rack eyelets
Fork:Specialized FACT carbon legs, aluminium crown & steerer, fender eyelets
Front Derailleur:Shimano Altus
Rear Derailleur:Shimano Deore
Shifters:Shimano EF-51, EZ Fire
Chainset:Shimano FCM171
Chainrings:48 x 38 x 28T with chainguard
Bottom Bracket:Sealed cartridge, square taper, 68mm
Cassette:Shimano HG-40, 8-speed, 11-32tChain:KMC Z-51
Pedals:Composite flat pedal
Front Brake:Forged 6061 aluminium, 85mm linear pull with cartridge pads
Rear Brake:Forged 6061 aluminium, 85mm linear pull with cartridge pads
Brake Levers:Shimano EF-51 integrated with shifter
Handlebars:Specialized Expert flat bar, 2014 aluminium, 31.8mm
Stem:Specialized Elite-Set, 3D forged alloy, 4-position adjustable, 4-bolt 31.8mm clamp
Headset:1 1/8" sealed Cr-Mo bearings integrated with headset, 20mm alloy cone spacer with 20mm of spacers
Grips:Body Geometry Women's locking Comfort Grip, open end with plug, alloy bar end
Rims:Alex AS-14, double wall
Front Hub:Forged aluminium, sealed bearing, QR, 32h
Rear Hub:Forged alloy, double-sealed, cassette, Quick Release, 32 hole
Spokes:Stainless 14g
Front Tyre:Specialized All Condition Sport, 700x32c, wire bead, 60TPI with Flak Jacket protection
Rear Tyre:Specialized All Condition Sport, 700x32c, wire bead, 60TPI with Flak Jacket protection
Tubes:Standard presta valve
Saddle:Body Geometry Women's Riva Road, 155mm width
Seatpost:Specialized Sport, alloy, two-bolt clamp, 27.2mm
Seat Binder:Alloy, 31.8mm
Extra Features:Chain stay protector, chain catcher, clips and straps, derailleur hanger, clear coatWeight:Approx. 23.06lbs (10.46kg) for the Medium Size

2012 model;

Frame:Specialized E5 aluminium, fully manipulated women's tubesets, women's fitness geometry, smooth weld, internal cable routing, integrated headset, fender/rack eyelets
Fork:Specialized FACT carbon legs, aluminium crown/steerer, Zertz inserts, fender eyelets
Front Derailleur:Shimano Acera, 31.8mm, top swing
Rear Derailleur:Shimano Alivio, 9-speed
Number of Gears:27
Shifters:Shimano Acera Rapidfire, 9-speed
Chainset:Shimano Acera triple, w/chainguard
Chainrings:48/36/26, w/ chainguard
Bottom Bracket:Sealed cartridge, square taper, 68mm
Cassette:Shimano Alivio, 9-speed, 11-32t
Chain:KMC X9 nickel plate, reusable Missing Link
Pedals:Sirrus pedal, 1.5mm Various Angle, nylon body, symmetric alloy cage, low profile bearing system, toe clip capable
Front Brake:Alloy linear pull
Rear Brake:Alloy linear pullBrake
Levers:Die cast "V"-brake lever, linear pull
Handlebars:Specialized PG flat bar, alloy, 6-degree bend, 31.8mm
Stem:Specialized EliteSet, 3D forged alloy, 12-degree, 4-position adjustable, 4-bolt, 31.8mm clamp
Headset:1-1/8" sealed Cr-Mo Campy style integrated bearings, 15mm alloy cone spacer with 30mm of spacers
Grips:Body Geometry Contour Women's
Rims:Sirrus DRX270, alloy double-wall, pinned, CNC machined, 32h
Front Hub:Forged alloy, sealed, alloy quick release, 32h
Rear Hub:Forged alloy, sealed, cassette, alloy quick release, 32h
Spokes:Stainless 2.0mm
Front Tyre:Specialized Nimbus w/ Flak Jacket, 26 TPI, 700x28c
Rear Tyre:Specialized Nimbus w/ Flak Jacket, 26 TPI, 700x28c
Tubes:Presta
Saddle:Body Geometry Women's Riva, 155mm
Seatpost:Alloy, double bolt, 27.2mm
Seat Binder:Alloy, 31.8mm
Accessories:Derailleur hanger, clear coat, owners manual
Weight:Not Specified

Well done Thistle! On a smaller level, I managed the 200' climb on my route twice last week with 2 kids in trailer, panniers et al without getting off for the first time this year!

It's great to have an active cycling thread on here. For those who are looking at cleats/pedals on my touring bike I had something like the Shimano dual platform pedal which means that I can decide if I want to use cleats or not i.e. cleats during the day and then could wear normal shoes to cycle on in the evening if we went out to dinner without having to change of adjust pedals. Using past tense cause bike was stolen and given that i'm now almost 7-months pregnant I'm not sure when the next touring holiday is going to be (sob)

Fabulous Thistle !

That's great Thistledew You can join the training ride soon then ;-)

(Reading the right page this time...)

Hi all, just back from a quick trip to Devon. It was lovely but I missed my bike . Went for a run this morning, a nice 7 miles and rode to and from the start .

Gutted for Cav

V happy to see Bradley kicking things off tonight but I do hope he went straight home to bed

OK, some info for those who may need it.

Speedplay pedals - v.good and adjustable but can be expensive and fiddly. The cleat is actually the pedal. Require a higher level maintenance imo but if looked after are v.good.

Shorts? Bib or waist, (dis)advantages to each. Assos and Rapha and Castelli both do women- specific shorts (pad and cut are different to mens) but are expensive. Giordana are slightly cheaper. Have a look at Chain Reaction or Wiggle.

Chamois cream a must for longer rides - we use Udderly Smooth. Good but not expensive and doesn't use menthol in the ingredients.

Saddles. Basically 2 sorts. Leather eg Brooks or a shell eg Selle Italia,Terry or Specialized BG. A cut-out is good to relieve pressure on the labia. Saddles are v.specific so try to borrow different models. Some firms have demo models. Too much paddingmay mean you sink into the saddle and this can lead to discomfort. A harder thinner padding may be better.

When trying clipless pedals,find a quiet area eg a large car park and practise clipping/unclipping. Do not get fixated with unclipping one foot as you may find yourself hitting something. If one foot doesn't unclip, try the other foot immediately and start applying the brakes gently.

I bought myself a road bike yesterday having dabbled with a mountain bike for a couple of years. I went out on it today and it was brilliant !! It is light and lovely and I feel really lucky. However I have cycle undershorts already but feel a bit sore - do you think I need to invest in some new shorts ? I feel like I need some with extra level of gel lining but I have no idea if anyone can recommend a pair? My bike saddle didn't feel as if it was quite the right 'angle' but my husband is keen on cycling and good at adjusting bikes so we are going to adjust it tomorrow which may help.

Wanted to join this thread as a beginner to road cycling.

We'll be watching tomorrow on the TV but do have tickets for Box Hill on Sunday... no car parking ticket though so that may be fun!

I will be watching the start on the telly, and then hoping the wedding I'm going to (2pm) is all over for the end so DH and I can dash back to the car/find a quiet corner to see if we can stream the finish on his phone! Thankfully we're going to the service and the party but not the reception in between so there's time to squeal and run around all overexicted if (when?!?!) Cav wins and then calm down somewhat before having to behave in polite company again

I'm driving down from Glasgow with dh and cycle mad ds tomorrow to stay with a MNer who lives on the route so that we can watch the road race!

A long way to go for a couple of minutes as they zoom by

I'm desperate to watch the road race on Saturday, but I'm at a wedding! DH and I are making plans for running out of the service as soon as we can to find out what's going on. Wedding is at 2pm so hopefully we can try to stream the end over the phone... or find a shop selling TVs!

Sorry!

I went out with my new pedals last night. And I didn't fall off and I didn't have to get off and walk up the hills (though it might have been quicker) and I went zooming down the downhill bits and I LOVE MY BIKE It's been ages since I went that far, but 18 miles at an average of 13mph is not too bad for a porky woman who's never used clipless pedals before I think.

Evilgiraffe and was it ok? Slightly worried it is 2 days later and you haven't reported back!

Think I'm sadly going to have to swap my clipless pedals for normal ones. I had thought it was a difficult job for some reason but DH informs me it is easy as we have a pedal wrench.

Anyone having trouble with cyclying on sticky tarmac in heat. DH went out yesterday on his fancy pants Planet X time trial bike, and had to literally pull chunks of melted tarmac off it when he got back. Thought he was going to cry (it's debateable whether he would save the bike or me and DS in a fire first!)

Looking forward to the olympic road races at the weekend - has anyone got tickets or going to watch?

Thanks everyone! I have now tested out my shoes and shiny new pedals while wobbling from one wall to another in my hallway - I think it's going to be okay. I'll have a ride on them tomorrow and report back!

Evilgiraffe - re: cleats. If you are going for straightforward SPD cleats (rather than road bike ones) then you can adjust the amount of tension in them with an allen key on either side of the pedal - just loosen them off. For some reason all the ones I've ever bought seem to be set to max tension as default.

Don't release so much tension that you have to twist your ankle too much though - you might want to keep adjusting while practising leaning up against a wall to find the right level for you.

They're sooooo much better when you get used to them (and it won't take long at all). I have my children in a bike trailer and I am sure I would not get up the hill to our house if I didn't wear clipless pedals.

Orange glasses for dusk, clear for dark - I have prescription inserts so if intending to be out through dusk I'll often just go for clear all the way.

mountaingirl You're very lucky to be somewhere with 800m ascent! (and only a max of 9% would be nice too) Descending - get low so your center of gravity is lower, this makes cornering much more secure, so use the drops on your handlebars - if you can't reach the brakes in that position get some shims for them so you can. The drops also mean a bump or similar cannot knock your hands from the bars.

Then it's just very relaxed and practice, following someone who knows the lines to take and just follow them nice and relaxed.

Hi evil giraffe. You might have seen my posts earlier re clipped in pedals. Think the key is practice whilst leaning against the wall, don't be afraid to fall and clip out before you brake.

To that end I've got a question for le peleton .... I've now got clip less pedals, but do you think I can ride on them just wearing my trainers rather than cleats? Because I don't think falling off whilst pregnant is a good idea ....

Hello! I've had a road bike for a few months now and I love it almost beyond all reason. It's so much more fun than any bike I've had previously - shockingly fast acceleration and I can get up to a decent speed too. I'm trying to ride as much as possible as I really need to lose weight, so doing exercise that is also fun is probably a good idea.

DH is very much a "get all the proper equipment" sort of guy, so we're both kitted out in lycra - going commando in padded shorts on a hard saddle definitely works! Marge - yes it is like a giant sanitary towel at first, but the more you wear it the better it fits, and in any case when you're on the bike it doesn't feel like that at all - just while walking! Think of it as motivation to stay on the bike? I'm a good deal overweight so not speaking from the point of view of a pro cyclist by any stretch, if that's at all useful.

My bike is getting shiny new cleat pedals this week - they're mountain biking easy-escape type ones as I've never tried cleats before. Does anyone have any advice for getting used to riding clipped-in? I'm a bit scared!