Strava cyclists TFF

Renaultman

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Darlington
Quick bump, and thanks to all who have joined to date. I have made everyone admin so you we can all adapt the group as it finds it feet. Harvest probably wasn't the best time to start this but hey ho the TDF is on so cycling is on our minds.
 

Exfarmer

Member
Location
Bury St Edmunds
If anyone is considering buying a bike , find a shop who will sell you a properly fitted one.
Too many bike shops, some with considerable reputation will sell you what they have in stock rather than what you need.
If you have the money I would say go carbon, but the old timers all pay good money for steel .
Alloy is a good compromise for weight against cost.
Fitting is more important thsn all other considerations, so if it is not in stock , they will order what you need.
Ribble bikes on the internet for most, are very good as they will build a bike to your order to fit you with very precise measuring instructions. You will need a partner who you are comfortable measuring you in the nether regions:)
A good saddle is important and those thin racing saddles will be a lot better thsn a big squshy one. But the right one!
 

mrs mtx

Member
Location
Pembrokeshire
If anyone is considering buying a bike , find a shop who will sell you a properly fitted one.
Too many bike shops, some with considerable reputation will sell you what they have in stock rather than what you need.
If you have the money I would say go carbon, but the old timers all pay good money for steel .
Alloy is a good compromise for weight against cost.
Fitting is more important thsn all other considerations, so if it is not in stock , they will order what you need.
Ribble bikes on the internet for most, are very good as they will build a bike to your order to fit you with very precise measuring instructions. You will need a partner who you are comfortable measuring you in the nether regions:)
A good saddle is important and those thin racing saddles will be a lot better thsn a big squshy one. But the right one!
That's the problem I've having at the moment, salesman trying to sell me what he wants me to spend and not necessarily what I need or what's right :banghead:
 

mrs mtx

Member
Location
Pembrokeshire
My best 2 bikes came in boxes from the internet A Kona and a Rose. As said though don't be fobbed off with what the LBS has in stock.
I don't really know where to start :unsure:

I run, currently at half marathon distance but I'm doing the London marathon in April so I want to Cycle More to help me cross train with the possibility of maybe doing some duathlons but not overly competitive.

I am competitive with myself trying to beat my own goals but not to botnered on beating other people.

I just want something light and comfortable to do 20 + ish miles maybe once a week etc to help my fitness.

My LBS recommended the giant liv aspire 2 in XS as I'm 5ft 1 with short stumpy legs (y)

They also mentioned a daws giro 300 but quickly moved on as it was half the price :cautious:

Anybody have any other recommendations, do's or donts etc? I have no idea when it comes to bikes (y)
 

Robt

Member
Location
Suffolk
Go to a good bike shop ( the one everyone raves about on twitter etc) tell them you know nothing. We have an excellent one in Suffolk called pedal power. Give them an idea of budget. Test ride a few..... bikes are great... keen cyclists are twits but bike rides are salt of earth ! Think you get what I mean
Edit, the internet won't set the bike up for you, it may fit you but it won't be set for your posture which will change over time....
Edit 2..... can't believe the word T. W. a. t is classified as offensive hence autocorrect....
 

Exfarmer

Member
Location
Bury St Edmunds
Sizing is all about inner leg measurement.
I am 5'7" and ride an XS, hence the need for intimate measuring. The sit bone is even more so but can be done on a special piece of paper.
Even Halfords actually sell a good range of bikes , in their Chris Boardman range. However as with so many of these shops it will be down to luck if they have anyone who knows anything when you go in.
If you find your measurements, their are good guides on the Ribble site, it is well worth considering buying a second hand good make off Ebay. I did this purchasing an Alloy specialised road bike, which I sold for similar money a few months later.
Trek, Canyon, Giant, Boardman, Specialised, Ribble are all good, others may add a few more to list. However if you buy second hand , do make sure there are no cracks anywhere in the frame or forks before riding off. It will probably do with a good service too. Chain, rear Cassette brake blocks, this can easily come too £100 at a good bike shop.
Then as Robt says it is a matter of getting the bike set to your profile.
One thing is that lock in pedals are well worth using, but take a bit of getting used to. I like SPDs as they are very easy to unlock and you can still walk in the shoes.
 

mrs mtx

Member
Location
Pembrokeshire
Sizing is all about inner leg measurement.
I am 5'7" and ride an XS, hence the need for intimate measuring. The sit bone is even more so but can be done on a special piece of paper.
Even Halfords actually sell a good range of bikes , in their Chris Boardman range. However as with so many of these shops it will be down to luck if they have anyone who knows anything when you go in.
If you find your measurements, their are good guides on the Ribble site, it is well worth considering buying a second hand good make off Ebay. I did this purchasing an Alloy specialised road bike, which I sold for similar money a few months later.
Trek, Canyon, Giant, Boardman, Specialised, Ribble are all good, others may add a few more to list. However if you buy second hand , do make sure there are no cracks anywhere in the frame or forks before riding off. It will probably do with a good service too. Chain, rear Cassette brake blocks, this can easily come too £100 at a good bike shop.
Then as Robt says it is a matter of getting the bike set to your profile.
One thing is that lock in pedals are well worth using, but take a bit of getting used to. I like SPDs as they are very easy to unlock and you can still walk in the shoes.
Thank you :)
The thought of lock in pedals do scare me :nailbiting:
I'm guessing they make quite a difference though?
Can you get shoes to run in after or Ian it purely changing in to trainers?

I've been practising brick sessions on my mountain bike where you go from cycling to running so your legs get used to the feeling for a duathlon....started off like I was running through sand but soon got used to it :sneaky:
 

tinsheet

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
West Somerset
Lock in deals make a hell of a difference, but do take some getting used to, you will topple over at a set of traffic lights or a junction, and you feel a right wally, :wacky:
Get a bike fit will help alot! Good luck.
 

Dr Evil

Member
Location
Ceredigion
I went for MTB clip in pedals- which have a bit more flex/movement in them, unclip a bit easier, and the shoes are easier to walk in. I also have a road and a MTB and am too much of a Cardi to buy two pairs of shoes.
 

Renaultman

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Darlington
I don't really know where to start :unsure:

I run, currently at half marathon distance but I'm doing the London marathon in April so I want to Cycle More to help me cross train with the possibility of maybe doing some duathlons but not overly competitive.

I am competitive with myself trying to beat my own goals but not to botnered on beating other people.

I just want something light and comfortable to do 20 + ish miles maybe once a week etc to help my fitness.

My LBS recommended the giant liv aspire 2 in XS as I'm 5ft 1 with short stumpy legs (y)

They also mentioned a daws giro 300 but quickly moved on as it was half the price :cautious:

Anybody have any other recommendations, do's or donts etc? I have no idea when it comes to bikes (y)
I went for MTB clip in pedals- which have a bit more flex/movement in them, unclip a bit easier, and the shoes are easier to walk in. I also have a road and a MTB and am too much of a Cardi to buy two pairs of shoes.
I have the two pairs, I prefer the mtb ones and have them on my CX. I do find on very long rides I get pains in my feet that I don't get with the roadies.
Back to bike fits, I have had a couple but normally end up making minor adjustments myself.If I get the right frame size and pedal length I normally just make adjustments till it feels right.
We need to bare in mind that Mrs MTX is looking at doing 20 mile rides not back to back tons.
My current favourite bike is my cyclo cross. Nobblier tyres make it very sure footed and I can use the old railway lines and bridleways, annoying the dog walkers while leaving the motorists alone.
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

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  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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