Cheshire Traithlon, May 22nd

[Deleted User]

Dave The Ex- Spartan wrote (see)

Royles in Wilmslow have just opened a new shop to cover swimming and running (next door to Starbucks) They have an endless pool where you can try wetsuits out and they take a range to Salford

 Useful to know, Dave - thanks. It will have to wait until later this summer for me though. However, I am off to pick up my new road bike this evening *bounce bounce*

Big Al The Outlaw

Cheers Dave, will get down there when it comes to purchasing. Sounds like a good option that.

Dave The Iron Ex- Spartan

Gives you the chance to try a few different ones out. And of course provide entertainment for everyone who can see the pool

Think Tri Central over by the Trafford centre still have a pool but only do coaching, they have stopped selling gear

Big Al The Outlaw

Like a zoo for incompetent swimmers?!!

What bike you getting Frodo?

[Deleted User]

It's a 2nd hand, entry level one for midgets  A Specialized Dolce

Dave The Iron Ex- Spartan

The hours dvd taken at Tri-Central of me in the endless pool is buried beneath my stash of porn dvds !!!

Big Al The Outlaw

Wilmslow is easy enough to get to. When you say they take a range to Salford do you mean at the water centre?

[Deleted User]

Frodo - I have a Dolce Sport!

EDIT: Oh and I am a midget too but with relatively long legs

Dave The Iron Ex- Spartan

So I understand Al...  I haven't been to Salford this year, and to be honest didn't read the sign up in the shop the other week when I was in there.

Give them a buzz  Royles they are all really helpful

Big Al The Outlaw

Whatever turns you on Dave

[Deleted User]

Parklife wrote (see)

Frodo - I have a Dolce Sport!

EDIT: Oh and I am a midget too but with relatively long legs

Snap! Have gone with the 51cm frame and we'll see how it works out - what size frame is yours? And  on another thread, someone said they had found the Specialized brakes to be a bit naff - how have you found them?

 *bounce bounce*

Big Al The Outlaw

Nice Frodo, just remember it's not about the bike, it's about the person on it

I'll probably see them at Salford Dave, failing that I'll give them a ring when it comes to purchasing.

Big Al The Outlaw

Frodo, once you've got your frame you can always change the components you're not happy with.

Soup Dragon

Frodo - I've got a Dolce Elite.  I love it but the I agree the brakes don't seem brilliant but I've nothing to compare with apart from my hybrid which feels completely different.  Thats one reason why I'm so sh*t scared going downhill on it.

Al - can I just take it to a bike shop for different brakes on then?  Stupid question I know. I always thought it was just that racing bikes had crapper brakes than hybrids.

Dave The Iron Ex- Spartan

Get you LBS to look at your brakes and suggest what might be wrong..Could be knackered brake pads or just badly adjusted

Big Al The Outlaw

SD, your first port of call should be to get your bike serviced (yes, it needs servicing just like your car) or at the very least get your cables checked. If they're worn then they'll have a load of slack in them which can make them spongy. Your actual brake blocks shouldn't really be a factor until you get into the top end which you don't need unless your an elite rider or have more money than sense. What you can do though is put some decent brake pads in, I use Swisstop Flash Pro Green which are £24.99 on Wiggle but you get 4 pads for that (they are marked up for left and right and front and back, get this right, it's essential!) you may find them cheaper. You'll need to check if they'll fit your blocks, mine are shimano 105 but u can ask wiggle if u need to. You could always put new blocks on if you really wanted to but you shouldn't need to, if you do though then they're not that expensive and Swisstop do their own or you could get shimano 105's. Once you've got new pads then you need to set them up so that they are right next to the rim but don't skim it at all when you spin the wheel. That way you'll have braking resistance as soon as you apply. The pads I use are great in the wet and dry and have served me well, even on a 45mph descent!!!! If you don't feel confident doing that yourself then your local bike shop will do it for you, just don't let them convince you that you need all kinds of fancy bits and bobs. Once everything has been adjusted then you need to get out somewhere safe for an easy ride to get used to the sensitivity. and finally..... I'm afraid the only way to get more confident on a desecent is to do as many as you can!! It's always better to be cautious than arrogant!! Trust me

Big Al The Outlaw

SD, £20.99 with £1 postage.

They do different colours for different types of rims/ riding. Yellow are the top end ones, mainly for carbon rims but are also ok for alloy but retail at over £40 for two!!!

Green are the next level down and are perfect for alloy rims.

Up to you though, see what other people think as mine is only one opinion.

http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/105/92006_04_04/swissstop-flash-pro-insert-pads-green-shimano-2-pairs.html

P.S. they don't look vibrant green as in the picture, they are much darker 

[Deleted User]

I think a trip to my LBS will be in order next week. The problem is I don't know where my best LBS is - I'm in South Manchester, any recommendations guys?

Big Al The Outlaw

Just do a google search for a bike shop south Manchester Frodo and see which one is nearest to you.

I would definitely get it serviced if it's 2nd hand. Any idea how much use it's had? May need a new chain and maybe more of the drive components if it's had a lot of use but this is expensive and would only need replacing if the bike has been abused/ done a lot of miles.

Dave The Iron Ex- Spartan

Royles in Wilmslow Frodo

[Deleted User]

They say it's only been ridden five times - I'll know more when I collect tonight. Whether it's done 50 miles or 500, it is still a bargainous price for the make and model

Looks like I'm going to get myself known in Royles over the next year, Dave

JPenno

Dave The Ex- Spartan wrote (see)

Gives you the chance to try a few different ones out. And of course provide entertainment for everyone who can see the pool

Think Tri Central over by the Trafford centre still have a pool but only do coaching, they have stopped selling gear

Dave - not sure they are doing anything - last I heard the receivers had been called in and the premises closed

http://www.tritalk.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1231463

Big Al The Outlaw

Frodo, the person selling the bike will always say it's done less mileage than it actually has but at least it doesn't sound like it's been hammered. As you say, you'll know when you collect it if they're lying. I would definitely still get it looked at though either way and they'll prob help you with setting up your rider position too.

Dave The Iron Ex- Spartan

Cheers JP.. One of my club mates has been doing some freelance coaching over there, But as I've missed the last couple of Manley Session I hadn't been able to ask him, Suppose with Matt's expanding empire in Wilmslow things would have been getting tighter

Soup Dragon

Thanks for the brakes advice Al.  Will check it all out - ta!  

I love the help available on this  forum - even if does end up with supid thoughts of racing stupid distances.

Ironholgs

Got both my wetsuit and my bike from Royles, great shop and customer service.

Big Al The Outlaw

Seems like the place to go then.

Anytime SD, nice to be able to offer some advice for a change

Dave The Iron Ex- Spartan

Graham there built my new bike there last year.. I really am not worthy of it, But looks great for pose value

Ironholgs

I particulary like the basket he has on the front and the kick stand.

Dave The Iron Ex- Spartan

Where else would I keep my sarnies ????