Snake Pass?
Cycling log - random events in the day of a cyclist II
- Thread starter PhilofCas
- Start date
The Woodhead I'd think more likely for Glossop. Could of course be both, as a loop. Snake is full of motorcyclists though.
Depends which end of Sheffield you are riding from. Woodhead Pass doesn’t actually go to Glossop, which is a bit of a drawback
It does however go to Tintwistle and Hadfield, and you can spit to Glossop from there.Depends which end of Sheffield you are riding from. Woodhead Pass doesn’t actually go to Glossop, which is a bit of a drawback
SteveG
pfm Member
It won't help for today but Planet-X are often a good option for cheap but decent riding gear and they've been probably the quickest company I've used for deliveries during lockdown. They own the Holdsworth brand and are doing some decent kit with their colour schemes. I've got one of the short sleeved tops but there is a long sleeved one as well: https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CLHPROCLS/holdsworth-pro-cycling-club-long-sleeve-jersey
SteveG
pfm Member
They can vary hugely and I've ordered stuff in the past that's been way out. The Planet-X stuff I've had (and a lot of my winter roadie gear is from them) has been fine. Rapha and Castelli sizing also seems ok for me - I'm a large in both of those, but some other manufacturers "large" cycling gear seems more like a "small".
Tony Lockhart
Avoiding Stress, at Every Opportunity
Regular clothing sizes are far from correct in my experience.
Need a bit of advice from cycling fishes, I bought one of these second hand yesterday:
https://archive.trekbikes.com/us/en/2014/Trek/7_2_fx#/us/en/2014/Trek/7_2_fx/details
It's in good condition and feels comfortable. However it's only one or two rings up the trek ladder and surprisingly, given its frame is aluminium, is quite heavy ( it has mudguards, lock and rack, all of which I need).
Any advise on a value for money improvement I can make? Either to save weight or to make it markedly better. I don't want to spend a lot for now but would be happy to spend a bit to make a difference.
https://archive.trekbikes.com/us/en/2014/Trek/7_2_fx#/us/en/2014/Trek/7_2_fx/details
It's in good condition and feels comfortable. However it's only one or two rings up the trek ladder and surprisingly, given its frame is aluminium, is quite heavy ( it has mudguards, lock and rack, all of which I need).
Any advise on a value for money improvement I can make? Either to save weight or to make it markedly better. I don't want to spend a lot for now but would be happy to spend a bit to make a difference.
Tony Lockhart
Avoiding Stress, at Every Opportunity
At six years old, I’d just spend money on it when needed. The frame and wheels will define the weight, and without spending quite a few squids, you’re stuck with that weight. Maybe fit lighter, narrower tyres, if they’ll suit the riding.
SteveG
pfm Member
I'd tend to agree. If it was mine I probably would upgrade the drivetrain, but only because I already have parts I could use as the gearing range is likely to be ok for commuting. A lot of weight will come from the likes of the wheels and the steel forks, but upgrading those wouldn't be cheap.
Changing the tyres is a good shout and the one other area I'd consider is the brakes. I've had bikes come with Tektro brakes on before and really not been impressed with them, so have replaced them pretty quickly. While decent brake pads can make a big difference, so might changing to something like Shimano Tiagra.
SteveG
pfm Member
Based on the experience so far with 1x10 and 1x11 I reckon I'd need to go a 1x12 system on my Epic (with something like a 38 up front and the 10-50 cassette) as it's the one bike where the the lesser range of a 1x10 or 1x11 system would be an issue. Moving it to 1x12 would be quite expensive though as I could re-use much of the existing kit (and it's on a nice XTR drivetrain at the moment) - not even the brakes as it's currently using a set of Shimano's combined brake & shift levers. I think I'd also have to change the rear wheel, so most likely it'll be sticking with 3x9.
I think my Enduro would be good as 1x11 so that is likely to be might next upgrade project.
cctaylor
pfm Member
I moved my main bike in the garage on Tuesday and was dismayed to hear a tinkling from the rear wheel. A spoke has snapped. These wheels were hand built by Spa Cycles back in 2013. A quick email to Spa and I had a reply in a few minutes to confirm the spec and length.
I've done about 4000 miles and carried some heavy loads of shopping on the panniers, so that doesn't seem too bad. I did once have the chain come off when climbing and the location of the break might suggest that this had damaged spoke.
Hopefully the wheel will come good when the new spoke is fitted.
I've done about 4000 miles and carried some heavy loads of shopping on the panniers, so that doesn't seem too bad. I did once have the chain come off when climbing and the location of the break might suggest that this had damaged spoke.
Hopefully the wheel will come good when the new spoke is fitted.
Yep, no one really cycles on the Woodhead Pass really, it is not very pleasant. The classics loop from Sheffield is to head over to Holme Moss & drop onto Woodhead for a few hundred yards before heading onto the snake via Crowden.
It is not too bad cycling back along the Woodhead pass from the Junction of Holme Moss but you wouldn’t do the whole road.
Out on the Snake pass is actually pretty flat until the end but, I do find the climb out of Glossop a grind though.
For clothing, particularly shorts, I recommend you go to the Assos outlet (it comes under ‘Swiss Iconic’). You can usually get bib shorts for circa £100, I know that is not cheap but they last far longer than others I’ve had. You will get 5 seasons out of their shorts, top quality stuff.
Yes this is the other problem, I have stuff in L, XL and even a couple of XXL shirts.
@SteveG I'm surprised at Castelli, they are the most common I've seen for "order two sizes above, designed for short Italian racing snakes" type comments, I had my eye on a pair of their bibs but all the reviews put me off.