Went in to Aldi to see if they had any car seat covers left from last week (thinking ahead to next muddy trip to the Borders). They didn't - but they did have a few HRMs left @ £12.99.
Seem like a bargain - wireless chest strap, preset and custom training zones, time in/out zone reporting, out of training zone alarms, stopwatch, clock, fitness calcs, etc etc - most of the stuff that quite expensive HRMs do at a fraction of the price.
Purchase was justified a few days later when I did a static bike session in a hotel gym while away on business. This is usually quite a heartless, difficult to motivate activity, but the HRM was really useful at making me work harder than I would have done otherwise.
This will also help me make more practical use of the "Mountain Bike Fitness Training" book as much of this is couched in terms of training zones.
Showing posts with label Gear. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gear. Show all posts
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Smart BL201 Twin Headlamp System
Since the clocks changed it has been difficult to get out sharpish on weekends due to the darkness. I'm not keen to ride in the dark, but it would be handy to get out in the gloom so I'm well under way when the sun comes up. And I do need to try some off road at night to see if I'd want to attempt the night sections of the TransUK events.
After a good deal of searching around, I have just sniped a Smart BL201 Twin Headlamp System on Ebay for £25. Seems a good deal as they are openly on sale for £45-60 elsewhere.
These have a 2.4W lamp and a 10W lamp, both halogen. The idea is that the 2.4W should be ample for road riding to get to somewhere and has pretty long battery life, the 10W entry-level ok for off-road if I need it.
Will report back once they've been road tested.
After a good deal of searching around, I have just sniped a Smart BL201 Twin Headlamp System on Ebay for £25. Seems a good deal as they are openly on sale for £45-60 elsewhere.
These have a 2.4W lamp and a 10W lamp, both halogen. The idea is that the 2.4W should be ample for road riding to get to somewhere and has pretty long battery life, the 10W entry-level ok for off-road if I need it.
Will report back once they've been road tested.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
New Toys Update
Now that I've had time to fit/use my birthday presents:
Track Pump. Excellent. Had a 40psi target in mind but based on previous use of mini pump with no guauge (at the limit of its/my abilities) turns out rear was 30psi and front only 25! Handful of up-downs and they're both up to spec.
Computer. Mmmh - not very happy with my pals at Specialized right now. Asked for and was given the "Turbo Elite" - wireless computer (wired cadence). First off, the manual is miniscule (50x90mm) with 6pt type and tiny illustrations. I don't know if the illustrations show anything useful - like which part of the sensors are actually supposed to line up with the magnets?
Then there's practicality - magnets and sensors are supposed to be within 1-2mm of each other. On a mountain bike, off-road, and with them all attached with cable ties? How the *%$! are you supposed to attach smooth plastic things to other smooth metal things with a hard plastic tie that has a ratchet mechanism - and keep it all in place within 1mm on a mountain bike?
Finally, there's the cadence setup. Unfortunately, my Specialized bike doesn't have enough room between the Specialized chainstay and the Specialized crank arm for the Specialized cadence sensor and Specialized cadence magnet to fit. So it has to go on an angle on the bend of the chainstay - with cable ties - so it's always liable to slip round the bend. Aren't we all.
Need to find somewhere at Specialized to rant to about this.
Hydration Pack. Great. Lack of bite valve might mean its a bit trickier to use in the saddle, but I think that is just practice. The tube routes nicely through the shoulder strap and clips to the side. With 2l bladder installed, there's still room inside for tube, multitool, waterproof, pump and a little more.
Rear Crud Catcher. It catches the crud, but the bracket design has created a Catch 22 for me. Because of the angle it sits at - and my short leggies meaning my seat post doesn't sit that high - the bracket has to clamp to the very top of the seat post under the saddle. That means my pre-existing saddle pack can't attach there too. I could drop the crud catcher a bit and make the actual guard sit at a more acute angle - but that would prevent me ever dropping the saddle. For now will just try to use the hydration pack instead of saddle pack.
Clothes. All good :)
Track Pump. Excellent. Had a 40psi target in mind but based on previous use of mini pump with no guauge (at the limit of its/my abilities) turns out rear was 30psi and front only 25! Handful of up-downs and they're both up to spec.
Computer. Mmmh - not very happy with my pals at Specialized right now. Asked for and was given the "Turbo Elite" - wireless computer (wired cadence). First off, the manual is miniscule (50x90mm) with 6pt type and tiny illustrations. I don't know if the illustrations show anything useful - like which part of the sensors are actually supposed to line up with the magnets?
Then there's practicality - magnets and sensors are supposed to be within 1-2mm of each other. On a mountain bike, off-road, and with them all attached with cable ties? How the *%$! are you supposed to attach smooth plastic things to other smooth metal things with a hard plastic tie that has a ratchet mechanism - and keep it all in place within 1mm on a mountain bike?
Finally, there's the cadence setup. Unfortunately, my Specialized bike doesn't have enough room between the Specialized chainstay and the Specialized crank arm for the Specialized cadence sensor and Specialized cadence magnet to fit. So it has to go on an angle on the bend of the chainstay - with cable ties - so it's always liable to slip round the bend. Aren't we all.
Need to find somewhere at Specialized to rant to about this.
Hydration Pack. Great. Lack of bite valve might mean its a bit trickier to use in the saddle, but I think that is just practice. The tube routes nicely through the shoulder strap and clips to the side. With 2l bladder installed, there's still room inside for tube, multitool, waterproof, pump and a little more.
Rear Crud Catcher. It catches the crud, but the bracket design has created a Catch 22 for me. Because of the angle it sits at - and my short leggies meaning my seat post doesn't sit that high - the bracket has to clamp to the very top of the seat post under the saddle. That means my pre-existing saddle pack can't attach there too. I could drop the crud catcher a bit and make the actual guard sit at a more acute angle - but that would prevent me ever dropping the saddle. For now will just try to use the hydration pack instead of saddle pack.
Clothes. All good :)
Sunday, September 03, 2006
New Toys
Today was my 46th birthday - the impending (now arrived) landmark that triggered this whole idea.
My wish list was pretty much MTB centric and so the gear collection has a few new additions:
Track Pump. I want to experiment with getting those bigger tyres up to higher pressures. Looking down when I ride, seems to me my back tyre is quite squished even when pumped as much as I can get it with my mini pump, but now I'll be able to see what pressure they're running at and see if I can/should go higher.
Computer. Wanted wireless and wanted cadence, but both together is v expensive, so got wireless with wired cadence. I find it hard to believe that MTB'ers really achieve the kind of cadence I keep seeing quoted as ideal - I can hardly do them on easy gearing on a static bike - but now I'll be able to see.
Hydration Pack. Reeled at the price of CamelBaks, etc then saw this item in Tesco. 2l bladder + 4l storage, main internal + two external zipped + net storage. Push/pull (not bite) valve. How much? wait for it .... £9.50 !!!!
Rear Crud Catcher. stop those muddy lines up the spine.
Bike Clothes. A "proper" biking jersey from my sister, plus two technical fabric tops (Nike and Quicksilver) I found in TK Max for £15 each. Not clear what sport they're designed for but they're lightweight wicking fabric with a bike-style cut and ventilation panels.
Update: You might like to see the update on these items after fitting and first use.
My wish list was pretty much MTB centric and so the gear collection has a few new additions:
Track Pump. I want to experiment with getting those bigger tyres up to higher pressures. Looking down when I ride, seems to me my back tyre is quite squished even when pumped as much as I can get it with my mini pump, but now I'll be able to see what pressure they're running at and see if I can/should go higher.
Computer. Wanted wireless and wanted cadence, but both together is v expensive, so got wireless with wired cadence. I find it hard to believe that MTB'ers really achieve the kind of cadence I keep seeing quoted as ideal - I can hardly do them on easy gearing on a static bike - but now I'll be able to see.
Hydration Pack. Reeled at the price of CamelBaks, etc then saw this item in Tesco. 2l bladder + 4l storage, main internal + two external zipped + net storage. Push/pull (not bite) valve. How much? wait for it .... £9.50 !!!!
Rear Crud Catcher. stop those muddy lines up the spine.
Bike Clothes. A "proper" biking jersey from my sister, plus two technical fabric tops (Nike and Quicksilver) I found in TK Max for £15 each. Not clear what sport they're designed for but they're lightweight wicking fabric with a bike-style cut and ventilation panels.
Update: You might like to see the update on these items after fitting and first use.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
The Bike
I've been riding a fully rigid Specialized HardRock Sport since something like 1994 ... yes, the same one. I guess I secretly enjoyed being old skool hardcore - certainly it was the only rigid I ever saw at the trail centres over recent years - but mainly I was caught in the catch 22 of not riding enough to justify a new bike, or was I not riding as much because of the old bike?
Finally bit the bullet a couple of months ago to break the viscous cycle (that's like a viscious cycle, only thicker).
Did my research into bikes around £500 and recent magazine comparisons led me to believe the GT XTC SE was the best value for money around this price point. Would have preferred a Spesh, but was determined to buy with my head not my heart.
As fate would have it , went along to my local bike shop (Giant and Specialized dealers) to see if I could ride the XTC and they didn't have one. However, they did just happen to have a Specialized Rockhopper Disc in my size ...
Came back home to check the reviews and it became clear that the basic Rockhopper beat the XTC in every department ... except that it had V-brakes rather than discs, which add £100 to the price. Once LBS made that problem go away it was a no-brainer.
So there it is:
But has it broken the cycle (the viscous one, not the wheeled one)?
It sure has! It's been the stimulus to regular riding, trying trails furhter afield, and even some boring grunt-style training runs ... and this TransRockies idea. Not sure this model is up to the actual TR, but we'll see.
Finally bit the bullet a couple of months ago to break the viscous cycle (that's like a viscious cycle, only thicker).
Did my research into bikes around £500 and recent magazine comparisons led me to believe the GT XTC SE was the best value for money around this price point. Would have preferred a Spesh, but was determined to buy with my head not my heart.
As fate would have it , went along to my local bike shop (Giant and Specialized dealers) to see if I could ride the XTC and they didn't have one. However, they did just happen to have a Specialized Rockhopper Disc in my size ...
Came back home to check the reviews and it became clear that the basic Rockhopper beat the XTC in every department ... except that it had V-brakes rather than discs, which add £100 to the price. Once LBS made that problem go away it was a no-brainer.
So there it is:
- Frame :A1 Premium Aluminium, double butted front triangle with ORE DT, externally machined HT, frame designed for 100mm travel fork, forged drop outs with replaceable 06 derailleur hanger and reinforced disc mount, disc only
- Rear Shock :None
- Fork :Rock Shox J3SL, 100mm travel, 1-1/8" 7050 alloy steerer, adjustable rebound damping with lock out and preload adjustment, 13-17" "standard"/19-23" "stiff" coil spring.
- Headset :1 1/8" threadless
- Stem :Alloy 7 degree rise, TIG-welded, 4-bolt face plate
- Handlebars :Specialized butted XC rise, 6 degree upsweep, 8 degree backsweep, 640mm width
- Grips :Specialized Enduro, dual density
- Front Brake :Avid Juicy 5, hydraulic disc, 160mm Polygon rotor
- Rear Brake :Avid Juicy 5, hydraulic disc, 160mm Polygon rotor
- Brake Levers :Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic
- Front Derailleur :Shimano Deore, 34.9mm clamp, top swing, dual pull
- Rear Derailleur :Shimano LX, SGS cage, standard spring
- Shift Levers :Shimano Deore, 9-speed
- Cassette :SRAM PG-950 11-34t
- Chain :SRAM PC 951, 9-speed with Power Link
- Crankset :Shimano Hollowtech Octalink
- Chainrings :22S/32S/44A
- Bottom Bracket :Shimano BB-ES30, 68x113mm
- Pedals :Alloy 1 piece
- Rims :Mavic XM-117 disc, 26", 32 hole
- Front Hub :Specialized disc, with machined disc mount and hi-low flange 32 hole
- Rear Hub :Shimano 475 disc, 32 hole
- Spokes :1.8mm black stainless, brass nipples
- Front Tyre :Specialized Fast Trak 26x2.0", 60 TPI, Aramid bead, dual compound
- Rear Tyre :Specialized Fast Trak 26x2.0", 60 TPI, Aramid bead, dual compound
- Tubes :Specialized schraeder valve
- Saddle :Specialized Body Geometry Sport MTB, semi light foam
- Seat Post :Alloy 30.9mmx350/400mm, micro adjust
- Seat Binder :Alloy collar with Q/R
- Notes :Chain stay protector, reflectors, clear coat, owners manual
But has it broken the cycle (the viscous one, not the wheeled one)?
It sure has! It's been the stimulus to regular riding, trying trails furhter afield, and even some boring grunt-style training runs ... and this TransRockies idea. Not sure this model is up to the actual TR, but we'll see.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
