TopFuel

Woohoo, race day is just around the corner. I cannot wait to get out onto that course an absolutely smash it wide open. One of my absolute favourite races on the calender. The view over Chappies is something to behold. Good luck to everyone involved. I think a good solid week of training with maybe a 4 day taper will be good enough. I hope the weather holds out, it would be a shocker if it decides to rain or the wind pumps.

That's where you said it. The title is "EPIC TOO EASY" for goodness sake.

That Cannondale is a fantastic option. A top drawer frame with reasonably good components. Get it, you won't be disappointed.

Better frame always. Components can be upgraded over time and wont necessarily give you as much performance improvement compared to your frame. Good geometry and a correct fit is much more helpful than having Ultegra vs. 105

The website above will do that for me, using mathematical models that they have calculated over thousands of cyclists, not just one (which is statistically speaking, irrelevant).

Actually, the do control for those variables in studies. By using the same athlete, in the same conditions, using the same equipment, doing the same test, you can easily control for a single, specific variable and calculate a meaningful and statistically relevant result. No scientific test is 100% accurate, most work to within a 95% confidence interval, and aim to get that interval as tight as possible, as well as using other statistical tests to show benefit or harm. Also, frankly extraneous variables like line choice are fairly obvious and actually play little role in determining how fast an athlete will go depending on the controlled variable, within the context of a laboratory study, where such variables do not exist.

I agree with jcza. Anecdotally, I would say that better power to weight will show as increased speed more on uphill sections where wind resistance plays less of a role. It will no doubt improve your speed on the flats as well, but will probably be more noticeable on the up hills. Especially considering the not so insurmountable force that is aero resistance.

Absolute rubbish. Of course you can (and thus do) have a myriad of studies conducted on the cycling population. It is actually quite easy to control for a specific variable if you have the understanding of the physiology of exercise and a carefully thought out hypothesis in mind. People like Dr. Jeroen Swart, Prof. Tim Noakes and Dr. Ross Tucker have built their careers on the studies that you claim cannot be conducted.

27 days to go, ladies and gentlemen. How is your training coming along?

I think that's a glitch. According to my Garmin data, there are sections that reach +- 20%, for a few meters. But overall 10.5km @ 8.3%.

The gear shifting is probably a case of adjusting tension using the barrel adjuster. The cable stretch will need the same process to happen in 2 weeks time. Other than that, a correct fit and position of all controls is a good start. So things like saddle height, position, handlebar and controls position and so forth.

Jeez dude. Glad you came out of that one okay. Head/neck injuries are the last place you wanna get involved.

You live in Australia? Nice ride.

Australia have made a flying start, but Steyn has removed Rogers.

In addition to Shebeen's good point, if 10 games is too long, his batting average over his last 11 innings is 45.8, which is slightly below is his 48ish batting average. He also hasn't lost a Test series since 2009 Australia tour to SA. The oke is a class captain, why do people give him such a hard time. He is going to be remembered as one of the great players of the game, and possibly one of the greatest captains of all time. Source: cricinfo stats

Agreed, this toolkit has a good range of starter tools on which you can build your collection. Next from here for me was: Campagnolo cassette tool Torque wrench Cable cutters

A DIY bike stand can be done in your garage, by looping rope (or tie downs or whatever really) through the rafters and under the saddle and behind the fork crown. Not the best, a proper stand is much much better, but okay if you're looking to do some work right now. Ala: EDIT: Yes, I know my garage is messy. I have subsequently cleaned it up.

I disagree. You quoted me a price for a job, the results of which must be to the customers satisfaction. Why does good quality service depend on how much you pay a guy? If you say to me x price for a job and then don't do that job, you can't turn around and say well what did you expect for x price. Which is why I agree (and you seem to too) that servicing you own bike is much better, cause you'll by-and-large do a better and more thorough job. I agree that fork/shock servicing and press-fitting things is much better left to specialist services.

I dont think so. Besides the obvious wear on the back tire, the rest of the components will wear as if you were doing that mileage out on the road. Hell, it might even do better as it is not exposed to the elements. If you're going to be doing extended periods of indoor training, perhaps consider getting a spare rear tire that you can use, so as to ensure that your original tires wear evenly.

Honestly, for R3700 the answer is obvious. D) Fix it yourself after demanding your money back. Jokes aside though, you should bring this to their attention, especially considering how much money you have paid. It is unacceptable to get things back in such a condition. Thereafter, it is up to you, but I think self-service (to a point) is a much more fun and cheaper endeavour. Bikes are simple creatures and really aren't intimidating given the right combo of Youtube and correct tools. EDIT: typo

Please provide links to the evidence you refer to. Cause I stated that it is no better than placebo, which is what I have read about the subject. Also, please elaborate on the placebo effect of surgery? So only 25% actually do something? I'm unsure. The placebo effect is a weird and wonderful area of science, but in my opinion is splashed around far too liberally when there is insufficient evidence. This clearly applies to homeopathy. The standard solution is (and I'm not joking) one molecule of active ingredient in a sphere filled with water from earth to the sun. So I'm very interested to read these high quality studies that you claim shows homeopathy to be better than placebo. Everything else I have read shows a statistically insignificant difference. On the topic of vaccines, incomparable. Vaccines have a clearly defined well research immunological mechanism. I can explain if you want but its available in any immunology textbook or on immunopaedia.org. And bringing up MMR? It was completely disproven in every subsequent study after that idiot Andrew Wakefield published his incorrect, falsified data. And finally, I quite frankly find it dispicable that a tertiary education facility can even begin to accept what is scientifically a hoax (in homeopathy), let alone have a faculty dedicated to it. Show me one piece of high quality evidence for it and I'll change my tune.

So, did my qualifier today at Peninsula Marathon, and managed to shave 30mins of my PB. 3:38. Very happy with that. Now to replicate that on a course with more hills and 14km still to go to the finish for a sub 5

Yoh, this is baiting if ever I saw it. Ultra is way cooler...

Your garage. Get yourself a toolkit and do it yourself. Best way forward. Leave extremely specialised stuff like press-fitting and forks/shocks for the pro's (unless you're adventurous).

Probably the lack of a front wheel. Good for you, I'm sure that you'll not do something lie this lightly, and if it was really his, he'd have fought a lot harder to keep it.