SeaBee

Another Edge 705...

It's not about who's killing who. It's not about pointing fingers. SwissVan called it - there's no respect out there on the roads. As for this incident. Nobody generelised and said "cyclists are responsible for being knocked down". Most of us are in agreement that this cyclist was way out of line. And it's this kind of behaviour that gives the rest of us a bad name. Furthermore - if you bugger into the road, overtaking a slower guy without watching what's coming... and then still blame the car, something is wrong. (See my funride comparison.) We're not talking about a a sms'ing driver hitting a rider in the yellow lane. We're talking about common sense riding. Maybe I'm getting it all wrong, but when I go out on my bike, I want to enjoy myself - and I want to return to my family. Therefore I do what I can to ensure it.

Foe - no offense - but you surely have come up to slower couple of riders... maybe in same race, or esp whilst joining up with short route riders. Last 15-20 k's - you just want to step on it to finish, the "still have 20 to go" attitude, esp up hills. And then as you're approaching (at much greater speed) 2 riding next to each other, one behind them decides now's just a peachy freakin moment to ride right in front of you to overtake the two slower riders. We've all been there... Who's "at fault" then?!

Have buff, will try that for the time being. Will look into the Halo's as well - anybody know who sells them in WC? I'll try the Vaseline solution as well.

Thanks parabola. In the meanwhile, google was my friend and I found the manual pdf. Now this is downright dangerous! However, I have learnt I have never (and wasn't told about it...) properly "braked in" the brakes - just went out and used it. Says I'm supposed to do about 30 stops from 30kph+ to get everything settled. Now that was news... Also learnt about a little red thingy we idly stood and twisted and wonder what the heck that is for... That seems to be what they call the BAT - Bite adjust technology... lefty loosey, righty tighty... Wonder whether it's the actual bite point (in the lever arch) or the sharpness of the bite it adjusts. Will play around a bit... Thanks for all the input!

Okay, another dumb-azzed one - how do I know if it's hydraulic?! Reach is fine. It just bites very late. The brakes are Magura Louise, if that helps... Again - sorry for the stupid questions and I know I'm totally throwing my name away, but this is a new learning curve. New bike, as you may have gathered. So not cables that's dirty or something like that. If it continues, I will take it in and have them look at that. (The bike did stand still for about 2 months whilst I was injured, but doubt whether that would've done much damage!) SeaBee2010-03-23 08:08:36

*urgh*... comes from being in a rush! Sorry for detail lacking. Disk, mtb (Merida 96 3000). Cable brakes AFAIK.

Disclaimer - I take no responsibility for anybody cracking ribs or pulling something laughing at these questions. This is what happens from allowing roadies to be persuaded to embrace the dark side! Been for a setup and some stuff was changed radically - and definately for the better. Since then I have only been on the bike this weekend to find two thing irritating me about the brake levers. So firstly, how do I set the levers (both) to "bite" a bit earlier. I asked for it to bite a bit later and it felt fine sitting still. Riding, it now feels way too late and I know it should be simple to change - but where exaclty?! And furthermore the rear lever seems at times a bit sticky and don't release smoothly. Not very often - and first time it's happened I was aware of it and "checked" for it since by braking and pushing back with one finger when I release. So that said, it may have happened frequently if I did not do that... Either way - what can I do about that?! Now's the time to stop laughing, pick yourselves up from under your chairs and wipe your eyes... Wasn't as if I didn't warn you.

Some interesting ideas! And thanks for the effort, Dirt Twin! OT - looks like a great club you guys have (in your footnote url).

What do you guys do to keep sweat out of your eyes when MTBing? I'm at the point where I'm starting to contemplate wearing a Buff in summer as well to see whether that won't help... Any suggestions? (Search did not turn up much...)

Great stuff - congrats! The term "Time flies" will make much more sense to you now... we'll speak again in 4 years time! As will "Change in priorities". Enjoy "short Frosty"! It's the best gift...

Trust me, smiling was the one thing I was doing! Got injured and missed almost 2 months of training (from late Jan). So it was a joyride - and I thoroughly enjoyed it, smiled as far as I went, waved at people - generally had a blast! But thanks, I will fine-tune it a bit. Knowing all this, I'm pretty sure I'll get it sorted.

Played around a bit yesterday evening - ended up widening the nosepiece so that it's much closer to my face, think that should sort it. Pamflets helped zip - was just the warrantee stuff! After I've finished playing, I just for the heck of it put on my old glasses again - just to realise how comfortable and natural these Rydons feel. Wow...

Okay, I know there's a lot of Rydon fans out here, so I guess it'd be best to ask here. And no, I did not read the pamflets... I took my new Rydons out for a spin yesterday around the peninsula. And loved it - felt great from the first time I tried them on. The only thing that got to me was quite some wind "behind" the lenses and irritating my eyes. I have not adjusted anything beforehand - but how can I help get that wind less. I looked like I was peeling onions at times! Any ideas/tips/tricks would be great.

Nope - having op on ITB injury. Tried training couple of weeks ago, injury recurred and decided to rather do the op.

You won't be sorry - I have the 3000 and it is a kick-azz bike.

Astana, I have previously mentioned it - went through a cycle of saddles. Arione was okay, was assometered and went for a 143 toupe. It killed me on ride one. But hey, new saddle... it will "wear in" - that's BS. After 2 months I could not stand it, picked up a Selle Italia SLR and it was heaven! If the SI worked for you, why change? Saddle are a major expensive mistake to make, so why change unless you've had the oppurtunity to test-ride? If you can't test-ride, the SLR's are all pretty much based on the same dimensions with padding (and weight) differences. I'm sure a SI selling shop - and most LBS's stock them - should be able to tell you which Si you've had. Sorry, I may (and sound) be biased, but I went through a year of semi-suffering ending in suffering on Arione and two months of agony on Toupe. I won't change to another saddle now that I've found what I've got now. And both Arione and Toupe are great saddles for the right butts.

Agreed with all above. Use the bike your body is used to. Don't worry about the training - I was injured and got back on the bike last night for the first time. Ride a bit this weekend and some soft pedalling next week, that's it for me. Edit: That said, I won't advise this way I'm forced to train for anybody, stamina (for one) is shot to pieces! Next year, start training earlier, but training in tha last week will do more bad than good - you won't improve on fitness. SeaBee2010-03-05 08:10:33

Saddle did not work out for me - but for the price you can pick this specific colour up at CWC, buy it and try it! It's a steal... A lot of people like and ride this saddle. Hope it works for you.

Anybody that can drink anything with Pepto Pro in in has no taste buds left... That stuff is just.... *YUCK*. Well okay, I can't stand it. Some other may. That's why I never even contemplated the product. SeaBee2010-02-25 01:10:32

Okay, I'll be that guy... the one that says one saddle is not for all and the Arione is not the answer to all of life's problems. A lot of my friends ride it, I can't. Rode it for a year, then went even worse! Went for the highly advised, esp if you're not an Arione-azzed person, Specilised Toupe. On day one I thought it's bad, but hey, this will get better... I was wrong! I tried everything and every ride after 30 k's it would feel like I was grinding glass. Stumbled across a Selle Italia SLR - can't remember exact model (XP?) - and my azz was in heaven ever since. Perfect - for me! So if I were you, go to a bike shop that's willing to lend you some saddles and try them.... What works for a lot of people may not work for you. And these plastic saddles - if they feel crap on ride 1, odds are it won't get better!

Ironically the latest firmware (3.10) is whacked out on elevation (and as a result gradient) for me. But it does keep asc/desc values - I don't check it on the unit itself though - will do that whenever I'm allowed back on a bike. A lot of people actually went back to the previous version (2.90) firmware because of this elevation issues. Hoping for a new version to fix this myself.

Weathersa gets the general weather right quite well - and also use accuweather closer to race-day... Somehow they are usually spot-on with their hourly wind predictions.

Nobody - I think the post you responded was not aimed at us taking responsibility for all other cyclists. He was actually saying that more people should ride like you do, doing the responsible thing and take responsibility for their own actions. That somebody cannot go around like the idiot he's describing and then cry "motorists are maniacs" if a car comes over a green robot and spot him riding over the red robot, crossing lanes, helmet off, too late. That's the way I read it, anyways. Also heard nothing about the accident yet, hope all is well.