Cycling

[maddog]

Just trying to gather some opinion. I've recently been thinking about offer a bike cleaning service, would people be interested, or reluctant to let another man touch their machine? I was thinking a decent price point might be around £12 for full clean, with drivetrain degrease and lube reapplied. Thoughts?

Will u come down and do mine?

Based in Belfast - 50p a mile?
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Do you intend to use power washer ?

No I wouldn't use a power washer, just a normal hose, brushes and sponges. Wouldn't use power washer as it can damage bearings etc.

I'm not a qualified bike mechanic so wouldn't be confident with others bikes in anything other than cleaning! Not looking to make this a full time venture, would probably limitrnkt to 5 bikes a week!

Any other suggestions or thoughts?

I'd say it's a good idea but if you combine with servicing you would def be on to something. Lads I work with that have bought on cycle to work are running to bike shops to get rubbing brake blocks, skipping gears, punctures etc fixed. Real basic stuff. I've sorted several of them out in the office, it's just that they don't know what they are doing and they are paranoid about servicing. One lad wanted his servicing after 100 miles.

[Eamonnca1]

Wheel-straightening is another pain in the neck job. If I had all day and infinite patience I could do it myself (I used to when I was a youngster) but these days I just throw the wheel into the shop and let them do it.

There's probably a course in bike maintenance that you can do somewhere if you want to acquire the skills.

[maddog]

Wheel-straightening is another pain in the neck job. If I had all day and infinite patience I could do it myself (I used to when I was a youngster) but these days I just throw the wheel into the shop and let them do it.

There's probably a course in bike maintenance that you can do somewhere if you want to acquire the skills.

I can take the worst of a hop in wheel out but to get 100pc you need wheel jig and time. Every 2nd spoke half turn etc. Place near me is a tenner so not worth messing with most of the time.

[Eamonnca1]

It's Bike to Work Day here. Companies set up "energizer stations" at the side of the road where they play music, give out free food, drinks and swag, enter you for raffles if you're an employee. The local bicycle coalition organizes it. I stopped at all 4 of them on my route this morning, including at my own company, and stuffed my bag.  I was still outrunning the rest of the traffic too, even with me stopping.

Lot of riders out there today, which is nice to see, even though our infrastructure isn't exactly at Dutch standards.

[Boycey]

Big win today for Sam Bennett in the Giro...

[SHEEDY]

Big win today for Sam Bennett in the Giro...

he's been going well recently. Long overdue stage win for an irish rider at the giro.

[grounded]

Delighted for Sam. Timed it perfect. Sean was loving it on commentary.

[SHEEDY]

another brillant stage win for sam bennett at the giro today. showed great power and strength to win a sprint finish at the famous imola race track.

[grounded]

another brillant stage win for sam bennett at the giro today. showed great power and strength to win a sprint finish at the famous imola race track.

Super. Timed it perfectly again in treacherous conditions.

[maddog]

Bennett seems to thrive when the road is a little bit lumpy for the likes of Viviani. He might not be too far away today with a smallish climb around 20km from the end which could be enough to blow out some of the sprinters. Depends how hard they race today, sometimes before a big mountain stage like the Zoncolan tomorrow there can be a truce amongst the peleton to take it handy for most of the day. That said the sprinters will want their day so i'd expect any breakaway to be reeled in. So apart from today i can't see Bennett adding to his tally until the last day in rome where he definitely will have a big shout.
Tomorrow will show where everyone is really at. Yates has to make hay before Tuesdays time trial.

[SHEEDY]

how close was this? lucky the marshall was alert.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/44174201

[maddog]

Some battle today. Dumoulin clung on brilliantly.froome showed a few cracks maybe in Yates. All to play for tomorrow

[grounded]

Have any of you done the Giants Causeway Coast Sportive?...Was going to book it but not sure what distance to go for, there is a 35 mile, 85 mile and a 115 mile routes to choose from. I'd imagine they'd be brutal climbs

Yeah, i done the 85 mile one a few years ago. Brilliant day, well organised with beautiful scenery. Climbs weren't too bad if you take it steady.  Torr head at the end was a bit of a killer but enjoyable when the weather was so fine. A friend done it last year i think?  And got absolutely drowned.

[GJL]

Anyone familiar with 'Specialised' road bikes? I've spotted one for sale that seems a decent price with good spec.

[illdecide]

Anyone familiar with 'Specialised' road bikes? I've spotted one for sale that seems a decent price with good spec.

Yeah i have 2...Roubaix and Tarmac, the Roubaix is a great bike for long distances and has great comfort. The Tarmac is not as comfortable but is much quicker. Haven't had any other bikes so can't compare them to anything else...