Should I ride my new roadie to work tomorrow???
Should I ride my new roadie to work tomorrow???
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Discussion

assadahmed

Original Poster:

467 posts

219 months

Monday 25th August 2014
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I just bought my first roadie a week ago and have only used it in the dry so far. Its a Giant TCR Comp 1. With it guaranteed to be raining or wet tomorrow I am having second thoughts on riding it to work tomorrow mainly due to the fact that I don't want the bikes components to start to deteriorate from the the dirt which will be picked up from riding. Should it be OK if I hose it done when I get to work and then again once home?

I do have a mtb but having been riding the roadie the mtb feels so heavy and its much slower. Maybe I could buy a reasonably priced hybrid to use on crappy days and in the winter, particularly when the roads will be covered with salt.

Any others out there who regularly ride their roadie to work in the wet. What would your advice be?

TheLemming

4,319 posts

294 months

Monday 25th August 2014
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assadahmed said:
I just bought my first roadie a week ago and have only used it in the dry so far. Its a Giant TCR Comp 1. With it guaranteed to be raining or wet tomorrow I am having second thoughts on riding it to work tomorrow mainly due to the fact that I don't want the bikes components to start to deteriorate from the the dirt which will be picked up from riding. Should it be OK if I hose it done when I get to work and then again once home?

I do have a mtb but having been riding the roadie the mtb feels so heavy and its much slower. Maybe I could buy a reasonably priced hybrid to use on crappy days and in the winter, particularly when the roads will be covered with salt.

Any others out there who regularly ride their roadie to work in the wet. What would your advice be?
Ride it :-)
A bit of road grime wont destroy it.
No need to clean it at work, you'll be fine.

I would learn how to clean a bike - google it. Don't just hose it down.
Chain clean once a week, bit of gt45 every day and lube it after cleaning and you'll be fine. A TCR comp sounds like an ideal commuter tbh.

Rolls

1,502 posts

206 months

Monday 25th August 2014
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Rode my parlee into the office today.. -roads into London were very quiet (still poo having to go in today though) as said - the bike didn't melt, although brakes on carbon wheels are st in the pissing rain!

assadahmed

Original Poster:

467 posts

219 months

Monday 25th August 2014
quotequote all
I normally clean my bikes once a week and have all the usual type of products like a chain cleaner, lube etc.

So I guess I will head off in the roadie tomorrow and give it a clean once home before it goes in the garage.

The brakes will be an experience. Coming from a mtb which very effective brakes, I was shocked and how bad the brakes are. They will be even worse in the wet!!!

I am impressed with the new bike but noticed that some reviews really slate the wheels. Having no prior experience of road biking, how would I notice the difference on upgraded wheels?

Fugazi

564 posts

150 months

Monday 25th August 2014
quotequote all
I use baby wipes to clean my bikes and then I only use the cheapest supermarket own brands. They're brilliant and you can even use them to wipe the chain down and floss the cassette! This is for road bikes and everyday road grime, of course if it's been taken through a quagmire then maybe a more substantial cleaning method is needed.

Gargamel

16,355 posts

290 months

Monday 25th August 2014
quotequote all
Good grief.

Sounds like you lot spend more time polishing it than riding it.

Go into the garage and put a scratch on the bike, then it won,t be brand new anymore and you can just ride it.

Clean the chain once a week...... I do mine twice a year whether it needs it or not....

Gizmoish

18,150 posts

238 months

Monday 25th August 2014
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Fugazi said:
I use baby wipes to clean my bikes and then I only use the cheapest supermarket own brands. They're brilliant and you can even use them to wipe the chain down and floss the cassette! This is for road bikes and everyday road grime, of course if it's been taken through a quagmire then maybe a more substantial cleaning method is needed.
Agreed. Baby wipes for everything on my bikes. Chain cleaned properly every 1000km or so, weekly wax lube.

BOBTEE

1,034 posts

193 months

Monday 25th August 2014
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Just ride it! biggrin

assadahmed

Original Poster:

467 posts

219 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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Just got back from a trip to the dentist!! Came off the bike and went face first into the road. Front two teeth badly broken but no nerve damage so very lucky. It was totally my fault. Just took the bend with too much speed and the bike just slid under me!

Has not put me off in the slightest though. I just realise now that I have to be very careful in these wet conditions and ride with appropriate speed.

Going back to the dentist tomorrow to have the front teeth filled in.

Can I call myself a real cyclist now that I have had an accident???

Gargamel

16,355 posts

290 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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Ouch, sounds horrifically painful.





JEA1K

2,747 posts

252 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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I was about to post something funny (well trying to be) when I saw your update. frown

I hope you have a speedy recovery.

bakerstreet

5,042 posts

194 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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assadahmed said:
Just got back from a trip to the dentist!! Came off the bike and went face first into the road. Front two teeth badly broken but no nerve damage so very lucky. It was totally my fault. Just took the bend with too much speed and the bike just slid under me!

Has not put me off in the slightest though. I just realise now that I have to be very careful in these wet conditions and ride with appropriate speed.

Going back to the dentist tomorrow to have the front teeth filled in.

Can I call myself a real cyclist now that I have had an accident???
Sorry to hear that. Hopefully the dentist can patch things up for you.

Was there any damage to the bike? I happily ride my bike year round, but like everyone else, I would get pretty angry if I wrecked a shifter coming off in the summer or winter.

TwistingMyMelon

6,509 posts

234 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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Ouch , I deleted the comment I posted before, losing teeth are my worst nightmare

When I used to commute in Reading the mini roundabouts were lethal at times, I was down to crawling pace sometimes!!

I commute on my MTB now, nice wide grippy tyres and a bit of bulk to give reassurance on downhills, parts last longer with a higher tolerance to commuting.

Plus if I do bin it the parts are cheaper

Hope you heal up ok, tyres can make a huger difference on slippry roads.

Fugazi

564 posts

150 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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Ouch, know that feeling as I lost all my top front teeth in a teenage accident involving a tent, guy line and a set of concrete steps. Just to let you know it's not the end of the world and as long as you're careful you won't have a problem once the dental work is done. It's little things you have to remember to stop the caps from falling off, like cutting up apples instead of biting into them and trying to not punch yourself in the face when think that wheelnut just won't come off so you bend over to apply a bit more force...... Hope everything gets sorted soon!

assadahmed

Original Poster:

467 posts

219 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
quotequote all
Thanks guys. To be honest I was surprised at the lack of pain! At first my nose was bleeding but it stopped pretty quickly. As I said, I think I have been very lucky to get away so lightly.

The only think I was annoyed about was the bike! It was slightly bet from the front but I managed to loosen the bolts and get it aligned with the front wheel. The handle bar was also bent from the grip area but again, a bit of force straightened it up. Road it back home and it seemed ok but I think I will take it to a bike shop later for a checkover.