New to cycling

[blueoval]

Different horses for different courses, or should I say different chamois' for different asses.

Everyones comfort level is different. Those who can afford Rapha, Assos, Jaggad, Black Sheep etc have all sworn by them. I notice a jump in comfort going from elcheapo Netti's to DHB's, then from DHB to Castelli's, then from Castelli's to PM gear. I can only assume the step up to Assos/Rapha/Jaggad gear is sensationally more comfortable. At least Id hope so for an additional 50% more in price.

It just depends on how much you want to spend. But I say this, get the very best stuff your wallet can afford. Your comfort levels are primary to ensuring you get back out on the bike.

PS. Rob - remind me never to ride behind you.

[Batmobile]

Currently running the Garmin Edge 800 across my bikes. After riding with a group during the Melb Cup weekend i found everyone was either using the Garmin 520 with one other using 820 - touch screen (was having problems in the rain reading the data and also seemed to suffer with battery life on a 7hr ride)
Prior to Garmin i had been a been a great fan of Polar and see that they have introduced a similar unit to the Garmin
What are others using and how have you found the unit you are using ?

[prydey]

I have a Garmin 500. Never had issues with it. Battery life is very good. Only died once which was last years bupa ride. That was after 173km and I have the screen always back lit.

[DBourne]

Had a Garmin 500 for 4 or so years? and was basically bullet proof.

Only times I had issues I just cleared the old activities and she was sweet.

I got the 520 just after they arrived, just because I wanted it and have had the same reliability.

Granted I sometimes think it'd be nice to have a touch screen, but meh who cares.

Button placement was better on the 500 IMO, but the 520 has been a great companion.

[Batmobile]

Originally Posted by DBourne

Had a Garmin 500 for 4 or so years? and was basically bullet proof.

Only times I had issues I just cleared the old activities and she was sweet.

I got the 520 just after they arrived, just because I wanted it and have had the same reliability.

Granted I sometimes think it'd be nice to have a touch screen, but meh who cares.

Button placement was better on the 500 IMO, but the 520 has been a great companion.

Did you sell your 500 ? If so , was it a long and difficult process?

[blueoval]

Still on the 500 too. Considered upgrading to the 520 for the instant wifi upload capability to strava.

[MAGPIE]

Garmin Edge 510, what a POS. Good battery life but unreliable, shuts off randomly which then means the ride up to that point is lost (wont upload to Strava). I am actually on my second one after the first was replaced by the shop.

The most reliable GPS device I have is my Tom Tom watch.

[DBourne]

Originally Posted by Batmobile

Did you sell your 500 ? If so , was it a long and difficult process?

I sold it when I sold my old bike. Just wiped it back to factory settings, all good.

[DBourne]

Originally Posted by blueoval

Still on the 500 too. Considered upgrading to the 520 for the instant wifi upload capability to strava.

Funnily enough, I thought I'd want that too, but I simply have it bluetooth'd to my phone and open the Garmin app, bang instant upload to Gconnect then on to Strava automatically.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by DBourne

Funnily enough, I thought I'd want that too, but I simply have it bluetooth'd to my phone and open the Garmin app, bang instant upload to Gconnect then on to Strava automatically.

I'll have to learn how to do that on my unit. I dont even know half of the functions on the 500 so I really should take the time to check out the features before biting the bullet.

[DBourne]

Sorry, I should have explained, I use the Bluetooth connectivity on my 520. 500 doesn't have any wireless capabilities.

[Batmobile]

Originally Posted by DBourne

Funnily enough, I thought I'd want that too, but I simply have it bluetooth'd to my phone and open the Garmin app, bang instant upload to Gconnect then on to Strava automatically.

That is precisely why i am looking to move to the 520

[GTpilot]

I'm still using my 510 as my go to, it's running v5.10 firmware, I have no issues with it at all, except for when I forget to charge it, or leave it turned on). Battery life is fine for me, 6-7 hrs no problems.

I also have a cyclo 505 I use as a backup to the Garmin or for maps if I need them. Magellan have not released a new firmware for over a year now, but I really have no need to update it. battery on that will run for 8-9hrs
I don't really have any issues with either other than the usual quirks you get with any electronic device these days. Look after them and they will serve you well, so no need to upgrade.

I also wear a Garmin Vivofit watch, so for when I don't want data under my nose or I do not have the other two that is handy.


Shane Miller recently did a youtube vlog comparing the Garmin 820 and the wahoo element. That just re-affirmed my decision not to bother to buy a new one.

https://youtu.be/ATS7nb4Xyv8

[Batmobile]

Even though the Edge 800 has maps i have never used to navigate me to a place . I has always been in a position where i either know where i want to go or am riding with others who know
I could imagine especially if there was a time constraint to be a pretty poor experience to get you to where you want to be

[Captain Stubing]

I use the 500, I actually used the navigation function on it once. I had to ride about 50km from the northside to the southside of Brisbane, and wanted guidance on using the bikeways on the southside following the Freeway. I had to plan out the route on Garmin Connect, then upload the route to the 500. It worked, but if you missed a turn it was fun getting back on track!

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Batmobile

Spend the long weekend at Bright . Rode with a new group , and was really impressed by the kit the guys were wearing . It's clear shop kits and Pro Kits are 'old' . Riders are now spending real money on boutique brands . In the main , kits including MAAP , Rapha and Le Passione - all with matching socks and arm warmers
Has anyone had any experience with MAAP or Le Passione ?

La Passione is doing 25% off online when using the SPOIL25 code at the time of purchase.

[Batmobile]

Originally Posted by blueoval

La Passione is doing 25% off online when using the SPOIL25 code at the time of purchase.

Each time i decide i going to purchase along comes a rider in the MAAP kit and i smile and begin to wonder whether i would be better to spend the extra $ for street cred?
This morning the Cycling Tips Team dressed in matching MAAP kit , matching Basso bikes , shoes and helmet were the Boulevard time trail sessions
Those MAAP kits look the goods - nothing to do that their own greyhounds who can resight William Shakespeare MacBeth while doing intervals - Nar !!!

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Batmobile

Each time i decide i going to purchase along comes a rider in the MAAP kit and i smile and begin to wonder whether i would be better to spend the extra $ for street cred?
This morning the Cycling Tips Team dressed in matching MAAP kit , matching Basso bikes , shoes and helmet were the Boulevard time trail sessions
Those MAAP kits look the goods - nothing to do that their own greyhounds who can resight William Shakespeare MacBeth while doing intervals - Nar !!!

You'll feel baawwws in a MAAP or La Passione kit. Any quality kit looks the goods and people will envy you. haha

[adz193]

Originally Posted by Batmobile

Each time i decide i going to purchase along comes a rider in the MAAP kit and i smile and begin to wonder whether i would be better to spend the extra $ for street cred?
This morning the Cycling Tips Team dressed in matching MAAP kit , matching Basso bikes , shoes and helmet were the Boulevard time trail sessions
Those MAAP kits look the goods - nothing to do that their own greyhounds who can resight William Shakespeare MacBeth while doing intervals - Nar !!!

For street cred alone it's worth it
But on a serious note, the price reflects the quality when it comes to Maap etc... It's that comfortable to wear

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by adz193

For street cred alone it's worth it
But on a serious note, the price reflects the quality when it comes to Maap etc... It's that comfortable to wear

spot on, still cheaper than Rapha and Assos too

[GUTLES]

Recently upgraded to a newer Bike, TCR Advanced 0 di2.

Very happy with it, hope everyone's enjoying there riding

[prydey]

Nice one.

Wish I could afford a new bike but alas, not at the moment.

Struggling to get out consistently at the moment. Shift work kills the mojo, plus work is always a bit busier this time of year and kids are growing up so harder to justify nicking off for long periods. Also trying to get the Mrs riding more which means I have to be parent.

Still, kind of makes me enjoy it more when I do get out.

[DBourne]

Very nice mate!!!

I'm also finding motivation difficult at the moment..

I was hoping that come day light savings I'd be keen as to commute, but I'm finding it really hard to get myself out the door.

[mcnews]

Did Giro Della Donna on the weekend, damn near killed me. I have done a couple of longer riders before, and a couple with more elevation, but for some reason this was just the most mind rending ride I have ever done, I have not pushed myself so far through the barriers of cramps and just wanting to stop like that since I was 16 at recruit school, absolute torture. Riding through cramps for the final 7km up Mount Donna Buang when the legs already had over 100km and 2000 metres on them was so damn hard, everything in me was saying stop but i managed to keep the legs turning in granny gear all the way to the top, at around 7km/h, thus that last climb took me almost an hour. I rode cautiously from the start, keeping heart rate down and preserving legs etc. but the legs just had nothing for that final hour, nothing, just cramps and no power, heart rate still low etc and breathing fine but legs were just completely trashed. I finished and laid on the ground with cramps everywhere, every time I changed position slightly I cramped somewhere else. Not enough water stops on the course etc. certainly did not help. This day was torture, pure and simple.

https://www.relive.cc/view/786585764

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by mcnews

Did Giro Della Donna on the weekend, damn near killed me. I have done a couple of longer riders before, and a couple with more elevation, but for some reason this was just the most mind rending ride I have ever done, I have not pushed myself so far through the barriers of cramps and just wanting to stop like that since I was 16 at recruit school, absolute torture. Riding through cramps for the final 7km up Mount Donna Buang when the legs already had over 100km and 2000 metres on them was so damn hard, everything in me was saying stop but i managed to keep the legs turning in granny gear all the way to the top, at around 7km/h, thus that last climb took me almost an hour. I rode cautiously from the start, keeping heart rate down and preserving legs etc. but the legs just had nothing for that final hour, nothing, just cramps and no power, heart rate still low etc and breathing fine but legs were just completely trashed. I finished and laid on the ground with cramps everywhere, every time I changed position slightly I cramped somewhere else. Not enough water stops on the course etc. certainly did not help. This day was torture, pure and simple.

https://www.relive.cc/view/786585764

top work Trev. Lots to be proud of there mate.

[DBourne]

Well done sir!

[blueoval]

Ive been trying to get out on the Cervelo every weekend. Work pending. Its due for its first service. Taking it in this saturday for some love as well as a wash. Been also riding the Focus on and off to change things up a bit too. You can really tell the difference between the 2 setups. Both of them are comfortable to ride, but ones setup for hills and endurance and the other is setup for aero and speed. I love both. Count myself fortunate to have options now.

[fordomatic]

Busted the dust of the fixie today, will be riding to work for the next 3 months thanks to a jerk that doesn't like to give way. It was actually really nice to get back on the road bike and motor along. I love my MTB and cross country riding but something nice about riding fast through the streets

[Batmobile]

Originally Posted by mcnews

Did Giro Della Donna on the weekend, damn near killed me. I have done a couple of longer riders before, and a couple with more elevation, but for some reason this was just the most mind rending ride I have ever done, I have not pushed myself so far through the barriers of cramps and just wanting to stop like that since I was 16 at recruit school, absolute torture. Riding through cramps for the final 7km up Mount Donna Buang when the legs already had over 100km and 2000 metres on them was so damn hard, everything in me was saying stop but i managed to keep the legs turning in granny gear all the way to the top, at around 7km/h, thus that last climb took me almost an hour. I rode cautiously from the start, keeping heart rate down and preserving legs etc. but the legs just had nothing for that final hour, nothing, just cramps and no power, heart rate still low etc and breathing fine but legs were just completely trashed. I finished and laid on the ground with cramps everywhere, every time I changed position slightly I cramped somewhere else. Not enough water stops on the course etc. certainly
did not help. This day was torture, pure and simple.

https://www.relive.cc/view/786585764

I signed up for the ride sometime back after just starting to get back to some regular riding . My mistake was to do the ride with 12 others who haven't been off the bike and have doing 400+ k weeks with about 1500m as a rule
You know how it goes , they promise a no one gets dropped ride , yet I was rev limiter on the Garmin as soon as we climbed out of the start. Got back on the back of the group within the next few k's and then it was hung on
I stayed with them until the Reefton turn off, and then I thought at this rate I won't see the 2500m of climbing so I backed off and climbed the next 20ks at my on pace - they were at the finish off the climb all looking at the watch wondering if I had got lost. I was to happy with them after that .(most in the group did the Reefton in sub 50's , where I did it 1hr.8min- should have pushed on , as the climb was that difficult , but everyone was in my ear all morning and I was always waiting for the climb to get harder , but in fact it never did-my bad). Threw down a gel , dash a water , and we were off.
Rode with the group through to Marysville and was feeling good , so when we got to the gravel climb , I hit it and gapped the group and put 5mins on them
We no food and water , I waited for them before the final climb .
5ks into the climb , and I was done, all I wanted to do was stop on the side of the road and take a drink from the water coming off the mountain . I didn't and just pushed on. That last few k's felt a lot further . Annoyed when I got to the finish there was no water , just jelly beans . So I put on the gilet , and rode down to Warburton - ride done.
Some turkey overtook on a blind corner coming down on the wrong side . I was sure it wasn't a closed road from the top.
I ve got a lot of work to do if I going to stay with the group for the 3Peaks

[Whitey-AMG]

Looking forward to get the roadie out tomorrow and start getting my riding legs back. Feels like forever since I was out enjoying 2 wheeling. Been a very long winter....