TODO list of stuff to get or do

[vorsprung]

• need ultrasun suncream stuff

  This is once per day stuff like p20.  But it doesn't stain clothes like p20

• 28mm gp5000 tubeless tyres

   I like to get new, fast tyres for rides like PBP.  Fit them a couple of weeks before and no worries with worn tyres

• brake bleed kit (or just more fluid)

   I have a disc brake bike now and it needs some attention

• do I have enough mitts?

   Do I?  There is a concern.  I need at least 2, pref 3 sets.  Good padding and good sweat wicking.  I think the ones I got last time have worn out

• load openstreet maps for france

   need to go to the website and then do some downloading, copying etc

• how do I mount the backup light?

   the bike I'm using doesn't have a great way to mount a spare light.  I have ordered some sugru

• new head torch

   it's on it's way.  Cree T6 with a 18650 battery.  Might need a spare battery

• do I have enough shorts?

   Same kind of thing as the mitts.  I want one pair to ride to France in and 3 for the event.  I can wash the ride to the event ones and let them dry while I am going round

• do i want a new saddlebag?

   Probably not

• more neoprene padded tape

   There's this neoprene tape intended for motorbikes that is nice to use under tape

• more bar tape - like genesis

    The genesis came with some nice tacky, rubbery tape that I like

• dyno rear light

    The Genesis doesn't currently* have a rear generator powered light.  There are some nice ones from b&m since last time I shopped for these

• fix Luxos remote switch mount

    It broke.  Superglue is widely available

* see watt I did there???

[The French Tandem]

• brake bleed kit (or just more fluid)

   I have a disc brake bike now and it needs some attention

Sorry if I go OT, I do not wish to derail your thread, but I'm just wondering what are, in your personal experience,  the good and bad points of hydraulic discs on a road bike? My question is a real question, I definitely have no judgment at all!

A

[rob]

The bike is set up as I want it.

I need :-

- New tyres/tubes - might use my spare wheels
- New chain
- Extra front light - USE joystick to run next to the current one
- Extra rear light

Clothing is all fine but I may get an extra club top to wear on the ride.

[Phil W]

Complete the qualifiers then complete registration.

[Alex B]

Bike has just had new headset bearings and a new BB.

Just fitted what will probably be my PBP tyres, 25mm Continental GP 5000 (tubeless). They seem to be good for at least 5,000 km and this pair should only have around 2,000 km on them by PBP. Will top up the sealant before travelling to France.

Might change my rear dynamo light from right to left seat stay.

Some routine things to check: chain, brake pads, freehub innards &c.

Otherwise happy with my kit, but want to experiment with (non-bib) shorts as imagine this could save some faff and indignity.

[wilkyboy]

Sorry if I go OT, I do not wish to derail your thread, but I'm just wondering what are, in your personal experience,  the good and bad points of hydraulic discs on a road bike? My question is a real question, I definitely have no judgment at all!

My LBS answered this the other day: if you are going to fit disc brakes on a road bike then only fit hydraulics.  Mechanic disc brakes are NOT better than standard callipers for stopping a bike.

Basically you get much better power and modulation from hydraulic than mechanical, without any of the cabling issues.  Mechanical doesn't generate the forces consistently required for heavy braking.  And if you're not heavy braking then there's no point fitting discs to a road bike (where the wheels are always 700C, before someone mentions gravel frames and swapping wheelsets).

[Alex B]

My LBS answered this the other day: if you are going to fit disc brakes on a road bike then only fit hydraulics.

I think a big advantage for long brevets is that they spare your hands - being able to stop with gentle finger pressure rather than full-hand squeezes adds up over the days to less fatigued hands (also a reason to use electric gears, but I digress).

[quixoticgeek]

My LBS answered this the other day: if you are going to fit disc brakes on a road bike then only fit hydraulics.  Mechanic disc brakes are NOT better than standard callipers for stopping a bike.

Basically you get much better power and modulation from hydraulic than mechanical, without any of the cabling issues.  Mechanical doesn't generate the forces consistently required for heavy braking.  And if you're not heavy braking then there's no point fitting discs to a road bike (where the wheels are always 700C, before someone mentions gravel frames and swapping wheelsets).

Awww, you preempted me...

J

[yellabelly]

GP5000 TL are a lovely tyre but way too tight to the rim should they need removing on the road.  i will stick with the Schwalbe Pro Ones. 

[Alex B]

GP5000 TL are a lovely tyre but way too tight to the rim should they need removing on the road.  i will stick with the Schwalbe Pro Ones.

That must depend on the rim. On mine (H Plus Son 'The Hydra') they come off easily with two plastic tyre levers.

[yellabelly]

Yes true the rim is a factor I'm using Hunt's wheels. a similar complaint though came from someone using Prime rims. I guess it is hit and miss without proper standards.
I want to avoid using levers - if it's that tight there is a risk of damaging a tube should one be needed.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Replace the cracked rear mudguard on the audax tandem and possibly the front tyre. Replaced mudguard, new rear tyre (Swapped rear to front) and middle chainring from garage stash. Still to sort out timing chain. Done.

Pick which combination of luggage to use. I'll take a few options and decide in Rambouillet when I see what Aussie George wants to lug around.

Decide which jerseys, knicks and chamois cream I'll use. Done.

Book the car across the Channel both ways. Done, Dover-Calais ferry.

Fit a Cyo and Igaro to HK's Roberts. Done.

Still to do:
Sort out travel insurance.

[postie]

Don't forget to ride your bike, people do!!!

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Summer Arrow this weekend, so some riding still going on.

[postie]

Didn't mean you personally LWaB , Just reminding everyone

[rob]

Don't forget to ride your bike, people do!!!

I’m riding a time trials for a few weekends.  No audaxes until PBP.

[postie]

Rob, i don't think it matters what you do as long as you ride your bike, timetrials, road racing ,club runs or even riding to the pub

[paulworthington53]

Local mobile mechanic visiting end of july to fit new chain, cassette, cables, bar tape, brake pads and fettle.
A 400 then a 600 in a couple of weeks then tapering
Will ride the 600 as I will pbp and will probably be bivvying en route.
Think that's everything...

[wilkyboy]

Build bike 

[Paul D]

Things I need to do:
Fit new tyres that have already been bought (Specialized Roubaix Pro 32mm)
Buy new chain and fit
Decide whether I CBA to change my dirty bar tape for clean stuff (probably not)
Ring car insurance & breakdown about France cover
Try to find random spares car kit required for driving in France
Decide which GPS to take, because if a ride isn't on the internet it never happened
F**k around with aerobars a bit more before finally accepting that 'in line with brake levers' essentially means 'unusable dead weight' and leave them at home
Decide whether the single jersey I'm going to take will be an old club jersey (scruffy but won't worry about suncream stains finishing it off) or a brand new one (look less hobo at the start but sunburn possible)

Things I don't need to do:
Check my mechanical disc brakes because they just work, have worked for years without issue, and stop me having to worry about rim braking surfaces

[wilkyboy]

Things I don't need to do:
Check my mechanical disc brakes because they just work, have worked for years without issue, and stop me having to worry about rim braking surfaces

Why worry about rim braking surfaces? 

Last week I bit the bullet and swapped out my old Mavic Open Pro front rim, which had about 30,000km on it.  The new one is about 65g heavier, and nearly a whole millimetre wider at the narrowest/most-worn part, which means I reckon I could've gotten another 10,000km from it under normal usage.  I am happy to have swapped it, as I might yet be running those wheels on the yet-to-be-built new (old) bike at PBP, unless I can get enough momentum to build me some new ones in the more frame-age-appropriate silver ...

Regardless I won't be worrying about rim braking surfaces for another few years 

[Rod Marton]

Things I don't need to do:
Check my mechanical disc brakes because they just work, have worked for years without issue, and stop me having to worry about rim braking surfaces

Why worry about rim braking surfaces? 

Depends where you live.

Back when I lived in the flatlands of Essex I never worried about rim braking surfaces and wheel life was governed by the hub. And in Cambridgeshire it will be much the same for you. Nowadays I live on top of the Cotswolds and wheel life is governed by the length of time I dare ride a rim before it develops a hole in the braking surface.

This is the main reason I'm shifting towards disc brakes.

[wilkyboy]

This is the main reason I'm shifting towards disc brakes.

Seems reasonable 

[Phil W]

Complete the qualifiers then complete registration.

Tick, 600 qualifier now done, my mission over the weekend. I can now start to think again about PBP stuff to do. First to do being to complete the registration once my final ACP numbers appear.

[frankly frankie]

• how do I mount the backup light?

   the bike I'm using doesn't have a great way to mount a spare light.  I have ordered some sugru

Front or rear?
I wouldn't mount a rear backup light - I'd take a compatible (identical) one but keep it securely packed away in my luggage.  A mounted spare is vulnerable.
At the front I would mount the light, because its usefulness as an extra light outweighs everything else.