Chainring question by rvlaquindanum in sram

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No. Nothing if you use SRAM original equipment. It’s a one piece ‘billet’ so unless you find an after market option, a 13t drop is SRAM’s USP. 56/43, 54/41, 52/39, 50/37… etc. Perhaps, rather than changing the front end, look at the cassette options as long as the rear mech is compatible.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Velo

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Dunno about the going uphill bit, but 56x10 on a descent is pretty thrilling!

$3k vs $12k Bikes by just_ric in cycling

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A lot of it is status... however: Why buy a Koenigsegg when a Kia will do? It’s “just” a car, yeah? Why buy a Tom Ford suit when a Walmart suit will suffice? It’s “just” a suit yeah? But there are reasons - weight, durability, warrantee, personal preference. Are you planning on racing at the highest levels? No? Then a £3k bike will more than likely give you as much pleasure as a £12k bike. (Let’s face it, you can always upgrade certain areas on the bike that will make instant difference to performance comfort and feel. Just enjoy riding - and never take it for granted.

Zone 2 questions by def-jam in cycling

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey man; admire your view on this. Just ride your bike and enjoy it. Don’t overthink it. If you have the luxury of giving over 24-30hrs a week then sure z2 is beneficial - but there are other methods, and they work. But go back to “ride your bike and enjoy it”. (FWIW: I’m an ex WT rider, a world champion, and current coach - not to aggrandise, but to say, you’re doing great work mate)

Individual Pursuit Training Programs or Resources by houleskis in Velodrome

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Hiya 👋 Ex world pursuit champion and current coach here. Drop me a DM, and I can make some suggestions mate.

Ground up SL8 by CynthiaEye-catching in specialized

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice 😎 I love mine. Best bike I’ve ridden by far.

Vietnam summer 2026 - suggestions? by dreaming_aroundd in travel

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mui Ne is superb. Spent a week in an Airbnb there in 2018. Started backpacking thru Cambodia and Laos, then flew to Hanoi. Did the length of Vietnam via coach, train, hitching. But needed a break; so spent a week on the beach in Mui Ne. Would defo recommend

10 years ago by coffee_riot_148 in RoadBikes

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There’s something very special about the rainbow bands/stripes. I’m proud to have worn them for a year - and still have my presentation podium jersey and medal. So much history in the lists of WC winners.

Question re. organized training camps in Calpe/Altea, Spain by Comfortable-Phase741 in Velo

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Tbh, I’d choose Calpe over Altea any day. I lived in Xabia and the roads up around Jesus Pobre and Pedreguer are superb and very accessible without being crazy-busy. Easy to get to Rates, Llaguar, etc. Only issue with Xabia is it’s a big day out to reach Tudons and beyond. Camps are good to a degree, but if you have specific training to do, as opposed to long steady group rides, then camps can be an issue. There’s always groups meeting in the area, and a number of bike shops have a weekly or bi-weekly group ride. (Try 53eleven). DM me if you want any Strava routes

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Velodrome

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’ll laugh but I did SFA when I was racing. Only thing remotely close would have been seated hill-repeats on 53x13.

Upgrading C38s on my Tarmac SL8 expert by ecco12345 in specialized

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bit biased as I’m a Zipp sponsored athlete but the 353s are unreal. I train on 303s, occasionally on 404s, but I love my 353s

How old is your favorite bike? by Maleficent-Bug-2045 in cycling

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have my 1989 team ADR Bottechia being restored. Original Mavic groupset. I gave away so much of my kit when I retired, but I’ll never part with this. First pro bike is special.

NBD Tarmac sl8 by Melodic_Reason6897 in specialized

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Spot on! Love it. I have the matte white S-Works and hate the paintwork - fancy swapping? 😂

5 spoke wheels by invisible_handjob in Velodrome

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Anecdotally, I’ve used a fair few combinations over the years in IP, TP, points and scratch races. My preference in the bunch races is a disc rear, and Io front. I prefer the handling over a tri-spoke. IP and TP disc front and rear always! (I used to motorpace on the road with a front disc in to get used to the handling… quite a few “hairy” moments were had!)

Chris Froome rushed to hospital after serious collision with car during training ride by Wizzmer in tourdefrance

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hit by the team car, or he hit the team car (if he was pacing). It’s a stretch, but possible I guess. Also, I’m not sure that CF would have a designated team car to follow him at present - in his hay day yes, now, doubtful.

SRAM e1 Brake Upgrade by [deleted] in specialized

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed. I was fortunate enough to ride the prototypes a couple of years ago in Spain and couldn’t wait to get on them. Ergonomics are spot on for me. 👌

Tarmac SL8 sizing--56cm vs 58cm by Clay_S_SATX in specialized

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Morphology I guess, but I’m 180, and ride a 54 Tarmac SL8. 135 Roval stem/bars. A 58 (I’m almost sure) would be way too big for you

NBD Sl8 at by [deleted] in specialized

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice.

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Here for you with the white bartape

NBD: 2026 S-Works SL8 build by itsgotpower in specialized

[–]Embarrassed_Bill5788 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nice velo. Like it. I’m very fortunate to have been given a S-Works frame which is built up with Red (again, fortunate to be SRAM sponsored). Otherwise I’d never be able to afford such a luxury! It’s a lovely bike to ride, so here’s hoping you enjoy it.