Bicycle thread

[Oznerol]

Originally Posted by flip18436572

The wind kicked my ass today both mentally and physically.

Any tips, other than get more aero and peddle faster and harder?

One suggestion I've heard but never tried, is that in gusty headwind, soft-pedal when the wind is blowing hard, and save your energy to pedal hard during the lulls. Physics-wise it makes sense; You spend less energy overcoming drag that way.

[Bimble]

Originally Posted by Oznerol

One suggestion I've heard but never tried, is that in gusty headwind, soft-pedal when the wind is blowing hard, and save your energy to pedal hard during the lulls. Physics-wise it makes sense; You spend less energy overcoming drag that way.

That and a healthy dose of acceptance.

Wind is what it is.

[Mercury264]

I was in REI today and I since I wasn't sure if they trued wheels, I figured I'd ask. Guy (who did seem a bit clueless) told me it was $25 for one service (no idea what it included) and $15 for just truing. When I told him I also had a couple spokes needed replacing, he told me they couldn't true a wheel with a couple spokes broken and they wouldn't try it.

Was he blowing smoke or do I need to look for a new wheel ?

[pierce]

Originally Posted by Mercury264

I was in REI today and I since I wasn't sure if they trued wheels, I figured I'd ask. Guy (who did seem a bit clueless) told me it was $25 for one service (no idea what it included) and $15 for just truing. When I told him I also had a couple spokes needed replacing, he told me they couldn't true a wheel with a couple spokes broken and they wouldn't try it.

Was he blowing smoke or do I need to look for a new wheel ?

I've replaced broken spokes on old school lotsa-spoke (36?) wheels, no problem. then you true them up. I've been known to use an inverted bike as a truing stand... on them modern too-few spoke wheels, I got no idea.

I'd go to a real bike shop. REI is a camping-etc store, great place to get tents and clothes.

[sixer]

My new bike bling came in the mail today.












I only got a short 2 mile road ride in but I'm loving them so far.

[skibum69]

Originally Posted by flip18436572

The wind kicked my ass today both mentally and physically.

Any tips, other than get more aero and peddle faster and harder?

Mind over matter, learn to love it-there's not much of a damned thing you can do about it.

I was in REI today and I since I wasn't sure if they trued wheels, I figured I'd ask. Guy (who did seem a bit clueless) told me it was $25 for one service (no idea what it included) and $15 for just truing. When I told him I also had a couple spokes needed replacing, he told me they couldn't true a wheel with a couple spokes broken and they wouldn't try it.

Was he blowing smoke or do I need to look for a new wheel ?

yeah, like he said, take it to a real bike shop. If it's not dented too bad you should be able to fix it right up.

[skibum69]

I had a fun day that started with a nice surf session, then a mixed 3 hour road/offroad ride on my 640, from there I went to a wine and cheese business thingy followed by a nice mtn bike ride. yay

[pierce]

over memorial day weekend, I was at the Strawberry Music Festival, and Sunday afternoon, some friends roped me into a mtn bike ride. these guys all had fancy Specialized FSR disk kinda bikes, and I had brought our junk bikes to the festival, so I traded my 5 speed cruiser for my old stumpjumper hardsteel ...



we probably only rode a dozen miles, but much of it was single track on the edge of Yosemite National Park.... cracked me up some, I was doing better on the more technical sections on this old beast than they were on their pogoframes... the guy's wife is a good rider, their kids and husband no so much so.

I took a few pics of my friends...











and, then back to the music :)

[skibum69]

looks like fun

[Gummee!]

Originally Posted by flip18436572

The wind kicked my ass today both mentally and physically.

Any tips, other than get more aero and peddle faster and harder?

Whatcha selling?!

OH, you mean PEDAL!

Gotcha.



To answer the question: always go out into the headwind. That way, you get the workout in while yer fresh. This is especially important in the winter.

M

[Gummee!]

Originally Posted by pierce

we probably only rode a dozen miles, but much of it was single track on the edge of Yosemite National Park.... cracked me up some, I was doing better on the more technical sections on this old beast than they were on their pogoframes... the guy's wife is a good rider, their kids and husband no so much so.

I get that on my cross bike a lot. Yer riding THAT where?!



Funny thing is, I like it better off-road than most mtn bikes I've ridden. Maybe its the tires, maybe its the geometry, maybe its just me.

M

[Mr Head]

When I lived in Colorado, it seemed to always be uphill and into the wind both ways.

I got used to it. Learned to spin to save my knees. And got strong.

Now? I'm a fat bastard who still rides uphill both ways into the damn wind.



At least I'm the guy "breaking wind"...

[skibum69]

oh yes-uphill into the wind both ways. Nothing like staggering out of the bar at 4 am with an hour of uphill to get home

[Superhawk]

My single speed - IRO - geared 32x18, manitou minute 2.00 fork, XT crankset and avid discs. I have a full suspension Klein and a geared hardtail but once I started riding single speed I havent touched any other bike. My legs were never so strong riding a geared bike ! I'm thinking about building a 29" SS next

[Javarilla]

Originally Posted by skibum69

oh yes-uphill into the wind both ways. Nothing like staggering out of the bar at 4 am with an hour of uphill to get home

The cyclist's version of...

These stairs go on forever...

And the handrail is killing my back...