The All Things Cycling Thread

#826
#826
thanks tri and Vt. question for tri.. how long did it take for you to feel comfortable on a road bike, being a mnt. biker? i try and lean over and reposition my hands to get a sense of what it would feel like and also sat on an old road bike and it feels ALIEN... im worried about being able to turn corners with my hands in aero position. seems like it will be very very awkward.
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#827
#827
It took me 5-6 rides to get comfortable in an aero position. I still only ride in the drops or aero position about 10-15% of the time, generally when I'm going downhill. I'm okay on sweeping curves but tight ones still make me a little nervous if I'm in an aero position.

Most of the time I ride with my hands on the hoods. Top of the bar where the brake levers and shifters are located. That position is much more comfortable and gives you greater control. Riding like that is an almost seamless transition from mountain biking. Curves are easier than mountain biking cause I'm used to narrow switchbacks on the trails.
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#828
#828
Thanks sly. I'm going to have tio check it out when I'm not mobile.
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#831
#831
28 miles yesterday. Humidity was so bad I almost puked. No easy days when youre surrounded by roads like Hillview, Old Mountain and Mountain Pass.
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#832
#832
I need to get out on the road again. Maybe tonight. Maybe I'll throw the roof rack on this weekend and take a trip up north for a ride.
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#833
#833
tri_vol said:
It took me 5-6 rides to get comfortable in an aero position. I still only ride in the drops or aero position about 10-15% of the time, generally when I'm going downhill. I'm okay on sweeping curves but tight ones still make me a little nervous if I'm in an aero position.

Most of the time I ride with my hands on the hoods. Top of the bar where the brake levers and shifters are located. That position is much more comfortable and gives you greater control. Riding like that is an almost seamless transition from mountain biking. Curves are easier than mountain biking cause I'm used to narrow switchbacks on the trails.
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Click to expand...
can you brake from the top handlebar position?
 
#834
#834
orange parmejohn said:
can you brake from the top handlebar position?
Click to expand...

I included a pic cause Im horrible at describing things sometimes.

Notice where the shifter cable enters the bar. That area is called the hood and where I rest my hands. it is designed for your thumbs to rest on the inside of the hood, your palms on the side of the bar and your fingers to the side of the brake lever. You can easily grab the brakes with your index and middle fingers.

Also notice the tabs sticking out below the cable. That is your shifter lever. You can change gear with your thumbs and brake with your fingers without moving your hands. Drawback to that setup is you can't shift if your down in the drops/aero position.

I rarely ride with my hands on the bar (like hand in the picture). Not only can I not reach the brakes quickly but the bike feels twitchy and unstable in that position.

Hope this helps.

panasonic_dx_2000_bicycle_hand_on_handlebars.jpg
 
#837
#837
Got 36.2 miles in twice this week in the rain. Ladies are heading up to Tri's neck of the woods (Massanutten in Harrisonburg) and so I get to work some OT this weekend to combat boredom and ride. Actually was able to make a makeshift patch out of cardboard for a tire with a huge cut in it after getting a flat. Darn thing actually held for me to get home and buy 2 new tires at LBS!!!!!
 
#838
#838
tntar heel said:
Got 36.2 miles in twice this week in the rain. Ladies are heading up to Tri's neck of the woods (Massanutten in Harrisonburg) and so I get to work some OT this weekend to combat boredom and ride. Actually was able to make a makeshift patch out of cardboard for a tire with a huge cut in it after getting a flat. Darn thing actually held for me to get home and buy 2 new tires at LBS!!!!!
Click to expand...

how you liking the new bike? gonna post some pics?
 
#839
#839
Got 39 fast miles in last night. Pulled two of my friends through the flats, sprinted away from one while the other was able to catch and hold my wheel. Then they left me in the dirt on the final climb. Somehow I was able to catch up and finish second back to the shop even though I got stuck at two red lights.
 
#841
#841
orange parmejohn said:
how you liking the new bike? gonna post some pics?
Click to expand...
Loving it!!!!!! Have rode it to work 36 miles round trip and it has surpassed my expectations. I will really get to get a good feel for it tomorrow when our group from church rides in the evening. Just one other upgrade that I would recommend for it and that obviously is BETTER tires. Sorry about no pics, have been busy at work but will try to tonight.
 
#842
#842
tri_vol said:
sly, that was awesome.

what do you ride?
Click to expand...

I have two I've ridden. My first one was left here by a friend from Knoxville. She's an avid rider and built it using a Nishiki Alien frame she bought on E-Bay. Has upper range components on it as she built it as a daily rider for herself.

After riding it for awhile, I hurriedly bought a bike from a big box store. I went with a K2 hybrid for a little more comfort. Got a very good deal on it. It has mid range components on it and is a dependable ride. The gear ranges of the Nishiki are much better. She built it for distance as her club frequently takes long rides. I didn't realize at that time that I had moved to a Bike Mecca. For what I spent, I could have found a good used $1000-$1500 bike in the classifieds here.

These are pics from the internet but are good representations of what I have.

20110219_1982732.jpg


pTSA-9137696dt.jpg
 
#843
#843
Crap! Got the roof rack today from the owner, tried to install it and... the load bars are too big for my car. So disappointed.
 
#845
#845
Unbelievably hot and humid day? Guess I'll go for a ride between 12-3. 30 miles in right now. About 8 to go.
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#848
#848
Slydell said:
I have two I've ridden. My first one was left here by a friend from Knoxville. She's an avid rider and built it using a Nishiki Alien frame she bought on E-Bay. Has upper range components on it as she built it as a daily rider for herself.

After riding it for awhile, I hurriedly bought a bike from a big box store. I went with a K2 hybrid for a little more comfort. Got a very good deal on it. It has mid range components on it and is a dependable ride. The gear ranges of the Nishiki are much better. She built it for distance as her club frequently takes long rides. I didn't realize at that time that I had moved to a Bike Mecca. For what I spent, I could have found a good used $1000-$1500 bike in the classifieds here.

These are pics from the internet but are good representations of what I have.

20110219_1982732.jpg


pTSA-9137696dt.jpg
Click to expand...

That Nishiki frame is a work of art. Very nice.
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#849
#849
13 fast miles in the woods yesterday. Almost puked again. Came home and took my son for a ride through the neighborhood in his bike trailer. I was tired at the end.
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#850
#850
tri_vol said:
13 fast miles in the woods yesterday. Almost puked again. Came home and took my son for a ride through the neighborhood in his bike trailer. I was tired at the end.
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Click to expand...

im about to head out into the oven and get a few miles in.
 
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