Cycling Thread

[itchyfingers]

Thanks Loop! The "scraping mud" is a great visual and I used it on Saturday. Took the wife out for her first real ride, while it was my first ride clipped in. Didn't fall over once! I immediately noticed a difference and feel like I've unlocked power from the bike that didn't used to be there.

Anyway, I wanted to make it a fun ride for my wife so we took a chill lap around Coronado Island. On the straightaway bike path, I was mainly focused on efficient cranking, and I'd realize I was sprinting off without her. Since she wasn't going as fast as I normally do, I unclipped one foot and cranked with the other. I did each leg for about a mile. My dead spot seems to be between 11 and 3 on a clock dial, so I am going to need to focus on keeping some kind of pressure throughout the top of the turn as well as the bottom. I made a slight adjustment on the left cleat positioning after the ride, as I was sorta rubbing my left foot on the crank, but otherwise they felt great.

Looking forward to my commute to/from work tomorrow on my most frequently ridden routes. Can't wait to see how I do on the hills particularly, and hope to cash in a few PR's on Strava.

[madryan]

I think I'm snagging the trek Domane asap.

[itchyfingers]

Any reason for the Domane over the Madone, Madryan? I love my Trek, but admittedly don't have a ton of experience with other bikes.

Did about 25 miles on my commute yesterday - 13 Strava trophies and 6 of those were PRs. Going clipless is definitely making an immediate difference!

[madryan]

I've suffered on "race" geometry bikes for years. Now that companies are putting out comfy bikes that are still performance oriented I'm going to jump on it.

My neck won't take traditional road ergos anymore.

[madryan]

So here's the bike I've decided on...

Specialized Tarmac... Full 105, nice wheels (they're the DT-Swiss set) it's a leftover '15 model so my buddy who owns the shop knocked $400 off the price. I'm getting it for $1700 with a full fitting and everything.

It's got almost identical geometry as the Trek "endurance" fit stuff but it's a bit shorter effective top tube. It fits me like a glove. Headtube length is huge which is what I was after. The Roubaix is a bit longer but I actually like the Tarmac better. Can't beat the price either.

[SuperFlyinMonke]

It's not full 105 with an FSA crank

That's a fucking excellent looking bike. What series is it? Comp?

Enjoy that. Year-end deals are great!

[TurboPablo]

So here's the bike I've decided on...

Specialized Tarmac... Full 105, nice wheels (they're the DT-Swiss set) it's a leftover '15 model so my buddy who owns the shop knocked $400 off the price. I'm getting it for $1700 with a full fitting and everything.

It's got almost identical geometry as the Trek "endurance" fit stuff but it's a bit shorter effective top tube. It fits me like a glove. Headtube length is huge which is what I was after. The Roubaix is a bit longer but I actually like the Tarmac better. Can't beat the price either.

You can ride again? Or are you just saying fuck it?

Either way, that bike is sweet. Have you looked at the Roubaix? That has relaxed endurance geometry. I almost went for one before I bought my Ti Lynskey. My fear with a carbon bike is always having to treat it like a newborn baby.

I'm not good at keeping my stuff pristine.

[madryan]

So here's the bike I've decided on...

Specialized Tarmac... Full 105, nice wheels (they're the DT-Swiss set) it's a leftover '15 model so my buddy who owns the shop knocked $400 off the price. I'm getting it for $1700 with a full fitting and everything.

It's got almost identical geometry as the Trek "endurance" fit stuff but it's a bit shorter effective top tube. It fits me like a glove. Headtube length is huge which is what I was after. The Roubaix is a bit longer but I actually like the Tarmac better. Can't beat the price either.

You can ride again? Or are you just saying fuck it?

Either way, that bike is sweet. Have you looked at the Roubaix? That has relaxed endurance geometry. I almost went for one before I bought my Ti Lynskey. My fear with a carbon bike is always having to treat it like a newborn baby.

I'm not good at keeping my stuff pristine.

Yeah... I'm just gonna chance it... My chances of dying in an accident due to being on blood thinners is really pretty thin, but my chances of dying from my relatively sedentary job in 10 years are much higher if I don't get back into real physical activity and I just can't get back into running.

There's a 2015 Roubaix that my buddy can snag me that's mostly Ultegra for $2000. I might look into it if I can't get the fit to work out on the Tarmac.

[TurboPablo]

So here's the bike I've decided on...

Specialized Tarmac... Full 105, nice wheels (they're the DT-Swiss set) it's a leftover '15 model so my buddy who owns the shop knocked $400 off the price. I'm getting it for $1700 with a full fitting and everything.

It's got almost identical geometry as the Trek "endurance" fit stuff but it's a bit shorter effective top tube. It fits me like a glove. Headtube length is huge which is what I was after. The Roubaix is a bit longer but I actually like the Tarmac better. Can't beat the price either.

You can ride again? Or are you just saying fuck it?

Either way, that bike is sweet. Have you looked at the Roubaix? That has relaxed endurance geometry. I almost went for one before I bought my Ti Lynskey. My fear with a carbon bike is always having to treat it like a newborn baby.

I'm not good at keeping my stuff pristine.

Yeah... I'm just gonna chance it... My chances of dying in an accident due to being on blood thinners is really pretty thin, but my chances of dying from my relatively sedentary job in 10 years are much higher if I don't get back into real physical activity and I just can't get back into running.

There's a 2015 Roubaix that my buddy can snag me that's mostly Ultegra for $2000. I might look into it if I can't get the fit to work out on the Tarmac.

The Tarmac is pretty aggressive. I've ridden a friends. Ripping bike but kind of steep in the angles. If you are trying to get it to fit more relaxed, just go for the Roubaix. It's already built that way.

[madryan]

So here's the bike I've decided on...

Specialized Tarmac... Full 105, nice wheels (they're the DT-Swiss set) it's a leftover '15 model so my buddy who owns the shop knocked $400 off the price. I'm getting it for $1700 with a full fitting and everything.

It's got almost identical geometry as the Trek "endurance" fit stuff but it's a bit shorter effective top tube. It fits me like a glove. Headtube length is huge which is what I was after. The Roubaix is a bit longer but I actually like the Tarmac better. Can't beat the price either.

You can ride again? Or are you just saying fuck it?

Either way, that bike is sweet. Have you looked at the Roubaix? That has relaxed endurance geometry. I almost went for one before I bought my Ti Lynskey. My fear with a carbon bike is always having to treat it like a newborn baby.

I'm not good at keeping my stuff pristine.

Yeah... I'm just gonna chance it... My chances of dying in an accident due to being on blood thinners is really pretty thin, but my chances of dying from my relatively sedentary job in 10 years are much higher if I don't get back into real physical activity and I just can't get back into running.

There's a 2015 Roubaix that my buddy can snag me that's mostly Ultegra for $2000. I might look into it if I can't get the fit to work out on the Tarmac.

The Tarmac is pretty aggressive. I've ridden a friends. Ripping bike but kind of steep in the angles. If you are trying to get it to fit more relaxed, just go for the Roubaix. It's already built that way.

Yeah, the two frames are pretty similar actually, the chain/seat stays are a bit longer on the Roubaix and the headtube is a bunch longer. Fork's a bit longer too.

[TurboPablo]

So here's the bike I've decided on...

Specialized Tarmac... Full 105, nice wheels (they're the DT-Swiss set) it's a leftover '15 model so my buddy who owns the shop knocked $400 off the price. I'm getting it for $1700 with a full fitting and everything.

It's got almost identical geometry as the Trek "endurance" fit stuff but it's a bit shorter effective top tube. It fits me like a glove. Headtube length is huge which is what I was after. The Roubaix is a bit longer but I actually like the Tarmac better. Can't beat the price either.

You can ride again? Or are you just saying fuck it?

Either way, that bike is sweet. Have you looked at the Roubaix? That has relaxed endurance geometry. I almost went for one before I bought my Ti Lynskey. My fear with a carbon bike is always having to treat it like a newborn baby.

I'm not good at keeping my stuff pristine.

Yeah... I'm just gonna chance it... My chances of dying in an accident due to being on blood thinners is really pretty thin, but my chances of dying from my relatively sedentary job in 10 years are much higher if I don't get back into real physical activity and I just can't get back into running.

There's a 2015 Roubaix that my buddy can snag me that's mostly Ultegra for $2000. I might look into it if I can't get the fit to work out on the Tarmac.

The Tarmac is pretty aggressive. I've ridden a friends. Ripping bike but kind of steep in the angles. If you are trying to get it to fit more relaxed, just go for the Roubaix. It's already built that way.

Yeah, the two frames are pretty similar actually, the chain/seat stays are a bit longer on the Roubaix and the headtube is a bunch longer. Fork's a bit longer too.

You could always swim laps. Best exercise ever. Besides surfing.

[Sasquatch]

I have a trek domane 4 carbon. It is fast and I just got cleared Thursday to ride again after neck surgery.

Swimming is better tHan biking for fitness and fat loss but biking is still great and outdoors.

[itchyfingers]

Congrats Sasquatch - I know you've been dying to ride for months, so that's some great news for you, man!

Madryan - you too man, just don't crash and keep that blood internal!!!

[TurboPablo]

I have a trek domane 4 carbon. It is fast and I just got cleared Thursday to ride again after neck surgery.

Swimming is better tHan biking for fitness and fat loss but biking is still great and outdoors.

Those Treks are sweet. That was the other brand I was looking at before going Ti.

My Road Bike is just about relegated to the stationary trainer.

[madryan]

So it's final... after doing more riding of different bikes in different sizes I ordered a 2015 Roubaix in 56cm through my buddies shop. The main difference between last year and this years models are the color, which I don't like as much and the spec, which was better last year. Better wheels and whatnot on the '15's. I'm getting it for $2000 and it's a mix of 105 and Ultegra with real 105 brakes and whatnot...



Here's a bit more about the spec...

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/ ... comp#specs

So I could get this years model, with the wheels that aren't as good but slightly better color choice for a bit more but I'd rather get the white one.

[SuperFlyinMonke]

That looks great. I have a friend that's older and really likes the more relaxed position for his back. I believe it's just an easier bike all-around. The Tarmac is definitely racier. The white looks sweet too, but something about that baby blue... You've got that long cage deraileur to, which is nice for the big cogs if you're in a hilly area.

Ride the piss out of her!

[itchyfingers]

Specialized make some sweet bikes, and that one is no exception Ryan. Seems like a smoking deal too!

[ovid9]

Bump.

Last night was our local mt. biking associations fundraiser movie. They've been doing this about 5 years and have always had great films. One on the Great Divide mountain bike race. Another about RAAM.

This one, Inspired to Ride, is about a race for people who RAAM is too easy. Using the Trans America route you race across America. Solo and unsupported. No people handing you water bottles. No RV to crash it when you're spent. Nothing.

Just you, your bike, any other riders on the race who want to ride along with you.

The race route is ~4300 miles. The leaders, a brit & canuck were 1000 miles in by day 4. The winner, well, let's just say, he completed it in under 3 weeks.

Highly suggest you check it out. All I could think while watching it was "holy crap these people are insane" and "OMG I wanna get on my bike."



Link: Inspired to Ride

[Loop Bizkit]

Cool, Ovid!

Just thought about this thread today.

Rode 22 ish miles at a relaxed 15-16mph average today. Topped out at 31 mph on flat ride. Then I hit a damn headwind. 38 degrees here, roughly 25mph headwind. Hurt bad, lol.

[ovid9]

Cool, Ovid!

Just thought about this thread today.

Rode 22 ish miles at a relaxed 15-16mph average today. Topped out at 31 mph on flat ride. Then I hit a damn headwind. 38 degrees here, roughly 25mph headwind. Hurt bad, lol.

Brutal! Yeah, it got up to 54 here today but was really windy. Seeing as we were packing for our trip to Florida today I wimped out on trying to get out on the bike.

I am considering doing the Dri-shark duathlon again this year though. I didn't last year, but its the first weekend in June so I might see if I can swing it.

[TurboPablo]

I looked at my bike today.

[ovid9]

I looked at my bike today.

Same here man. Same here.

[SuperFlyinMonke]

I got about 30 minutes on the trainer today. It's only 2C here, but you'd be nuts to ride if you didn't have snow tires. I wonder how my hybrid would do in these conditions.

[Loop Bizkit]

New winter bibs and arm warmers today. New helmet this weekend.

I have something like 16 or 17 scheduled events and races scheduled for this year. Got a little zealous and decided to tag along on my buddys race season, even if I'm only riding some of these with the intention of simply finishing in one piece.

Training for 2016 has begun. Unless there's snow on the road, I'm riding outside, off the trainer!

[ovid9]

New winter bibs and arm warmers today. New helmet this weekend.

I have something like 16 or 17 scheduled events and races scheduled for this year. Got a little zealous and decided to tag along on my buddys race season, even if I'm only riding some of these with the intention of simply finishing in one piece.

Training for 2016 has begun. Unless there's snow on the road, I'm riding outside, off the trainer!

Awesome Loop! Good luck with that!

I did one full on bike race in my life, well, it was sort of two races. I probably told the story on here before, idk.

1998, 18 years old, Crested Butte Fat Tire Festival. I'd been working at a camp in southern Colorado for 6 weeks and getting to ride some and a bunch of them were going to do the race so I figured why not?

Day one was a ~2 mile Crit on mountain bikes. 2.5 laps around this little circuit. There was a ton of us bunched in a little area at the start and the dude a couple people in front of me went down. I had no where to go so I just sorta rode over his bike, I don't think I hit him, but if I'd stopped or swerved I was gonna get rode down. (My mom saw the crash and thought I was the one who ate it. ) I don't remember my time but I did ok for a noob since it was non-technical and I wasn't hung over like half the kids.

The next day was the XC race. I did the 10-12 mile (can't remember) beginner route. Can't remember now. So much climbing but the worst was the switchbacks coming down. I'm a pretty terrible bike handler and I bit it a couple times but nothing like where I flew blindly into the air, landed and launched myself off the bike. I ended up probably 5 feet from my bike and all I heard was a female voice going "are you ok?" I shouted "yeah, I'm fine" and raised my hand. As I scurried back to my bike I realized that was the lead female pro.

The rest of the race wasn't technical at all and I proudly defeated the 12 year old on the rigid cannondale by an entire 40 seconds or so.

Thus ended my one and only dedicated bike race. I'm sure your road races will be a bit different experience.