|
Source: (consider it)
|
Thread: "My chain fell off.....": A cycling thread
|
Ariston
Insane Unicorn
# 10894
|
Posted
quote:
Not Safe For Wallet? Not Safe For Wife?
That's a hideous livery, I wouldn't be seen on one of them!
Usually "not safe for work"—bikeporn!—but I suppose the former applies quite well in this case. Yes, Bianchi's trademark celeste is really just bad bridesmaid's dress seafoam, but come on—it's a Bianchi. They're supposed to be so ugly you they're beautiful. I mean, if you thought that one was bad . . .
quote:
Garmin-Sharp had an absolutely shit Tour after getting the GC win in the Giro, but that was due to crashes and not performance.
What? You seriously think that losing half your team in the first week, including Ryjder (great name for a cyclist there . . .) might impact your performance? You're nuts. I did want to see how the Canadian did on the full course, though, so I was disappointed when he got carted off.
--------------------
“Therefore, let it be explained that nowhere are the proprieties quite so strictly enforced as in men’s colleges that invite young women guests, especially over-night visitors in the fraternity houses.” Emily Post, 1937.
Posts: 6849 | From: The People's Republic of Balcones | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
balaam
Making an ass of myself
# 4543
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
Update on Mr Boog's USA coast to coast cycle ride.
He was in Northfield, Minnesota last night and is still in the EFI club (Every F***ing Inch!) - over half way now. He's very happy as he's permanently on his drug of choice (exercise)
Here is a map of the route.
The route goes through the middle of Lake Michigan. I don't fancy riding that bit.
--------------------
Last ever sig ...
blog
Posts: 9049 | From: Hen Ogledd | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
|
Posted
Dear Boogie, have you ever considered that Mr Boog may be ever so slightly insane? (I ask this in the spirit of Christian Charity, you understand ![[Biased]](wink.gif) ).
He is doing well though ![[Overused]](graemlins/notworthy.gif)
Huia
--------------------
Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
the giant cheeseburger
Shipmate
# 10942
|
Posted
Mark Cavendish did manage to win at least something on the weekend even if the Olympic Road Race was a total failure for Team (G)B on Saturday. Unfortunately it was just a post-Tour criterium in Belgium on Sunday afternoon, which the Daily Telegraph fails to realise is a pantomime show on wheels!
Post-Tour crits are not real races, they are shows where the top placings are scripted to please the local crowd, and a nice chance for everybody involved to make some easy cash* while letting local fans see their heroes in the flesh. The guy who comes last in the Tour de France can make hundreds of thousands of Euros from appearing in these races (and often recovering to "beat" those who vanquished him in the Tour!), and pure climbers can suddenly find super-human abilities to out-sprint the world's best sprinters! Ryder Hesjedal "happened" to win one last week - while wearing his pink jersey from this year's Giro d'Italia!
However, if you watch the video from Robbie McEwen's bike** you can appreciate a little of skill involved for even a fake pantomime race! Notice how the two Vaconsoleil riders politely help Petacchi lead out McEwen before the final corner (way too far back for a proper McEwen sprint to start!) only for Cav to just take it on the line? ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
I wouldn't mind if proper races had on-board cameras like that, the unit Robbie was using weighs only 140g including a tough casing, and a small low-power transmitter wouldn't add much more than that which would be equal for everybody or could be deducted from the minimum weight of the bike. I have a camera a bit like that but mine is obviously not as good because the motion seems to go a fair amount slower!
* which is why guys like Cavendish, Sagan and so on were "racing" in Belgium the day after the Road Race in London. Robbie McEwen used to make over 300,000 Euros in the weeks following each TdF when he was the biggest cycling star in Belgium.
** what a coincidence that a guy who last raced properly a few months ago happened to place second at an event where he was being honoured as a retiring hero
--------------------
If I give a homeopathy advocate a really huge punch in the face, can the injury be cured by giving them another really small punch in the face?
Posts: 4834 | From: Adelaide, South Australia. | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Ariston
Insane Unicorn
# 10894
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
* which is why guys like Cavendish, Sagan and so on were "racing" in Belgium the day after the Road Race in London. Robbie McEwen used to make over 300,000 Euros in the weeks following each TdF when he was the biggest cycling star in Belgium.
Yes, but how much of that was in $2,000 wheels? None you say, because their wheels start at $4,000?
Crit races are as much for the fans as the riders. Most road races (with the exception of the Olympic race this year!) involve a lot of sitting for hours to wait for about 30 seconds. Crits? Find yourself a nice cafe, sit back in the shade, and watch a bunch of really good riders torture themselves. If you're going to do a paid exhibition ride, it might as well be one the spectators can have fun at.
--------------------
“Therefore, let it be explained that nowhere are the proprieties quite so strictly enforced as in men’s colleges that invite young women guests, especially over-night visitors in the fraternity houses.” Emily Post, 1937.
Posts: 6849 | From: The People's Republic of Balcones | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
the giant cheeseburger
Shipmate
# 10942
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by AristonAstuanax:
Crit races are as much for the fans as the riders. Most road races (with the exception of the Olympic race this year!) involve a lot of sitting for hours to wait for about 30 seconds. Crits? Find yourself a nice cafe, sit back in the shade, and watch a bunch of really good riders torture themselves. If you're going to do a paid exhibition ride, it might as well be one the spectators can have fun at.
This is one thing that the organisers of the Santos World Tour Down Under have done well with the 2013 stages. All of the stages bar one feature multiple circuits on the route like an Olympic or World Championship race. Even the one that doesn't* have a circuit does meander around so a keen rider could view it at one point and then cut the corner to view it at another.
* That's the one ridden by the people earlier in the day. You don't want multiple loops making chaos in a participation event!
--------------------
If I give a homeopathy advocate a really huge punch in the face, can the injury be cured by giving them another really small punch in the face?
Posts: 4834 | From: Adelaide, South Australia. | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Celtic Knotweed
Shipmate
# 13008
|
Posted
Rescuing the thread before it falls off page 2!
Feeling rather pleased as yesterday evening I managed to fit a new back gear cable with a minimum of help from Sandemaniac (he held the cable tight whilst I did up the cable clamp, and then crimped off the end after cutting - I just don't have the muscles...). The reason for feeling pleased is it's a click-shifter rather than a friction one, first time I've ever worked on one, and it was almost working perfectly by the time I got to work today. ![[Yipee]](graemlins/spin.gif)
--------------------
My little sister is riding 100k round London at night to raise money for cancer research donations here if you feel so inclined.
Posts: 664 | From: between keyboard and chair | Registered: Sep 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
Ariston
Insane Unicorn
# 10894
|
Posted
Aie! Fun, that sounds not! Totally understand the urge to get a new helmet and get back on, though.
--------------------
“Therefore, let it be explained that nowhere are the proprieties quite so strictly enforced as in men’s colleges that invite young women guests, especially over-night visitors in the fraternity houses.” Emily Post, 1937.
Posts: 6849 | From: The People's Republic of Balcones | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
|
Posted
Hey all. Forgive my intrusion. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
I have two questions.
1. I went out on my bike this afternoon and felt a vibration in my rear wheel. After prodding around for a while I noticed that the wheel was loose on its axle which I figured wasn't a good sign. I walked home, and passed a bike shop so I popped in and asked them what I needed to tighten up. They told me that the real axle was broken. So, my question is: assuming they are correct and the axle is gone, how many parts will I need to replace?
2. On a totally unrelated note, I was wondering if anyone have suggestions for routes in the DC area. So far, the only place I have found for a decent Sunday afternoon spin is along MacArthur Blvd. Any other ideas?
Thanks.
--------------------
"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Ariston
Insane Unicorn
# 10894
|
Posted
1. That depends on a number of things, really; however, I'm guessing that, if only the axle is damaged (and not anything else in the hub, like the bearing races or various other bits and bobs in there), then only the axle should be replaced. Granted, Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance tells me that things could be more complicated, but they're probably not.
This assumes that you didn't damage anything else while riding on a broken axle, though, which is a big "if."
2. Well, there are a few classics, like the Mount Vernon Trail or the C&O Canal, and WABA has a handy guide to local trails; once you learn the bike trails and on-street lanes, though, the rides start to find themselves.
Well, okay, it's also handy to know how to get between trail systems and around nasty traffic sewers (hi there, New York Avenue!)
However, in DC itself, one of my favorite rides is the National Arboretum. Yes, it's near a not-so-great part of town, yes, Bladensburg Road can be a pain, but, once you get past these, you've got Hill Paradise to ride around in. The Arboretum is really meant to be seen by bike; you can actually take in the views as you ride and, if you want to explore the gardens and exhibits, it's a lot easier to lock up your bike and walk than hunt for a very distant parking space. Oh, and did I mention the hills? If you're feeling a bit like a glutton for punishment, there are a few that will test your mettle.
Other nice rides: Hains Point is great during cherry blossom season (no tourists!); the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and Patuxent Wildlife Refuge makes a great ride from College Park; Beech Drive in Rock Creak Park is closed to traffic on weekends between just north of the zoo and the Maryland border; and I've heard that the hills east of the river can be a great challenge.
Oh, and, of course, there's this little gem. I have half a mind to do it this year just to say I did.
--------------------
“Therefore, let it be explained that nowhere are the proprieties quite so strictly enforced as in men’s colleges that invite young women guests, especially over-night visitors in the fraternity houses.” Emily Post, 1937.
Posts: 6849 | From: The People's Republic of Balcones | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
|
Posted
Huia crawls into thread to announce imminent death, well ... not quite, but my thight muscles are about to lock up on me.
A beautiful day here, so I decided to ride into town (such as it is). The wind was against me going in so it though I might get a tail wind coming home = wrong!
At least its flat, though there are some gnarly bits where the road hasn't been fixed yet. Pothole zigzags against the wind make life more interesting - right?
Despite my moaning it was wonderful to get out on my bike again = and spring is coming - YaY.
--------------------
Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Ariston:
1. That depends on a number of things, really; however, I'm guessing that, if only the axle is damaged (and not anything else in the hub, like the bearing races or various other bits and bobs in there), then only the axle should be replaced. Granted, Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance tells me that things could be more complicated, but they're probably not.
This assumes that you didn't damage anything else while riding on a broken axle, though, which is a big "if."
Hmm... This guy was suggesting that I need a new wheel, new cassette, chain, tire(?!), and some other bits which I don't remember. I have a feeling he was trying to take me for a ride.
And thanks for the advice about routes. I tend to prefer to be a bit eyeballs-out when I go riding so perhaps the narrow paths of some of the off-road trails aren't quite what I'm looking for. But up towards the USDA looks encouraging. It'll be a bit hilly around there too, right?
--------------------
"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Ariston
Insane Unicorn
# 10894
|
Posted
Lemmie guess, when you overhauled your whole drivetrain, your only two options were either DuraAce or SRAM Red, 11-speed—and, upon further reflection, you might want to update your shifters and cranks to work better with your new system . . .
Maaaybe retruing the wheel. New chain and cassette only if you had some nasty wear already (that whole "shark tooth" look), which, granted, you might. Get a second opinion; I know of a few bike shops (including at least one in my neck of the woods) that would give you a good one.
Oh, and it can get a bit hilly around BARC—not excessively so, but there are a few worth trying. Of course, if you're really looking to do Fast, there is the Greenbelt National Park loop that has its own killer hill—especially after about lap four or so. The Maryland/NE DC trails tend to be a lot less crowded than the Virginia ones, though; you can occasionally race Metro trains going between NoMa and Rhode Island Avenue on the Met Branch trail.
Granted, you won't win, but . . .
[ 26. August 2012, 20:38: Message edited by: Ariston ]
--------------------
“Therefore, let it be explained that nowhere are the proprieties quite so strictly enforced as in men’s colleges that invite young women guests, especially over-night visitors in the fraternity houses.” Emily Post, 1937.
Posts: 6849 | From: The People's Republic of Balcones | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Imaginary Friend
Real to you
# 186
|
Posted
To be fair, my bike is (literally) from the seventies, so there is every chance that bits are getting worn. The rear derailleur broke last week as well, which probably adds further evidence for that point of view. But a new tire? I mean, really!
--------------------
"We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."
Brian Clough
Posts: 9455 | From: Left a bit... Right a bit... | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Ariston
Insane Unicorn
# 10894
|
Posted
Ah, well. "Old bike" changes things. Yeah, if you haven't had it looked over in a while, you might be experiencing some wear. The tire thing may actually be legit—second opinions might be good opinions here. Just like car tires, bike tires have a life span, and, if yours has been worn, you're either begging for a blowout or, at the very least, traction problems on gravel, etc.
Then again, I ride a bike that's almost as old as I am, but whose parts are all of recent make—since it's a rare chain or cassette that survives 25 years of regular riding. If you've been replacing things regularly and keeping it maintained, you're probably being fleeced; if those parts came with the bike, though . . .
--------------------
“Therefore, let it be explained that nowhere are the proprieties quite so strictly enforced as in men’s colleges that invite young women guests, especially over-night visitors in the fraternity houses.” Emily Post, 1937.
Posts: 6849 | From: The People's Republic of Balcones | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
balaam
Making an ass of myself
# 4543
|
Posted
I find that the old bike idea is commercially unsound. There comes a time when the resale value of a bike is less than the cost of having it repaired. Finding 5 speed blocks is next to impossible. I am not emotionally attached to my cycles.
Having said that my latest bike (Trek hybrid) has attained 600 miles in under four months. Not bad for someone with an arthritic foot.
Time was, before the accident, when I thought of a 25 mile ride as getting warmed up. Now it is my maximum range, though I have made 40 miles in a day by having a break and lots of OTC painkillers.
--------------------
Last ever sig ...
blog
Posts: 9049 | From: Hen Ogledd | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Ariston
Insane Unicorn
# 10894
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by balaam:
I find that the old bike idea is commercially unsound. There comes a time when the resale value of a bike is less than the cost of having it repaired. Finding 5 speed blocks is next to impossible. I am not emotionally attached to my cycles.
And I'm a major fan of vintage and classic bikes. Sure, if you go by resale value, you're going to end up sinking more money into a bike than you paid for it in almost any given instance. It's as much the principle of the matter, that a good bike deserves to be ridden, as any desire to save the money a new bike would cost. Plus, lugged steel road, touring, and cyclecross frames, like they used to make at Schwinn, Bridgestone, and Proteus in the late '70s through the early '90s, just aren't made anymore. Sure, TIG welding can get you the same results, but nothing looks as good as nice lugs.
And yes, I know Rivendell still makes lugged steel frames—seeing as they're run by Bridgestone's brilliant crank of a bike designer—but, if I'm paying $5-6,000 for a bike, well . . .
--------------------
“Therefore, let it be explained that nowhere are the proprieties quite so strictly enforced as in men’s colleges that invite young women guests, especially over-night visitors in the fraternity houses.” Emily Post, 1937.
Posts: 6849 | From: The People's Republic of Balcones | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
|
Posted
A standard single speed go to work bike here costs about Rs 3000 - 4000 so roughly $55 - 75.
I reckon that's enough.
[ 24. September 2012, 15:28: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
--------------------
I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Tukai
Shipmate
# 12960
|
Posted
I don't know about "classic", but for several years I rode to work (about 15 km each way) in a moderately hilly town on an old 10-speeed road bike. I did keep the bike well maintained, and key parts were replaced with sturdy but cheap ones as regularly as with the legendary "Grandpa's axe". The bike road beautifully ( I even raced on it a couple of times) But the steel frame looked its age with peeling paint, and original saddle looked equally battered (though still comfortable, for me at least).
But it had the great advantage that no-one wanted to pinch it. In fact, one day, a thief came to the bike racks at work (which were then open to the public) and preferred to cut through the lock on a new-looking mountain bike and take that instead of mine, which was totally unlocked!
--------------------
A government that panders to the worst instincts of its people degrades the whole country for years to come.
Posts: 594 | From: Oz | Registered: Sep 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
Ariston
Insane Unicorn
# 10894
|
Posted
Tonight's bike shop adventure: fun with fixies! Specifically, one of these babies: a 2013 celeste Bianchi Pista. Now, I'd never ridden a track bike before, and only had an around-the-parking-lot trip on a fixed gear before, so getting some quality time on one of these? So much fun.
For those of you who aren't nucking futs enough to have tried one of these, track bikes are made only to go fast. There are two things that get in the way of going really fast: coasting and braking. To "encourage" you to go faster, a good track bike won't let you do either.
Needless to say, when the bike shop lets you test out their bike, there's a bit of "wreck this and we'll charge your corpse" black humor. Despite their semi-inexplicable popularity among hipsters, fixies are about the worst possible bikes for urban commuting—they don't stop easily, track wheels and tires, while light, break easily, you wear out quickly on any sort of hill, they're overly sensitive to steering, and the general setup . . . well, you feel like you're about to go over the front. If you're a track racer or bike messenger, those things are desirable, but for anyone else, it feels like bad news.
Certain death is worth the pure fun of one of these bikes. The pedals keep going even when you forget to work them (you eventually learn to let the bike move your legs when you would otherwise coast), you can use the pedals, instead of your hands, to slow down or stop, which leaves you feeling just that much more connected to the road and the bike . . . and did we mention that these things can go fast? That's important. Sure, your legs feel like jelly after a mile or two of going up and down hills, but to have that sort of union with your machine while you ride? Totally worth it. The silly thing's so much fun to ride. Even if it's utterly impractical, it's such a great feeling that it might be worth it.
I know what my second bike's going to be now. Not sure what the next one is, but there's now a Pista in my future.
--------------------
“Therefore, let it be explained that nowhere are the proprieties quite so strictly enforced as in men’s colleges that invite young women guests, especially over-night visitors in the fraternity houses.” Emily Post, 1937.
Posts: 6849 | From: The People's Republic of Balcones | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
|
Posted
It sounds terrifying!
Thanks for the reminder, now off to bicycle repair man for a new tyre - was about to pump up the rear the other night and saw large split on the outer ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
--------------------
I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Ariston
Insane Unicorn
# 10894
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
It sounds terrifying!
It is the first time or two you try to stop without using the brakes that, thankfully, were on this particular bike. After that, the terror becomes part of the fun—well, and you can dodge pretty much anything, since they turn on pennies. It's why nut job bike messengers loved them—not only could you keep up with urban traffic, but you could weave your way through it.
--------------------
“Therefore, let it be explained that nowhere are the proprieties quite so strictly enforced as in men’s colleges that invite young women guests, especially over-night visitors in the fraternity houses.” Emily Post, 1937.
Posts: 6849 | From: The People's Republic of Balcones | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
|
Posted
Three pounds, or five dollars, and I have a new rear tyre, all fitted and ready to go plus new rear brakes and a general clean and oil.
--------------------
I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
balaam
Making an ass of myself
# 4543
|
Posted
I won't tell you how much I spend on a tyre, I get the puncture resistant ones as I'm too lazy fo fix punctures.
As for fixed, to omany hills around here. Number and range of gears is what matters.
--------------------
Last ever sig ...
blog
Posts: 9049 | From: Hen Ogledd | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
Tukai
Shipmate
# 12960
|
Posted
Personally I would not recommend a fixed wheel bike for around town riding. I had one for 3 years in the 1970s, when I was young and fit. I didn't find it particularly fast or manoevrable, and it forced me to be very wary in approaching anything where I might need to stop, as I would then have to restart from still, which is tricky, especially with toe-clips (which I used routinely). Downhills were a bit of a test too, as I had to move my legs pretty quickly.
I did get used to it though , even to the extent of riding 100 miles each way one long weekend to visit my then girlfriend (now my wife!).
Much more recently - last weekend in fact - I was pleased to ride a hot and hilly 40 km time trial at close to 30 km/h average speed. Not too bad for an old man who had a heart attack only 2 years ago, I thought. But I confess that I was on drugs, even if they are prescribed medicines for lowering cholestrol and blood pressure .
--------------------
A government that panders to the worst instincts of its people degrades the whole country for years to come.
Posts: 594 | From: Oz | Registered: Sep 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
|
Posted
I rode up a hill today. For those of you who don't know Christchurch (NZ) it's mostly flat except for Port Hills and Banks Penninsula (the bit that sticks out on the East Coast of the South Island). The hills are formed by dormant (hopefully extinct) volcanoes.
I totally stuffed up the gear changes - changed up instead of down ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif) and almost came to a dead stop. I think that I should start at the bottom of the hill on the lowest cog so that I need only shift through that - thoughts or advice on gear-changing welcome.
O, and I'm not very fit either - but as I will be riding this hill at least 3 time a week for the next 10 weeks that might change ![[Cool]](cool.gif) .
Huia -feeling my age
--------------------
Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Ariston
Insane Unicorn
# 10894
|
Posted
The trick with hill climbing is, if you can manage it, to get as much speed as you can coming up to the hill and on its lower slopes, changing gears just at the first hint that you won't be able to power through this, then dropping several gears very quickly so that you still have some speed behind you before things get tough. This is a lot easier to do if your shifters are mounted on the handlebars—if you have downtube mounted shifters like I do, you're going to have to downshift at least a few seconds before you'd really want to, and will have to do it more than you think necessary. Taking your hands off the handlebars while applying that much force to your bike is a good way to start a nasty wreck.
Summary: go real fast, then drop gears.
--------------------
“Therefore, let it be explained that nowhere are the proprieties quite so strictly enforced as in men’s colleges that invite young women guests, especially over-night visitors in the fraternity houses.” Emily Post, 1937.
Posts: 6849 | From: The People's Republic of Balcones | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
balaam
Making an ass of myself
# 4543
|
Posted
The trick to hill climbing is to ride in the saddle. Do not spend large amounts of time out of the saddle, only get out of the saddle for short bursts when you need to accelerate or after a gear change.
Do't use your lowest gear, legs spinning furiously whilst the bike is hardly moving is going to tire you out. However using too high a gear is even more dangerous and could knacker your knees.
Keep a highish cadence, your legs should be spinning about 80 to 100 rpm. If your legs start slowing down, change down, if it feels easy change up. Even on those rare hills with the same gradient all the way up you will need to change down as you tire.
--------------------
Last ever sig ...
blog
Posts: 9049 | From: Hen Ogledd | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
|
Posted
Thanks Ariston and Balaam.
I managed to catch my youngest brother on the phone last night. He regularly bikes over the hill into the valley where he lives ~ sea-level to 640ft above then back to 300ft, and he pointed out the strain on the chain that would be caused by what I was proposing. I think I'm going to have to develop a 'feel' for the road as there is a bit that dips before the gradient increases which would provide a place to get up some speed before changing.
Also my bike is going in for a service to ensure it's at it's best for the demands I'm making on it. It's only a couple of years old so I think it's mostly OK, but I have been told the back brake pads may need adjusting or replacement.
--------------------
Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Arethosemyfeet
Shipmate
# 17047
|
Posted
My trike had a fairly catastrophic failure a few weeks back. Total loss of power from pedalling, had to push it 3 miles home. Turned out when my wife took it apart that I'd managed to fracture the sprocket, partially strip the teeth that locked it to the hub and pop the circlip out of place. A replacement sprocket got the thing back up and running, but it's left me a little concerned.
Any bike experts know whether this is likely to be a defective part or whether I'm likely to be cycling poorly in some fashion? I've done probably a thousand miles plus miles on it in 9 months with a Shimano Nexus hub gear.
Posts: 2933 | From: Hebrides | Registered: Apr 2012
| IP: Logged
|
|
Ariston
Insane Unicorn
# 10894
|
Posted
That is . . . not supposed to happen. Shimano's known for making pretty good parts, but even they have their errors; 1000 miles shouldn't wear out anything of that quality, no matter how you work it. I mean, I have a few vintage Suntour components on my bikes/low end Shimano sprockets, and I've never broken anything—even though I've done some things that you're not supposed to do with bikes or human legs.
IMHO, there was a defective part. The amount of strain you can put on any given component during even heavy exertion is simply not enough to cause that kind of damage to a fully functioning anything. They're designed to tolerate hard use; that they didn't means something in the manufacturing screwed up.
--------------------
“Therefore, let it be explained that nowhere are the proprieties quite so strictly enforced as in men’s colleges that invite young women guests, especially over-night visitors in the fraternity houses.” Emily Post, 1937.
Posts: 6849 | From: The People's Republic of Balcones | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
|
Posted
I'm with Ariston there - a defective part if ever I heard of one.
--------------------
I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Karl: Liberal Backslider
Shipmate
# 76
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Arethosemyfeet:
My trike had a fairly catastrophic failure a few weeks back. Total loss of power from pedalling, had to push it 3 miles home.
That happened to me the other week. Freehub was knacked. Stock wheels on a Decathlon Sport 1 (predecessor to the much lauded Triban 3 which differs in having a carbon fork*) so no biggie; new wheel, £35.
I daresay I could spend ten times as much and go 0.1 MPH faster
*Mine has the carbon fork. I broke it against another bike in an underpass (don't ask); Decathlon ordered a like for like replacement for me (steel) but when it came in it was the wrong one. So they gave me the carbon Triban fork at cost - £50.
It is marginally more comfortable, without doubt.
--------------------
Might as well ask the bloody cat.
Posts: 17938 | From: Chesterfield | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Arethosemyfeet
Shipmate
# 17047
|
Posted
Thanks guys, it's not an expensive part (and was under warranty anyway), but if I thought I was going to go through one every few months I'd order in a spare.
Posts: 2933 | From: Hebrides | Registered: Apr 2012
| IP: Logged
|
|
balaam
Making an ass of myself
# 4543
|
Posted
I've had freewheel hubs lose power under two years old on two different bikes. Never had any problems with cassettes though.
--------------------
Last ever sig ...
blog
Posts: 9049 | From: Hen Ogledd | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
|
Posted
Me again with some questions. These aren't specific to bikes, but I have never done the kind of exercise to which they would apply.
Firstly, muscle pain. I'm very unfit. I know if I bike over about 20 kms I get pain in my thigh muscles, but it goes away after a couple of days. After riding up the slope to the school where I'll be working, my muscles weren't only sore, the next day I felt like I had lost power in them on just a short ride to the shops. Is there anything I can do to lessen this, or should it just go away as I get fitter?
I'm not contemplating Lance Armstrong type performance-enhancing drugs but is there a way I can make my cycling more pain-free, or is it just a matter of doing it and it will get better?
Is it better to ride through the pain on the following days, or walk, thus changing the muscles I use?
Of course if it's raining all bets are off and I'll take the bus
[ 21. October 2012, 05:35: Message edited by: Huia ]
--------------------
Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Ariston
Insane Unicorn
# 10894
|
Posted
The good news: it will eventually go away as you get used to it and your body figures out it had better help you out by growing stronger.
The bad news: that may take a while, and it will almost certainly hurt, though it will start to hurt less.
The not-as-good, but still good, news: it may not take as long as you fear, but probably longer than you'd like.
Don't try to "ride through" the pain the next day—a bit of minor soreness is one thing, but actual pain is something you really don't want to aggravate. Your muscles need time to heal, especially since that healing and growth is what helps make them stronger. Walking whenever you feel sore is a great thing to do; strengthening the muscles around those you use for cycling will help protect you from injury, as well as just generally being a Good Thing to Do. Take things slowly, be patient (well, patient as you can be), and trust that things are, in fact, getting better.
--------------------
“Therefore, let it be explained that nowhere are the proprieties quite so strictly enforced as in men’s colleges that invite young women guests, especially over-night visitors in the fraternity houses.” Emily Post, 1937.
Posts: 6849 | From: The People's Republic of Balcones | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
balaam
Making an ass of myself
# 4543
|
Posted
...and don't go powering up hilld until you are strong enough to do it.
--------------------
Last ever sig ...
blog
Posts: 9049 | From: Hen Ogledd | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
|
Posted
Damn Ariston - that mirrors closely what my GP said- I had to see her about sonething unrelated, so I thought I'd slip the question in while I was there.
Depending on the weather I may bike up the hill again tomorrow as it's a week since I last did and I have been doing a lot of walking as well as some easy biking on the flat.
Balaam - it's not so much powering, more like crawling.
I'm not really a patient person, but I am a wuss about pain, so am willing to take it gradually. Thanks for your support,
Huia
--------------------
Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Ariston
Insane Unicorn
# 10894
|
Posted
*pushing and pedaling up over the top*
It's cyclecross season—am I the only one paying attention to the mix of bikes and mud?
--------------------
“Therefore, let it be explained that nowhere are the proprieties quite so strictly enforced as in men’s colleges that invite young women guests, especially over-night visitors in the fraternity houses.” Emily Post, 1937.
Posts: 6849 | From: The People's Republic of Balcones | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
balaam
Making an ass of myself
# 4543
|
Posted
Probably. I don't usually take notice until closer to the world championships in February.
--------------------
Last ever sig ...
blog
Posts: 9049 | From: Hen Ogledd | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
balaam
Making an ass of myself
# 4543
|
Posted
The National Cyclo-cross championships are about 12 miles from here in Bradford this year. (12th & 13th January) I'll get interested for that. Possibly a Ship's UK cyclist meet?
--------------------
Last ever sig ...
blog
Posts: 9049 | From: Hen Ogledd | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
balaam
Making an ass of myself
# 4543
|
Posted
Le Grand Depart of the Tour de France 2014 will be in the well known French department of Yorkshire.
The actual route is not usually announced until after the previous year's race has run, so we'll have to wait to see that. But I'm excited already.
--------------------
Last ever sig ...
blog
Posts: 9049 | From: Hen Ogledd | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Surfing Madness
Shipmate
# 11087
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by balaam:
Le Grand Depart of the Tour de France 2014 will be in the well known French department of Yorkshire.
The actual route is not usually announced until after the previous year's race has run, so we'll have to wait to see that. But I'm excited already.
I'm excited to
(Also thinking potential shipmeet)
--------------------
I now blog about all my crafting! http://inspiredbybroadway.blogspot.co.uk
Posts: 1542 | From: searching for the jam | Registered: Feb 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Surfing Madness:
...(Also thinking potential shipmeet)
...with a nice bottle of Chateauneuf du Dewsbury!
--------------------
I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
|
Posted
I do hope the route takes in Holmfirth, scene of the notoriously long-running television "comedy" Last of the Summer Wine. Professional cyclists riding over hilly cobbled streets would be a treat, especially it has been raining (which it usually has).
--------------------
"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
Printer-friendly view
