Bicycles!

["A"]

Back in my college days, my bicycle commute to school was 31 miles one-way, took me about 1:30 to 1:45 depending on weather. Rode to school, work then back home, with training rides likely 100+ miles per day.
I used 700x27c tire in the front wheel, 23c in the rear, lined the inside of the tires with dollar bills, best puncture prevention ever.. even cheaper than most tire lines on the market.
Depending on the rider weight, wider tire really make a difference in how long the wheels/spokes last over rough terrain/potholes/metal planks on the road.

[CaliGrrl]

Yeah, MTB experience is helpful on rough ground. Letting a bit of air out of your tires could definitely help.

[sharky nrk]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

You're on the right track here. I think you're being a nervous nancy worrying about the stresses on the bike. Industry safety factors are awesome.



That said, the switch to 25mm from 23mm tires is awesome. Not like earth shattering, but definitely better. If your frame can fit 28's, do it! You should be able to easily run the 25's ~10psi lower than the 23's without concern. Play with tire pressures a bit. You want to run them as low as you can without bottoming out the rim on the obstacles and pinch flatting. More volume in the tire means you can go lower on pressure.

For reference, I'm 130 lbs and ride "light" over obstacles from MTB experience. I ran 23mm tires at 95 Front/105 Rear and I currently run 25mm tires on wide rims at 80-85 front/95 Rear. The ride is awesome.

I would have to look and see what size could be run, where could one find that info. I run 105F/115R (down from 115/125) on 23s. But I am 190 lbs as well and lets me honest - I don't think I ride very "light" lol.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by "A"

lined the inside of the tires with dollar bills, best puncture prevention ever.. even cheaper than most tire lines on the market.

plus if you break your wheel, you've got cab fair home!

[SLOWn60]

Originally Posted by alex.s

plus if you break your wheel, you've got cab fair home!

$52 isn't going to get you very far!

[alex.s]

bus fare then?

[SLOWn60]

Just back from a ride and it was one of those times no matter the direction I headed: a headwind!

Which reminds me: Pro tip for anyone touring cross country at least up near the 49th Parallel; never ride East to West!

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by SLOWn60

never ride East to West!

god, tell me about it! the closer to the ocean the worse it is too! i'm like twice as fast going east as i am going west

[SLOWn60]

I did a 3500 km trip west to Prince Rupert. Thought I was going to lose my mind: a steady 20+ km headwind almost every peddle of the way! It's ridiculous how it can eat at your mind! Lol! I love riding but I swear I'll NEVER do a route I know where the prevailing winds will be headwinds!

[choneofakind]

I finally installed some black lock-on grips that I've had forever. Not bad looking! Matches a little better than the lime green lock-on grips I had before.

Also got my fork rebuilt. Thanks again, rojo, this thing is awesome. Hoping to hit the trails today or tomorrow if it will freaking dry out here...

[SLOWn60]

Lol! Mountain biking was born in the Wet coast! A little rain won't melt you!

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by SLOWn60

Lol! Mountain biking was born in the Wet coast! A little rain won't melt you!

Not me I'm worried about, yo. The trails around here don't take well to wet riding and get damaged. I volunteer my time repairing trails with the local IMBA chapter. Not about to be the one who rides wet trail.

It's not like the pacific north west where it's always raining and the only options are wet trail or no riding.

[SLOWn60]

Understood & agree!

["A"]

Originally Posted by alex.s

plus if you break your wheel, you've got cab fair home!

Cab? there was no cab where I went to school.. change the flat or ride on the flat 'til I can get it changed.
Wheels are usually plenty tough (built myself, Campy 7-speed hubs, 36-3 cross, DT SS straight 14 gauge spokes w/Wilber GTS2 SS eyelet rims) for any rider to ride with a flat tire and riding on a flat tire was just extra training resistance.

Originally Posted by SLOWn60

Just back from a ride and it was one of those times no matter the direction I headed: a headwind!

Which reminds me: Pro tip for anyone touring cross country at least up near the 49th Parallel; never ride East to West!

"Universal headwind" is just cycling gods smiling upon your good physique.

Pedaled and my way coast to coast twice, motorized 7 times, always WEST to EAST. Next crossing maybe in a recumbent.

[alex.s]

hey are you mike hall?

[alex.s]

3rd day in on my commuting by bike and i'm bonked as ****. i've been pushing hard each ride but i'm beyond tired. i don't think i've ever been so completely exhausted. putting out high power feels easier than putting out low power. but can't do the high power for more than short spurts or the quads catch fire. body just doesn't want to cooperate anymore. the rides are getting faster though, and i average about 22mph now when i'm not stuck at a stupid stop light. i don't think i've ever hated stoplights more. getting better at timing stop lights but sometimes they catch ya last minute. what a waste of energy! sprinting away from the stoplight feels good though. i think i might need to start eating more donuts and waffles.

p.s. bus drivers are cool in my book.

[rojoracing53]

Originally Posted by alex.s

3rd day in on my commuting by bike and i'm bonked as ****. i've been pushing hard each ride but i'm beyond tired. i don't think i've ever been so completely exhausted. putting out high power feels easier than putting out low power. but can't do the high power for more than short spurts or the quads catch fire. body just doesn't want to cooperate anymore. the rides are getting faster though, and i average about 22mph now when i'm not stuck at a stupid stop light. i don't think i've ever hated stoplights more. getting better at timing stop lights but sometimes they catch ya last minute. what a waste of energy! sprinting away from the stoplight feels good though. i think i might need to start eating more donuts and waffles.

p.s. bus drivers are cool in my book.

[CaliGrrl]

Commuting by bicycle tends to be lower speeds than when out for fun or for a workout. And yes, you need to feed your body since you're burning extra calories.

[SLOWn60]

Vancouver, 5 am. Typical spring morning: a light shower threatening to turn to sun/cloud skies! Just me & the seagulls out today! EDIT: Hell if I know how to rotate it! The picture is upright on my camera and it's an attachment! No way I see to edit & rotate!
image.jpg

[sharky nrk]

Originally Posted by alex.s

3rd day in on my commuting by bike and i'm bonked as ****. i've been pushing hard each ride but i'm beyond tired. i don't think i've ever been so completely exhausted. putting out high power feels easier than putting out low power. but can't do the high power for more than short spurts or the quads catch fire. body just doesn't want to cooperate anymore. the rides are getting faster though, and i average about 22mph now when i'm not stuck at a stupid stop light. i don't think i've ever hated stoplights more. getting better at timing stop lights but sometimes they catch ya last minute. what a waste of energy! sprinting away from the stoplight feels good though. i think i might need to start eating more donuts and waffles.

p.s. bus drivers are cool in my book.

LOL - may be time to look at a quickly digestible source of fuel to add in immediately after each trip - And sleep, lots of sleep lol

[choneofakind]

Get friendly with sleeves of Fig Newtons, power bars, protein shakes, etc etc.

And seriously though, slower speeds for commuting will keep you sane!! There is something to be said for turning commutes into workouts though. Maybe alternate fast days and slow days.

[SLOWn60]

But watch the sugar intake! It will rip your guts out!
Riders on the tour have pasta within 30 minutes of the end of the ride

[choneofakind]

Sugar intake has never bothered me...?

Yeah, mix of carbs and protein within half hour is a good idea. Based on where you work, alex, you'll get/already know more info on that than I can give you. I just eat real food and plan a meal after my rides. Meh. Not big on the whole "specific diet" thing. I just eat food and burn calories.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Sugar intake has never bothered me...?

Yeah, mix of carbs and protein within half hour is a good idea. Based on where you work, alex, you'll get/already know more info on that than I can give you. I just eat real food and plan a meal after my rides. Meh. Not big on the whole "specific diet" thing. I just eat food and burn calories.

everything i've learned about sports nutrition can be summed up in a few points:
* start training rides on an empty stomach
* consume carbs water and electrolytes while you exercise
* eat a ton of beef or chicken and some carbs immediately after.

[SLOWn60]

Except you skipped the training part and went straight into the grand tour!

[choneofakind]

Yeah, I don't care what you tell me about metabolism, I absolutely can't do training rides on an empty stomach. I eat beforehand because I hate feeling like I got run over by a train when I ride with an empty stomach.

I've read mixed reviews on the idea of training on an empty stomach to stimulate the metabolism, it's not a new idea. I can't do it. I'm skinny.

[SLOWn60]

5 am; time to crank the pedals!

I claim no expertise. My references and guide is based on the writings of Joe Friel:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Friel

My own experiences from rugby, rowing & cycling (Edit: Hockey! How could I forget 20 years of Hockey! Lol!) are consistently bonking much faster if I start on an empty stomach. I don't mean a big meal to "load up". Just something for the body to draw on initially. If I read Alex correctly; he's bonking while trying to do a twice daily, 30 mile ride. Bonking does nothing except drain you of energy and on his schedule; there's no recovery period! It may increase his metabolism at that moment but he will be "training" exhausted which will be counter productive in the long run. I assume he can't sleep at work!

My oatmeal is ready! Then I'm off on my recovery ride!

[choneofakind]

^^^^ Werd. Same with me and bicycling and soccer. Just a small breakfast helps a ton. And snacks while riding.

I've been back into MTB riding. Gosh I love MTB!!!!!

["A"]

Picked up this one for under $1K (sans pedals, with 700c wheels); it makes my road bike feel slow:

[cadd]

^ Isn't that a $4k bike?!?!

[cadd]

Not sure what caused her to fall over. Moving too fast for a 0mph clipless pedal tilt over.

Link to original page on YouTube.

[SLOWn60]

Originally Posted by "A"

Picked up this one for under $1K (sans pedals, with 700c wheels); it makes my road bike feel slow:

OOOOO!!!!
Unobtanium titanium!!! That is a beautiful machine!!!! Congrats!!!

["A"]

Originally Posted by cadd

^ Isn't that a $4k bike?!?!

Maybe when it first came out years ago.

I'm a sucker for low maintenance equipment; titanium frame never rust, no need for pant, no worries of scratches. Ride it in the rain, put it away wet and rides just the same the next day.

My road bike was purchased back in 2004, wore through 3 component groups, 2 sets of wheels, 6 chains, least dozen sets of tires... still the same awesome frame after 12+ years of riding.

[choneofakind]

Dude. Besides looking dated and not being carbon, those Litespeed's are badass. Congrats on the find!

I think Titanium is neat, but it really missed the curve with carbon coming out so readily and so well. At this point, it's more of a niche thing for bicycles than a really valid building material. They are gorgeous. Never ridden one.

[CaliGrrl]

Nice-looking bike!

["A"]

Truth is titanium are more difficult to work with, vs carbon, steel or aluminum.

Machining titanium require much tougher tooling (more frequent tool renewal), welding titanium require crucial (& expensive) gas mixture, but the end product's properties are durable, lightweight and provide excellent ride quality similar to steel frame.

The cost of working with titanium is a huge profit loss for frame manufacturers. especially in small numbers with custom tubing/machining/sizing. If you noticed that every single tube on my bikes are not shaped throughout from one end to another.

With the benefit of never rusting, no need for paint, no worries of fatigue failure (as aluminum or carbon). Hence its usage for most demanding man-made vehicles: SR-71 Blackbird & Space Shuttles where costs were not much of a consideration.

[choneofakind]

Fatigue in carbon? This is the first I've heard about fatigue with carbon, even with talking to engineers who design bicycles with the stuff. Not trying to be elitist here, just curious where you're getting that from.

All metals (that I'm aware of) can fail from fatigue due to cyclic loading. With steel, it's easy to avoid. Aluminum is impossible to avoid but you can make the number of cycles so high that it will never likely be reached. I know little about titanium other than the difficulties of machining.

["A"]

I've have had my TREK 2300 carbon/steel frame break during my commute, warrantied and replaced with a TREK OCLV frame that had lug came unglued 16 months later.

Kestrel had better durability, my current Kestrel is over 12 yrs old; but once I have had a carbon frame failed on me, I never quite trust it the same way as I would for frame materials. That's just my personal experience, while working at a bike shop on/off for two decades, I've seen more (customer's) carbon frame fail than tire/tubes explode while inflating.

Carbon frame failure

[choneofakind]

Fair enough reason to be shy of carbon. but!!!

Carbon doesn't fatigue. Where carbon is a little flawed is in how it fails. Look at steel: it has a yield strength and an ultimate strength. The yield strength is where it begins to permanently deform, and the ultimate strength is where it breaks. As I understand it, carbon doesn't have a deformation stage, or if it does, this range of force is very very small. Basically, there's only an ultimate strength. So if your carbon part sees any force that's ever so slightly larger than what it's designed for, boom. Any (and I mean any) imperfection in the part, as well as any external chipping/damage really make this even worse. Personally, because I crash so much, I'd still rock aluminum for MTB, but would have no second thoughts on carbon for a roadie.

Remember that the trek 2300 is old. It's one of the OG carbon frames released to the public. Like that's old the point where it's no longer valid, even anecdotally (which, I might add, all your evidence is) as a reference for why you shouldn't trust carbon. The 2300 was sold in the early 90's. There's been 20 years of Doctoral thesis work at the university level, aerospace R&D, automotive R&D (including F1, and they don't half-ass anything), and bicycle R&D on how to make/design better carbon structures.

For reference, this is the Trek 2300 that you're referencing, right? This thing is OG coolness, but it's kinda sketchy:



Also, I did a quick search, Titanium DOES have a fatigue cycle limit, but it's very similar to steel in that if you design small enough forces on that part, it is possible to make a part with an infinite life cycle.

["A"]

Let's just say that I ride and abuse my bicycles more than most people. I trust titanium frames over all others from personal experience.
I'm not saying that titanium do not have a fatigue life.
I'm not saying that titanium frames never fail.
I'm only saying that I trust titanium over others for frame material for my usage.
I will keep riding my Kestrel, with more care than my normally would...until one day it cracks, too.. likely before any of my titanium frames fail.