Bicycles!

[rojoracing53]

Just getting back into CA from the first round of the Ultra Endurance Mtb series held in Saint George UT. 88 miles over some of the rockiest trails I've seen. **** was so tech in areas that one of the guys ended up in the Hospital with a broken femur.

[choneofakind]

Damn. I been lazy. LA. ZEEE.

[NDspd]

Its been too cold in Ohio to get any good rides in, once it warms up I'll be out around 2-4 times a week. I want to get really fit this year and lose this muffin top.

[cadd]

Road:
2006 steel LeMond Croix de Fer 9 speed (105/Ultegra mix)
2002 aluminum Fuji Roubaix 9 speed (105) - SOLD

Mountain:
1999 Specialized Stumpjumper 9 speed (XT/XTR mix)
2005 Specialized Rockhopper 8 speed (SRAM SX-5) - Loaner bike for friends wants to ride with me

Hybrid:
2007 Trek FX - Beater
2009 Specialized Sirrus - Beater

Fixed Gear:
2009 Dawes SST - Commuter

The LeMond and the fixed gear have Brooks saddle. Best seat on Earth!!!!!!

[salcuta88]

Originally Posted by cadd

Road:
2006 steel LeMond Croix de Fer 9 speed (105/Ultegra mix)
2002 aluminum Fuji Roubaix 9 speed (105) - SOLD

Mountain:
1999 Specialized Stumpjumper 9 speed (XT/XTR mix)
2005 Specialized Rockhopper 8 speed (SRAM SX-5) - Loaner bike for friends wants to ride with me

Hybrid:
2007 Trek FX - Beater
2009 Specialized Sirrus - Beater

Fixed Gear:
2009 Dawes SST - Commuter

The LeMond and the fixed gear have Brooks saddle. Best seat on Earth!!!!!!

You also need a fat bike.

[Apex]

I pulled all the bikes off CL. I'm keeping the HiFi for my training rides. The Hardrock will be more of a commuter now, and my Trek 1.5 will be getting my wife's Shimano 105 drivetrain, then my Shimano Tiagra drivetrain will go on her bike to be sold. That way, at least taking the hit on her bike won't hurt quite as much.

[cadd]

Originally Posted by salcuta88

You also need a fat bike.

If I lived by the boardwalk, I would definitely get a fat bike!!!

Edit: My bad....I was thinking of the beach bikes.....

[alex.s]

yall ever heard of zwift?

[spooph]

That's cool! Although just jumping on the trainer and watching a movie is pretty good for me...

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by spooph

That's cool! Although just jumping on the trainer and watching a movie is pretty good for me...

that's what everyone says until they try it, then they're like "man how could you just watch a movie on the bike, its so boring"

[chemist]

Originally Posted by alex.s

that's what everyone says until they try it, then they're like "man how could you just watch a movie on the bike, its so boring"

Yea, I avoid the trainer at all costs unless there is ice outside.even then I'm only good for about two hours

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by chemist

Yea, I avoid the trainer at all costs unless there is ice outside.even then I'm only good for about two hours

most people say the same thing. except it sounds like most people max out around 45 minutes on the trainer before they get bored. was looking at statistics and people are spending a ton of time on this thing. they have group rides and stuff. people are doing 100 miles in one session on this thing. pretty nuts! sounds like there is a big competitive aspect that really drives some people longer. you can even draft people and all that. the planned features sound awesome. i don't really ride bikes much... being on the same road as those serious guys makes me feel like a chump, but i would totally play the minigames they're going to come out with.

[choneofakind]

Screw trainers. I haven't been on mine once this year...


I got new tires and a garmin though!! Conti Grand Prix 4000S II tires, Garmin 800 gps

[NDspd]

It's only just now gotten warm in the afternoons again in Ohio, so I'll be back out soon enough.

[cadd]

Trainers? Try rollers! Gotta get slicks first.

[chemist]

Originally Posted by cadd

Trainers? Try rollers! Gotta get slicks first.

while we are talking "trainers" I feel obliged to mention the two best IMO. Wahoo kicker for "trainer" and emotions rollers if you go that route. I have always been able to ride year round but had I been further north, those two albeit pricey would have been ideal

[greenaero]

With my interest in vehicle aerodynamics and efficiency I wondered about how effective simple partial streamling would be for conventional diamond frame road bikes. I decided to apply the same approach that I have used with my Silveraero/aerotrunk moto. I made a handlebar windscreen of coroplast over a wire framework and a tailtrunk of coroplast and doorskin ( very thin plywood). The tailbox was a bit of a challenge to finally get mounted rigidly enough so that it stayed in alignment behind the rider. I was finally able to test it last week and found that it worked fairly well. The improvement was most notable as I cruised at higher speeds (15 mph + ) and particularly on a downhill run where I exceeded 34 mph. The only downside was on steep uphill climbs where the added wieght ( 2-3 lbs) was a factor. I rate this project a success and will keep working to refine and improve it. Like my aerotrunk project , the tailbox can carry a lot of stuff without increasing air drag.

The reaction from other bicyclists was mixed; some shaking thiers heads , others suprised. I usually get a wave or a thumbs up from other motorcyclists
but I haven't received that feedback yet from another bicyclist. What do you think?






[/IMG]

[choneofakind]

Absolutely badass, Vic!!! Have I posted pictures of our faired competition vehicles? The fairings really make a difference.

[greenaero]

Thanks Chris!!
I haven't seen your faired bikes and would to see them. Alan and I are planning to go Battle Mtn this year and check out the human-powered bike competition.

[Apex]

I was very interested in trike aero at one point. Two things turned me off from it:

1. Cost
2. Storage

I'm a poor guy now we have our daughter. With all the extra stuff we have for her, I am also short on storage. So I ditched the whole thing.

[burningscooter]

finally got around to going to the bike shop and buying a bike. Came in last week and I haven't had time to put it through its proper paces but so far I like it.

2015 Specialized Crosstrail

[ccampbell]

I have a Specialized Roubaix Elite with Ksyrium Elite wheel upgrade.

I also have an All-City Macho Man Disc cyclocross bike that I use for general purpose - commuting, errand running.

[cadd]

Roubaix is a great bike. Fast, great geometry, and most importantly, comfortable riding position.

[ccampbell]

Agree. I've put a lot of miles on it.

["A"]

My commuter in its elements, after few months of salt/snow/slush in NYC, still works well:

[Apex]

I MISS RIDING! Have only been able to do one or two rides since our daughter came into the world. NO LIFE. hahahaha

I am looking forward when she can ride in the trailer finally.

["A"]

My other Bike Friday:



It fits in a Samsonite:

[Apex]

That is pretty awesome

[chemist]

Originally Posted by Apex

I MISS RIDING! Have only been able to do one or two rides since our daughter came into the world. NO LIFE. hahahaha

I am looking forward when she can ride in the trailer finally.

That is a lot of fun! Good hill practice too with the added weight

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by greenaero

With my interest in vehicle aerodynamics and efficiency I wondered about how effective simple partial streamling would be for conventional diamond frame road bikes. I decided to apply the same approach that I have used with my Silveraero/aerotrunk moto. I made a handlebar windscreen of coroplast over a wire framework and a tailtrunk of coroplast and doorskin ( very thin plywood). The tailbox was a bit of a challenge to finally get mounted rigidly enough so that it stayed in alignment behind the rider. I was finally able to test it last week and found that it worked fairly well. The improvement was most notable as I cruised at higher speeds (15 mph + ) and particularly on a downhill run where I exceeded 34 mph. The only downside was on steep uphill climbs where the added wieght ( 2-3 lbs) was a factor. I rate this project a success and will keep working to refine and improve it. Like my aerotrunk project , the tailbox can carry a lot of stuff without increasing air drag.

The reaction from other bicyclists was mixed; some shaking thiers heads , others suprised. I usually get a wave or a thumbs up from other motorcyclists
but I haven't received that feedback yet from another bicyclist. What do you think?






[/IMG]

i think your wheel spokes are doing more damage than the streamlining is fixing

[greenaero]

Good point! I rode the modded bike yesterday in some gusty winds. I think I need to do some more to work to close the gap betwee me and the tailbox. I'll be making wheels discs for some furhter imporvement. I'll do the rear wheel first.

[choneofakind]

Lol dude, spoke have next to zero effect compared to rim shape. And wheels only really account for like 3% of your overall drag. Rider stage is by far the single largest factor.

["A"]

Better off riding one of these without all the boxes.. and still be more aerodynamic.

["A"]

Here's a picture of my tandem, my wife doesn't like to stare at the back of my head while pedaling, this way we both get full field of vision.

Communication between captn & stoker take much less shouting.
Few times I have taken this tandem to charity events to allow the blind or disabled experience the sensation of pedaling a bicycle on the road themselves.

[choneofakind]

That's wild!!

[liberpolly]

I just got this: http://www.amazon.com/A2B-Lithium-El.../dp/B0021IQP8A



(without the extra battery)

This is the most motorcycle-like bicycling experience I've ever had. Biggish tires turn in by countersteering, it falls nicely into corners at 20 mph, and I am not afraid of having to crawl up Seattle hills at 3 mph anymore. It is harder to pedal than a lightweight bike, but the electric assist more than compensates for it.

[choneofakind]

But climbing hills is the fun part!!!!


also, with extra weight, get a larger front rotor and the proper caliper bracket to run a larger rotor. I'm 130lbs and like a 180 on front of my MTB for powahhhhh and reducing effort at the lever. I'm sure that thing will stop with a 160, but bigger is better



EDIT: GEEEEEZZZzzz $2700 for something that's a brick to pedal. You could have gotten a ton of road bike or a ton of mountain bike for that... hell, could have gotten a decent amount of both for that price and then biked enough everywhere to get comfortable at the hills

[liberpolly]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

But climbing hills is the fun part!!!!


also, with extra weight, get a larger front rotor and the proper caliper bracket to run a larger rotor. I'm 130lbs and like a 180 on front of my MTB for powahhhhh and reducing effort at the lever. I'm sure that thing will stop with a 160, but bigger is better



EDIT: GEEEEEZZZzzz $2700 for something that's a brick to pedal. You could have gotten a ton of road bike or a ton of mountain bike for that... hell, could have gotten a decent amount of both for that price and then biked enough everywhere to get comfortable at the hills

Heh. No, I am not that crazy. I paid $900 for used, literally used twice. No, climbing Seattle hills is not any fun at all. I still have my Specialized Hardrock for trails and such.

[choneofakind]

$900 is a ton better than $2700 for that. Good work there.

Hills are the fun part.

[cadd]

Hills suck! And this is from someone who rode predominantly in NYC. So when I say hills, they're really speed bumps to most of you guys.

I've always wanted to try a bent. They look so comfortable!! No ass pain. No neck or back stiffness.

But man....the dork level is just too high though. I just couldn't do (and afford) it.

"A", did you find any issues with visibility issues riding in the city on a bent? Since you're much lower to the ground, did you have any close calls with drivers claiming not being able to see you?

I've noticed quite a few bent riders have tall flags behind them.