Cycling Thread

[morgin]

I'm also looking to buy - tried out the Tanuki, really liked it. Thoughts on others I should be looking at? Also curious about sales - tough to swallow paying 2200 for a tanuki deluxe when it seems to go on sale for half that the next year.

[Coys1882]

I'm by no stretch a bicycle guru and have never owned a road bike. So I have a question for the big dogs of this thread.

This is what I currently own (with 23c tires though):
http://www2.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca...llections_id=4

This what I'm thinking of purchasing:
http://www.jensonusa.com/Road-Bikes/...2-Road-Bike-11

What I'm wondering is how much of a speed increase I'm going to see simply switching bikes. I know the engine (me) is the biggest factor but will I see a 10%? 20% 30% increase in speed?

Any thoughts is greatly appreciated.

[bossy22]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

I'm by no stretch a bicycle guru and have never owned a road bike. So I have a question for the big dogs of this thread.

This is what I currently own (with 23c tires though):
http://www2.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca...llections_id=4

This what I'm thinking of purchasing:
http://www.jensonusa.com/Road-Bikes/...2-Road-Bike-11

What I'm wondering is how much of a speed increase I'm going to see simply switching bikes. I know the engine (me) is the biggest factor but will I see a 10%? 20% 30% increase in speed?

Any thoughts is greatly appreciated.

I don't know how much you'd gain if you're already using road tires on your current bike. You will be more aerodynamic, and have better shifting for sure. Im guessing the road bike will be a little lighter as well.
The gearing on the giant is stronger 52-11 vs 50-12 on the diamondback road bike. At 52-11 doing 90 rpm you'd hit 53.6 kph, at 50-12, you'd do 47.2 kph, assuming you're using a 700c x 23 tire. However, can you crank that on a heavier, less aerodynamic bike? Road bikes put you in a position to generate power. If you get more aero, you have less wind resistance, and can generate more power.

I didn't really answer your question, you asked about speed. If you are looking for a bike to take out on the hwy, then I'd say get a road bike. No question. Go test ride a similar spec'd bike somewhere and see how it feels to you.

[Bill Bumface]

I just found my dream commuter (I'd put a susp fork on it though):



Trek Sawyer.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I just found my dream commuter (I'd put a susp fork on it though):



Trek Sawyer.

That's actually a pretty sweet bike.
If it wasn't for the hefty price tag I'd totally buy that for my winter commuter.

[bossy22]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I just found my dream commuter (I'd put a susp fork on it though):



Trek Sawyer.

I love that bike. I was looking at that one at that one at Wheaton's in Kalispell. Sweet ride.

[Bill Bumface]

I think I'd throw an internal hub on it and try belt drive for maintenance free winter riding. But yeah, $$$$$$$. Maybe the 15 year old commuter can make it a little longer...

[#22]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

I'm by no stretch a bicycle guru and have never owned a road bike. So I have a question for the big dogs of this thread.

This is what I currently own (with 23c tires though):
http://www2.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca...llections_id=4

This what I'm thinking of purchasing:
http://www.jensonusa.com/Road-Bikes/...2-Road-Bike-11

What I'm wondering is how much of a speed increase I'm going to see simply switching bikes. I know the engine (me) is the biggest factor but will I see a 10%? 20% 30% increase in speed?

Any thoughts is greatly appreciated.

My guess is you will see a speed increase of 10-15%.

[FLAMESRULE]

Just finished off my first long(er) ride. Did 70km in just under 3 hours. Went out with the One Aim cycling club from Valley Ridge to Bragg Creek. Decent ride and the weather got nice as we finished up.

Question for the long distance riders though on nutrition. I've been home for 4-5 hours and good lord am I tired and have a headache. We went out the 35km and I had nothing to eat. Stopped in BC and I grabbed a scone + apple juice. Made a big difference coming home. But how do you guys combat this fatigue (besides eating everything in sight) or is it just my body adjusting and it'll lessen over time. I typically drink a lot of water during the day so I dont think I'm dehydrated.

[bossy22]

Originally Posted by FLAMESRULE

Just finished off my first long(er) ride. Did 70km in just under 3 hours. Went out with the One Aim cycling club from Valley Ridge to Bragg Creek. Decent ride and the weather got nice as we finished up.

Question for the long distance riders though on nutrition. I've been home for 4-5 hours and good lord am I tired and have a headache. We went out the 35km and I had nothing to eat. Stopped in BC and I grabbed a scone + apple juice. Made a big difference coming home. But how do you guys combat this fatigue (besides eating everything in sight) or is it just my body adjusting and it'll lessen over time. I typically drink a lot of water during the day so I dont think I'm dehydrated.

Everyone is different, so you will need to find what works for you. My wife requires a lot less food and water than me. I sweat a ton, so I require electrolytes. I used to use hammer products, heed and fizz. I just discovered Skratch. It's developed by Alan lim, a chef for teams on the tour of California and the tour de France. I love it. No more cramping for me, which used to be an issue.
During the ride, my favorite foods are honey stinger waffles or clif bars. If its a really long ride, like all day, i need real food. Like a turkey sandwich. I have a buddy who makes pancake sandwiches, with nutella or turkey. During the 24 our solo world championships my wife wanted chicken noodle soup in the middle of the night. I have a friend who had two bite brownies wrapped in bacon during the trans Rockies. There are a lot of things ou can do.
After the ride you need food ASAP. Some people like recovery drinks and some use good old chocolate milk.
On a 3 hour ride I would use electrolytes. My guess is you are lacking something so you got a headache. You are burning a lot of calories, and your body needs to replace them. Start experimenting and find what you like. If you buy bars, gels, etc. try them at home first. It sucks to get out there and you find the bar you just ate doesn't agree with you.

[Azure]

I would even drink chocolate milk during the ride if you can get your hands on about 250mL at a time. Otherwise if you want electrolytes, buy the powdered gatorade, and mix it up. No HFCS in the powdered stuff.

As for food, a chicken sandwich on whole wheat bread would probably work.

If you have a headache, it probably means your body is lacking something. Might be protein, might be water....might be anything. You should drink something within 30 min of coming home, and eat a filling healthy meal within 2 hours of finishing your ride.

[FLAMESRULE]

Thanks guys, I'll try out a powdered electrolyte next ride. I tend to agree that I'm missing some salts. I sweat a tonne, like I can taste it in the shower afterwards. I did drink throughout, but it was only water. I've never had a headache like this after a 30-40km ride.

Thanks for the heads up on the HFCS in the gatorade as well Azure. We're trying to avoid HF corn syrup like the plague.

[Azure]

Some more information on that here.

http://camilleherron.com/2011/11/21/...ng-a-marathon/

[M*A*S*H 4077]

I just got a new commuter bike Trek 7.2 fx I believe. I'm super excited to ride it. Beats my old thing that I've been riding around

[JonDuke]

Saw a girl cycling in Bearspaw today. She had a guy on a scooter, with a rotating orange warning light on the back, following her.

Why would that be? Just someone to push her?

[taco.vidal]

For electrolyte replacement, you can use electrolyte tablets in your water. Nuun is one brand, though there are a few others. No sugar as sweeter, Nuun uses sorbitol, so that may not work for some if you are trying stay away from artificial sweeteners.

http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Hiking...lemon-lime.jsp

[habernac]

Originally Posted by JonDuke

Saw a girl cycling in Bearspaw today. She had a guy on a scooter, with a rotating orange warning light on the back, following her.

Why would that be? Just someone to push her?

Just paranoid I guess. If they were in front it'd be to motor pace.

[Azure]

Anyone else use Strava to keep track of their routes? I did a 60 min bike ride a couple days ago, traveling 11.5 miles. Strava says I only burnt 250 calories during that time, and yet any online calorie burnt calculator pegs me at around 800-900 calories burnt.

Who should I believe? Average speed was around 12mph.

[#22]

^^^

I usually stick to the rough guideline of +/- 1000 calories burnt per hour on the bike. This is assuming you're riding fairly hard, ie. upper zone 3 to middle zone 4. Average speed is not a great measuring stick, as it does not factor in climbing and or head/tail winds

[Azure]

Ah. At least I'm not completely crazy when I think 250 calories per hour is seriously low. 1000 +/- sounds pretty good. Plus I'm heavier than the normal guy, so I burn more.

Thanks!