(27 May 2013, 07:54)Binnie Wrote: (26 May 2013, 22:05)Mosstrooper Wrote: If I were to choose a bike specific BOV it would be a 26†aluminium bike as it’s a popular size so acquiring wheels wouldn’t be an issue. I would make it a single speed (no gearing) so there’s less to go wrong but would be a simple fix to the chain.
I see this as a major mistake, it totally limits your wheel selection!
I see another MAJOR mistake with going fixed gear.
Professional cyclists get in heavy training sessions riding fixed! If you've ever ridden fixed, please tell me how you coped with hills and the alike? Also, how did you cope with doing that while loaded up? Just as easily questionable, how did you find getting started? No way you could start by riding up hill, fully loaded, and fixed, unless you were an elite Tour rider or Track rider!
My wife does triathlons (swim, cycle, run). Her brother does endurance running and cycling. They know more about bikes than 99% of people. The brother-in-law buys bits of bikes off ebay, revamps them, then sells them again for a nice profit.
They were fitting me up for a road bike a few months back, and I realised something interesting. Frames are dependent on the length of your legs. There is not a single frame that is universally recommended. Stores like Argos and Halford simply sell the most common sized frames that will be a 'reasonable' fit. Same with types of wheels.
Okay, so, with what I have learned about cycling (I did trials riding for a year as a kid, but that was more technique and less actual product knowledge) over the last year.
1. Road bikes will dominate on road, but are not the easiest things to handle. If you get a basic £500 bike, you can manoeuvre it around mostly like a normal bike. But not so with a high end bike like the wife has! Those things take a different level of control!!! I thought that was complete bollocks when she told me, but I was wrong!!!
2. As LS said, TRAINING!!! If you've never tried to ride 10 miles, but think you can do it......good luck with that. You might be able to make it, but your butt will hurt, you'll get really bad DOMS the next day, and you'll totally wish you had pushed up those hills! Get practicing. I saw someone saying a 4 minute bike ride to work, then comment that it wasn't far. Not important. At least you're doing something. Well done taking the long way back home! On a short ride, you can bust up some real speed and get the lungs working hard!
3. Real Speed.....what does this actually mean? Firstly it means you'll be moving quickly. Glasses are a requirement. Secondly it means you'll be chewing bugs (deal with it). Thirdly it means you'll be a well skilled rider, with practice of going at high speeds, and the ability and years of experience it takes to be able to skilfully manoeuvre the bike at those speeds!!! DAMN IT AIN'T EASY!!!
4. Bumps. On a road bike, these will screw you over! You'll feel each and every dimple in the road. Even a small man-hole cover can feel like you've just beasted into a rock! If you're riding with other people, point things out to them, if someone is behind you. It's good manners!
5. Learn to draft. Drafting is where you ride behind someone, enjoying the benefits of their slipstream. It's amazing the difference it makes! If you draft, you are using 30% less effort to maintain the same speed! But with drafting, remember to take it in turns. Don't be that idiot who rides at the back and is the only one that can walk at the end of the day.
6. Punctures. Deal with them. They happen quickly, so you'll just had to sort them out as of and when you can. A little washing up liquid mixed in water is a great way to make air bubbles that point out where the puncture is. Also, NEVER ride a flat tyre. You will literally cut up your tyre!
7. Break VERY EARLY when using panniers! When you have panniers, and are loaded up, you're probably going to be riding over 30 miles an hour down hill, so you're going to NEED to break much sooner than you would if you're just out for a ride. You're best off trying this out a few times to realise the difference. Your stopping, and slowing distance will probably be about 20% more, or higher! Remember, when breaking, about 70% of breaking is done by your front tyre, so don't slam it on, you could go top and tail into the road surface.
8. Reduced kit. If you're bugging out, you're probably not going to be able to bug out with your BOB! I'd HIGHLY recommend opting for something like BOP's (Bug Out Panniers). If you plan to bug out via bike, you'll need to have your BOP's fully loaded well before you actually bug out. Some panniers can be hell to fit (most are pretty good now though).
9. There is a reason it's called a road bike. Don't attempt to go up curbs, or off road!!! This will result in pain. Lots and lots of pain! Curbs might not, but they will bust up your tyres!!!
10. Cleats. These allow you to produce even more power. You can push down without slip, but also can pull up and power through the full motion of your legs. I'm not yet using them as my cycling fitness isn't the best. If you've not practiced with them extensively, then don't be an idiot and try to use them to bug out. You'll make the obvious noob mistake and won't be able to unclip...usually this happens at a set of lights. Funny if you're on a cycle tour (I'm the support driver, so I have not made this mistake....yet) but really unfunny if you're the one falling, or if the fall causes you damage...which is a real possibility.
11. Training with panniers. This is more of a how to tip. Because you'll be cycling with full panniers, you're going to need to train like that. Best way to do that, get some panniers, fill them with weights. Not bottles of water. Water isn't as heavy as weights. We all have gear that is heavier than water, so we should train for more weight than we expect to carry.
12. Work out routes well ahead of time. This is critical. It might well be faster (and much easier on the muscles) to cover 10 miles of flat or down hill riding, than it would be to do 8 of ups and downs. This all depends on how much training you've done. Speaking of which, for every route you have, practice riding them ALL. If you have 15 routes, train for all 15. I was driving back from work and a diversion sent me on a 2 mile round trip. If those 2 miles change your tired body into an exhausted body, then you only have yourself to blame.
13. Get a turbo!!! Turbo Trainers are awesome fun and a great way to add a little extra stamina. Panniers on these will make no difference, but the fun you can have is awesome. Highly recommended! Speaking of which, I think I'll get out on Trev (my bike is an old Trek loving called Trev by the wife) in the garden and do a little turbo work right now.
Speak to you all later.
Oh, actually, before I go, I'll just say one thing. Don't EVER consider getting specialist cycling shorts (I call mine wrestling trunks, and they look retarded). If you're considering getting them..........you've already made a mistake. Just get up, go out, and get some!!! I promise you this, if it hurts while you're in those those shorts, you will be in total agony without them!!! Don't consider getting them, just fork out for them.
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