Cycling Advice

[TheRemainsOfTheDave]

Seen that a lot recently. Saddle too low with knee's not over the pedals is just as bad.

I used a Go Pro and a bar mount to record my peddling action to help fine tune my riding position. It helped sort my knee pain out in next to no time.

Loads riding with knees out like a clown on a clown bike. Must knacker their muscles.

 

[give it to gordon]

Seen that a lot recently. Saddle too low with knee's not over the pedals is just as bad.

I used a Go Pro and a bar mount to record my peddling action to help fine tune my riding position. It helped sort my knee pain out in next to no time.

I am old fashion and follow my old man's advice, put your heal on the peddle, straighten your leg, and that's the 'height' of your ssaddle. My old man would always be telling me stories about going down to belle vue and watching Reg Harris. He spoke about him alot , when we were clearing out dads flat we found a letter and a signed picture from Reg Harris to my dad ( I guess my dad was around 13 at the time ), dad had never told us he had it !. Back in the day my dad was part of his club that won the kent time trial on his bike he built himself. Bought the tubing and wheels built the frame and wheels etc . I still have that bike under my lads beds. The only hand built Mills bike !

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

I am old fashion and follow my old man's advice, put your heal on the peddle, straighten your leg, and that's the 'height' of your ssaddle. My old man would always be telling me stories about going down to belle vue and watching Reg Harris. He spoke about him alot , when we were clearing out dads flat we found a letter and a signed picture from Reg Harris to my dad ( I guess my dad was around 13 at the time ), dad had never told us he had it !. Back in the day my dad was part of his club that won the kent time trial on his bike he built himself. Bought the tubing and wheels built the frame and wheels etc . I still have that bike under my lads beds. The only hand built Mills bike !

I do like a solid hand built bike. I love cycling history, and I definitely think the old boys had it right. Get it roughly set up and adjust on feel, then just get out and ride.

Heel on the pedal is pretty much how I got my saddle height initially. I just used the Go Pro to make sure my legs were tracking properly. Getting the fwd/back position right is a different challenge altogether, although we do tend to obsess about these things far too much these days. I guess as long as I'm comfortable, I'm happy.

It's pretty amazing how we've moved with technology, materials and biomechanics; how we can now micro-adjust to the nearest fraction of an inch to try and gain the optimum biomechanical advantage; how materials are stiffer in an attempt to gain maximum power transfer. Great for pro's and serious amateurs, but for us mortals probably way down the list of priorities.

Have you ever thought of getting your old bike resurrected? I've seen a few people round and about riding old classics at the weekends during the summer. It's great to see that the kind of bikes I used to dream of riding as a kid still being ridden today.

 

[inchy14]

Another 44 miles this morning, fucking love getting out on it at the moment.

As for the discussion regarding set ups etc, friend of mine who competes in triathlons once told me, “those who constantly upgrade their bikes for an extra minute here or there do it because it’s easier than training harder, the difference to the amateur is minute and not worth the expenditure, get a decent bike and just train properly”

Totally agree with her tbh.

 

[chesterbells]

Agreed with both posts above.
Lose a few lbs round the midriff rather than fannying around over bike parts which will lower the weight by fractions!

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

Another 44 miles this morning, fucking love getting out on it at the moment.

As for the discussion regarding set ups etc, friend of mine who competes in triathlons once told me, “those who constantly upgrade their bikes for an extra minute here or there do it because it’s easier than training harder, the difference to the amateur is minute and not worth the expenditure, get a decent bike and just train properly”

Totally agree with her tbh.

I'm certainly not up to a 44 mile ride just yet. Not enough hours in the day for me.

I'm trying to get some decent quality training in on shorter rides at the moment. I've found a nice 10k route that I can comfortably ride a threshold pace, and scope to make it a longer loop as my fitness improves. The loop has a nice gravel section which adds something different. I did that route yesterday evening and finished off with a strength session which consisted of starting in the hardest gear and riding up to pace 5 times. It was bloody hard work, and I am feeling it in my legs this morning. I've also got some nice local 15 - 20 mile routes with some steep sections to help with my endurance.

I'm only getting out 3 times a week, but I definitely trying to make it count.

 

[chesterbells]

I'm certainly not up to a 44 mile ride just yet. Not enough hours in the day for me.

I'm trying to get some decent quality training in on shorter rides at the moment. I've found a nice 10k route that I can comfortably ride a threshold pace, and scope to make it a longer loop as my fitness improves. The loop has a nice gravel section which adds something different. I did that route yesterday evening and finished off with a strength session which consisted of starting in the hardest gear and riding up to pace 5 times. It was bloody hard work, and I am feeling it in my legs this morning. I've also got some nice local 15 - 20 mile routes with some steep sections to help with my endurance.

I'm only getting out 3 times a week, but I definitely trying to make it count.

I like that idea for a strength session, not tried that (yet).
Doing a lumpy ride without using the small front ring is one variation I like using. Makes the climbs a real challenge.

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

I like that idea for a strength session, not tried that (yet).
Doing a lumpy ride without using the small front ring is one variation I like using. Makes the climbs a real challenge.

It's a bit like a reverse-pyramid set in weight training terms. Be prepared for the pain ;-)

Dependent on your overall weight and bike set-up you may need to start on the next cog up, as it does put a serious amount of stress on your drivetrain. Last thing you want is a snapped chain..

 

[give it to gordon]

I do like a solid hand built bike. I love cycling history, and I definitely think the old boys had it right. Get it roughly set up and adjust on feel, then just get out and ride.

Heel on the pedal is pretty much how I got my saddle height initially. I just used the Go Pro to make sure my legs were tracking properly. Getting the fwd/back position right is a different challenge altogether, although we do tend to obsess about these things far too much these days. I guess as long as I'm comfortable, I'm happy.

It's pretty amazing how we've moved with technology, materials and biomechanics; how we can now micro-adjust to the nearest fraction of an inch to try and gain the optimum biomechanical advantage; how materials are stiffer in an attempt to gain maximum power transfer. Great for pro's and serious amateurs, but for us mortals probably way down the list of priorities.

Have you ever thought of getting your old bike resurrected? I've seen a few people round and about riding old classics at the weekends during the summer. It's great to see that the kind of bikes I used to dream of riding as a kid still being ridden today.

I ride an old 'giant 2002 carbon fiber' , my dads bike is already to go. When I have riden it, it feels so much better than my expansive giant. I guess being the same height as me my dad his bike fits me well. I dont think I well ever get rid of my dads bike. Of all the things i have of him the bike will never go. I still have my old Barry Hoban bike from the 90's

 

[decmancity]

Afternoon all,

I have just got into cycling, have been doing it on the roads but with the lockdown lifting the roads are getting busy and have to be honest im a bit anxious about getting out there. Looking to get into indoor cycling. I am wanting to start on a budget. Anyone else here do indoor cycling or zwift etc?

If so is my best/most cost effective route into this with something like the Tac-X Blue Matic and a TacX Speed + Cadence Sensor?

I have seen a few second hand models on the bay etc, something like Tacx Satori T2400 near me seems to have bids around 150-200. Would that be a good starting point as long as its in good nick? its a few years old but for my basic/starter needs it could be worth a shot?

The T2400 I would seemingly bluetooth to my iPad and just run zwift on that?

Cheers