Grumpy McTrumpy

Frequently
Asked
Stupid
Questions


(FAQ was already taken and this will save a noob from being reminded to use the search feature)

I'll start


1. Is my average speed fast enough?
2. Does weight matter?
3. If I buy an expensive bicycle, will it make me ________________ (faster, poseur, acceptable etc)


please continue..

AngryScientist 

i believe a proper FAQ section needs to include answers to those questions. i'll help:

1) - NO
2) - YES
3) - DEPENDS

Grumpy McTrumpy

ok ok I'll make it serious-like

hammy56

Which is better? Campy, Shimano, or Sram?








*EDIT* notice the order I put them in

Grumpy McTrumpy

Your average speed can mean far too many things to be an adequate judge of, well, anything. There are far too many variables in wind, terrain, drafting, etc. to make it possible to make a meaningful comparison, except in an organized time trial where everyone races under (hopefully) the same conditions. Even with that, it is pointless to embark on a theoretical journey of comparing your abilities with others on the internet, as 1. it is not verifiable and 2. there are always going to be those who are faster or slower than you.

Grumpy McTrumpy

extra credit for those who provide answers to their own FASQ, I guess.

roadiejorge 

Will shaving my legs make me faster?

Grumpy McTrumpy

Weight matters in physics with regard to acceleration, whether the acceleration is inertial or gravitational. This means that it matters for climbing and sprinting. This also means that it doesn't matter for steady-state riding. Bicycling is not theoretical, and therefore there are going to be certain amounts of loss involved, but it is far better to focus on the larger forces rather than quibbling about small ones that are statistically insignificant, yet important to internet blowhards.

neurocycler

Glasses over or under helmet strap?

hammy56

base layer under or over my bibs?

cjump

is it ok to just wear bibs and no jersey?




no...

Grumpy McTrumpy

For all intents and purposes, the bicycle is a small part of the equation. The rider is the main part. You can certainly "buy speed" for time trials (and to a much lesser degree, road races), but it is possible to gain most of the advantage with used equipment or creative ways of improving your position. The idea that buying a fancy bike will make you either a poseur or somehow more acceptable has nothing to do with the society in question and everything to do with your personal self image.

Seagull01

Which flies faster - an African or europiean swallow? Assume neither is carrying a coconut.

MDcatV

will deep dish carbon wheels increase my average speed? i'm 5'8" tall and weight 205. i'm a climber and ride 30 miles per week.

roadiejorge 

Shaving your legs will indeed make you faster as the surface area of each leg hair creates unnecessary drag, which increases exponentially if you look like the missing link in regards to body hair. Once you shave your legs make sure to apply plenty of baby oil so the air slides right off of you as you are in the drops dropping the hammer.

botto 

saddle bag or no saddle bag?

Daytrip

Does Trek make good bikes?

Daytrip

Yes.

rollin

Will washing my helmet in the washing machine shrink it?

hodie21

No but they sure do look good.

kimconyc

Q. Does everyone fall when they are learning clip-less?
A. Ask umd.

Q. I am interested in getting into road cycling; I have $6,000 to spend. What bike is the best?
A.

Q. Which wheels should I get?
A. Psimet

Q. Which lube is the best?

MDcatV

that helmet washing thread was about the funniest thing i've ever read on bf

rollin

Over the straps is the safer way to wear sunglasses. In the event of a crash you would want them to fly away from your face rather than get tangled up in your helmet straps and cause more injury.

guadzilla

Is it ok for me to wear a team kit?

A. Only if it is NOT Livestrong or Postal.

botto 

Q - I crashed, would you like to see pictures?

A - No.