Heavy Bikes are better !
10-29-20, 11:42 AM
#101
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The peer pressure to ride the same type of feather weight bike as the rest of the crowd is overwhelming. Even when training, where one should be devoting their hours to building up their muscles.
It's only a matter of time until some brave racer thinks outside the box, loads his/her bike down with weights for training, and then goes on to crush the competition at the races.
The following year the "monkey see, monkey do" mentality will spin the other way and everyone will be loading down their training bikes for that competitive edge. Noticing the trend, manufactures will quickly begin marketing specialized heavy "muscle building" training bikes. Bike Forums will have a sub forum devoted to 'em, where riders share their reverse weight weenie secrets and 100 kg will be the baseline for training bike bragging rights.
It's only a matter of time until some brave racer thinks outside the box, loads his/her bike down with weights for training, and then goes on to crush the competition at the races.
The following year the "monkey see, monkey do" mentality will spin the other way and everyone will be loading down their training bikes for that competitive edge. Noticing the trend, manufactures will quickly begin marketing specialized heavy "muscle building" training bikes. Bike Forums will have a sub forum devoted to 'em, where riders share their reverse weight weenie secrets and 100 kg will be the baseline for training bike bragging rights.
At the same time, I reckon they'd be riding singlespeed or fixies. It will be glorious. There will be people protesting lightweight bikes with banners saying "LEAD SHOTS IN ALL FRAMES!"
10-29-20, 11:53 AM
#102
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For those who are continuing to enjoy this "unique" perspective, Cube has some threads in the Road Racing section and is planning to compete very soon, I think.
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10-29-20, 12:09 PM
#103
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I think we were talking about pros back there.
In pro training, bike handling skills is incredibly important and it's best if they train with the same lightweight bike they will use in races.
But for those where advanced bike handling skills is not critically important (simply training for strength, not for racing) and higher speeds would be unsafe, then a heavier bike would be better for training.
In pro training, bike handling skills is incredibly important and it's best if they train with the same lightweight bike they will use in races.
But for those where advanced bike handling skills is not critically important (simply training for strength, not for racing) and higher speeds would be unsafe, then a heavier bike would be better for training.
Sorry, but that's horse crap. I think it's a matter of preference based on one's riding habits, and neither is objectively better for training. Also, that "higher speeds would be unsafe" is one hell of a qualifier.
I've gotta say, if you're training solely for strength, there's a lot better ways to do that than cycling. I think you're making my point--there's so many "if you're doing this in a place like" components to your assertion that all you're really proving, if anything, is that heavier bikes are better for certain things for certain riders in certain places.
I don't think it's going to come as any shock to you that I would be perfectly miserable on your bike, it doesn't suit the way I like to ride in any way. And that's not a knock on your bike, it's just not for me. You'd probably hate riding my bikes. I'll bet we also wear different shoe sizes.
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10-29-20, 12:25 PM
#104
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The peer pressure to ride the same type of feather weight bike as the rest of the crowd is overwhelming. Even when training, where one should be devoting their hours to building up their muscles.
It's only a matter of time until some brave racer thinks outside the box, loads his/her bike down with weights for training, and then goes on to crush the competition at the races.
The following year the "monkey see, monkey do" mentality will spin the other way and everyone will be loading down their training bikes for that competitive edge. Noticing the trend, manufactures will quickly begin marketing specialized heavy "muscle building" training bikes. Bike Forums will have a sub forum devoted to 'em, where riders share their reverse weight weenie secrets and 100 kg will be the baseline for training bike bragging rights.
It's only a matter of time until some brave racer thinks outside the box, loads his/her bike down with weights for training, and then goes on to crush the competition at the races.
The following year the "monkey see, monkey do" mentality will spin the other way and everyone will be loading down their training bikes for that competitive edge. Noticing the trend, manufactures will quickly begin marketing specialized heavy "muscle building" training bikes. Bike Forums will have a sub forum devoted to 'em, where riders share their reverse weight weenie secrets and 100 kg will be the baseline for training bike bragging rights.
I still stick to my theory that the shift from the big gearguy to the spinner had more to do with which PEDs were prevalent than any inherent superiority of either approach.
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10-29-20, 12:27 PM
#105
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I just think they should have a UCI weight class system--a "heavyweight" division where the minimum bike weight is 60 pounds might be a lot of fun.
10-29-20, 12:33 PM
#106
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Not so much fun to ride, though. I am almost serious, the lighter the bike, the faster you can go for longer. And I ride a cargo bike. I know, I know, I have mentioned that several times before, but if adding weights to the bike, I'd much sooner like to see cargo bike races (they're pretty good fun to see as they load and unload various stuff such as tyres, beer kegs etc., lifting their bike and cargo over various objects on the route and so on). And I don't even watch or follow cargobike races.
10-29-20, 12:40 PM
#107
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10-29-20, 01:11 PM
#108
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Seriously, though, I think the reason this won't happen even if racers rediscover power is that the handling of a heavy bike is so different, especially on turns. I do expect that someone is going to rediscover the big gear at some point and we'll get the kind of this year it's this, next year it's that kind of flip-flopping.
I still stick to my theory that the shift from the big gearguy to the spinner had more to do with which PEDs were prevalent than any inherent superiority of either approach.
I still stick to my theory that the shift from the big gearguy to the spinner had more to do with which PEDs were prevalent than any inherent superiority of either approach.
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10-29-20, 01:39 PM
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You underestimate the ability of the manufactures to engineer through these handling issues you speak of. Simply hanging weight on the bike will be so yesterday. “Smart Weight” (trademark) will be placed in areas that actually improve handling. New technology like “Enhanced Active Weighting” will actually move weight around as needed to help prepare and set up the bike for quicker maneuvering, aiding on road safety as one builds more muscle.
Yet another strike against "more weight = better" crowd.
I'm reminded about whenI first got my Bullitt. Downhill, it felt like a train. I have to say it is a nice bike, and I liked that feeling. My omnium feels more like a normal bike downhill, but uphill it is not a ship's anchor.
Last edited by CargoDane; 10-29-20 at 01:42 PM.
10-29-20, 01:51 PM
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You're failing to look at the big picture... Comfort is a small price to pay when you're greatly increasing your strength and eliminating dangerous out of the saddle rear wheel bounce.
10-29-20, 01:59 PM
#111
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Again, it reminds me of something, let's say you're pushing 20 km/h in a headwind, that means that in 60 km/h headwinds, it's like pushing your bike - in no wind - to 80 km/h. Standing up! Man, I wish more pros did that. It is aspirational like nothing else. I can't believe I've learned nothing riding a bike year round for decades. I feel so stupid.
10-29-20, 02:29 PM
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You underestimate the ability of the manufactures to engineer through these handling issues you speak of. Simply hanging weight on the bike will be so yesterday. “Smart Weight” (trademark) will be placed in areas that actually improve handling. New technology like “Enhanced Active Weighting” will actually move weight around as needed to help prepare and set up the bike for quicker maneuvering, aiding on road safety as one builds more muscle.
I think they should fill the frames with mercury, leaving enough room inside for the liquid to slosh around on the turns. Not sure what the effect would be, but I'll bet it makes you stronger!
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10-29-20, 03:47 PM
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I wouldn’t advise it folks, or you will hear from me.
CargoDane . . . don’t even think about it.
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10-29-20, 06:37 PM
#117
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Haha! Sorry, I will amend my ways promptly. I'll get rid of the cargo platform, load up the frame with lead shot and instead carry all my stuff in a backpack. Oh, and remove the saddle or shove it as far down as possible - trials/bmx vert style so I can become really, really strong. I mean, what could be better than standing up in 60km/h headwinds? It really will get you to your destination quicker. Psht, stupid time trials setups. They don't know what they're doing.
Again, it reminds me of something, let's say you're pushing 20 km/h in a headwind, that means that in 60 km/h headwinds, it's like pushing your bike - in no wind - to 80 km/h. Standing up! Man, I wish more pros did that. It is aspirational like nothing else.
Again, it reminds me of something, let's say you're pushing 20 km/h in a headwind, that means that in 60 km/h headwinds, it's like pushing your bike - in no wind - to 80 km/h. Standing up! Man, I wish more pros did that. It is aspirational like nothing else.
I can't believe I've learned nothing riding a bike year round for decades. I feel so stupid.
10-30-20, 05:09 AM
#119
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Is it ok to respond to this by saying cubewheels is one of my favorite bf members? Even when we disagree about something, he's completely civil, and he has a totally different approach to riding than I do that totally works for him. Polite discussion of those differences where we're not trying to "convert" the other guy are the kind of discussions I enjoy most on bf. I don't learn half as much just talking to people who agree with me.
I'm also extremely amused by people trying to convince him that he's "doing it wrong" like they know anything about the context of his choices. I find he has a lot of ingenious solutions to problems most of us bf members will never face.
TL/DR: There's really good reasons to "follow" cubewheels that have nothing to do with harassment.
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10-30-20, 06:09 AM
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TL/DR: There's really good reasons to "follow" cubewheels that have nothing to do with harassment.
10-30-20, 06:09 AM
#122
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Maybe also look up what gearing does. it might be helpful.
So nothing unusual there. I've come across commuters pushing 10 kph in a 60 kph headwind. It doesn't mean they can actually sprint at 70 kph.
Last edited by CargoDane; 10-30-20 at 06:29 AM.
10-30-20, 06:35 AM
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He truly believes what he says, despite it also being very entertaining.
10-30-20, 06:49 AM
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I don't agree with the "poking fun" part of that, I think he's utterly sincere, and while I'm not going to defend his wind physics, I also think a lot of the stuff he comes up with are ingenious ways of coping with the demands of riding in the Philippines, and with a very limited budget.
10-30-20, 06:55 AM
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LOL, the force acting against you is the same. Obviously, to roll at 80 kph would take a very tall gear, but you'd be fighting the same headwind (forces). It's physics.
Maybe also look up what gearing does. it might be helpful.
Haha, sure, you have. And if they can push 10 kph into a 60 kph headwind, they could do 70 kph in no wind with a large enough chainring. Somehow that is very dubious.
Maybe also look up what gearing does. it might be helpful.
Haha, sure, you have. And if they can push 10 kph into a 60 kph headwind, they could do 70 kph in no wind with a large enough chainring. Somehow that is very dubious.
I don't know if I've ever ridden into a headwind that strong, but my experience with headwinds generally is you push hard between the gusts and/or you adjust your direction so it's not fully in your face. There is a point where I find the strength of crosswinds make it impossible to safely operate the bike, but I don't know what that is in KPH.