I just bought...
#101
Senior Member
I made a nylon pedal strap today. Took me about 2 hours from beginning to end with a lot of re-dos and newb issues. The piece is very solid and functional and has features that the leading BLS strap doesn't. My measurements are off (need it to be longer) and the stitches look really bad, but it works.
I got everything I needed from Home Depot for less than $5. I had some Velcro ($3) from the fabric store. Nuts.
It's like when I strung a tennis racquet for the first time, 2 hrs. After a few times, I was down to about 45 minutes.
I'm really pleased with purchasing a sewing machine!
I got everything I needed from Home Depot for less than $5. I had some Velcro ($3) from the fabric store. Nuts.
It's like when I strung a tennis racquet for the first time, 2 hrs. After a few times, I was down to about 45 minutes.
I'm really pleased with purchasing a sewing machine!
#102
Elitist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
I'm not ready to share pics here yet, but I'll email you some.
I didn't finish the attachment part yet. I went to put it on the spin bike for a test fit and that's when I realized it was too short and the velcro placements weren't in the right places (this is why we test, right?).
I haven't settled on a way to affix them to the pedal yet. But, I I have a clever way in mind that I haven't tested yet to be sure.
I didn't finish the attachment part yet. I went to put it on the spin bike for a test fit and that's when I realized it was too short and the velcro placements weren't in the right places (this is why we test, right?).
I haven't settled on a way to affix them to the pedal yet. But, I I have a clever way in mind that I haven't tested yet to be sure.
#103
Senior Member
#105
#107
Elitist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
I just ordered a set of the BLS straps -- guess i should have waited till @carleton finalized his design
I literally have a BLS strap in my hand as I’m pecking this reply. So many places that it can be better. Hopefully they can work on improving them as opposed to sitting on their laurels. The design is easily copied. I think someone here found a link to pre-made hardware product that was almost identical for only a few dollars. I made a clone as my “learn how to sew” project.
Not trying to dis BLS. Now it’s time for them to get better.
#108
Senior Member
#109
Elitist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
That’s max power during a standing start.
I believe that steady efforts are improved, too. They help pedaling circles easier.
I’m surprised that only sprinters use them.
I believe that steady efforts are improved, too. They help pedaling circles easier.
I’m surprised that only sprinters use them.
#110
Senior Member
... 165mm cranks, down from 167.5. Pretty small change, but dreaming of a little bit more top end.
#111
Elitist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
I recall an older masters friend of mine (university professor in a science field) who used a power meter. I convinced him to try straps back in 2009 or so. He said that he saw +100w on his standing start immediately that was due to the straps.
Pedaling techniques change for sure...in a good way. I love my 165s.
#113
Senior Member
#116
Elitist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
BLS has done a "full court press" by (seemingly) giving away straps to any high profile rider who will take them. Follow them on social media and you'll see that the riders give BLS the same pleasant casual endorsements they do for other sponsors.
I find it hard to believe that an online track cycling coaching consortium is in a position to turn down sponsors
He who pays the piper picks the tune.
#117
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 120
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 63 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
ok, so after receiving the scatto from VelodromeShop, i emailed about the Mavic IO/Comete wheelsets and got information that the package should be delivered about 20th of November. That means actually 3 weeks of processing the order in total. In a week before 20th, I got email with tracking number and got the wheels on 20th as stated 2 weeks earlier.
I was out of town, and verified the package a week later and well, one of the cardboard was a bit too narrow and the wheel bag (and cardboard) got holes due to force done by axles. Nothing bad to wheels but still the bag was damaged and package was simple packed without any extra protection. I sent pictures to the shop, got immediate email with all the sorry stuff and 3 days later received a new Mavic wheel bag.
So, all I can say is perfect shopping experience with them. Every time I got replies on my emails within hours, every estimation of anything were correct and any issues were resolved immediately (even if their T&C stated I should notify about failures within 24hours, and I did it almost 7 days after receiving the package). In fact, I wish to have this level of customer service with other online retails. They done everything in top class and great time performance. The only minus was packing, but honestly...most retailers pack in the same way.
Bart
I was out of town, and verified the package a week later and well, one of the cardboard was a bit too narrow and the wheel bag (and cardboard) got holes due to force done by axles. Nothing bad to wheels but still the bag was damaged and package was simple packed without any extra protection. I sent pictures to the shop, got immediate email with all the sorry stuff and 3 days later received a new Mavic wheel bag.
So, all I can say is perfect shopping experience with them. Every time I got replies on my emails within hours, every estimation of anything were correct and any issues were resolved immediately (even if their T&C stated I should notify about failures within 24hours, and I did it almost 7 days after receiving the package). In fact, I wish to have this level of customer service with other online retails. They done everything in top class and great time performance. The only minus was packing, but honestly...most retailers pack in the same way.
Bart
Last edited by bartek.; 12-03-17 at 10:49 AM.
#120
Lapped 3x
#122
Lapped 3x
I get that. That was my quandary when I was racing. Long torso and shorter legs means I had to look for bikes with a longer TT and shorter HT. My ideal TT length was 56.5cm. Often this was in between a 55cm frame and a 57cm frame amongst most brands. Going 57, the HT would be too tall, but at 55, generally the frames only had a 54-55cm TT. My steel LOOK is a 56cm frame with a 55.5 cm TT. I would slam a 120cm stem with deep drops on that frame because it was still a threaded headset. If I were to run Scattos on that bike, I would need a negative rise stem. It was all good because I liked a more aggressive steering geo, and having my hands slightly in front of the hub is where my ideal position put me. It all seemed to coalesce quite well in the end.
If you have the chance, maybe the Alpina bars might put you in the right position without needing a negative rise stem. They are deeper and have some more reach. It would be similar to my set up.
https://www.bikeforums.net/19802705-post695.html
#123
Elitist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
I agree with Taras.
Southernfox, as you probably did on the road, you'll likely go through a lot of frames before you find the one that your body likes. The head tube on the one you have now will be a sore spot and you will spend lots of time, energy, and money trying to fit yourself around it. If you are looking to join the national team (or at least compete at that level), I'd suggest you get a bike with a more aggressive geometry and better dropouts.
I know this probably goes against everything I've written about bike equipment, but: If you don't know what to get, copy the people you are competing against as a starting point. Unfortunately, you want to race P/1/2...so that has you getting the bike that the P/1/2 ladies are riding
Southernfox, as you probably did on the road, you'll likely go through a lot of frames before you find the one that your body likes. The head tube on the one you have now will be a sore spot and you will spend lots of time, energy, and money trying to fit yourself around it. If you are looking to join the national team (or at least compete at that level), I'd suggest you get a bike with a more aggressive geometry and better dropouts.
I know this probably goes against everything I've written about bike equipment, but: If you don't know what to get, copy the people you are competing against as a starting point. Unfortunately, you want to race P/1/2...so that has you getting the bike that the P/1/2 ladies are riding
#124
Lapped 3x
Southernfox, as you probably did on the road, you'll likely go through a lot of frames before you find the one that your body likes. The head tube on the one you have now will be a sore spot and you will spend lots of time, energy, and money trying to fit yourself around it. If you are looking to join the national team (or at least compete at that level), I'd suggest you get a bike with a more aggressive geometry and better dropouts.
As far as the second bold point goes, it would be better to dial in your position before you look at other frames. You might have certain frames in mind right now, but you don't want to go through the whole fitting fiasco again just because you decided on a certain high end frame. Most of the top tier frames are pretty close in performance, and there is enough variance in how they fit to find something that can tick off most of the boxes you need.
#125
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 275
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 194 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
Thanks. I'm in talks right now w/ Fuji about sponsorship I think it's pretty likely I'll be racing a track elite this year ^_^
The dolan will be a decent training bike (with the front brake so I can train around home with it).
The dolan will be a decent training bike (with the front brake so I can train around home with it).