rmichael

Great post, thank you.

I noticed the 'Knee pain' article has moved, perhaps it was this one:

https://www.roadcycling.com/news-resu...n#.UDdi926PvvY

?

foob

Hi everyone,

First post here, so hopefully this is the best place to ask this question. I purchased a Kona Dew Deluxe about 2 months ago, and I've been using it as my daily commuter ever since. I really like the bike, but I'm wanting to switch out the stock handlebars for a set of drop handlebars.

However, I have absolutely no idea how I go about accomplishing that, and I'm not exactly knowledgable when it comes to bikes in general. Anyway, any help at all would be great!

Thanks!

speedwobbles

Does anyone have a link for the "photos of your bike near elevation signs" (or something like that) thread? I can't seem to find it but I swear I saw it one day.

here2day

Here is my newbie question - first my background - started riding 7 years ago after skiing accident. I ride in a coastal section of southern California which has some Cat 2 and plenty of Cat 3&4 climbs. I average around 60 miles per week, usually in two 30 mile rides. For every 10 miles ridden around here one usually climbs 1,000 feet. In 2005 I bought a Specialized Allez Elite new (105 shifters, 105-fd, Ultegra-rd, FSA Gossamer crank, ALX295 wheels) and have put approx. 20,000 miles on it, no upgrades, just routine maintenance. I've never weighed it on a bike scale but my guess is it's easily over 20lbs.

What I'd like to accomplish is to have a bike that helps me climb faster (on the cheap). The people I ride with can afford much better machines and I'd like to try to level the playing field a bit.

I'm trying to decide if I should buy a new or slightly used bike (I like the CAAD 10) or upgrade the Allez, and... I'm on a budget (two kids in college). I know where I could buy a new CAAD 10 5 for around $1,200 (seems like a good price) and think I could sell the Allez for around $400. That said I'm not sure they'll be that different.

Here are some of my questions:
- How important is the frame to climbing performance - is the 2012 CAAD 10 frame significantly better than the 2005 Allez?
- Would lighter wheels on the Allez have a significant effect on climbing performance?
- Would a lighter/stiffer crankset be a factor?
- Anything else I should think about?
- Is this the right Forum to ask this?

I appreciate that this is subject to opinion and also appreciate any opinions or advice I get - thanks!

10 Wheels

Hills are about fitness and weight.

How much do you weight?

10 Wheels

I bought 2 new bikes this year.

They are more responsive and nimble , but I have not gained any speed.

60 miles a week is Low Miles.
180 to 240 would help you much if you had the time.

here2day

5'10", 163lbs - I'm 54

according to Strava my max effort is 347 watts - don't know if that's good or bad - also don't know how accurate but have heard it's a reasonable measure to try and improve.

here2day

Thanks - that's probably the right answer and certainly the cheapest answer.
Finding the time as daylight dwindles will be the challenge.
I've been told that wheels are the best bang for the $$.
I'm looking at some Neuvation wheels for $250. They're much lighter than what I have.

10 Wheels

Your weight is great.
New wheels are a good way to go.

New bikes are fun to ride.
A new one may give you more incentive for more miles.
It is also nice to have 2 bikes as you can compare the ride qualities..

Stay in touch and I wish you well.

katybug

1koolkat

I recently got a new frame and the bottom bracket shell said it was drilled for a 68 by 107mm (recommended) , but I was looking into a 68 by 110 crankset combo. Would that be fine to put on it? Thank you.

1koolkat

Also I have been really interested in this fork, is there any way it would fit in a 1 1/8 headtube. Thank you. I know this is probably a stupid question, but I didnt know if there was that much of a difference.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/290710209014...=p5197.c0.m619

buffalowings

I'm a recreational cyclist and commuter and I am using a Gary Fisher Marlin that worked great because I could run slicks or knobbies for the trails but I moved to a urban area so I am now looking for a road bike. I originally wanted one in the $1400 range (Giant Defy, Scott Speedster S20, Trek Madone 2.1) but I decided to set my budget to a more reasonable $700-800 range so I have been looking at the following:
$800 sette vitale 2.0 (9 speed tiagra)
$750 diamondback podium sport 2012 (10 speeds 105)
$850? scott speedster s40 (9 speed sora)
$750 Ridley Icarus (9 speed tiagra)
Which one would be the better buy? I'm not only looking at the componentry because most of them are the same, but also the frame/ride quality because the only one I can test is the Scott from my LBS and i don't want to buy a second rate frame that I would later regret.
I'm a pretty average biker in terms of speed/endurance (more of a bike nerd) so I can easily do the basic assembly required for bike in a box, if the front derailleur is in the general parameters...

Thanks

IFPCL

Hey folks. I'm not new to cycling but I don't know very much about road racing. I'm getting involved in an amateur racing group in my area and was wondering if the bike I have will limit me to a noticeable extent in crits or general road racing. It's a 2012 Giant Defy 1. I know that the geometry is more suited to long distance riding, but if I slam the stem for a more aggressive saddle-to-bar drop (not uncomfortable for me), will I have bike capable of standing up to racing frames like CAADs or the Giant TCR? This is with adequate training, etc. taken into account.

Street rider

I usually hang out in SSFG, and this is my first time in my parts! Quick question, is there a "what bike should I buy" thread here? I did a quick search, but it didn't yield anything substantial, and I don't want to be that ******* who starts a new thread for every single question and clutters everything up.

Marlin_L

https://hamilton.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-...AdIdZ470096313

City: Hamilton, Ontario

I've been bicycling a fair amount as my primary get around method before the winter here in Ontario. Have only ridden beater bikes, so I want to get something that would fit me (I'm 6'4"), and rides nice.

My needs is urban commuting in a medium sized city. There's a major elevation change that divides the city so being able to climb a hill is a huge plus.

I really don't know how to valuate a bike new or used. The tune-up package he said was worth $60. Do I take that into consideration?

LesterOfPuppets

You'll need a 1" threadless headset, fork with 1" threadless steerer tube, a 1" threadless stem with the appropriate bar clamp diameter (I'm guessing 26mm for the stock bars, but if you're getting that much new stuff, might wanna consider going whole hog and getting 31.8mm bars and stem), and probably some 1" spacers.
The 2000 Trek 1000 came with Sora brifters with barrel adjusters on the downtube, you can probably use those barrel adjusters with most other brifters. What shift levers are you planning on using?

Abstractworld

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and also completely new to biking on the road.
I'm 23 years old and the last time I actually road a bike was probably when I was in elementary school.
I have a couple questions about biking because I really want to get a good workout and also save money commuting to work/school.

Sorry if this is a lot of questions, I just want to be safe on the road and learn all I can about bicycling.

1) What's a decent road bike for under $250 for beginners. (Also how do I figure out the right size for my body? )
2) How safe is it to bike on the road? I'm pretty scared to go on the road with a bicycle because cars might hit me resulting in my death :O
3) What are some important gear I should be wearing if I were to bike on the road (helmet, etc)
4) What are some tips I should know before riding on the road as a beginner
5) How to deal with angry drivers who will honk and scare me because I am taking up too much of the road.
6) Should I get a camera to place in front of my bike just in case someone tries to ram me so I have evidence? (I watched youtube where cars purposely rammed bikers and they luckily had cameras to record the license plate)
7) Do you guys get your bikes stolen often? I heard people usually get their bikes stolen within 2 years or so. It also seems fairly easy to break bike locks.
8) Any other things you guys think I should know as a complete beginner to biking on the road

Thank you for your time everyone

Graupel731

Newbie question:

https://frank.harvard.edu/~coldwell/b...on/overall.jpg (for a bigger image)

What is the black bar(?) under the top tube?

qcpmsame 

Pump, a nice one, too. Possibly a Zefal, that Bob Jackson is very nice as well. Someone had good taste in bikes.

Bill

mrlulz

I did the search, and I really could not make any sense of what I found. So just a newbie question here! I'm new to all this! Only recently got interested! Don't own a road bike as of yet! Been riding a Raleigh pioneer spirit! Which got me into wanting a road bike![added a picture, hope you dont mind.]
Which brings me to my question! What do I buy for my new bike!? What kind of bib/shorts should I buy? Helmet? Do I need the expensive racing shoes, or is there an alternative? I dont want to pay top prices for clothing! but I want something worth my Pound! Any help? Some kind of light shed on this would be a great help! Thanks....

BruceHankins

I'm a n00b myself, but why do you need special clothing and shoes or a different helmet to enjoy riding a bike? BTW, love the look of your commuter!

mrlulz

Well, I figured clothing for comfort! Like the padded bibs? And I was looking at time trail helmets! But they're costy. And cheers!

LowCel 

Don't mess with the time trial helmets, just get a normal helmet. Time trial helmets don't allow you to hear as well or give you nearly as much ventilation. Also, if you wear a tt helmet while riding anything but a tt you will probably be laughed off of the road. I wore mine while racing today and even then I knew it looked ridiculous.

mrlulz

Questions! A basic run down. Got first road bike Friday. Been on it twice. However, scared of all kinds of pot holes, grids a little down, and stones. However, avoiding these nearly gets me killed so I'm asking:
1 What can a double walled rim, with the highest pressure in the tires actually withstand without puncher?

Another one: How can I make the bike a little faster, without spending the earth!?