The Water Cooler, Scuttlebutt, Chit Chat Thread
#7101
Elite Fred
#7102
My nicer road bike is now more than 10 years old. It's got rim brakes, a 130bcd crank and a mechnical 10-speed drivetrain. So, other than being a nice carbon frame, it's pretty outdated.
Part of me really wants a new road bike. Something with carbon wheels, disc brakes and electronic ****ing. The the more raional part of me says stick with what I've got. It still works fine, and since track racing is my primary focus, I don't ride on the road that much.
Anyway, just thought I'd share since it's cold and wet here and I'm a bit bored at work.
Part of me really wants a new road bike. Something with carbon wheels, disc brakes and electronic ****ing. The the more raional part of me says stick with what I've got. It still works fine, and since track racing is my primary focus, I don't ride on the road that much.
Anyway, just thought I'd share since it's cold and wet here and I'm a bit bored at work.
Likes For topflightpro:
#7104
Killing Rabbits
My nicer road bike is now more than 10 years old. It's got rim brakes, a 130bcd crank and a mechnical 10-speed drivetrain. So, other than being a nice carbon frame, it's pretty outdated.
Part of me really wants a new road bike. Something with carbon wheels, disc brakes and electronic ****ing. The the more raional part of me says stick with what I've got. It still works fine, and since track racing is my primary focus, I don't ride on the road that much.
Anyway, just thought I'd share since it's cold and wet here and I'm a bit bored at work.
Part of me really wants a new road bike. Something with carbon wheels, disc brakes and electronic ****ing. The the more raional part of me says stick with what I've got. It still works fine, and since track racing is my primary focus, I don't ride on the road that much.
Anyway, just thought I'd share since it's cold and wet here and I'm a bit bored at work.
Last edited by Enthalpic; 01-19-24 at 10:57 AM.
#7105
I currently use an old Felt F4 (High mod carbon, 10 speed mechanical dura ace). Super nice bike at the time but now seems quite dated. I would love a new fancy bike, but $10,000+ for a superbike is not even close to responsible spending right now. I have carbon wheels but rarely use them outside racing. Most of the time I'm using old open pros with a heavy hub powertap.
All of my bicycles include a 10x system… a couple of older ones are 9x and even the 9x DA works quite well.
#7106
Killing Rabbits
#7108
Not actually Tmonk
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 15,087
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Liked 3,900 Times
in
2,035 Posts
E-shifting is the way. I have E-shifting on 2 of my 5 geared bikes. Ultegra Di2 12 on one of my two road bikes, and Sram Etap 11 on my TT bike. I may get it on my MTB in the not so distant future.
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
#7109
Intitutively, I tend to avoid too much reliance on batteries. All of my bikes are completely mechanical and there’s precious little in them that I cannot overhaul or repair myself.
Likes For Alan K:
#7110
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Southern California, USA
Posts: 10,499
Bikes: 1979 Raleigh Team 753
Liked 380 Times
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259 Posts
I am not a fan of any electronics for the sport. No shifting, no power meters, no speedos, no radios. I'm good with yelling at the rider...
Just like F1 started removing ABS, links to the computers in the stands etc. The racer should learn what to do to win, without aids.
Just like F1 started removing ABS, links to the computers in the stands etc. The racer should learn what to do to win, without aids.
#7111
Batüwü Creakcreak
Popping back in here because I just realized that y'all used to talk about masters racing when I first started posting here in like 2007....i just realized that my reading age would be 35 this year.
What a world.
Anyway, I've been riding a bunch more and shooting for 6-10 hours of activity a week. Just did a ramp test and 70% of my last minute was 230W and I'm sitting at 175 right now hoping to get down to 160-165. I have no interest getting much below that point because I'm still lifting etc as well.
It's been really nice to get out more on a bike. I bought a used rim brake caad13 over Thanksgiving and I've been enjoying that quite a bit.
What a world.
Anyway, I've been riding a bunch more and shooting for 6-10 hours of activity a week. Just did a ramp test and 70% of my last minute was 230W and I'm sitting at 175 right now hoping to get down to 160-165. I have no interest getting much below that point because I'm still lifting etc as well.
It's been really nice to get out more on a bike. I bought a used rim brake caad13 over Thanksgiving and I've been enjoying that quite a bit.
Likes For ridethecliche:
#7112
Not actually Tmonk
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 15,087
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Liked 3,900 Times
in
2,035 Posts
Welcome back RTC. The subforum activity is quite slow, outside of Training Status which gets some posting. I have taken my idle chatter to the "Addiction" threads in road, but would not mind bringing it back here
I'm 37 (race age 38 - November BD) and started focusing on Masters in 2023 for the first time with great success, wins in RRs and crits, more podiums including a major stage race with a TT (VoS).
I had born torn between elite (I'm still a 2) and Master's for a few seasons. I'm still considering it, since I have like 10-12 cat 2 points, and I think you can use 10 points from Master's for a cat 1 upgrade. IDK though. Not many 2 only events and the elite field is so stacked around here. I'm def one of the good guys in Mater's 35/45 though, which is still deep with talent/watts in SCNCA.
I'm 37 (race age 38 - November BD) and started focusing on Masters in 2023 for the first time with great success, wins in RRs and crits, more podiums including a major stage race with a TT (VoS).
I had born torn between elite (I'm still a 2) and Master's for a few seasons. I'm still considering it, since I have like 10-12 cat 2 points, and I think you can use 10 points from Master's for a cat 1 upgrade. IDK though. Not many 2 only events and the elite field is so stacked around here. I'm def one of the good guys in Mater's 35/45 though, which is still deep with talent/watts in SCNCA.
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
Likes For TMonk:
#7113
Batüwü Creakcreak
I'd like to consider racing again but I'm reticent given work and life things. I've been shooting for 6-10 hours of training a week and I've been seeing a lot of progress since getting my kickr set up again.
I just don't think I'm ready to make the sacrifices I think I'd need to for racing... Though I could do only crits. The answer will come when it needs to.
I just don't think I'm ready to make the sacrifices I think I'd need to for racing... Though I could do only crits. The answer will come when it needs to.
#7114
Version 7.0
ridethecliche You may want to consider Zwift racing. My wife is doing quite a bit and likes it a lot. And I am doing more on Zwift including structured workouts and endurance as well as meet ups. When I get my endurance back, I will start racing Zwift as well.
I am not throwing outdoor real racing under the bus just saying that Zwift offers a lot with less time commitment and cost (driving to and from races plus fees) and less risky.
I am not throwing outdoor real racing under the bus just saying that Zwift offers a lot with less time commitment and cost (driving to and from races plus fees) and less risky.
#7115
Version 7.0
Welcome back RTC. The subforum activity is quite slow, outside of Training Status which gets some posting. I have taken my idle chatter to the "Addiction" threads in road, but would not mind bringing it back here
I'm 37 (race age 38 - November BD) and started focusing on Masters in 2023 for the first time with great success, wins in RRs and crits, more podiums including a major stage race with a TT (VoS).
I had born torn between elite (I'm still a 2) and Master's for a few seasons. I'm still considering it, since I have like 10-12 cat 2 points, and I think you can use 10 points from Master's for a cat 1 upgrade. IDK though. Not many 2 only events and the elite field is so stacked around here. I'm def one of the good guys in Mater's 35/45 though, which is still deep with talent/watts in SCNCA.
I'm 37 (race age 38 - November BD) and started focusing on Masters in 2023 for the first time with great success, wins in RRs and crits, more podiums including a major stage race with a TT (VoS).
I had born torn between elite (I'm still a 2) and Master's for a few seasons. I'm still considering it, since I have like 10-12 cat 2 points, and I think you can use 10 points from Master's for a cat 1 upgrade. IDK though. Not many 2 only events and the elite field is so stacked around here. I'm def one of the good guys in Mater's 35/45 though, which is still deep with talent/watts in SCNCA.
Likes For Hermes:
#7116
Not actually Tmonk
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 15,087
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Liked 3,900 Times
in
2,035 Posts
Good idea, I can start doing that in Road.
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
#7117
Senior Member
ridethecliche You may want to consider Zwift racing. My wife is doing quite a bit and likes it a lot. And I am doing more on Zwift including structured workouts and endurance as well as meet ups. When I get my endurance back, I will start racing Zwift as well.
I am not throwing outdoor real racing under the bus just saying that Zwift offers a lot with less time commitment and cost (driving to and from races plus fees) and less risky.
I am not throwing outdoor real racing under the bus just saying that Zwift offers a lot with less time commitment and cost (driving to and from races plus fees) and less risky.
Also, there's very little skin in the game, so I can race whenever I want, within reason. Can't do the 8pm? I can do the 9pm. Can't do the 9pm? I can do the Big Spin ride at 9:15pm. etc etc. I even did some of the long Epic races for my long rides (two of them took me 3 hours to finish). And in Zwift I can be a hero and actually take a pull or chase a bit, where in real life that's not possible.
For the most organized racing, the ZTRL racing league is great. As a D racer I'm shelled in most of the races, but I can get points for segments (like a points race for the uninitiated).
__________________
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
#7118
Not actually Tmonk
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 15,087
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Liked 3,900 Times
in
2,035 Posts
Yeah, Z is great. I was already like ~1/3 on Zwift before baby came around 6 months ago. Now, it's more like 75% lol. Have a pretty sweet setup in my garage
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
Likes For TMonk:
#7119
Senior Member
Your garage is a lot more, uh, nicer than mine. I'd be sharing my rides with the chipmunks that like to run through it. And the odd frog in the summer.
This is my basement. Track bike to the right. Recently did the two screen thing. Music, course map (so I can see where the sprints are and stuff), phone companion app on top of the stereo thing, trackball because mouse doesn't work well on a limited area surface.
Plan is to reduce the foot print - a compact receiver/amp (need to buy), a smaller footprint computer (have it already), the drawer thing will be under the mirror, and the track bike will have some kind of rollers cage around it so I can do rollers. Also want to make it easier to get the CycleOps 300 in and out of that spot. Leg press machine to the right of the track bike, but it seems to kill my back so not using it. Based on how fast I move, revamping the room will be done in the next 5 to 10 years.
This is my basement. Track bike to the right. Recently did the two screen thing. Music, course map (so I can see where the sprints are and stuff), phone companion app on top of the stereo thing, trackball because mouse doesn't work well on a limited area surface.
Plan is to reduce the foot print - a compact receiver/amp (need to buy), a smaller footprint computer (have it already), the drawer thing will be under the mirror, and the track bike will have some kind of rollers cage around it so I can do rollers. Also want to make it easier to get the CycleOps 300 in and out of that spot. Leg press machine to the right of the track bike, but it seems to kill my back so not using it. Based on how fast I move, revamping the room will be done in the next 5 to 10 years.
__________________
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
#7120
Not actually Tmonk
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 15,087
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Liked 3,900 Times
in
2,035 Posts
Pretty stoked on our garage. We've owned/lived in this 3-level townhome since May 2021, and the bottom level is a huge garage which is just sweet. It's a tandem garage - but still plenty spacious. In front of where a second car fits, (we are on just 1 Prius for now), there is a ~12x12 foot flex space that triples as an office area, exercise area, and bedroom with the trundle
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
Likes For TMonk:
#7121
Senior Member
wow much easier to get the bike out etc. Sweet set up. That bed... I'd probably end up sleeping in it after some of my rides.
__________________
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
Likes For carpediemracing:
#7122
Senior Member
I'm pretty sure I just raced against carpediemracing in a zwift race on Downtown Dolphin using the new Zwift Racing Score thingy. Man, that was brutal (I'm glad they're finally getting around to results-based ranking, but I think they may have over ranked me), but it was cool seeing someone I think of as bikeforums-famous in the results after it was done.
All those surges up that little hill trying to keep up with people who were 1-2 cats above me in the traditional rankings softened up my legs to the point where I couldn't go with them on the final set of rollers. I much prefer to be the one softening up everyone else's legs (especially in team races where I don't have to worry about finishing position). Just hanging on for dear life is how I get stronger though.
All those surges up that little hill trying to keep up with people who were 1-2 cats above me in the traditional rankings softened up my legs to the point where I couldn't go with them on the final set of rollers. I much prefer to be the one softening up everyone else's legs (especially in team races where I don't have to worry about finishing position). Just hanging on for dear life is how I get stronger though.
__________________
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),
Likes For himespau:
#7123
I ordered a new road bike.
Finally moving past mechanical, rim brake 10-speed. Was on the fence about it, but then I saw a BMC at 40% off retail, and figured, what they heck. My wife already has Sram AXS on her road and gravel bikes, and I may look to sell my gravel bike to replace with an AXS equipped one so that our bikes are fully compatible. (It's been really annoying having 10-speed mechanical, 11-speed mechanical, and 12-speed electric bikes in the mix. Nothing is compatable across those three!)
Finally moving past mechanical, rim brake 10-speed. Was on the fence about it, but then I saw a BMC at 40% off retail, and figured, what they heck. My wife already has Sram AXS on her road and gravel bikes, and I may look to sell my gravel bike to replace with an AXS equipped one so that our bikes are fully compatible. (It's been really annoying having 10-speed mechanical, 11-speed mechanical, and 12-speed electric bikes in the mix. Nothing is compatable across those three!)
Likes For topflightpro:
#7124
Senior Member
I'm pretty sure I just raced against carpediemracing in a zwift race on Downtown Dolphin using the new Zwift Racing Score thingy. Man, that was brutal (I'm glad they're finally getting around to results-based ranking, but I think they may have over ranked me), but it was cool seeing someone I think of as bikeforums-famous in the results after it was done.
All those surges up that little hill trying to keep up with people who were 1-2 cats above me in the traditional rankings softened up my legs to the point where I couldn't go with them on the final set of rollers. I much prefer to be the one softening up everyone else's legs (especially in team races where I don't have to worry about finishing position). Just hanging on for dear life is how I get stronger though.
All those surges up that little hill trying to keep up with people who were 1-2 cats above me in the traditional rankings softened up my legs to the point where I couldn't go with them on the final set of rollers. I much prefer to be the one softening up everyone else's legs (especially in team races where I don't have to worry about finishing position). Just hanging on for dear life is how I get stronger though.
I ended up doing 2 laps with the group, 1 lap at a time. I couldn't go over the hill and not completely explode, I'd have been shelled if I went easier.
The winner averaged my 5 min PR ever (in wattage), and I hit that 5 min PR a long time ago.
I'm okay with playing through the adjustment period. The new rankings take into account placings, so I was artificially high. I suspect I won't be much lower than where I am now (in the 370s based on the number in the event results, but 402 according to my profile; I started at 421) but I think the 400-575 group is not appropriate for me. The 375-450 seemed a bit better (no As in there, but still I was shelled pretty quickly). The algorithm is a bit aggressive in categorizing sprinters I think, due to the placings being a factor.
I did get upgraded to C in the old cat, due to a 5 min effort just before Racing Score got rolled out, but even Cs is not really appropriate for me, not at my fitness. Ds also seems a bit inappropriate in the other direction except in WTRL races as I'm generally okay in them (WTRL I get shelled as everyone knows what they're doing).
__________________
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
#7125
Senior Member
I ordered a new road bike.
Finally moving past mechanical, rim brake 10-speed. Was on the fence about it, but then I saw a BMC at 40% off retail, and figured, what they heck. My wife already has Sram AXS on her road and gravel bikes, and I may look to sell my gravel bike to replace with an AXS equipped one so that our bikes are fully compatible. (It's been really annoying having 10-speed mechanical, 11-speed mechanical, and 12-speed electric bikes in the mix. Nothing is compatable across those three!)
Finally moving past mechanical, rim brake 10-speed. Was on the fence about it, but then I saw a BMC at 40% off retail, and figured, what they heck. My wife already has Sram AXS on her road and gravel bikes, and I may look to sell my gravel bike to replace with an AXS equipped one so that our bikes are fully compatible. (It's been really annoying having 10-speed mechanical, 11-speed mechanical, and 12-speed electric bikes in the mix. Nothing is compatable across those three!)
__________________
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson