Addiction LXXVIII
07-24-20, 02:41 PM
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
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I keep seeing riders coming down this one smooth, wide, fast, totally non-technical descent on the hoods instead of the drops. They don't know what they're missing! And then I see some riders grinding uphills in the drops, with the wind at their backs.
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"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
07-24-20, 02:43 PM
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
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This may explain why I completely failed in my quest last month to find an early 2000s Litespeed Ultimate to buy and rebuild. I never went to Dentistry School.
EDIT: Uh-oh. 3 posts in a row. I think I better declare lunchtime over and get back to work. Those data won't crunch themselves.
EDIT: Uh-oh. 3 posts in a row. I think I better declare lunchtime over and get back to work. Those data won't crunch themselves.
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"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
07-24-20, 02:51 PM
VFL For Life
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07-24-20, 03:06 PM
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I estimate my drop time on the order of 30% on the road bike.
07-24-20, 03:45 PM
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I'm probably in the 25% region, too, but it's primarily about sketch-factor, not aero.
07-24-20, 03:48 PM
So it is
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I did it the Old Fashioned Way - first, I made myself an Old Fashioned. 
Then I set each bike up, JUST touching the kitchen counter with the back wheel against the wall. Then I measured from the center of the BB spindle to the floor, and to the wall where the wheel was touching. Then I measured from the center of the top of the top tube to the wall and the floor. Then I used an Excel sheet to convert inches to cm and do the appropriate subtractions, and voila! Stack and Reach.
I also used this method to measure saddle setback, saddle-handlebar drop, Reach+ and Stack+.
Then I set each bike up, JUST touching the kitchen counter with the back wheel against the wall. Then I measured from the center of the BB spindle to the floor, and to the wall where the wheel was touching. Then I measured from the center of the top of the top tube to the wall and the floor. Then I used an Excel sheet to convert inches to cm and do the appropriate subtractions, and voila! Stack and Reach.
I also used this method to measure saddle setback, saddle-handlebar drop, Reach+ and Stack+.
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07-24-20, 03:50 PM
So it is
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07-24-20, 03:52 PM
So it is
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It used to be thought that being in the drops was faster.. but I think that the most aero position has been shown to be on the hoods with forearms parallel to the ground. Maybe they're up to date on their aero?
I'm probably in the 25% region, too, but it's primarily about sketch-factor, not aero.
I'm probably in the 25% region, too, but it's primarily about sketch-factor, not aero.
07-24-20, 03:52 PM
So it is
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07-24-20, 04:08 PM
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I did it the Old Fashioned Way - first, I made myself an Old Fashioned.
Then I set each bike up, JUST touching the kitchen counter with the back wheel against the wall. Then I measured from the center of the BB spindle to the floor, and to the wall where the wheel was touching. Then I measured from the center of the top of the top tube to the wall and the floor. Then I used an Excel sheet to convert inches to cm and do the appropriate subtractions, and voila! Stack and Reach.
I also used this method to measure saddle setback, saddle-handlebar drop, Reach+ and Stack+.
Then I set each bike up, JUST touching the kitchen counter with the back wheel against the wall. Then I measured from the center of the BB spindle to the floor, and to the wall where the wheel was touching. Then I measured from the center of the top of the top tube to the wall and the floor. Then I used an Excel sheet to convert inches to cm and do the appropriate subtractions, and voila! Stack and Reach.
I also used this method to measure saddle setback, saddle-handlebar drop, Reach+ and Stack+.
This is all for purely research purposes for the moment, and I've got the geo chart so CAD works perfectly for now
My cantilevers are fantastic brakes, but take a lot of hand strength to work. They're useless from the hoods aside from minor speed modulation, so I'm always in the drops when descending or riding around traffic.
07-24-20, 04:19 PM
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07-24-20, 04:21 PM
serious cyclist
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It used to be thought that being in the drops was faster.. but I think that the most aero position has been shown to be on the hoods with forearms parallel to the ground. Maybe they're up to date on their aero?
I'm probably in the 25% region, too, but it's primarily about sketch-factor, not aero.
I'm probably in the 25% region, too, but it's primarily about sketch-factor, not aero.
You're right, and I find that more comfortable as well, especially with a pistol-grip on the hoods.
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07-24-20, 04:31 PM
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'Splain it to me, Lucy.
07-24-20, 04:35 PM
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
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That, and having a spare saddle that's the same as the one on the other 3 bikes. Not bad considering it's been out of production for at least 15 years.
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"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
07-24-20, 04:37 PM
smelling the roses
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I am always in the drops when descending, because control. But I only descend when riding in the USA. Here, I use the drops as an alternate hand position. Prolly around 25%. I, personally, am faster when in the drops. It's a more powerful position. I see riding the hoods as the lazy approach. Speaking for myself only.
07-24-20, 04:43 PM
smelling the roses
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Sad!
I recently submitted a note to a website I frequent. I was unable to log in for a live event. Three weeks later I was informed that it's been solved. I questioned the delay and found that it is business as usual.
I recently submitted a note to a website I frequent. I was unable to log in for a live event. Three weeks later I was informed that it's been solved. I questioned the delay and found that it is business as usual.
07-24-20, 04:43 PM
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07-24-20, 04:50 PM
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I am always in the drops when descending, because control. But I only descend when riding in the USA. Here, I use the drops as an alternate hand position. Prolly around 25%. I, personally, am faster when in the drops. It's a more powerful position. I see riding the hoods as the lazy approach. Speaking for myself only.
07-24-20, 04:50 PM
So it is
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There are numerous reasons why being comfortable in the drops is important, though being in them for distance type riding isn't one of them. Group riding, racing, hammer rides, it only makes sense, simply because control is important, and not overlapping bars is even more important.
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07-24-20, 04:51 PM
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Pfffft. Me neither. Can't even remember the last time I could.
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07-24-20, 04:53 PM
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It's the oscillation between Louisville and Billings that I find particularly odd. Is this a probabilistic, quantum-mechanical, cloud of package that's really in two places at once?
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07-24-20, 04:54 PM
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I've had days where putting socks and shoes on was a chore. #InflexibilityWoes
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07-24-20, 04:59 PM
Should Be More Popular
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It used to be thought that being in the drops was faster.. but I think that the most aero position has been shown to be on the hoods with forearms parallel to the ground. Maybe they're up to date on their aero?
I'm probably in the 25% region, too, but it's primarily about sketch-factor, not aero.
I'm probably in the 25% region, too, but it's primarily about sketch-factor, not aero.
I think a lot of newer cyclists don’t appreciate that there are easily 5 or more hand positions and always ride the hoods.
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07-24-20, 05:00 PM
Should Be More Popular
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07-24-20, 05:06 PM
Silver Comet Fred
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@Velo Vol was looking for his old neighbor and got himself in trouble.
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