What's the dumbest thing another bicyclist has told you?
#51
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I have taken Physics 101 (and several more physics courses as well). I see nothing wrong with CheGiantForLife‘s point. If bike weight means nothing, why has significant effort be expended in reducing bike weight? If bicycle weight doesn’t matter why don’t pro racers ride 40 lb bicycles?
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A heavier bike does not "take more acceleration"; it simply accelerates slower when a certain force is applied to it. If you apply the same force to two bikes of different weights, they accelerate at different rates, but the amount of work done is the same, if the force is applied for the same amount of time. If you're doing a workout (which is what the original statement was about) and you are producing a certain effort / power for a certain amount of time, bike weight only affects your speed.
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A heavier bike does not "take more acceleration"; it simply accelerates slower when a certain force is applied to it. If you apply the same force to two bikes of different weights, they accelerate at different rates, but the amount of work done is the same, if the force is applied for the same amount of time. If you're doing a workout (which is what the original statement was about) and you are producing a certain effort / power for a certain amount of time, bike weight only affects your speed.
There's a trivial sense where the statement heavier bike=better workout could be true, but even that one's is stupid--if you're talking about accelerating from zero to cover the same distance with the same grade. But all you have to do is add weight to the lighter bike or put the lighter bike in a higher gear when starting to recreate the added resistance of the heavier bike and you can equalize the work.
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There's a trivial sense where the statement heavier bike=better workout could be true, but even that one's is stupid--if you're talking about accelerating from zero to cover the same distance with the same grade. But all you have to do is add weight to the lighter bike or put the lighter bike in a higher gear when starting to recreate the added resistance of the heavier bike and you can equalize the work.
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Basically, if the weight is the only difference between the two bikes, there is nothing you can do on the heavier bike that can't be done on the lighter bike. And you can always make the lighter bike heavier if you really want to, you can't reduce the weight of the heavy bike.
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Basically, if the weight is the only difference between the two bikes, there is nothing you can do on the heavier bike that can't be done on the lighter bike. And you can always make the lighter bike heavier if you really want to, you can't reduce the weight of the heavy bike.
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This is so obvious that I can't help but think people who don't get it are so stuck in weight-lifting logic that they can't wrap their heads around it.
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Absolutely the stupidest and dumbest thing I've heard on Bikeforums is that...Fixed gear bikes and singlespeed bikes are only suitable for riding very short distances on very flat terrain
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Yeah i remember that one...Heavy truck battery strapped to a rear rack and brakes adjusted to drag will give you a super duper training effect, that's how pros train... This guy can average 20 - 30 mph in city traffic and pass all the roadies on their light weight carbon bikes.
#62
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Miscommunication and inexperience can result in awful things... I have had similar situations as yourself. Pick any skill: 50% of the population are below the mean.
However, when I was younger and inexperienced, I had no idea what 'On your left' meant. It's what experienced cyclists say to each other. So when a voice from just behind me shouted 'On your left' I had no idea what it was, what it meant or what to do. On top of that, I've always had problems figuring out which hand is my right and which is my left.
So... as you said, I now assume everyone doesn't understand what I'm saying or doing when I"m on the bike, and assume that everyone is going to do something unexpected. And what about those cyclists who draft you without letting you know that they're there?. Oh, and get off my lawn :-)
However, when I was younger and inexperienced, I had no idea what 'On your left' meant. It's what experienced cyclists say to each other. So when a voice from just behind me shouted 'On your left' I had no idea what it was, what it meant or what to do. On top of that, I've always had problems figuring out which hand is my right and which is my left.
So... as you said, I now assume everyone doesn't understand what I'm saying or doing when I"m on the bike, and assume that everyone is going to do something unexpected. And what about those cyclists who draft you without letting you know that they're there?. Oh, and get off my lawn :-)
Yeah, the local bike path has signs telling riders to use "on your left".
No. I like "passing through", or even "good morning" if I'm passing slowly.
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#64
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In the real world, we ride a pre-determined loop.
Heavier bike will require more work to complete said loop.
More work means better workout.
Basic math.
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#67
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1. Harder workout = better workout
2. Weight training will make you slow unless you're a trackie
3. "Electrolytes"
2. Weight training will make you slow unless you're a trackie
3. "Electrolytes"
#68
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Dumbest things I've been told:
- Bike weight doesn't matter. This comment invariably comes from some old guy whose 30-pound bike is bristling with impediments such as racks, fenders, riser stems, obsolete electronics and a (shudder) kickstand;
- Fatter road tires are faster than the old skinny tires. Maybe, if you are comparing 23 vs. 28mm Conti 5000's both pumped up to 110 psi. But you pump the 28mm tires up to 80psi, and now they are slower;
- Disc brakes overall make you faster, since you can descend faster. This was actually told by a shop salesman, so I suppose it doesn't count as being conflicted advice.
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I suggest you spend a little more time examining this topic. I felt that way for a while, too. It turns out there are more factors to a fast tire than just rolling resistance.
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#71
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Fatter tires also require fatter rims with are also heavier and less aero. Nevertheless, debating the performance characteristics of clincher rims/tires is like fussing over mods on a Ford Fiesta. 23mm tubular tires pumped hard present an insurmountable performance advantage over any clincher/tubeless setup, past, present and forever. Perhaps fat 25mm tubulars work at Paris-Roubaix.
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I have. The fatter tires are also heavier, so more critical rotating mass. They also present more frontal area, so more wind resistance; wind resistance by far consumes the most watts of a solo rider.
Fatter tires also require fatter rims with are also heavier and less aero. Nevertheless, debating the performance characteristics of clincher rims/tires is like fussing over mods on a Ford Fiesta. 23mm tubular tires pumped hard present an insurmountable performance advantage over any clincher/tubeless setup, past, present and forever. Perhaps fat 25mm tubulars work at Paris-Roubaix.
Fatter tires also require fatter rims with are also heavier and less aero. Nevertheless, debating the performance characteristics of clincher rims/tires is like fussing over mods on a Ford Fiesta. 23mm tubular tires pumped hard present an insurmountable performance advantage over any clincher/tubeless setup, past, present and forever. Perhaps fat 25mm tubulars work at Paris-Roubaix.
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I have. The fatter tires are also heavier, so more critical rotating mass. They also present more frontal area, so more wind resistance; wind resistance by far consumes the most watts of a solo rider.
Fatter tires also require fatter rims with are also heavier and less aero. Nevertheless, debating the performance characteristics of clincher rims/tires is like fussing over mods on a Ford Fiesta. 23mm tubular tires pumped hard present an insurmountable performance advantage over any clincher/tubeless setup, past, present and forever. Perhaps fat 25mm tubulars work at Paris-Roubaix.
Fatter tires also require fatter rims with are also heavier and less aero. Nevertheless, debating the performance characteristics of clincher rims/tires is like fussing over mods on a Ford Fiesta. 23mm tubular tires pumped hard present an insurmountable performance advantage over any clincher/tubeless setup, past, present and forever. Perhaps fat 25mm tubulars work at Paris-Roubaix.
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