The Water Cooler, Scuttlebutt, Chit Chat Thread
#3951
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I retired in April but Mrs. John is still attached to her job, at least for now. There are still some cheaper houses in the local mountains and I could still drive down for a club ride or to visit people. Moving hundreds or even thousands of miles from here would be tough.
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#3952
out walking the earth
We had been toying with moving to Burlington and living on the lake, as well as moving along the atlantic coast, but it's all stupid expensive. We sort of settled in on moving into the house we already owned, allowing my wife to keep her NYC salary and getting out of the rat race. We'll go back to summer vacations in Maine to get the big water fix. It's a fun exploration. The whole open question of 'where should I live and what should my life look like?' There's a million possibilities for all of us.
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#3954
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#3955
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I don't have big money for a super nice smart trainer, but am going to bite on a used one local to me on CL.
I have a spare 42" TV that we don't use and I have a dedicated romex cable run to the shed. I think I'll mount that TV out there and buy a little indoor hvac unit to make it "liveable" to do work out there and bite on a Zwift subscription this winter.
Had to buy a disaster blower fan to dry out the crawl space from a small leak we had, so now I'll have that and a box fan. I'll just have to check the amp load on the whole setup.
I think if I can stay engaged this winter, I should hit some good goals for next year.
I have a spare 42" TV that we don't use and I have a dedicated romex cable run to the shed. I think I'll mount that TV out there and buy a little indoor hvac unit to make it "liveable" to do work out there and bite on a Zwift subscription this winter.
Had to buy a disaster blower fan to dry out the crawl space from a small leak we had, so now I'll have that and a box fan. I'll just have to check the amp load on the whole setup.
I think if I can stay engaged this winter, I should hit some good goals for next year.
#3956
fuggitivo solitario
I don't have big money for a super nice smart trainer, but am going to bite on a used one local to me on CL.
I have a spare 42" TV that we don't use and I have a dedicated romex cable run to the shed. I think I'll mount that TV out there and buy a little indoor hvac unit to make it "liveable" to do work out there and bite on a Zwift subscription this winter.
Had to buy a disaster blower fan to dry out the crawl space from a small leak we had, so now I'll have that and a box fan. I'll just have to check the amp load on the whole setup.
I think if I can stay engaged this winter, I should hit some good goals for next year.
I have a spare 42" TV that we don't use and I have a dedicated romex cable run to the shed. I think I'll mount that TV out there and buy a little indoor hvac unit to make it "liveable" to do work out there and bite on a Zwift subscription this winter.
Had to buy a disaster blower fan to dry out the crawl space from a small leak we had, so now I'll have that and a box fan. I'll just have to check the amp load on the whole setup.
I think if I can stay engaged this winter, I should hit some good goals for next year.
https://www.cycleops.com/catalog/smart-trainers
really great road feel
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#3957
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I'm not sure I still understand the smart trainer thing. Is there a benefit over a dumb fluid trainer combined with a power meter? I'm assuming I'll try out some zwift this winter, but I just have a normal CycleOps Fluid II from years ago, and my normal power meter.
I guess they get harder as the virtual hills go up, and easier as you descend? Is that it?
I guess they get harder as the virtual hills go up, and easier as you descend? Is that it?
#3958
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I'm not sure I still understand the smart trainer thing. Is there a benefit over a dumb fluid trainer combined with a power meter? I'm assuming I'll try out some zwift this winter, but I just have a normal CycleOps Fluid II from years ago, and my normal power meter.
I guess they get harder as the virtual hills go up, and easier as you descend? Is that it?
I guess they get harder as the virtual hills go up, and easier as you descend? Is that it?
Guy has a smoking deal on a Kickr Snap. Not the nicest one out there, but for the price it's nearly in the price range of a new fluid.
I also currently have a 2nd gen Cycleops fluid. I'll keep it as my race warmup rig. I just find the fluid to be a soul sucker. Road feel is total crap since essentially zero flywheel effect, basically only good for doing "rote" intervals.
Also, are the Zwift race classes merit based or only w/kg based? I thought it was honor system on w/kg. Like, as a newbie could you fudge to be in "C" instead of "B" for a while.
I'd get smoked in "B". I'd like to hang around long enough to learn something.
#3959
Senior Member
I packed up a bike for travel for the first time today (using a borrowed biknd helium which uses inflatable air bags for cushioning). the bag seems quite nice, but I'm having first time jitters of traveling with a bike and hoping that a) nothing happens or b) if something does happen that I can get a repair done quickly for Saturday.
#3960
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Finding the right saddle has to be the most frustrating bike part to buy. I need something new, mostly okay on the road, really numb on the trainer when I'm not moving around much. Current saddle also has a ton of miles on it and is showing its age.
Finding a place to demo is proving very difficult. And the saddles I'd like to try are of course absurdly expensive (Selle SMP stuff for like $250, even cheaper Specialized or Selle Italia ones I'm interested in are $150+).
And local shops suck. There isn't a good performance/race oriented LBS within 30 minutes of me. All the saddles I see on their shops have way too much padding, so even buying and returning doesn't really work.
Finding a place to demo is proving very difficult. And the saddles I'd like to try are of course absurdly expensive (Selle SMP stuff for like $250, even cheaper Specialized or Selle Italia ones I'm interested in are $150+).
And local shops suck. There isn't a good performance/race oriented LBS within 30 minutes of me. All the saddles I see on their shops have way too much padding, so even buying and returning doesn't really work.
#3961
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Ding! It's a relative level of additional mental engagement to do work indoors through simulation of terrain and visual cues on Zwift or Kenomaps or whatever.
Guy has a smoking deal on a Kickr Snap. Not the nicest one out there, but for the price it's nearly in the price range of a new fluid.
I also currently have a 2nd gen Cycleops fluid. I'll keep it as my race warmup rig. I just find the fluid to be a soul sucker. Road feel is total crap since essentially zero flywheel effect, basically only good for doing "rote" intervals.
Also, are the Zwift race classes merit based or only w/kg based? I thought it was honor system on w/kg. Like, as a newbie could you fudge to be in "C" instead of "B" for a while.
I'd get smoked in "B". I'd like to hang around long enough to learn something.
Guy has a smoking deal on a Kickr Snap. Not the nicest one out there, but for the price it's nearly in the price range of a new fluid.
I also currently have a 2nd gen Cycleops fluid. I'll keep it as my race warmup rig. I just find the fluid to be a soul sucker. Road feel is total crap since essentially zero flywheel effect, basically only good for doing "rote" intervals.
Also, are the Zwift race classes merit based or only w/kg based? I thought it was honor system on w/kg. Like, as a newbie could you fudge to be in "C" instead of "B" for a while.
I'd get smoked in "B". I'd like to hang around long enough to learn something.
I'm not sure I still understand the smart trainer thing. Is there a benefit over a dumb fluid trainer combined with a power meter? I'm assuming I'll try out some zwift this winter, but I just have a normal CycleOps Fluid II from years ago, and my normal power meter.
I guess they get harder as the virtual hills go up, and easier as you descend? Is that it?
I guess they get harder as the virtual hills go up, and easier as you descend? Is that it?
Last edited by furiousferret; 08-12-19 at 01:32 PM.
#3962
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I packed up a bike for travel for the first time today (using a borrowed biknd helium which uses inflatable air bags for cushioning). the bag seems quite nice, but I'm having first time jitters of traveling with a bike and hoping that a) nothing happens or b) if something does happen that I can get a repair done quickly for Saturday.
#3963
Senior Member
I'm only going with one set of wheels but this bag would def be useful if I had another set (I guess I have 1/2 set of extra wheels, 2 rear wheels one front, but leaving the extra at home). My challenge was with the handlebar placement, I have cantilever brakes on my CX bike so it made it a bit more of a challenge to get the bars placed ideally around the fork, but I think Ive got them ok with extra bubble wrap. But in shaking the case I don't hear any shifting around, so far so good. Shipping the bike is likely a slightly better option but CX season kicks off soon and don't want to have any gap in time between my trip and racing.
#3964
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I'm already feeling guilty about getting back into cycling and how much I've spent.
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#3965
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I'm only going with one set of wheels but this bag would def be useful if I had another set (I guess I have 1/2 set of extra wheels, 2 rear wheels one front, but leaving the extra at home). My challenge was with the handlebar placement, I have cantilever brakes on my CX bike so it made it a bit more of a challenge to get the bars placed ideally around the fork, but I think Ive got them ok with extra bubble wrap. But in shaking the case I don't hear any shifting around, so far so good. Shipping the bike is likely a slightly better option but CX season kicks off soon and don't want to have any gap in time between my trip and racing.
My kid is now active military, so he gets free to full price and it is often not published. We have to play the game. More times that not, I just pay Bike Flights rather than deal with airline personal.
#3966
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They're w/kg based, and its purely an honor thing but people are pretty assertive about outing cheaters.
Its just a much much better feel. I had a Kurt Kinetic with a PM setup and hated using the trainer. Once you get something like a Kickr, NEO, etc. the feel is great and it actually makes it fun.
Its just a much much better feel. I had a Kurt Kinetic with a PM setup and hated using the trainer. Once you get something like a Kickr, NEO, etc. the feel is great and it actually makes it fun.
#3967
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Finding the right saddle has to be the most frustrating bike part to buy. I need something new, mostly okay on the road, really numb on the trainer when I'm not moving around much. Current saddle also has a ton of miles on it and is showing its age.
Finding a place to demo is proving very difficult. And the saddles I'd like to try are of course absurdly expensive (Selle SMP stuff for like $250, even cheaper Specialized or Selle Italia ones I'm interested in are $150+).
And local shops suck. There isn't a good performance/race oriented LBS within 30 minutes of me. All the saddles I see on their shops have way too much padding, so even buying and returning doesn't really work.
Finding a place to demo is proving very difficult. And the saddles I'd like to try are of course absurdly expensive (Selle SMP stuff for like $250, even cheaper Specialized or Selle Italia ones I'm interested in are $150+).
And local shops suck. There isn't a good performance/race oriented LBS within 30 minutes of me. All the saddles I see on their shops have way too much padding, so even buying and returning doesn't really work.
The sand and road grit ground the logos off and dulled the leather, so I had to buy it. Fortunately I liked it a lot and rode it until the rail snapped on a climb.
#3968
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Interesting. I have been on Zwift for awhile, but never on a smart trainer. Always just used my PM on a regular fluid trainer. I considered getting a smart trainer but didn't want to have to figure out a way to plug it in to warm up for a race. As it's looking with my potential work schedule next winter, I may be spending a lot more time on Zwift and maybe I"ll drop the coin after all.
#3969
Cat 2
An inverter for the cigarette lighter in your car will do the trick. I bring my kickr to races I need to warm up for.
#3971
out walking the earth
as the BF member who puts in more indoor time than any combination of people here
if I wanted a smart trainer I'd by the inside ride emotions with bluetooth in a heart beat
if I wanted a smart trainer I'd by the inside ride emotions with bluetooth in a heart beat
#3972
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Those with the fork mount gets you best of everything. Only downside really is the 800W limit, but that's still pretty high.
$1350 with everything though. This sport is crazy expensive.
#3973
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#3974
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Anybody have any experience (or know anyone with experience) riding without a fibula? Finally got into a doctor to look at a knee problem that's kept me off the bike (and a lot of other physical activity) for quite a while and it's looking like losing most of my right fibula is best case scenario. The doc was like, "if you have to lose a bone, that's a great one because it doesn't really do anything, and lots of people do fine without it" but I didn't get a clear answer on if that means, "oh yeah, you'll be able to walk normally without pain again" or "oh yeah, you'll be able to put out some good power again" kind of "you'll be able to do fine without it" and didn't know if anyone had a cycling perspective.
#3975
out walking the earth
That looks pretty sweet. My main issue on the trainer is I get pains and numbness that I don't get outside just because I'm so locked in to one position. Looks like that solves a lot of that.
Those with the fork mount gets you best of everything. Only downside really is the 800W limit, but that's still pretty high.
$1350 with everything though. This sport is crazy expensive.
Those with the fork mount gets you best of everything. Only downside really is the 800W limit, but that's still pretty high.
$1350 with everything though. This sport is crazy expensive.
Don't know. I have hit ice 1000 watts on mine. But there’re mechanical resistance. I couldn’t do full flat out 10 second sprints at outdoor wattages, but I r yet to find anything else they’re not better for. In most instances they’re flat out better than training outdoors.