Post your road bicycle

Online swap meet on FB has a ton of members

 

I stumbled across a pretty amazing YT channel. I’ve just about caught up on his “See the World” playlist. What this guy is doing on a bicycle is pretty incredible.

https://www.youtube.com/user/istarusIG

 

Yep, saddle can definitely impact the hamstrings, as can saddle setup. My first go-around with the Specialized Power saddle was murder on my hamstrings as I didn't have the saddle set up properly. However, I knew pretty quickly that it was the saddle causing discomfort - I think you'd know if that was the issue as your hamstrings would be sore where they'd be impacting the saddle.

Are you doing any strength training? If I go a few weeks without some sort of deadlift, my back starts to feel like shit. It probably wouldn't hurt to work in some RDLs and lying leg curls, if you aren't already.

 

I have not ridden them in the wet or mixed conditions really.

In the dry I have found them to have a good bit of grip while cornering



And speaking of injuries, My stupid ass left knee has been bothering me since I’ve been putting miles on the trainer. It’s super aggravating to be honest and is only on the Pinarello. I am going to have to go through the bike and my Retul and see
Exactly what the difference is besides the drop.

 

One thing I'll say about the Conti 4000S: grip on any sort of mud is awful. I've had one fall on the trail when I went over a slight bit of mud and my rear tire just lost all grip. This is with a 185 lb rider and 90/90 tire pressure. Wet grip has always seemed to be fine, but I rarely ride in the rain.

Regarding your knee pain - have you checked to see if your bike is level? Slap a long spirit level across your bars and see if the bike is balanced towards the knee you're having issues with.

 

Good to know, and common sense would potentially kick in regarding hammies and saddle, but I was circling other issues and ignoring the saddle. I do a lot of strength training for running and core, which is good for bicycling. The last month off the bike has helped substantially to reduce hamstring pain. I just started running again and the hammies are getting better, so I'll see about getting the saddle relocated/fit to decrease impact to them. Thanks for the trigger.

 

I went and had a proper bike fit done a few weeks ago with a specialist. We spent over an hour analyzing my feet alone. I ended up with wedges between the cleats and a very different insole with a large arch support. My knee was nowhere near tracking straight when we looked at it while peddaling. It would move outside-inside by over an inch when using my toe as a reference point. My seat also got swapped and raised 3cm, then we dropped the stem 5mm. Moved the levers, and rotated the bars. I’ve also bought new shoes that are one size bigger, my shoes were just a bit too tight on the widest point of my foot causing a lot of pain.

No wonder I was basically crippled this summer when I tried to do a structured training program riding 5 days a week. My feet were messed up from my shoes and lack of support, my knees/ankles were messed up because of my cleats, and my hip flexors because of my low seat height. The 20 minute “fitting” we did when I bought the bike was enough to determine I was on the right size frame. I’ll slowly work into things again and hopefully I’ve got everything worked out so I can really get back to this.

 

I’ve had great luck with Specialized Turbo Pros. I’m also thinking of going tubeless. A few guys have in my group and haven’t had any flats that weren’t fixed by the Stans Notube

 

No. Just no. Why? My ass couldn't take that much time locked in on a trainer.

 

Anyone have suggestions for a short drop bar they like?

I have the 3T Ergonova (I think discontinued in favor of the Aeronova nowadays), but would like to get something even narrower in the hoods but wider and pulled back more on the drops. Maybe not as flared as those gravel bike bars, but wider would be nice.

 

Well, I completed the 115% of FTP intervals around the 3 hour mark before bonking. I didn’t plan accordingly for this ride. Ate a CLIF bar, drank some coffee, filled one bottle with Pedialyte and another with water and then went at it.

I think it’s very doable with some Hammer gems or Sport Beans and, for me, at least three bottles of water and one bottle of pedialyte. I’ll have to give it another shot next year with a better nutrition and hydration plan.

 

I've got another TrainerRoad month for free if anyone wants to try it.

 

Yoooooo has anyone ever tried one of the Garmin Forerunner watches as a HR monitor?

I’m asking because I currently use a Wahoo Ticker arm band one and if the technology is up to par finally I’d rather just have a wearable one. I was looking at the 935 or 945.

Anyone?

 

Anyone else see this thing? The slack geometry and low, flattened stays should ride nice. I’d like to try one.

 

Is...is that a dropper?

Man, I can’t help but feel that gravel has jumped the shark.

 

I like my Fenix 5 if that helps. Seems pretty accurate to me.

 

Yep.

I think, this is for the guy who’s more shredder than most. It’s a cool bike and I’m glad to see boundaries being pushed.

 

I use a 645 and it seems to work well. I strap it to the bar and use a chest strap when riding and as long as I confirm a connection before logging the ride it seems to work.

 

Can’t say I’m a fan. I’m surprised more XC race rigs aren’t being used for gravel instead, tbh. This is pretty damn close to that besides the drop bars, I guess.

 

I have a Garmin Venu AND a Wahoo Tickr. The Garmin always lags behind unless I explicitly set it in workout mode. Even then, to get even a close measurement with my Wahoo, I have to wear the Garmin so far up my wrist that it’s not practical. Stick with the Wahoo and just pair it with the Garmin. I pair mine with my Edge 530 for outdoor cycling and with Sufferfest for indoor training.