All sorts of noobie questions for the roadies

I am Arthur, King of the Britons:lol:


What is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

What do you mean? An African or European?

Huh? I-- I don't know that! Auuuuuuuugh!

How do know so much about swallows?

Well, you have to know these things when you're a king, you know

 

Yep. Lots of good info fer sure.

David, I'd also put some kind of candence meter on your bike. Either from Garmin or a cheap cyclocomputer. Work on your spin. I try to stay between 80-100 rpms most of the time unless I'm climbing. I stare at that more than HR, speed or anything else.

Also, another idea is when coming to intersections. I usually get up out of the saddle and hammer a bit. I think it helps drivers snap out of it and see and recognize you better. I also ride with a Planet super red blinky or even two if riding around dusk/night.

As far as position and hands. I spend 90% of my time on the hoods or the tops. And use the drops mainly if it's downhill for the better braking or if it's really really windy. There's a ton info. out there on fitting. But my basic belief is comfortable = fast.

And of course when it comes to cars. Assume they're going to cut you off and not see you. If you're riding by a long line of parked cars. Make sure you look in the rear windows or sideview mirrors. I've talked to a few guys and it's a really bad day to have car door opened up on you too.

I used mountain pedals for awhile. But with road pedals I had less hot spots.

Oh, don't forget to use a torque wrench on that beautiful carbon baby!

I believe Duke777's superhero roadie alter ego is "Bike Path Warrior."

 

Thanks everyone for posting advice in here. This thread has some great advice that I was going to be looking when I got a road bike in a couple weeks hopefully.

 

I'm Duke777, King of Bike Path!:bang::lol:

 

Lots of good advice from Duke777.

Another don't with carbon, don't grease anything, like your post.

+1 on the bibs. I am hoping to get some Assos T F1_MilleS5 for Christmas. They run about 150+ but are reported to be one the best long distance / all day shorts on the market.

I like Bag Balm over Chamois Cream but it is a close second. I haven't found anything that lasts as long as Bag Balm. But even it broke down on my 13:49 ride at the Death Ride. For big days like that one needs to bring extra. Assos breaks down way too quickly. The coolness is fun while it lasts but not at the price of that stuff.

If you don't go with the Speedplay pedals look into the Look Keos. Excellent pedal.

 

A few more to add:

1. work on turning circles when you pedal, it makes you more efficient. We tend to mash more on the mtb, it is just the nature of the type of climbing. Smooth your pedal motion out for the road. The only thing I have received mutiple compliments on is my pedaling motion - don't have any way to judge if it has ever made a difference, but the experts say it does.

2. learn where the local parks are along you training routes. There are usually even small ones close by where you can get water. Even during long rides on the hotter days of summer, I have never used more than 1 water bottle. Fast food places with walk up windows are a plus also.

3. get out of the saddle every so often to stretch you back.

4. relax, ride with your hands on the top of the bars; switch to the brake hoods to give your wrists a break. The drops are for descending in pursuit of some cannonball flying downhill, or going flat out in the peleton.

5. and speaking the the peleton, ride in one as often as you can. Nothing like it to gain experience.

6. just remember that front wheel overlap is a no-no.

7 as for traffic, you will eventually get used to it and most times won't even give it a second thought.

Beauty of a bike by the way, and the SGRT isn't bad. I have heard stories every so often, but have never had any concerns riding along it myself.

 

Instead of a new thread I figured I would add on to this since I have a couple rides in now. I have done 20 and 26 miles on San Gab river trail. I have figured out to try and determine wind direction and try to ride against as much as i can in beginning or it will kill you on the way back home. I also have learned after 20 miles BMX shoes with xt pedals dont work, but I have shoes just need to figure what pedals I want.

1 Hand pain, is this due to crappy bar tape or is it something you just get use to. If I have my hands in the hoods for more then 10 min they hurt like hell(my palms). I end up riding with my hands in the middle of bars most the time but thats not great as i cant get to the brakes without moving hands.

2 Should front of seat be pointed down some or are my bars to low. I can ride in the drops without crushing other body parts that dont like to be crushed.

3 Food how long before you need to eat? Its different on a road since you put in a more constant effort. On a mtn bike aI can ride 2 hours and not feel hungry really but on a road bike it seem like both times I ran out of energy around 1.5 - 2 hours.

4 in a head wind is it better to ride in drops.

Last if you ride the SG river trail careful on the bridge you cross in LB there are a crap load of bees right now.

 

But remember, should you remain stiff for more than 4 hours, you must return to the dirt immediately.

Even better to find a cute girl to ride behind and keep your eyes ahead.

Remember, softer rubber enhances the feel. Try the new ribbed tires.. for her pleasure!

Half the fun of road riding is getting lost (or riding into a headwind in both directions) so don't worry about this one too much. Be careful when riding with certain people though.. a 40 mile ride cn soon torn into 100 without a planned route.

+1! I've got some really obnoxious lycra from the 80's when I was a roadie. you can borrow it if you would like.

A direct contridiction with #2 above.

Or just try and follow Jay.

Hmmm... I always thought the saying was "Buy good boobs". You don't want your girl to end up lopsided or with those funny wrinkles you can see thru her jersey.

Parkay! Vaseline ruins those soft rubbers we discussed in #3

All roads have traffic.

Ah yess... the arm flick that says "I'm tired, your turn to pull" or is it "I'm spastic and have an itch on my elbow, can you please scratch it?"

You forgot the Cialis. You can go for 36 hours according to the ads.

Ever wonder where Duke gets all those bike parts he is constantly sporting? Anyone riding a Ti bike needs to be really cautious at these overpasses!

Oh, and be sure and stop at all stop signs and red lights. Never make an illegal left hand turn either... LOL!

Best advice for sure.

Don't let your hands get dirty

 

Im new roadie as well, from my young roadie experience......here is my take.
1. weight distribution, you're weight is probably towards the front of the bike.

2. My saddle is leveled. its more like personal preference.
3. I go by time, depends on the effort im exerting.
4. Head wind is better than no winds at all. But still head wind sucks.

I know it doesnt answer your question fully but
More roadie scum will chime in for sure.

 

OMFG! You really have turned into a roadie!
When are you going to start shaving?

 

Just upgraded my road brake pads to Green Swiss Stops and WOW what a difference. Really great!

 

I need a road helmet, shoes and speedplay cleats, and to get fitted.

Can someone recommend a good road shop? specifically one with a large assortment of shoes

 

Bannings in fullerton will get your drool going!:lol::lol::lol:

 

As far as bike fit goes I was fit here by Mike and he did a great job.

http://maxperformancebikefit.com/bikeFit.shtml

 

dave...

jay and I both had a good fitting experience at rock n road.

Jensons - had a few shoes
Rock n road - had more shoes, predominantly specialized

I ended up with best price and selection from biketiresdirect.com Free shipping both ways if it didnt fit.

Try the shimano 132 road shoe. Carbon and killer bang for buck.

Why speedplays? try out all the pedal options if you can and pick the one you like best,

 

For an LBS in the SVG I would recommend Open Road on Sierra Madre. For a fitting I would highly recommend getting an appointment with Jason at The Physical Edge in Arcadia. His place is just across the street from REI. $200 but he is a trained physical theripist, rodie, and ironman triathlete. He really knows his stuff and will spend close to 2 hours on the fitting to get everything right. If it's not right after a few rides he will spend another hour for free. He will also send you home with all your measurements. My last fitting he let me borrow a new seat post with more set back until I could order a new one. Again, great guy.

1 Hand pain, is this due to crappy bar tape or is it something you just get use to. If I have my hands in the hoods for more then 10 min they hurt like hell(my palms). I end up riding with my hands in the middle of bars most the time but thats not great as i cant get to the brakes without moving hands.

Give it a bit more time before you go and make too many adjustments. Your tape will not play a huge factor. Make sure to get a nice set of road gloves with padding. I am on my 3rd set of Pearl Izumi gloves with Pittards leather. You might be reaching too far thus putting too much pressure on your hands, neck, and shoulder. This is a common problem for me. You might try a shorter stem down the line.

2 Should front of seat be pointed down some or are my bars to low. I can ride in the drops without crushing other body parts that dont like to be crushed.

It should be horizontal to the ground. Use a bubble level (or iPhone).

3 Food how long before you need to eat? Its different on a road since you put in a more constant effort. On a mtn bike aI can ride 2 hours and not feel hungry really but on a road bike it seem like both times I ran out of energy around 1.5 - 2 hours.

You should be eating between 200-300 calories per hour. You body cannot process more than than; anything extra will be processed as waste (i.e. poo). Too little and your body will begin to break down lean muscle once it runs out of energy already in your system. Keep your body fueled by a constant stream of calories throughout your ride. You should be consuming between 1 and 1.5 large bottles per hour of water. Also stay on top of your electrolytes.

4. in a head wind is it better to ride in drops.

Yes

 

Ahh padded gloves why didnt I think of that, I was using basic mtb gloves.

Lowering the nose of the seat seemed to help i didnt realize it was that high.

 

mark - what bike did you get?

 

Giant Defy advanced 3. It is the one with the triple but I couldn't justify the extra $ to get a something with the pretty much the same parts and a compact double. Hell looking around I could get better cranks, FD and RD for all around the price difference if I end up really wanting the double. But in two rides I kinda like the triple the more gear ratios is kinda nice.

 

so its 3x9 or 3x10?

cool deal.