Welcome to the world of cycling

[skibob]

I comfortably own and ride bikes from 58cm to 63cm (57cm to 59cm TT) . It amazes me when people 'pass' on a bike or frameset because it is
ONE cm off what they call their size. But whatever, ride what you like!

The flipside of that expectation is that they are buying a bike that "fits" them, you know, once they've adjusted the seatpost of course. I expect at minimum to adjust the fore/aft of the seat, possibly adding an offset seatpost, and to at least consider replacing the stem. I keep a small number of cheap stems in the toolbox so I can test different length/rise on a bike. If I spot a $5 used stem in a size/rise I don't have, I buy it just for fitting. When I find what I like, then I'll consider buying a better stem if appropriate. I have also replaced a crankset for fit, but I try to avoid that because its kind of a pain in the butt. Because of that, I tend to build bikes now, rather than buy complete bikes.

I am building a, lets call it a gravel grinder for lack of a better term (although I may never ride it on gravel). I put 180cm crankset on it (I'm 6'2" and long legged at that) and fitted it up with a set of rims w/ 25mm tires I had lying around, just to eyeball it. Bottom of cranks were a little low to the eye. Forcing me see just how large of tires I could get on it . . . 35mm fits! Its a jamis coda sport frame, a nice, cheap modern Reynolds frame. Codas are normally flatbar, but the frame is literally identical to Jamis' drop bar bike, which is what i plan to do. Can't wait to ride it. Won't be fast as lightning, but oughta be smooooooooth.

 

[skibob]

I'm the same as you, then. I'm not into the technical riding aspect of it, yet, it's hard to avoid. And I loathe road riding.

I like the meditative quality of road riding. Some might call this monotonous. I hate riding around cars though. Fortunately, a paved bike trail along a creek starts 3 blocks from my house. I can connect to other bike trails throughout town with minor road traverses. I can do a 30 mile loop with only about 6 miles of it on relatively low traffic side streets and no real main roadways. This is what I get from cross country MTB riding, minus the interesting scenery. I think I would say I ride my road bike for fitness and my mtb for fun! I don't put the effort into finding interesting places to ride my road bike for it to be (really) fun, and I don't ride my mtb often enough to rely on it for fitness.

 

[skibob]

Good one!
I want a carbon mountain bike something fierce. A 27.5 as the 29er is just too cumbersome for me in tight spaces. But instead, we get to pay an additional 4k in taxes this year. Yaay!

I have a friend whom I mtb with regularly. He is 5'6" on a good day. Rides a good, but old 26" FS Specialized. He keeps eyeballing my 29er saying he wants to get one. I keep trying to tell him to try a 27.5. 29ers are great for big guys like me, but I wouldn't recommend them for anybody less than 5'10" or so. In fact, if I were more into downhill, even at my size (6'2") I would ride a 27.5.

I hope you can find a good carbon 27.5. A sweet ride! My Breezer is aluminum, but FS. I am building a chromoly hardtail to ride with the family recreationally. Well, after I finish the gravel grinder. I should say I am collecting parts for a chromoly hardtail . . .

 

[AmyPJ]

I have a friend whom I mtb with regularly. He is 5'6" on a good day. Rides a good, but old 26" FS Specialized. He keeps eyeballing my 29er saying he wants to get one. I keep trying to tell him to try a 27.5. 29ers are great for big guys like me, but I wouldn't recommend them for anybody less than 5'10" or so. In fact, if I were more into downhill, even at my size (6'2") I would ride a 27.5.

I hope you can find a good carbon 27.5. A sweet ride! My Breezer is aluminum, but FS. I am building a chromoly hardtail to ride with the family recreationally. Well, after I finish the gravel grinder. I should say I am collecting parts for a chromoly hardtail . . .

Yes, keep pushing him away from the 29er, unless he is a very skilled rider. Heck, even those who are far more skilled than I am have gone to 27.5 from 29. It does climb like a billy goat, but other than that, tight spaces are really challenging.

 

[AmyPJ]

I like the meditative quality of road riding. Some might call this monotonous. I hate riding around cars though. Fortunately, a paved bike trail along a creek starts 3 blocks from my house. I can connect to other bike trails throughout town with minor road traverses. I can do a 30 mile loop with only about 6 miles of it on relatively low traffic side streets and no real main roadways. This is what I get from cross country MTB riding, minus the interesting scenery. I think I would say I ride my road bike for fitness and my mtb for fun! I don't put the effort into finding interesting places to ride my road bike for it to be (really) fun, and I don't ride my mtb often enough to rely on it for fitness.

If I could road bike on paved trails, I'd be all over it. Where I am, you are on highways. And it hurts my knee, the repetitive motion. Something about mountain biking having enough changes in the tempo and torque that I can deal with it.

 

[Gerry Rhoades]

Good one!
I want a carbon mountain bike something fierce. A 27.5 as the 29er is just too cumbersome for me in tight spaces. But instead, we get to pay an additional 4k in taxes this year. Yaay!

If I was going to have only one MTB, it would be a 27.5 since that size is more manueverable than 29, but if I was going to have two(not couting the fatbike) I'd get a 26, even more manueverable. I've ridden a couple of carbon MTB's and don't see the advantage. If I was racing, maybe, but for what and where I ride, aluminum is just fine. I don't notice any harshness from the aluminum frame and my 29er is a hardtail and I just use the stock saddle.

 

[Gerry Rhoades]

If I could road bike on paved trails, I'd be all over it. Where I am, you are on highways. And it hurts my knee, the repetitive motion. Something about mountain biking having enough changes in the tempo and torque that I can deal with it.

Getting a road bike to fit properly is not unlike gettting a pair of ski boots to fit. Seriously. Have you talked to someone who really knows how to fit you to a bike? There are a lot of variables with a road bike. On a MTB, I can ride whatever saddle comes on the bike, doesn't really matter. On my road bike, I went through something like six, I think, before I finally settled on the Selle SMP(eagle beak). Saddle height, drop to the bars, size of the bars, brake position, etc. All of those and more have a direct impact on ride comfort. I've changed the stem and the bars. I will be in deep trouble if the frame ever breaks, probably have to get a custom frame made exactly like what I have.

 

[skibob]

Getting a road bike to fit properly is not unlike gettting a pair of ski boots to fit. Seriously. Have you talked to someone who really knows how to fit you to a bike? There are a lot of variables with a road bike. On a MTB, I can ride whatever saddle comes on the bike, doesn't really matter. On my road bike, I went through something like six, I think, before I finally settled on the Selle SMP(eagle beak). Saddle height, drop to the bars, size of the bars, brake position, etc. All of those and more have a direct impact on ride comfort. I've changed the stem and the bars. I will be in deep trouble if the frame ever breaks, probably have to get a custom frame made exactly like what I have.

Ha! I "only" went through 3 other saddles before I settled on . . . the Selle SMP! Love that saddle on my road bike. And, like you, any decent seat on a mtb is just fine, but when you get that weight forward on a road bike, the big fat middle cutout on the SMP is, well, lets just call it the sweet spot.

 

[Erik Timmerman]

epic, is this aimed @ me?

The blue 'track' bike is not a track bike, it is a custom road fixed gear by Alpine built in 1988. You can see more here if interested;
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22219626@N08/albums/72157629554217678
Full Suntour Superbe Pro Track kit on her. She is a 62cm (C to T).

I comfortably own and ride bikes from 58cm to 63cm (57cm to 59cm TT) . It amazes me when people 'pass' on a bike or frameset because it is
ONE cm off what they call their size. But whatever, ride what you like!

Wondering about size as I know some Wiegles that need a good home. They are 52s though.

 

[AmyPJ]

If I was going to have only one MTB, it would be a 27.5 since that size is more manueverable than 29, but if I was going to have two(not couting the fatbike) I'd get a 26, even more manueverable. I've ridden a couple of carbon MTB's and don't see the advantage. If I was racing, maybe, but for what and where I ride, aluminum is just fine. I don't notice any harshness from the aluminum frame and my 29er is a hardtail and I just use the stock saddle.

So, the carbon ones don't seem to have a huge weight advantage? If not, then no big deal. I don't have an issue with the aluminum frame and jitteriness on the dirt, I mean, that's what the suspension is for

Getting a road bike to fit properly is not unlike gettting a pair of ski boots to fit. Seriously. Have you talked to someone who really knows how to fit you to a bike? There are a lot of variables with a road bike. On a MTB, I can ride whatever saddle comes on the bike, doesn't really matter. On my road bike, I went through something like six, I think, before I finally settled on the Selle SMP(eagle beak). Saddle height, drop to the bars, size of the bars, brake position, etc. All of those and more have a direct impact on ride comfort. I've changed the stem and the bars. I will be in deep trouble if the frame ever breaks, probably have to get a custom frame made exactly like what I have.

I just don't want to road bike badly enough to go through this process. I have horrible shoulders and neck pain when I ride in that low position for hours on end anyway. I have a horse, that fills the void just fine (and eats the wallet, too!)

 

[neonorchid]

http://www.kneeclinic.info/knee_sports_injuries_cycling.php
"the repetitive motion of pedalling can lead to a variety of overuse knee injuries. The majority of cycling injuries are indeed caused by overuse, which leads to cumulative tissue microtrauma and consequent symptoms. In overuse injuries the problem is often not acute tissue inflammation, but chronic degeneration."

 

[AmyPJ]

http://www.kneeclinic.info/knee_sports_injuries_cycling.php
"the repetitive motion of pedalling can lead to a variety of overuse knee injuries. The majority of cycling injuries are indeed caused by overuse, which leads to cumulative tissue microtrauma and consequent symptoms. In overuse injuries the problem is often not acute tissue inflammation, but chronic degeneration."

Add that to the arthritis we already know is in both knees, and a fractured tibial plateau/torn meniscus, and it's no wonder! The more I ride shortish (up to 90 minutes) rides, the better I do, but there's a fine line between perfect and too much for sure. I'm happy to be out there doing it at all! My goal is and always has been to maintain a comfortable level of fitness without beating my body to hell in the process.

 

[skibob]

So, the carbon ones don't seem to have a huge weight advantage? If not, then no big deal. I don't have an issue with the aluminum frame and jitteriness on the dirt, I mean, that's what the suspension is for

.

If you're talking hardtail, carbon is MUCH better ride in my opinion. On par with good steel (and much lighter) and much better than aluminum. If you are talking FS, people do it to drop weight, but I really don't think its worth it for recreational riding

 

[skibob]

Add that to the arthritis we already know is in both knees, and a fractured tibial plateau/torn meniscus, and it's no wonder! The more I ride shortish (up to 90 minutes) rides, the better I do, but there's a fine line between perfect and too much for sure. I'm happy to be out there doing it at all! My goal is and always has been to maintain a comfortable level of fitness without beating my body to hell in the process.

Something else to consider for avoiding overuse injury is crank length. Not sure there is a lot of data or consensus here, but Lennard Zinn is the leading advocate of a formula for cranklength that goes against the grain. There is the geometric issue, but also, simply, the longer the crank, the slower it travels relative to the bottom bracket rotation.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2003...-lennard-zinn-a-question-of-crank-length_5257

You aren't at the extremes that he deals with (he's a former pro racer who is 6'6") but his calculations say that typical apportionment of crank length to frame size can be somewhat off.

 

[scott43]

It's important to note that too long a crank can physically damage you. Too short and you simply don't generate as much torque. A longer crank means you have a larger range of motion to go through to complete the pedal circle. There has been a general shift to longer crankarms over the last 20 to 30 years. 165mm cranks were quite common in the late 80's. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a 170mm crank these days as standard equipment. I have 175's on my 29er and I've gone back to 170's for my road bike build. My old road bike had 172.5's. I have short legs to be sure though. Someone like Bob or Bill, I think 180's are on the table. Definitely 175's.

 

[AmyPJ]

Interesting about the cranks being longer. Something to think about for sure. I do like having extra torque, as long as it isn't also extra torque on my knees!

 

[neonorchid]

Gerry, I'm actually not a big fan of the Italian stuff. I have a few and enjoy them but the American builders put them to shame in build quality. -

More vintage bike porn for you -

 

[Josh Matta]

So I just bought a plastic bike. I have had the same road bike for years and really have been waiting for road bike to evolve to what I actually wanted.

wide range gearing, hydro disc brake, room for up to a 2.0 29er tire, thru axles front and rear , and fender/rack mounts all at 19lb weight. I actually would have got the steel bike if had a better spec and the thru axles.

 

[skibob]

So I just bought a plastic bike. I have had the same road bike for years and really have been waiting for road bike to evolve to what I actually wanted.

wide range gearing, hydro disc brake, room for up to a 2.0 29er tire, thru axles front and rear , and fender/rack mounts all at 19lb weight. I actually would have got the steel bike if had a better spec and the thru axles.

Man, that's not cool. Here I was, happy with what I got. And you gotta go post this. If a 2" clearance frame were available, I might have . . . So how much did this VeloCrack cost?

 

[Josh Matta]

well it retails for 3300 but I got it on undisclosed pro form. It was sight unseen I just measure my old road bike and got the closest fit to me.

http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes-open-road-all-road-roker-comp this what I got. They have less expensive carbon model as well less expensive Steel and Al models as well.

Honestly aesthetically the steel one is cool but the spec just is not even close to as good. If it had thru axles and hydro disc brakes(and maybe renyonds 857) I might have considered it.

I look at as you can always put skinnier tires on frame with lots of clearance but you can never put fatter tires on frame with less clearance.