Cycling - traps for idiots (i.e. me)
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[quote name='Miller V Jackson']<br />
I've got one of those. All I need now is the rest of the bike.<br />
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<img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> -
[quote name='Coastie']<br />
I see these FluffyBunnies riding around this country with the seat so far down that their knees are nearly against their chest when pedalling. WRONG. You cannot generate any power from that position when riding because it generally means you are pedalling with the heel of the foot instead of the ball. [/quote]<br />
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Not to mention you're using your hammies for all the work instead of your quads doing their share, and the fact that your knees are still generally at an acute angle.<br />
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The current lot of low-rider bikes that the kids have these days are contributing to the downfall of our health system, mark my words. -
actually nick just to correct you a little you shouldn't have the crank in the lowest position it should be in line with the seat tube then put yer heal on it and away you go..<br />
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and handlebar height is entirely up to how comfortable you are in your position.. obviously the lower you are at the front the more aero you are and the faster you go.. have a look at the drop on my bike for example (and it's even lower since i've taken that pic - just a matter of getting more comfy)<br />
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as for your 20k's.. don't get too concerned with your food etc because it's not such a big issue for such a short time on the bike. Just keep riding and it'll get better in no time at all...<br />
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focus a little more on spinning your gears - if you can get up around 100rpm that's a good target.<br />
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and for gods sake put your seat back level! all you'll be doing there is transferring all your weight onto your arms so you'll end up knackered by the end of a ride. <br />
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In terms of 'kit' the first thing you should look at buying if you want to improve and enjoy your riding more is some clipless pedals and cycling shoes<br />
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[img]http://www.bugbitten.com/photogallery/data/c7558e9d1f956b016d1fdba7ea132378/17314_p1276812.jpeg[/img] -
Angle of crank - doesn't make much difference for me Will<br />
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[quote name='WillieTheWaiter']<br />
and handlebar height is entirely up to how comfortable you are in your position.. obviously the lower you are at the front the more aero you are and the faster you go.. have a look at the drop on my bike for example (and it's even lower since i've taken that pic - just a matter of getting more comfy)[/quote]<br />
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MTB versus road bike in this case Willie - should have mentioned that at the start. :neutral: I couldn't possibly ride with that much drop because I couldn't get good grip on horizontal bars for long-term rides - either I'd have my wrists at a crappy angle or with straight grip wouldn't be able to reach gears or brakes.<br />
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[quote]and for gods sake put your seat back level! all you'll be doing there is transferring all your weight onto your arms so you'll end up knackered by the end of a ride. [/quote]<br />
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I trialled putting it just forward of horizontal, at level, and then a slight back tilt - neither made a difference to the fact that on sections where I'm going gangbusters my hands go numb. And I still feel absolutely shagged whatever I do <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> -
[quote name='BartMan']<br />
Flash looking bike WTW, doesn't look very used... :nta<br />
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that's cause a. it's new in the photo and b. it's just been cleaned there son.. and he only goes out in dry weather the 'training' bike gets used in the wet...<br />
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I'll call in and see you the next time i'm doin the pauanui, kopu, paeroa, waihi, whanga pauanui loop... usually make a stop in at the bakery at that point after a solid 5 hours! -
[quote name='BartMan']<br />
only in dry weather. You've put the wife into the shed and sleep with it too old fella.... :coolsmiley:<br />
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So you're doing some big miles at the moment then huh?<br />
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hahahaaaa well if only you knew... although she took it quite well the time one of my mates actually put the bike under the covers in the bed before we went out on the piss!<br />
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nah miles are very average at the mo.. the whole working thing has really cut into it!  not doing anywhere near as much as i should on the weekends mainly due to hangovers (not very dedicated!) and weeks are a bit slow cause i've been doing a dive course.. dedication not that flash as i'm not serious these days - mainly cause i'm giving away around 30kgs to most guys racing so as soon as the hill goes up i go backwards.. go fast down tho!<br />
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mainly doing intensity at the mo - race tues, thurs, sat morns.. sunday usually do 120 k's at least, tho that's just been a coupla hours hill climbing or hill sprints at the mo cause looking around for a new car and shit which takes up all yer time