Official Road Cycling Thread

[M_Six]

East central Illinois. Corn country.

[mc-m3]

Originally Posted by M_Six

The Di2 is completely customizable as far as shifting goes. I have mine set just the away manual shifting works. The switch from manual to electronic was seamless. And the Di2 has a great semi-auto mode that switches the rear gears up or down 2 cogs depending on how I shift the front. If I go from the large ring to the small in front, the rear shifts automatically to put me in the appropriate gear so I'm not suddenly spinning air. It's slick as hell on hills. Well worth the investment.

That's interesting, I wonder if my older Ultegra DI2 can be programmed to do that? Will need to look into that.

[m2_wolf]

Originally Posted by mc-m3

That's interesting, I wonder if my older Ultegra DI2 can be programmed to do that? Will need to look into that.

you need to have the BT-DN110 or BT-DN100 battery in order to enable synchro shift or semi-synchro shift. Personally, I hated it and disabled it after trying it for a week or 2. You can tweak the specifics on the f/r shifting (as in when the front ring changes, or to what gears the back is changing), but I never found it as smooth as manual Di2 shifting.

..of course I like to shift my cars too (3 pedals!)...so maybe it's a mental thing

[M_Six]

I didn't like the full sync shift because it would do so at times I wasn't expecting it. But the semi-sync works well for me. I don't go to the small ring up front very often as most hills here are doable on the large ring, but on the steep hills, it's nice to shift to the smaller ring and have the rear cog right where I need it to avoid spinning air. All a matter of personal preference, I guess.

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by M_Six

I went into a bike store today to pick up some shoes and Wifey came with me. While I was talking to the sales rep, she was scoping out bikes. Tonight she says, "Some of those bikes were $1500. How much was yours?" I'm like, "Well we talked about this, didn't we? Mine was (mumble, mumble, mumble) around 5 grand." (Ok, that was base price, but whatever.)

Wifey says, "5 grand?!!? Ok, so for my 5 grand I want a vacation to Hawaii this year."

I'm thinking win/win.

So funny. Been there, but with guns because, well, my wife can't talk about bike prices.

Yes, you are winning.

When my wife was reconciling our books there was an $8k charge that wasn't accounted for. My stupid mistake for not hiding it better. But i was on the hook and told her it was my MTN bike. She must think like your wife.... She says, Ok, here is the new indoor trainer i want. Thanks. lol

Win for me too!

[Mr Tonka]

For the longest time M3post wouldn't let me log in due to an unverified email address. It kept telling me to enter a valid email address, but the email was always correct. I got a PM and boom. all fixed.

If any of you are on Instagram, i'm MrTonka.MTB.

[M_Six]

Now I'm trying to figure out how to finagle the new Domane SL7 disc. Just my luck they'd come out with that a year after I bought mine.

[UncleWede]

So, for us less-traveled newly emerging cyclist: Besides constantly changing my handle position (flat, curved, on the brakes with thumb, index) what helps relieve the stress on the hands while riding? I ran Saturday then rode late yesterday for about 10 miles. My palms were killing me!

[M_Six]

Takes a while for that to ease up. You should also find a good bike shop that can do a full on fitting for you. I had one done for the Domane and it's way more comfortable to ride now. I really notice it when I switch back to my Crossrip. My hands go numb quickly and my wrists ache after 30 minutes or so. I need to take some measurements from the Domane and get my Crossrip set up the same. I think there's too much of a drop on the Crossrip.

Short answer: get your seat height and reach to the bars set properly.

[UncleWede]

N00b mentality: Seat height is for your legs. Gooseneck is where the handlebars mount, and that location isn't really "adjustable"

[1MOREMOD]

How high you are affects how much weight is on ass vs hands.

[Mandi90TT]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

So, for us less-traveled newly emerging cyclist: Besides constantly changing my handle position (flat, curved, on the brakes with thumb, index) what helps relieve the stress on the hands while riding? I ran Saturday then rode late yesterday for about 10 miles. My palms were killing me!

Good set of gloves. I can't really recommend a pair, as each one fits differently, and what works for me may not work for you. That said, I've always had good luck with Pearl Izumi stuff.

Also, +1 on the fitting. A proper fitting is well worth it.

[MrSmartyPants]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

So, for us less-traveled newly emerging cyclist: Besides constantly changing my handle position (flat, curved, on the brakes with thumb, index) what helps relieve the stress on the hands while riding? I ran Saturday then rode late yesterday for about 10 miles. My palms were killing me!

Thicker bar tape and a bar that suits you helps along with the bike fit already suggested. I like the Fizik tape (performance soft or tacky). It's got nice foam underneath, is durable and remains tacky when wet. Not too spendy either.

On the bar front I like a slightly thicker one with semi flat top. Have an Al Zipp service course sl. Some Ritchey carbon one on the road bike. The thicker bars distribute load on your hands better and I find they are easier on the forearms on long rides.

FYI, I ride super thin gloves, hate padding.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

N00b mentality: Seat height is for your legs. Gooseneck is where the handlebars mount, and that location isn't really "adjustable"

You can adjust the height of both your seat and your handlebars, as well as the "tilt" of your handlebars and the type of stem you use. Seat to handlebar distance is also something you can tweak. That's where a good fitting comes in. I swapped out my stem and went with a narrower handlebar and it helped a lot.

I wear gloves more for protection than for comfort. I have some padding under my bar tape. That helps a bit, but that's all minor compared to a proper fit.

[UncleWede]

None of yuz SHARE your bike with other riders of various sizes

[1MOREMOD]

Yeah someone else butt juice on seat, gross

[M_Six]

Both my bikes are 60cm. Not too many folks who could share them.

[Mandi90TT]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Both my bikes are 60cm. Not too many folks who could share them.

Both? You only have two bikes? Sad!

Heh.

[MrSmartyPants]

Originally Posted by Dave 90TT

Both? You only have two bikes? Sad!

Heh.

Is the proper number of bikes = n + 1? Or = Divorce - 1?

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Dave 90TT

Both? You only have two bikes? Sad!

Heh.

Yeah. I haven't hit the S-1 limit yet. Thinking of something for the trails.

Originally Posted by MrSmartyPants

Is the proper number of bikes = n + 1? Or = Divorce - 1?

I think it's S-1 (Separation). But D-1 works just as well.

Now if she knew how much camera gear I have...

[blueridge]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

So, for us less-traveled newly emerging cyclist: Besides constantly changing my handle position (flat, curved, on the brakes with thumb, index) what helps relieve the stress on the hands while riding? I ran Saturday then rode late yesterday for about 10 miles. My palms were killing me!

You can try minimizing road vibrations such as double wrapping your handle bars or adding gel pads underneath your bar tap. Gloves can help too.

Also, if you have not had a bike fit you may want to consider one. Your positioning could be off such as leaning too far forward and dumping too much weight into your arms / palms... too stretched out that your arms are locked out meaning you are not using your arms to absorbs bumps....

Finally, are you relaxed when riding? If you are too tense you will grip your handle bars too tight regardless of position and your hand /palms will ache. I use to have the same issue mountain biking new trails.

[Mandi90TT]

Originally Posted by MrSmartyPants

Is the proper number of bikes = n + 1? Or = Divorce - 1?

Yes.