***General Cycling Thread***

[cycloner29]

I've been riding a few times this season and finally got my front tire wobble fixed for $16. Guy goes, "It's probably just the tire." They put in on the stand and the sure thing the rim was out of true.

Then I noticed an idler on my derailleur was split. Going to replace them, just waiting for Amazon to deliver.

 

[Turn2]

I'm in a similar state only it's my lower back, with "dead thigh" and numbness on the inner knee and shin. I should probably consult my PT on whether there's a happy medium of boosting strength and flexibility without additional trauma.

Golf and cycling have never been missed as much as they are RN.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Not sure how your bike is setup, but consider raising your stem, get a stem with more rise, look at bars that come back to you, redshift stem, ... Anywho, there are some things you can do to help you get back in the saddle, just don't overdue it and listen to your body. Some people simply have to buy a different bike that has a more upright/touring setup.

I've got two bikes, a Specialized hybrid and a carbon Raleigh roadie. Definitely staying away from the roadie. I have thought about seeing about rising the handles on the hybrid to lesson the neck cranking posture. Have to bring the bike in anyway, it has the hydraulic disc brakes and they need bleeding.

Thanks for the redshift suggestion. Didn't know what that was until I looked it up, seems like something that might move things back to bit more upright.

 

[cycub51]

Ordered a trek domane. Curious on thoughts on pedals. I’ve always had flat pedals and have thought about getting clips. I’m nervous about learning to use them and falling/hurting myself.

 

[PineClone]

Ordered a trek domane. Curious on thoughts on pedals. I’ve always had flat pedals and have thought about getting clips. I’m nervous about learning to use them and falling/hurting myself.

Assuming you mean clipless, or do you mean toe clips? Clipless pedals are so far improved these days that there is little effort in getting your cleat in and out of the pedal. If you're wanting to get more pull on the upward motion, I think research shows that you don't get much more efficiency. I like clipless on my MTB just for more control of the bike.

 

[Yaz]

Ordered a trek domane. Curious on thoughts on pedals. I’ve always had flat pedals and have thought about getting clips. I’m nervous about learning to use them and falling/hurting myself.

Lots of choices from road specific to crossover like spds. Spds more versatile so you can have a pair of road shoes and then a pair that allows to go tourspeed...like walking around...hitting farmers market, ragbrai... for example. Road specific like Speedplay limits your shoe and flexibility on and off the bike. It will come down to how roadie and kitted out u want to be.

Don't worry about clipping in and out as you will get used to it. When learning, my best advice is to unclip both shoes not one...you will learn why that's important when you dont at first and do it earlier than you need too like coming up to a light, regardless of color, a crosswalk, stop sign, traffic slowing...as well as more often than needed. Once you have some muscle memory, u won't even think about it. Just takes time in the saddle.

 

[cycloner29]

I went to clip ins a couple years ago. Biggest thing was adjusting the clip tension to we’re it was easy to pull out of them. Never had an issue falling over as the tension was set so pulling out of was like taking your foot off the pedals. I also got pedals for clip in on one side and flat surface on the the other. I’m just trying to find some good clip in sandals now.

 

[NWICY]

Ordered a trek domane. Curious on thoughts on pedals. I’ve always had flat pedals and have thought about getting clips. I’m nervous about learning to use them and falling/hurting myself.

I was in my 50s when I learned to use clips go somewhere where it isn't busy to practice. I did take a slow speed tumble or 2 while learning.
Once your moving you just keep practicing locking and unlocking while you have momentum. My tumbles were when I didn't get unlocked in time while slowing down.
A big empty parking lot maybe a park trail is your friend. IMO.

 

[simply1]

Lots of choices from road specific to crossover like spds. Spds more versatile so you can have a pair of road shoes and then a pair that allows to go tourspeed...like walking around...hitting farmers market, ragbrai... for example. Road specific like Speedplay limits your shoe and flexibility on and off the bike. It will come down to how roadie and kitted out u want to be.

Don't worry about clipping in and out as you will get used to it. When learning, my best advice is to unclip both shoes not one...you will learn why that's important when you dont at first and do it earlier than you need too like coming up to a light, regardless of color, a crosswalk, stop sign, traffic slowing...as well as more often than needed. Once you have some muscle memory, u won't even think about it. Just takes time in the saddle.

I will add speed play offers a 15% float, which I needed for a unique stroke.

 

[JP4CY]

I like SPD pedals because if you buy certain sandals like Keen they can "nest" in the sole, so when you walk it isn't all clickity clack.
Did many RAGBRAIs with sandals.

 

[bostrem00]

Ordered a trek domane. Curious on thoughts on pedals. I’ve always had flat pedals and have thought about getting clips. I’m nervous about learning to use them and falling/hurting myself.

I’d go with Shimano PD EH 500 pedals. They have both the clipless attachments and the normal flat pedal on the other side.

 

[cycub51]

Thanks everybody for the advice

 

[BoxsterCy]

Saw this today and made me think of the e-bike discussion here earlier.

 

[clonechemist]

Thanks everybody for the advice

Congrats on the new bike! I just got a Domane myself this year

Lots of good input on pedal choice above. I’ll just add a few more notes that weren’t covered specifically for Speedplay (which are now all branded as Wahoo), which I’ve been riding for 13 years:

In addition to more float compared to other pedal options, I really like that Speedplay/wahoo are double sided, meaning you don’t need to get the pedal into the ‘right side up’ orientation to clip in (unlike ‘look style’ road pedals)

One more recent improvement worth noting: older Speedplay brand pedals had a cleat system that was more susceptible to clogging with dirt/mud, and also more prone to damage from walking on flat ground, compared to other pedal options. Because of this, on the old Speedplay cleat system I tried very hard to avoid walking as much as possible.

On the newer Wahoo branded cleats (which would come with your new pedals), they include a plastic snap on cover system that dramatically improves the experience of walking with your cycling shoes on. It blocks debris from getting in and protects the cleat from damage. It’s quieter too. I still wouldn’t want to go for a hike in them but it’s a huge improvement compared to the older Speedplay branded cleats.

Also Fyi, if you’re a data junkie and really want to track your fitness, most pedals can now be purchased with a built in power meter to track your true power output. I got Wahoo pedals with a single sided power meter on my new bike, I think the cost was around $600

 

[clonechemist]

Maybe about time for me to dust the bike off and see if the bulged disc in my neck will allow me to bike. Could not all last summer but it mostly settled down. Still have some digit numbness, especially my thumb and some upper back/shoulder discomfort but not near the situation of last summer where I could only get comfortable enough to sleep in a recliner. Afraid of going back to last summer situation but also need the exercise and miss biking. Might have to give it a couple of easy 10 mile test rides and see how the neck reacts.

Joining the club to commiserate about back/nerve issues. I’ve had occasional lower back pain on long bike rides, especially when grinding up hills in a low gear, over many years. This spring I got a new bike which seems to be a better fit.

Then two weeks ago I ended up carrying my sleeping 5 year old about half a mile after a late night event, and that seems to have triggered some lingering sciatica, with some mild pain, weakness, and tingling in my left leg. I’ve still gotten out on a few short rides and a run since then. I obviously don’t want to make it worse with exercise, but I’ve also heard that sitting and laying around won’t help this resolve either.

I’ve also tried some ‘pigeon pose’ stretching to try to loosen up the piriformis muscle. Not sure if that stretch is really helping anything, but I could CERTAINLY feel it working in the left outer/lower buttocks area.

Anyone have any good experience with particular stretching or yoga routines for back/nerve issues?

 

[Gunnerclone]

I went to clip ins a couple years ago. Biggest thing was adjusting the clip tension to we’re it was easy to pull out of them. Never had an issue falling over as the tension was set so pulling out of was like taking your foot off the pedals. I also got pedals for clip in on one side and flat surface on the the other. I’m just trying to find some good clip in sandals now.

Just a note on your sandal hunt: I have the two strap classic shimanos. They are almost dead. Been running them for years. I also have the 3 strap variation and I’ve been using them this season. Holy balls if it’s hot and you get those 3 straps filled up with moisture they weigh A TON.

 

[RamClone]

I'm old school (and old) and not in a hurry; I use half clips (available at BikeWorld, Amazon, etc..) with a good trail running shoe. Bike shop guy once told me with clipless, "you'll probably fall down once a year or so" which I decided was once a year too often.