HC Bike/Cycling Thread

[n_maher]

Drenched Al does not appear to be a happy man. 

[Voltron]

Claire kept looking on the bright side but later admitted to making the wrong decision to carry on. Oh well, we survived and we're taking it easy today.

[n_maher]

It was perhaps the perfect day/evening to ride today.  Low 60s, sunny, light winds.

This is the N+1 bike.  I tried to just buy a spare set of wheels and this guy, who was 15 minutes from the house, offered me an entire bike for a few hundred more than the wheelset that it had on it (Zipp 303s).  So the Canyon has been adopted for trainer use but today it was the bike that had road wheels on it and it was too nice out not to go for a rip.   Traffic was problematic.

This lot cost me a PR on a segment, but I didn't mind.

 

 

 

[TMoney]

I’m coming up on 200 miles on the new bike and still very much in the honeymoon phase. I did a 35ish mile ride today and had a blast. This thing is a riot to get out and ride. I love how much distance I can cover, and it feels like a proper machine. The farm roads where I live are infinite, and with the radar I’m not caught off guard when motorists do want to overtake.

I’m starting to get used to the clipless setup. No wipe-outs since the initial one. As I’ve developed a more deft touch on the brakes it is easier to dismount under control. I still have close calls every now and then so not ready to crank the pedal tensioners up yet, but I’m getting there.

I’m ready for a bike fit and booked one with a local place that a co-worker recommended that uses the Retul stuff. I don’t know what I’m doing outside of going by feel, so hoping they can help me out. I’m not sure if my saddle is right or not, and I do get some shoulder soreness on longer rides. I can see fit being more and more important as I do longer rides.

I’m also going to bring the bike back to the shop for a break-in adjustment and cleaning. She is getting filthy and I don’t have access to a hose to spray it off.

 

 

[n_maher]

No point in ever turning up the pedal tensioners until you've pulled out of them because you're cranking so hard.  I doubt you ever get there, I never have even when pulling 1000W in a sprint.  More than anything I'm glad you're enjoying the bike.  As your fitness increases and your body adapts to the positioning more and more it'll become even more fun.  And she's sexy, that much is for sure.

[TMoney]

Did my first virtual ride on Zwift. It is very weird not to have to worry about steering the bike. I feel like I was in the matrix. It is pouring rain out, so yeah, I see the appeal of riding indoors. I also am able to tighten the pedal tensioners to their “death grip” setting because there is no falling off a stationary bike.

I also noticed, while looking at what cadence other people ride at on Strava, that all of Brent’s Strava pictures are of food. You can’t make this stuff up. 😂

Edited October 14, 2025 by TMoney

[TMoney]

So question for the collective wisdom of this group: what cadence do you spin at?

My natural cadence is probably low 70s, but it seems like consensus is 85-ish would be better. I can spin that fast but I need to force it for a while to build the muscle memory.

Also, what a difference a professional bike fit makes as a novice. My saddle was too low and my cleats were mounted out of position. It seems like fixing those two issues alone has given me a free 20W, not to mention the more comfortable position on the bike. I’m still not sure I’m on the right saddle, but I’ll give it a few hundred miles post-fit to make sure. 

[aerius]

3 hours ago, TMoney said:

So question for the collective wisdom of this group: what cadence do you spin at?

My natural cadence is probably low 70s, but it seems like consensus is 85-ish would be better. I can spin that fast but I need to force it for a while to build the muscle memory.

Anything over 60 is fine, people stress way too much over cadence when it's really not that important until you're years into your cycling hobby.  As a mountain biker, my cadence will go anywhere from 40-ish to well over 100 on any given ride, it's not a big deal.  Yes there's an ideal cadence for max efficiency at higher power outputs which is around 85-90rpm, that's what you'd ride at if you're training hard or trying to win a race but for recreational riding and especially as a novice, it just doesn't matter yet.

Ride whatever cadence feels best until you get serious enough about cycling that you're shaving your arms & legs for drag reduction & extra speed.  70rpm is perfectly fine and it's not going to wreck your joints or cause any bio-mechanical issues.

[n_maher]

^^^ This.  

I generally ride in the low 70s, spinning faster doesn't feel good for me or my legs.  I've tried to train up to a faster cadence via Zwift and it just feels wrong.  So I don't fight it.  I'm fast enough to where I want to be fitness-wise w/ no aches and pains - from cycling anyway.

[TMoney]

When I can get myself to do it, low 80s rpm feels “right” for me as far as a sweet spot between perceived effort and power.

I’m starting to learn to hate the wind. It is the one time I wish I was on a e-bike. Hills are a fun challenge, but pedaling into the wind sucks. Pusing straight in to a 25mph gust felt like trying to bail out a leaking boat. So much effort and all I get out of it is 8-9mph!

 

 

[n_maher]

The wind is just giving you bonus training. 😁 Seriously though, don't worry, it's not a race.  I get the frustration though as 9/10 rides home from work are into the wind of some sort.  

Today for me was a quick rip around town as I didn't have time for a long ride and my back still hasn't totally recovered from last weekend so I'm trying to mostly take it easy on it.  Garmin's guess at the wind was way off.  I'd say the seat of the pants feel was more like 10mph steady with some swirling/gusting going on.  Still a beautiful day for a ride.

[Grahame]

cyclist in marin headlands stabbed during altercation with tesla driver https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/marin-headlands-stabbing-cyclist-conzelman-road/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Marin/s/S2N9xWRJsp

Stay safe?

[TMoney]

Starting to look the part!

[grawk]

I just got a colnago c50 with super record 11, but no pictures until Christmas because it’s under the proverbial tree. 

[philodox]

Looking good, that reminds me of my old helmet (mec manta), what is it? 

[TMoney]

I think it is a Specialized Prospero. Was on sale at the local bike shop in town. 

[philodox]

Looks nice

I lost my manta, use a much more modest helmet now, but my kids got me it, so I love it. 

[TMoney]

Firm holiday party is in Monterey. Think I might bring the bike down with me. Don’t let a free hotel room go to waste, right?

I’m not quite sure I have the legs for this vertical, but I’ll practice on Zwift this week.

 

[Grahame]

No e-biking at Laguna Seca?

Disappoint.

[TMoney]

When it is cold and wet outside, Zwift is just the best.

Also, good news. @MexicanDragon will be joining the HC-Zwifters soon!

[grawk]

Zwift supports motorcycles?

[grawk]

 

colnago c50 with super record 11 and shamal ultra wheels. It’s officially the riders fault when I can’t go up hill or fast. 

[n_maher]

My existing direct-drive trainer had started to had multiple signal drop issues so Santa was kind enough to bring me:

 

[grawk]

Took the new bike out for a first ride today.  My new shoes (five ten) need to have the release adjusted, because when I stopped, I fell over because my left foot wouldn't let go.  I need to adjust the front brake, it's grabbing intermittently.  It could use some minor fit adjustments, but over all, I'm pretty happy with the fit, I got the right size.  

The big issue is I haven't ridden enough to make a difference since I met my wife in late 2020, so I'm in AWFUL shape.  I was gassed after less than a mile.  Kayaking isn't a particularly aerobic exercise.

I'm gonna set up my indoor setup with my old bike and see if I can get slightly less out of shape before trying anything not mostly flat outside again.

[philodox]

Anyone know anything about indoor trainers for the winter? Looking for an inexpensive one to use during the icy parts of winter.

On 12/25/2025 at 9:47 PM, n_maher said:

My existing direct-drive trainer had started to had multiple signal drop issues so Santa was kind enough to bring me:

Lmk how you like it. Any idea how much it runs for?

Edited yesterday at 05:50 PM by philodox