Numpty IM Bike Thread - Page 9 - Triathlon

candy ollier

26/07/2005 at 12:15

that's because the air resistance against the two balls is insignificant compared to the gravitational effect.

on a bike, the difference is huge. ditto rolling resistance. the cyclists aren't falling, they are rolling down an incline.

candy ollier

26/07/2005 at 12:17

i've sat up on the bike on a hill and freewheeled past monique pedalling hard in an aero tuck position

if it isn't gravity, what's your explanation for why heavier people always go faster downhill then? magic ley line energy from planet zog?

Calf

pirate

26/07/2005 at 12:17

damn comptometer.
How am I expected to have a good discussion when it takes 10 mins for the bloody pages to refresh

Anyone know why it does that!

candy ollier

26/07/2005 at 12:18

ask any cyclist who has been out with others. or look up the thread and see what road racers cougie and fb have to say. heavier people do go faster down hills.

2 trenches

26/07/2005 at 12:18

Aha! I've got it!

The aerodynamics rule applies.

So there is an unknown factor, which we shall call x for the purposes of the arguement.

x is the factor which makes heavier things travel faster down slopes.

Simple aint it.

Iron Rose

26/07/2005 at 12:18

FFM, where are you based ?

If I go to any of the bike shops in my area none of them give me any grief about being a bike numptie and they didn't know me to start with.

You need to start looking at bike shops that have diversified into just more than road bikes.
Some of these road shops are the ones that either have a very narrow view of getting more people into cycling or try baffling you with science. Plus if you mention the word triathlon you are onto a loser already !

If you are anywhere in the North West I use Royles in Wilmslow (top end bikes of every make and do entry level sets as well), Sabar in Cheadle (specifically triathlon) and The Bike Factory in Chester.

I am sure in other areas people have a favourite shops but make them work for you and if someone takes the pi$$, walk out.

26/07/2005 at 12:19

[pads in to leave a li'l box of betablockers on the table, and pads off to do the shopping]

candy ollier

26/07/2005 at 12:19

red haired girl - precisely

26/07/2005 at 12:19

[checks mirror and vows to tone down colour next time]

fat buddha

26/07/2005 at 12:21

the air resistance against my balls was insignificant...........they were firmly tucked away up my inguinal canal avoiding any possibility of coming into contact with the road....... ;O)))

Gavo

26/07/2005 at 12:22

Anyway. Back to bike not physics questions. Any recommendations on bike computers? I've got a wireless on my hybrid (well I will as soon as I figure out how to change the circumference measurement thingy) but it's been a bit awkward to fit & sort out.

What other makes am I looking for? Should I be bothered to measure my cadence? I'm mostly only looking for distance & time at the moment.

And, as ever, I'm not doing an IM. I might have the kit but that's as close as it is going to get.

candy ollier

26/07/2005 at 12:22

he's like a samurai

2 trenches

26/07/2005 at 12:22

I shall ask around in an effort to find out. Which should stop me blowing my brains out at 3am tomorrow morning.

Fastest Fat Man

26/07/2005 at 12:34

[wonders back in and looks to see if the Newtonion arguement is finally over]

Thanks Iron Rose & Gavo for brave attempts to rescue the thread back.

Iron Rose - I live in Warwick and the LBS around definately leave me feeling that they are p*ssing themselves after I leave. (Of course that might just be my own insecurities).

Gavo - the proper bikers might have a better answer, but for me, seeing the cadence makes a big difference. For a start, it helps me understand how hard I should be working...

XFR Bear

26/07/2005 at 12:35

Just read back and glad I did - thought Candy was getting to in depth stuff like air resistance on yer nadgers and the latest saddle design to minimise that :oS

XFR Bear

26/07/2005 at 12:36

based on his TOTP post that is!

slugster

26/07/2005 at 12:43

Hi All,
Great thread! Another thick question from a non-cyclist...

Am thinking about getting the Specialized Dolce (woman's fit) £499.

Frame: Specialized Designs for Women Columbus SLX double butted frame with replaceable derailleur hanger and Compact geometry
Fork: Specialized Carbon forks with bonded carbon fibre legs and alloy crown
Gears: 24 speed Shimano Sora front and Tiagra rear derailleurs
Shifters: Shimano Sora shifters with flight deck compatibility
Chainset: Specialized Comp chainset with 52-42-30 teeth chainrings
Brakes: Dual pivot alloy brakes
Wheels: Alex DA-16 alloy rims with Specialized hubs
Tyres: Specialized All Condition Sport 700x23c tyres
Handlebars: Specialized Zertz Womens handlebars
Stem: Specialized stem
Saddle: Womens Body Geometry Dolce saddle
Seatpost: Specialized carbon fibre seatpost
Pedals/Extras: Composite body pedals

Does this sound a reasonable choice for a beginner cyclist aiming for triathlon? If not anyone got any recommendations?

Am I being ripped off into thinking its better cos its a 'woman's fit'?

Are Evans Cycles in London OK? Any of you londoners recommend anywhere else?

Thanks lots!

Gumps

26/07/2005 at 12:48

Slugster,

That's a decent bike and one which makes most of the recommendations. I believe it's the bike Jane Tomlinson did her IM training on. Regarding the fit, you really need to try it. Womens fit is best for some women. Normal for others.

Evans are a reasonable shop, get tehnm to match the price of Edinburgh Cycles who I think are doing this model for £425 at the moment (or get them to include £75 of kit for free - shoes, pedals, shorts etc)

Calf

pirate

26/07/2005 at 12:53

FFM have you tried the bike shop in tavistock street in (yeah I know) coventry?
Always found the bloke there quite reasonable.
The ones in leamington are for kids or just rude!

Andy W

26/07/2005 at 13:08

Slugster,
I bought the Specialized Allez a couple of years ago, and I think the Dolce is a women's specific-version of it.
Yeah, decent bit of kit and I've been happy with it.
Wasn't too impressed with the tyres in the wet over Winter so swapped those, but have ridden it for a couple of years, done a couple of Centurys.

I testrode a Trek 1000 for the same price, decided I preferred the Spesh, particularly as it had carbon forks and the Trek was only Chromoly.

Testride a few, see what you prefer, see what sort of service the shop seems it'll give you.