DFD

fledonfoot wrote: ↑Tue Sep 07, 2021 9:12 pm I did a 15 mile lap around valley forge and down the SRT yesterday on the MTB with 2.8 fat tires… that was fun keeping them rolling.

Man, I’d love a gravel/adventure/whatever bike if I lived close enough to do that on the regular.

Johnny_P wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 10:24 am

D Griff wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 8:12 am

I actually got a helmet Although it was a , I may get another one I like a bit more. It is a Kask Rapido.

I am just on the shoe front, something like these seems kind of perfect all around: https://www.rei.com/product/178863/shim ... shoes-mens

Then I don't have to fiddle with multiple shoes/pedal types, I can walk like a normal person, easier to clip in/out of, etc. That said, I've never tried real road shoes so maybe I don't know what I'm missing. It's sort of a tough pill to swallow spending $300-400 for something that may or may not actually be better. I find most cyclists totally overrate the equipment and just getting better works just as well.

I can go out on my POS 30 pound Raleigh with commute tires in baggies and flat pedals and only be 8ish percent slower, so I just can't imagine a different cleat type is really going to change the game, but maybe it would as far as comfort goes or something else.

I do want a new saddle , how to go about deciding on that one.

For the saddle, call around to local shops and see if they have a loaner saddle program. Usually you can try a bunch before buying and the rental fee gets deducted from the saddle price.

D Griff wrote:My trail ride this morning got majorly rained out... bleh. Now I'm down a serious online shopping for bike shit rabbit hole.

The Shimano PD-ES600 is regular (MTB) SPD and looks like a pretty dece/lightweight road pedal.

troyguitar wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 12:57 pm

D Griff wrote:My trail ride this morning got majorly rained out... bleh. Now I'm down a serious online shopping for bike shit rabbit hole.

The Shimano PD-ES600 is regular (MTB) SPD and looks like a pretty dece/lightweight road pedal.

I use the ES600 on my "fast" bike and M540 on the "slow" one, with Fizik X5 terra shoes that are a pretty good compromise between road stuff and floppy trail shoes. Though I have not bothered with the shoes all summer, I'm happier with my SPD sandals when it's hot, humid, and raining constantly.

IIRC I paid about the same price for the X5 terra shoes as those Shimanos, but finding the right size took some time.

D Griff wrote:

troyguitar wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 12:57 pm I use the ES600 on my "fast" bike and M540 on the "slow" one, with Fizik X5 terra shoes that are a pretty good compromise between road stuff and floppy trail shoes. Though I have not bothered with the shoes all summer, I'm happier with my SPD sandals when it's hot, humid, and raining constantly.

IIRC I paid about the same price for the X5 terra shoes as those Shimanos, but finding the right size took some time.

they appear to be available on Amazon for around the $120 mark. They look pretty comparable to the Shimanos, I'll have to read up a bit more.

You moved to FL just in time for the worst weather, at least it's all uphill from here, October-April is when it really shines.

troyguitar wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:47 pm

D Griff wrote:
they appear to be available on Amazon for around the $120 mark. They look pretty comparable to the Shimanos, I'll have to read up a bit more.

You moved to FL just in time for the worst weather, at least it's all uphill from here, October-April is when it really shines.

I think the Fizik is a lighter and stiffer shoe. It's pretty solid to the point where I wouldn't want to walk around town for more than a few blocks at a time in them.

[user not found] wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 6:05 pm

D Griff wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 8:12 am

I actually got a helmet Although it was a , I may get another one I like a bit more. It is a Kask Rapido.

I am just on the shoe front, something like these seems kind of perfect all around: https://www.rei.com/product/178863/shim ... shoes-mens

Then I don't have to fiddle with multiple shoes/pedal types, I can walk like a normal person, easier to clip in/out of, etc. That said, I've never tried real road shoes so maybe I don't know what I'm missing. It's sort of a tough pill to swallow spending $300-400 for something that may or may not actually be better. I find most cyclists totally overrate the equipment and just getting better works just as well.

I can go out on my POS 30 pound Raleigh with commute tires in baggies and flat pedals and only be 8ish percent slower, so I just can't imagine a different cleat type is really going to change the game, but maybe it would as far as comfort goes or something else.

I do want a new saddle , how to go about deciding on that one.

$300-400 on shoes? What shoes are you looking at…?

I run a set of Shimano ME4s with XT pedals on the MTB/Gravel, and Shimano RP9s on the road with 105 composite pedals.

Neither setup is fancy (the road setup is semi-fancy, with carbon soles and moldable inserts; the current version retails for $150), but they’ve been dead nuts reliable and very comfy. I’ve never seen the point in spending more than $150 on a pair of shoes. I don’t need to have the best or lightest anything, I just require a little form but mostly function. I think I spent about $100 on either pair at the time of purchase.

Dedicated road shoes are nice, you get a stiffer sole and a wider pedal platform, which means better power transfer and less foot fatigue. Even if you aren’t getting hot spots now, it doesn’t mean you won’t benefit.

troyguitar wrote: ↑Thu Sep 09, 2021 11:41 am

https://www.backcountry.com/shimano-rx8 ... PURGRE-S46

Johnny_P wrote: ↑Sat Sep 11, 2021 8:12 pm What are y’all using for rear lights? Current poverty one died. Probably just a battery but I didn’t like it anyway.

D Griff wrote:

Johnny_P wrote: ↑Sat Sep 11, 2021 8:12 pm What are y’all using for rear lights? Current poverty one died. Probably just a battery but I didn’t like it anyway.

I have Cygolites front and back, they seem to be pretty robust and quite bright.

troyguitar wrote: ↑Sun Sep 12, 2021 12:24 am

D Griff wrote:
I have Cygolites front and back, they seem to be pretty robust and quite bright.

I have 2 sets of them, so far so good. The small cube one (50 lumen) isn't very bright in the daytime though, so I would recommend the 150 set.

https://www.amazon.com/CYGOLITE-LIGHT-C ... 07545T4Y9/

After I got hit last year I actually bought the 350 but that's probably overkill for most people.

troyguitar wrote: ↑Mon Sep 13, 2021 6:16 pm The slowness continues. I did a whopping 14.8 mph today at 162 bpm.

I guess I need to give up on the idea of ever riding with other people. I'll never be able to keep up.

D Griff wrote:

troyguitar wrote: ↑Mon Sep 13, 2021 6:16 pm The slowness continues. I did a whopping 14.8 mph today at 162 bpm.

I guess I need to give up on the idea of ever riding with other people. I'll never be able to keep up.

that is plenty fast enough for many of the groups here. It's just tricky finding the right people that aren't either too fast or too slow. My wife did her first ever group ride Sunday, 12 miles through the city before beers/brunch at a brewery. It was a whopping 12 miles in like 80 minutes ol: Still fun though, we got my buddy and his gf to join and it was just a bit healthier version of hanging at a brewery.

I also tend to get a bit faster when it's cooler, so you may add an MPH come Novemberish.

I think I need to order some GP5000TL in 28 mm, my current 25mm rear tire is looking pretty worn down. What's the best way to determine when to replace? No cords showing yet but it is pretty flat in the center... these things aren't cheap and it's only been eight months, I don't want to replace early unnecessarily. 2,808 miles on the bike/tires as of this morning.

coogles wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 4:05 pm 2,800 miles, dang. I think I have about 25 on the Emonda. No idea why I bought this thing.

troyguitar wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 4:17 pm

D Griff wrote:
that is plenty fast enough for many of the groups here. It's just tricky finding the right people that aren't either too fast or too slow. My wife did her first ever group ride Sunday, 12 miles through the city before beers/brunch at a brewery. It was a whopping 12 miles in like 80 minutes ol: Still fun though, we got my buddy and his gf to join and it was just a bit healthier version of hanging at a brewery.

I also tend to get a bit faster when it's cooler, so you may add an MPH come Novemberish.

I think I need to order some GP5000TL in 28 mm, my current 25mm rear tire is looking pretty worn down. What's the best way to determine when to replace? No cords showing yet but it is pretty flat in the center... these things aren't cheap and it's only been eight months, I don't want to replace early unnecessarily. 2,808 miles on the bike/tires as of this morning.

Replace when you start getting flats. Otherwise

D Griff wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 4:23 pm

coogles wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 4:05 pm 2,800 miles, dang. I think I have about 25 on the Emonda. No idea why I bought this thing.

3,927 for the year so far in total miles biked, I am surprised by how much I am still putting on the Raleigh just around. I was riding to the office for a bit, but only two days/week for a month before that was shut down again.

You'll have more time eventually.

How are you liking it?

troyguitar wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 6:19 pm Damn 80 psi? I run 60 psi on my 25s.