tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post8065769729427491781..comments2024-03-28T11:56:48.304-04:00Comments on The Retrogrouch: Riding a Bike: You're Doing It WrongBrookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-5838758942929693642017-05-26T03:59:29.656-04:002017-05-26T03:59:29.656-04:00WHAT KIND OF FENDER DO YOU HAVE?WHAT KIND OF FENDER DO YOU HAVE?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07923611202911580040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-78980298142340138432017-03-25T23:59:27.127-04:002017-03-25T23:59:27.127-04:00About a decade ago when I was about to replace my ...About a decade ago when I was about to replace my 4th set of brifters so I could continue my pursuit of speed at all costs - I had an the epiphany that there must be a better way. I started a journey to steel frames, bar-end shifters and 36 spoke wheels with fat tires, 47c, I slowed down and haven't looked backRoadieRyanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15900109046198641775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-65151412423092959902017-03-24T13:47:34.687-04:002017-03-24T13:47:34.687-04:00Re: margaritas: at my local Mexican restaurant, it...Re: margaritas: at my local Mexican restaurant, it's 2; they make some very strong drinks... but I never leave there unhappy : )<br /><br />As for the victory hoist: I can easily lift my heavy bike above my head (albeit, not when loaded with goods in the panniers and/or trailer); I just don't understand the point of it. When I get home, my first thought isn't to lift my bike, except over the threshold; it's to get my groceries inside so that they don't spoil, and to get a beer inside me : )Morlamwebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17799436150549217033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-39995674279476149312017-03-10T22:27:29.273-05:002017-03-10T22:27:29.273-05:00I don't know about cabbage, but chamois instea...I don't know about cabbage, but chamois instead. In very hot days, what some motorcyclist do is to use a moist chamois (like the ones used for cleaning cars) around the neck. Since the neck is very sensitive to temperature being fresh there feels better, especially is you need a to use a full helmet.Alexander Lópezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08517986861000324855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-7542343524664837062017-03-10T06:59:56.201-05:002017-03-10T06:59:56.201-05:00Because you can use it while riding any bike, I th...Because you can use it while riding any bike, I think the greatest improvement to cycling since the rear derailleur is Ride Wih GPS. Finding new routes, especially off road, opens a whole new world. I'm currently planning a 300 mile trip home from Vermont and used it to plot a multi day fun fest of road, dirt and trail, when I would otherwise rely on dead reckoning and a Citgo map. Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13698580888543282797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-60625221014698549622017-03-08T11:29:50.972-05:002017-03-08T11:29:50.972-05:00I was just in Wuxi, a large city near Shanghai, a ...I was just in Wuxi, a large city near Shanghai, a year ago. There were way more crappy electric scooters than bicycles. There were what we would call bike lanes on all the roads, used 90% by scooters. They cost the equivalent of a few hundred US dollars, can be bought at Carrefour (large supermarket chain) and use a lead acid battery for maybe 20 miles range. I saw new "bicycles" for as cheap as $25 in a different Carrefour. A lot were covered in dust, so they're not selling now that people can afford scooters.<br /><br />I bought a Bickerton folding bike from the Trek store when I was over there, and passed most of the scooters even uphill in my top gear of 50 gear inches (16" wheels.)<br /><br />Typical scooters parked on the sidewalk:<br />https://flic.kr/p/HtN2tb<br /><br />Typical scene at intersection (look at all the scooters across the way):<br />https://flic.kr/p/GR15XW<br /><br />This lady is riding against traffic on a 60+ MPH divided highway. I saw this more than once.<br /><br />https://flic.kr/p/SHeYJW<br />Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07221537769343338514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-88777253215148986872017-03-08T00:45:02.698-05:002017-03-08T00:45:02.698-05:00"One of the main functions of disc brakes is ..."One of the main functions of disc brakes is to solve the problems of the carbon wheels manufacturers. Solve problems of the wheels is not my job." - Dario Pegoretti<br />Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12449219516358286686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-20811306560899675362017-03-07T19:56:39.114-05:002017-03-07T19:56:39.114-05:00Fridge in my house is going on 35 years; It hums w...Fridge in my house is going on 35 years; It hums wonderfully.Chris Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03206266021301909754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-67365143599305686872017-03-07T14:01:58.242-05:002017-03-07T14:01:58.242-05:00The addition of teaching "Designed obsolescen...The addition of teaching "Designed obsolescence" as a legitimate college level course for engineering students, to me, is the breaking point from what used to be, and what we have now. <br /><br />Sure, marketing exists, but it used to inspire one to reach higher to obtain something you didn't have. Now, it's a vicious cycle of what you have isn't good enough, oh, you have it, well, it's still not as cool as this......<br /><br />Remember when "durable goods" was a concept in the stock market. Goods designed to last a lengthy period of time. <br /><br />That I can spend $1500 for a cheap fridge, that may last 5 years, disgusts me, so I hang onto the 20+ year old (when I bought my house 20 years ago) one that came with the house. <br /><br />Sure, it might cost me a little more to run each month, but I'll be damned if I'll fill the landfill with a dead fridge every 5 or so years, just so I can have some energy efficiency, and provide some CEO with a multi million dollar a year paycheck..... MendonCycleSmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02213406716238931069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-42058237035859137332017-03-07T13:50:15.361-05:002017-03-07T13:50:15.361-05:00These articles are why I don't subscribe to th...These articles are why I don't subscribe to the mainstream cycling publications. I don't need any tests or numbers to know how I ride. I presently subscribe to Momentum Mag, which is a much better fit for my tastes, and am considering a Bicycle Quarterly subscription; all of the other rags with their VO2 this and watts that can go pound sand.Morlamwebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17799436150549217033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-23737274888015771222017-03-07T01:23:29.114-05:002017-03-07T01:23:29.114-05:00Every business relies to some degree on trying to ...Every business relies to some degree on trying to convince its customers that whatever they have, they need something better instead. Bikes, cars, clothes, whatever. Publications that depend on advertising revenue are part of this process. The definitive treatise on this topic is "The Sneetches" by Dr. Seuss. Of course, there are real improvements, but it can be hard to distinguish them from hype. Cycling is hardly the worst in this respect; there is an entire industry devoted to convincing women that however they look, it's not OK, and they'd better buy something to fix it, the sooner the better.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11830915925648006565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-62516987145131798502017-03-06T14:07:57.192-05:002017-03-06T14:07:57.192-05:00**Really** nice clinchers! Like the Compass "...**Really** nice clinchers! Like the Compass "extra light" models. I'd put these, plus modern sealants, at the top of all of the "innovations" from the past 40 years including all of those below. I ride 175 gram Compass Elk Pass tires in dirt and gravel that are littered with goatheads.<br /><br />However, I have to agree that clipless, modern dynos and LED lights, and the best of the modern plastic saddles (I like Flite -- the original ones) have made a very positive difference, as, to a lesser degree, have hidden-cable brake levers and more-than-8 speeds in back (with 10 mismatched but closely spaced HG cogs I get a very nice close-ratio gearset for my "road bike for dirt", though I atone for my sin by using original issue Power Ratchet BES to pull the Dura Ace 740x f and rear derailleurs. (Frankly, using a more modern rd with a lower actuation ratio would work better; the Microshift road rd that burst apart when clogged by a stick was the nicest shifting rd I've used, but you have to admit that the old DA rd is much cooler.)<br /><br />Also: modern minipumps: if you can't stick a HPx under your top tube, one of the many Lezynes will work almost as well and tuck away nicely in your Banana Bag.Bertin753https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860648732848589740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-75310630709786593822017-03-06T12:55:40.094-05:002017-03-06T12:55:40.094-05:00The cabbage leaf is a time honored training method...The cabbage leaf is a time honored training method from the C.O.N.I. manual. I'm as likely to do that as I am going to get my VO2 max tested.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13436496434146789718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-60977007311744474482017-03-06T12:49:05.262-05:002017-03-06T12:49:05.262-05:00I wanna hear more on this cabbage leaf thing, plea...I wanna hear more on this cabbage leaf thing, please?MendonCycleSmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02213406716238931069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-21304729893457033932017-03-06T12:10:55.004-05:002017-03-06T12:10:55.004-05:00Kind of ironic you telling the "go-fast hacks...Kind of ironic you telling the "go-fast hacks" they are cycling wrong.<br /><br />As for the marketing, how is it any different from back in the day? Is SLX better than SL? Are Campagnolo side pull better than center pull? Six speeds that much better than five? Should I put a cabbage leaf between my cap and head on hot days? The only difference is that as time moved on, competition to sell stuff has gotten more intense, increasing the BS factor. Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13436496434146789718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-21210207558604066832017-03-06T12:05:50.027-05:002017-03-06T12:05:50.027-05:00I think bicycling magazine has had only about 15 o...I think bicycling magazine has had only about 15 or so articles they re-do all the time for the last few decades. Velo-Snooze isn't much better these days. a good bike is one that is being ridden. Unlike some wines, saving one in a cellar will not make it ride better years from now.George Mounthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17566210070239173927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-31267319244770812352017-03-06T11:14:49.249-05:002017-03-06T11:14:49.249-05:00Professional Fitting - what a reeking pile of dung...Professional Fitting - what a reeking pile of dung. My one and only "fitting" was by a frame builer (a damn good one named Bill Boston, who actually cared about such things!) forty years ago. It consisted of my sitting on the bike I owned then, discussing how I rode, making notes and adjustments. A month later I became the owner of the best-fitting, most comfortable bike I'll ever own. I still ride it and plan to do so until I physically cannot. <br />The other thing I remember from that long-ago fitting conversation, was Bill's scathing contempt for cycling magazines and the advice they pedalled (pun intended). So I guess its just a new version of the same old marketing-department drivel, lapped up by yet another generation of pretentious racer wannabbees. What it comes down to is this: steel is real, and carbon is what I burn in my stove.Coalburnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17770382633141898021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-77964338228544071612017-03-06T09:44:55.447-05:002017-03-06T09:44:55.447-05:00compact gears, really nice clincher tires, LED lig...compact gears, really nice clincher tires, LED lights, and floating cleats have transformed my cycling experience. I've been on the bike 45 years, still have a couple of my old bikes from the 70s, but a couple carbon / DI2 bikes too. It's all good. But a lot of this so-called "innovation" is just driven by marketing departments trying to sell this season's bike by making last season's bike obsolete or out of fashion.<br /><br />I wonder how many carbon giants or treks will still be kickin' it in 2030 ? My 74 Masi is still a great ride.mpetry912https://www.blogger.com/profile/02434530239246909594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-89835286622610943172017-03-05T19:26:25.970-05:002017-03-05T19:26:25.970-05:00I've had a fitting done - more a of an old sch...I've had a fitting done - more a of an old school fitting without video or much technology. For a hundred bucks, I got my saddle raised and moved forward. I'm not sure it was worth the cost.<br /><br />I tend to like more traditional frames, so I've decided the old school fitting methods are as good as any - the frame fits if you can grab a handful of seat post; KOPS; you shouldn't be able to see you front hub when looking down. I set my bikes up up by rules of thumb and a professional fitter only moves my saddle incrementally; in the future I'll just stick to the rules of thumb.Barryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17828417839257554508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-85730437399280270462017-03-05T10:06:24.906-05:002017-03-05T10:06:24.906-05:00Let's see... VO2 Max=Margaritas consumed and s...Let's see... VO2 Max=Margaritas consumed and still able to pedal safely home.<br />Victory Bike Hoist... Ain't happening most of my bikes weigh 40+ pounds. Some even go over 50! But they all have fenders, lights racks and baskets. Let's see Joe Wannabe haul home a week's worth of groceries for 4 people and the dog on the CF wonder bike, that probably cost more than I spend in a year on groceries...<br /><br />Yes I am a retrogrouch.<br /><br />Aaron2whls3spdshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16954543886269776858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-49284897007734582132017-03-05T03:21:19.142-05:002017-03-05T03:21:19.142-05:00I agree with your sentiment that no accessory chan...I agree with your sentiment that no accessory changes the cycling experience, but I also agree with you that modern lights did change the way I ride. The same could be said about my ass-saver rear "fender", because I am too vane to ride fendered bike and this kinda lets me have a cake and eat it.ZigaKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724416869670485746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-80861546717487920982017-03-03T12:38:38.677-05:002017-03-03T12:38:38.677-05:00Agreed. I gave up on a cycle computer long ago. ...Agreed. I gave up on a cycle computer long ago. What changed my riding, equipment wise, was realizing I can have generator lights, good fenders, and a small rack and bag in a high performance bike.Conradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09297850009729752883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-24011403830441048572017-03-03T11:00:48.276-05:002017-03-03T11:00:48.276-05:00In the past couple of years, i've heard plenty...In the past couple of years, i've heard plenty of yammering about bike fitting. People pay hundreds of dollars to have some "expert" in a shop put them on a measuring device. Looks to me like easy money for the shop- the pricey measuring gear is paid off after 5 or 6 fittings, i guess.<br /> Perhaps the buyer feels justified in meeting the expense -after all, they're about to drop 3k-7K on the latest Wonderbike. (Never mind that the latest trends in bike design call for small-ish, slope-framed plastic bikes with ridiculously long seatposts) All they're really determining seems to be stem length and height.<br /> The buyer has then become the latest victim to marketing.mike w.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10317710564489321690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-21187297868477277892017-03-03T07:14:45.195-05:002017-03-03T07:14:45.195-05:00@ Alexander Lopez. I think you've nailed it Al...@ Alexander Lopez. I think you've nailed it Alex. Bike magazines are little more than glossy sales brochures. It's all about the dollar bill.Phillip Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01553979458131339924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-39911769750895352142017-03-03T07:06:35.163-05:002017-03-03T07:06:35.163-05:00I don't even use a computer anymore. I did a l...I don't even use a computer anymore. I did a long time ago, and when the batteries died, and I couldn't remember how to re-calibrate it (having lost the instructions), I removed the whole thing. I log my rides, too -- knowing how far it is to work and back, I track my commuting miles the old fashioned way. I mark down the miles in a calendar, and total them up every month.<br /><br />I suppose if I grudgingly had to say that any accessory changed my cycling, I would only say that it was getting good headlights and taillights (which are much brighter now than they used to be), which allow me to ride to work year-round -- often before sunrise.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.com